And they are leaving (My Old-soul Twinkle)
Disclaimer: This new series, “My Old-soul Twinkle,” is my heartfelt attempt to capture the endless stream of thoughts racing through my mind. At times, these musings may seem confusing—or even a little "out there"—but I genuinely welcome your counterpoints and insights. Dive in and share your thoughts!
Recently, at Delhi Airport, while waiting for my flight, I overheard (unintentionally, obviously!) the conversation of two gentlemen. The discussion transpired as
“I have been asking my grandson to be serious for the business babu bhai, but it seems his dedication is more towards his mobile screen than to the galla (business). Yesterday, I asked him to clear the accounts of creditors, and today, when I asked about the status, he said, 'kaka, abhi karta hoo'. Kal time nai mila.’ Why is he not sincere? He is just daydreaming, trying to bring in significant concepts of environmental protection and health consciousness. He seems to talk only; I am still baffled about what will happen once I am gone. Babu Bhai, tel me how to instil honesty and steadfastness in his promises. This generation only thinks of green and does not want to save for yellow days. They don't want to feel challenged in reality, but some drama!!”
This conversation made me think that the concern, the sense of responsibility, the value of promises and words- these are just the sentiments nowadays that are read in academics and philosophical discussions. The world has become professional even in the personal area. The bleak line between personal and professional has led to the dissolution of soft emotions, too.
Sometimes, I feel that, transactional jobs have left the workplace (owing to AI), but they have entered our safe spaces, relationships and social interactions.
My “fear” further echoed in the paragraph from my current read, “Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky”-
" That’s why they so dislike the living process of life; they don’t want a living soul! The living soul demands life; the soul won’t obey the rules of mechanics; the soul is an object of suspicion; the soul is retrograde! But what they want, though it smells of death and can be made of india-rubber, at least is not alive, has no will, is servile and won’t revolt! And it comes in the end to their reducing everything to the building of walls and the planning of rooms and passages in a phalanstery! The phalanstery is ready, indeed, but your human nature is not ready for the phalanstery – it wants life, it hasn’t completed its vital process, it’s too soon for the graveyard! You can’t skip over nature by logic. Logic presupposes three possibilities, but there are millions! Cut away a million, and reduce it all to the question of comfort! That’s the easiest solution to the problem! It’s seductively clear, and you mustn’t think about it. That’s the great thing, you mustn’t think! The whole secret of life in two pages of print!"
The black ingratitude is poisonous.
We are the generation (probably the last) that knew the selfless love around us.
Isn't it our responsibility to show our gratitude for that love, by extending it to our surroundings and the people we interact with?
While the last generation of sincerity and innocence, the people of the ground, are parting and leaving for a heavenly abode, let's keep their values and embrace their thoughts to maintain the natural culture standing where there is scope for action, genuineness, and not just a superficial life!!
Dear Ekta, your blog, today is really thought provoking and makes everyone of our generation feel how the ingredients of accepting the world as it is with honesty and Deeply acknowledging the efforts, hard work, which we have gone through can be passed on to the younger generation, facing challenges of AI and technology.
ReplyDeleteIt is also a fact that the young generation will have new challenges to deal with which we cannot comprehend and prepare them, whether it is job losses, or taking on family responsibilities of having two children and giving them full time/life time for nurturing as we are doing.
Thoughts of babu bhai are echoed in every parent/businessman of our generation to teach the values of doing it, NOW, and bringing clarity to come out of this, this illusion meant from the virtual world to the reality.
Well done
Thank you sir for your thoughts and enhancing the post
DeleteA hugely compelling piece that demands reflection and introspection
ReplyDeleteYour writing beautifully captures this moment of transition not with complaint but with concern and love. . . And maybe that’s where hope quietly begins. . It reminded me of a gentle truth that every generation carries its own struggles, but the goodness at the core of people doesn’t vanish sometimes it just gets buried under noise, distractions, or the pace of life. . .
ReplyDeleteWhat you saw at the airport isn’t a sign that sincerity is dying, it’s a reminder that we need to keep nurturing it in ourselves, in our homes, and in the way we relate to people. . . When we live with honesty, warmth and steadiness it naturally reaches others too. . Truly touching & heartfelt piece !