I loved getting up late as a young girl and like parents of all good girls, my parents never approved of it. They conveyed it to me nearly every day. The best excuse I could come up with was, the moment I open my eyes in the morning I want my newspaper, without that, it is difficult for me to open my eyes. Before eight o’clock the newspaper belonged to my Dad. He may not have liked the idea of my waking up late, but handing me the newspaper before he read it, was too much of a sacrifice and fortunately, he never made it. My parent’s efforts to wake me continued, as did my resistance.
Now after 24/7 news channels and the internet, we switch on the TV or the internet, the moment we open our eyes in the morning. We have no appetite for breakfast until we know, what happened in the world while we were sleeping. Why is it important to know what others are thinking, saying or doing, no matter how trivial, nonsensical or destructive? Not only that, we are also ready to lend our eyes and ears to the experts, who offer their expert comments on the happenings. The analysis of which takes us nowhere. We want to know what has happened, what is about to happen, what can happen or, what should have happened. Spending time on daily news, especially current political affairs is a complete waste of time, some of my learned friends always tell me. I agree with them most of the time and continue with the addiction.
I read a story about Saint Bahauddin Walad from Afghanistan, in an opinion piece, in a newspaper, many years ago. He dreamt about an invasion, that would result in large-scale bloodshed and destruction. Unfortunately, his dream came true. Chengiz Khan’s grandson, Halaku Khan, invaded Afghanistan. This post is not about the cruelty of the invader or the bloodshed. My focus in this post is, on the mental state of the person who knew this was coming. Imagine the plight of this Saint, who was waiting for the destruction of his homeland and the suffering of his near and dear ones.
Being informed is not always useless. It can increase the chances of survival. The better informed we are, the better our chances of surviving various ordeals, ranging from stock market disasters to floods, to famines, to terrorist attacks. Information is the tools and weapons, that help us survive. Having said that, I am scared of opening the newspaper these days. There is hardly any good/happy news. I don’t want to start my day on a depressing note.
I read a story somewhere on the internet. Three prisoners were taken to the king, by his wizard. The first was caught cursing you, the king was told.
“Off with his head,” came the order.
The second was caught stealing bread. “Feed him to the lions,” was the response.
The third man was caught falsifying documents, money laundering and pilfering millions in corporate loans. “Hire him,” roared the king.
An unrelated statement – The hour is darkest and coldest just before dawn. ‘Andhera zyada gehra lag raha hai/ shayad subah ab hone hi ko hai’.
My friends from Mumbai always point out that I am living in a dangerous city where people are rowdy, push each other, break the queues and are not bothered about rules. In defense of Delhi, in a typical meri Dilli meri shaan style I tell them that Delhi is a lively city, people may be loud but that is because they are large-hearted (Dilli dil walon ki).
This sher by Allama Iqbal, the famous Urdu poet is relevant in all situations –
Achchha hai dil ke saath rahe pasban-e-aql
lekin kabhie kabhie ise tanha bhi chhod dein
(it is important that the brain should guard the heart, but sometimes the heart should be left alone).
Photos and content by Prerna Jain.