A Friend Or Foe? Sheer Confusion!

Ramesh said to Ritesh, “Listen, dear, I came across a short story by Sir Roald Dahl, called 'The Hitchhiker,' where the author praised the pickpocket and named him Handsmith! A socially condemned act is being eulogized by the author through his writing, and the way he endorsed the act has captivated our minds. We unhesitatingly align with the author’s interpretation and praise his story as an appealing narrative that bears testimony to how poverty can drive someone to resort to an act just to sustain themselves.”

Ritesh replied with much enthusiasm, “Ramesh, it is not the author’s duty to take accountability for the social evils prevailing in our society and mop them up to ensure a healthy life for us. He is supposed to highlight the evils persisting in our society and enable us to take measures to get rid of such vices. We are indebted to such authors who consistently strive to make us aware of the environment we live in.”

Ramesh retorted, “But Ritesh, don’t you think that the author was honest enough to make such a description where he emphasized his constraints to impose his own outlook and evaluation? He just drew a painstaking situation where a person was impelled to acknowledge one's skill, which saved him from the numerous hassles created by the state. We cannot see the state, but we can see the organs of it responsible for our agony and sufferings. Who wants to be subjected to such state-sponsored atrocity?”

Ritesh answered, “Do you think this is the only way to combat the state?”

Ramesh retaliated, “No, I don’t think so. But a welfare state must look after such anomalies prevailing and take necessary steps to reduce the plight of the common people. After all, where will the common mass go to redress their complaints? Unless the state ushers in with an optimistic approach, how will they exist?”

“Listen dear, from your interpretation, I may concur that whatever is going on in Gaza in West Asia regarding the battle between Israel and Palestine, one side attacks first, and the opponent retaliates in a harsher way, garnering support from the world's strongest state. I wonder, if the strongest nation approves such vile advancements responsible for killing numerous innocent civilians and children, how long will they enjoy their status at the apex? Stealing did not exist in the nascent state of human civilization, and neither did extensive killing within one's own fraternity. In a passage of time, a complex social fabric we humans entwined and the complexities gave birth to a contradictory lifestyle where numerous people are just fighting to exist and paying the price for their extinction too. But how can a civilized society ignore that poor children are ceaselessly dying out of vengeance of such an atrocious claim of a state?” answered Ramesh.

“But with warfare technology along with superior intelligence networks, can you ignore that, in a battle, one will inevitably win who possesses such high-end technology? I guess that is what your short story conveyed – the message that the one who will win needs to be superior in technology where mankind and humanity are forced to take a backseat out of the witty craftwork of an individual that just forces us to acknowledge his skill and acumen,” replied Ritesh.

Ramesh sighed, “Ritesh, have you ever forgotten the stories of history where numerous dynasties ruled the world with their technology and wit, but now they are just gone into oblivion? The story you mentioned at the beginning is superb and has a huge emotional appeal, but it is the technology that deserves to prevail, and without it, our world will soon turn into a dry desert without any oasis.”

Ramesh wondered and asked Ritesh, “What do you mean by superiority in the field of technology when a huge number of men, women, and children are just dying across developing nations due to a lack of access to technology?”

Ritesh answered, “This is what I meant to convey to you that whatever example you may cite, but the fact is you have to acknowledge that technology is the prime consideration for human existence in the present age.”

Ramesh answered, “I am just wondering when your technology can download bread! I only can concur from the conversation that nobody can still draw a straight line on a round object. After all, a lie is a lie no matter how many times you may recite it. Cheating, false promises, and causing harm to others cannot yield rich dividends for longer times but can bury one perpetually. Sorry, Ritesh. I wonder how we can remain friends for such a long time without heeding that you possess a trait that is absolutely vile and contrary to my values! However, goodbye, dear!”