Gyaan About Life-By-Kumat Bahukhandi

One morning, while I was sitting at a coffee shop, sipping my cuppa and reading my favourite author, my attention was suddenly diverted by loud guffaws coming from the table adjacent to mine.

They came from a bunch of students wearing T-shirts bearing the name of an engineering college in my city. The butt of their jokes was a fellow student whom they addressed as Rancho.

Amusingly, the guy being discussed wasn't famous as the Rancho of 3 Idiots because he possessed Aamir Khan-like charm.

Quite the contrary. His friends actually seemed to abhor him because the poor chap would start his gyaan ki paathshaala at the slightest opportunity.

Even I was amazed to hear about the advice he was apparently imparting to his friends on how to lead a perfect life.

The budding gyaani might have counted himself among the most intellectual members of the group; however, life lessons coming from a twenty-something sounded funnier than anything else.

From gyaan about life and tips on handling failure to overcoming fears, everyone seems to have an answer to all of life's problems.

I am sure many of us have come across such Ranchos in life. As they say, “The only free thing in the world is advice,” and perhaps that explains why it flows so freely everywhere.

College mein professors, canteen mein girlfriend, office mein seniors, rallies mein netas, television pe hosts and now Twitter pe celebs.

All seem to have taken to gyaangiri — and how!

A noted filmmaker once made an interesting observation:

“Earlier, philosophers were celebrities. In the 21st century, celebrities are philosophers.”

I am sure star-struck followers on various social networking sites would second that statement, for our actors are no less enthusiastic when it comes to dispensing advice — and that too, for free.

From gyaan about life and tips on handling failure to overcoming fears and achieving true happiness, our celebrities seem to have an answer to all of life's problems.

For someone whose own life may be marred by controversies, failures and estranged relationships, giving gargantuan lessons in 140 characters seems to have become a trend.

However, what beats me is: what exactly are these stars trying to prove?

Are they trying to flaunt their wisdom — if any?

Do they really expect their fans to follow their advice?

I don't know.