Power Of Perspectives

Perspective….How often have we come across this word.

Well, for me, about 90% of my life has been driven by the perspective I hold of myself and about others around me.

(College) ”Anjali, key to a successful engineer ,is to have the perspective of a layman”

(10th class-ICSE) “Look at the sonnets from the perspective of the romanticists for whom nature was their beloved ”

(Kindergarten) “Stop beating everybody up, Anjali . Have you ever considered the perspective of the recipient . Try putting yourself in their shoes!” .

Pheww! A difficult kid that I was still unaware of another dimension to “perspectives” that stuck me a few days back .

Perspective is not actually what you define. Its actually defined by what others think and feel! Yes, I am not blabbering another philosophical statement and obviously not challenging your power to control your own decisions. “I am an individual. I am the master of my thoughts. I control my life !” Obviously, this claim on your part stands unrefuted. But for once, try and ponder how valid this statement stands in this 21st century!

In the month of September, I visited my hometown during the Ganesh Chaturthi weekend. Mind you, there weren’t any huge idols being taken to visarjan or mass gatherings dancing to the beats of trumpets and dhols . But just an ordinary day that you expect to flow ordinarily In the ordinary narrow lanes of an ordinary city of northern India.

Back-to-back shots of golgappes! A perfect day indeed. Certainly nothing can compare my love for them and the constant cravings I had for them during my work hours in Pune. I fired my scooty and headed home when I was stopped mid-way. All happened suddenly-- A rickshaw driver on the main road dashed into an I10 while taking a blind turn into yet another ordinary narrow lane. What next! The weak wretched soul got pulled off the rickshaw and was given a beating of his life. When people tried to intervene, the man showcasing the show of power kept repeating “Meri nayi gaadi pe scratch maar dia! Andha, baap ki sadak hai !” And the abusing continued with the poor-man constantly pleading sorry and saying “Saab-maafi”. Finally, the crowd took matters in their hand and pulled the rickshaw driver away from the scene. Though the road cleared and I went home. But somehow i couldn't clear the confusion in my head.

Just a few days back I saw the same accident happen but this time it was between two cars- a duster and an alto ! One could easily do the math and come up with the cost amounting to thousands! But , no one did anything and blamed it all on the nagar-nigam for such poor facilities and road arrangements!

What was different? Even the I10 driver seemed to be an educated fellow with a business suit and puma boots! Then what went wrong. Consider me a fool when I state this, but your perspective of a situation changes with respect to the person you are dealing. And believe me, at that time you are not a master of your thought but a social animal who tries to suppress the voice of those who cant express or maybe those whose views wont create a difference.

The journey from undeveloped to underdeveloped has been an enthralling experience for the nation as a whole. But, to be able to call India developed; a change in perspective on the part of every individual is needed. Instead of expecting the change from others, first reflect on your own actions. Its the election year, isn't it? And suddenly there are hordes of expectations and everyone has views. Last time i checked, development was one of them!

What about me, you ask?

Well, Its been six months now and I still ask myself everyday : “Why didn’t I act on that ordinary day when that ordinary man was suffering!”