AUDACITY FOR CHANGE

The other day I was watching an awards ceremony on television for young achievers. The anchor asked a prize recipient, “How do you manage to think out of the box?” The boy said, “I don’t think out of the box…. I think that there is no box.” And it was an ‘aha’… moment for me. I am glad someone realized the potential of this boy and encouraged him. Because the opposite is a norm in our society! We encourage mediocrity and shun intelligence.
By intelligence I am not referring to the ability to crunch numbers or crack the sacred IIT entrance exam. Or even to top the board exams. Going by that norm I must admit I am a total dud, with a capital D. Intelligence for me means tracking the unchartered territory, exploring the unexplored. To do something new...Like the famous title of Star Trek - To boldly go where no man has gone before.
To be honest, it begins right from pre-school and continues all through our college and work life.
“Papa, how does an aero plane fly?”
“Discovery channel dekha kar, usme sab batate hai”, retorts his father when his over-inquisitive son pesters Anil Kapoor in a Hindi movie.
You know what?
Often we force children to shut-up, even when they have genuine questions. “Bahut sawaal poochta hai.” Well that exactly is one of the major flaws of our education system. Of all the seductions of adolescence, the most appealing is its potential for challenge. Ask questions. Change and challenge are hardwired in their DNA.
Preoccupied with work, we lack the patience to satisfy an active perplexed mind. Frankly, often we do not have the right answers.
Do as you are told, and do not ask questions.
Why not?
The reason is that we are products of a system of patronage which nourishes the ‘follower’ mentality! It takes roots and entrenches deep in the crevices of our mind. The sarkaari establishment waters and feeds the attitude of blind following. While at work, it also means pleasing your boss.
“He does whatever is asked, no questions asked,” praises the boss.
Kyon panga lena? Apna kya jaata hai? Chalne do jo chal raha hai…..All mean one thing. Do not ask questions.
Another name for it is sycophancy. And in today’s world, sycophancy is indeed an imperative. It is the only weapon in the arsenal of an individual endlessly middling the path, finally landing on the muddle path! Needless to say that such an obedient worker is not a threat. Not for the boss! The ‘muddles’ take ultimate pleasure in pulling the ones down who have the guts to question the system, resigned as they are to their own fate.
And if you are the rare kind who has this “dimaagi kida” in your mind, then God help you. One thing is for sure. He will not get his promotions on time.
And why do you think the equation between the Congress President and our Prime Minister is working in perfect tandem? Because he is not a threat! Not for the madam. He will abdicate the throne the moment madam desires.
Not even for a minute am I implying that Dr Singh is not intelligent. In fact he is one of the most intellectual leaders we have. Unfortunately he has been trained not to ask pertinent questions… To blindly tow the party line!
So he stays the Prime Minister of a nation which does the same.
Keeps mum!
As a result mediocrity is main stream while excellence is a rivulet, struggling to find its course. This very attitude of ours warrants deep introspection. Now don’t say, “Leave it yaar,kyon baal ki khaal nikalte ho?’
Because often when we don’t have answers, we change the question. Isn’t it?