Wednesday 2 November 2016

Torn between virtual and real world

Life was complicated and life has become more complicated. Earlier there was a unique existence. Now dual existence is so common that knowingly or unknowingly we are simultaneously living in both the real world and virtual world. It's truly now a Virtual vs Real world situation May be physically alone, but mental space is now too much crowded with virtual 'friends'.


Where is the time to think about some real issues that are affecting my real existence? Gossiping, discussing trivial issues -all these are eating our time leaving a mentally tired human body. Virtual friends are always there - but not in real terms. These friends are not available when presence of a human being is necessary. Knowing this well, we keep on ourselves busy with chatting with virtual friends ignoring real human beings present with us.

A family - two adolescents, mummy and daddy - was enjoying a dinner at a costly restaurant. Shell-shocked to find out that none of them were talking with each other but all are busy with their smartphone and chatting smartly. What a pity! They were clicking selfie not to make the dinner a memorable one, but to share it with virtual world. Where is real human bonding? Some of my friends said, virtual world has expanded so much that to express one's love, affection etc, virtual route is now the most trusted method.

No matter how much expansion and impact virtual world make, nothing but only real presence can let us feel love, pain etc. Experts believe that too much engagement with virtual world, leave us dejected, under satisfied. Time is ripe for a balancing act, creating a balance between real world and virtual world so that our mental spaces find enough room to enjoy beauty of reality.    

   

Tuesday 1 November 2016

Celebration with deadly pollution

The country observed Diwali with much fun-fare and gaiety. In search of moving from "darkness to light" people burn innumerable candles and joy of such journey is expressed by bursting crackers. No one really knows how much is being made in the path of darkness to enlightenment.

However, one thing is sure, in the name of celebration of Diwali, we inflict huge damage to our environment. Smoke from cracker bursting pollute the air. Through out the year, we and our little children joyously breathe highly toxic air and toxicity just increases by many folds during Diwali evening. But who cares. In quest of 'Light of life', we knowingly or unknowingly putting our health at risks.

If environmentalists are to be believed, Diwali celebration silently affect our health and breathing problem starts. Importantly, youngsters are the most vulnerable section. Bursting Crackers not only emanates poisonous gases, it also disturbs birds and animals which are responsible in maintaining bio-diversity. Can we be little more rational next year and think twice before polluting our environment in the name of celebration.

See what actor Nandita Das is saying: