One of the professions I have aspired for in my early adult-hood is to become a journalist. You know, not the boring kinds, but the more interesting, taking-celebrity-interviews kinds. Love the glam! ;)
Well, I couldn't fulfill that fantasy, but every now and then, whenever I get an opportunity, I do make it a point to hold some conversation with a 'celebrity', at any place they are comfortable. Most of the times, they choose my mind.
Had such a conversation recently, so I'm sharing with you...have a read. :)
An Indian ‘youth’ of Italian origin called Naam-toh-suna-hi-hoga completes his education in some foreign land and comes back to India because the economic condition in other countries is not as promising as it is here. Almost as soon as he comes here, his aspirations of making it big in the corporate world go for a toss once he realizes his (lack of) competence when pitted against all the others. However, in the course of his disillusionment and realizations, he makes some friends in the ‘right’ places and starts spending time with them.
Well, I couldn't fulfill that fantasy, but every now and then, whenever I get an opportunity, I do make it a point to hold some conversation with a 'celebrity', at any place they are comfortable. Most of the times, they choose my mind.
Had such a conversation recently, so I'm sharing with you...have a read. :)
An Indian ‘youth’ of Italian origin called Naam-toh-suna-hi-hoga completes his education in some foreign land and comes back to India because the economic condition in other countries is not as promising as it is here. Almost as soon as he comes here, his aspirations of making it big in the corporate world go for a toss once he realizes his (lack of) competence when pitted against all the others. However, in the course of his disillusionment and realizations, he makes some friends in the ‘right’ places and starts spending time with them.
What began
as a bunch of people trying to give a direction to the youth of the country
slowly and steadily takes the shape of present-day politics and our protagonist
starts seeing green everywhere around him. Not only that, being naturally
endowed with above-average intelligence, he starts seeing the green in USD and
other denominations, in place of INR!
“I must up
my ante, if I am to achieve my life’s goals”, thinks our hero and rolls up his
sleeves. He now clads himself in a white kurta-pajama
and sports a 3-4 day beard to look like the common man he seeks to inspire. He
increases the glamour of his presentations by going to the houses of the poor,
eating with them, talking about them in conferences in 5-star
hotels…..Basically, he was looking to create an image of the “bridge” between
the rich and the poor.
Hmmmm,
smart. However, what happened next is what happens always. You see, in the
course of talented people bringing about change, they lose focus. Our hero
struggles to maintain a balance between his political goal of being the change
he wants to see and his vested interests (“This is a business in the service
industry, after all!”). In an effort to be as pragmatic as possible, he becomes
a little philosophical as the growth of his kitty surpasses his expectations
and ambitions…
All was well
till one fine day, Naam-toh-suna-hi-hoga,
in a particularly philosophical mood, dropped bombshells after bombshells.
Of course, the interview was with yours truly. Here are the excerpts:
I: Sir, a lot
of people in the country look up to you as their youth icon. Pardon my saying
so, but do still consider yourself as “youth”?
Hero: “Youth” is
a state of mind. If you have the confidence, you will remain a youth for as
long as you want.
(!!)
I: Er, true
Sir, philosophically speaking. However, my question is more in the practical
arena. What the junta wants to know
is, isn’t it time now for you to move to a more mature audience to pitch yourself
as the best candidate for the top job in the country?
Hero:
I: Huh?
Hero:
I: Anyways,
moving on Sir…what do think about the ever-increasing divide between the rich
and the poor in the country?
Hero: The divide
is all in the mind. It is only about confidence.
I: Err, can
you please elaborate on this Sir?
Hero: Look,
money is a state of mind. Whether you are rich or not is your state of mind.
Similarly, whether you are poor is also a state of mind. When both are but
states of mind, isn’t the divide between the rich and the poor a state of mind
as well? Induction, actually. Simple, no?
I: If you say
so Sir. You are a big personality. Anyways, Can you please share your take on
how to revive the growth in the industry?
Hero: (Calmly, as if preaching a sermon) See,
growth is a state of mind. If you have the confidence, you will grow against
all odds. In fact, we have launched a nation-wide challenge to prepare you all
to grow against all odds. This will make you stronger in the times to come…
I (unable to control any longer): What!?
You plan to play with our lives, the lives of the common man!?
Hero: (Smiling) Calm down, my friend. It is
only in the face of adversity that one realizes the strength of one’s
character…
I: Sir, don’t
play with the lives of the common people. You won’t be able to bear the
strength of their wrath!
Hero: (Looking
into his phone as a message tone beeps) That is their state of mind. I am
confident about reigning over the masses…
I: What
absurdity!!? Just who do you think you are!!?
(How stupid of me to blurt it out like this!
Of course, everyone knows who he is! Moreover, everyone knows his stature too! #StupidCommonMan)
If you think
I was blurting things without thinking…read on… (He was still looking at and typing something in his phone)
Hero: I am but a
state of mi… (Suddenly alert) Sorry,
can you please repeat your question?
I could hear drum-rolls, fellas...Dhrrrr...dhrr....dhrrummm.....This guy had the quality to bring in the Apocalypse. And with that, all the misery in this world would end. For there will be no world to breed misery.
I (Getting up): Thank you Sir. We have heard what we wanted
to hear. And this time, we concur. Thanks a lot.
