Let technology not steal bliss of our existence
WE LACK MEETING ONE ANOTHER IN PHYSICAL, SITTING TOGETHER, CHATTING AIMLESSLY, WATCHING A CRICKET MATCH TOGETHER OR JUST ENJOYING EACH OTHER’S COMPANY
During my childhood, one movie that deeply influenced my mind was ‘Haqiqat’ by Chetan Anand. I was a boy when this movie was released after the 1962 war with China. Following its shows in the theatres, it was repeatedly screened in the parks, roadsides and at every other intersection to large gatherings of viewers. Whenever and wherever it was screened in my city, I would never miss it for two reasons — watching a movie was a luxury in those days and ‘Haqiqat’ was an exceptionally touching movie.
One song of the movie that left a deep impact on me was, “main ye sochkar uske dar se uthatha…” by Mohammad Rafi. Even today, I reckon Madan Mohan’s soulful music in this song as the best so far. Preceding this song, two soldiers bet for five rupees, when one of them, unendingly waiting for a letter from his beloved, hopes that a letter will come and the other will jokingly tease him that it will not. Letters arrive for all soldiers but not for him, leaving him heartbroken and he sings this song.
Another song of this movie, “Hoke majboor mujhe, usne bhulaya hoga...” expressed the unbearable agony and ordeal that the jawans faced when they get trapped in hills and imagine how their dearest and loved ones will have reacted back home at their long absence and getting no news of them.
There was no way of communication except through letters in those days and they never knew when a letter written by them will be delivered and replied back, and whether it will even reach the right hands or not. Everything depended on imagination. Meeting someone apart, just being able to see one’s dear ones physically would drench a person in joy and fulfilment.
The world has undergone a sea change now. Mobile phones have revolutionised communication. Everyone seems to be within one’s reach. When the pager had arrived, it looked like such a blessing. Then ‘texting and chatting’ became common as making calls was considered costly. Now, even video calling is for free and you can have a look at your dear ones as and when you desire.
Only thing we are lacking these days is meeting one another in physical, sitting together, chatting aimlessly, watching a cricket match together or just enjoying each other’s company. We don’t leave our mobiles aside even when we get a chance of sitting together and are rather lost in new posts that keep pouring on WhatsApp constantly.
Deleting repeated posts is another job that we keep doing as we find it necessary to keep our mobile’s memory free. Sending a customary ‘Good morning’ has become more easy than sparing time to have a heart to heart talk.
Race is on to choose a newer and unique message to share it ahead of others and before it becomes old. Let’s take a lesson. Find time to be in contact with your family and friends. Call them often. Call without a purpose and have the pleasure of a purposeless talk. Meet often, just to be together. Interact. Share lighter moments. Plan travels, trips and get-togethers. Sit together, laugh, talk and enjoy. Let not the blessings of technology steal the bliss and essence of our existence. Watch the songs of ‘Haqiqat’ on Youtube and know the value of togetherness.