Connected to technology or enslaved by it?
It has been a rather hectic year. It all began with actor-fashionista Sonam Kapoor’s wedding, which lasted nearly a week. Just as I was recuperating from too much partying, Mukesh Ambani’s son decided to get engaged. The celebration lasted another three whole days, replete with dance performances of the who’s who of the country. His sister got engaged only recently, in a plush ceremony in Europe. Listening to John Legend croon classics against the backdrop of the Italian sunset, whilst the much-in-love groom walked with the glowing bride-to-be Isha Ambani, I was completely awed. Just a few days ago, the First Lady of Bollywood, Krishna Raj Kapoor passed away. After attending her funeral and prayer ceremony, I remembered that I had to attend actor Neha Dhupia’s baby shower. It was followed by Soha Ali Khan’s birthday celebrations later in the evening, wherein she rang in her fortieth year in style.
I must say, all excitement and jubilation aside, socialising is no mean feat. Before you assume that I am a snooty social butterfly, rubbing shoulders with the glitterati, let me clarify. I admit to having witnessed all social occasions of the high and mighty. However, I do that from the comfort of my bedroom, surfing through my smartphone, and processing and dissecting every iota of information, while sipping a steaming cup of adrak chai, wrapped in a cosy blanket.
My thumb is still numb from swiping up and down the screen of my smartphone, lest I miss out any of the events! My eyes may have become watery and sore, but ask me who wore what and to which party, I know it all. Which member of the family cried a copious amount of tears on the passing away of Krishna Raj Kapoor? Which tinseltown celebrity came out in support of Tanushree Dutta? Where did Virat Kohli take Anushka out for dinner? Ask me. I have metamorphosed into a walking-talking Bolly-pedia!
On the other hand, my grandmother has upgraded her humble bachelors in education to bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery. Every morning, she acquires gyan from ‘WhatsApp University’ and it’s esteemed ‘faculty’, and disseminates it to all her grandchildren, near and far. She now knows everything about the benefits of the Ashwagandha plant, and insists on sending videos of complicated, albeit highly beneficial, yoga poses. Ask her about any ligament pain or muscle strain, she knows what will fix it. One re-look at the WhatsApp messages, and grandmother can diagnose the disease within seconds. She is one doctor who doesn’t need a stethoscope or an X-ray. A steady WiFi connection will suffice.
Then there’s father. He considers himself rather well qualified to take over the reins of the country. By watching, sending, and dissecting videos on political parties, he can very well become an advisor for any political outfit, right from our very own Akalis to the American Republicans.
Technology has affected mother too. She doesn’t need a book of scriptures while praying anymore. She has an app, which begins with the clanging of a thousand bells, much to the chagrin of my migraine-afflicted mind. She simply opens the app, the bell-ringing ensuses before she reads her paath from it.
Information communication and technology has changed the world radically. The pros definitely outweigh the cons. However, the only impending danger seems to be its addictive power. When you see humans stuck to their screens, while walking, eating, travelling etc, one wonders if it really is the human that controls technology, or has the power equation changed? While you mull over this, I get back to my hectic socialising through the comforts of my blanket.
Sania Mirza has just had a baby boy!
I WITNESS ALL SOCIAL OCCASIONS FROM THE COMFORT OF MY ROOM, SURFING THROUGH MY SMARTPHONE