Its that part of the year,when every section of media - whether print or electronic -seems bent on impressing upon your senses the need to look back on the year gone by.
They analyze,dissect,glorify and cremate - people and performances.
Minimal research to fill a slot or sell an edition.
Selling opinions,which we all are entitled to have,not news.
Arm-chair experts presenting "a year-end review !"
Almost like a ritual.
Ever wondered how much of our existence do we devote in such exercises - discussing and glorifying acheivements of those "others",for whom we exist as "crowd" or "masses". At the risk of sounding selfish,more time spent on self-enhancement and self-evaluation may yield better dividends for the self as well as the society.
Having expressed my distaste for most of such opinionated rankings and reviews,dished out by the media,I could not resist going in for a similar exercise. But I won't present another ivory-tower study about "people".Rather,how about retracing my own footprints and gathering memories from an "eventful" year on personal note!
From scaling the peaks of Himalayas to a snorkelling experience in the Indian Ocean, the spirit of adventure which often gets snubbed in our mechanical existence got a chance to explore the unknown dimensions.The year helped me trace out the love for travel and adventure resting somewhere deep within me,impressing the importance of experiencing to discover the untapped and dormant tastes within.
Traversing the biosphere reserve across the Nilgiris and witnessing nature's virgin beauty in a week long trekking experience to the thrill of speed at karting track and speed boating. The daring stunt to cross a hundred odd feet high dam by walking atop it on a narrow path will be relished with elan forever.
Also etched will be the week long stay at an obscure village (Garispudi,Andhra): a learning experience,not only as my first rendezvous with simplicity of village life,but also with a India,we refuse to embrace.
From realms of books to reality.
Emotions are transient,Impressions imparted are forever
One such impression was that how a small policy change from the corridors of power and honest commitment of all(in whichever position)to their jobs can change lives; re-instilled a sense of responsibility and vigour to bring smiles to faces.
Another high point,as I reflect,was witnessing the humanity in a form we brand as "tribes".The Jarawas,inhabitants of rich wilderness of Andamans,are numbered and protected.
Our eyes scan them,amused,frightened.
Theirs' have a frightened innocence.
Much like us,yet much different.
Sprinkle it with a bit of professional success, delight of watching limestone caves, corals and flying squirrels, encounter with leeches, thrills of 3D shows and a crazzy upside-down swing, chills of Andamanese malaria(104deg), learning a new game-tennis(always wanted to), smiles for parents, some theatre, some writing and a successful attempt to socialise by shedding off some inertness and introvert streaks helped to round off a rather "happening" year.
What took a backseat in the process was "reading" and so have plenty to catch up on!
Agenda set. Batteries recharged.
A few satisfying "strike-off" acheived in the ever-increasing "to-do" wishlist.
Monotony,in any form,in emotions or actions,Pinches.
So as time rolls on,it unfolds a new game.
Safely expected,(on relative grounds)a more static,yet challenging time beckons.
In pursuit of a bite of moon...
Toil awaits...
Game on !!!
