Happy new year everyone.!
Fortunately, 2020 is now done and dusted. What a shitty year it has been. For the new calendar of 2021, let’s all hope that things will get better soon. In terms of COVID situation, we have mixed signals. Even though COVID active cases declined, adding our nightmares, a brand-new strain in the town. We really don’t know what to expect of 21, it could become even shittier than the previous. But hey, this can be only as bad as you want it to be. Let’s take it as it comes, one day at a time.
In terms of resolutions, I take it as you’ve just finished your session at the gym :-). Please enjoy your mandatory and weeklong ‘sweating it out’ as your apparent ‘annual’ resolution. I hope you drag it a little longer for this year.
Personally, I do have a few with tangible milestones and deadlines set. I will let you know as and when I achieve them. Some specifics for now – I am planning to write more, regularly and consistently. You would have guessed how serious I am when you noticed the new domain name URL. However, I plan to read even more than I write, by doubling last year’s goal. One book each from Yuval Noah Harari and Barack Obama are already delivered to me amounting to 38 hours of reading in total. These two should keep me busy for January, at the least.
One of the resolutions we all should resolve is to show absolute intolerance towards apathy and mediocrity all around us. We need impatienceagainst chalta hai attitude. nahi chalta hai Bhai!. This social media era has handed us over with an unprecedented amount of power and accountability. We can no longer crib about the things we always have been, our national pastime. It’s still easy to blame the system; let’s resolve not to do it anymore. Remember that we are the system!
Let me give you an of examples of what I meant.
Below is a very recent story from Kanchipuram aka Kānchi. Yes, that is the town known for silk sarees your mother always coveted. I had a fortunate opportunity to be there a few years ago. I was correct with my presumption; the town can indeed take you back in time to glorious eras of Tamizh empires.
The image below is of a rainwater drain in one corner of Kanchipuram. What you are looking at is a beautifully sculpted pillar of once-great structure, that could’ve built in any of Pallava, Pandya, Chola or even Vijayanagar reign. Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, the proud citizens of this ancient town, displayed apathy towards this until a concerned soul posted it on Twitter. A 2k retweets later, local authorities sprang into action!
Exhibit 2. Madikeri is one of the most scenic districts across western ghats. The people from here known for their valor, courage and righteousness. Did I already mention that Madikeri is breathtakingly beautiful? Obviously, for these reasons, tourists flock here from cityside to release the steam built up during their weekdays. Recently, a quintessential couple, like many Indians, disposed their Dominos pizza garbage on the road. An annoyed local posted this on social media and their names and phone numbers printed on invoice copy (duh!). What followed is impressive, the couple had to travel back 50 km to pick up their trash.
Anyways, for this calendar year, I hope you find time for doing what you love, take care of your health, and of those who care of you. Also, please do voice the things which matter to you and be humble about it.
Finally, I sincerely appreciate my dear subscribers for the support you poured in during 2020, thanks very much. Please do subscribe to my blog if you have not done it already. And grab a popcorn bucket, I have exciting posts lined up for you.
The Bach 