The Brain-dead
By – Pamarty Venkataramana
A year of blushes. Leaders turned red-faced. Sports Players and Cine Artistes turned into talking advertisement-hoardings. Industries and industrialists turned into quietly scrapped machinery.
Vibrant force of daily wage workers and field labourers turned as ants marching towards the anthills. Students as well as teachers took to online communication modes.
Housewives began to feel more claustrophobic than ever before with inmates staying out at homes. The hype and hyperbole factories of mass media folks though worked overtime and, khaki-clad third-degree torture experts converted themselves into a new avatar of lathi-wielding nurses goading those straying out on to streets during a total lockdown period back into safer confines of the houses.
All of society came to a standstill. Or, so was it deemed to be. Life was stifled. For, Death was lurking around in guise of a monstrous Corona Virus-19!
Sense and reason stood numbed. Sensibilities and Feelings were kept on hold with the slogan of -‘Social Distancing’ looming large over the whole population, across every continent.
Religious and Cultural practices of mass worship took a long, long sabbatical with even the High Priests abstaining from public services. God is ubiquitous and the Devout would be taken care of.
Let the Revered stay safe, indoors.
Animal kingdom heaved a sigh.The unthinkable was happening. Mankind was caged. By their ring-masters. Beasts of prey among humans began to fear for their life : coveted artificial wealth and worldly possessions were forgotten momentarily as being mere toys of humans. As being worthless before Nature’s wrath.
The Birds chirrups again and flew around with joy. New songs were heard. In stark contrast to wailing,bantering and murmurs of people.
However, soon the birds got tired of searching for food.Tidbits and leftovers by men and women or their children often provided readymade food for these flighty birds.
Food cycle of humans too got disturbed. The clan was so used to hogging fast food and it was finding it increasingly difficult to savour home cooked food, fresh from the over or kettle.
Governments too began to dither. Their spinal cord began to ache.The taxes weren’t flowing in. With nil economic activity. They began to realise that the Constitution that gave birth to them has indeed placed onerous duties of great responsibility and importance upon them. Primarily that of ‘Universal Healthcare’ , ‘Universal Education’ and ‘Law & Order’. Rest of the functions could easily be delegated to the private sector of society.
This sudden discovery by both elected and the electorate sent shivers down the echelons of ‘Power’.
Had successive Governments been diligent in discharge of the oath of office administered to all the rep of We, the People, no virus could engulf the land.
Corruption was a major menace. Almost perennial. More deadly than the seasonal viruses of disease and bacteria.
For, corrupt practices reflected decadence in cultural ethos and moral turpitude on part of wrong doers and flock of those that turned a Nelson’s Eye towards recurring and past corruption.
Those taking refuge behind antiquated laws and an infiltrated legal system are abetting the heinous crime against Humanity.
So, the midsummer night’s dream ends. Nightmare was more surreal when awakened than in a painful stupor.
Restrictions and Curbs began to go. As restless people began to retake the streets. And, crowds overwhelmed the militarism and disciplinarian code laid down.
Man is a social animal. Social-distancing or feats of virulent death by pandemic does not scare mankind.
Kindness and benevolent behaviour exhibited by the Governments of the Planet has helped Earthlings realise the eternal Truth : Destiny defines Life. Karma is a cycle. Rebirth, like Enlightenment, is a post-life phenomenon. Live and let live. By social interdependence and not isolation of human emotions.
Re define societal mores.
Breathe afresh. Long Live Humanity!
- Myth of Myth - September 19, 2023
- The Witches’ Brew - September 15, 2023
- Institutions as Custodians - September 14, 2023
Excellent… Too good