Sweet Uses Of Adversity

In an effort to spread seasonal cheer, I have been writing upbeat end-of-the-year pieces in Outlook for the past 13 years. Generally, I have succeeded because the previous 365 days were mostly like the curate’s egg or, more famously, the glass half-full. Now, for the first time, I am suffering from writer’s block: I don’t know what to say. Forget the glass half-full, there is simply no glass. If you thought 2008 was our annus horribilis, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Every kind of trouble and strife appears destined to visit our shores in 2009.

Even though I belong to the much maligned media tribe reportedly only interested in circulation figures and TRPs, my cup of woes is chock-a-block. How can I conjure up a rainbow? Perhaps (especially if Mr Advani becomes the prime minister) Lord Ram will intervene and wave the magic wand, perhaps US president-elect Obama will pull our chestnuts out of the fire, perhaps Prof Hafiz Saeed will read the Koran correctly and experience a change of heart. This country is not asking for the moon—Sensex at 21000, the Congress and BJP united in tackling terror, all thieves and rapists out of the Lok Sabha, Mr N. Modi concentrating on developmental issues, Sonia Gandhi’s party learning how to play the Muslim ‘card’, fashion designers banned from Page 3.... No, the nation is just crying out for a sliver of hope, something to cling on to, a sort of common minimum programme of optimism.

Our rulers will no doubt argue that most of our pain comes from "external sources"—Wall Street, ISI etc. Half true. A significant amount of our pain is also self-inflicted. After all, we live in a robust democracy in which the electorate is both mature and smart. Our people have world-class brains, skills and dynamism. We are blessed with adequate natural resources. So, why do we as a state find ourselves neck-deep in hot water? I apologise for spoiling your New Year holiday mood but such questions will need to be addressed in the days and months ahead.

In our previous issue, Mr Khushwant Singh and ex-president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam suggested good bowel movements and Carnatic music as ways to stay happy in these gloomy times. Readers of Outlook doubtless have their own remedies. Certainly, small things like your dog or laughter therapy or morning yoga can help alleviate the strain. Unfortunately, even your dog does not live by bread alone, he wants to feel safe and secure.

Personally, for me the highpoint of 2008 was an unforgettable encounter with the Dalai Lama. Some think His Holiness is a wily old fox more interested in hobnobbing with Richard Gere and assorted Hollywood celebs than spirituality or the fate of his bleeding homeland. Nevertheless, despite being a confirmed non-believer, I was captivated by this eclectic godman. He radiates serenity, goodness and divine mischief. There is hope for our battered universe if it is inhabited by people like him.

I would love to wish you a happy new year, but in all honesty I can’t. However, at the very least, I can and will wish you a Kasab-free year. Take care.