Life in MAroon CoaT

Chapter 1: Baptism of the quagmire

22^nd July 2007, I was writing the examination for Special class railway apprentice, about which I hardly knew anything and wasn’t even interested in taking the test. I still remember, it was a warm Sunday; the weather was confused between monsoon and summer; and I was looking out of the window instead of writing the paper. Suddenly the invigilator interrupted and announced, ‘Time up put your pencils down’. I looked down, my worn out flotters appeared gloomier than my thoughts. I tightened the strap and decided I won’t buy a new pair unless I get what I always wanted since the last 2 years. So what if I messed up the JEE, all I need is hardwork and focus, and next year I will make it for sure.

During the 3 hour break between the papers, I was sitting under the shade of a tree in a temple, which was right across the street. As I started eating my sandwiches my mind slowly started returning closer and closer to the reality, and I started thinking about what people had told me about the college I will be joining from the next day, and kept asking myself a question, ‘is it really a college smeared with politics and groupism?’ A question with an answer that always remained in front of me but I remained oblivion.

I am not sure if He is deaf... But...

I still wonder why do they play devotional sounds or chantings on loudspeakers at volume high enough to create ripples in my cup of coffee. I am an agnostic, but that doesn't mean I am questioning their faith. All I want that these people should understand that when you are showing your 'devotion', it doesn't mean that the entire locality is also devoting their time to the Almighty. Someone might be sleeping out of illness, some school student might be studying, or even taking a nap after a rough day. But why would they care? There are some guidelines for noise in various localities in any city, but no vigiliance body has ever bothered about putting it into action. Well it's not just religion that takes its toll in deafening our ears. Marriage ceremonies, public speeches and what not; everyone has an excuse to play it loud. The louder you play the sound system, the stronger you are in society. Even if the cops try to put them off, someone utters 'mantriji baithe hai' (the minister is here). This tendency of wielding power is an old practice and I am still not sure how long will it survive. People will keep playing it loud, mostly on the name of religion. And I might never come to know if, up there beyond the clouds, He is deaf or not, but if this keeps on going I will surely turn into one.