We are all the same!
The recent ‘Sabka thanda ek hai’ campaign from Coca Cola makes a statement that “We’re all the same”. Why would we not be… after all we come from what was a choice deprived Democracy not too long ago (like we’re all fed on the same diet of entertainment – Doordarshan!)
The result – ours is a generation of clones. As if there are a few prototypes on which all of us are modeled. (Let me talk about the genesis of one of these prototypes – the MBA - Fin). In standard X, most of us made a life defining choice – Maths or Bio which essentially translated into Engineer or Doctor. What followed there on was Hobson’s choice - we treading the pre-decided path.
Whatever may be the reason - supply-demand, reservation policy or social (in)security - we never followed our dreams. We ‘chose’ whatever branch/ specialization was offered to us with interest clearly taking backseat. So though I am fascinated by Automobiles but I take Computers for that is where bucks (or shall we say jobs) are. Then we all went on to work for IT companies (each of them a clone of the other 2). Then all of us wrote CAT, etc and went wherever we could.
Finally came the choice # 2 – Finance or Marketing? Most of us weren’t sure (or were we actually scared to take a call!), so we said Fin AND Mar (okay, some said Mar AND Fin, so much for interest). Then almost all Fin guys wanted to get into iBanks (as if that’s what they have dreamt of since their Vikram Betal days!). Ironically, we were trained to be Managers – decision-makers, so what we never took a decision even about our career.
Yes, we are all the same. Not because we feel the same way, but because we think in the same way. Because we do not stick our neck out to follow our dreams. Because we aren’t driven by our interests but material factors (money!). At some stage peer pressure (feeling that if I don’t go for iBanks, I’ll be left out!) also kicks in. Whatever the reason may be, it is external and thus same for all of us. Had it been internal, we would all have been different.
True, beggars aren’t choosers. May be with changing business landscape of the country and increasing incomes (and choices), we will learn to exercise our choice. Just hope that the next generation makes the right choices*.
* though to me it appears that the options have confused them
The result – ours is a generation of clones. As if there are a few prototypes on which all of us are modeled. (Let me talk about the genesis of one of these prototypes – the MBA - Fin). In standard X, most of us made a life defining choice – Maths or Bio which essentially translated into Engineer or Doctor. What followed there on was Hobson’s choice - we treading the pre-decided path.
Whatever may be the reason - supply-demand, reservation policy or social (in)security - we never followed our dreams. We ‘chose’ whatever branch/ specialization was offered to us with interest clearly taking backseat. So though I am fascinated by Automobiles but I take Computers for that is where bucks (or shall we say jobs) are. Then we all went on to work for IT companies (each of them a clone of the other 2). Then all of us wrote CAT, etc and went wherever we could.
Finally came the choice # 2 – Finance or Marketing? Most of us weren’t sure (or were we actually scared to take a call!), so we said Fin AND Mar (okay, some said Mar AND Fin, so much for interest). Then almost all Fin guys wanted to get into iBanks (as if that’s what they have dreamt of since their Vikram Betal days!). Ironically, we were trained to be Managers – decision-makers, so what we never took a decision even about our career.
Yes, we are all the same. Not because we feel the same way, but because we think in the same way. Because we do not stick our neck out to follow our dreams. Because we aren’t driven by our interests but material factors (money!). At some stage peer pressure (feeling that if I don’t go for iBanks, I’ll be left out!) also kicks in. Whatever the reason may be, it is external and thus same for all of us. Had it been internal, we would all have been different.
True, beggars aren’t choosers. May be with changing business landscape of the country and increasing incomes (and choices), we will learn to exercise our choice. Just hope that the next generation makes the right choices*.
* though to me it appears that the options have confused them
posted by ami @ 3:44 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
The Doordarshan mention, the 'chasing your dreams' and the rising incomes just reminded me of one program that I happened to see on Doordarshan some days back (yes, i do sometimes browse channels to stop at Doordarshan). It featured Sunil Bharti Mittal- a guy I personally admire very much for being a 'mobile' dreamer of sorts. Many like me revere him for his dreams and courage to pursue them. The program ended with the presenter asking Mittal to give a message to the youth. this is what he said- 'with improving and growing economy and much better times to come, i think youth should pursue their interests and dreams; coz they can take the chance to do this, unlike the situations in our times'.
Well I think that when you really have a dream and you want it to come through, you should also prepare yourself to pay the price for it.
Def. the reasons cited by you are the most common ones.
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