Musings of an Aunty on Mankind's Extremes Both in Nobility and in Cruelty

Whenever I visit Bangalore, I scan for sensational news which I’m sure even our Thai language papers must be having a-plenty, but aren’t covered in the English language dailies.

Let’s face it, we wouldn’t buy papers if they gave the broader positive side of life: the sun is still shining; the human race still has time to save itself, etc. We pretend empathy but we secretly harbour a malicious streak to read misfortunes and mishaps, as long as they happen outside of our ‘home sweet home’.

Politics interests me the least, whether it be Indian politics, which with the vast population and diverse languages and religions and demands, will beat raw the Game of Thrones (2011–2019). I’m also disinterested in our Thai parties who change their pitch, their names, or amalgamate at the drop of a hat.

The bitter truth about politicians is that it’s easier for them to sway towards the heavier-handed side than trying to be honest do-gooders and risk getting bumped off from the hot seat.

I’m also totally disenchanted with Bollywood news; nothing is as it seems. It’s a The Truman Show (1998) in real time; everything is staged.

Whether it be the scandalous gossip of an illicit amour between the co-stars, timed, just before the movie’s release or the very ugly, public, breakup of some unknown star, just to get into the headlines, before their next upcoming flick. Two female leads maliciously baring their claws and fangs get immediate coverage.

Then of course, to garner even more attention, actors and actresses, even those with no market-value, make a huff and a puff about ho the paparazzi invades their space and privacy.

At the arrival gate of the airport these divas and devas suitably pretend to be flustered and irritated by the ‘unsolicited attention from the paparazzi, although it’s obvious that a ‘little bird’ informed them of this unearthly 3 AM flight.

Then they’ll proceed to take long, hurried strides towards the waiting limousine, but not before the cameras capture their highest-end brand loungewear; the handbag worth nothing less than INR 100,000 if not more; the latest trendy sneakers; impeccable makeup and casually, tousled hair.

There’s of course, the very prominent kalaa, kalaa, chasma to complete the “I am so jet-lagged’ look. The accompanying partner or child, if any, or for that matter even the nanny, won’t look remotely like we do when we get offf a flight, leave alone one that’s landing at 3 AM.

So, what I scan for is the news once read, I’ll go heh!!? What was that again? I’ll then cut out these columns that provoke thought and need time to grapple with.

How is it that we humans are capable of jumping in to save another without thinking twice, but on the opposite polarity, having superior conscience, sink to despicable low levels, capable of committing unimaginable cruelty, heinous perverted acts, ones of insatiable greed, of utter irrationality, of sheer stupidity or just plain shocking.

There’s this couple married three years who fought bitterly over who should apply ointment on the blister of one of the twin boys. The Missus, stomps off only to bring back her bros and bhabhis, who then gang up to teach the Mister, a lesson that took him to his grave.

Then there’s this boy who threatens suicide to his ill-affording parents over a high-end mobile. Thereafter, despite the ardent pleas of the neighbours and his parents, flung himself over the hang cliff. Trying desperately to grab his only child from going over, the poor father being smaller and lighter than the young boy, was dragged to his death.

The mother, seeing her world go kaputt, also jumped to her end. A humble family of three, perished over a mobile!

There’s this unresolved dispute over ONE SQUARE METRE of a family plot. So, one party grouped up and barged into the house of the unrelenting family members and beat-the-life out of them, killing not only two adults, but also a one-month-old infant who had nothing to do with the controversy...utter absurdity.