A night at PSR !!

A few days back I visited a friend at JNU. JNU, the most respectable universities in the country is known to be the nurturing ground for academicians and intellectuals. The place where the so called leftist ideology is groomed is now famous for the best corporate placements. Ironical ... well not really !!

I went there to collect some material for a research proposal and to my disbelief ended up spending the day walking in and around campus, tasting chai, fish and chicken at almost at the dhabhas(Ganga, 24*7, Godavari to name a few), rock climbing and what not. Later in the evening two of my good friends also joined us. We decided to spend the night at PSR – Partha Sarathy Rock – drinking, eating and discussing both trivial and non trivial issues. Around 21.00 we decided to search for a place where we could light some fire. Since it was windy some elevated ground near PSR and OAT served as the right place. Bon fire and a few drinks helped us to let lose the self intellectuals and debate endlessly.

The topic of discussions ranged from extreme leftism, its criticisms, conservative right philosophy, alternative economics system, role of history, assumptions, definitions, idealisms etc. By the end of it, one could clearly see the formation of three distinctive groups – so called radical leftists, right conservatives and moderates. The conflict between the right and left was exacerbating and moderates wanted to escape the discussions by proposing a consensus … the easy way out. Everyone was trying to dictate solutions for circumstances and problems that apparently our country is facing. These solutions were based on lot of assumptions, theories, models, perceptions etc. But what amused me was that when a group of 5-6 individuals can form groups and categorize themselves as so and so … and the conflicts seem unresolved ever, how is it possible for a polity so large to sustain the democracy. Our country is still functioning as one even when the population is over 100 crore and the mind set is heterogeneous. Nevertheless, by 2.30 in the morning we had a consensus to end the discussion and have some dinner at 24*7. Each one of ordered different platters, shared and savored them without any further arguments or critiques.

Small things in life help to appreciate bigger realities. Even when everyone tries to criticize the policies and actions in our country … the truth is that we have been able to sustain the democracy like no other country. And I am proud of our achievements … yes there is scope and potential that an average Indian is still working for. Cheers!!