Itch of the age

Amid competition and soaring expectations, are men game for anything to earn a competitive edge – even conceal their age?

Guys, thanks for wishing me belated 'happy birthday' and I am actually enjoying my 30^th summer. Thanks again for your cheers, but hey! Why are those eyebrows up learning my age? May be I look younger than my age, or somewhat older. But does it really matters?

“Yes, it matters,” said my best friend taking me aside. In no time, I am enlightened that the inclination of hiding one’s age is also making its way into the minds of menfolk. It started centuries back with women’s obsession to appear young – mentally and physically, and continued to be an enigma among the men. But gone are the days when men are considered embodiments of power and pride. Competitions are at all levels, and somewhere, the feeling of insecurity is creeping. Whatever it takes to stand out of the crowd, men are all for it.

Whatever it takes – fairness, fashion, discourse and body language, men needs everything to earn that competitive edge. And concealing age is getting just a part of the process. I remember, I have closely seen one of my cousine's concern for his greying hairs when he was a government servant. I never dared to question him, but today I understand that to keep pace with time one have be as he is expected, even at the cost of putting on a permanent mask. Think of the private sector where colour and glamour is often indispensable!

Beyond the competitive arena, comes expectation of spouses and peer groups. If wives who are Shahrukh/ John Abraham fans and expect husbands to flaunt six pack abs, poor husbands have little options to defend themselves. Infact, men and women are extremely self conscious now for which they can go to any length. Time waits for none, but we can’t afford to lose the prime of our youth, if not really, why not show off that time is counting back with us?

And it has to do with our inclinations and fascinations as well. In a world that’s ruled by the media we find solace in pretending to be young and energetic trying to resemble the celebrities we adore. We don’t mind to go against the nature and hide our age because we are scared of people’s losing interest in us with rising age – a creeping social stigma.  And so, from my 30^th summer onwards, I vow to keep my age a secret. Like several men around me, who had started following the women’s obsession, I will now be one of them.  

I am watching

Newspapers call it ‘historic’. I wonder. After all, change is the only constant. And today, I can spell-out my doubts on the foresightedness of the so-called ‘intellectual Bengali’ that choose to support a political party for 34 years when West Bengal slipped from one of the happening part of the country to be a virtually no-business destination.

The state today stands nowhere in comparison to states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana, Gujarat etc., in regards to business, commerce and overall development. It seems, finally, the people here realised the need for change. Today, as we see a green surge in West Bengal, it’s not time to celebrate but to accept the challenge — to bring in development in West Bengal — bring it at par with other states, and turn the home of ‘intellectual Bengalies’ into a world stage.

As Bengal changes its colour today, I wish good sense prevail over autocracies, development prevails over personal interests. I am not going to exult with the green brigade this evening, but from afar I look at the state I belong from in anticipation of growth and prosperity in governance, trade, commerce, education, lifestyle, and environment. I wish the green brigade bring with it an air of commitment that percolates among the masses as a sense of security, maturity and understanding.

On this day of transition, I am not expecting any magic from the new cabinet that will take control of the state. My expectations are very simple. Is it too much to expect that every citizen in this part of the country will have access to potable water, clean air to inhale, quality healthcare services and a sense of security? Pardon me if it is too much.

Take my tips, if you consider it worth. No need to brainstorm over creation of jobs and industries. Create industry-oriented academic structures and industry-friendly policies. Jobs will be created automatically and brain drain can be checked. Another important thing is infrastructure. The next time the new cabinet sits down to draft a development road map, ensure a realistic deadline for a project. If a government agency fails to deliver in time, have a protocol in place to penalise it, make it compensate the people. If a government contractor fails to deliver in time or compromise in quality, blacklist it. It is not too much to expect.

Evils like corruption and bribery will most likely come on the way. Enforce strong regulations against such evils. We have provisions in the existing system for these — all we need is good intent. Focus on decentralisation, it might help. And please, don’t politicise development issues anymore. Don’t put the state and its future at stake for any political mileage. The common man is conscious and watching. I am watching.