Not a part of SPIC MACAY

To write my blog I am usually looking out for pleasant and inspiring happenings in day to day life which enable my pen to write in enthusiasm. But it is also interesting and at times amusing to observe the other side of human nature… cunning, aggression and mistrust which drains all energies and takes one away from productive work…

Not long ago I wrote a piece about Dr Kiran Seth and how an entire movement was spearheaded to a dizzy success just because the man is the bearer of an honest simplicity. Of course he could not have done it without the sterling volunteers who make his mission possible. My writing was from my first hand interaction with Kiran Seth and his gems of volunteers. 

In fact, my young daughter who read the post, “How does one figure out Kiran Seth” commented, “Ma, you have created a new God, adding one more to the already huge pantheon of Gods in India.”

All I could tell her was, you have to meet him to believe me.

Today I am inspired to write how a couple of other volunteers of the movement have amused me, frightened me, and have compelled me to reflect-  if aggression could ever be a justified means of attaining a goal, however worthy it might be.

A very small job of editing a souvenir for the 1^st international convention of SPIC MACAY at IIM-C, Kolkata, gave me a first hand experience of chaos in communication, unclear duties and responsibilities, non cooperation, disrespect for a fellow human being, especially in mails, ego hassles and above all a rare cunning which  did not appear constructive.

I seek forgiveness if I sound judgemental, but I share this post as an exercise in reflecting how I can rise above petty human emotions to make my life better and thus make the world a better place to live in.

When I was bogged down, not knowing how to accomplish my work in a chaotic situation I was confronted with, I gave up and eased myself out of the project. But within no time I was again sought by the organizers to take up the task of creating the Souvenir. 

And much against commonsense, I put aside an important order which I had to execute to earn the much needed money for my journal on classical dances of India, Nartanam. Since the Souvenir had to be executed at the last minute, I had no other option but to utilize the designer and printing slots allotted for Nartanam at my regular press, delaying my own project . It is important to point out that the Souvenir was delayed by the trademark lack of clarity and mis- communication and even excessive communication in SPIC MACAY even though the content was ready. All the top writers whom I had sought were utmost professional and had sent in their beautiful pieces well before the deadline. Wasting precious human resource by doubling the work; and confusion with too many cooks spoiling the broth is another syndrome which was difficult to handle.

It is another matter that no one reads on classical arts any more; not realizing that the sastra or the theory is as important for an artist and a spectator as the actual performance is.

A couple of volunteers whom I sought help from did all that they could without batting an eyelid while some others were creating agony and confusion.  

One of the volunteers who lives in my city, whom I was not acquainted with earlier, was of great help. His excellent attitude and quick thinking ability was an asset. A meticulous worker with sharp skills, he was an editor’s delight. With his help, the entire souvenir took shape against many odds and has now gone for print; and hopefully it will reach Kolkata in time for the inauguration of the Convention.

Happy that the souvenir has been put to bed I left the press; and before getting on with my other pressing engagements checked my mail as a routine; and to my amusement, I find a mail that this volunteer (who was an asset with his attitude and skills and gave all help to a stranger like me and did all the menial jobs assigned to him, if at all any job can be called so....) is declared as not belonging to the city SPIC MACAY by the group leader due to some serious issues with him.

Can a volunteer be banished for a little or a great fault, if any at all? who decides who is at fault? Whatever be the reason, can cultural ambassadors be intolerant and unprofessional and thus aggressive?

As Bertrand Russell puts it- the vagaries of human nature!

It might take a lot of culture to overcome these vagaries!