Compare compare the little star

“compare compare the little star”
: :Nawazish Nehal
Comparison, I am sure is the most despised act by everyone yet the most practiced one in almost every home. In fact, the journey of comparison starts right from birth – be it the sharpness, the walk and talk; even who poop out first every single detail of 2 babies is compared in same colony or apartment. then comes the day when one of the baby is able to recite the entire nursery rhyme “twinkle twinkle………in the sky” without a flaw. And, yes, the seed of comparison cactus has now germinated the parents of other kid has already started hoarding kg of almonds and the best health drink in the market for better memory retention and faster growth, for their child gets stuck up half way with “twinkle….” Like a pirated vcd. Now, a bugger named as tutor is appointed for this poor fella coz the parents think that those thing which they cant do for their children can be done by someone who take their precious money until their pet parrot pirated version of “twinkle……” changes into high definition(HD)! NOW the kids are ready for competition to shine like a diamond in the apartment/colony!!!…
The most ironic fact is that we are leaving in the 21st century where tv shows like Indian idol,nach baliye and even ROADIES are popular and shows like bournvitta quiz contest is an old 90’s story so everybody wants their kids to be a complete package of all the things in typical hindi style we can say it as “SARV GUN SAMPAN”. So, the result is serpentine queues at the coaching classes for dance, music, Veda chanting, painting, etc.,irrespective of whether or not the child has an inclination to learn the same. Now I feel like dedicating the line “how I wonder what you are” to all those parents.
Well, this goes on for years and then comes the comparison for the preparation of the board entrance exams, – “ how studious is she, learn from her (rather be like her).” “look at his timetable.” Then the D-DAY arrives, anxious parents and trembling students waiting their result hoping to get into the best colleges. When the result is out all hell breaks loose for the one who cannot make it. A series of accusation and some common dialogues starts echoing in the house. “why did GOD give me a such dullard?”,how lucky are his/her parents!”,”how I wish he/she was my child and the grandparent starts lecturing on “those days and these days”- a comparative study of changing time.
Some intelligent children like me also compare their parents with otherand make unreasonable demand for costly cell phone (sorry better to say iphone now a days) and the e-gadgets, and the middle class parents slog hard and sacrifice many a pleasure to buy their children the gifts desired hoping for a higher score in return. And they feel cheated when their children fail to perform in the rat race but the parents have forgotten that although he wins he will still be a rat.
After academics it is the turn of the campus selections to take their toll on the children. “my son got placed at so & so”? Mind you, not only the company compared (fortune 500s) but also the profile, designation, even the salaries, the projects- but does one know the plight of children not placed anywhere? Adjectives like useless, waste, incapable and welcomes their ways – “if he could why couldn’t you”, or “how did he get it and not you?”
Somehow jobs are acquired and everything is fine and then comes the comparison for match-making/ hunting. OH! Who gets the best bride or bridegroom, then the sandwich of marriage and comparison are carried forward. A year or two after a kid is born and the same vicious cycle and never ending phenomenon called comparison continues. Why can’t we all accept the fact that each one is special in his/her own way? Well I just want to conclude by quoting famous lines of the poet Rahim,” jahan kaam avai sui kaha kare talwar- the sword even if bigger can’t do the work of a needle.

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