It all started with a TV remote. In the times of Doordarshan
or DD-1, there was no need of a remote control and it was somewhat easier to agree with parents. And then
there was DD-2, the first ever reason why we disagreed (over the TV). However,
when we switched to the 8:00 pm inevitable English News on DD-1, we got up from
our chairs and pressed the tab on the right side of the TV monitor and came
back to our seat, thus burning about 3 calories. And this was celebrated by
Doordarshan by playing the most depressing tune in the history of music as if
it was a prelude to the equally depressing people who were about to read it. So
the TV never got us addicted to it, thanks to the sad jingles, programs, outrageously
fashion retarded cast or the grief stricken anchors none of which changed since
Independence.
Later, the TV started swelling and eventually bursting with
channels. It also made twice the number of disagreements as there were people
in the family. More differences, more rooms, more TVs and lesser compatibility.
Earlier all I had to worry about was Mamta Kulkarni or Manisha Koirala who may
do the most inappropriate act, at the most crucial time (when parents were
around). But now I flip channels completely warned and aware that anyone from
Sunny Leone to Dora the explorer may strip at any point of time. It is
impossible to watch TV with kids L
Weekend trips to the Electricity, Water and Telephone
offices to pay bills, register complaints etc. were replaced by online portals,
and now there are apps so that trip is saved. But when we did drive to the
office and stood in long queues, we were taught the value of time, money and
most importantly patience. As a bonus, few calories were also burnt without our
knowledge. Similarly, we don’t need to go to the railway station to book a
ticket; it is done by gliding those fingers on the phone. But this website
gives us the real feel of actually driving to the railway station on an
exhaustingly sultry day. That’s our very own IRCTC. It teaches the internet
generation what it is to be in a queue, and wait patiently under the scorching
sun until we are given a seat in the Waiting List Number 786. Everyone from our
internet generation should book a ticket in IRCTC to learn some moral science.
Trips to the library are completely avoidable as we can read
them at our convenience on the tab. In most cities there are facilities to get
groceries delivered at our doorsteps so no need to go there either. Pizza is
delivered to my couch, and tomorrow it may be delivered to my mouth. Washing
machines, dishwashers, blenders and food processors do most of the cleaning and
chopping. A lot of work is thus reduced.
We used to set timers on cameras to click family pics, now
there are remote controls to do that as well. Movie tickets are available
online. At least 95% of bank transactions and school fees are paid online.
Clothes and shoe shopping is booming on websites. And I look at the jammed
roads and wonder…Where are all these people going?
Basically, the reasons our parents had to get off that chair
and do some errands do not exist anymore; which is why we need to work out and
eat right. However a certain someone at home has not worked out since last five
months. Each day there was a new reason not to do so. I wonder there is some
app on iphone which generates ridiculous excuses every day? Otherwise how on
earth is it possible to come up with ‘There is a dog on that route which I
suspect has rabies?’
It is really tough to inspire people and get them to do
something for their own health. And it is tougher to inspire them on a daily
basis, as there are lesser inspirational stories than there are excuses.
Here is my million dollar idea for the existing Nike-iphone
app that counts calories while walking. Hubby WAS a regular user of this app,
when he used to walk, long ago when Atal Behari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister.
This can be upgraded for an additional
feature: When the user does not use the app on a certain (lazy) day, the iphone
should just shut down until the next day. The ipad should synchronize the same
command and shut down as well. Nothing cripples men more than this. And I am
sure the fear of the phone shutting down will get the laziest of men run for
their lives health. All the ladies who have excuse generating husbands will thank
iphone for this...at least I will.
So as I was at my desk thinking of productive ways to get
the hubby to exercise, somewhere else in the world, Nike came up with another
brilliant idea. Someone designed new running shoes the laces of which will tie on
its own. This is the same person that constructed an elevator to his gym.
nice article...keep in touch :) plz join my blog
ReplyDeletehttp://9shonalimukherji9.blogspot.in/
seriously... dont give such blasphemous ideas out loud... people like me will be disconnected from the network altogether!! :D
ReplyDeleteMy jogging shoes is now home to so many cobwebs and spiders... they've built a villa in there with a spider jacuzzi. It would be inhuman to drive them away
Spiders dont care you know...if you drive them away they might go somewhere else..now go and clean those shoes ! Wait. Am I talking to a doctor ? :-o
DeleteYOu ought to keep rewards at the end of 'em health stuff to keep us men motivated! ;)
ReplyDeleteI hope all these so called 'men' start realizing they are not toddlers anymore before wearing those trainers!
DeleteElevator to the gym? Seriously?
ReplyDeleteAt home, we get about 899 channels. The time I have to watch them is zero. Why? Because I'm busy glued to my lappie for work or something else. There should be an apocalypse and everything should just vanish. Because we seriously need to get back to the DD 1 times. I so miss waiting for a movie to be played at 4pm on Sundays!
:-) I was not allowed to watch 4 pm movie whether I waited for it or not :-(
DeleteI feel like I'm living in the dark ages. I prefer going to the supermarket to shop for my weekly groceries. Since home delivery of pizzas is not free, we prefer walking up to our favourite pizza corner.
ReplyDeleteTwo years in Brisbane, we have yet to buy a car. It does help that we live in the Central Business District and have a fanstastic public transport network :-)
I laughed the hardest @ Hubby used to walk when Atal Behari was the PM. Psst..were you even married then?
I wasn't married then...but I feel like Ive been married to him since forever ! :D
DeleteYou know, IRCTC might just make you there brand ambassador.
ReplyDeleteand NIKE- SHOE LACES- TIE ON THERE OWN...What??????????
Seriously sometimes I too look down the streets and wonder, where are these people going. And then I order a pizza online.
Dint u know about the Nike shoe laces? Google ;-)
Deletehaha online pizzas. Havent done that in like a thousand years... some day down the line I stopped liking it :-/
U certainly have a way with words.. Liked all ur posts.. Esp. the Condition serious and the idli post..
ReplyDeleteGod Bless!
Thank you Merine :-) And welcome here!
DeleteCome to think of it, its been a long time since I heard that "most depressing tune in the history of music" I think the last time I heard it was when Hrithik Roshan reproduced it perfectly in the movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.
ReplyDeletehahaha yeah that movie was freakin awesome :D
Deletegood post anita..ya haddock..that was indeed awesome movie i enjoyed very much (ZNMD)..all the best anita...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ramesh !
Delete