Kaun Banega Crorepati!

Who will become a millionaire? This programme aired on prime-time TV in India, provides some clues. ‘Kaun Banega Karodpati’ is a unique game show, a quiz contest, which pits contestants against an all-knowing computer. The host is truly the anchor, he provides stability and confidence during an uncertain situation. The show is driven by both, the contestants and the host.

After watching a few episodes, I believe that none of the contestants come to the sets, wanting to become a millionaire. They have only one aim and that is to reach the hot seat. Some achieve this by chance or good fortune. Others get there by design, through sheer effort. 

From here on, we get a peek into their lives -  enlightening, entertaining and often enigmatic! They keep the viewers engrossed. 

And when they fail, the host Mr. Amitabh Bachchan takes over. He brings to the show, his own charismatic brand of energy, enthusiasm, and empathy, oftentimes, worthy of emulation. 

The contestants and the host appear to outdo each other, the thin line between the ordinary and the extraordinary, often blurring, as it oscillates between the hot seat and the host seat!

The contestants, however have displayed none of the supposed money grubbing greedy ways of the middle-class. So, in a sense, it is less of a material quest and more of a spiritual search. 

The message is loud and clear. Do not ever underestimate the value and virtue of hard work and perseverance. There are no short cuts.

'Kaun Banega Crorepati' is all about the pursuit,  of the lore rather than a crore! A show I enjoy watching every weeknight.

EFFORT Vs DESTINY

Having just read 'Open', the true and inspiring story and acclaimed autobiography of Andre Agassi, I felt re-assured, in my belief, that only effort carves one’s destiny. Andre worked like no other, single minded, pursuing his father’s dream which became his own. Although,  it is true, that not all effort is rewarded so abundantly, yet I believed that no destiny can be shaped without effort.

The next book that I read, shook this core belief. Another poignant autobiography that made me rethink.

I have just completed a marathon reading session of the book, 'A Long Way Home' by Saroo Brierly. It is the story of the author's life, who lost his way as a five-year-old and found himself in Kolkata. He spent several months roaming about in the city, until a good soul took him to the police station. From here begins his extra ordinary journey to a Children’s home and finally adoption by an Australian family.

At 25, he writes about his search home, to his birth family, surprised that the name he had given himself and the place of his birth as he remembered them, were all his own. He comes across as an admirable young man, grateful, with few battle scars. His writing is calm and  gentle yet inspiring with indomitable spirit.

As I kept reading, I became aware that he was destined to a good life. If you had told me this before, I would have argued and tried to prove that Destiny had nothing to do with his good fortune. But I know, his good life is magical, being guided by some unseen loving force.  A poignant read, which I’ll remember for a long long time to come!

THE SQUIRREL'S SONG (FROM A GARDEN IN BETHESDA!)

                                         

               

        Rain, rain, go away! come back another day.
        I need to fill my nut cache, Fall is on its way!

        Beech, Hickory, Hazel.....Hurray!
        The nuts in the garden, my buffet!

         It was all good till the month of May,
         When Grama and Gramp came on holiday.

         
         
                                                               They watched over me .......night and day
                                                               And exclaimed......on seeing my ballet!
       
          
        The bunnies, they blocked my gangway,
         Tha and Golu found my hideaway!

         Sometimes they chased me and I did play,
         Only to see my cousin in my garden cafe!

         So even when it grew cloudy and grey, 
          I gathered nuts! It's in my DNA.                                                                                                                           
          Over the fence and cross the way,
          Up the Maple Tree, where I stay.
                           
          Fast and furious, each and every day
          Before the Grams left on Saturday.

          Now up in my larder, to survey
          And fill it up before Snow holds sway.
                                             
         And then wait until Spring, with my Mae!
         To enthrall them again, with our Cabaret!