Lockdown Drama: Video Conferencing with Generation Next

(Humour)

This piece is dedicated to my Maa; who loved playing affectionately with little kids ! And taught them some traditional values.

No amount of thanksgiving and acknowledgement will be enough if I do not refer to my mom here. She died on November 10, 2019 post-mid night, to be specific Nov 11 around 3 am !
Success does not come easily to writers of my calibre ! 

Mom used to say, Children and Failures often teach you the most - something that cannot be learnt in any university. Mother would remain my best teacher especially with traditional values. But she was someone with whom I would later argue the most. For her part, she had complaints on my disorderly clutter of books and clothes etc. But I always cherished writing and she knew about it. 

At a time when video conferencing is the ‘fashion’ and all are indoors, I undertook this marathon exercise with younger children led by daughter Tanvi and her gang of cousins.

Participants were Tanvi Dev in Delhi, Anku and Ashie from Kolkata, Adi from Mumbai, Tirtho, Tanishta and Surjangshu  from Kamalpur and Arartrik also designated as Junior Journo from Bilonia.

Here we go with the excerpts, but no part of it can be copied or transmitted without verbal permission from the blogger and all participants.

Anchor, Niren Dev: To start with, I am throwing the debate open. What is all happening around Corona Virus ? What Modi is doing? What Donald Trump is not doing and what Chinese President Xi Jinping should have done? Let me start with Junior Journo as he is the ‘youngest’ at heart and has fresh ideas!

Junior Journo (Junior Manu): Thank you Mr Pishon, hope Boro Pishi is doing her job well and keeping you under control. She belongs to my Bongsho, you know!

Anchor: Let us come back to the subject.

Junior Journo: Oh yes, I was just making some courtesy remarks. My Pakhi says....
Tanvi: Oh no, not again ! This guy will derail the entire debate.

Somewhere in South India

Junior Journo: Hmm no no. Not at all. I am from Bilonia ! boe boe....(Sit and hold on in Noakhali). My point is Corona virus is somewhat exaggerated. Now that it is here, we have to face it. In other words, the issue is not only about Corona ! Many people in Tripura are confusing it with Karuna – thinking God has shown ‘karuna’(Mercy) to Modiji and saved him from anti-CAA and Shaheen Bagh.

Ashie: Arey, what is this fellow saying?

Tirtho: Boe Boe...

Junior Journo: Ha ha. Mr Shah is getting into Noakhali form. Come on dada. Be sporty....My mom has Noakhali style and she sounds so cool, ask our anchor – Boro Pishon, Moot point is the issue is not only about Corona virus. Corona is actually only an excuse ! At best it is a tool. Real issue on the table is economic and social control and who is trying it out this time !!

Anku: Well, he seemed to have little confused. I do not blame him. People of his generation will be more dangerous than ours. They think, they are more than a decade ahead of  us ! Actually, they are not. This is real Whatsapp generation for you. Look at Adi or Ashie !

Adi: Are we discussing all about Whatsapp...oh no !!

Anku: Now, that’s another one...It is like saying there is a monkey and the fellow takes up all juice around. The real debate is, are we doing enough to fight Corona virus.

Ashie: Aaap na Didi, thoda kam bolo. Kindly speak little less !

Anku: Now, what is this? Is this the way civilised people debate?

Tanvi: What civilised? This is unfair, but anyway make your point.

Anku: What I want to say is that has India able to deal with the challenge. In some ways, India has done well and the virus has not spread much. There is stiff resistance power. Indian Masala Jeera powder, Haldi...all these also help.

Grounded Young Leaders

Adi: What is this? Hello, this is not cooking class. Credit should go to the Modi government and their good works. The virus would have spread had we not taken right steps from beginning.

Tirtho: What right steps....beating those Thalis...and all virus have disappeared.
Adi: Well, this is typical Baam Panthi – Communist argument.
Junior Journo: Well, if you all talk about Baam Panthi....I know it pretty well. It is in my blood man...I mean father side. Mama-r baari is anti-Left. Therefore, Lal maney Bipod.

Surjangshu : What red is dangerous? This is not true. I am the eldest son of new generation in my Khandan. We all are red meaning pro Left. Communists would have handled the crisis very well. Manik Dadu or Sitaram Uncle would have told the Chinese please do not send the virus towards. But what to do – Modi government is communal. Corona virus was bound to come

Tanishta: This is going too far. All immature people are talking. They only know questioning Modi Sarkar. What about questioning the liberal media? Our health issues and preparedness never got reported. And today when Corona virus has hit, everyone is talking about mask, medical equipment. India has big time health issues.

Tanvi: True. Health is wealth. Why don’t these young guys be made to write five sentences with the word ‘health’. My father always bothered me with these.

Junior Journo: See, Didi giri is in action.

Ashie: No ! Real Didi giri is in Mamata-land. No good hospital. Rain coats are being given to doctors and everyone is eating Rasogolla and Sandesh. Mishthi Chhara naki Bangali bachbey na ! My mother is right – Pindi chatkano etc etc !

Anku: Stop making those gestures with your nose. Corona virus is not talking about rabbits and crocodiles in Fridge.

Tanvi: Again, this is not fair again. Why you and your Mamu have to be so much concerned about her nose. Ashie is very smart. But that is mot important.  Important point is why Nizamuddin meet took place?

Tanishta: Well. This is precisely the point.

Surjangshu : See, you cannot get communal dealing with health issue. My point is yesterday everyone said Terrorism is real threat. Today you all are saying – corona is real threat.

Junior Journo: Actually, there is no contrast in saying so. Let us be practical and try to understand the real issue. And the Real issue is terrorism is a short term matter...Real threat comes from China. But communists face double problem.

Junior Journo: Sonali 'nandan'

Ashie: Double problem, how?

Anku: Arey this is not basket ball.

Tanvi: Kucch bhi !!

Tanishta: Kuch bhi kita go, Di (what do you mean)?

Tirtho: Boe, Boe. Real issue is everyone wants to blame China and everyone wants to blame Muslims.

Surjangshu : This is interesting. The debate is coming in its proper shape.

Tirtho: Arey Talkative Khandan !! My baba and Mesho are right. OMG, my Maa will not like this.

Tanvi: I think, what is really an issue today is for some parties in India – like Baam panthis ....they cannot criticise communists China and they cannot criticise Muslims. So ...
Surjangshu: So, you have beating the Thalis.

Surjangshu with two important people 

Anku: Oh no. It is not about Thalis or conchshells. Modiji is cleverly trying to avoid real debate and keeping the country engaged. 9 O’ Clock nine minutes lamp show is one such attempt. He is master in using these Hindu rituals and the spiritual drama.

Adi: But he is doing well with these. Modi hae toh Mumkin hae. But veg. hae. Chicken nahi. Siliguri Hotel hi achha tha !

Tanvi: What hotel? He wants to play in the hotel room yet again. Very smart. Quiz Master.

Adi: Didi aapko ek cheez denge ! I mean, my point is look at diplomacy, Prime Minister Modi is talking to keep all important international leaders engaged. He is talking to Shinzo Abe, Trump, Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia etc etc. But when we talk about Bengali sweet, do not forget in Kerala, communist government wanted to supply liquor to alcoholics.

Junior Journo: That was really funny ! People are eating Sandesh and taking alcohol. But look at me, I have still to taste Daaler Bara and Dhekhi Shakh.

Tanvi: Hmmm...Yummy na !

Tirtho: Arey come to the point. Pakhi has spoiled these people.

Junior Journo: Important point is we have new threat in the form of corona virus and it will leave economy in shambles. There is already joblessness. In Tripura, even teachers lost jobs.

Tirtho: Change the subject. Ha ha !!

Junior Journo: Boe, Boe ! Your Mom must be angry !

Tanvi: I think what he means is that 9/11 was a major challenge. But that terrible terror attack came due to mistake of one country and one generation. We do not want another 9/11. But Corona is more dangerous

Anku: Very true. And I tell you no one wants to live with that burden...Anyways, Where is our anchor? And how long is his daari ??

Gang of Three Metroes: Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi

Anchor, Niren Dev: I was trying to find rabbit in the fridge. But I saw an elephant.

Anku: What does it mean?

Ashie: Arey Di. It means our debate was very confusing. You cannot get mother’s support always.

Tanvi: Ha Ha Ha !

Junior Journo: I want to go for No. 2 !!

Everyone joins the Laughter !! 

(Of course, it’s all only fertile imagination and nobody should take my little masters to any court)

ends