And before you know it, twelve months have passed, It is the last week of the year, work is the last thing on everyone’s mind, and it is the time to take stock and make resolutions.
The latter of these, making resolution, is one of those things that are so marvellous about the human brain. These resolutions seem necessary, imminent, and simplicity itself while making them. Post the third day of the new year, they seem persnickety, unimportant and fiendishly difficult. But give it about twelve months or so, and we’re back to wondering why we didn’t do it in the first place, and how this year…
In that sense, perhaps it is better to look back then look ahead, and reflect on how the year panned out. And all told, on reflection, 2018 panned out… fine, more or less.
From the point of view of the world: we’re still here. And given the leaders we have in many nations today, we ought to be grateful. Is that setting a low bar? Yes? Should we take what we get? Also yes.
From the point of view of our country:
Because in 2019, the elections will be upon us. We’ll spend the first quarter of the year gearing up for them, the second quarter contesting them, the third quarter reflecting on the results, and the fourth moaning about the outcome.
The news channels will be louder, more strident, and more nonsensical than they have been so far. The thought fills me with horror, unquiet desperation and the urge to make myself multiple stiff ones, so we’ll move right on.
From the point of view of this, our fair city: not too bad. Middling, I’d say.
Sure, some roads are narrower, and some buses are on fire. Nagar Road is even more of a mess, and Karve Road (I can’t believe it as I type this) is even more crowded in the evenings. We continue to claim we’re a smart city, in spite of numerous au contraires that dot the city. Our airport continues to be a joke, and our rivers a tad bit more polluted than the year before.
But, on the other hand, the food is as good as it ever was, there is a welcome nip in the air, and who knows, there’s always hope: maybe no buses will catch fire in 2019.
And honestly, in spite of all the moaning and female-canining that I do, which other city would I rather be in? Put that way, there really is no choice, is there?
Also, I get to report something that I was convinced would never be true, and something that will make many a battle hardened veteran from these parts tear up in quite uncontrollable fashion. Hinjewadi, ladies and gentlemen, was easier to navigate this year than the last. Yes, you read that right: traffic was easier over there this year. And if that can happen, dear reader, than anything can.
And on that optimistic note, here’s wishing you and your loved ones a very happy new year. Cheers!
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He doesn't expect the paradox to be resolved in his lifetime
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