The world has become more techno savvy, than could have ever been imagined.. As, a small boy I had always been fascinated by computers. It was something really fascinating,to learn about new things, online gaming, blogging, how I could access information to the reviews of the movies I wanted to watch, to some cool puzzles and quizzes online etc.
So, I was really elated when I got my first computer. I loved my computer with its 3 kg. (I actually weighed it!!!) Microtek monitor ( complete with the sound system embedded in it, a technical wonder as my vendor put it), the logitech mouse, and the maple keyboard. It had a HDD of 20 GB ( the max. config. at that time), and boasted a RAM of 128 KB... Wow, my dream machine!!!!
But, the world progressed and things changed.. I came to realize that the 20 GB wasn't enoough after all, as it could'nt store my collection of movies, softwares and bhai's games ... Computer prices also plummeted rapidly, making it possible for people to actually go for it.. A change had started, the era of "Information Revolution"...
And, so it all began .. from finding the right products to the right package (ahem, the matrimonials..), from finding the best deals on travels and bookings, to booking movie tickets online.. If you were on it, you had the access to all these functions in a jiffy... The net had revolutionized the way people made their purchases and bought things ( although, this effect is still catching up in India)... But, then with other things , even this had a flip side!!!
Now, you might ask, that being a techie how can you be skeptical of the whole internet revolution?? But, then, when I am not wholly discounting the fact that the Internet thingy has actually done wonders, it is not without its repercussions... I'll tell you, because I have experienced it...
In a small town XXX where I was vacationing, I met this person.. He was about the same age as my father, perhaps a little young or so.. I was researching the effects of the WWW for the college mag, and had been to the local dailies for their feedback. I met this guy by pure chance, or were we destined to meet.. He somehow came to know about this project of mine, and voluntarily stepped in for an interview...
This man was a bank employee, an accountant. His math skill were good, and he was able to communicate well. His job involved him to keep accounts in the local branch, of an estd. bank there.. His only vice, he was not computer literate...
Going by his account, he told me that he had a difficult childhood, spent most of his time on the street...Anyways, he taught himself some basic Mathematics and English as a servant for a rich person in the township.. After a while, owing to his sincerity and hard work, his master referred him to this bank, where he found a job as an accountant.. He was very happy that day, he told me... At last, he had found a real job, whereby he could use his skills to the fullest..
But then, this happiness was short lived.. The IT revolution heralded a new change, and suddenly it became imperative for him to know computers.. He was in a fix. With great difficulty, and practically no help at all, he had come to this position. And, now suddenly he was told that his skills were not upto the mark and he needed to find another job.. He became jobless once again.
I asked him that with some help and money earned from the job, he could have taught himself some basic computers also, as with english and maths.. He smirked. The course fee was bundled in a package, and was very high.. He had familial obligations too, his daughter being of marriagable age..
And so, after filling my notes with 30 pages, declaring the advent of computers in India, as a period of optimism and growth, this 20 liner interview with this person changed it all...
The computer revolution might be great for the developed nations, but not so much for our country still..
Think about what the "Walmart" factor, would do for the local grocery store..The one on the corner you visited on those lazy sunday mornings, where you bargained and fought with the sabziwallah... Reliance fresh clashes with the grocery stores in Ranchi were in the news for a while... The "Big Bazaar" type retail concept has somewhat blended with the local business but, this might become lopsided, if Walmart comes in...
Narcissism is a state where the person is self obsessed.. Its a state where he is hopelessly in love with his own self.. Some people may call it an exaggerated form of self centredness, others may term it as an egotistical projection.. Whatever it is, the story behind it is quite fascinating and makes for an interesting read...
