This morning when I was taking a stroll outside the guest room where I am putting up waiting for my morning cuppa, a dog emerged from somewhere and started to do what he does best, started smelling around a parked car, looking for the most appropriate place to leave his mark. He smelt a few times and finally found the place which he was looking for and settled for the rear right tyre. Now you must be wondering what is so special about this activity which we all get to see quite often.
Dogs can't help it, but their best friends humans have adopted this vary trait albeit in a different manner. Let me explain, please visit any Govt building and look for number of plaques commemorating the inauguration by one of the VIPs. Sometimes the very same premise is inaugurated/ dedicated to the nation a number of times, the moment the VIP in question, a minister, a bureaucrat, a general or head of the institution changes. It is almost imperative for the new incumbent to ensure he leaves his own mark literally. This is exactly what is akin to the doggy syndrome, leaving a mark in the form of a plaque, which could be marble, granite or just another brick in the wall but without these in place, the tenure of the individual would somehow be incomplete, almost like confirming his non existence. .
We Indians start off the business right from the time we lay the foundation stone till the final completion, there are many an occasion which are exploited by the experts. Of course the subordinates have a field day, after all sycophants revel in these activities which provides them the opportunity to get on the right side side of the powers that be. There are many occasions when the plaque is simply replaced with every new incumbent to keep everyone happy. There is a famous Akbar Birbal anecdote on sycophancy where, Akbar one day praises Brinjal as the best vegetable and Birbal also joins in singing paeans about it. Next day Akbar starts to criticize Brinjals as absolutely nonpalatable, Birbal not to be left behind, goes a step further in explaining why even Ayurveda considers the vegetable akin to poison. Akbar is amused and asks him how he could one day praise and the other day criticize the vegetable, Birbal tongue in cheek responds by saying that he is in the service of the King and not for brinjal, so he knows where his loyalties lie.
Strangely Indians believe and have faith in the Karma philosophy as preached in the Gita, but haven't really imbibed its true sense and thus this craving for self glorification manifests itself. Guess what, the real heroes do not seek such recognition at all, after all these markers do not leave a lasting legacy, in fact you would be forgotten in a few days, weeks or some years irrespective of the number of such stones etched left behind. It is your work and reputation which does leave lasting impressions which too is not permanent, as nothing actually is on this earth. We all are perishable and destiny has already earmarked the period too. But for now, every dog has his day, so why should I be the dog in the Manger, as they say let sleeping dogs lie, after all, a dog's tail can't be straightened ever!
Published in Free Press Journal today
Clip of Free Press - Indore Epaper Edition http://epaper.freepressjournal.in/c/72306127
15 comments:
A wonderful write up Suyash ! Doggy syndrome is the apt phrase.
In unit places of worship, I noticed the syndrome, wherein gifts presented by ardent devotees, such as a ceiling fan, a table fan, a statue, invariably bore inscriptions such as *presented by Major Xxxx* ....😁
To pee or not to Pee, that is the question !
N the P ( pee/pii) could mean different things at different times, morning it would imply as artfully expressed by you ,to place a plaque or not ..n in evening (for me) to pee( as in drink) the nectar of God's,somras, or a delightful whiskey in company of friends.
As Dev Saab said in his movie / song " tu pee or jee"
As a junior put in the plaque,as Senior enjoy the plaque n as a traveller on planet Earth..Tu sambhal kar pee..
Well written Suyash..
A toast to ur superb penmamanship..
Let's Pee tonight !
😜🙊
So very true and one comes across these incidents at regular intervals!
Good observations, Suyash. The dog spends what he needs to discard to leave his mark, while humans spend effort and resources to leave theirs. It's as if someone else would steal the credit, whereas sometimes the plaque is actually installed to steal credit! The end result though is just the same: who ever reads the plaque? Its just effort down the drain, just a fleeting glimpse of a delicate ego.
Nicely written Suyash.
Well written sir.
Nicely articulated sir.
Once again nice article buddy.
Ah haha! Lovely. Quite the observation! Accurate!
Good one
Wonderful write up ……… so apt in current times
Great write up…👍
Wonderful write up...
A Satirical Version of addiction of Heads of Establishment in laying / Superimposing Foundation Stone & Plagues to leave their imprint for Posterity.
What an illusion,as the same get erased in the Public Memory with the Vagaries of Time. Selfless Contribution for ameliorating the Concurrent Conditions within the Sphere of Influence Should have been Practiced.
Very well Highlighted Suyash!
Bahut khoob..bhai
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