When a media honcho discovers that his wife allegedly murdered her own sister, er daughter, while being involved in multiple affairs in real life, he calls his wife a "psychopath". Incidentally, the media honcho in discharge of his duty as the Head of a private TV channel permitted junk saas-bahu TV serial-killers that openly promoted promiscuity, (rampant) marital abuse, multiple marriages and affairs, incestuous relationships et al, in the name of "Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki"; so much for being Indraxicated with TRPs!

It's truly amazing how our dadiji and dadaji (grandparents for everyone English) never needed any fairness cream to "get that glowing skin"; they lived past 80 and 90 with a glowing clean-and-clear complexion. Can't but imagine, growing up midst rulers who had a "white skin", and yet, not getting carried away by the lure of it. Substance. No radio. No TV. Computers were virtually unheard of. Internet, what was that? No mobile phones and social networks. Yet, they remained in touch via the humble red letter box. Clear eye-sight, tooth intact, no need for a diet-based program, even past prime. We survive on artificial life-support systems; they nurtured a value-based family support system. We hear of three weddings and one daughter's funeral; they celebrated Golden Jubilees of togetherness. So, while we measure life in terms of expectancy and showcase it as a tech advancement, they simply lived it all in terms of a lifetime. No frills. No Jazz. Bole toh, baaton ke pakke aur langoti ke sacche!

Why invest only in Smart Cities, when we're evolving "even" smarter and "Self"hi driven ?! Bail and Jail are now synonymous with one another, and the day is near when online applications will be accepted for potential heinous crimes, with an instant bail approval; payment will be accepted only through hawalaa(t)! While lakes run dry, trees are felled, concrete jungles crop up in place of natural bounty, artificial rains take precedence over showers gifted by nature. Sycophancy supersedes merit. Precious expressions of "love" and "missing you" gestures, birthday greetings and wedding anniversaries, as well as relationships among spouses, siblings, parents-children, friends, etc are announced or prominently displayed on social networking websites for public perusal. On the one hand, every individual claims that the world has nothing to do with what he/she does or goes since it's their personal life, on the other hand, they post every thing from real-time travel plans, airport lounge photos (why not railway stations or bus stands, eh?!) honey-moon photos, etc, for world record and consumption! Heads of Governments are either quiet and it's presumed that they don't do anything, or they speak so much that it's presumed that they're doing everything. Maa Kasam, relationships are confined to annual one-day celebrations. Vulgarity is served as an "aesthetic shot". Hai na, Smart? Bas, baja. City.

So, does the CEO - who swears by a healthy lifestyle - of a global food giant indeed devour MSG-laden noodles like his billion consumers do? How many times in a decade does the CEO of a global softdrink company summon her children with a clarion call, "Beta Pepsicide Co la"? Kasam Maida karne wale ki, Yogi still gives his "Aashirwad" for 100% Maida, 0% Atta. Make in India, fine. Bake in India, perfect. Fake and forsake in India? Not OK, Please.

Apnon se door, Border par WOH jaate hain. Zakhmi WOH ho jaate hain. Goliyaan WOH khaate hain. Kahin kisi roz, hum anjaanon ke liye, Shaheed WOH ho jaate hain. Par Dilli mein baithe baithe taliyaan woh chahte hain? Anyway, hope and pray that our neighbour learns to act Sharif and stops Kashmir from becoming a TOURIRIST destination!