The attack of the notorious balancesheeters

The spread of their virus is as worrisome as the virulence of its strain. Or maybe, as is my wont, I am in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I must begin at the beginning.

A balance sheeter is a person with a criminally single track mind whose world begins and ends with finance, trade and of course balancesheets. Mind you, they are no less dangerous than notorious history-sheeters. Perhaps, it's a classic molehill into a mountain situation. But I'm afraid they are ganging up on me. Fast.

I seem to run into them everywhere. At work, in my apartment, parties and restaurants, while hanging out with friends and even friendly visits to relatives and family. I have tried to run but I, certainly, cant hide. They lurk in my morning newspapers, blare out of my television, stare at me from billboard hoardings, sneak onto me from magazine shelves and they even have my mobile number.

To be fair, balancesheeters are few and far between but their infection is contagious. An alarming number of my conversations circle around property prices, stock markets,esops, tax calculations and planning, mutual funds, insurance, business confidence, real estate etc. Its appalling. Needless to say my contribution to such conversations is minimal. Both, out of ignorance and indifference.

Far too many of my friends and relatives are falling prey. Perfectly sane individuals develop an overnight interest in the wily sensex. Heck, even my job requires me to be uptodate on all such topics.

So, I'm left wondering about the wisdom of age old sayings. That if i cant beat them, I must join them.

A balancesheeter in the making.

Scenes from a thriller

In the days to come, erudite words will pour out from the pens of discerning men and fill the pages of various intellectual newspapers/magazines of India. And all of them will be a fitting tribute to what is, in essence, a celebration of Indian democracy. I, of course, refer to the electoral exercise that took place in the heart of India, Uttar Pradesh. Casual and cogent conversations will fill the air with animated discussion over the stunning outcome of the UP elections. For me, certain scenes stood out, from the whole chain of events.

The incredible turning of tables, with dalits offering a benevolent hand to the brahmins, making them look like their poorer cousins.

The whole of UP elections passing by without as much a slap being reported by the media.

The strength of superior leadership, crafty strategising and a systematic and clinical organisation of the BSP.

The endearing slogans coined by BSP which penetrate to the places where no media can reach.

The uneasy expressions on the faces of Kapil Sibal and Arun Jaitley, oscillating between consternation and appreciation over the events of the UP elections.

And, finally, the victory song of the small voices of the common man on the roads of India which barely, if ever, reaches our ears.

- May 11, 2007, Bangalore

P.S.- Coming up soon 'The attack of the notorious balancesheeters'