Yes, the topic name has been very much inspired by the hugely influential work on the subject of human anatomy and also a popular medical drama TV series by the same name. But that's about it, the similarities end very much there. So if you are looking to read about either of those two subjects and draw comparisons, you might as well stop reading further, as this may not interest you at all. And this particular disclaimer is just that - to avoid any reader dissonance you may experience if at all.
Hey...great...i see that you are still on the page and reading further on the blog post. Then there's good news for you...I must say! As you continue reading further on this piece which is in parts a reflection of our daily life and parts opinionated, you might just stumble on something you can identify with as a 'Grey Indian'.
Let me start by sharing what the dictionary says about the word 'grey'.
grey - 7 dictionary results
grey or gray (ɡreɪ)
— adj
1. of a neutral tone, intermediate between black and white, that has no hue and reflects and transmits only a little light
2. greyish in colour or having parts or marks that are greyish
3. dismal or dark, esp from lack of light; gloomy
4. neutral or dull, esp in character or opinion
5. having grey hair
6. of or relating to people of middle age or above: grey power
7. ancient; venerable
8. (of textiles) natural, unbleached, undyed, and untreated
The 'grey' anatomy of an Indian really is a mix of all the above and yet purports to none of the above at the same time. Its nothing but a typical characteristic streak we all Indians innately possess. It is something which reflects in all that we think, we do and experience as a slice of our life. I would like to call what we have is grey because of its very fluid nature, its unfixed and also its all encompassing.
I can sense that the quizzical and impatient look on your face still persists and now I can actually hear you demanding of me what does 'grey' anatomy of an India really means? Hmm....my answer is a simple "Look around and look within you!".
If that has puzzled you even more then let me list down the Top Ten Grey Indian Idiosyncrasies and then let me ask you the same question at the end. My guess is this 'grey' will become more defined. The below top ten list is not in any particular order but much the order of my train of thoughts as I am typing on the QWERTY.
Top 10 Grey Indian Idiosyncrasies
No. 1.
Indian Standard Time (IST) - We all know that it means more than what it really stands for. We Indians take pride in the deeper meaning of IST, sometimes even joke about it and most times even get away using this short abbreviation as a crutch for long excuses. For instance...'Hey.. you were supposed to be here an hour back. What happened to you?' you ask your friend when he/she arrives late...and your friend quickly retorts back...'Arre yaar, you know Indian Standard Time right..it happens!' The matter ends there, no more questions asked.
We are like this only! Sab chalta hain.
Meetings, schedules, appointments, projects...all delayed...why? Blame it on 'Indian Standard Time'. 9 'o' clock meeting starts at 9.30, 11 'o' clock appointment scheduled with client but hey, where's the client?, a team meeting supposed to get over in 2 hours spills over for over half a day and a flight scheduled to land at 5pm is still guzzling fuel mid air (thankfully this has reduced off late). And less said the better of all the projects being executed out there...roads, bridges, airports...list is endless. Its a joke that these projects, scheduled to complete in months run into years and sometimes years into decades. And when they finally get completed notwithstanding the time over runs and cost runs, there are even joyous celebrations. Oh, yes celebrations! Why?.. you ask. Arre...because they got finally completed nah..bas!
Its the Grey Indian anatomy in full force across different levels, cadres, religion, age, financial background, cities and across the country. Nothing is absolute and definitely not certain. Unpredictability is the name of the game, friends. Of course there are few exceptions but only to prove that this rule exists.
2. The Grey (or grated) Indian Roads and road sense (or lack of it)
Much has been already been said, written and re written about the Indian roads... time and again. Not much where I can add my two bits except that its indeed a national 'phenomenace'. Sometimes we are left wondering, if this is what we experience in our cities with so called best-in-class infrastructure amenities, just shudder to think what would be the state of the towns and villages.
With so much stress, frustration, me-first attitude, road rage, colorful language and back breaking bumps experienced on our roads...it wont be a surprise if it becomes the road to perdition for its riders one day.
And coming to the road sense of its denizens, well..what can one expect from the poor souls when the roads itself are the villains of this story. We the denizens are mere victims of fate who play our part of the frustrated, impatient, unruly heroes with full gusto. We don't care 2 horns for the rules or the game. Its my way or highway...hmmm true..but where is the highway by the way?
Coming to the so called rules...a red signal means STOP and a green means GO....right! Well, not really if you are a true blue (correction..grey)Indian. A red signal at most times means cars zipping past you. For we are a breed of 'colour blind' Indians unless ofcourse our Desi Spidey Pandu is lurking behind a pole waiting to spin his web on the naive, Speedy Gonsalves.
Also, what more can be said about the sensuous dance movements of the Indian cars on the roads. Yes, the same place where cars keep changing lanes as if they are going out of fashion. Its a 'u better not come hither' look, then a kiss and finally 'make up' drama at its hilt. The CITY slicker with its swanky gait zooms upto and lightly kisses an alluring DEZIRE on its bum-per and then makes up speed pronto with another sprightly SPARK at the same time. Sometimes he gets a SCORPIO sting in the bargain, other times a CIVIC response (very rare though) and at most times he is in ACCORD with his ilk as they are part of the same tamasha every day. Whether you are A STAR or INNOVA(TER) no one can resist this Indian car-nama.
Its 'Car'pe diem on the road almost always. Seize the day or at times even someone's collar...same difference! Either you attain a ZEN like state and pass through this calmly or you can be assured of a 'Car'diac attack just sitting in your car.
Expect the unexpected from the grey Indians, its in their 'kar'ma.
3. Indian Judiciary -
Everything seems to be grey here...right from the guys who don the woolly hats and hammer 'order, order!' like in hindi movies of yore, to the grey cells for which they are supposed to be revered or the scanty grey patch on their shiny scalp. Thats the grey indian judiciary for you. But hey, theres more...
I am sure you have heard this one before...'You need to be in it first to win it!'
But alas one cant say the same thing when one has to file a lawsuit in this democracy (sadly). One might as well give in before the climbing the steps of this 'Ivory Tower'.
For taking the bold steps up this ladder a la Jack in the Bean Stalk story...either your silk suits need to have deep pockets or if not then these pockets should atleast confine a business card of certain Mr. Mister. Someone who can help you jump the serpentine queue of long forgotten cases or connect you with those who really matter.
But if you are one of the children of lesser god who has never seen a silk suit forget owning one, then forget it... unless ofcourse you are ready to 'go grey' in this system where there is no black or white.
4. Politicians -
Nothing more can be said of the 'greyest' of the lot in the top 10 list where integrity is a question mark and principles completely non existing. Only if they show us their true colours would the denizens of this country know what they really stand for. The somersaults which this breed is given to, one will never know where their loyalties lay....probably where they get royalties from.
5.
The Great Indian Jugaad- One grey area we should be proud of as it originates from Indian sensibilities and has now become a global buzzword in these trying times.
As per Wikipedia, 'Jugaad (also sometimes jugard) literally means an improvised arrangement or work-around, which has to be used because of lack of resources.'
Jugaad also applies to any kind of creative and out of the box thinking which maximizes resources for a company and its stakeholders.
It does have negative connotations to the word - temporary, unstable and quick fix. But one cant take away the fact that its being inventive at low cost and is an Indian way which has now been globally recognised.
Many examples of Jugaad originate from India which include the water-pump engine based vehicle on roads, washing machine which is used to make lassi, Tier 2 and 3 sleeper compartments in Indian railways to make room for more people to enjoy comforts of A/C at lesser costs, making quilts out of old and used sarees and even TATA Nano to an extent is jugaad of engineering which has been much written about as a success story across the world. Who could have thought of a car at Rs. 1 lac in today's times anywhere in the world, but we did it. Also, India is the home of the satchet and micro finance revolution and the biggest user of 'Missed call' and saving air time costs. These are just few of the known examples of how Indians have been inventive and made best available of the resources.
On this note I end my Part I of the Grey Anatomy of an Indian chapter. The other 5 points in the top 10 list will be posted shortly. I am hoping that you are at least half convinced at this point about why we Indians are innately grey. If you have any doubts still about their grey anatomy, I am sure they will get cleared after you read Part II.
Hey...great...i see that you are still on the page and reading further on the blog post. Then there's good news for you...I must say! As you continue reading further on this piece which is in parts a reflection of our daily life and parts opinionated, you might just stumble on something you can identify with as a 'Grey Indian'.
Let me start by sharing what the dictionary says about the word 'grey'.
grey - 7 dictionary results
grey or gray (ɡreɪ)
— adj
1. of a neutral tone, intermediate between black and white, that has no hue and reflects and transmits only a little light
2. greyish in colour or having parts or marks that are greyish
3. dismal or dark, esp from lack of light; gloomy
4. neutral or dull, esp in character or opinion
5. having grey hair
6. of or relating to people of middle age or above: grey power
7. ancient; venerable
8. (of textiles) natural, unbleached, undyed, and untreated
The 'grey' anatomy of an Indian really is a mix of all the above and yet purports to none of the above at the same time. Its nothing but a typical characteristic streak we all Indians innately possess. It is something which reflects in all that we think, we do and experience as a slice of our life. I would like to call what we have is grey because of its very fluid nature, its unfixed and also its all encompassing.
I can sense that the quizzical and impatient look on your face still persists and now I can actually hear you demanding of me what does 'grey' anatomy of an India really means? Hmm....my answer is a simple "Look around and look within you!".
If that has puzzled you even more then let me list down the Top Ten Grey Indian Idiosyncrasies and then let me ask you the same question at the end. My guess is this 'grey' will become more defined. The below top ten list is not in any particular order but much the order of my train of thoughts as I am typing on the QWERTY.
Top 10 Grey Indian Idiosyncrasies
No. 1.
Indian Standard Time (IST) - We all know that it means more than what it really stands for. We Indians take pride in the deeper meaning of IST, sometimes even joke about it and most times even get away using this short abbreviation as a crutch for long excuses. For instance...'Hey.. you were supposed to be here an hour back. What happened to you?' you ask your friend when he/she arrives late...and your friend quickly retorts back...'Arre yaar, you know Indian Standard Time right..it happens!' The matter ends there, no more questions asked.
We are like this only! Sab chalta hain.
Meetings, schedules, appointments, projects...all delayed...why? Blame it on 'Indian Standard Time'. 9 'o' clock meeting starts at 9.30, 11 'o' clock appointment scheduled with client but hey, where's the client?, a team meeting supposed to get over in 2 hours spills over for over half a day and a flight scheduled to land at 5pm is still guzzling fuel mid air (thankfully this has reduced off late). And less said the better of all the projects being executed out there...roads, bridges, airports...list is endless. Its a joke that these projects, scheduled to complete in months run into years and sometimes years into decades. And when they finally get completed notwithstanding the time over runs and cost runs, there are even joyous celebrations. Oh, yes celebrations! Why?.. you ask. Arre...because they got finally completed nah..bas!
Its the Grey Indian anatomy in full force across different levels, cadres, religion, age, financial background, cities and across the country. Nothing is absolute and definitely not certain. Unpredictability is the name of the game, friends. Of course there are few exceptions but only to prove that this rule exists.
2. The Grey (or grated) Indian Roads and road sense (or lack of it)
Much has been already been said, written and re written about the Indian roads... time and again. Not much where I can add my two bits except that its indeed a national 'phenomenace'. Sometimes we are left wondering, if this is what we experience in our cities with so called best-in-class infrastructure amenities, just shudder to think what would be the state of the towns and villages.
With so much stress, frustration, me-first attitude, road rage, colorful language and back breaking bumps experienced on our roads...it wont be a surprise if it becomes the road to perdition for its riders one day.
And coming to the road sense of its denizens, well..what can one expect from the poor souls when the roads itself are the villains of this story. We the denizens are mere victims of fate who play our part of the frustrated, impatient, unruly heroes with full gusto. We don't care 2 horns for the rules or the game. Its my way or highway...hmmm true..but where is the highway by the way?
Coming to the so called rules...a red signal means STOP and a green means GO....right! Well, not really if you are a true blue (correction..grey)Indian. A red signal at most times means cars zipping past you. For we are a breed of 'colour blind' Indians unless ofcourse our Desi Spidey Pandu is lurking behind a pole waiting to spin his web on the naive, Speedy Gonsalves.
Also, what more can be said about the sensuous dance movements of the Indian cars on the roads. Yes, the same place where cars keep changing lanes as if they are going out of fashion. Its a 'u better not come hither' look, then a kiss and finally 'make up' drama at its hilt. The CITY slicker with its swanky gait zooms upto and lightly kisses an alluring DEZIRE on its bum-per and then makes up speed pronto with another sprightly SPARK at the same time. Sometimes he gets a SCORPIO sting in the bargain, other times a CIVIC response (very rare though) and at most times he is in ACCORD with his ilk as they are part of the same tamasha every day. Whether you are A STAR or INNOVA(TER) no one can resist this Indian car-nama.
Its 'Car'pe diem on the road almost always. Seize the day or at times even someone's collar...same difference! Either you attain a ZEN like state and pass through this calmly or you can be assured of a 'Car'diac attack just sitting in your car.
Expect the unexpected from the grey Indians, its in their 'kar'ma.
3. Indian Judiciary -
Everything seems to be grey here...right from the guys who don the woolly hats and hammer 'order, order!' like in hindi movies of yore, to the grey cells for which they are supposed to be revered or the scanty grey patch on their shiny scalp. Thats the grey indian judiciary for you. But hey, theres more...
I am sure you have heard this one before...'You need to be in it first to win it!'
But alas one cant say the same thing when one has to file a lawsuit in this democracy (sadly). One might as well give in before the climbing the steps of this 'Ivory Tower'.
For taking the bold steps up this ladder a la Jack in the Bean Stalk story...either your silk suits need to have deep pockets or if not then these pockets should atleast confine a business card of certain Mr. Mister. Someone who can help you jump the serpentine queue of long forgotten cases or connect you with those who really matter.
But if you are one of the children of lesser god who has never seen a silk suit forget owning one, then forget it... unless ofcourse you are ready to 'go grey' in this system where there is no black or white.
4. Politicians -
Nothing more can be said of the 'greyest' of the lot in the top 10 list where integrity is a question mark and principles completely non existing. Only if they show us their true colours would the denizens of this country know what they really stand for. The somersaults which this breed is given to, one will never know where their loyalties lay....probably where they get royalties from.
5.
The Great Indian Jugaad- One grey area we should be proud of as it originates from Indian sensibilities and has now become a global buzzword in these trying times.
As per Wikipedia, 'Jugaad (also sometimes jugard) literally means an improvised arrangement or work-around, which has to be used because of lack of resources.'
Jugaad also applies to any kind of creative and out of the box thinking which maximizes resources for a company and its stakeholders.
It does have negative connotations to the word - temporary, unstable and quick fix. But one cant take away the fact that its being inventive at low cost and is an Indian way which has now been globally recognised.
Many examples of Jugaad originate from India which include the water-pump engine based vehicle on roads, washing machine which is used to make lassi, Tier 2 and 3 sleeper compartments in Indian railways to make room for more people to enjoy comforts of A/C at lesser costs, making quilts out of old and used sarees and even TATA Nano to an extent is jugaad of engineering which has been much written about as a success story across the world. Who could have thought of a car at Rs. 1 lac in today's times anywhere in the world, but we did it. Also, India is the home of the satchet and micro finance revolution and the biggest user of 'Missed call' and saving air time costs. These are just few of the known examples of how Indians have been inventive and made best available of the resources.
On this note I end my Part I of the Grey Anatomy of an Indian chapter. The other 5 points in the top 10 list will be posted shortly. I am hoping that you are at least half convinced at this point about why we Indians are innately grey. If you have any doubts still about their grey anatomy, I am sure they will get cleared after you read Part II.
1 comment:
Complete agree!! I can truly relate to it :)
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