The term Rat Race sounds extremely exotic
to hear. But there is no exoticness involved in the application of this term
whatsoever. It’s just an eloquent translation for everyday run-of-the-mill activities
and duties undertaken by each and every one of us.
Many people have spoken about the infamous
exotica in the past and some have even penned down memorable books, chartering
its presence in our lives right from the time we enter the world till we drop
down dead. An evil eye, its presence has been necessitated mainly on account of
the expected premises and deliverance of the societal needs, rather than it
being a necessary evil.
It has been drummed – to the point of ad
nauseam – into our ears and heads that we, as humans, are social animals.
That our demands, needs and expectations are largely premeditated on the basis
of what the society expects and provides, instead of us doing things for
ourselves individualistically. And this is where the problem arises. When the
society sets a particular norm and someone endeavours to even slightly alter
it, thereby elevating the expectation to a different level, there tends to be a
conflict. Balking at tedium and choosing to circumvent it can very well be
considered a convenient option, but if and only if, the society accepts it. If the
society rejects it because it doesn’t come up to their standards, then might as
well reject it unequivocally, without any questions raised. This is how the
whole system works. You cannot change – in fact; you cannot even want to change
because change is an evil instead of orthodoxy and conventionalism being
clubbed in this genre.
Also since societal governance demands that
people follow the same procedure over and over again, enter our esteemed breed
of effervescence. Right from choosing a subject for majoring till deciding on a
career for our life, we adhere and stick to societal norms and regulations. And
incidentally, it is these societal norms and guidelines that add more complexity
– hugely negative – in our lives. The higher we study, the higher we expect to
earn and the higher we earn, the higher we plan to splurge and save. Of course,
it is automatically assumed that higher studies would ensure and guarantee one
getting a job in one of the so-called permanent establishments, where
supposedly life-long income is assured of.
Permanency is an over-rated concept and as
ironic it may sound, our life is never ours to control. The tentacles of
expendability reach out to everyone and at some stage or the other, every person
becomes a paper-towel – to be used and discarded at will.
Considering that this is the most realistic
and likely expected scenario, irrespective of our best or worst performance,
then why do we not balk at the system? After all, aren’t we the ones who established
these exalted strata? Critical times demand critical responses. At times, when
our own self and conscience encourages us to rebel and go against the norms,
why not do so? Isn’t that a norm in itself – today’s revolution; categorised as
the first step in tomorrow’s evolution.
