ALL is WELL…???

The term ‘Idiots’ have come into a wide variety of uses, via discussion and speculation, especially since the release of the movie. Though it’s quite interesting to observe and note as to how society, as a wholesome body, views an idiot, and, how an individual does.

An individual may have two distinct sub- perspectives to this entire ‘title’. How society [family, friends, and people around him] views him? How he views himself? This is no different to the personality theory which we have gone through ‘n’ number of times: The Real Concept and the Social Concept.

Now I came across 3 individuals, with diverse, yet common backgrounds, while on my extensive travels in Bengal recently. Each one had a story I was moved by, and I believe there might be many like them, here and there, around us, with us…Hence shall use the common parlance of Tom, Dick and Harry….will keep it to the point and brief….watch out though for the symptoms….

TOM: Smart, intelligent, young, brilliantly creative and a decent level of humor. Works hard, gets de-motivated when he lets himself down, ethical in nature and formidable when he knows he’s right.

In a stimulating society resplendent with opportunities, he would be equipped with enormous potential. A Commerce student just like me, with willingness for further education and knowledge, but it’s a pity that he does not possess the financial backing, necessary in today’s world. The only difference being I have done my B.com from a ‘reputed and prestigious’ institution and he from an unknown one. I had options and he had doors slammed. We had numerous discussions on topics like interests and hobbies, rural India, nature, etc. Can’t comment much but all I know is that he could not make use of his will to the utmost of his inner desires. He is seen by society as what he is today and not what he could have been.


DICK: An ex-professional footballer, has played for a few top league clubs, was also called for a squad representing the country. He’s been to European and South East Asian countries to represent clubs. Due to financial or health reasons he had to leave the sport, had to move away from what he did best, from what he believed in.

Now he is in sales, moving from shop to shop taking orders, day in day out, something I could see he is not good at, and more importantly not enjoying. Resulted in him cheating the distributor of some money, as his performance was not up to mark, got caught and was fired. He is seen by society as somebody who’s not good at his work, as someone who is struggling, someone dishonest.

HARRY: a man in his mid-30’s, street smart, respected and amiable. He at one time was running multiple small businesses. He liked doing that…..Period. Was doing well and was also part of a sales force for a company. He had that entrepreneurial streak in him, quite evident at that.

A few years back he had a life-threatening accident on the railway lines. He says and I quote “the villagers where I met with the accident still call me a miracle”. After multiple bones, torn tissues and shut down ventures he still is a salesman at a company, the streak dying a forced death. He has to bear expenses for his health and his wife’s, which takes a toll. The society sees him as a person, who is still where he was some years back, if not worse.

There is a thread between these three individuals, and many such beings. Given a different circumstance, a different occurrence and a different setting, maybe they would have been heroes of their time and place. Heroes and not ‘Idiots’ [not the literal colloquial meaning, but negative nonetheless.

Society sees and clubs them as certain characters, the depressing and disheartening part being, when they themselves start to lose belief in themselves and start doubting their abilities. Start wondering if Heroes and stars are only to be dreamt of or celebrated on 70mm screens on Fridays. Three great minds, deteriorating and becoming stale….If that’s the case, we really have to ask is “ALL ‘really’ WELL???