Starting a conversation with Shuntoo is like jumping in front of a speeding truck. You can never be sure of the exact consequences, but you can be fairly certain that you won’t like them. And insisting on a response from Shuntoo when he seems to be in no mood to speak is like insisting that the truck hit you even when it swerves.
The latest victim on this unbelievable folly was a fortyish friend of mine who is a member of that ever-increasing group of self-proclaimed saviours of our nation. After talking for nearly half an hour on how he had the whole thing planned and was just waiting for the right time to start the revolution, he looked at Shuntoo (and in all honesty, Shuntoo, who was staring at a newspaper did not look anything like a speeding truck so you cannot really blame the guy) and said,
“Look at you! This is why we, as a nation, are where we are. We have to put an end to this indifferent attitude, we have to change our mindsets and start putting our country first. Revolutions require blood, we have to wake up. Don’t ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can …………..”
The poor guy stopped in the middle of his sentence and stared at Shuntoo with his mouth hanging open in an expression of utter disbelief. Shuntoo had suddenly started laughing hysterically and was slapping his thigh again and again trying to control himself. The revolutionary looked so confused that I couldn’t stop smiling myself.
Finally Shuntoo got a grip on himself and said “Sorry sir! I didn’t mean to laugh. I was trying to ignore your clichéd speech peppered with out of context, meaningless jargon but that last one. The Kennedy quote! That was too much. Sorry sir, I didn’t mean to….” And he went into another fit of laughter.
The revolutionary was getting angry now (not surprisingly). All he could say was “What’s so funny in ……..” And Shuntoo waved a hand and stopped laughing almost as suddenly as he had started.
“Nothing’s funny really. Actually it’s sad. And I find sad things extremely laughable.” You know something pyaarey? You’re right. We have to change our mindsets.” The revolutionary was starting to smile now sensing agreement with his views, but the poor guy had no idea what was coming.
“We have to put an end to this indifferent attitude. This attitude of indifference towards the actual problems within ourselves. This habit of making embarrassingly silly attempts to pose as great supporters of a revolution to change the circumstances for the better. This ignorance of ignorance. This attitude of denial. Denial to accept that we don’t have the first clue about the meaning or consequences of a revolution, that we don’t know crap about what our current situation is or what exactly is meant by change for the better. We have to stop repeating ideas we heard or read somewhere without comprehending anything about them. We have to stop trying to impress morons even when we are succeeding. We have to improve ourselves. We have to realize that it is only ourselves that are in our control and what we do with ourselves is the clearest indication of how well we are equipped to bring about a change in whatever we will control. Yes sir, we have to change our mindsets.” And Shuntoo returned to staring at the newspaper.
“Look son,” the revolutionary continued. “Every generation needs a new revolution.” Before he could continue, Shuntoo said “From John F. Kennedy to Thomas Jefferson, eh? My God, you’re pathetic.” And he burst into laughter again.
