IDIOT BOX

After full 4 days yesterday our T.V came back to life after a minor surgery. The general sentiment in the house was a big sigh of relief.

 My 7 year old after coming from school had a very vital question to ask --Is the T.V repaired? Oh! no how  will I have my milk without my usual set of cartons-The Benten, Tom & Jerry & the list goes on…… My 2 year old daughter has her own set of problems-- she is not able to understand how come the remote is not obeying her, by now she has got so used to having the whole household dance on her whims including the Idiot Box. 

Its not that we are addicted to watching T.V but its just u know when there is nothing more to do (at least that is what u feel) or, when u are weary its kind of a respite  sitting in front of it with a cup of tea, its nice time off in between work.

But this experience made me really think how did our grandparents and to some extent our parents childhood would have been without this box. I can just imagine more of chats & discussions, definitely spending more quality time with kids--less of cartoons & more of playing with them & bonding with everyone in family. An end to disputes in the families for particular channels . Early goodnights & mostly for a change your husband is listening to you without any detour --which I guess is a common complaint from all wives throughout the world(sorry--no escape for him). But I guess that is why the relationships at that time were so more robust. They always had a little more time for each other and so they managed to hold up in all phases of life.

Though in spite of the square box out of order we did have some other boxes to take over -the mobiles, the internet but we still managed to have some extra stretch. Now back to our normal routine we did have a nice break I guess.

A life without television--we thought it would be terrible but in reality it was something closer to life--it was indeed a mind opening, which made us see that real life offers more wonderful things for relaxation--reading, perusing your hobbies, finishing your impending chores are just a few to name.

People call it an idiot box but I still differ with it. I think it’s a matter of  maintaining a balance as it is  rightly said  -----   This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise, it is nothing but wires and lights in a box.