A near-utopia where gadgets are anathema

By Vijay Phanshikar :

VERY rarely do we come across families in whose homes there is no television and no computer. Very rarely do we come across families whose members make it a point as part of their culture to buy or borrow books in countless numbers and stack them well in neat shelves and read those regularly. But there are at least some families with these attributes. It was a matter of good fortune for me to have visited one of those. The moment one enters the front door, one notices an altogether different atmosphere, a different aroma of the place -- physically very neat and very clean, and metaphysically energising. One’s nostrils are invaded by the fragrance that generally books exude -- with certain crispness, with certain elemental appeal. Over coffee and snacks, conversation veers round to books and reading and meditation.

The conversation is in a clear tone, but almost in whispers. “We take care not to disturb the general peace in the house by speaking loudly,” says the man of the house. “When I was in school, my parents established such a culture -- of books, of reading, of healthy conversation on all subjects. No, we do not have a TV set at home, nor a computer. I run my business and there are quite many computers in the office -- which is nearby here. So, if my two daughters or the son wish to use a computer, they walk to my office and avail the facility. But at home, sorry, we have no gadgets, not even a microwave oven”, the gentleman adds. And then suddenly he stands up weighed down with respect.

There enters an elderly man -- perhaps in his early eighties -- with a benign smile radiating from the face. “My father,” the man says. And once the old man was seated, the son goes out and returns saying “my mother”, helping an elderly woman to sit down comfortably. Conversation continues -- with everybody participating. By now, the three kids and their mother too have joined in. The talk is lively and a certain sense of happiness pervades the room. The grandmother is quite eager to speak about books. Actually, everybody does. But she is more vocal. “Books are our religion. They are our companions. We never miss the television or the kids do not worry about computers,” she says quite animatedly. “And by the way, Sir, our kids do not have their personal mobile sets.

They use mine, or their mother’s if the need be,” the man of the house says. Incredulously, one asks, “What about their online classes?” “Oh, they have the computer in my office and they use that. But then, that will soon be over hopefully,” the man says. Now is the turn for the woman of the house to say something. “We have earned our own happiness of the family in our own way. Our kids have friends and take part in all activities. But back at home, books are their -- and ours -- practical companions,” she adds. One really worked hard to pry oneself out of that near-utopia!