A day in the life of LIFE

It's 1 a.m. and I am currently listening to Jagjit Singh's 400 kilo "bhaari awaaz wale ghazals" which best describe the current economic downturn.

We incidentally had an inspiring session on "how to become successful entrepreneurs" by Rashmi Bansal, this evening at the campus.

Dhanda sab jagah Manda hai and the reality is closer home; even the IIMs are having a tough time this year. Talking of reality, I have been forced to think of alternative careers. As luck would have it, the cook at the IIM hostel mess finds my singing so good that he wants me to participate in the next edition of Indian Idol. He has even assured me of his sms vote to inspire me for the cause. I told this to a batchmate of mine, KAP and he was all excited about the idea.

It just goes to show that people really can get desperate in times of crisis; for, my singing is as good as A.R. Rehman's skills in playing kabaddi. But yes, I do stand a good chance if the reality show is titled "Sab Se Besura Kaun!". Cashing in on the recession, people have gone overboard in selecting themes for reality shows.

I read in the papers that there is a contest for recruiting cheerleaders for the Kolkata Knightriders. Come on! gimme a break - Are they going to judge cheer leaders by a reality show!

In fact, some of us have taken the instructions given by one of the Profs. too seriously. His point to use television talk shows as secondary sources in our case study discussions has made us watch shows like Roadies and "Dance India Dance" with renewed vigor.

Looking at the trend, the following could well be the next themes of reality shows:

IPL : Indian Political League - the real reality;
Kaun Banega Pradhaan Mantri - Tantri ya Mantri?
Sab se zyaada bakwaas karega kaun? - award sponsors: Aaj Tak, India TV, Star News
Agli Injury kiski - predict karo aur ban jao ranji trophy cricketer
IIM: Aana hai mushkil, nikalna almost namumkin
Slumdog Millionnaire II: kya aap hai agley Jamaal Malik?
Apne pairo pe khulaadi maaro - winner gets 2 days & 3 nights in Pakistan-the land of no return

Every reality show contestant needs to have the following pre-requisites (nothing personal but this is reality)

One has to be from a town smaller than Jhumritalaiyya
One has to have an ailment in the family (if self has it, it is more valued)
One has to breakdown atleast once in front of the camera
One has to create controversy by sledging/maligning either a co-contestant or the overall show
One has to have a huge gang of maamaas, chachas and dosts who are vela enough to send the requisite number of sms es.
One should have acted in a Bhojpuri ad atleast once - the likes of Chutki paan masala (Ok I made the last one up)

I do agree that some of these shows do assist weaker sections of the society to hope for a better life, but the hype and disappointment for all but the winner is just too much.

But as they say in the land of Utopian economics - where there is a demand, there will surely be a supply.

Jai Ho!