No TV Day!

It’s kind of funny. Like we need a media brand to tell us to switch off our televisions and spend quality time with loved ones.  It’s a noble initiative. But how subservient have we become? Whatever happened to Free Will! I haven’t had a television in my home for over a year now. Even when I did have one, it wasn’t used much. An occasional travel program or an adventure reality show and it used to be back to books.

I am often asked by friends about how I spend my time without a television. Really? Does it seem that daunting? Millions across the world still don’t have televisions in their house and they are doing fine, thank you. As for me, I read, I listen to music, I cook,  I go for walks, I call up friends, I write in my journal, I draw, I blog, I do stuff around the house that people don’t seem to do any more. I iron my own clothes, and do all my grocery and vegetables shopping myself.  And I have never ever missed having a television in my home. Nope, not even once.

Mumbai, in particular, has a whole parallel culture thing happening wherein people have loads to do. There is something interesting happening almost every week. I prefer to be a part of that instead. Not that television does not have it’s own merits. I am sure there are some, though right now I can’t think of any.  But millions watch it, so it must have something to it. It doesn’t intrigue me, and so it’s not a part of my life. But if you are a regular television viewer, please don’t wait for such”initiatives” to turn your back to the Idiot Box. Do it once in a while for your own sanity.

It’s healthy to just be dealing with your own life’s issues rather than worrying about the falling marriage of a fictitious character who does a Mother India to perfection while sporting neck-breaking jewellery 24 hours of the day. While I love stories, I don’t think they should be taken too seriously. I cringe when women continue to talk about the Soap Queens long after the television show is off air. Read some more, and you will find loads more interesting stuff to discuss and discover. It will bring you closer  to people who are important in your life. It will give depth and dimension to your relationship. So while I am not asking you to bid adieu to that television set, it won’t hurt to give it a long break every now and then. Your Soap Queens are not going anywhere soon.