Cool and clueless

Funny isn’t it? Yesterday, I blogged about American teenagers who are clueless about the past and are cool about the fact. Today’s paper carried the results of a poll of their Indian counterparts on a very current Indian situation – the decision on the Ayodhya title deed. And, yes, our supposedly brightest and best (remember they needed over 90% to get into college in the first place!) are equally clueless.

The report says, and I quote, ‘How does Babri Masjid and its destruction resonate with the post ’90 India? Sobiya Moghul asked those 18-years old and below their thoughts on this seminal event. Their response was simultaneously disconcerting and encouraging and, if you have a funny bone, entertaining too.’ (Mumbai Mirror, September 28, 2010)

Being confused about Beethoven, man and dog, is a far cry from being indifferent about the political climate in one’s own country. After all, these are young adults who either already have, or will soon have, the vote. Most of the responses ranged between ‘don’t know’ (or don’t care?) to personal anxiety about examinations! Talk about living in the moment!

It is expected that education will beget a more informed and responsible generation. The newspaper report indicates exactly the opposite. This generation may not be condemned to repeat the history they choose to forget, but they certainly need to be sensitive to the happenings in their own country. Why? Because, to quote John Kennedy, ‘If we cannot end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For in the last analysis our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet.’ For world and planet, read country. If we remain deliberately unaware to the causes of dissent, how will we ever be able to work toward harmony? And surely these young adults look forward to living in a harmonious tomorrow?

Are they deliberately uncaring, ignorant, indifferent? Or do they feel that the past is a baggage that is easily jettisoned?

Yesterday, I chuckled. Today, I do not know whether to be exasperated or amused! Funny can be entertaining, but funny can also be strange and there are times when being clueless is definitely uncool.