The re-population of campuses and offices have given rise to several piquant situations, especially for teenagers who had taken to the ‘screen life’ like ducks to water, but now find themselves befuddled by ‘normality.’
The re-population of campuses and offices have given rise to several piquant situations, especially for teenagers who had taken to the ‘screen life’ like ducks to water, but now find themselves befuddled by ‘normality.’
Several spoof videos have come up illustrating the same, for instance the first meeting of a boss with his ‘ultra techie’ junior who is feeling ill at ease in the absence of features such as mute buttons and text chat boxes in real life! Hasn’t many a rebellious teen longed for a real-life mute option when being scolded by a parent, elder sibling or teacher?
Virtual has become the new normal over the past two years, so much so that special courses have been introduced in the western world on how to interact with people in a real world! In any case, not many societies are as heterogenous as Indian communities, and many westerners may find it uncomfortable to interact with different kinds of people.
In India, which is known for its diversity, people have found it slightly easier to return to fraternising with others, which is good with colleges and school campuses once again abuzz with hordes of youngsters swarming common spaces, cafes and squares.
During my visits to Shoolini University, SD College and CGC Landran last week, it was a delight to be able to address actual audiences. Zooming to the campuses in a car was a much preferred experience when compared to a Zoom call.
One could, however, sense the after effects of a long hiatus from social interactions in the manner of students. A clear hesitation in asking questions and a slight shyness in speaking before a group of people were indicators of the long period of relative seclusion that the youngsters had experienced.
But once the ice had been broken, even if it took a while to thaw, their reluctance to express themselves gave way to a warmer acceptance of the need to be social. Some seemed all the more eager to speak and be heard, as if their fizz was coming to the fore after having been bottled up for long.
The youth of the world has had to put up with even more stress than other generations during the pandemic. They have struggled to come to terms with missing out on the important years of their high school or college life. Conversations over coffee or even Maggi with their mates in college cafes have been denied to them for 24 months. They have become used to video chats and texting and forgotten how to actually look at and listen to another person. And the same is true for younger as well as older human beings.
But the youth need counselling and care because their vision of life ahead has become blurred in the recent circumstances. Even in the best of times, young ones find it difficult to understand clearly the options they should opt for, given the fierce competitiveness which reigns in the present era.
Communication, as always, is the key to resolving mankind’s problems, whether between warring nations, or with confused minds. Psychologists and well meaning counsellors aplenty are needed to assuage the trepidations of the youth at large.
The elderly, too, are delighted to have come back to life as it were. At a recent wedding ceremony I spotted people hugging each other after a long while. And their mask free visages, adorned by newly rediscovered smiles, were a joy to behold. Some more than others of course!
Human memory is rather short as we all know.Very soon, the ravages of the pandemic will become distant memories. We will probably have a laugh or two at our own expense and at our masked ways.
Yet, the need for conversations and understanding between human beings has never been more pressing as it is now. We need to talk and listen to each other a lot more than we do. Relationships and friendships need to be bolstered by the balm of oral communication accompanied by nods, handshakes, pats on the back and eye contact.
Social skills are the skills that we all need to possess, going forward. No amount of technological advancement can take the place of coffee and conversation.
