Americans Fly Hot air Balloons and Indian Kites

Americans Fly Hot air
Balloons and Indians Kites

With incessant smart hard work, patience and perseverance, anyone can become a good KITE MAKER, a better KITE RUNNER and the best KITE FLYER. One can touch the sky; it’s not so high

By Mukesh Sharma

 

The American are fond of flying hot air balloons, particularly, in Arizona State of US, on any day of still wind in the evening during winter, and in the morning during summer. And Indians love to fly kites whenever they feel like especially on the occasions like 15^th August, Independence Day of India where the sky is studded with tri-colors kites and kite flyers take on one another in self style and self-instituted one-to-one match. Kite flying up in air are snapped and the falling kites are looted - the most hilarious ‘hunt’ for the fallen kites among the youngsters.Man loves spoil sport.

 But what is noteworthy, flying hot balloons reflects American living style and social system. Each balloon rises up, and rises under its own steam. With their eyes set on rising air balloons, the crowd of onlookers cheers for the balloon flyer for reaching a good height. Here the contestants never ever think of bringing down the balloons of one another. It is maintained that in the vast expense of sky, there is room for each balloon. Each has the right to touch the dizzy height. One must be envious not jealous.

 

Americans Fly Hot air  Balloons and Indians Kites

It is observed that right from childhood, American kids are taught to respect the rights of others; they are made aware of their duties towards self and society. Irrespective of race, caste or creed, the spirit of fellow-feeling is inculcated. Kids are brought up with strict discipline; they are taught to take decisions and to be responsible; they are taught to assert their individuality. The dignity of labour and social discipline is the hallmark of American life. People exchange pleasantries even with the man of lowest rank and don’t mind doing even menial work of their home. No household servant culture. If a child makes mistake, it is made to realize it; it is made to feel that it must mend its ways and must swear never to repeat the mistake. Sorry and thanks are inevitable part of day-to-day life. Good work brings kudos. Rewards are earned. Undeserved gifts are never conferred on.

 Surprisingly enough, be it he or she, children over 18 leave their parents’ house; they do petty jobs to meet their own expenses; they live by themselves; they learn to live as an individual not as a son or daughter of a rich father or mother. Society is the best teacher and the world is the best school. The struggling men and women proudly say: “My father is rich man but I am not.” It shows their fighting spirit. They know they have to redeem themselves. Even the Donald Trump is said to have started his real estate business in his younger days by taking a ‘loan’ from his well off father. And loans are paid off.

 On other hand kite-flying by Indians reflects the Indian life style and social system. Unlike the hot air balloon that usually goes up in still wind and is wafted by the current of wind at high altitude, a kite flies against the blow of the wind. The flyer manoeuvers it; however high it goes, it remains ‘leashed’to the hand of flyer with a string. Further, once a kite is air borne, it always faces ‘mortal’ threats from other kites in the sky; it cannot float free for a longer time. There are always chances that it might get snapped by any other kite to usurp its position. Kill to survive is the rule of the game. Resigned to ‘fate’, snapped kite has a free fall. Down on the ground, finder keeper is the buzz-word. Loot is lawful.

 The rules of kite flying game hold true to Indian survival society also. Parents are over possessive and protective about their kids. Children grow up in a cloistered life. ‘I’ , ‘my father’ and ‘my family’ are oft-repeated words that feed the ego of a child. He or she grows up as an egoist. Further successful parents on a high social ladder always have unquenchable lust for money; more and more money is made and amassed not just for the children but for great great grandchildren - wealth for seven generations. Proud parents wish to leave a rich legacy for their children  - a secured family wealth and business which is guarded by elitist ego. Here it gives birth to NEPOTISM which is accepted in the Indian society as a birth right. Likes of Sushant Singh Rajput falls victim to deadly nepotism. And likes of Rahul Gandhi basks in the past glory of his parents and family. Talent withers well before the full bloom.

 Statistically speaking, one can rise to any height, if one is a diligent KITE MAKER, deft KITE RUNNER and devilish KITE FLYER, particularly, in India. Netas are perfect example of this “kite flying’ game in India.

 In this age of cut-throat competition and confliction, kite-flying is the need of the hour. As a kite flies against the wind, one must learn to go ahead despite oddities in life. Never give up. Never give in without fight. Know thyself. Discover your strength and weakness. Make your weakness your strength and give life a good fight with DS (double strength).  With incessant smart hard work, patience and perseverance, anyone can become a good kite maker, a better kite runner, and the best kite flyer. One can touch the sky; it is not so high.