[Reader-list] The Day After - Suraj Rai

[Dr. Reyhan Chaudhuri]

Reading this translation by:Mr.Ravi Kant two things occurred to me.(1)That 
one gets acquainted to new words & interesting concepts(atleast for some of 
us) within the throng of postings sent by electronic mail to Members on the 
Sarai Readers List.For Exmple:"the complex interiority of a person" was 
oneof them;
(2)Secondly the illuminating realisation that the world can be complex but 
also amazingly universal in it's complexity.For instance seeing the 
title,before beginning to read,one expects and prepares to glimpse an 
original alternate world view.Since to most of us on the readers list(I 
strongly suspect)do not or have not ever lived in the L.N.J.P.-like slums or 
have only briefly worked or passed through them.
However quite the contrary one finds his response very synchronous to what 
other teenagers would reply.Maybe with a slightly different vocabulary but 
in essence pretty much the same.I say this as I interact on a nearly daily 
basis(with slightly older teenagers) at South Delhi Polytechnic for Women in 
the same city as Master Suraj.I've enquired about their thoughts on this 
event and found a remarkable resemblance in their response.
Master Rai begins with highly human emotions on being bereft(or rather the 
thought of it) of his immediate family & friends.However then(like most 
teenagers)he brightens at the thought of and his feeling of power
on his two moments in the Sun.Ironically his name literally means 'Sun' in 
Hindustani.(Actually to those not from here I must mention that for most of 
us on the subcontinent,the expression ought to be altered to'moment on the 
moon',as being in the sun's glare is not a very plasurable concept over here 
with nearly nine months of hideous heat.)
Coming back he looks forward to the media making him into a bigwig.However 
then his thoughts dart back to his near & dear ones and his heart bilks at 
the idea of this honour or treat sans family.This is I thing at the end of 
the day an amazing universal feeling(with perhaps some exceptions only)even 
among older persons.Most people look for approval and admiration from their 
dear ones or those who matter and not cold strangers or remote 
acquaintances.Some folks may feel that celebrities and VIP's thrive on an 
unknown fan clientele.However if you see their interviews/biographies/quotes 
on awards day,they seem to invariably recall or think of their near and dear 
ones.
He also seems remarkably astute and sceptic about the impersonal assistance 
of the government.Realises that he may have to depend solely upon 
himself.Parting words or those in conclusion are very hitting and (I think) 
honestly instinctive,"I would like to survive."
I too find in the young people with whom I interact(and presumably from 
quite a different  background to Master Rai),that unlike the last generation 
their minds in this computor-age are marvellously multi-programmed.Unlilke 
us who are often stuck in a groove or on one theme,they flirt with ease and 
expertise to a number of concepts.Also inspite of a harder and harsher world 
they live in(and despite the numerous suicides the dailies gloss over) their 
survival instincts and the stress on survival are well embellished.
It may be quite interesting to carry out further comparisons on this subject 
between different sorts of people and of different ages.We may find 
universality of emotions or reactions to events,eeven if in a completely 
contrasting scenario......
Yours Sincerely,
R.Chaudhuri.


>From: Jeebesh Bagchi <jeebesh at sarai.net>
>To: reader-list at sarai.net
>Subject: [Reader-list] The Day After - Suraj Rai
>Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 11:56:42 +0530
>
>This is text written by Suraj from LNJP Basti, Ajmeri Gate, Delhi. I
>find it amazingly rich with meaning and alludes to the complex
>interiority of the person.  cheers, Jeebesh
>
>
>"The Day After..."
>- Suraj Rai (14 yrs)
>(Translated by Ravikant)
>
>There is an earthquake...everyone is dead. How did I survive? The
>question will haunt me. It is possible that I would die of shock of
>losing my family members. If I manage to survive I will be happy to
>be free bird. And the sole owner of the basti.
>
>But the government will take away all this land. First of all I will
>extricate the survivors in the basti. I will make do with the
>belongings left in the collapsed houses. Since I will be the only one
>left, the police, Press and the TV-wallas will come to interview me.
>On such an occasion,  I will miss my friends and relatives very much.
>But what had to happen has happened. Whether I get government relief
>or not, I will have to help myself.
>
>If I receive government aid, I will use it to complete my education.
>The other relatives will come too, but what do they have to offer
>except solace. I will be surrounded by a fleet of ambulances... I'm
>feeling sad looking at the dead bodies... some of which will make me
>cry. Friends, brothers, parents, sisters, neighbours, enemies.... I
>have lost them all.
>
>There is absolutely nobody to support me. I tell God: why did you do
>this? You should have left some one to look after me. I have been
>left alone. At least send my Mayadi from Calcutta. I would like to
>live...
>
>
>
>
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