Namaste!

What is this life full of care, if we don't have time to stand and stare?

It's amazing to watch how a whole community of people on a worldwide basis can come together in thought (at least) to show their enthusiastic support to the newly crowned Indian Idol. It just shows what people in general seek in life. Fame, glory, glamour, recognition, money etc. Even if it doesn't belong to you, you have the satisfaction of helping someone else get it by participating in voting for the winner.

How long will it take for the mind to faintly recall the way Prashant rocked the stage? A new face? A fresh voice? A better personality? Will there ever be another Nepali who can steal the show? So, why this endless showers of praise? Perhaps we would like to claim some sort of relationship with him.

It's said that when you are a king and live on top of a mountian, you will have far distant relatives. But when you are a pauper and live in the bazaar, even your neighbour will not recognize you. So it is with fame and glory and those who carry its heavy crown.

Who was Prashant? Did he matter to any one of us? But now. look at us...basking in his glory. Is it because he won? Is it because he's a Nepali? What would happen if he lost in the first few rounds? Would he be the talk of the town? If he's the Pied Piper of Hamelin, would you follow him for the rest of your life?

MAYA! She comes into our lives in many ways. She hangs this deceptive veil over our eyes, throws stardust into the air, injects you with adrenalin and takes you to the top of the world but a little bit short of Mount Everest. But our thirst can never be quenched. Our hunger can never be appeased. Our desires can never be satisfied.

And so, the search goes on...for the next Idol. Little do we realize that each and everyone of us are born Idols - for someone else. There's someone who looks up to you for love and guidance, for peace and harmony, for food and shelter, for knowledge and experience, for warm hugs and kisses.

Only this time, you will not be crowned and cheered for your silent efforts. You would be lucky to even get a "thank you". You are standing in the centre of the stage called 'Earth' and you're playing a very difficult role in a drama called 'Life'. You cannot hear the cheers, only the jeers.

So, someone like Prashant comes along and occupies your mind for a while. But what happens after the show is over and you go back home. Home alone again!

What a MAYA! Sweet, sweet Maya! Such intoxication can't be found in a bottle! It's all in the mind.

God bless you.