A couple of hours later we are literally crossing over series of ranges by dangling on a transparent cabin in a ropeway to visit the Manokamana Temple to pray for "fulfillment of all Kamana(Wish) within our Man(mind)"! Yes we prayed that "Lord, please keep on ensuring that our life continues to remain in such a wonderful state"! Selfish prayer and Puja completed, Selfies and posting in social media accomplished! Now descending from the peak to have a delicious lunch of chicken fried rice in a cute  eatery overlooking the flowing waters of Trishuli! And prior to sunset, grand entry to Kathmandu, rest refreshment dinner and ultimately a good night sleep on cushioned bed! Life is wonderful indeed! And this wonderfulness obviously has no upper limit. Those who are affording flight to Switzerland for skiing at Alpine slopes or a New York sojourn just for shopping fashion accessories are surely having much more fun!

As usual on that morning also, I woke to such “Life is Wonderful” messages! On way to office, walking through a Central Kolkata street amidst palatial mansions and swanky shopping malls where people reside/shop to their wonderful delight! Beside the footpath, there also exists a small English medium primary missionary school with a Chapel and a tiny field within the complex. The kids of the school were brought to the little open space and teachers were entertaining them (along with educating) through songs and poems. All were in a jovial happy smiling mode. But just outside the locked gate, who are standing there?  Three bare-bodied bare-footed street urchins (between 4-6 years of age) were eagerly staring at the privileged children of the school with deep melancholy in their eyes. They were actually at such a young stage that perhaps they also don't know why they are in such shabby conditions, standing outside the school and can't participate in the fun inside along with their peers of same age group!

Now will those hapless souls say "Life is wonderful"? If “Yes”, I will accept the statement wholeheartedly.  Or if the framers of these messages, who are flooding the WhatsApp media with their “philosophical” statements every "Good" morning, go through this hell and still have the spine to say "Life is wonderful";  I will definitely acknowledge it with highest honour and respect.  Else certainly not accept it because it sounds to me as hollow and bankrupt as the zealous "nationalist" rhetoric. Residing in the safety of lofty luxurious ivory tower of their own, remember those heartless politicians and Page 3 personalities who were “sermonizing” the common people, "Sacrifice for the sake of the nation" - when hundreds were dying like cats and dogs in inhuman bank queues following barbaric demonetisation, committing suicide for failing to sell the crops or passing away without medical treatment for lack of “legal cash”!

Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches. So those who are not sporting that pinching shoe hold absolutely no moral standing to advice the wearers in utmost pain to have a smile and “enjoy the wonderful life”!

Or that famous British cricket commentator. During the peak of the pandemic in 2020, he "locked" himself up with his spouse and all sorts of food delicacies along with top-quality wine in his cottage in the British countryside. If stock diminishes, a quick venture to the local mall in the car and replenish it! In the morning and evening a bit of walking in the garden! In contrast, innumerable people around the world (specially in India) were collapsing on highways while walking in starved stomachs or committing suicide as livelihood got cruelly snatched and nothing left to feed the children! Less said about the pathetic stories of the little ones who lost both their parents in the disease! Yet, from such luxurious security and safety, the said commentator was seen to deliver unsolicited sermons to all --- "We will win the battle. Just keep fighting with a smile"! I wonder whether he could have come up with such "optimism" had he found himself wearing the shoes of thorns as were being experienced by the innumerable unfortunate ones!

In this context, I remember a video where a veteran lady school principal is seen to be gloating “I had secured only 58/68% marks in school final examination. Yet, see in which position, I am sitting today”! The video revolved around the theme that “mere” percentage is not synonymous to quality efficiency or knowledge. Hundred per cent correct message. Percentages degrees and posts should be the last yardstick to evaluate the worth of an individual. But what does the practical world say? If my kid had scored merely 58-68 per cent marks in admission test, would the said principal admitted him in her school by ignoring the kids scoring 88-98 per cent! If my child comes up with such mediocre percentages in school final examination, would any college reduce the cut-off marks to admit him/her! So despite her statement being full-fledged truth in theoretical context, practical relevance of it is nothing but absolute zero.

Instead of playing with emotions and mere theories, all motivational messages or video should be based on practical lines with the framer of the messages or protagonist of the video themselves daring to walk the talk.

(The views expresssed is personal)