Some small things

I was never one of those inquisitive kids who ask "Why is the grass green and the sky blue?" Call it a lack of curiosity or intellect. I always took it for granted. I mean the grass is green and the sky is blue, right? So it was never a big issue with me. But these days some things are raising the question "why" in my brain, buzzing away like so many bees. I haven't found answers to so many of them. Today in my blog I'd like to share some of those questions with you. If you find the answers do let me know. 

• Why do we spit everywhere? What does it signify- the act of spitting? Contempt? Frustration? Defeat? Helplessness? Defiance? Or maybe it doesn't signify anything but is our national character? Women especially are targeted. Men I've noticed have a tendency to spit in their vicinity ...signifying what exactly? That women are worthy of contempt and not deserving of respect? Or is a part of our national psyche originating from those paan chewing ancestors who used silver thukdaans( spittoons)? I don't know. All I see is a continuation of that tradition/ custom no matter what strides we have made in technology and modernism. 
• Why does nothing work? We have a lot of new technology at our disposal - computers in offices, banks and shops. ATMs at every corner. Escalators at malls. But nothing seems to work. Ten times out of one you are told you cannot get a bill generated because "computer  kaam nahi kar raha hai" (Computer is not working). (My gas service) You cool your heels in frustration while the man fiddles helplessly with the computer at the shop as you wait in a long queue to pay for your groceries. Or like that instance I cited in my earlier blog when I couldn't get access into the IGL office because there was a glitch in the computer and without an access card one cannot swipe and get in. And half the escalators in malls, GIP Noida, for instance, are always under repair. Why when we have the infrastructure we cannot utilize it? Why are there no funds allocated for maintenance? And if there are then why is maintenance not swift and immediate? Actually we are a laid back nation. Used to the current state of affairs. We take it for granted things will not work. Maybe that's why nothing does work. 
•  Why do we vandalize everything from seats in trains and buses, to whatever public conveniences we are offered? Public toilets in spanking grand malls soon are defaced and misused by us. Hey! It's our damn country! We are the public. We are not savages. Don't you think we should prove it? 50% of the population is either educated or trying to move in that direction. Then why can't we show that in our behavior? 
• Lastly why so many rapes? The numbers are increasing day by day. What is wrong with our male population? Are they feeling threatened by the women? Is this their way of "putting a woman in her place"? ( showing her her asli jagah") Our country is one where women as mothers and sisters are revered. So what is changing? The mother, sister tag? Men's perception of women as sexual objects? What? Why this outbreak of bestiality?

                    That's all for today. Do write in if you have the answers to these small questions.