JOIN USA recent news item in the ‘Daily Mail’, UK, says research has found 7.26 pm on a Saturday, to be the precise time when millions are happy the world over. It also says 7.29 am on a Monday, amid the commute to work is the lowest point for happiness. While one didn’t need research against the latter, I find the former an arbitrary finding.
You may say, “What is sauce for the goose is not sauce for the gander”; then I would say (in Sanskrit) “Bhinna ruchir hi lokah” (Each has his own taste). I can quote any number of instances where a time of happiness for one may be totally different from another. Ask a man in courtship, he would tell you many moments of happiness every day, just seeing his ‘girl’, going to college and returning or even meeting her at her home with many others present! Which is the happiest moment for a young parent? Obviously one would say when he/she cuddles the first-born for the first time. Ask the late risers on a Sunday — for them it would be when the alarm fails!
A pensioner with no other income would say, his bank crediting the monthly pension by 28th, the earliest date for credit would swear that is his happiest moment every month! Alas, for government pensioners, no pension in March (but two in April)! For a girl (pretty or otherwise), looking in the mirror and saying, “Hey, gorgeous,” after dressing up would be the happiest moment! A person on a holiday in a hill station may be the happiest, just being near the mountains, rivers, waterfalls and chirping birds.
A soldier in a battle zone would be the happiest getting a letter from home and one returning from war may be the happiest spending time with his family. Listening to the voice of one’s ‘dearest’ on the phone may be the happiest moment for someone, while going for a ride in the car with no destination or meeting old friends may give some happiness. Visiting places with fond childhood/ adolescent memories may be the happiest to some. A child may be the happiest, just eating ice cream in the park or playing in the rain.
You will all agree that a Bangalorean will be the happiest driving through the city, without a single autorickshaw, lorry, or tractor-trailer on the road. As for me, the happiest moment is when my granddaughter shouts ‘Thatha’ for me to open the door to my flat; but that happens only once in 7-10 days!