While I wait for my flight to board !

As I wait to board my flight, a thought crosses my mind—dreams. Not just mine, but the dreams of the thousands around me, all waiting to reach their destinations. If I were to categorize today’s passengers, they’d largely fall into three groups. First, those who have longed to reunite with loved ones, finally counting down the moments until they do. Second, those with heavy hearts, leaving behind their peace of mind in the ones they love. And third, the business-minded, immersed in thoughts of sealing their next big deal, barely noticing the world around them.

And then there’s me—directionless, simply observing.

A flurry of thoughts fills my mind, overwhelming me to the point where I wish I could upgrade my mental processor—if only that were possible. Around me, people rush, others are lost in their gadgets, some are immersed in books. Elderly travelers care for younger ones with food and drinks, reminiscent of a railway station scene. It all amuses me, and I can’t help but wonder—where are we all heading?

Let’s rewind a decade. A time before the .com boom, when cell phones were a luxury, and social media platforms like Facebook and Orkut didn’t dictate our relationships. A time when Google and Bing weren’t there to answer every question, and tasks had to be done the conventional way. People had time for friends and family—real friends, not just online connections. Eating out was a rare treat, bottled water wasn’t the norm, and cotton handkerchiefs were more common than disposable ones. Owning a car or a house was a milestone, marriages were seen as divine unions, and large families were the way of life.

Now, we do things that are neither good for us nor society. We eat food that our digestive systems struggle to process, leading to illness and obesity. We consume fuel as if it were infinite. Family is no longer the top priority, and by the time we realize its value, it’s often too late. Relationships are as easily replaced as a trending app. Technology and the internet have consumed our lives. Parenting is outsourced to money-driven maids or daycare centers. Schools have turned into businesses, and colleges, into degree factories. Parents wait for a manager’s approval to see their children, sometimes sacrificing family time for a vacation with so-called friends. By the time we return home, we’re not just physically exhausted but mentally drained, collapsing under the weight of a demanding life. Alcohol is a lifestyle, and drugs? Hardly shocking anymore.

I recently watched Love Aaj Kal (meaning Love Nowadays). Without debating the film’s quality, I admired how the writer juxtaposed love across two eras. It subtly delivers a powerful message—life isn’t just about a high-paying job or a luxury car; it’s about being happy. Where is the deep, unconditional love we once read about? Studies show that by the age of 30, a person in a metro city has had an average of 3.2 relationships. What does that say about us? Have we become intolerant, insensitive?

In just a decade, everything has changed. The pursuit of money has stolen so much from us. I’m not against progress, but at what cost? The rich get richer, while the rest chase a dream that may never materialize. India’s cultural transition under Western influence feels like a bad phase. Corruption runs deep, and we’re heading toward disaster—falling water levels, unpredictable rains, melting glaciers, rampant deforestation. Our food is no longer organic, our fish and poultry tainted by artificial feeding.

As I reflect on all this, I ask myself—what have I truly earned? My father, with a fraction of my income, still saves more than I do. He works harder, yet never seems exhausted. Where does he find such energy?

It’s time to board my flight now, so I leave you with this thought. Chao!