HYPE-PO-CHE

Okay, if you think this is a review of the movie Kai Po Che, you are headed for big disappointment. I have better things to do. For eg: Pen this blog. So, I am sorry to burst your beautiful bubble. Peace!

I was startled to hear those four magical words. Yes, 4 of them! I’m not talking about suffixing 'I Love You' with a cheesy hypocorism from my crush (I ain’t that lucky!) but the very dreaded 4 words which perhaps no 10-12th grade kid wants to hear - Mera Beta Engineer Banega. In my language -Maajha Moolga Engineer Banel. My relatives were more than happy for GOD KNOWS WHAT! As if I was going to share my little salary with them. I vividly remember my beloved relatives telling me how awesome it was that I was “opting” for this course. I swear the whole hoopla surrounding this "so called" sought after course is just blown out of proportion.

The only reason I feel good about choosing this course is perhaps it made my parents happy and atleast (and at last as well) I could put a smile on their faces. They never forced me but deep down inside I knew "My Son is An Engineer" meant something spectacular for them. This is perhaps the story of every family all across the city. Before this get any serious, let me subvert the seriousness. What I have witnessed that parents perceive this course as a herculean endeavour. "Engineering Exams hai! Sssshhh... No diversions. Career ka sawaal hai" is the most common thing every engineering student goes through. Engineering, the course and the title, is taken literally. We are going to engineer the world. LOL! All we are going to engineer is our bank balance. If engineering was a movie on IMDb, it would be the most overrated movie of all times - courtesy parents’ ratings.

Also, what we here more often is "Pehle Engineering Phir MBA". It somewhat sounds like "Pehle Shaadi Phir Bacche". This course is kind of looked at like a life phase. Birth - Engineering - MBA - Job - Death is the new life cycle because Birth - Survival - Death is too mainstream now. What if NOT engineering? BMM? BMS? BA? *Embarassing expressions all over* Technical is the in-thing! An MS/MBA degree after engineering will take you to new levels. It has a high degree of status in the society. You will find a suitable girl/boy (Oh! Girls are equally competitive now-a-days, right girls?) if you are well “educated” and Engineering is THAT education. Nobody talks about wisdom. So much unnecessary and unwanted pressure from all sides. There’s a nefarious nexus between Engineering and the ‘beverage’ industry I feel. No wonder Jack Daniels never plummets in profits even in recession. Education is there to help them. *chuckles like Sheldon cooper*

These infernal minds who made engineering so indispensible are again smart business people. How a small time course in the 70’s and 80’s rises up to be a basic necessity like food, water and clothing as per parents’ POV (Point Of View for those who aren't kewl) is bewildering. The most amusing thing we are told is you'll earn respect in the society and that people will look upto you with dignity. Ya right! A million people doing the same thing deserve special respect. Kudos! Parents will keep on perceiving this as a federal duty and that only an engineer commends true respect in the society.

Echo this thought my dear amigos. I'm sure everyone of y'all must have uttered, felt or atleast seen the popular troll "Maine Engineering Li Aur Engineering Ne Meri Li" Pretty true! Welcome to the chaos!

Image Courtsey: Snapshot of Aamir Khan singing 'Papa Kehte Hai Bada Naam Karega' from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.

Check out Aniket Bhave's blog