THE GULF VISION

The gulf has been widening ever since I came to the Gulf. The deep fissures, the great divide and the expanding gorges… I have started seeing life from a new perspective – what historians or social scientists would call ‘a view from the below’. The messiahs of egalitarian society will definitely welcome the shift in my point of view, as it glorifies the notions of a just and equitable society, a critique against the localised system of oppression. But, in the Middle East, my individual perspective cries for space, the vision passes through an endless darkened and hollow tunnel. The vision is entrapped in this hollow tunnel. From the deep gulf of professional disgust, everything lends itself to a narrow vision, of a piped and thus warped view. In short, professionally it’s been a very disappointing place. A learning experience I would ‘prefer’ to say though the heart rebels against associating the very idea of ‘learning’ with the region. There was a growing cynicism against the profession back in India. But here I could feel the disenchantment. The only saving grace is that the Indian reality has again become appealing, the willingness to be out there and grab the opportunities is fascinating and the will to struggle against heavy odds has become irresistible. That’s where I have ‘learnt’ the Indian reality. Thanks to the ‘gulfed’ vision.