In the famous Magic show Penn & Teller- Fool Us, one Asian performer amazed the geniuses with his tricks. He then spoke to the world. He said, “Whatever you are good at, there will be an Asian dude better than you!” In the Indian context, though intelligent and educated you become, there will always be a Sharma Ji ka Ladka. He will be better than you in terms of grades, looks, and accomplishments.
If an anthropologist decides to check the root of the rat race, one can trace it back to kindergarten classrooms. The Sharma ji ka beta sits and plays next to Ray, Choudhary, Tripathy, and Khans. He aims to outshine everyone. His actions embarrass the whole extended family. In this relatively low-complexity scenario, children are compelled to self-examine, scrutinize, and compare themselves with others at a young age. The inner child dies, and the competition kicks off with little empathy.
Sharma Ji ka Ladka grows up academically quickly during school and college. This often embarrasses and torments the rest of the group in the rat race. Parents, family, and friends frequently praise the Sharma Progeny for every little win and deride others. To learn something from Sharma’s progeny becomes the quintessential advice of every uncle. The rat race continues long after education and culminates in an annual income comparison. The constant comparison undermines the person’s enthusiasm for trying something unique and new in life. It forces them to follow a monotonous route along a well-traveled path.
Middle-class individuals want their children to settle down quickly. They wish them to secure a stable, high-paying job. Owning a house and starting a family are also important goals. Parents’ aspirations often stem from financial instability and childhood struggles. They pass on their zeal to earn more to their wards. Sometimes, they force children to follow a specific path because that’s financially more suitable than others. In this process, the person loses their true calling and ends up doing something unnecessary to survive.
Mental health is crucial in shaping one’s mental resilience and overall well-being. When a person is overly stressed due to the rat race, their mental health goes for a toss. Sharma Ji ka Ladka might be more successful than others in terms of wealth. Still, his mental health may have deteriorated. Mental health and other physical well-being are often overlooked when pursuing a career goal or financial gain.
One should question the point of running a rat race and striving for excellence if everything is temporary. What’s the point in having a heart disorder diagnosis? Why celebrate a job promotion letter while being divorced at the same time? Constantly comparing with Sharma ji ka ladka prompts reflection. Everyone’s inevitable breakdown at the end makes us question the need to join the rat race. Is it worth it?
The Witty Stride 