Billboards

I look at billboards longingly. 

I long not for the luxuries they offer but I long for all that they could be. 

When a billboard shows the image of a tall residential tower and reads "3 BHK apartments starting from 40 lacs", I try imagining the picture of a tiny, humble hut with the caption "Luxurious abodes starting from no price. Leave behind your comforts to experience life". 

When a billboard shows the image of a shiny SUV and reads "Drive with comfort in your hand and prestige on the road", I try imagining the picture of small kids, smiling, and running around with a cycle tyre, with the caption "Why ride a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler when you can play around with a tyre?".

When a billboard shows the image of a fat, cheese dripping pizza and reads "More spicy. More cheesy. More of your favorite at the same price", I try imagining the picture of a simple meal spread on a plantain leaf with the caption "Every such meal costs Rs 50. You can always donate ten of these to less privileged families. But then, why miss out on a pizza?".

When a billboard shows the image of an ultra-handsome man or an ultra-beautiful woman covered in posh outfits and reads "Dress up and show the world who you can be", I try imagining the picture of the father of our nation sitting beside his spinning wheel, with the caption "This is Gandhi. He fought for our independence wearing a dhoti. But we are lucky, some thanks to him. We can wear what we want".

All our roads rest, decorated with billboards. 

They present us pictures of happy, beautiful people or happy, beautiful objects with the aim of making us strive for more. Which in a way might be good - All these promises of luxuries save us from complacency. 

But what about the people who are less fortunate and badly need a voice? Shouldn't they be given more space on our ad-breaks and billboards?

We can, of course, continue ignoring this weaker section of people and break our backs in improving our personal/national economy. But when a son suffers from a terminal disease, how long can the parents and the siblings pretend that all is well? 

The day will arrive when the fantasies are shattered and reality strikes its blow. It is just better to absorb the reality in bits and pieces instead of facing a sudden explosion.

Which, in the easiest way, could begin with our billboards.

These rectangular boxes in the sky, for a change, could be used to make us look around our houses and streets and society. 

These rectangular boxes in the sky, for a change, could be used to present harsh, painful pictures of fate.

These rectangular boxes in the sky, for a change, could be used to bring about real change.