I often dwell on the ubiquitous nature of "chalta hai'. Excellence was the rare high culture I was raised in. Mediocrity, the "chaltahai' byproduct of our value system, is everywhere.

All is ok? It is chalta hai ? At home, at work, with friends, with acquaintances, with strangers. It is almost inclusive in our environment and day-to-day affairs, and surely conclusive. Is it not? Consider how young people have a different value system than the previous generations. I don't dispute that they currently have a different set of priorities, and challenges in our ever so competitive world.

What I differ with is that their value systems do not identify with right or wrong, but the fact that it could be "different'. While I can perhaps comprehend that approach too, I am unable to come to terms with the likely lack of excellence (as an observation), finesse and quality in their personal or professional endeavours. Why? Arrey yaar , because it is, chalta hai.

I often view a "difference of opinion' with clear no-nonsense objectivity. Is it one that focuses on excellence, or as a cover-up for mediocrity? Character, I believe is the nucleus of our ways, in the makings of excellence and mediocrity in our relationships and career. It was character by which we understood ourselves in my time, way back in the late 90s. Character was defined by duty, work, honour and integrity. Aspiring to a good character demanded self-discipline and self-sacrifice. It was not negotiable at any stage of my childhood, nor as a teenager or as a husband. It never had shades of grey, and it made our life special and unique. Today though, as most people would agree, individuality has replaced character. A young person of 21st century India does not demand conformity to moral order, or the right values. The notion of an attitude and power has taken over.

I was always taught that self-growth meant realising one's potential. Potential is a powerful word. Have you not heard these remarks before? "If everyone is doing it, why can't I?" "Is quality so important?" "Forget the details. Let it be. Who really cares?" "It's ok! It will work for the time being. If this works for now, why improve at all?" A breakdown of morals, if applied to work, results in mediocrity.

Mediocrity. It's everywhere. We do not strive to make optimum use of our potential. The will to strive is another powerful attitude. It is said that education begins at home. My family led by example. It is only formal education imparted to us in school that completed us.

We were taught to strive to tell the truth, establish a benchmark for excellence, keep humble our goals and aspirations, but strive for excellence for it could change our fortune. Max Ehrmann could not have said it better in The Desiderata . Above all of this, we were taught to find time for evaluation of our personal and professional life to ensure continuous progress. Progress that equated itself with excellence.

Chalta hai contradicts both living and learning. I would give anything to wipe it out of our vocabulary. You may say I am a dreamer, but I hope I am not the only one. Sometimes it is probably inappropriate to be mainstream. As an extension to Stephen Grellet eloquence, I now have my own mantra, "I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing, that I can do, or kindness I can show let me do it: with total commitment, for I shall not pass this way again', and to that I hope you will say Jai Ho!
                                                                                                                                                                          By Kawaljit Dhelia