The room is small and dark. It is enveloped by an eerie silence and complete inactivity. It has been deserted by all mortals. Just when you think the room is vacant, a stream of moonlight reveals a three legged wooden stool placed in one obscure corner. An ancient electronic device rests on the stool. I believe it’s called a ‘television’.
Folks, it’s official. The television has joined the Sunset Club. With a very heavy heart (and a tear or two), we must bid the television a wistful farewell. This realisation struck me quite recently. It was a Sunday and an important Bollywood awards’ show was to air on prime time television in the evening. During my childhood, I used to relish such opportunities because Sunday evenings without a decent programme on television just weren’t the same. Recalling those fond memories, I excitedly walked into the television room in my hostel.
I felt like I had walked into the kind of room I’ve described above, because not one out of the forty girls in my hostel was there! Encouraged by an innate sense of curiosity, I investigated a little, or rather, peeked into a couple of rooms. That is when I saw most of the girls sitting on their beds and watching famous movies and popular sitcoms on their laptops.
It’s a simple concept that technology reinvents itself on a daily basis. In the course of this evolution, only the fittest survive. It is difficult to deny that with the onset of forums like YouTube and Torrents, the television has become obsolete. Several reasons can be attributed to its mighty decline. For example, most prefer online channels because of their flexibility and variety. One can watch whatever they want, whenever they want. Also, latest seasons of series can be downloaded online with ease, whereas television telecasts in India come only months after the USA premieres.
I remember how the television was my best friend when I was a tubby child of seven. My parents used to call me a couch potato because I spent all my time in front of the television. Watching my favourite cartoons gave me unparalleled joy but today, when I see how steadily television is growing redundant, it fills my heart with sorrow. Like all great things, the television too, has finished its glorious run. Now, as it takes a final bow, I can only hope that people will reminisce about it in happy hues.
Kriti Sharma
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Image credits: rccblog.com
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