Mrinal Chatterjee
By the time you read this- you know what this year’s budget has for you. You have read the opposition’s rant and the ruling parties eulogies about the new budget’s provisions and allocations.
At its core, a budget is a plan, a map guiding one towards financial stability and goals, but it is also a mirror reflecting one’s values, priorities, and sometimes, even one’s struggles.
Budgeting is not just about allocating funds to some sections, not even about cutting costs; it’s about making conscious decisions on what to prioritize. It forces one to ask difficult questions: What is essential? What brings genuine joy and value? What are the long-term goals, and how can short-term sacrifices support these aspirations? These questions compel a deeper reflection on what truly matters.
On the eve of 77th Independence Day of the country, let’s reflect on that: what are our priorities?
Sydney Opera House
I was advised to get down at Circular Quay rail station to visit the Sydney Opera House. I did and went ahead. I saw a string of shops and eateries and beyond that Sydney harbour. I found two middle aged persons dressed in wild colours. I asked them: where is the Sydney Opera House? The answer they gave, defined the Opera House. “You don’t find the Opera House. It finds you. Just walk on this way.” I smiled and did what was asked.
Ten minutes walk, and there it was- framed against the cloudy sky it seemed it emerged from the sea and floating.
The Sydney Opera House, one of the most iconic architectural marvels of the 20th century, is a symbol of Australia's creative and cultural identity. Located on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, it was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, who won an international design competition in 1957. Construction began in 1959 and, despite numerous challenges and delays, was completed in 1973.
The building’s design, inspired by the sails of a ship or the segments of an orange, features a series of gleaming white shells that form the roof. These shells are covered with over a million glossy white tiles, creating a stunning visual against the backdrop of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the bustling city skyline.
The Opera House hosts more than 1,500 performances annually, ranging from opera, ballet, and classical music to contemporary music, theatre, and dance. It houses multiple performance venues, including the Concert Hall, the Joan Sutherland Theatre, and the Drama Theatre, each designed to offer an exceptional acoustic and visual experience.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007, the Sydney Opera House is not only a hub for the performing arts but also a testament to innovative design and engineering, the saga of which has been beautifully recorded in the basement of the Opera House.
The History of History: A Satirical Tale
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, humans invented history. No, not the events themselves, but the art of recording them. Before this miraculous invention, people wandered around with no clue about the glorious or inglorious escapades of their ancestors. They just lived their lives blissfully unaware, devoid of the knowledge that their great-great-grandparents once waged a fierce war over a particularly desirable patch of dirt.
The invention of history was a game-changer. Suddenly, elders had a brand-new weapon: the ability to bore younger generations to tears with tales of "the good old days." People could finally revel in the grand tradition of pointing out how everything used to be better, harder, and uphill both ways. The young were quick to learn that any disagreement could be squashed with a stern, "You weren't there, you wouldn't understand."
Historians, or as they were initially known, “professional embellishers,” emerged from the woodwork. Their job was simple: take whatever actually happened, sprinkle it with a bit of fantasy, and serve it up as the unassailable truth. These early historians discovered that a pinch of heroism here, a dash of villainy there, and a healthy dose of "it definitely happened this way" could transform mundane occurrences into epic sagas.
In the digital age, history has found new life on the internet, where anyone with a Wi-Fi connection and an opinion can become a historian. Debates rage on social media, where facts are optional, and the loudest voice wins.
Tailpiece: A Wise Camel
A mother and a baby camel were lazing around and suddenly the baby camel asked!
Baby: Mother, mother may I ask you some questions?
Mother: Sure! Why son is there something bothering you?
Baby: Why do camels have humps?
Mother: Well, son, we are desert animals, we need the humps to store water and we are known to survive without water.
Baby: Okay, then why are our legs long and our feet rounded?
Mother: Son, obviously they are meant for walking in the desert, you know with these legs I can move around the desert better than anyone does! Said the mother proudly.
Baby: Okay, then why are our eyelashes long? Sometimes it bothers my sight.
Mother: My son, those long thick eyelashes are your protective cover. They help to protect your eyes from the desert sand and wind. Said mother camel with eyes brimming with pride...
Baby: I see. So the hump is to store water when we are in the desert, the legs are for walking through the desert and these eyelashes protect my eyes from the desert.
Then what the hell are we doing here in the zzzoooooooo?
MORAL OF THE STORY:
Skills, knowledge, abilities and experiences are useful only if you´re at the right place.
Disclaimer:
This is the personal opinion of the author. The views expressed in this write-up have nothing to do with www.prameyanews.com.
