Nov 20, 2010
We get them everywhere, don’t we? If you have ever been to a fish market with your mom, you would have seen her looking at every possible variety and then picking one particular fish and calling it ‘one of a kind.' And to justify that, you can expect to hear endless praises of that selected item on the dining table till it is flushed away the next day. That fish was surely ‘one of a kind.’
So much and more eloquence lies in our daily lives that we try to justify whatever we do. Take the case of that beautiful girl who comes into your household as a new bride. ‘Wow!’ they all exclaim in full chorus and call her ‘one of a kind.’ She is the one meant for our boy. The elders take the lead as they hail the beauty that has now become a part and parcel of their family. Same is the case when you have a new born who is described in no uncertain terms - ‘One of a kind.'
Likewise, there are so many other characters who all fall into the ‘one of a kind’ category. The honourable judge from the Calcutta High Court who comes and goes as if nothing has happened to him while coolly picking up his pay packet for the last 4 years or so with no hesitation despite all the allegations of corruption et al. The shameless judge has not heard a single case in that period and has still lived in a royal style! ‘One of a kind.'
Ditto with our shameless politicians who day in and day out are caught red-handed in various scandals that rock the very basic foundations of our society. These ‘one of a kind’ rogues of the country still survive and continue to live unperturbed and become rich and famous too. They are the same politicians who are supposed to be an ‘Adarsh’ to the society!
What about yet another ‘one of a kind’ syndrome, an amusing one to say the least? Take the case of the class teachers who refuse to change their habits and manners despite protests and what not. In these modern, changing times, these ‘one of a kind’ teachers still practice the age-old and outdated teaching methods that have become so unpopular. It's like asking them to use the calculator while they still insist on making calculations manually and get them right too.
Then there is the other ‘one of a kind’ personality who will perpetually come late for his duties despite possessing possibly the best wrist watch in the world! Only when he is late does he feel that he has arrived.
The nagging ‘one of a kind’ cannot be forgotten in this chapter. Even when they know that there is nothing left to be given, they will constantly beg and ask for more. ‘Sir, please sir, give me one more please.’ Have you come across such typical and unbelievable types?
Don’t forget your better half who can also be bracketed into the ‘one of a kind’ association. Your spouse may heckle you, love you or pester you, but will qualify to be in the same group.
There is also the other ‘one of a kind’ who will never go whether you like it or not. ‘Any discount?’ they will say. ‘Ok, don’t pay me for the juice can.” “Thank you, what about this? Do I have to pay?” With all the freebies in tow, they are happy to be ‘one of a kind.'
The categories are wide and varied with specialization that is beyond control. There is the broker in the stock market who is also ‘one of a kind,' salesman selling his product, your own family members, intellectuals, writers, pretty and smart girls, speakers, bus driver, hotel waiter, comedians, actors and so many others who all belong to the age old ‘one of a kind’ fraternity. Some drivers drive with your life in their hands and others drive with their life in your hands.
The beggar on the street is a class apart as the ‘one of a kind.' 'Only one rupee?' he will say before pocketing it with hesitation. The time driven comedian – each one differs and is surely ‘one of a kind.' What about your personal secretary? Is she also ‘one of a kind?'
The ‘one of a kind’ breed specializes in whatever it does. They are experts in their own field. You will find them everywhere. Probably you can register them in the ‘one of a kind’ club.
No one can stop these ‘one of a kind’ lunatics since they are now a part and parcel of our society. They, more often than not, add a lot of humour, harassment and headache all rolled into one. One cannot live without them these days.
"Sir, please sir!" they will say for ever, as long as they want to prove that they are ‘one of a kind’ and make their point for their survival.
As if individuals were not enough, there are institutions and organizations who have also become ‘one of a kind.' This includes the restaurants, hospitals, schools and colleges, clubs and such public places which everyone loves to go because they are ‘one of a kind.'
After all, during these hard days, survival of the fittest is the key. That is why these ‘one of a kind’ have become a class unto themselves and proved successful to a great extent.
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