Because a wedding party was arriving at the YWCA International Guest House in Chennai, we were moved from an air conditioned room to a non AC one. Chennai weather being kind at this time of year, I was not bothered. A fan would do.
I turned the regulator. Click. The fan exploded into full blast.
Click again. Same speed. Another click. Same speed.
I called housekeeping. The lady delivered her diagnosis with calm authority. “Only one speed saar.”
Not broken. Not apologetic. Not embarrassed. ‘Only one speed saar.’
And in that moment a far more uncomfortable realisation dawned. That fan is our government.
But the real problem is that the majority believes the speed is changing.
Click. A massive temple is built. The majority feels something has improved.
Click. Someone from a minority community is arrested or harassed. The majority feels protected.
Click. A law is passed in the name of culture. The majority feels victorious.
Every click produces the same result.
Noise. Heat. Discomfort.
But the majority keeps staring at the regulator, convinced meaningful things are happening.
And, the cost of living keeps rising. Housing becomes impossible. Healthcare becomes terrifying.
Education becomes unaffordable. Jobs become scarce.
But the majority does not ask about these. These questions are boring. These questions require arithmetic. These questions require accountability.
Much easier to discuss identity. Much easier to chant slogans.Much easier to feel proud about symbolic victories.
The genius of the government is simple. It does not need to silence the majority. It only needs to distract it.
And the majority happily cooperates.
The majority does not demand better governance. They demand better enemies.
The majority does not ask how corruption thrives. They ask who should be hated next.
The majority does not ask why institutions are collapsing. They are fed with who offended their religious sentiments.
And each time, the regulator is turned. Click. The fan roars. Nothing changes. Yet the majority smiles.
Because believing the speed is changing feels comforting.
Believing the speed is changing avoids facing a painful truth. That living conditions are worsening. That opportunities are shrinking. That promises were hollow.
It is far less depressing to believe that a temple equals development. That persecution equals strength. That slogans equal progress.
The guest house at least was honest. ‘Only one speed saar.’ No illusion. No marketing. No deception.
But the majority lives inside a fantasy showroom of regulators. Five speeds. Shiny knobs. Bright labels.
Endless choices.
Behind the wall, one wire. Straight to maximum voltage.
Until the majority stops clapping at every click. Until the majority stops mistaking noise for progress.
Until the majority starts asking uncomfortable economic and governance questions. Nothing will slow down.
The fan will continue to roar. The blast will continue to rise.
And the tragedy is not just that leaders deceive the people. The real tragedy is that the majority believe the speed is changing. When it isn’t, because, ‘it is only one speed saar..!’
The Author conducts an online, eight session Writers and Speakers Course. If you’d like to join, do send a thumbs-up to WhatsApp number 9892572883 or send a message to bobsbanter@gmail.com
