Ubiquitous Affliction
“Sanu ki,” a usage in Punjabi,
is both a phrase and an idiom. “Sanu” translates to “us” and “ki” means
“what.” Together, it merely means “to us, what” or in other words “why bother?”
Simply put it means “I don't care.” That is where it stops being a phrase.
Depending upon the context, “sanu ki?” assumes many a meaning. Commencing from
being a plain expression indicating disassociation, it can mean anything like
irrelevance, irreverence, scorn, and at times the sublime state of acceptance
of the inevitable. One needs to spend time with people who speak Punjabi to
capture the essence of the “sanu ki” served. It can mean anything depending on
how, when, and where it has been said and to whom it has been delivered.
The difference in tone can change the associated meaning. The versatility of
this phrase or idiom is what caught my attention.
In Malayalam, my mother tongue,
there are different versions of ‘sanu ki?” Starting from “namukku enthiru de?
to “nammaku entho venam?” words, tones, etc continue to change as we
travel up north, from the southern tip of Kerala. I am sure there would
be something equivalent in all languages and different versions, within the
same language, depending on the local dialect. Irrespective of the language, or
its local dialect they all essentially mean the same, “sanu ki?”
Harmless as it may sound, it can pack a deadly punch when it becomes an attitude. Some, having got away with it for some time, become “cordycyeped[i]” by this attitude. Irrespective of the size of the organisation or its field of operations, if even one member of the team becomes infected, then it is likely to spread to other members sooner than later, spelling disaster for the organisation.
Disaster Everyone Shut Their Eyes To
Established in 1985, Enron
became a multi-billion-dollar behemoth. Everybody was sure about its future, or
everybody thought so till it declared bankruptcy. The company was packed with
talents. They were masters of the ruthless pursuit of profits. There was nothing
stopping them anywhere and in whatever they attempted to do. Yet, Enron fell
and when it fell, it fell like a pack of cards because something that talents
could not prevent pulled it down from the inside.
Postmortem dissection revealed
that a few at the top had lied deliberately and some around them colluded while
the many other equally talented kept quiet about it. They all individually were
afflicted with “sanu ki.” More than the greed of a powerful few at the top, the
fall was ensured by the silence of many who could stop it but chose to
abdicate. It is said that it is not the violence of the few that kills a
society but the silence of the many.
Cost of Collusion
Most of us find it difficult to
speak up even when we know that the path or the decision being taken by the
organisation, we are part of, is wrong. We could be worried that by speaking up
we could be seen as anti-establishment, end up damaging hierarchical
relationships, and spoil our chances within the organisation. Under such
circumstances “sanu ki” is the path most of us normally choose. “Sanu
ki” killed Enron. Dissection of organisational failures across the world would
reveal that “sannu ki” was the ailment that finally killed all of them. If we
look around, we can see many people within our families, organisations, and
societies remorselessly abdicating their responsibility, to tell the truth. If
we muster the courage to look within, we can see many instances where we too
have abdicated. We can go to any extent to be seen to be nice without realising
that if “sanu ki” can decimate organisations and societies it can destroy us
too. The sad part of it, we actively collude with others either for favour
or out of fear.
It is easy to compliment someone
successful. It is easier to ignore a flaw and let it pass by when it does not
impact us adversely. There are many who even at the cost of discomfort keep
quiet when they see things go wrong. Most of us desist from giving the correct
picture or feedback to those whom we know for fear of offending or spoiling the
existing relationships. Anyone who musters the courage and gives suggestions
that are contrary to what we believe in is considered offensive and even
inimical. Most of us avoid such people.
On the receiving side when
things have gone irredeemably beyond, the very same people who chose to be nice
through silence would be the first ones to come forward with an “I told you
so,” or an “I knew it.” We are conditioned to be nice to the extent of allowing
our near and dear ones to fail. Luckily for this world, not everybody believes
in sannu ki. Some do bite the bullet.
Bite The Bullet
Recently, on my social media page, I posted a picture of a few dishes laid out on a dining table. Many of my friends liked it and some even posted comments.
I had been blunt all my life. I
had fallen foul with many for rightfully telling them what I thought was wrong with them or in what they did. Few well-wishers advised diplomacy. I tried but like
all half-hearted attempts, it failed. I knew that many in the hierarchy avoided
me because of my reputation. Interestingly, I was handpicked by two Director
Generals only because of this reputation. I also rose in the hierarchy. I
continued to be what I was. If I had chosen to be blunt then, I must give that right
to others, now and always too.
After the initial discomfiture,
I looked at the picture. He was correct. Without context, the picture
looked meaningless. If you want to understand how awful it was, just try
switching on any Indian movie song sequence, preferably one that you have never
seen before, switch off the audio, and try watching. I felt the same about the
picture I shared without annotation. Most people who liked and commented on the
picture must have given it their own context. Were they being kind or were they merely exercising their option of “sanu ki?” Either way, I was happy with all of
them.
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| The Chinese Dinner My Daughter's Mother-in-law so painstakingly prepared for us |
Today, people find it difficult
to point out mistakes. Parents find it difficult to advise or correct even
their own children for fear of repercussions. Imagine the damage we are
inflicting on ourselves. We forget that “sanu ki” returns to bite.
Human Beings and Human Doings
Recently, a friend gave a talk
about “human beings and human doings.” The content of the lecture is her
intellectual property. The title set me thinking. I am convinced that it was
‘human doings’ that helped us evolve into human beings and it is in these very
‘doings’ that we, as a society or species, will either flourish or flounder.
‘Sanu ki’ goes against the grain of collective survival.
“To err is human,” didn't someone say?
"To correct is even more human," I feel.
[i] ‘Cordycyeped’ is a concept that I had discussed in my previous blog published on Jun 15, 2022. The link to it is given here.
https://jacobshorizon.blogspot.com/2022/06/beware-you-could-be-cordyceped.html
