The word-digit combo 'CDC H1N1' sounds like a near chemical formulae of a sexy hydrocarbon.However,far from being a part of elementary chemistry , it has managed to evoke emotions mimicking fear,anxiety and to people like me- a generous dose of hypchondriac-ism.
Swine is one animal that will be extremely proud of the way it has managed to create havoc among us homosapiens. The pioneering breed of pigs that showed signs of it initially are ones belonging to the North America. Not that it puts shame acrss the faces of our ubiquitous desi ones.They seem to be way too happy as well- a momentary freedom from slaughtering and thus ramifications on businesses in fine dining that use them as inputs like TGIF n Ruby tuesday .
Long considered the most wretched creatures to set foot on this planet and never having been venerated in any of the religious scriptures unlike other more fortunate ones,it is their sole chance for a well deserved riposte. Let 'em enjoy their seven minutes of fame-they would nt get another shot at this for sure anytime soon!!This is cos scientists have managed to discover the gene that leads to the flu.
Given the seriousness of the flu in India esp with the installation of health personnel in airports to check on foreign nationals n NRI's visiting India either in a bid to make emselves seemingly recession proof or to find a desi bride, one never expects to keep reminding oneself of the prevalence of such a thing wherever your legs lead you. Since my astrologer for a long time has not been in a mood to predict a foreign trip for me , I had to make my way to the tech city -B'lore. As is my customary habit during the flight,I was reading a novel n listening to the ipod intermittently.
Then suddenly, I coughed. Then without missing a breath, i sneezed. Without apologizing for the impoliteness as is usually my wont, I continued devouring my book. As i glanced across the seats,i saw a beefy foreigner( I ve grown slimmer u c-hence the comparison) training his eyes on me suspiciously.I was ready for the embarassment that is reserved for a passenger who 's deemed unhealthy and in fact dangerous for co-passengers. The self respecting guy I am , I was ready for a verbal duel with the beautiful Indian- Nicaraguan accented air hostess, should the person complain.Beware!! I growled in my mind.
Then Alas!! I realized I did nt even suffer from anythng in the first place,leave alone the swine .. Then why the hell should I help accelerate my systolic pressure??.. With my mind entertaining all these apparently virulent though in actuality benign thoughts-more aptly confabulations, i kept seated and wondered about the possible sequence of events of my own crafting. The guy was still inspecting whether my cough and sneezes resembled the pattern that a swine.. ahem swine flu infected person would exhibit. My physiological condition fortunately did not concur.
Looking back, I wonder how a few creatures in North america could cause near mental trauma in a guy who s far far away from the action. Blame programmes like 'Hoshiyaar' and 'Khabardar' aired 5 times a day on some select news channels. A bit pondering reveals Food-chain as the answer . Being a vegetarian, albeit a grudging one helps a bit you see!!!!!
