Mind game – Part 1
Mind Game : Definition
(Source- getty images)
The prototype of this mundane world is of its own kind. It takes, all kinds of efforts of men to run this world. To run this world connotes, how a man maneuver to sustain his livelihood. These efforts may generally be counted of the category of honest type, or some sort of deceptive measures otherwise. But, when “act of deception” conducted in the shape, not revealed as deceptive ostensibly, because shroud in an honest outfit, then ? And, the person deceived by this maneuver, finds himself in a position, unable to seek the help of law! This tactic is given the name of “Mind Game.”
As per the definition of the “Mind game,” It’s an act played to undermine others, so tactfully, it preserves the ‘player of the game’. The player comes out as an innocent one, in the eyes of the law. The all time classic paradigm of “mind game,” we experience in the world of advertisement’. There, they allure the public at large, about the benefits of products, by keeping themselves safe. Another paradigm is of schemes, conducted by “chit and fund companies,” They use to provide, tempting offer, to make your deposited money as double, in a short span of time. People get trapped in the ‘greed’ and suffer the loss.
When a game played as such to deceive the people, proven in the court as a crime, it’s not a perfect “Mind game.” Oftener, this game is played, in between a short span of time. Withal, there stake is nominal on the part of the victim, and victim easily gives up his claim. Since the loss is nominal. Though, another facet of the coin is, this “Mind game” is played at a large scale. Meant, multitude of people are targeted at the same time, at the stake of nominal loss. This eventually proves profitable to the ‘player’, for it fetches big money to him.
Mind Game : Funny paradigms
Here I am going to relate two cases. First case, in this part of the blog and another case in the second part of the blog, with the same caption. Both these cases of “Mind game,” I chanced to get related to me from two different persons, who fell prey to that. Interestingly, first case was related to me , by one of my senior old acquaintances, at my office on the desk of my consultancy office. Though, the main intent of his relating the anecdote to me was, he expected from me, to coin some same kind of “Mind game” for him. The scheme, that might be fetching good profit to him. Even, he was eager to take me as a partner in that game, if I invented some scheme.
The another anecdote, got related to me, by a ‘green grocery vendor,’ who by chance happened to install his “wheeled barrow” just in front of my office. He too was a victim in person, of a “mind game.” Both the anecdotes, came to my cognizance, one after another intermittently. Now I try to cover first anecdote, as the the contents of this part of the blog.
Mind Game : A problem that looked trivial
In ‘consultancy business’, the sitting discourse is of vital significance when dealing with your clients. Here, once client upon being friendly, can easily be provided with advice. In between such ‘friendly dialogues’, my that old senior acquaintance, related the details of the so called fraud. It happened Long back, in the sixth decade of the last century. In his youth, then he lived in a joint family, along with his brothers’ family members. The family was settled in the sub urban area, of that time of Bombay.
At that period of time, the status of India was not in fact even that of a ‘developing State.’ Rather, it was an “under developed Nation.” There was no awakening in public at large, about sanitation issue nor people too bothered about that. The heaps of garbage and dirt and decaying materials were visible often hither and thither. Even on the government front, it lacked sustainable funding to facilitate the sanitary staff to combat the problem properly. These heaps of garbage and dirt, in turn proven helpful to provide the better climate for houseflies to grow in myriads.
As told, that was an old time. Even the trend of double doors ( one of that fitted with iron net to prevent flies) was not in vogue. Windows were simply wood plank fitted one, worked as open air ventilation tool. As such, helping ‘swarms of houseflies’ to make the reach, at every nooks of the house. Major problem was, when you sit for your meal, swarm of houseflies hover over the platter to partake the food. They kept on buzzing incessantly, making it arduous to consume the food.
Mind Game : How the ‘trap’ woven
This venture of houseflies assailing were cause of so many ailments, that infested people in general. The ailment of Typhoid, loose motion, Cholera etc were so common because of them. People were badly infected. During that period of time, Bombay was the hot spot for publication of cheap cine gossip magazines and crime reporting petty tabloids. All these papers published in vernaculars as well as in other languages. Since Bombay had been the center of cine production. Such publications ever remained stuffed with spicy contents and liked and read abundantly by public at large scale.
On one day, an advertisement circulated through such papers that caught the eyes of people. It ran as such, “Are you tormented by houseflies, when taking meal? Just make a remittance of Rupee five only through Money Order to our Post Box Number. We assure you a solid remedy to get rid of this.” Down at the bottom, a Post Box Number was printed. Although, the amount of Rupee five, at that time had had some value but not so countable. People assailed by the torture of flies, remitted the money on the prescribed Post Box Number. The number of people, who remitted the money, later on came out in many hundred thousand, when the end of the game evoked an uproar.
The limit got crossed, when after one month, every such victim received a post card from the same “Post Box Number, ” as a remedial device. There, remedy was suggested, ” When you take your meal and houseflies bother you. Just wave them off continuously with your left hand and apply the right hand to fetch your meal to your mouth. Now you can feed yourself safely.” Wasn’t it a good case of “Mind game?” No any Police could be registered for this cheating nor in fact got registered any where at any place. The reason was simple. Stake was nominal and no one intended to become the part of the judicial proceeding. Only some journalists investigated the matter, and brought the fact before that persons cheated as such were huge in numbers.
Penned by — Vinay Pharasi …..
