The Unpredictability of Life

Mrinal Chatterjee

Window Seat

On my way back home, we returned to Siliguri from Gangtok on 15 September evening. Sri Vishnu Neopaney, senior journalist of Sikkim was with me. He had come all the way from Gangtok to see me off at Bagdogra airport the next morning.

At night came the news that the main road to Gangtok, NH 10 was breached at Seti Jhoda, Kalimpong district. That meant, they would have to take a long detour to reach Gangtok, which would take at least 4 hours extra journey. We discussed what would have happened, if it would have happened some hours earlier!

Life, indeed, is a journey filled with uncertainty. Despite planning and preparation, life’s unpredictability often takes us by surprise. One moment we are cruising along the familiar road of routine; the next, we are thrown into a whirlwind of unforeseen events that leave us grappling for control. This unpredictability, while daunting, is also what makes life so profoundly beautiful and meaningful.

Our lives can change in an instant—unexpected opportunities can alter our course, while sudden challenges can test our resilience. It’s the surprises, both joyous and heartbreaking, that shape our character and perspective. The unpredictability of life reminds us that control is, at best, an illusion. We can only influence our reactions, adapt, and move forward.

Football

Unlike most other states of India, Sikkim is not crazy about cricket. They are crazy about football. They watch football- local, state level, national level, and international. There are shops here which sell jerseys of all major European clubs and football playing countries.

Not only do they follow the sport, they play football with much enthusiasm. There are umpteen number of football tournaments across Sikkim. Any occasion from puja to festivals to birthdays of leaders- is good enough to start a football tournament. I saw one organised on the occasion of Viswakarma Puja.

Sikkim’s four ‘W’

(Gangtok)

A senior journalist of Sikkim told me that there are four Ws, which are unique to Sikkim; all of them relate to one thing: unpredictability. The first W is weather. Weather in Sikkim is always unpredictable. The second W is: Watch. Time. Nothing here begins on time. Nobody comes in time. The third W is Wine. Wine- is ubiquitous here. So when one starts drinking and how long he would do that is absolutely unpredictable.

He also told me about the fourth W. But I am not telling that publicly for my own safety- at home.

Sir David Low

It has been 61 years since he left us. One of the most influential cartoonists of the 20th century, Sir David Low breathed his last on this day 19 Sept. 1963.

Born in New Zealand in 1891, his first work was published when he was only 11 years old. His professional career began in 1910 at The Canterbury Times, a weekly newspaper published in Christchurch, New Zealand. The following year he moved to Australia and worked for The Bulletin. His work attracted the attention of Henry Cadbury, the part owner of The Star, and Low moved to London in 1919, working for that paper until 1927, when he moved to the Evening Standard.

Gradually he became a prominent figure in political cartooning.  His sharp, detailed, and often humorous cartoons were published in leading British newspapers.

Low was best known for his fearless critiques of totalitarian regimes and his vocal opposition to fascism. During the 1930s and 1940s, he produced some of his most iconic work, particularly his depictions of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Joseph Stalin. His most famous character, "Colonel Blimp," embodied the outdated and pompous attitudes of British conservative society, highlighting Low's ability to critique domestic as well as foreign politics.

He drew many cartoons on India, its socio-political situation and on Indian politicians before and after its independence. He drew many cartoons featuring Mahatma Gandhi.

His cartooning style influenced many cartoonists across the world including Shankar and R.K. Laxman.

Throughout his career, Low emphasized the importance of freedom of expression and the responsibility of the press to question authority. David Low's legacy endures as a testament to the power of satire and the cartoonist’s role in shaping public discourse, particularly during times of political turmoil.