Reliable offline social media…

Before the initiation of online social media, there was a place where one could have local news, exchange views with strangers, and read old magazines and current newspapers, while waiting for his turn, at least once a month, to have a new face look.
Hope, the tradition is becoming obsolete, too with the grooming at home, with the fine-quality trimmers but still, some people look forward to a monthly visit to the hairdresser, not only for a haircut but to meet a variety of people to listen to their views on the current issues.
Most people prefer to visit on holiday when there is a rush and one gets a lot of time, to enjoy the contrasting views on various topics. Sometimes, you are put wiser about the information, which might have escaped your attention from the newspaper or not shared by any of your near or dear.
Sundays are the best choice to raise you from the hectic weekdays.
Earlier, I used to visit the barbershop once a week for trimming of a beard but after trying my hand on trimmer; my visits were restricted to once a month for a haircut only. Though it saved my time and money, in the meantime, social media has come up to keep you updated spontaneously on any event not in society but at the state, national, and world levels.
Some of the messages are just copied and forwarded with no contribution of the sender and one starts feeling bored, with no innovative ideas. There are spiced-up messages and pornography
that one needs to be deleted instantly after reading.
During the last summer months, when the temperature was very high, I asked the barbershop owner, which I normally visit once a month for haircuts only, to install an air-conditioner and increase your charges.
Since I am keeping a beard and using the trimmer at home, the barbershop owner – whom everyone calls Gopi – asked me more lightly, Sir, do come for trimming also.
Anyhow, with the installation of air-conditioners, many land up there to enjoy the cool environment and update and ultimately Gopi has to put a placard – Muje koi strap nahi hai yahan baritone ka, yadi aap Baal katwane ke liye aaya hain – I don’t mind of your sitting here if you have
come for a haircut.
Gopi, who is no more now in this world – has a fast speaking ascent but so one-liner witty, a satire with a message, and had too much in his mind, to start his conversation, gauging the pulse of the listener, sitting on his hot seat. Without giving much time to respond, he will start from the top
headlines of the day and go on shifting to the next topic.
I recollected the incident when there was a rumour of levelling serious charges on a prominent personality and I decided to go for a hair-cut, even though it was not due, to confirm its authenticity
rumour.

Frankly speaking, the discussions on the issue were already on, the moment I entered the shop everything was crystal clear as sharp as his scissors and razor and removing the apron from my neck, Gopiuttered, “Dear – don’t take it lightly, our society and country need men of character”.

During my recent visit to the offline social media chamber, Malik Salon, I got real feedback from Lok Sabha Polls, about the 4-cornered  contest in our constituency with the winning candidate of Congress.