Even in this dizzying rat race, where emotions are shoved to the back-seat, human sentiments often overwhelm the constant impulse to remain on top in the game for material satisfaction. Look at San Francisco, where a five-year-old called Miles Scott, battling Leukemia, was given the support of the whole city, including the White House, to dress as his favourite superhero Batman, to go around fighting crime.
Thanks to an organisation called Make-A-Wish Foundation, the five-year-old had a dream day when the city suspended the usual first-world roller coaster living priorities and the concomitant “life in the fast lane” has no time for understanding to cheer on the superkid.
Scott saved a damsel in distress tied to a plastic bomb inscribed with the trademark question mark sign of one of Batman’s infamous enemies, The Riddler, prevented the stealing of the city mascot, and all this was done with thousands following him on the road and in cyberspace.
San Francisco became Gotham City for a day with Scott’s wish fulfilled. What more can one want? Even the White House tweeted: go, get em!
When we wake up in these days of political intransigence, rampant obscurantism and opaque idealism, such stories appear like a whiff of fresh air, inspiring us to think: no, there is still hope, despite the overpowering presence of Mammon in everyday lives, the goodness of humanity hasn’t died out completely.
The Batkid story made headlines around the world, but perhaps the very humane notion of a child wanting to be a superhero in real life may appear somewhat dissonant to the masses in Bangladesh for whom the culture of superheroes is a bit vague.
Oh, we do like to watch superhero movies, especially, massive strides in special effects make modern day films so spectacular that sitting in the movies, it’s easy to forget such ideal humans with unbelievable powers can never exist in reality.
Well, perhaps society cannot have heroes who can stop trains and grin while taking machine gun bullets on the chest, but think carefully: if we really want, a super-hero supported by the best technology to fight crime is never an impossible option.
A report recently said that the US army is mulling over the construction of Iron Man costumes for future soldiers fighting crime.
Take Batman for instance: this superhero does not possess any special powers. In fact, all his devices, which are man-made in labs, give the man the upper hand.
To think even more clearly, without the bullet proof costume, the car, the airship and all other bat devices, Batman is just another guy.
I mean, just another guy with great fitness and a clearly defined sense of justice!
One will not be wrong in stating that every society has a lot of people who, without the gadgets, will easily fit the profile of Bruce Wayne, the billionaire American industrialist, who in real life is a philanthropic businessman but after dark turns into the dark crusader.
Think sensibly: there are quite a few affluent people out there who can afford to have a secret crime busting life on the side.
But then, for that, one has to stop thinking about making more money round the clock. There has to be a desire for adventure, laced with benevolence.
Down to reality, the Batkid spectacle in the USA throws the spotlight on the foundation that made the dream come true for the child who, thankfully, is now recovering.
This wish fulfillment makes us think a bit deeply of many childhood dreams that are stifled or, in many cases, ridiculed by too many social insensitivities.
The organisation which helped in making tiny Scott into a caped hero makes us acknowledge the importance of understanding child psychology.
This is one area where we have serious lacking. How many times have we seen young domestic help staring wistfully from the window of a locked house at children playing outside?
Going back to superheroes: in the US, several socially responsible people have hit the news in recent times for dressing up as crime busters, with the most notable being Mr Xtreme, who went around in San Diego distributing food and drink among the destitute.
One point to note: costumes may be essential for creating the superhero persona but powerful weapons are not.
Similarly simple acts of kindness stand out big in real life; no need to stop a maniac scientist hell bent on dominating the world!
In other countries too, people have taken up the roles of keeping neighbourhood vigilance, dressing up in costumes. One can of course go in plain clothes but a robe, cape and a striking shield not only attracts attention but works as an inspiration for others.
For some, adopting a role and an impressive name may sound infantile though this writer feels, in doing so, we permit the childlike innocence in us to sustain.
The end line remains: we do not have any superheroes of our own. Though given the current political impasse with meaningless stubbornness shown by political leaders, and innocent people dying and burning as victims of repulsive political ploys, we could do with a few.
How about a lungi-man who has a special potion which can neutralise all human bitterness and implant an eagerness for reconciliation? Surely, such a super-hero will be welcome! Who knows, voters may actually want the hero to stand in the election then.
