BACKBENCH PHILOSOPHY

I grew up in a society that believed in backbench philosophy. In plain terms it means one has to remain at the back benches all the time. It has its own advantages. You are not noticed in any gathering. It lets you slip away at the earliest. It ensures that you do not have to open your mouth or express your views at all. It guarantees that you do not have to take any decision or take any kind of decisive action that may ensnare you in controversies, setbacks or failures. You will always remain a non achiever; but you will somehow survive. You are content to be the number two.

The philosophy has become a way of life for the larger society in Kerala. Wherever we are we can observe that a few rows of seats at the front remain unoccupied.  The prodding of the organizers of the meet falls into deaf ears. People stay rooted to the backbenches. They know very well that they would be noticed if they are closer to the podium and if they are noticed some unsolicited responsibilities may be thrust upon them. It implies that you may have to volunteer and exert yourselves for tasks that shower no visible benefits upon you.

While I had been in the Schools and Colleges it was imperative to fall in line with the majority and practice the art of staying at the backbenches to perfection.  The moment teachers came into the class vacant seats at the front rows welcomed them.  It required much coercion and a lot of tact by teachers to make at least a few students leave the comforts of backbenches to proceed to the front. The fortunate ones avoided eye contact with the teachers and managed to stay back. They   pitied the few who were forcibly led up. They knew it would be eventual slaughter as the teachers would direct all questions and obviously their ire at the front benchers.  Those who could not fathom the answers were vehemently and summarily dealt with.   To be precise there were very few students who satisfied the queries of the teachers.   There was safety at the backbenches and those at the back virtually remained oblivious of the close scrutiny up ahead.

The Church I attend has a strange feature. The pews in front are left alone for the late comers. Early birds take the seats at the back. Naturally there is a big commotion when late comers move up to the front in search of seats even as the worship progresses. It upsets the serenity It violates the sanctity. 

People learn quite a lot from childhood, Schools, Colleges and work stations. It stays with them throughout their lives.  If we take a look at the visuals of meetings on television or still photographs in magazines and newspapers it is obvious that the front rows are vacant on most occasions. It beats me why as a race we are diffident. Perhaps backbenches offer unmatched security to the hesitant.  Raise a question; you get no reply let alone an acknowledgement. People act as if they are stone deaf. It has been grounded into our psyche that we hold back all the time and furnish space to others.

Backbench philosophy has cost us dearly. We have an embedded feeling that we are not good enough to take the front seats. Faced with serious competition we are never able to move up to the top. Our self consciousness makes us wait for someone else to initiate the proceedings. We define that modesty calls for a subdued presence. We are subdued in the bargain.  We do float. We do make money. But very few of us are outstanding achievers.  Despite the high literacy rate of Kerala, we are unable to establish ourselves effectively in the competitive environment. It indeed is a paradox.