A colleague of mine, an young scholar, reasonably good in Econometrics, and Macro/Monetary having some proximity with RBI, was commenting to another younger colleague who is at IIT Chennai now on my recent trip to Paris and me falling in love with that wonderful city, because I was enchanted and mesmerized by seeing young girls and boys having their fun and freedom on platforms and at the campus. He’s thoroughly mistaken and not strictly right. There are thousand and one reasons why one cannot but love that beautiful city. The air of love and romance is very much peculiar to that city and I have articulated this on many platforms and that alone cannot define or explain my infatuation with that city .
The IIT colleague reffered to above was kind enough to remind me by posting his comment on my write up ‘Go to Paris’ that I must honor my commitment of writing about my experience, in that European soil.
Given the academic and administrative responsibilities and my own perfectionist attitude, I am taking my own time to reflect in tranquility and record my thought process and feelings only in a graduate fashion I hope I would do some justice to the task at hand.I have already started that process.
On my return trip to India, a middle-aged couple was seated, by my side. They were coming to Dubai to spend holidays, I learnt from them. In a casual way, in course of conversation I told them: “To me France, particularly Paris city is a great place of art, love, and architecture, liberty and freedom. More particularly it reminds me of girl, wine and romance and the most uninhibited way they live and interact.”
Immediately, the lady gave an instant reply: “Sir, don’t mistake me. The person sitting my side is my husband and not lover”. I coolly replied: “No problem madam. It’s immaterial whether the person is husband or lover. Paris is a great city and people enjoy life and live life in their own way, as it’s to be loved and lived happily and peacefully.
Thereafter she laughed profusely and heartily. Her husband also joined the laughter Far ahead of her middle age/ late middle age, she had a girlish look, and feverish enthusiasm and gesticulation of a vibrant teenage , while her husband was busy with tinkering seat television and watching movie, fully absorbed, in a matured/scholarly style. His sober nature was indeed a contrast. Very good match,I told myself.
While I was at Paris I had the chance to visit Sorbone University while I was walking towards Luxemburg Park. I could not meet any faculty as I did not have prior appointment with any one. But I had the opportunity to see the boys and girls moving in a very joyful atmosphere. The boy working in the café shop became more friendly instantly. He’s reading some management course part time. He was happy to hear that I am an Economics Professor from India. He could speak good English and he asked me whether there would be any opportunity for him to come to India for attending any work shop or seminar.
There’s an inexplicable air of freedom, fun, laughter in the verandah of the academic corridor, students mingling together without any sense of discrimination, based on color, creed or sex. It was really refreshing to see the white race getting mixed with the blacks of African origin .In one of the classes I mentioned that, the black population would outsmart the White in Paris city in future as London is currently dominated by Asian Indians. I was particularly happy that France was emerging as a truly multi cultural society, accommodating Asians and Africans besides people of different regions in the world.
My Paris University 13 class experience, suggested to me that they are attentive, interactive and do not hesitate to raise relevant critical questions. English is a handicap for them, an advantage for me. Hence there was an unequal exchange, which we also encounter in the current wave of globalization, sweeping across the globe but , making a measured retreat in the wake of Global Financial Crisis, which was the theme of my lecture there.
While recollecting and ruminating over some of the momentous days I spent in that city of romance and architecture, I am only reminded of Shakespeare’s words spoken through the character of Enorbobus when he describes the beauty of Cleopatra .
“Age cannot wither her
nor customs stale her infinite variety .
She makes hungry where she satisfies.”
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