The first T.V that I ever remember is a colour solidaire TV with those tiny buttons to change channels. There were only 7 channels in total (Which seemed a lot. We used only three) and I almost remember the Doordharshan channels in order. Later on we shifted to a fancy Onida TV with a remote control and all. It had some 60 plus channels, which is also now pressed deep under by all these plasma techies. That was the last TV I was associated with. I havent owned a television in the past three and a half years and even better - realized it only today. I realised it when I overheard an Indian couple at the coffee shop discussing something called "Dealaa no dealaa". At that moment gratitude filled me. The lack of resources, or denying a need to have a TV has spared me some or probably a lot.
Its not like I donot watch TV shows or listen to the news. I have my favourite TV shows. I love "how i met your mother"and "the big bang theory", used to like ugly Betty, friends and sex and the city. I enjoy watching Anthony Bourdain's "No reservations". I watch some tamil/hindi movies. But there seems to be a freedom to pick and choose what I want to watch, thanks to the internet. I am not forced to enjoy a loud sun tv comedy bit or badly reported news just because its incessantly running. I pick and choose, and enjoy it that way. Though the fear of watching a future Simran or a Brad Pitt and saying, "Ivan etho puthu actor pola irukku. Nanna nadipan pola iruke!" is always there, at present I enjoy this freedom.
