I believe this is the slogan of McCann — one of the largest advertising agencies in the world. In India, the agency is headed by Mr. Prasoon Joshi, a renowned poet and writer. The key question is: “Can truth be well told?” Over the centuries, the rulers across the globe promised to:
- Eradicate Poverty
- Provide housing for all
- Provide employment
- Provide education
Did they achieve? The above is not the truth. They are the lies. Only lies can be well told. Truth can never be well told. Rather I ask ‘Can the Truth be told at all?
I don’t know what truth is. Nor can I or for that matter anyone ever know it. Even if I were to know, I am sure I wouldn’t like it. However, I can explain what a lie is, if needed, with examples. Everyone loves lies. All lies are sweet; truth is bitter.
- It is a lie that if you use the ‘LUX’ bathing soap, your skin will become smooth and soft, like that of a baby’s.
- If you chew ‘Happy Dent’ gum, your teeth will become white and bright; they can light up the entire street!
Truth is rare, but lies are common. You can see an ocean of lies in religion, politics, and marriage; for that matter in every field of human activity.
- If a man and woman are declared husband and wife, certain religions believe that they will be husband and wife for the next seven lives!
- You have done many good deeds in life. You shall certainly go to heaven.
Lies are fiction. They are beautiful. Truth is reality and is ugly. One in a million may get to know the truth, and the truth can never be well told! Truth is singular; there is no plural. There are no truths. Lies are plural; there are lies and many lies.
Her face is like a full moon. This is a very common comparison. We all like this comparison. While understanding the spirit of this comparison, I ask you all, “Would you say she is looking beautiful if I actually replace her face with that of the moon?” This can at most be considered a poet’s or writer’s imagination and a lie. It can never be true.
Similarly, if you apply ‘Fair & Lovely’ cream on your face it will become fair! How much truth exists in this statement? Everyone, without hesitation, will say, “It is a complete lie.”
In a poet’s or writer’s imagination, truth can be well told. In reality, truth can never be told, forget about being well told. I think Mr. Prasoon Joshi is hanging precariously to the belief that “Truth is well told”. How can truth be well told through Coca -cola, Happy Dent of Mccann or the Cave Man in the new season of ‘Mind Charged, Body Charged’ of Ogilvy India?
Mr. Joshi! Wake up! I am sure your house is not lighted by the Happy Dent boy!
About the Author
Dr. K. Raja Gopal Reddy is a seasoned internationally qualified Insurance professional. What you are reading here, may not answer all the questions we have, but has the absolute power of asking unsettling questions which increase the interest in the strange world, and show the contradictory wonders lying just below the surface of the commonest things of life. Look at this disturbing but beautiful thought of Friedrich Nietzsche “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him”.
Dr. Reddy can be reached at: raja66gopal@gmail.com
