“You all must be wondering WhY We USE THe TerM  Chalta hai? Do WE USE it AS A Satire or an anecdote?” In fact, For neither OF THESE. WE USE IT FOR IMPACT IT CREATES WITHIN OURSELVES AND SURROUNDINGS. IT CAN ALSO BE “LET IT BE.”

We often hear these words from people who ignore or take many nuisances of life lightly. They are cool about it and move on. Chalta Hai is a colloquial term often used to describe an attitude, loosely translated to mean “it’s okay”, or it will work.

There are ample situations in our day-to-day lives that conjure us to say, Chalta Hai.

You are eagerly waiting for delicious food to be served on your dining table and suddenly cooked food spills over. What would be your first reaction? Naturally, you would start crying. Your mom’s temper could also boil. But at the same moment, your elder sister reaches the scene and calms the situation. Do you know how?  She only said these three soothing words: “Chalta Hai Mom”, What’s the big deal? and calmly ordered food from outside. These are magical words indeed! By simply reciting these words, the situation is calmed down, and everybody forgets what happened and starts enjoying the dinner together.

You can say it is a compromise, but it makes us behave optimistically and tend to ignore so many trivial things that would hardly make much difference in our lives. But somewhere down, we are so conditioned to become non-assertive and so much used to the happenings around us that it hardly matters whatever happens in our lives.

In yet another instance, you are walking on the road and somebody accidentally pushes you, making you tumble. Your purse also falls on the dirty road. Commonly, in this situation, people would start abusing such a person. But what if that person apologizes to you and you say to yourself “Chalta Hai”, You will feel much relieved, and instead of pondering and continuously muttering abusive words, you will move on with your life.

You have bought a new dress, but unfortunately, it does not match your accessories. Instead of abusing or worrying about it, wear it, look in the mirror, and say to yourself, “Chalta, hai Yar, it is looking cool”.

However, do note that “Chalta Hai” has both positive and negative connotations, depending on the context in which it is said. Let’s look at both the negative and positive repercussions of using these terms.

Negative aspects of the “Chalta Hai” 

• Apathy: In some cases, using Chalta Hai and bypassing the problem or an issue is considered apathy. It means you are reluctant to solve problems and are indifferent to the issues or problems that you might be facing, which can hinder your progress or improvement.
• Mediocrity: It can sometimes lead to a tolerance for mediocrity, as people may not strive for excellence if they believe “Chalta Hai” is good enough.
• Lack of Accountability: It may discourage holding individuals or organizations accountable for their actions or decisions.
• Procrastination: It might result in delaying crucial tasks or decisions, assuming that things will somehow work out in the end.

There are also positive impacts of adapting and adhering to the use of the term “Chalta Hai.” 

• Adaptability: It reflects your willingness to adapt to changing circumstances and make the best of a situation without getting overly stressed.
• Tolerance: It indicates tolerance for imperfections and a recognition that not everything can always be perfect.
• Non-confrontational: It may lead to avoiding conflicts or disagreements to maintain harmony in social or work settings.

It is a relaxed and easy-going approach towards incidents and when it comes to problem-solving. You must know that the “Chalta Hai” mentality is not universal in India, and attitudes vary widely among individuals and across regions. Some people may embrace it in certain situations, while others may reject it entirely in favour of a more proactive and diligent approach. Also, it is a complex concept, reflecting a mix of adaptability, tolerance, and, in some cases, indifference. Its interpretation and application can also vary widely, and it’s essential to consider the specific context in which it is used.

So whether Chalta Hai is good or bad is a matter of perception, as is how we adopt things in our daily lives or want to change this mentality. It is for us to decide.

Share your experiences and thoughts on occasions or several times you have used the word Chalta Hai somewhere and sometimes.