Slavery! The word conjures up visions of ancient galley-slaves, or perhaps Harriet Beecher-Stowe's Uncle Tom, or of bonded labourers. Well, I am talking about not physical but mental slavery. Yes, I was a slave to the soaps on television till recently. Like many a housewife, I was lured into the world of mega serials. Like Abhimanyu who got into the chakravyuha formation, but did not know the way out, I also was drawn into the world of 'soaps' and did not know how to get out of the maze of TV serials.

It all began innocently enough. When we first bought the TV - some 16 or 17 years ago - there was great excitement amongst the family members. All of us welcomed whatever was shown on the national channel, DD-1, whether it was 'The News' or short plays or cultural programmes. Slowly the addiction took on greater proportions with the advent of Cable TV. DD-1 was neglected as more exciting fare was offered on various private channels.

When the woman-oriented mega serial Shanti was started on the national channel, interest was revived in DD-1. I would avidly watch each and every episode from Monday to Friday. If the power went off, I would fret and fume; if anybody talked to me while I was watching the serial, I would make signs for them not to talk to me. If I missed even one episode because I was out or due to the presence of visitors, I would feel restless. Such was the hold the serial had on me.

Soon other serials on other channels claimed my attention. So much so my hubby got fed up with me and showed me a cartoon of a TV-besotted woman, watching four serials simultaneously on four TV sets, while the scientist-husband unsuccessfully tried to get her attention to the fact that he had, as a result of experiments on himself, turned into half-kangaroo! The wife went on blithely watching TV in spite of his repeated cries for help. It was a power failure that made her aware of his condition!

Hubby's comments and sarcastic remarks had no effect on me. I just could not stop watching serial after serial from 8.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. on weekdays. Deliverance came to me quite by chance. The local cable operator announced the removal of a particular network, as the said network had suddenly hiked the charges for all the channels coming under it. I felt like a rudderless boat, floundering aimlessly on water. How was I to cope with the situation? I felt restless and listless for the first few days. What new developments must have taken place in the various serials, I wondered.

My daughter was surprised that I was not watching TV anymore. "Why don't you watch other channels? Or the English channels?" she asked.

I firmly refused, saying I did not want to fall into the trap of mega 'soaps' again.

I had realised how much of a slave I had become to the soaps and their world of make-believe. The bonds of slavery had fallen off! I felt as free as a bird soaring up high in the sky. I could now devote more time to my hobbies of writing and reading. I feel exhilarated as reading and writing has rejuvenated me.

Nowadays I watch TV where there are programmes on cooking, music or other interesting topics. I also enjoy watching educational channels. I am now mistress of my time, freed of the shackles of TV serials!