This evening I was listening to a prime time television debate on a national news channel. Director Satyajit of 'Satyamev Jayate' was articulate in defending criticism on Rs. 6 crore (or 20 crore in some other estimate) of Advertizement spend to promote the show or earning Rs. 60 crore of sponsorship for the production house by working on public emotion. He strongly defended what comes first to Aamir - calculation or heart. To him, Aamir follows his heart to get into a project and then does his calculation and not the other way. As Satyajit said, there are more hope than cynicism around the show. He need not answer on television what a critic in another place said about the intensity of the make-up of Aamir in the show, that the show is making audience to cry and not angry. One commentator in the television debate said that the problem is with the civil society itself, their mindset. One has to wait and watch the effect of such a show when the initial euphoria subsides, if it can make any difference to "Sab chalta hai" attitude. The census report on gender imbalance was always before us. We chose to ignore. The endorsement of a star brings the issue to the forefront but it requires a coordinated and sustained movement to capitalize on it. Will this issue be overshadowed by twelve other issues that come up in twelve succeeding episodes?
To me, each one is entitled to try in his own way and deserves a chance. This effort from Aamir or the TV Channel is not putting a stop in existing efforts and may complement them, enrich them. Then why complain? Is the responsibility entirely of him? What on earth then you and I will do? He is sensitizing people and giving some sort of start to get us involved and not forcing us to think him as a messiah. I personally do not believe that a show is enough unless it is backed by field level work. We have to see if some such thing is already planned or a network of people, motivated to take the causes forward, emerges with the progress of the show. Aamir has wide fan following and huge acceptability for being serious about what he takes up. The fast track court he talked about may only be the beginning. On making money from sponsors, I won't be surprised if the amount minus production and other cost is donated for various causes brought up in the show. It will be disastrous for his image and future productions, to be seen as one who is talks about social evils to make money out of that. I don't see any reason to be critical on that front.
One research talked about the effect of setting a different but important goal. The rising population of India
encouraged small family norms and some penalty for having more than two children.
The negative impact is reported here (Link). The male member of the family carries the family name (it gets changed for female after marriage) in Indian family. This too has its effect. We do find narrower family/caste/religion/group (e.g. iitians) identity prevailing over our higher identity of humanity. Protecting interest of a particular community by the community members is in our very nature and it is no surprise that a distorted form of it does not mind getting the benefit at the cost of others. The UNICEF report (Link) was reflected in Aamir's show minus the snippets like "There have been only two convictions - a fine of 300 rupees ($7) and
another fine of 4,000 rupees ($98) -- from over 400 cases lodged under
the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act." The 2011 state wise sex ratio in the country can be found here (Link) which also compares with 2001 data and shows percentage increase/decrease. From 933 per 1000 in 2001 it marginally improved to 940 per thousand. What is worse and does not meet the eye easily is male female sex ratio of children under 6 years of age. This is just 914
female child per 1000 male child in 2011 census compared to 927 per thousand in 2001 (Link). This dropped 1.40% during the last
decade while allover sex ratio raised 0.75% in India (due to higher mortality of aging male population). This we also found in our NSS, IIT Kharagpur field study while talking to health centre workers. We take less care of our girl child and and do our bit to see that only the male child survives.
The national capital, Delhi cannot feel proud with its skewed sex ratio (866 female per 1000 male) and we had seen the plight of a doctor belonging to educated elite in the Aamir show. What is that which asks one of the best college in Delhi (St. Stephens) to propose 40 percent reservation for boys? The girls are outnumbering them in such proportion that the male population needs to be preserved there. India Today report can be found here (Link). And if the argument put forward by college authority is found acceptable which states, "The issue was brought to the notice of the faculty members because of the gender imbalance within most classrooms. Currently, 65 per cent of our student population is girls. This is a reflection of the longstanding global trend where more women tend to opt for humanities. Such a lopsided situation could affect the dynamics of the classroom and the way one approaches the subject." then why nobody talks about reservation of girls in IITs who must be finding it difficult to attend residential intensive IIT-JEE coaching at different states for being girls and are thus are outdone by boys? How is that they do well in 10+2 Board examinations compared to boys and do not get counted when it comes to IIT-JEE which follows same syllabi but different question pattern?
We need to watch if the 'Satyamev Jayate' show goes deep enough so that really the 'Truth triumphs' and addresses the root cause or talks only about taking care of symptoms. Yes, the symptoms are to be treated. We need to take paracetamol to bring down the temperature when in fever but it reappears again unless the main disease is controlled. Yesterday it was preference for boy child, today it is an advertizement (18th Jan., 2012 Times of India report : Link) where a couple asks for sperm of an IITian to get a genius(!) born in the family, tomorrow we may ask for having right DNAs in place to have fairer colour, certain physique, more amount of grey matter and what not in the designer's baby of future. The main issue is our desire to get into a position of advantage vis-a-vis others by using whatever might we possess, denying others their rights and dues, not respecting the concept of equality - the essential fabric of humanity.
How can we become more human, less selfish? The golden rule says, "Do unto others as you would have them do to you." If we forget that now and then, we need to look at how we got educated, how values got transmitted to me and work on that - improving the process how the nations educates itself and its future generation from the childhood. Does the society bow to an honest, sincere, hard working person who may be earning just enough to maintain his family? Or does the society treat someone with higher esteem who is simply rich? Today, do the parents tell their children to grow up like Bose, Gandhi - live a life of austerity and dedicate themselves to the service of the nation or to grow up us XYZ who amass huge amount of wealth, live a lavish life like a star?
For an issue like this, star cast may take us to the door but does not make the door open. I would like to believe that the star himself will emerge transformed at the end of the show through a process of evolution - the high make-up melting into tanned skin and soils making its appearance in the sleeves. We as actors work on the situations. But the role of subject and object often changes during the course. The situation starts working on us and become the actor.
I feel very positive to hear in the TV debate, a voice from the people's representative, a young lady from Punjab, narrating how empowerment of women through skill development is changing equation in her village constituency. She said, "Earlier there used to be lori if only a boy child was born. Now there is lori for girl child too."
Let me end this post with a letter of Vivekananda, one of the greatest social reformer of modern India who lived only for 39 years. He had a clear vision of traits required for a would be social reformers when he says (Link), "If you wish to be a true reformer, three things are necessary. The first is to feel. Do you really feel for your brothers? Do you really feel that there is so much misery in the world, so much ignorance and superstition? Do you really feel that men are your brothers? Does this idea come into your whole being? Does it run with your blood? Does it tingle in your veins? Does it course through every nerve and filament of your body? Are you full of that idea of sympathy? If you are, that is only the first step. You must think next if you have found any remedy. The old ideas may be all superstition, but in and round these masses of superstition are nuggets of gold and truth. Have you discovered means by which to keep that gold alone, without any of the dross? If you have done that, that is only the second step; one more thing is necessary. What is your motive? Are you sure that you are not actuated by greed of gold, by thirst for fame or power? Are you really sure that you can stand to your ideals and work on, even if the whole world wants to crush you down? Are you sure you know what you want and will perform your duty, and that alone, even if your life is at stake? Are you sure that you will persevere so long as life endures, so long as there is one pulsation left in the heart? Then you are a real reformer, you are a teacher, a Master, a blessing to mankind."
Vivekananda is writing this letter to an Irish lady, Ms. Margaret Noble who later became Sister Nivedita and dedicated herself fully for the upliftment of India. Vivekananda wanted women to take centre stage in looking for solutions to the problems that are their very own. Nivedita started a girl school in 1898 when education of girl child was unheard of, yes - it is true. In her benediction Vivekananda wrote, "Be thou to India's future son / The mistress, servant, friend in one."
* * * * * *
7th June, 1896.
DEAR MISS NOBLE,
My ideal indeed can be put into a few words and that is: to preach unto mankind their divinity, and how to make it manifest in every movement of life.
This world is in chain of superstition. I pity the oppressed, whether man or woman, and I pity more the oppressors.
One idea that I see clear as daylight is that misery is caused by ignorance and nothing else. Who will give the world light? Sacrifice in the past has been the Law, it will be, alas, for ages to come. The earth's bravest and best will have to sacrifice themselves for the good of many, for the welfare of all. Buddhas by the hundred are necessary with eternal love and pity.
Religions of the world have become lifeless mockeries. What the world wants is character. The world is in need of those whose life is one burning love, selfless. That love will make every word tell like thunderbolt.
It is no superstition with you, I am sure, you have the making in you of a world-mover, and others will also come. Bold words and bolder deeds are what we want. Awake, awake, great ones! The world is burning with misery. Can you sleep? Let us call and call till the sleeping gods awake, till the god within answers to the call. What more is in life? What greater work? The details come to me as I go. I never make plans. Plans grow and work themselves. I only say, awake, awake!
May all blessings attend you for ever!
Yours affectionately,
VIVEKANANDA.
To me, each one is entitled to try in his own way and deserves a chance. This effort from Aamir or the TV Channel is not putting a stop in existing efforts and may complement them, enrich them. Then why complain? Is the responsibility entirely of him? What on earth then you and I will do? He is sensitizing people and giving some sort of start to get us involved and not forcing us to think him as a messiah. I personally do not believe that a show is enough unless it is backed by field level work. We have to see if some such thing is already planned or a network of people, motivated to take the causes forward, emerges with the progress of the show. Aamir has wide fan following and huge acceptability for being serious about what he takes up. The fast track court he talked about may only be the beginning. On making money from sponsors, I won't be surprised if the amount minus production and other cost is donated for various causes brought up in the show. It will be disastrous for his image and future productions, to be seen as one who is talks about social evils to make money out of that. I don't see any reason to be critical on that front.
The national capital, Delhi cannot feel proud with its skewed sex ratio (866 female per 1000 male) and we had seen the plight of a doctor belonging to educated elite in the Aamir show. What is that which asks one of the best college in Delhi (St. Stephens) to propose 40 percent reservation for boys? The girls are outnumbering them in such proportion that the male population needs to be preserved there. India Today report can be found here (Link). And if the argument put forward by college authority is found acceptable which states, "The issue was brought to the notice of the faculty members because of the gender imbalance within most classrooms. Currently, 65 per cent of our student population is girls. This is a reflection of the longstanding global trend where more women tend to opt for humanities. Such a lopsided situation could affect the dynamics of the classroom and the way one approaches the subject." then why nobody talks about reservation of girls in IITs who must be finding it difficult to attend residential intensive IIT-JEE coaching at different states for being girls and are thus are outdone by boys? How is that they do well in 10+2 Board examinations compared to boys and do not get counted when it comes to IIT-JEE which follows same syllabi but different question pattern?
We need to watch if the 'Satyamev Jayate' show goes deep enough so that really the 'Truth triumphs' and addresses the root cause or talks only about taking care of symptoms. Yes, the symptoms are to be treated. We need to take paracetamol to bring down the temperature when in fever but it reappears again unless the main disease is controlled. Yesterday it was preference for boy child, today it is an advertizement (18th Jan., 2012 Times of India report : Link) where a couple asks for sperm of an IITian to get a genius(!) born in the family, tomorrow we may ask for having right DNAs in place to have fairer colour, certain physique, more amount of grey matter and what not in the designer's baby of future. The main issue is our desire to get into a position of advantage vis-a-vis others by using whatever might we possess, denying others their rights and dues, not respecting the concept of equality - the essential fabric of humanity.
How can we become more human, less selfish? The golden rule says, "Do unto others as you would have them do to you." If we forget that now and then, we need to look at how we got educated, how values got transmitted to me and work on that - improving the process how the nations educates itself and its future generation from the childhood. Does the society bow to an honest, sincere, hard working person who may be earning just enough to maintain his family? Or does the society treat someone with higher esteem who is simply rich? Today, do the parents tell their children to grow up like Bose, Gandhi - live a life of austerity and dedicate themselves to the service of the nation or to grow up us XYZ who amass huge amount of wealth, live a lavish life like a star?
For an issue like this, star cast may take us to the door but does not make the door open. I would like to believe that the star himself will emerge transformed at the end of the show through a process of evolution - the high make-up melting into tanned skin and soils making its appearance in the sleeves. We as actors work on the situations. But the role of subject and object often changes during the course. The situation starts working on us and become the actor.
I feel very positive to hear in the TV debate, a voice from the people's representative, a young lady from Punjab, narrating how empowerment of women through skill development is changing equation in her village constituency. She said, "Earlier there used to be lori if only a boy child was born. Now there is lori for girl child too."
Let me end this post with a letter of Vivekananda, one of the greatest social reformer of modern India who lived only for 39 years. He had a clear vision of traits required for a would be social reformers when he says (Link), "If you wish to be a true reformer, three things are necessary. The first is to feel. Do you really feel for your brothers? Do you really feel that there is so much misery in the world, so much ignorance and superstition? Do you really feel that men are your brothers? Does this idea come into your whole being? Does it run with your blood? Does it tingle in your veins? Does it course through every nerve and filament of your body? Are you full of that idea of sympathy? If you are, that is only the first step. You must think next if you have found any remedy. The old ideas may be all superstition, but in and round these masses of superstition are nuggets of gold and truth. Have you discovered means by which to keep that gold alone, without any of the dross? If you have done that, that is only the second step; one more thing is necessary. What is your motive? Are you sure that you are not actuated by greed of gold, by thirst for fame or power? Are you really sure that you can stand to your ideals and work on, even if the whole world wants to crush you down? Are you sure you know what you want and will perform your duty, and that alone, even if your life is at stake? Are you sure that you will persevere so long as life endures, so long as there is one pulsation left in the heart? Then you are a real reformer, you are a teacher, a Master, a blessing to mankind."
Vivekananda is writing this letter to an Irish lady, Ms. Margaret Noble who later became Sister Nivedita and dedicated herself fully for the upliftment of India. Vivekananda wanted women to take centre stage in looking for solutions to the problems that are their very own. Nivedita started a girl school in 1898 when education of girl child was unheard of, yes - it is true. In her benediction Vivekananda wrote, "Be thou to India's future son / The mistress, servant, friend in one."
* * * * * *
7th June, 1896.
DEAR MISS NOBLE,
My ideal indeed can be put into a few words and that is: to preach unto mankind their divinity, and how to make it manifest in every movement of life.
This world is in chain of superstition. I pity the oppressed, whether man or woman, and I pity more the oppressors.
One idea that I see clear as daylight is that misery is caused by ignorance and nothing else. Who will give the world light? Sacrifice in the past has been the Law, it will be, alas, for ages to come. The earth's bravest and best will have to sacrifice themselves for the good of many, for the welfare of all. Buddhas by the hundred are necessary with eternal love and pity.
Religions of the world have become lifeless mockeries. What the world wants is character. The world is in need of those whose life is one burning love, selfless. That love will make every word tell like thunderbolt.
It is no superstition with you, I am sure, you have the making in you of a world-mover, and others will also come. Bold words and bolder deeds are what we want. Awake, awake, great ones! The world is burning with misery. Can you sleep? Let us call and call till the sleeping gods awake, till the god within answers to the call. What more is in life? What greater work? The details come to me as I go. I never make plans. Plans grow and work themselves. I only say, awake, awake!
May all blessings attend you for ever!
Yours affectionately,
VIVEKANANDA.
No comments:
Post a Comment