India, a land of diverse cultures, a land of rich heritage, a Superpower inΒ the making, a growing Economic power. Gone are the days when Indians wereΒ just a part of the audience, watching their foreign contemporaries shellΒ out ideas after ideas which made the world notice them. Today Indians areΒ leading changes from the front. We are globally recognized for the sheerΒ hard work and dedication with which we work.Β We’veΒ crossed unimaginableΒ boundaries, both within ourselves and in the world that we live in.Β We’veΒ dared to dream beyond what we see, followed our ideals and made the world sitΒ up and take notice of what we are capable of. We are known for the moralsΒ and values which we highly regard.Β We’veΒ made a mark for ourselves in almost every known field, in the global map.
And, I am really proud to call myself an Indian, from the Great land ofΒ India, a Nation which continues to grow despite the numerous obstacles itΒ faces.
Now, the question is, will India continue to grow, despite these stumblingΒ blocks, or succumb to the power of these evils which threaten toΒ put Β a full stop to the growth and finally collapse?
When the concept of Satyamev Jayate was originally known, I laughed at it.Living in a Metro, in one of the fastest growing cities in the country,where such social evils are not widely prevalent (or, that is what IΒ thought), all I could think was, βYea, Right. A Television show is all thatΒ one needs to address the concerns of the issues that hamper the progress ofΒ the nationβ. I felt it was being overly hyped and I was curious to know ifΒ it would live up to the expectations of the junta.
I was so wrong.
Among others, In the episodes that highlighted the themes of Female Foeticide, HonourΒ Killings, Domestic Violence and Untouchability, I was surprised, or more soΒ shocked to know that these were not just confined to the rural areas, butΒ also to the urban and civilized areas, which were assumed to be free from such practices .The pride of growing up in a developed cityΒ was slowly ebbing away, not just for me, but for the scores of other peopleΒ who had similar thoughts.
I was under the impression that, at least in the urban cities, peopleΒ prayed for a healthy child and not just for the sex of the child. Today, in thisΒ age when Fathers care for their daughters and treat them like angels, Β without any discrimination, the thought of a few men wanting their wives toΒ abort the child, just because she is a girl, is truly saddening. Β ButΒ the thing is, through this show, we got to know that before pointing outΒ fingers at the rural crowds, the urban crowd first needs to correct itself,Β before standing as a model to the rest. After the episode was aired, a fastΒ track court was approved by the Chief Minister of Rajasthan for dealingΒ with the doctors who were involved with sex determination and abortion.
Satyamev Jayate, spoke about topics which people were not very comfortableΒ sharing in a private conversation, let alone a public forum. The Episode onΒ Child Sexual Abuse was an eye opener for parents who found it difficult toΒ even talk about the issue with others to seek guidance on what could beΒ done. The numerous calls to the helpline that was made , just a day afterΒ the show was aired, goes on to show how many people were stranded leftΒ without any information on what to do , and how that episode put the
hardships of numerous parents and affected children to rest.
When I watched the episode on honour killings and domesticΒ violence, I was forced to get back to the reality and see for myself whatΒ was really happening and accept it. We might be the biggest democraticΒ nation in the world, we might have the most talented people in our midst,Β but this alone is not going to help us proceed forward as a nation. WhenΒ things like those mentioned are still in vogue, how can one expect an allΒ round development from a country, infected (Yes, infected) with people with such demeaning thoughts? As a nation, we have aΒ system. One might question the system and its working, but thatΒ doesn’tΒ give one the right to take the system into oneβs hands. We need to put anΒ end to such cruel atrocities by people who seem to think they have theΒ right to do anything and everything that they wish. So the next time weΒ come across such instances, it is up to us to notify a higher authority whoΒ is capable of taking a right decision, and letting people know where their limits lie.
The most heart -wrenching episodes among others, for me, was the one whichΒ showcased the travails of aged parents and widowed mothers, left with noΒ one to take care. They were mercilessly deserted at the time when they hadΒ to be provided with a mental state of well being and emotional support. IΒ couldn’tΒ bring myself to think of their plight and what hardships theyΒ would have been prone to. Also, it is common to seeΒ that senior citizens are not taken care of by the society and are left toΒ mend their ways, all by themselves. We fail to remember that, the presentΒ society is a result of their hard work too, as a result of which we areΒ able to develop it further.
What is the use of boasting of being a country with high values and moralsΒ when one cannot respect the very people who are responsible for the personΒ we are today? Where is the sense of gratitude for all that theyβve done forΒ us? Is this how we pay them back for having sacrificed their desires toΒ fulfill our wishes? People talk about tackling the threat of terroristsΒ from other nations, but here is something which is much moreΒ important than that. Terrorists harm people due to fanatical reasons. Absurd though it seems, in a way, those people are much better, when compared to those whoΒ desert their parents, purposely inflicting pain on those who love us, careΒ for us, and have spent their whole lifetime, worrying about our well being.Letβs leave the Men in Uniform to tackle the terrorists. We have toΒ tackle these people, whose mere presence is more threatening than that ofΒ an unknown enemy.
Through this episode, a lot was suggested about retirement homes and otherΒ options for senior citizens, to lead the remaining years of their lives, inΒ a dignified way.
One thing about the show was it brought out the harsh reality of theΒ existing cruel practices. It has given us a jolt, and brought us back to what isΒ really happening in the society. I would strongly state that, there hasΒ been a tremendous impact of this show on the society. You do not haveΒ people just watching the programme, right from the aam-admi to the parliamentarians, you have people taking action and working towards eliciting such evil practices which were once traditions!
This show stood apart from the earlier attempts to address the socialΒ evils. What I liked about the show was how so many different issues, notΒ just the prominent one or two that people are normally familiar with, but a lot ofΒ other lesser known, but widely practiced issues were addressed. And notΒ only did it stop from analyzing the problems, but also provided possibleΒ solutions to help overcome the ramifications of what was once done.
Now, the answer to my question.
One might think that a TV show might not bring about the change one wants to see inΒ the society. Yes, but this is just the beginning of a series of changesΒ that are about to happen. With time and with sustained efforts and takingΒ in the positive impact of the show, I am sure that things will improve forΒ the better.
The show has not just lived up to the expectations but exceeded them asΒ well.
A lot is being spoken about these issues, thanks to the awareness brought about by this programme, with time, the excitement is sure to dry up. The issues have been raised. Now, It is up to us, the citizens to take note of what’s happening and work towards eradicating our society from the evils and making it a better place to live in. It’s time we switched our role from being a passive listener to an active participant.
We, as a nation are as developed as our least developed city. So it is upΒ to us to change things at the micro level, to see the impact of it on aΒ macro level. Only then will a nation truly and wholly prosper.
(Β This post has been published by me as a part of IBL; the Battle of Blogs, sponsored byΒ WriteupCafe.com. Join us at our official website and facebook page.
http://www.indianbloggersleague.com http://www.facebook.com/IndianBloggersLeagueΒ )
34 responses to “India. Incredible India it is.”
wow!!! such a hard hitting post. you have not pulled any punches have you? and as you said the show is over, amir has made his money and moved on- but the issues still remain, it is upto society now to decide whether the situation still remains the same when another show comes up or there is even a little bit of improvement. i am keeping my fingers crossed
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great post!
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Its a thought provoking and enlightening post… True, a TV show has kindled some emotions, kicked the butt to get people to think and act on the social issues, rather than hibernating in the state of assumptions and 'why should i bother' types… The analysis and the views you had put forth is connectable to every Indian! I think you had put twice your efforts on this… Total justice given to the topic π
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There have been TV shows in the past which dealt with showing the social evils of our society but what stands out with Satyamev Jayate is it not only raised issues which are still considered taboo, not only in rural areas but also urban. The show has taken up such sensitive issues in a bold manner and tried to give solutions as well. SMJ has definitely altered the mindset of us “Don't-really-care-if-it-doesn't-concern-me” Indians, if not changed it for the better. Lets hope the momentum sustains and as you rightly said, “Its up to us, the citizens to take note of what's happening and work towards eradicating our society from the evils and making it a better place to live in.”
Very well analyzed and a thought provoking post, Ash. π
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well a show can never make a difference , it can SHOW us what is wrong , bring the truth out but WE AS humans need to do our work now..
so what do we do when we see something wrong with out body, lets say we see some bruise , we do something to cure it ..
Same way Now we all know , well majority of the people have seen this show even the EVIL people have seen it, so now the onus is on us , what do we do , do we jsut forget about it as another show and start watching some other show .. OR do we try to cure the bruise ..
I think we as people need to work now , and do something .. The show has opened our eyes to what is wrong now the time is to work and recitfy what is wrong ..
Bikram's
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In my books its a good show minus the sensantionalism it seems to have because the intentions seem to be in the right place. That said, expecting a show to bring about an upheaval of changes in an era in which public memory with regards to a boiling issue is extremely short(sometimes merely days or at best a few weeks) would be stretching the meaning of the word optimism.
Great write up Ashwini, you balanced out the perspective beautifully.
Cheers π
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Actually this show has made people vocal. You're right, we have to make changes at the micro level.
All the best to your team:)
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Very well written and analysed.At least these shows depict the sad realities of life! Best wishes, Ashwini for the contest:)
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Nicely written Ashwini.Good luck
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Hi, new reader here! Very well written and, as you point out; it is up the citizens to make a difference! The serial can only point out the shortcomings!
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Well written. Good Luck for IBL π
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Its a way we look at it Ashwini. India is growing financially, intellectually etc.. Thats one aspect of India. However, the poor are being more poorer and rich being more rich. The divide is increasing. And unfortunately, its difficult to bridge the gap now..
As far as Satyamev Jayate is concerned, it showed us the mirror we didnt want to see. Even I was shocked when I saw that metros contributed to the evils as well! But I personally wanted to show to take the next step, i.e. make changes and show them on air too. I guess the 2nd season will do just that, knowing what Aamir Khan (the brilliant marketer) and his team is capable of..
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Aren't we all keeping our fingers crossed for better things, Doc?
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Thank you!
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Thank you Anand π Thanks a lot.
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Thank you Akshay π Let's hope the momentum sustains!
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Thank you Bikram. Yes, the ball is now in our court now, It is up to us to take things in our hands!
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Thank you :-). Hope the interest doesn't die down!
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Thank you Saru π
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YEs, we get to know what LIfe is all about. Thank you Sir π
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Thank you Sir π
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Yes. It is up to us. Welcome to my Blog and Thank you π
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Thank you π
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Yes Binu, For an over all development, we need a balanced environment. Thank you π
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Ahaa, its nice dialogue regarding this paragraph at this place at this blog, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting here.
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I was suggested this web site by way of my cousin. I'm now not positive whether this publish is written by him as nobody else recognise such distinctive about my problem. You are wonderful! Thanks!
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Well written Ashwini all the best for IBL π
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Well said!
Best wishes for the contest!
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Thank you!
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Thank you Mahesh π
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Thank you π
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Probably one of the best posts I have ever read. π Keep it up!
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Thank You Karthik and Welcome to my Blog π
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great post
thanks for sharing
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