The Oscar award winning movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ has recently captured the imagination of people all over the world including in India, thanks to widespread publicity given to it by the electronic and print media. In India, the so called celebrity artists and journalists are busy debating in the television studios whether it was an Indian movie and whether the Indians should celebrate its enormous success. The movie is a typical rags- to- riches story which traces the journey of a slum dweller in Mumbai who ends up winning Rs 1 crore in the famous TV show ‘Kaun Banega Karorepati’.
One would have expected that the success of the movie would bring the pathetic condition of slum dwellers in urban India into limelight and the debate would be focused on ameliorating these conditions. However, as it happens, the whole issue is being hijacked by the so called celebrities to make it Indian movie versus foreign movie issue.
For many middle class and upper class Indian for whom India is still shining, the film was unpalatable because it portrays India in very poor light. While there is an element of truth in the perception that the film became such a huge hit in the west because it reinforced the westerners’ imagination of India being a poor and third world country full of filth, diseases and slums, it is also true that the film actually showed the standard of living of majority of Indian working class and there was hardly any exaggeration. In fact it was shot in the slums of Mumbai instead of in a studio set. So, there was no fabrication of truth. It only portrayed an aspect of India which is conveniently overlooked by the mainstream Indian filmmakers in their urge to make big money because in their opinion, big banner movies shot in foreign locations and generating ‘feel good’ feelings are the recipe to gain huge amount of profit. These filmmakers are now raising eyebrows when some one from outside portrays what is easily visible in any of Indian cities.
Despite its real portrayal of the slums, the film is not exactly about the problems of slum dwellers. It does not focus about why the slums are created in the first place. Instead, it is about a myth that this system provides so much opportunity that even a slum dweller can hope to become a millionaire. As the movie progresses, it also departs from the reality. In reality, a slum dweller in India can hope to gain Rs 1 crore only by involving himself into underworld activities. Even if by chance one wins some lottery as is shown in the movie, it does not improve the lives of millions of slum dwellers in India who continue to live a life unworthy of living by a human being. An ideal climax would have been to make systemic changes to make the life of millions of slum dwellers humane rather than spreading the false dream of becoming millionaire. In many ways, the movie is a reflection of the capitalist thinking which also celebrates the fact that number of millionaires in India is increasing while ignoring the fact that millions of Indians are living inhuman life style. Like the modern day India, the movie also sets the false aspiration of becoming a millionaire rather than becoming a human being. No wonder, we like it or not India is a country of millions of Slumdogs and handful of Millionaires.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Obama's victory-A milestone in human progress
“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step towards the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals”
Above words were uttered by Martin Luther King Jr way back in 1963. 45 years after this speech by King, the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals have led to a great leap forward insofar as human progress is concerned. Barrack Obama, an African American- a community which did not enjoy even the voting rights not long ago, has come to occupy the most powerful post in the world, the decisions of which have the largest impact any human institution can have on humanity. Only time will tell whether Obama will live up to the expectations of so many people, but the victory of Obama is indeed the triumph of humanity at large as it has concluded the debate on race forever and has proved beyond doubt that the colour of ones skin is just incidental to human personality, the core of which remains the content of one’s character. While we rejoice the Obama victory, we should also be mindful of the fact that it was an outcome of the sacrifices and struggle of hundreds of thousands of common people. Just like any other achievement of humanity, this victory is also caused by the sacrifice of many unsung heroes whose name we do not know and who have silently left this world but not before contributing for the cause of human justice.
The next generation of Americans may find it very obvious to accept the notion of racial equality, but this equality has been preceded by the untold sufferings of blacks in America where they had been denied the basic human rights in their own country. This transformation has been made possible because of the right thinking people who believed in the ideals of equality and justice remained committed to them despite all odds and despite all the cynicism and skeptism.
We Indians also need to learn a lesson or two from this transformation in the human evolution. Indian society is also ridden with numerous inqualities and discriminations of which the caste based discrimination is the most acute, most exploitative and most ancient one. Indian democracy also needs an Obama like figure who could settle all the caste prejudices once and for all. Some intellectuals in India have compared Mayawati with Obama. But this comparison is unfair as Obama has won not only because of his racial and underprivileged background but also on his own merit which has appealed the cross section of people. Besides, Obama has displayed impeccable integrity so far and transcended the racial barriers. Indian democracy has a long way to go before it can produce a leader belonging to underprivileged section and yet acceptable to all the sections of society. But taking cue from American experience, this human progress in Indian context would require the “tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals” of current generation who remain committed to the ideals of equality and justice despite all odds. Hopefully, such a change will come to India in our life time.
Above words were uttered by Martin Luther King Jr way back in 1963. 45 years after this speech by King, the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals have led to a great leap forward insofar as human progress is concerned. Barrack Obama, an African American- a community which did not enjoy even the voting rights not long ago, has come to occupy the most powerful post in the world, the decisions of which have the largest impact any human institution can have on humanity. Only time will tell whether Obama will live up to the expectations of so many people, but the victory of Obama is indeed the triumph of humanity at large as it has concluded the debate on race forever and has proved beyond doubt that the colour of ones skin is just incidental to human personality, the core of which remains the content of one’s character. While we rejoice the Obama victory, we should also be mindful of the fact that it was an outcome of the sacrifices and struggle of hundreds of thousands of common people. Just like any other achievement of humanity, this victory is also caused by the sacrifice of many unsung heroes whose name we do not know and who have silently left this world but not before contributing for the cause of human justice.
The next generation of Americans may find it very obvious to accept the notion of racial equality, but this equality has been preceded by the untold sufferings of blacks in America where they had been denied the basic human rights in their own country. This transformation has been made possible because of the right thinking people who believed in the ideals of equality and justice remained committed to them despite all odds and despite all the cynicism and skeptism.
We Indians also need to learn a lesson or two from this transformation in the human evolution. Indian society is also ridden with numerous inqualities and discriminations of which the caste based discrimination is the most acute, most exploitative and most ancient one. Indian democracy also needs an Obama like figure who could settle all the caste prejudices once and for all. Some intellectuals in India have compared Mayawati with Obama. But this comparison is unfair as Obama has won not only because of his racial and underprivileged background but also on his own merit which has appealed the cross section of people. Besides, Obama has displayed impeccable integrity so far and transcended the racial barriers. Indian democracy has a long way to go before it can produce a leader belonging to underprivileged section and yet acceptable to all the sections of society. But taking cue from American experience, this human progress in Indian context would require the “tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals” of current generation who remain committed to the ideals of equality and justice despite all odds. Hopefully, such a change will come to India in our life time.
Monday, November 3, 2008
काश ऐसा कोई मजहब हो..
काश ऐसा कोई मजहब हो, जहाँ बस इंसान हो और इंसानियत हो।
जहाँ जिहादी ना हो, मिशनरी ना हो,ना तो दलित हो, न ओ.बी.सी हों।
जहाँ पुजारी,मुल्ला,पादरी न हो, खुदा न हो और खुदा के नाम पे सियासत न हो।
जहाँ दिलों में नफरत न हो, इंसान के दिल में इंसान के लिए सिर्फ़ मुहब्बत हो।
जहाँ बुर्का न हो , पर्दा न हो , हर बंदे को अपनी तरह से जीने की स्वतंत्रता हो।
जहाँ अन्धविश्वाश ना हो,लोगों को कूपमंडूक बनाए ऐसी कोई रीति न रिवाज़ हो ।
ऐसा माहोल हो जिसमें वैज्ञानिक सोच हो और मानवीय मूल्यों का विकास हो।
काश ऐसा कोई मजहब हो, जहाँ बस इंसान हो और इंसानियत हो।
जहाँ जिहादी ना हो, मिशनरी ना हो,ना तो दलित हो, न ओ.बी.सी हों।
जहाँ पुजारी,मुल्ला,पादरी न हो, खुदा न हो और खुदा के नाम पे सियासत न हो।
जहाँ दिलों में नफरत न हो, इंसान के दिल में इंसान के लिए सिर्फ़ मुहब्बत हो।
जहाँ बुर्का न हो , पर्दा न हो , हर बंदे को अपनी तरह से जीने की स्वतंत्रता हो।
जहाँ अन्धविश्वाश ना हो,लोगों को कूपमंडूक बनाए ऐसी कोई रीति न रिवाज़ हो ।
ऐसा माहोल हो जिसमें वैज्ञानिक सोच हो और मानवीय मूल्यों का विकास हो।
काश ऐसा कोई मजहब हो, जहाँ बस इंसान हो और इंसानियत हो।
Friday, October 31, 2008
We vs They
The hate politics is looming large in the Indian political landscape. Our so called representatives are hell bent on adding fuel to the fire and thereby keeping their vote-bank intact. Parochialism seems to be the convenient path to secure the political future and nationalism appears to be a thing of the past. The politicians are on a competitive spree to divide the people on every possible ground a human ingenuity can devise –religion, region, caste, language, region, culture, creed, gender and what not.
However, isn’t it very convenient way to bash only the politicians for all the evils? It is naïve to assume India as a country of innocent people being ruled by tyrant politicians. Politicians are no doubt making inferno out of spark. But the truth is that there exists a spark in the civil society. The spark exists in the form of ‘We are good, they are bad’ attitude. While there is nothing wrong in taking legitimate pride in ones nation, ones religion, ones culture etc. things start taking wrong turn when sense of pride is stretched to the feeling of superiority. Such and attitude convinces the people that their religion is the only way to salvation, their culture is the best culture, their community is superior over all others etc. The politicians only widen the already existing schism between the communities and spread hatred through their propaganda machinery.
So, it does not absolve us of any guilt to single out politicians as demon and treat ourselves as paragon of virtues. We citizens also need to do introspection why there is more hatred and intolerance in the country than ever before. Isn’t it ironic that in the land of Gandhi, the non-violence and tolerance are appearing to succumb to hatred?
It is the historical obligation of the current generation of Indians to keep intact the ideals and values for which our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives. In order to stop the social fabric to rip apart, each of us need to fight the divisive and sectarian forces prevalent in the country by emphasizing on our national identity over all sub-national, regional and parochial identities. It also requires to do away with ‘We vs They’ attitude and internalize the fact that all the citizens of the country have equal rights irrespective of their region, religion, caste or creed as guaranteed by our Constitution. If this attitudinal transformation is not brought about among the people, the existence of our nation will be in peril. Somebody rightly said, “People get the government they deserve”.
However, isn’t it very convenient way to bash only the politicians for all the evils? It is naïve to assume India as a country of innocent people being ruled by tyrant politicians. Politicians are no doubt making inferno out of spark. But the truth is that there exists a spark in the civil society. The spark exists in the form of ‘We are good, they are bad’ attitude. While there is nothing wrong in taking legitimate pride in ones nation, ones religion, ones culture etc. things start taking wrong turn when sense of pride is stretched to the feeling of superiority. Such and attitude convinces the people that their religion is the only way to salvation, their culture is the best culture, their community is superior over all others etc. The politicians only widen the already existing schism between the communities and spread hatred through their propaganda machinery.
So, it does not absolve us of any guilt to single out politicians as demon and treat ourselves as paragon of virtues. We citizens also need to do introspection why there is more hatred and intolerance in the country than ever before. Isn’t it ironic that in the land of Gandhi, the non-violence and tolerance are appearing to succumb to hatred?
It is the historical obligation of the current generation of Indians to keep intact the ideals and values for which our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives. In order to stop the social fabric to rip apart, each of us need to fight the divisive and sectarian forces prevalent in the country by emphasizing on our national identity over all sub-national, regional and parochial identities. It also requires to do away with ‘We vs They’ attitude and internalize the fact that all the citizens of the country have equal rights irrespective of their region, religion, caste or creed as guaranteed by our Constitution. If this attitudinal transformation is not brought about among the people, the existence of our nation will be in peril. Somebody rightly said, “People get the government they deserve”.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
जलाओ दिए, पर .....
दीवाली आने वाली है और फिजाओं में उमंग ही उमंग है..परन्तु अभी भी दीवाली की रौशनी धरती से अन्धकार मिटाने में सफल नही हुई है..ऐसे में मुझे एक कविता याद आती है जो मुझे बचपन से ही अच्छी लगती है..लेकिन इसका असली मतलब मुझे अब समझ आया है....
जलाओ दिए पर रहे ध्यान इतना अँधेरा धरा पर कहीं रह न जाए।
नई ज्योति के धर नए पंख झिलमिल, उड़े मर्त्य मिट्टी गगन स्वर्ग छू ले,
लगे रोशनी की झड़ी झूम ऐसी, निशा की गली में तिमिर राह भूले,
खुले मुक्ति का वह किरण द्वार जगमग, ऊषा जा न पाए, निशा आ ना पाये
जलाओ दिए पर रहे ध्यान इतना अँधेरा धरा पर कहीं रह न जाए।
सृजन है अधूरा अगर विश्व भर में, कहीं भी किसी द्वार पर है उदासी,
मनुजता नहीं पूर्ण तब तक बनेगी, कि जब तक लहू के लिए भूमि प्यासी,
चलेगा सदा नाश का खेल यूँ ही, भले ही दिवाली यहाँ रोज आए
जलाओ दिए पर रहे ध्यान इतना अँधेरा धरा पर कहीं रह न जाए।
मगर दीप की दीप्ति से सिर्फ जग में, नहीं मिट सका है धरा का अँधेरा,
उतर क्यों न आयें नखत सब नयन के, नहीं कर सकेंगे ह्रदय में उजेरा,
कटेंगे तभी यह अँधरे घिरे अब, स्वयं धर मनुज दीप का रूप आए
जलाओ दिए पर रहे ध्यान इतना अँधेरा धरा पर कहीं रह न जाए।
-गोपालदास "नीरज
जलाओ दिए पर रहे ध्यान इतना अँधेरा धरा पर कहीं रह न जाए।
नई ज्योति के धर नए पंख झिलमिल, उड़े मर्त्य मिट्टी गगन स्वर्ग छू ले,
लगे रोशनी की झड़ी झूम ऐसी, निशा की गली में तिमिर राह भूले,
खुले मुक्ति का वह किरण द्वार जगमग, ऊषा जा न पाए, निशा आ ना पाये
जलाओ दिए पर रहे ध्यान इतना अँधेरा धरा पर कहीं रह न जाए।
सृजन है अधूरा अगर विश्व भर में, कहीं भी किसी द्वार पर है उदासी,
मनुजता नहीं पूर्ण तब तक बनेगी, कि जब तक लहू के लिए भूमि प्यासी,
चलेगा सदा नाश का खेल यूँ ही, भले ही दिवाली यहाँ रोज आए
जलाओ दिए पर रहे ध्यान इतना अँधेरा धरा पर कहीं रह न जाए।
मगर दीप की दीप्ति से सिर्फ जग में, नहीं मिट सका है धरा का अँधेरा,
उतर क्यों न आयें नखत सब नयन के, नहीं कर सकेंगे ह्रदय में उजेरा,
कटेंगे तभी यह अँधरे घिरे अब, स्वयं धर मनुज दीप का रूप आए
जलाओ दिए पर रहे ध्यान इतना अँधेरा धरा पर कहीं रह न जाए।
-गोपालदास "नीरज
Friday, October 10, 2008
The significance of Dusshra for an agnostic
Being a true agnostic, I do not get the same feeling of reverence and devotion on seeing an idol of Goddess Durga or Lord Ram which a devout Hindu normally gets.So, for me, Navratri and Dusshra do not bring any special joy to my life. However, I strongly believe in the message these festivals represent. The victory of good over evil, which is symbolically represented by these festivals, is the root of human conscience.All religions originate with the pursuit of goodness and benevolence.However, as it happens, over a period of time, all religions have the tendency to degenerate into meaningless rites and rituals and the true message and motive behind the religion is lost somewhere.The unquestioned and blind faith in any religion enables the vested interests to exploit the religious feelings of masses for their narrow sectarian ends.
The increasing communalisation of Indian society where there is a frantic race for proving ones religion as the best one is a manifestation of this phenomenon. While the symbolism of the festivals is necessary to reinforce the pursuit of goodness, the believers should also extend this symbolism to their day to day life as well and understand the true message of their religion.As an agnostic, I may not worship Lord Ram's idol, but I definitely try to imbibe the values which Ram represents. This is not because I am accidently born to a Hindu family but because these values of compassion, love,morality,commitment appeal to my human conscience. So when I greet my friends on dusshra, I also wish that the spirit of goodness spreads wide and deep and not just remains confined to the symbolism.
The increasing communalisation of Indian society where there is a frantic race for proving ones religion as the best one is a manifestation of this phenomenon. While the symbolism of the festivals is necessary to reinforce the pursuit of goodness, the believers should also extend this symbolism to their day to day life as well and understand the true message of their religion.As an agnostic, I may not worship Lord Ram's idol, but I definitely try to imbibe the values which Ram represents. This is not because I am accidently born to a Hindu family but because these values of compassion, love,morality,commitment appeal to my human conscience. So when I greet my friends on dusshra, I also wish that the spirit of goodness spreads wide and deep and not just remains confined to the symbolism.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
क्या यह गाँधी के सपनों का भारत है?
अहिंसा से जूझता हुआ भारत,
धार्मिक उन्माद में डूबा हुआ भारत,
असत्य को सत्य पर विजयी देखता भारत,
धर्म, जाति और क्षेत्र पर बँटा भारत,
पर्यावरण को नष्ट करता हुआ भारत,
भ्रष्टाचार में लिप्त भारत,
क्या यह गाँधी के सपनों का भारत है?
हरगिज़ नहीं यह भारत तो गाँधी से बहुत दूर जा चुका है।
यहाँ गाँधी महज इतिहास पुरूष बनकर रह गए हैं,
सरकारी दफ्तरों में फोटो लगाकर और
गाँधी जयंती को ड्राई डे मनाकर ही सीमित हो गई है,
गाँधी की विरासत इस भारत में.
धार्मिक उन्माद में डूबा हुआ भारत,
असत्य को सत्य पर विजयी देखता भारत,
धर्म, जाति और क्षेत्र पर बँटा भारत,
पर्यावरण को नष्ट करता हुआ भारत,
भ्रष्टाचार में लिप्त भारत,
क्या यह गाँधी के सपनों का भारत है?
हरगिज़ नहीं यह भारत तो गाँधी से बहुत दूर जा चुका है।
यहाँ गाँधी महज इतिहास पुरूष बनकर रह गए हैं,
सरकारी दफ्तरों में फोटो लगाकर और
गाँधी जयंती को ड्राई डे मनाकर ही सीमित हो गई है,
गाँधी की विरासत इस भारत में.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
वतन की तरक्की तो आवाम से होती है!!
पर आवाम तो अभी भी भूख, भ्रष्टाचार और भय से मुक्ति नही पायी है।
तो क्या चन्द लोगों की तरक्की को वतन की तरक्की समझना एक बड़ी भूल नहीं?
Thursday, September 18, 2008
End of "End Of History"
As the Capitalism passes through its worst crisis after its triumph over Communism, the time seems to be ripe for a totally different approach to solving the problems of man kind. Whether the Capitalism will survive the onslaught is debatable, but one thing is sure that the idea of "End Of History" has lost its relevance completely.
Who knows, from the ashes of Capitalism would emerge a new ideology. For want of a better word, we can name it "Humanism". But, certainly, it will not find acceptance before a prolonged period of turmoil in which we are living in.
Who knows, from the ashes of Capitalism would emerge a new ideology. For want of a better word, we can name it "Humanism". But, certainly, it will not find acceptance before a prolonged period of turmoil in which we are living in.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Reality Check
Are we growing as an economy..definitely yes!!
Are we developing as a nation..probably yes!!
Are we modernising as a society ..perhaps yes!!
Are we preserving our tradition..yes and no!!
Are we becoming better human being..surely not!!
So, isn't it time to make a reality check in this mindless rat race for growth to ensure that not only we grow as an economy and society but each of us become better human being individually??
The question is open...
Are we developing as a nation..probably yes!!
Are we modernising as a society ..perhaps yes!!
Are we preserving our tradition..yes and no!!
Are we becoming better human being..surely not!!
So, isn't it time to make a reality check in this mindless rat race for growth to ensure that not only we grow as an economy and society but each of us become better human being individually??
The question is open...
Friday, May 2, 2008
Rendezvous with Bay of Bengal
This weekend I happened to see the Bay of Bengal for the first time in my life. It was a mesmerizing experience to gauge the enormous force of nature. Actually, I went to Ongole in A.P. to attend the wedding of one my colleagues. Although, I had seen the Arabian Sea in the past, but didn’t get chance so far to see the magnificent Bay Of Bengal. The first glance of the sea itself gave me the uncanny feeling of infinity. The magnificent waves of the ocean were moving towards the shore with perilous speed and in monstrous form. Ongole was one the places hit by the Tsunami in December 2004. I wondered how powerful and magnificent the Tsunami waves would be if the normal waves of this nature. I also realized why it is said that the ocean is the last resort of humanity for its food and energy needs. As the resources at the land get depleted to irreversible extent, ocean is indeed the only adequate source to fulfill the enormous needs of food and energy to sustain the teeming human population. Greater investment is called for to develop technologies to tap the potential of the ocean. However, while doing so, the sustainability of the ocean eco-system should be of the paramount importance. The blunders of the past with respect to the technologies and practices which led to ecological disasters should not be repeated. The exploitation of ocean’s potential in a sustainable manner in the greater interest of the man kind is a compelling need to solve the problems of poverty, hunger and malnutrition.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
