the answer lies within

“The answer lies within”. No, this is not about the movie Talaash. It is about the current pathetic state of affairs of our country, of women in our country, of how men treat women in our country, of impotent laws for seemingly extra potent men. The list for things that are wrong, terribly wrong can go on and on. It doesn’t start and end with the shocking Delhi gang rape case. And the solutions professed by most seem to be all but superficial to me.

We say we want stricter laws and severe punishment for the offenders. We extend this demand not just for the culprits of this one tragedy, we want it to be made a law. My question is this…say some politician grows a spine and drafts such a bill. Have we elected good enough leaders to make this bill a law? Let’s say we have, the bill becomes a law. Do we have enough police force to catch the bastards every time such an atrocity occurs? Let’s say we have. Are they all honest enough to resist a substantial bribe when they have cornered the animals? Let’s say they are. Is our judicial system (the symbol of which, let me remind you, is a blindfolded lady) impervious enough to not let these rats be ‘baizzat bali’ due to some slimy, tiny loophole?

The point is not just to make a strict law. That is the easy part. It is the execution that is difficult. I want to draw your attention to a similar outburst our country faced some time back. The Lokpal episode. What was the outcome? We protested, the ‘leaders’ drafted a Lokpal. We shut up. The bill didn’t really have enough teeth to make a difference, but it had enough substance to make the common man believe that he had made a difference. What a brilliant convince or confuse tactical move. But the result, nothing.

Please do not misunderstand me. I am not discouraging, or criticizing such demonstrations of protests. I am totally for it. If not anything, at least it gives us hope that we are not the only ones who feel that something terribly wrong has transpired here. Freedom of speech is a constitutional right. But we need to ask ourselves this, are we merely satisfying our egos by feeling that I have made a difference by going on these protests and being a part of these revolts? Or are we really making a difference?

‘Be the change you want to see’. That is all I am trying to say here. All of us are guilty, just by virtue of being a part of this system. Even seemingly harmless acts of ours have repercussions. It has eroded the system. And what we see now are the results of a broken down, ineffective system.

That is why I say, the answer lies within. You cannot force someone to be human. It has to come from within. All we need to solve this and many other issues is Humanity. 

Sons of Ram or Sons of Sita??

Recently, I saw a poster of an animation movie called ‘Sons of Ram’. I am of the opinion that the title is absolutely inappropriate.

Now, I am a guy who is thrilled about Indian Mythology. Like almost every other Indian, I have grown up listening to these stories. And I am trying to become ‘well read’ about this field even. Have read the Ashok Bankers and Amishes, reading the Devdutt Pattnaiks, even reading the original Sanskrit scripts and trying to form my own interpretations (although I must admit, progress here is very slow). Basically, I think I can safely say that I am well aware of the traditional and the recently come to light contemporary views and takes on our Mythology.

‘Sons of Ram’ as anyone can understand is obviously the story about Sita and Ram’s twin sons Luv and Kush. Sita was banished from the kingdom by Ram almost immediately after he returned from the Van Vaas. She gave birth to the twins, brought them up, schooled them, fed them, etc all without the help or involvement of Ram. In fact, Ram was unaware of ‘his’ sons and the twins were unaware who their father was.

I, for one truly believe that the first few years of a child are his defining years. How a man turns out depends almost completely on what his foundation is made of. Considering the fact that Ram had no role in this crucial part of Luv and Kush’s life, is it fair and justified to call them ‘Sons of Ram’? Isn’t it a grave injustice to the struggle, determination and extraordinary success of Sita as a mother?

To me this one simple title highlights a crucial shortcoming of our society. It brings into spotlight the fact that we are unfortunately still living in a man dominated world. Maybe it is not a conscious move by the makers of the movie, but isn’t that a more significant proof that this ‘man domination’ has become so engraved in our mind set that we do not even realise how it is directing our actions.

Maybe I am making a story out of nothing and the only reason the movie is named thus is because Ashok Banker already has released a book called ‘Sons of Sita’. But then, when it has been so long since you’ve written anything, you will grab onto every small little sliver that shines through. ;) 

Generation............Gap

I am terrified. Terrified of what the future holds. Not for me, for ‘man’ in general. Recently, I have had few shocking (if I may use that word) experiences interacting with the ‘young’ generation. (didn’t even realize when I grew out of that). I think ‘Values’ is an endangered species. And we need to work to save it. I love the animals, but I think this is a bigger and a core problem.

A school going kid, carries the most advanced phone (I don’t have a problem with that) TO SCHOOL (that I have a problem with). Tell them to respect their teachers, and they laugh at you like you are performing for them.

I think how you behave on a sports field tells everything about you. Kids these days don’t even know the meaning of ‘Sportsman Spirit’. Teamwork, discipline, these are all forgotten concepts. If you are a sportsman, a true sportsman, you have to know to lose graciously. It’s a sport, one has to win and one has to lose. You give it everything you’ve got, you play to win, but not at ANY cost.

They are not to blame for how they have turned out. They are products of the generation before them. Who, honestly speaking are not so bad. But what terrifies me is this. If we gave way for such a generation, imagine what this generation will give way to.