Monday, May 07, 2012

Satyamev Jayate

Satyamev Jayate - Truth  Alone Triumphs
This was the new show going to be aired on a lazy summer Sunday morning. The show had an air of mystery about it. Touted as a reality show, with a big name anchor, being simulcast also on DD-National. Promos gave the feel of a travel show. But overall the content was a rather well-kept mystery. All in all enough to have drawn one's attention to the show.
So Sunday morning, there was me and my wife plonked in front of the TV. A few minutes into the show and the picture became clear. This was more of a talk show with focus on the social issues facing India (a good idea in itself) with "female foeticide" being the issue discussed in this episode. A few more minutes down the line, it became too depressing to watch for us. And we switched channels, watched some meaningless stuff and went on with the Sunday activities.
But the story doesn't end here. Sometime later in the evening, while doing more channel surfing, we caught up with the repeat telecast on Star Pravah (the marathi channel). There was a different segment going on. We watched it, talked about it and then moved on to other things.
Makes us sound like people who think it is the others problems. But herein lies the impact of this show. We found ourselves talking on the subject of "female foeticide" quite a few times during the day. Discussed the film "Matrubhoomi" which had also covered this harsh reality about a village without women. Satyamev Jayate and female foeticide were the key discussion points on facebook and twitter all day. So yes, the impact has been there.
Now that the issue is out in the open, and people are talking about it, what is the next step? After all, we do like to outrage over a lot of things. And a declining gender ratio wasn't any new topic. There was a text poll conducted to ask Rajasthan Government to set up a fast-track court to tackle "female foeticide". I texted "Y" to the number (5782711). But I am cynical about how the thing works out. I don't think there is anyone out there, who would vote a "No". Many will vote a "Yes", and most won't care. But the question remains, can a SMS campaign make a government setup a fast-track court?
And as for the individual effort, I texted the "Y". Thought about the subject, talked about it, and am absolutely sure, I wouldn't be interested in knowing the gender of the future kid. But is that all that one can think about at an indivdual level.
The show certainly raised questions. And uncomfortable ones at that. And public awareness on an unconfortable issue was also raised. The desire to have a boy child and the murder of the girl child. But what about the solution. I don't know the solution but it certainly won't be through an SMS campaign or internet outrage.

P.S. A twisted thought - Female foeticide will most certainly reduce the population in a few years with less and less females. Maybe an indirect population control method.

4 comments:

Peyush said...

I think, an SMS campaign may/should force Government to take a decision; and why not... We are here talking about a democracy... How representative it might be, at the end of the day it's people who have to decide for themselves!
Regarding the separate fast-track courts for female foeticide, I'm more worried about the availability of judges as currently India is facing an acute shortage of the same.
Anyways, what I feel more important is- change of mindset because courts and all would follow the route of punishment. For every bad cop, there has to be a good cop. So there should be some initiatives in the direction of changing that mindset, which I think may happen with Satyamev Jayate.
We all very well know that Aamir Khan is a great marketeer and also garners a lot of adoration from his countrymen. If somebody like him dedicates a full episode for a cause, it is bound to grab eyeballs (a lot of them). How minute it might be, but these eyeballs will bring some change.
Despite a certian lack of entertainment value (thought that 35-men segment and closing song were interesting), I feel that this show has the potential. I'm currently keeping my optimism in check and hoping for at least a couple of small moves towards solving any of the social issues.
For measuring success w.r.t its objectives, we'll have to wait for another month by which time Satyamev Jayate would be garnering TRPs on its own (not on a/c of Aamir's aura) & some solutions would be in implementation phase.

connasys said...

amir khan has done very well job in his first television show "satyamev jayate" it was really gr8 episode to watch and it reminds me the movie RIWAYAT which was also based on female foeticide... if you really wanted to chk out that movie go visit: http://riwayatmovie.com/ this site

niponbdk said...

" ME AND MY SISTER " --- The Assamese feature film which will release on 29th june 2012. The film deals with the impact of the act of female foeticide on the child. An educated couple are shown to be troubled , harassment of women and panic at the thought that their coming child would be a girl. They even think of killing the foetus. The internal conflicts and anxiety of the pregnant women throws light on the issue. But as , it happens, the woman bears the foetus of twins, a MALE and a FEMALE. The twins talk inside the womb about the world outside where women are not secure. The story artistically depicts today's burning social issue like female foeticide, stressing specially on the rights of woman in the perspective of the changes taking place in the 21st century. The film , shot in Cinemascope 35mm , Story, concept and Produce by Nipon Dholua under banner NBDK PRODUCTION.

The Synopsis
The film, ‘Me and My Sister’, deals with the impact of the act of female foeticide on a child.
Geetartha, Chandana and their only son Akash are living their life with all happiness. Chandana is carrying and is now at primary stage. Geetartha makes sincere efforts to boost up her spirit and confidence while Dr Jharna, a gynecologist and their family friend, provides her with all medical care to ensure smooth and safe birth of the unborn.
A responsible government officer, Geetartha, one day finds a young lady refusing to accept the award ‘Woman of the Year’, a state award of high esteem. Back home, Geetartha shares his feelings with Chandana, who, on hearing the name of the lady and then seeing her photograph, comes to know that Dolly, the lady, was her best friend during college days.
Chandana is deeply concerned about the trauma and agony in the life of Dolly and her little daughter Shikha. Along with her husband Geetartha and son Akash, Chandana provides mental support to Dolly and thus she becomes involved with Dolly’s life. Sometimes, one or two disturbing incidents in Dolly’s day-to-day life fetch Chandana mental anxiety, tension which is harmful for her at this very stage of pregnancy.
In the mean time, Dr Jharna after a routine check up of Chandana finds that she is carrying a twins. This makes both Chandana and Geetartha ecstatic. But Akash is more excited about his sister to be born.

Days pass on and the event of the award presentation function is nearing. Dolly is adamant in her decision not to receive the award because she does not believe that this award could neither change whatever already has happened to her life nor will bring any change to her future life. She simply and silently leaves the township along with her little daughter Shikha.
One day, Chandana suddenly falls ill and starts feeling labour pain. At the hospital Dr Jharna tells Geetartha that she is not in a condition now to deliver birth to two babies, and, therefore, one baby in her womb has to be spoiled. Geetartha has no other means for the sake of life of Chandana.
When Chandana is taken to operation theatre, Dolly and Shikha drop in at the hospital. Geetartha, stunned on seeing Dolly after her sudden disappearance, is elated to know that Dolly has come back only to receive the award which will be presented in a glamorous function that evening by the Chief Minister. Dolly tells Geetartha that she will receive the award not for her but for and on behalf of Chandana, the lady who has undergone so much of pain and agony while standing beside unfortunate Dolly and Shikha. 
The operation is successful and it fetches Chandana another son. Geetartha is happy to see his wife Chandana alive perfectly and also to find one more son coming to his family. Back home in Geetartha-Chandana’s place, Akash still waits for his sister who, in fact, was already committed from their life. Forever……………………………….
Cast
Prastuti Parashar, Barsharani Bishaya, Samar Hazarika, Gyanendra Pallab,
" Child Artists "
Dishan Dholua , ,Birina
Mob : 09435049526

niponbdk said...

" ME AND MY SISTER " --- The Assamese feature film which will release on 29th june 2012. The film deals with the impact of the act of female foeticide on the child. An educated couple are shown to be troubled , harassment of women and panic at the thought that their coming child would be a girl. They even think of killing the foetus. The internal conflicts and anxiety of the pregnant women throws light on the issue. But as , it happens, the woman bears the foetus of twins, a MALE and a FEMALE. The twins talk inside the womb about the world outside where women are not secure. The story artistically depicts today's burning social issue like female foeticide, stressing specially on the rights of woman in the perspective of the changes taking place in the 21st century. The film , shot in Cinemascope 35mm , Story, concept and Produce by Nipon Dholua under banner NBDK PRODUCTION.

The Synopsis
The film, ‘Me and My Sister’, deals with the impact of the act of female foeticide on a child.
Geetartha, Chandana and their only son Akash are living their life with all happiness. Chandana is carrying and is now at primary stage. Geetartha makes sincere efforts to boost up her spirit and confidence while Dr Jharna, a gynecologist and their family friend, provides her with all medical care to ensure smooth and safe birth of the unborn.
A responsible government officer, Geetartha, one day finds a young lady refusing to accept the award ‘Woman of the Year’, a state award of high esteem. Back home, Geetartha shares his feelings with Chandana, who, on hearing the name of the lady and then seeing her photograph, comes to know that Dolly, the lady, was her best friend during college days.
Chandana is deeply concerned about the trauma and agony in the life of Dolly and her little daughter Shikha. Along with her husband Geetartha and son Akash, Chandana provides mental support to Dolly and thus she becomes involved with Dolly’s life. Sometimes, one or two disturbing incidents in Dolly’s day-to-day life fetch Chandana mental anxiety, tension which is harmful for her at this very stage of pregnancy.
In the mean time, Dr Jharna after a routine check up of Chandana finds that she is carrying a twins. This makes both Chandana and Geetartha ecstatic. But Akash is more excited about his sister to be born.

Days pass on and the event of the award presentation function is nearing. Dolly is adamant in her decision not to receive the award because she does not believe that this award could neither change whatever already has happened to her life nor will bring any change to her future life. She simply and silently leaves the township along with her little daughter Shikha.
One day, Chandana suddenly falls ill and starts feeling labour pain. At the hospital Dr Jharna tells Geetartha that she is not in a condition now to deliver birth to two babies, and, therefore, one baby in her womb has to be spoiled. Geetartha has no other means for the sake of life of Chandana.
When Chandana is taken to operation theatre, Dolly and Shikha drop in at the hospital. Geetartha, stunned on seeing Dolly after her sudden disappearance, is elated to know that Dolly has come back only to receive the award which will be presented in a glamorous function that evening by the Chief Minister. Dolly tells Geetartha that she will receive the award not for her but for and on behalf of Chandana, the lady who has undergone so much of pain and agony while standing beside unfortunate Dolly and Shikha. 
The operation is successful and it fetches Chandana another son. Geetartha is happy to see his wife Chandana alive perfectly and also to find one more son coming to his family. Back home in Geetartha-Chandana’s place, Akash still waits for his sister who, in fact, was already committed from their life. Forever……………………………….
Cast
Prastuti Parashar, Barsharani Bishaya, Samar Hazarika, Gyanendra Pallab,
" Child Artists "
Dishan Dholua , ,Birina
Mob : 09435049526