Did it start with Aishwarya
Rai? Some good Samaritans, I presume, accused her of being the center of
attention in a racist endorsement. Personally, at first glance, I probably
would have not even noticed the racist angle because the celebrity roped in is
so larger than life that taking attention off her onto the child holding the
sun guard would have been difficult. At first glance, I would have simply
dismissed the ad as perfect choice of ambassador by Kalyan jewelers and moved
on without being enticed or inspired to buy gold just because ARB or AB endorses the
brand.
But, I am glad, some people
raised the racist issue because it shouldn't encourage a culture of black slave
boys to white maidens or denominate black as a color of lesser mortals in a country
(predominantly) obsessed with fairer skin or be an inspiration to promote child
labor of any sorts. The negative dimensions of that advertisement can be multitudinal
and we are better off banning this ad than allowing it to be another pretext of
use or abuse.
It makes me wonder though
as to why Aishwarya made the headlines? Couldn't it have said Kalyan jewelers
or couldn't the head of the creative team taken public wrath? Unfortunately,
Aishwarya, was an easy, world-popular target compared to the jewelers or the head of
the creative team, and even both together. Fortunately, for the equal opportunity Indian masses,
Aishwarya sporting in a racist campaign would not go well with her western
world fans and thereby the western endorsements. She definitely should know this and that could be bad for business. Nevertheless, I hold her in high esteem for at least having the
courtesy to respond to the open letter.
When an open letter by
Shehnaz Treasurywala marked to the GQ men of India was released, I didn't see AB or SRK or
Sachin Tendulkar respond to that. Did anyone else? NaMo, our present reigning prime minister, is
rightfully addressed on it but till date I can never fathom why was that open
letter written to the others. Have AB or SRK or the God of cricket ever
vehemently supported 'social responsibility' through example? Or have we just
begun to expect too much of our celebrities and hope they would participate in
an independent vested cause with as much commitment as the person who initiated
it?
Aamir Khan probably makes the exception list as a celebrity influencing lives of others via social initiatives.
It is time for a wakeup
call. Let's not pretend that our celebrities will see through racism or women's
rights as clearly as some right minded activists can. Some, like Aishwarya,
will have the courtesy to respond and probably also call the shots to take the
campaign off air. Let's not tell ourselves that all our celebrities are
Angelina Jolies campaigning against sexual violence during the wars or Leonardo
Di Caprios buying islands to save the planet. Let's face it. Most of the
celebrities exist to make their millions, shimmer in limelight until they fade
away. Only some make heroes. If we are really looking for role models who will
walk with us on causes - we will find the Azim Premjis, Nandita Das', Palam
Kalyanasundarams, Kavita Krishnans and Medha Patkars doing their bit through
example. Why ask of people something they have never felt on their own?
However, kudos to Shehnaaz
and every other woman who has come forward with her story of abuse and
violence against women. It has made the rest of us more aware, more alert.
Hopefully, we have more empathy. Hopefully, we will put up a strong, unanimous fight
for women's rights.
Now, another farmer hanged
himself. Another plight that an agricultural country like ours is well aware of.
Where failed policy or funding mix that is in the interest of farmers is to be
blamed, we have found Arvind Kejriwal responsible for death. AK is as
responsible as the man who shot the suicide video. What AK did wrong as a human is
simply continuing the rally in spite of the ill-fated incident.
Today, the other opposition parties
have rallied together to hold AAP responsible. Who should hold accountability
for the incident that happened in December 2012 where an aspiring medical
student was brutally raped, tortured and murdered? She didn't die of choice.
Did we see political parties join hands with the common public and participate
in candle marches? Did we single out somebody as accountable?
Personally, I am an AAP
supporter. But I may be losing faith in the AAP decorum of doings. Apologizing
for a mistake you made is commendable in politics. Crying and apologizing for
public sentiment is just plain stupid. I suddenly have a new found respect in
NaMo's gumption. He bears the conviction of a man who has earned his seat in
PMO. His leadership definitely deserves a commendable applaud to fly back Indians from the troubled Yemen successfully. Of course, it would help India a lot better if he showed as much
dedication to women's rights and equal opportunity, as he does to bonding ties with
Germany and Canada with an incentive to bring home business (big bucks).
Then, yesterday, an earthquake changes
everything. Life becomes a new struggle for survival, especially for a small
economy who is just finding her ground. The security of a roof over the head
disappears. You wonder where will the next meal come from? Hospitals flood with
victims. Probably doctors will fly in for rescues. A few people from under the
debris will make it. Others will have nature's burial. Regular people will find
heroic spirit in themselves to rescue others. Everybody will lose somebody: a friend or
family. Hopefully victims will find support in community. If their politicians
are like Indians in demeanor, they will assess a macro view damage of the
catastrophe from helicopters. I hope, for Nepal's sake, another Brangelina rises
and makes a donation that reaches and addresses the rehabilitation needs of victims.
As a neighbor, this
catastrophe is very real. It is not happening in an alternate universe. The tremors are felt on Indian soil. Celebrities and
politics can go out of the window - at least for some time. Probably not just
yet. While NaMo is planning strategy to rope in business, shouldn't he also
bring in experts or sentiments from Japan who revive their economy miraculously after a
Tsunami or earthquake? Devendra Phadnavis may have won some votes or even
hearts by banning beef in the state (of Maharashtra) and enabling Marathi
movies to play primetime. While I am in a very Switzerland place about both
issues (because they don't affect me and I am sure others are fighting for what they
believe is right) - the real test will be to see how effective his measures have been if the 2015 monsoon decides to take Mumbai by storm!
p.s. Okay, here are my true
feelings about beef and Marathi movies being played prime time. If you don't want
to kill cows in Maharashtra, fine. But there should be a provision of import
from other states for the beef eating population. If you dictate, people can't
eat beef, well, then that's just dictatorship.
If France decided to play
French movies prime time instead of English, nobody would voice discontent. So,
if India is a continent of myriad cultures alike Europe, I don't see a reason
why Marathi movies cannot be played prime time in Maharashtra. It is simply lesser than three hours of a show per evening.
Above all, my earnest
prayers for Nepal and her people.
No comments:
Post a Comment