I'm writing this as i'm seeing the Home Minister of our country at a Press Conference, addressing the media about the steps taken in the Delhi Gangrape case. It has become a huge issue, with many facets. One of the most prestigious places of our democracy, the Parliament, has seen an unprecedented gathering of youth. This reminds me of the black and white footage i saw, of dhoti clad Indians being lathi charged by British controlled police, during Independence. Today, Lee and Nike wearing guys and girls of Delhi got the same treatment, with a dose of the modern tear gas. Incredible India indeed!
Flashback to the Arab spring, where the youth led an entire region's fight against repression. Facebook, Twitter and Youtube emerged as the new tools of getting your voice heard. Voices of support, whether its cut and paste comments or candle lights, are being channeled through the same tools. We have found our Arab Spring, although this is about the right of women to walk on the streets, heads held high. It is a fight for emancipation of women.
Having said that, a word of caution. Arab Spring ushered a new beginning. But those countries haven't got back on their feet. Egypt, Tunisia and Syria are still under turmoil. Protests make good footage on the 9'o clock news, but history teaches us otherwise. Change begins from within. Change begins with an idea. An idea that leads to us to believe women are humans, beautiful and caring.
This situation is similar to the song of the Minions, from the Indespicables. The two guys on the front are our courts and the police. They echo what each other says, never trying to even have a look at each other. The guy at the back is the government, who lends background voice and tries to raise his above others, making sure they are numbed out.
The last person, who blows the paper whistle, is you and me. It's us. We try to work with all the three. We play along and do our best to better the society, only to realize that we are frowned upon and our expected to shut up. When we do try to keep going, we are slapped.
Happy Indian New Year my friend.
Flashback to the Arab spring, where the youth led an entire region's fight against repression. Facebook, Twitter and Youtube emerged as the new tools of getting your voice heard. Voices of support, whether its cut and paste comments or candle lights, are being channeled through the same tools. We have found our Arab Spring, although this is about the right of women to walk on the streets, heads held high. It is a fight for emancipation of women.
Having said that, a word of caution. Arab Spring ushered a new beginning. But those countries haven't got back on their feet. Egypt, Tunisia and Syria are still under turmoil. Protests make good footage on the 9'o clock news, but history teaches us otherwise. Change begins from within. Change begins with an idea. An idea that leads to us to believe women are humans, beautiful and caring.
This situation is similar to the song of the Minions, from the Indespicables. The two guys on the front are our courts and the police. They echo what each other says, never trying to even have a look at each other. The guy at the back is the government, who lends background voice and tries to raise his above others, making sure they are numbed out.
The last person, who blows the paper whistle, is you and me. It's us. We try to work with all the three. We play along and do our best to better the society, only to realize that we are frowned upon and our expected to shut up. When we do try to keep going, we are slapped.
Happy Indian New Year my friend.
Picture courtesy: The Film Stage
ReplyDeleteDo watch the video of the Minions song to better understand this post.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCkerYMffMo
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