Citizens Can!

The "Rang De Basanti" effect is what the media is calling it. People protesting in the streets of India has become an integral part of all TV channel headlines of late. It started with the Jessica Lal case, which prodded on by the media, snowballed into actually setting the wheels of justice in motion--that too in India--a humongous achievement. Around the same time, a group (now that the political party has split) called Lok Paritran was formed and fuelled this new-age subconciousness among the Indian youth. And of course, the anti-reservation issue, which is still burning up blogworld, broadcasting media, campuses, drawing room discussions, and a lot of ink everywhere. This page got so many hits in the past coupla weeks, probably more than our very own homegrown Priyanka Chopra got hit on since she scorched up the screen.

In the midst of all this fire and brimstone, came Aamir Khan's support for the victims of the Narmada issue. Rajdeep Sardesai gushed all over the actor, who was earnest to a fault, and yet managed to charm through his dimples. Read the transcript and watch the interview here. Other news channels also had special programs inviting Aamir into their studios to bravely and gravely voice his opinion not on Bollywood, or matters of the heart, or the debacle of Fanaa, but to hear him speak on current affairs. Khushboo, however, got a raw deal and tearfully rendered a public apology for what some termed her "outspokenness" in the media. The irony was that this was the same southern state that had deified this actress by constructing a temple in her name!

Are they for real? Back in school, civics and history classes were all about freedom of speech and believing in the maxim that "democracy is for the people, by the people, and of the people". In today's times, it seems that this country is only for the politicians, by the politicians, and of the politicians, and minus the people altogether. This might sound naive and idealistic, but seriously, what the heck is wrong with the times we live in?

Public memory is short, but hopefully not for just causes. Hope has emerged just as we appeared to be turning into a callous materialistic tech-dependent generation. There is still some soul left in our hearts, even if the flame is but a flicker. Time will tell if this is just a phase.

[In other news, (since this post sounds like a broadcast feed from a newschannel) I managed to break my toe and am now hopping around the house. All laments about accrued leave have been duly taken care of!]