Today I
saw the first episode of Amir Khan’s debut TV show ‘Satyamev Jayate’
(Truth Alone Triumphs). What can I say? I am speechless, salute him for
his effort that’s all I can do. The issue of gender discrimination was always close to
my heart. I saw it happening around me since my childhood, it happened in my
family, in my neighborhood. I could see it happening everywhere around me. It was
expected that Amir’s show would be somewhat different than others, he promised that and I must say that he didn't disappoint, actually it
was beyond my expectations. It's not only different, but it's also unique.
Many stars made their debut on Indian television before him,
some were very successful, and for some, it didn't work that well, but
all their shows were related to pure entertainment, and relied heavily on their
personality and charisma. I was curious where Amir would stand but he did something entirely unexpected,
he didn't stand in that line, he started his own line. Now we have to
see how many others have guts to stand behind him in this line.
The first episode of Satyamev Jayate dealt with the subject of ‘female
feticide’, the subject closely related to female suppression. The last few
posts on my blog were related to women's suppression and I tried to focus on a few reasons behind so much bias or prejudice against females in our society particularly in India (where I spent most of my life). It's sheer coincidence
that the first episode of Amir’s show dealt with a similar subject. According to
me female feticide, the crime committed openly in Indian society today is a
result of a social mindset which resulted because of centuries of male
dominant environment.
I was shocked to know from the show that it was the government
program that started female feticide in India. In the 1970s couples were producing
too many kids in the hope of having a male child. The government tried to
implement a family planning program but with very limited success. The desire to have a so-called heir for the family (son) was too strong and people cared
little about population growth and its effect. Maybe government authorities
working in the population control department thought the reason behind the birth of many
girls/kids was the couple's desire
to have a son (as an heir to the family). They thought of eliminating this byproduct
(baby girl) for those couples who only desired to have one or two sons (and
were willing to go on producing kids until they fulfilled their desire)
and hoped this would bring population growth under control. They gave them the
option to abort unwanted children (girl children in these cases) to limit the number
of kids and avoid population explosion. Many individuals and organizations
opposed this practice. The government realized its mistake soon and stopped
this practice of sex determination during pregnancy but by that time the damage
was already done. The diagnosis of the problem itself was wrong so no wonder
the treatment failed and apart from that it also resulted in horrible side
effects which turned into a major disease itself. They opened doors for the huge
illegal market for this business. Their plan failed because
they didn't try to understand the root cause of the problem, why do
couples desire only to have a ‘male child’? What is the reason
behind it? Is the situation of females in society responsible for this desire?
Was the government doing enough to support them?
When I wrote in my post ‘Who is guilty?’ I can understand why a woman being female herself wants to abort a female child, why they are so
scared to bring a female child into this world? Did I support their action by
this statement? No, not at all, but I want to point out the reason behind this
act. We all know whatever they are doing is wrong, but then why are
they doing it? WHY? We might think that this problem is more
among the uneducated/poor class, but that's not true, actually in every
section of society, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, urban and
rural, this problem exists. What is that fear? What's the origin of this fear? Are
all these mothers involved in this crime culprit or the victims? It’s a very
difficult question to answer. Many of these females who commit this
heinous act are not offenders but I think they are victims themselves. From
their childhood, they have seen the horror of being
female, and are discriminated against because of their gender. This all stays deep in
their psyche. After marriage, they are supposed to produce an heir for the family
(boy). The pressure is huge, expectations are high and failure to fulfill this duty
is not accepted very kindly. What is the result of all this? These women want to
prove their worth, want to make people around them happy at any cost and be
respected in their families. Their fate depends on what they deliver, male or
female child. This creates that 'fear'. The sex of the child they deliver is key for
their own survival, this forces the mother to get rid of her child, not by choice but to save herself from the humiliation, and torture that she faces after delivering a girl. Yes,
it's shameful but many times she doesn't have a choice. If we can remove
this 'fear' from her heart then we may not need any law to control this crime,
it might stop automatically.
Amir’s show did an excellent job not only in highlighting the
problem but also in suggesting a possible solution.
He didn't just show us the problem, we all knew it, he offered us the
possible solution and promised to be a part of it. That’s what I like about
him; he wants to be there with us when we fight this social evil. It’s not a
fight against a few individuals, or some ruling class, or some invaders. It’s a fight with ourselves, our own people, our own family members, their beliefs, and our own society which is conditioned to think in a certain way and we have to
break that mold without breaking the society.
This program left me not only with tears in my eyes but also with a lot of hope. I knew that I was not alone who is thinking like this
but now I am sure, people are not only talking about this but they are willing
to act. Together we can bring the desired change. I want readers of this blog to think about it,
watch that show if you haven't already, and contribute your share. Remember, no contribution
is small. One person cannot bring the change but he/she definitely can initiate
it. I think Amir and his show intend to do that, hats off to him for doing
this. He alone can't do it, we all have to be part of that effort. And
please don't make this a fight or a war against a few
individuals, hate the sin, not the sinner.
Thanks for reading and please share your views.
References:
1. http://satyamevjayate.in/
(Copyright: Vinay Thakur. Please contact the author for re-posting or publishing)
(Copyright: Vinay Thakur. Please contact the author for re-posting or publishing)
http://leelashakti.com/reality-tv-as-it-should-be/
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This is dedicated to all our dearest beautiful loving sweet... cute dolls like "DAUGHTERS" in Jaipur,Rajasthan.Mumbai,Maharashtra,India And Out Of India..........
Bahut Chanchal Bahut Khushnuma Si Hothi Hai Betiya;
Nazuk Sa Dil Rakhti Hai Masoom Si Hothi Hai Betiya;
Baat Baat Par Rothi Hai Nadan Si Hothi Hai Betiya;
Pura Ghar Bhi Mehak Uththa Hai Jab Muskurathi Hai Betiya;
Hothi Hai Ajeeb Si Kefiyat JAB CHHOD KE CHALLI JATHI HAI Betiya;
Ghar Bhi Lagta Hai Suna Suna Kithna Rula Jati Hai Betiya;
Baabul Ki Ladli Hothi Hai Betiya;
Hamare Saath Saath Apne "Khudha" Bhi kahate Hai Ki "JAB MEIN KABHI BAHUT KHUSH HO JATHA HU TAB JANAM LETI HAI "BETIYA"
superb article "Reality TV as it should be" I loved reading it, thanks for sharing...:)
Deleteminor change in title, I changed the word man with actor...:)
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