two to tango
What propels us forward as a nation, and what really holds us back?
It would be unfair to ignore the success that has been India. Most of us have been witness to the growing middle class that has increasingly embraced the mainstream. Dreamers from the sleepy towns of India, Buntys and Bubblys, stamping their presence in every way. 'Activating one's own destiny' has become their chosen chant, and one can see its effect in the lines outside the numerous air hostess academies, hotel management schools, media colleges, not to forget the success of Indian idol, Dance India Dance and Star voice of India. Yes sir, its true - brands have become currency, simple living is now passe and outsourcing has some stiff competition in the future. the white tiger is here to stay.
And what makes this change interesting to see, is the other silent revolution brewing in the larger cities. I may be a bit biased here, but I do see more and more people in search of the extraordinary. As if making a sincere effort to 'step away from the mainstream'. So one isn't surprised today to hear an 18 year old wanting to become a photographer, a film make
r, a musician. Changing the system has 
become a valid belief - we ask, question, demand answers not just from each other, but from the men in white starched kurtas and their counterparts in black coats. Rang de basanti, Wake up sid, twitter. Social themes have become progressive to adopt - lead india, jago re, what an idea. And while this search for the 'extraordinary' among the more educated is a direct consequence of our confidence in the nation, it has also revealed some of the nation's persisting problems. Why else would news channels sensationalize every bit of content for higher TRPs? why else would serious topics such as past life hypnotic therapy be used in a frivolous manner to communicate with the dead on prime time? what business does a former convict, wife beater and drug addict like Rahul Mahajan have on television?
As a country, India is living through many life-cycles. Our growing, hungry middle class that is lapping up every opportunity it sees to join the mainstream and in contrast a steadily rising pool of the urban city class that is hunting for newer avenues to stand out, away from the mainstream. And while this path isn't very different than the one taken by other countries in the past, one needs to remember, than unlike the US, we are not as liberal. With every 2 steps that we take forward towards becoming a better, more progressive society, we are held back one step by the same age old beliefs of caste, culture and religion. So with every laurel that we place on Mumbai, AR Rahman and a Slumdog millionaire from Dharavi, we have a Bal Thakrey and his brand of regressive politics. For every Shashi Tharoor who returns to India as a diplomat with a certain pedigree for change, we have a weak political system that prevents him from expressing his views openly on twitter. Fair and lovely is still Unilever's largest selling product, and homosexuality is still a word that shouldn't be mentioned on the dinner table.
I really believe that this 'two steps front, one step back' tango needs to give way to the basics, once again. Basic issues such as caste, creed and culture are still strong enough barriers preventing our progress. It is encouraging to see young, progressive minds like Rahul Ghandhi and Sachin Pilot speaking practical sense on television. It is heartening to see Nandan Nilekeni step down from Infosys and atleast aim to empower our people with ID cards. Aman Ki Asha, whatever people might think of it, is the only way forward, the only way towards a real solution and not war. We need more initiatives like these. More responsible actions from our leaders and influencers in the media. This may take long, but we aren't China - we don't know how to sit mum, while the center cleans up the mess.
It would be unfair to ignore the success that has been India. Most of us have been witness to the growing middle class that has increasingly embraced the mainstream. Dreamers from the sleepy towns of India, Buntys and Bubblys, stamping their presence in every way. 'Activating one's own destiny' has become their chosen chant, and one can see its effect in the lines outside the numerous air hostess academies, hotel management schools, media colleges, not to forget the success of Indian idol, Dance India Dance and Star voice of India. Yes sir, its true - brands have become currency, simple living is now passe and outsourcing has some stiff competition in the future. the white tiger is here to stay.
And what makes this change interesting to see, is the other silent revolution brewing in the larger cities. I may be a bit biased here, but I do see more and more people in search of the extraordinary. As if making a sincere effort to 'step away from the mainstream'. So one isn't surprised today to hear an 18 year old wanting to become a photographer, a film make
r, a musician. Changing the system has 
become a valid belief - we ask, question, demand answers not just from each other, but from the men in white starched kurtas and their counterparts in black coats. Rang de basanti, Wake up sid, twitter. Social themes have become progressive to adopt - lead india, jago re, what an idea. And while this search for the 'extraordinary' among the more educated is a direct consequence of our confidence in the nation, it has also revealed some of the nation's persisting problems. Why else would news channels sensationalize every bit of content for higher TRPs? why else would serious topics such as past life hypnotic therapy be used in a frivolous manner to communicate with the dead on prime time? what business does a former convict, wife beater and drug addict like Rahul Mahajan have on television?
As a country, India is living through many life-cycles. Our growing, hungry middle class that is lapping up every opportunity it sees to join the mainstream and in contrast a steadily rising pool of the urban city class that is hunting for newer avenues to stand out, away from the mainstream. And while this path isn't very different than the one taken by other countries in the past, one needs to remember, than unlike the US, we are not as liberal. With every 2 steps that we take forward towards becoming a better, more progressive society, we are held back one step by the same age old beliefs of caste, culture and religion. So with every laurel that we place on Mumbai, AR Rahman and a Slumdog millionaire from Dharavi, we have a Bal Thakrey and his brand of regressive politics. For every Shashi Tharoor who returns to India as a diplomat with a certain pedigree for change, we have a weak political system that prevents him from expressing his views openly on twitter. Fair and lovely is still Unilever's largest selling product, and homosexuality is still a word that shouldn't be mentioned on the dinner table.I really believe that this 'two steps front, one step back' tango needs to give way to the basics, once again. Basic issues such as caste, creed and culture are still strong enough barriers preventing our progress. It is encouraging to see young, progressive minds like Rahul Ghandhi and Sachin Pilot speaking practical sense on television. It is heartening to see Nandan Nilekeni step down from Infosys and atleast aim to empower our people with ID cards. Aman Ki Asha, whatever people might think of it, is the only way forward, the only way towards a real solution and not war. We need more initiatives like these. More responsible actions from our leaders and influencers in the media. This may take long, but we aren't China - we don't know how to sit mum, while the center cleans up the mess.
posted by yudi at 11:43 AM
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