A few thoughts on a couple of things…both topping the news channels about a week
ago.
First off, I have heard and read enough about Dr. Rajkumar’s death. For those not in the know, Rajkumar is Kannada cinema’s best-loved actor, got a honorary doctorate, got himself a free vacation at the expense of infamous sandalwood smuggler Veerappan, and played a 26 year old in a film when he himself was a 70-year old grandfather. And did I mention, was elevated to a status of demi-god by his fans?
From the looks of it, Bangalore (to make a generalization) cannot accept the basic processes of nature: lifa and death…after news of Rajkumar’s death spread, thousands of (supposed) fans took to the streets and burned down busses, beat up cops (who were in no position to even tackle, let alone handle, the situation). The city went crazy for a couple of days…I was watching the footage on the news channels closely for the expressions on the mob’s faces…one bugger, who managed to climb onto the ambulance carrying his mortal remains, had this expression: LOOK AT ME! I GOT ON TO RAJUMKAR’S HEARSE VAN! AM I A PRIZE IDIOT OR WHAT?
Or maybe, as NDTV’s Nupur Basu had to say, that this anger was against the system…it was just waiting for an outlet. Rajkumar’s death provided that spark, which caused all the mob fury…coz when you think about it, what was the fury against?
And for Numero two…
Ms. Medha Patkar, I salute you. For twenty days, you fasted for 3500 families in the most godforsaken parts of the country, with no personal gain, except maybe a sense of satisfaction…for twenty (or more) years, you have supported the cause of the Narmada Bachao Andolan, for what? For the noble notions of helping the poor, and making a difference to the society…for giving a voice to those unlettered masses, whose sole way of making a living for themselves is tilling their fields, and who know not any other way of life…for people whose familiarity with a Big Mac ranks alongside my familiarity of the methods of growing rice…
After Gandhi, its taken a long time for someone to go on a hunger strike for a cause (and no, I do not include Narendra Modi’s a-few-minutes-fast…)…I hope that your efforts for the people of the Narmada valley are not in vain…and I leave you with this…
SATYAMEVA JAYATE
LET TRUTH PREVAIL
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3 comments:
ppl just need a small spark to create a fire about nothing just for the heck of getting noticed.. this time the spark was rajkumar.. the problem with our country is the ever increasing people that we have... most of whom are totally jobless and would do just about anything to feel important..
and yes ofcourse hats off to medha
she deserves more than just that...and what does she get for her twenty years of struggle?? the dam's height is going to increase no matter what.. and not to forget the rehabilitation work that is promised to be done in three months..
three months my foot.. they wouldnt be able to do it it three decades..
to start off with,nice post!
i kinda agree with wat nupur basu's comment on NDTV.yet another thought finds way to my mind.
Do the political parties themselves,ve sth to do with the roits?not weird actually;just like the indian crabs pulling down the rising crab.
i dont believe...the cops werent prepared...no shields either?
the chaos was expected...even five years before..wen the kidnapping took place, i remember being in the vicinity of a burning bus!
Medha Patkar..well,Hats off to her!if the judgement passed takes shape or not;irrespective,she has awoken a genuine thought in many minds(some of those leaving their comments here).
Personally, i really wish her efforts dont go to the bin!
Chetna.
of this: i'd like to add on based on another footage. the ppl causing the violence and blocking the path of the hearse van all of a sudden started waving, shouting and smiling when they saw the "camera" (nice way to express grief)
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