Do we work to live or live to work?

Homo sapiens are considered the most intelligent and productive ones amongst the existing species on the earth. Applying their inquisitive brain and analytical mind, humans have gradually evolved and come a long way. Their ever- changing needs are the sole driving force for every watershed development in the history of Human Civilization. Earlier the need was to earn livelihood to support the family and manage two ends’ meal. However, with the passage of time and advent of new information, technology, concepts, ideas and thoughts, the human psyche has widened and so their needs and requirements. In today’s Information/ Technological Age, very often the question arises, ‘whether mortals of present time, work to live or live to work’?

The world has changed drastically, since the era of Stone Age. The highly sophisticated period of today has brought about phenomenal shifts in the life and living of human beings. There is a greater sense of insecurity, instability, hatred and earnest urge to achieve one-upmanship among the people.  “Moolah” rules most of the mortals’ heart and in order to possess it more and more, living, relishing and appreciating life has taken a back seat. Everyone seems to be in a rush to earn more, acquire state of the art equipment and don a glamorous countenance. To achieve and accomplish all these things, people work during the stipulated official hour and then to earn more, do overtime and yet again, are in a constant quest for part time jobs.

Amid this dumbfounding race, people fail to realize and ruminate over what for they have been running so speedily over the years. The obsession to earn, possess and secure more has to stop at a point where from it starts squeezing out the very essence of human life. 

  

As it goes by the common wisdom, one has to strike a judicious balance.

Bandhs, Street Protests should be the last option

Being a native of Jharkhand, the one thing that I have been used to is the frequent bandhs, street protests and agitation since the time I’ve gained senses. Before, Jharkhand’s creation as a state, political parties and aggressive groups used to agitate for a separate state to meet the indigenous people’s needs, and when Jharkhand, finally got created in 2000, the political upheaval only augmented manifold.

Today, the same could be understood for the people of Delhi who laid loads of expectations on the shoulders of the passionate novice Mr. Arvind Kejriwal. Given the unlimited corruption and illegal practices becoming a routine affair, AAP led by Arvind Kejriwal, soon, rose like a messiah for the worried and distressed citizens. When Kejriwal launched his own party roaring to broom out all the corruption from the country, the whole nation went gaga-over him. However, very soon this spectacle vanished and Delhi turned into the heart of street protests, fight between politicians and police and huge chaos. In his 49- day stay in CM office, he was in news, largely, for those reasons, which he was not voted for. Of course, the people of Delhi didn’t vote to see Kejriwal, sit on dharna and exude extreme stubbornness and impatience. Rather, they wanted a stable government with an honest leader.

Witnessing these situations compel us to mull over the reasons and the justifications for such acts. For a common man and woman, Bandh, dharna or street protests with barricades means, nothing more than disturbance and disruption in their daily works, including the emergency services like medical, banking and transportation getting affected. Also, these bandhs emanating from impatience and stubbornness of leaders contributes to humongous loss to the nation’s economy.

By saying this, it does not mean that people should not embrace this measure to weed out their grievances, but more maturity and patience is needed. Apart from this, the agitated groups should look out for better and more effective ways like dialogue with the concerned person/ ministry and peacefully, but firmly, putting their demands.

In a nutshell, disturbing the system and bringing the routine life to a standstill, should be the last option for the change-seekers. It’s high time to realize that those fighting in the name of common men are openly marring their life only.

Are Daily Soaps serving any Public Interest?

The date 15^th September, 1959 has been the red- lettered day in India’s history as on this very day the country attained another milestone with the launch of Television. With its entrance hatched the vogue of daily soaps and serials in India too. Before the historic economic policy of LPG, there was only one channel, viz, Doordarshan, the public broadcaster shouldering the responsibility of informing, educating and entertaining people all alone. However, post 1991; the coming of myriad of private channels transformed the entire scenario of TV industry. This transformation was heavily witnessed in the content of the programs also.

These channels gave way to the idea of never- ending daily soaps with the sure shot success formula of family drama where women held the center stage but their portrayal was very orthodox, narrow minded, regressive and controversial. Almost all of them have only two extreme characters of women, one is the timid, very fearful, ever obliging and fully devoted to the husband and in- laws, no matter how badly they treat her.  Second character that got pride of place in these soaps were negative shades where women staying in the same home bribes ‘bhais’ to destroy her own family members. The reason for such acts are also so common and clichéd.

Today also things remain largely unchanged. It is so ironical and matter for serious rumination, given, the present scenario. On the one hand there is a widespread pandemonium throughout the nation over gender equality and women empowerment. The mass media seems so active and instrumental in voicing and broadcasting these issues as main lead. And, on the other hand, same mass media in the form of daily soaps are replete with old fashioned and rigidity encouraging the narrow- mindedness and ill- treatment towards women prevailing in the society.

The general conviction says that variety offers quality. But, in this context, it does not hold true.  It calls for observation that when there was only Doordarshan we had some very powerful women characters in the serials like Hum Log, Buniyad, Shanti and Aarohan.  Same and much more were expected when there embarked a deluge of private channels in the TV arena. However, leaving some of them, none of the today’s soaps showcases the courageous, intelligent and independent lead women characters throughout the serial. In other words, none of them portrays the characters for which the activists and protesters are fighting in reality. They all succumb to the changing times turning into sobbing wife and helpless women.

Thus, this article invokes greater responsibility from the producers and makers of the stereotypical daily soaps which, in a great way, supports the dual and ill- treatment meted out to women.  It’s a humble request to them that from now before zeroing down on any script on the similar lines do think of something more than just profits, TRPs and humungous buffs for fashionable attires, appearance and opulence.