CSK Fan Posted July 17, 2012 Posted July 17, 2012 MODS please do not merge if possible! The Indian crab mentality and Satyameve Jayete No good deed in India goes unpunished. It's the people who stand up and do something who are pointed at, criticized and hung up in public to dry. We are quite good at this. While we ourselves wallow in apathy, we also cannot stand people who try to make a difference at any level whatsoever. Also, the Indian depiction of a do-gooder is someone who himself is from humble background, one who does not need and would not ask for a reward for his work, one who is weighed by the world and pre-maturely aged. One who cannot or will not raise his voice, except in a whining tone of beggary. It's not a pretty picture, the one we imagine. We never see executives in suits or ties as people making a difference or standing for charity. We see people who have dedicated their lives to the poor without getting anything but few bronze medals as rewards. While such people are to be lauded, this is also why India does so bad when it comes to making a difference and taking up charitable causes. I have seen some insane criticism of the show Satyamev Jayete in the media and on this forum, and from all these I gather, these are the points Indians believe (wrongly) 1) Professionals shouldn't be paid a lot for charity work There were posts doing rounds on face-book about the huge sum Amir Khan was earning for the show. The hypocrisy of an actor earning insane amounts, while talking about people living in poverty was pointed at in glee. But why? We never raise a question when the same actor, earns an equally huge amount for advertising an aerated drink. What's different now? Charity is all about human beings. But good charity is also about smart business. Blindly throwing money has never profited anyone, and never will. Similarly, charity is not about giving to beggars. A good charity is a self-sustaining model. When we have slick people who know their business, the money which goes into a good deed or charity can be much better managed than when we have just amateurs with good intentions. Money can be better managed by people who know how to, whether it's a multi-billion dollar empire or a charitable trust. Which brings us back to Amir Khan. A good business knows why it needs to pay its PR firm and its media person for publicity. How otherwise are we going to attract the best talent into charitable work if we refuse to pay them? Each one of use is selfish enough to think of our own family before we think of helping the poor. Yet, when it comes to celebrities, we think that good intentions should substitute for money? Why? A few millions invested in a celebrity will give much better returns than saving that money on an amateur endorser. This is the reason why all big companies pay multi-million dollars to celebrities for advertisement. Why should it be different for charity? By making this differentiation, we ourselves, in our heart, think of charitable deeds as somehow beneath other business deals. 2) Charity ventures should not be entertaining and dramatic Another point being raised by people was the hype and the dramatic effects on the show. All such shows, according to them, should be conducted in a somber monologue, sans any melodrama or anything remotely resembling entertainment. Since the subject is somber, so too, it's mistakenly believed, the approach should be. Wrong! As any kid will say, even the most boring of subject can be better learnt, with more attention, if the teacher presents it in an interesting way. The show is on a prime channel and competing with other shows and movies on a Sunday morning. Of course it has to be entertaining. No matter how good the intention, or how kind a person, he cannot watch a boring show for one and a half hours just out of pity. It's not humanely possible and only hypocrites will think otherwise. Why else is Amir being paid an obscene amount if not for his attention grabbing skills? The way he pauses and raises an eyebrow for dramatic effect really drives the point home. Even the best of messages, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Bible, were all in the form of entertaining stories. No one would have read the same book if it was just monologues. Charity should definitely be entertaining, to attract the widest of audience and the most interest. Once interest is generated, there will be volunteers and contributions. Imagine the kind of energy youths invest in a program like Roadies. Now imagine the same energy being invested in a good cause. How else would you attract the right, talented people if you do not generate interest and provide entertainment? We have tried the boring approach and failed 3) Everyone knows these things already Then we have our internet enlightened crowd who know everything about everything. They claim that most of the topics addressed through the show are something they are already familiar with. They would be surprise at how less the majority of citizens in India know about these topics. People filter out things they do not like and enjoy. Very few people watch documentaries. Most people see India TV for news updates. These are the people the show is trying to target. Not to forget the hype and celebrity factor. Fans change their entire lifestyle and diet to copy a celebrity. So some of them are bound to follow Satyamev Jayate only for Amir and act out on it. So, in short- first of all, no, not everyone knows all these issues. They are finding it through the show for the first time, at least the true scope and extent of it. Secondly, there is a difference between some information on obscure blogs and news site and the same information coming from a big show hosted by a celebrity 4) Why do people need a celeb to see the obvious truth and act on it The problems mentioned in many of the episodes are obvious. There is discrimination, there is gender bias. Why does it take Amir Khan for people to wake up? Simple reason is, not all people are leaders. The common man cannot take to the street by himself. It's never happened in history. Heck, even to gain independence we needed leaders of the stature of Gandhi and Bose. We didn't simply wake up one day and thought we needed independence, we rallied around able leaders. Now Amir Khan is no Gandhi but he does have a huge fan following and has gained respect over the years as a level headed person. While you and I all know what problems we face, we are not the type to spontaneously take to the street. We need Anna to rally against corruption. So Amir might be the catalyst for people to take some action on the things they already know. If even one person takes some action based on his show, the show is a success (and that has already happened) 5) No actionable The show is all hype and no substance, it does not provide solutions. First of all, that's completely false; from what I have seen, the show encourages people to pay to charitable trusts involved directly with the incidents. It's also got good responses from various fields including the Prime Minister. That's huge. Secondly, there is only so much someone can do. They can raise awareness and some action. If spontaneous action was possible, poverty and ill will would have been eradicated from the earth a long time ago. But even one action by one person is more than what was their before the show. So my view-point is, let us give up on the crab mentality we have harbored for long among ourselves. We always punish and scrutinize the person who stands and tries to do something. Never mind his true intentions, never mind his results, he is still doing much more than the people sitting comfortably at home. Let's respect that and welcome that. Only then can we, as a country progress. If you have so much energy to point fingers and criticize, find the right target. Let's criticize people who sit comfortably and do not lift a finger than those who wants to try something even if it's for selfish reasons. Because the blame squarely lies with the former, not the latter.
Lurker Posted July 17, 2012 Posted July 17, 2012 So my view-point is, let us give up on the crab mentality we have harbored for long among ourselves. We always punish and scrutinize the person who stands and tries to do something. Never mind his true intentions, never mind his results, he is still doing much more than the people sitting comfortably at home. Let's respect that and welcome that. Only then can we, as a country progress. If you have so much energy to point fingers and criticize, find the right target. Let's criticize people who sit comfortably and do not lift a finger than those who wants to try something even if it's for selfish reasons. Because the blame squarely lies with the former, not the latter. It is perhaps not a case of crab mentality but more of misplaced priorities. And so Ravindra Jadeja will make millions while Shankar Laxman (who? thats right) will die in penury. And yet bulk of "intelligent" Indians will wage a battle on IPL, what it means to modern day India and never read up on Laxman. Aamir's show is just that, a TV show. The issue that he highlights is not something we do not know. It is just that somehow visual media has become a medium that we connect lot easily. Not sure when that happened. But its true. Think of possibl times you have felt sad, or cried, due to average day problems of life. Now think of how many times you have felt the same way watching a movie, or TV. There is a far greater chance of the latter happening. Well written post by the way.
punjabi_khota Posted July 17, 2012 Posted July 17, 2012 "No good deed in India goes unpunished" Don't know why, but reading that line cracked me up.
Desi Cartman Posted July 17, 2012 Posted July 17, 2012 Its been weeks since I first read posts doubting the progam, doubting aaamirs intentions and doubting the data he presented. I find it weird that instead of accepting the problems some of us tried to prove him as dishonest and someone who is not following what he preaches. He is divorced so he can't comment on plight of women. Wtf so if 2 individuals decide to go separate ways it's somehow same as husband hitting a pregnant wife ? People miss the point, I don't think he is saying "I'm better than an avg Indian " I think it's more on the lines of "do you know we have this issue and it impacts so many people"
Lurker Posted July 17, 2012 Posted July 17, 2012 He is divorced so he can't comment on plight of women. Wtf so if 2 individuals decide to go separate ways it's somehow same as husband hitting a pregnant wife ? But why did you pick that particular analogy only? Why can't it be a moti saandh aisi biwi doing pitai of her husband with a jhadoo???
Desi Cartman Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 But why did you pick that particular analogy only? Why can't it be a moti saandh aisi biwi doing pitai of her husband with a jhadoo??? because we are talking about Amir khan not Umrao jaan :giggle:
Guest Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 Lol at people talking like these are new problems,no one knows this before and all came out now only because of ST. These problems are there before and will temain after Amir.....
beetle Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 Lol at people talking like these are new problems,no one knows this before and all came out now only because of ST. These problems are there before and will temain after Amir..... Are you saying these huge problems should be ignored just because these are age old problems.What is wrong with putting the spot light on these?
Prakat Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 nice OP :nice: this untouchability business has gone on for too long. wtf!
vvvslaxman Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 I haven't seen any episode. But i have read a lot about his program. There are similar social programs i have seen on regional Tamil Television. Mostly debate style with flavor of comedy. These programs are not going to be flawless. But if it changes even one person then it is a success. Would you rather watch Karan Thapar ranting and raving :winky:
Guest Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 Are you saying these huge problems should be ignored just because these are age old problems.What is wrong with putting the spot light on these? i am not telling you to ignore...u can ignore my comments if its looks in taht way :winky: my comments against posts telling opposing or critisizing this Show is like not knowing the issues...most of these issues known to people any way..these issues not came out because of this show thats what all i am saying forget others,what things people who follow these show done to reduce the issues. you guys may not involve in any such issues but u can raise awareness [not in facebook], work with voluntary organization etc..
rkt.india Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 It is perhaps not a case of crab mentality but more of misplaced priorities. And so Ravindra Jadeja will make millions while Shankar Laxman (who? thats right) will die in penury. And yet bulk of "intelligent" Indians will wage a battle on IPL, what it means to modern day India and never read up on Laxman. Aamir's show is just that, a TV show. The issue that he highlights is not something we do not know. It is just that somehow visual media has become a medium that we connect lot easily. Not sure when that happened. But its true. Think of possibl times you have felt sad, or cried, due to average day problems of life. Now think of how many times you have felt the same way watching a movie, or TV. There is a far greater chance of the latter happening. Well written post by the way. :two_thumbs_up:
CSK Fan Posted July 18, 2012 Author Posted July 18, 2012 i am not telling you to ignore...u can ignore my comments if its looks in taht way :winky: my comments against posts telling opposing or critisizing this Show is like not knowing the issues...most of these issues known to people any way..these issues not came out because of this show thats what all i am saying.. Actually you are wrong, most people do not know the true extent of these issues. For example, I did not know that manual scavenging was such a huge problem in India forget others' date='what things people who follow these show done to reduce the issues. you guys may not involve in any such issues but u can raise awareness [not in facebook'], work with voluntary organization etc.. I know of a couple of friends who have actually started some initiatives, I have also donated to the charities mentioned during the show. And if despite everything, people do not do anything, its not the shows fault
CSK Fan Posted July 18, 2012 Author Posted July 18, 2012 It is perhaps not a case of crab mentality but more of misplaced priorities. And so Ravindra Jadeja will make millions while Shankar Laxman (who? thats right) will die in penury. And yet bulk of "intelligent" Indians will wage a battle on IPL, what it means to modern day India and never read up on Laxman. Aamir's show is just that, a TV show. The issue that he highlights is not something we do not know. It is just that somehow visual media has become a medium that we connect lot easily. Not sure when that happened. But its true. Think of possibl times you have felt sad, or cried, due to average day problems of life. Now think of how many times you have felt the same way watching a movie, or TV. There is a far greater chance of the latter happening. Well written post by the way. So since Tv is such a powerful medium, whats the harm if its used for such shows and charity? Useless soaps can be used to play with our emotions, so why not use the same emotions for a good cause? Yet when someone wants to do exactly that, they draw flak from all sides. If thas not crab mentality, what is?
beetle Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 I really can't understand how people can talk about Indian culture as a great culture when something as heinous as untouchablity and manual scavenging have been acceptable part of the culture.We should be ashamed of it.
beetle Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 So since Tv is such a powerful medium' date=' whats the harm if its used for such shows and charity? Useless soaps can be used to play with our emotions, so why not use the same emotions for a good cause, whats the harm? Yet when someone does to do exactly that, they draw flak from all sides. If thas not crab mentality, what is?[/quote'] ++
Guest Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 Actually you are wrong' date=' most people do not know the true extent of these issues. For example, I did not know that manual scavenging was such a huge problem in India[/quote'] seriously :omg: its reported in news papers regulerly donating to charities is easy part..any one can do that [no offence..most won't do that either] what i am asking is any body working directly with people.. regarding shows fault - i am not telling show is mistake , but people commenting like this is the first time they heard is what made me wrote these posts..all these issues are reported in local news papers/channels from years
DomainK Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 I missed most of the episodes simply because of the timing. I hope they chose a better telecast time for the second season.
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