When I first saw the teaser video, it gave me goose-bumps. Honest! I even tweeted it as 'soul-stirring'.The first episode was eagerly awaited. The topic - female foeticide. Aamir Khan hit the mark! What better way to start the show, especially when U.N is focusing on women's issues for 2012. This definitely speaks for the intensive research done for the program.
But what irked me was the audience's reaction. People were shocked and declared the show as an eye opener. But why? Don't people read the newspaper? The same incident of the high no. of cases of female foeticide in Rajasthan was reported a few months ago. There are hoardings around cities against the death of the female child. I have been aware of this issue ever since school.
Then came the rumors that Aamir is being paid 'x' crores for each episode, and that the emotions are fake. Aamir Khan, India's answer to Oprah Winfrey.
The angst was however, settled by my mother. She is a social worker with a women's human rights group. They had been petitioning against female foeticide, and Satyamev Jayate had helped their cause, with Aamir Khan bringing the issue into the limelight.
But then came a second blow with the episode on medical malpractices. I agree that a lot of malpractice does happen. There are so many doctors who have bought their degree. Haven't you heard about a famous minister's elder daughter being a doctor? India has probably the highest density of medical colleges. And yes, action must be taken against such practices. But Aamir, do you understand the psyche of your audience? In India, one rotten apple spoils the entire basket. And that's exactly what happened to the medical fraternity. My fellow doctors were attacked. Yes, what was highlighted in the show is true, but people need to be sensible and not ostracize the entire medical community.
Today morning, I caught the rerun of 'Persons with disabilities - we can fly'. Thankfully, before the start of the show, Aamir requested viewer's discretion (though no direct apology to doctors). Anyhow, the show opened beautifully with the story of Shreya. My heart just went out to her and moved me to tears. Sai's and Krishnakant's stories were so inspiring. Even normal-abled people are not as optimistic as these people. And what their parents have done for them is the greatest gift of all - not giving up on them and treating them as normal people. Why do we fear people with disabilities? What KK said is so right - we can't keep blaming the government all the time, it's also the public's responsibility. Mr. Jawed Abidi used to live in the same building as I do, and it was only due to him that a ramp was built for access to the building. Now others with difficulty in walking are so grateful for that ramp.
For this episode, I truly applaud Satyamev Jayate.
However, I have a dilemma - there are a lot of people who would love to fight for social causes, and even make it their career. But why are social organizations always not-for-profit? Why do NGOs always have to request for monetary help? Why can't social workers be paid MNC salaries for carrying out a public responsibility? (Aren't ministers social workers too, for the country?)
Is anyone listening? Satyamev Jayate is supposedly only airing 13 social causes (as the rumor goes), but I wish they would tackle this too - give business recognition to our NGOs. If the basic resources were soundly based, then these social issues could be better solicited.
The Common (Indian) Man
The big men play their games,
The small men cry in pain,
And in between, are us common people,
Who do nothing but complain.
