Saturday 20 November 2010

The only thing good about KBC 3

There are so many things not to like about the gameshow KBC in its third stint. In fact, the first thing to dislike about it is it isn't a 'gameshow' anymore but a reality show which peeks into contestant's personal lives and also has some quiz game going by the side. However, such peeking has its advantages, I'll come to it later.

The other thing to dislike is Amitabh Bachchan, good at times but boring at most other times. Such diplomatic game show hosts put me to sleep. At least it was fun to watch the dynamic Shah Rukh Khan in the second edition.

The worst aspect is the manipulation of the show where people from small towns are given preference to participate as they are the target audience. In fact, in the last episode, there was a clear manipulation of questions too as a South Indian woman was asked a bundle of questions on South India and a Muslim contestant was asked questions on Urdu.

However, there is a bright side to such manipulations. Women who are working are selected in huge measure. Their supportive husbands too are shown. This is a great way to spread the message of equality among genders. Also, if a large section of the Indian masses who throng to watch the show see a husband from a small town openly supporting his wife's career ambitions, it makes a huge difference in the overall psyche of the country.

As I've said before in earlier blogposts, in a metro like Bombay itself, there are rich, well-to-do, educated families who still don't believe in equal opportunities for men and women. Such shows are a slap to their faces. Even women who are undecided to choose between a career and being a housewife can be inspired by the life stories of the female contestants.

Since prime time television is a mass medium watched by millions of people, I hope Siddharth Basu continues doing such manipulations if it helps improve the overall psyche of the country! 

Wednesday 17 November 2010

The 'C' word

I've written so many blogposts on politics and yet, I have hardly (once or twice) used the word 'corruption'. I consider it to be a bit of an achievement because the two words have become synonymous to the point of extreme hackneyedness*. 

Every Tarunesh, Dinesh and Haresh** oversimplifies the problems of this country by saying, "There is so much corruption yaar!". "We need to root out corruption". "Corruption is a social evil." Stupid cliche' mongers!

According to me, corruption is not the cause of the problems of this country, it is simply a by-product! The main cause is us - the voters. We do not take full advantage of democracy bestowed upon us after independence. No matter what skeptics say, we are a good example of a fully functioning democracy in the world. And yet, we botch up our right to vote by taking factors other than governance into consideration. 

We are all so obsessed with the religion we follow or the caste we belong to or the language we speak, that we end up voting for the idiot who panders to our community. Once elected, the idiot knows that his 'corruption' will be overlooked by his votebank since those stupid voters would rather vote for someone who belongs to or favours their community rather than someone who will govern them well and make their lives better.

Now Tarunesh, Dinesh and Haresh will throw one more cliche' at me - " But TINA." TINA = There is No Alternative. I agree, sometimes, while voting, it is between choosing the devil and the deep blue sea. (Damn! this cliche' business is contagious). But keep in mind, the politicians are the most sensitive of public sentiment and if the people are in no mood to listen to empty community pandering, they won't do so! It may take 2-3 elections (10-15 years) for a collective public mood desiring good governance, but it can happen. Take the example of Bihar and Orissa. Bihar, after its infamous days under Lalu Prasad Yadav who was at the helm for 15 years, is now the second fastest growing state in the country under Nitish Kumar. Navin Patnaik is another leader who doesn't pander to any specific community and Orissa, until now a neglected state, too is developing. The right-wingers may also want me to mention one more chief minister*** but I won't since good governance is no excuse for having a basic disregard for the loss of innocent lives.

Also, let us accept the fact the corruption cannot be fully eliminated. However, it can be reduced drastically through informed voters, good governance and an active media.

* - I know, hackneyedness is not actually a word. 

** - Tarunesh, Dinesh and Haresh - Indian version of Tom, Dick and Harry.

*** - Narendra Modi