Jan 30: Rang De Basanti......
Mon, 2006-01-30 10:38 — kauphy
I watched Rang De Basanti yesterday and for the first time ever in my life, I was filled with the weirdest emotion after watching a movie: DREAD. No it wasn’t for the country or the youth or the corruption and apathy showcased in the movie; it was for myself.
As I watched it, I wondered about how long I will be able to tolerate all that was portrayed in the movie, all that the protagonists in the film fight against. This helplessness at the way things are, turning a blind eye when I know I should be giving ‘an-eye-for-an-eye’.
How long will we blame the government for the poor condition of roads, the heaps of garbage all over the city, the apathy towards those suffering and being in need the most? How long will we blame the ‘politicians’ for the state of our country… the polticians whim we have chosen to rule over us through voting and not voting! How long will an average person continue to suffer in silence? How long will we blame or karma, our fate for being born in this ‘god-forsaken’ country? How long will we put religion and castes before friendship, peace and love? How long will we have to live in constant fear of being attacked not just by neighbouring nation and militants but also by those we call uncles and brothers? How long will we be captives in this world’s biggest democracy because of our corrupt system? How long will this democracry, this republic this independence last if freedom to us means ‘taking a leak by the roadside with a fag in my hand’? (exact replication of a youngster when asked what freedom of India meant to him- printed in Pune Times two years back)How long will we continue to grow self centered and conceited and look at bomb blasts, killings, rapes and atrocities which only happen to and because of the so-called illiterate class? How long will we take all of this lying down and how long will doing this keep us sane????
I am not too sure about myself……
Ciao,
Kauphy
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Comments
ibl, bleu , captain
LOL Yeah i think i surprised myself with that. deep pent up frustration, i guess does that to one and all.
ditty and ibl thanks for the link. quite an idea that, but i’ll wait until i see the movie ‘swades’. ardra brings up a nice point abt inculcating habits from home.
For Ms.Kauphy
Ms.Kauphy,
It was nice to read your blog!
Your intentions are to be commended- and hope your passion/motivation does not end with words and you continue to find ways to make a difference…
Now, just a few thoughts…
I am sure you have heard the saying- “an ‘eye for an eye’ only makes both people/parties blind”…revenge never works in the long-term and blood for blood will create- only perpetual cycles of violence.
And ‘power always corrupts’..that is the nature of power (ANYWHERE)!..so no matter- who you elect, there will always be corruption- on different levels…In the US- corruption is ‘institutionalized’in the highest levels…and there are other huge disparities/problems, which you do not have in India. You are still ‘free’ and don’t have to worry about Uncle Sam peeping and listening in your bedroom..and basically there is very little privacy and freedom left!
There are no perfect systems..the moment you mix- money, power and politics…it does taint everything.
I am also not worried about the ‘fag and leak’…which is amusing and unintelligent….so what? If that is all he wants- he is harmless(except for health and hygiene reasons)..and as a Libertarian, I am thrilled- he can still do it and enjoy the ‘personal freedoms’- which no longer exist! I am more worried about the educated, who are full of prejudices and pretenses, self-absorbed (materialism/consumerism) ..I am also concerned about alarming rate of ‘breaking up of Indian families’, unhappy children- who thanks to the affluence and media- are more restless and want immediate gratification..and rising cases of Clinical Depression.
As for dark sides- of human behaviour…(as in rapes), democracy/education has nothing to do with it!
And if I had a choice of a place to be born…I would still pick India- and all that comes with it.
Will end with some quotes from Gandhi, which a friend just reminded me of yesterday (on the death anniversary of the Mahatma)…which are timeless and relevant more than ever before…
” The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the
strong.
What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the
homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of
totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?
The only tyrant I accept in this world is the still the voice
within.
It may be long before the law of love will be recognized in
international affairs. The machineries of government stand between
and hide the hearts of one people from those of another.
As soon as we lose the moral basis, we cease to be religious.
There is no such thing as religion over-riding morality. Man, for
instance, cannot be untruthful, cruel or incontinent and claim to
have God on his side.
There is more to life than simply increasing its speed.
We must be the change we wish to see.”
There is so much more…
Maria
as i read Kauphy’s blog,
as i read Kauphy’s blog, I could “feel” the rage, more so, because, oflate my elder son mouths almost the same lines- esp the “eye for an eye” thing- which as a parent scares me- while I’ve no answers to many of his questions- all I tell him that first and foremost one can do is correct the self- right from refusing to throw a chocolate wrapper into the air from where one stands- or the bus ticket bit -
as for the rest- the sheer multitude is simply beyond the individual- while each of us can perhaps try to inculcate the ‘right’ (?) attitude within our homes…
Ardra
Ah, why don't you join these guys?
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1384411,curpg-1.cms
patriotism seems to be the flavor of the day
while on it, check this out..
http://www.paritrana.org
Be Indian!
Ciao? Isn’t that italian? What about Jai Hind for a change? I can spare 50 paisa.
Haven’t we had enough of an italian ruling over our country (sonia), our food habits (pissa), and now parting shots? This is not patriotism, i say?
Anyways lass, i’ve been waiting for a blog like this, bcuz for one, i don’t think (personally) we as indians give a hoot about where we come from and how we got here? Democracy’ is well nevermind. I haven’t seen RDB but have watched enough movies along the same lines and just have come to understand Shit’s shit. Everyone have the same thing to say “Corrupt politics” complascent administration. Bihar for one from being ‘The Best’ administered states in the country in the early 70’s to becoming the worst in mid 90’s. Nothing happens overnight, except for the curdling of milk.
While an overhaul of the current political system is unthinkable, a revolt is necessary. A revolt from the people as subtle and/or in-your-face as need be, for eg: why pay tax? (Give the finger or get fingered). Totally impracticable, but hell, nobody gives a louusy duck. Bad roads-ride it, bad policemen-pay themn, corrupt politics-cant change em, join em. Thats it, dont wanna say anything, anymore anyways. neither my yap or yours isn’t going to change crap, we’ll just remain pissed off as we were in the beginning.
anyways thank you kauphy, i don’t feel pissed off anymore. Btw, how was the movie?
adios –>
Pradzie...
… that’s a blog worthy comment! Whoa! Every line is a gem!
pradz ..
nice line! … neither my yap or yours isn’t going to change crap
patriotism … what does it mean anyways?
Nothing happens overnight...
…except for the curdling of milk.
That’s a brilliant line Pradz.
LOL, looks like kauphy’s blogs provides a trigger to some of us to get the frustration off our chests…
I must say thank you kauphy