Since that soul
stirring Sunday morning of 6th May 2012, waking up relatively early
on Sunday morning to catch a glimpse of Amir’s crusade against existing social
stigma has been a routine for the collective consciousness of the intelligentsia
of the nation. Satyameva Jayate was not thrust upon the audience. It would have
been commercially lucrative to air it on primetime, but the intention was not
to increase TRP, but to reach to those people for whom well being of the
society matter, it was meant for those who believe in inclusive growth & realize
that an individual can be a catalyst for change. Hence it was aired in a slot
when only people who are interested will take the pain to watch it. For twelve
weeks it became a part of our Sunday (much like the growing up years, when
Ramayan & Mahabharat used to be a part of Sunday Schedule), our debates,
our agonies, our exasperations and of course our hopes. The canvas was big; the
issues were wider from female feticide to dowry to medical malpractice to
conservation of water to alcoholism to respect for physically challenged individuals.
It covered must address areas from social to environmental issues.
None of these issues were new,
each issue had either been covered by media or activists and they have been
haunting the nation for ages. But the way it was presented with data and facts
with the gravity of the issue was an eye opener. Amir made us revisit those old issues, explained
the consequence of neglecting them and made us aware of our individual
responsibility to arrive at a collective solution. He invited people,
organizations who have been there done that to show that issues which seemed so
hopeless have practical solutions, provided we are conscious of our
responsibility towards society. Each show of Satyamev reminded me of the
science lab that we attended during school days. An issue was stated, the root
cause analysis was done, the far fetching effect of it was reflected and a
practical, workable solution was presented. Some issues like water conservation
can be handled with minimal effort at individual level. If every individual
decides to use one bucket less water a day, just imagine how much water we will
end up saving. If we decide not to dispose of waste in the rivers, we will
preserve a cleaner tomorrow for the generation to come. Before the show was
aired fair price medical shops seemed such a farfetched idea. Today it seems a
simple reality.
In this country we prefer hypocrisy
and use escapism as a shelter. For every problem we blame the govt & policy
and wash our hands off our own responsibility as individuals. No doubt policy
plays a role in a broader sense. But issues like alcoholism can be handled at
individual level. The govt‘s role is to prepare infrastructure for differently abled
people, but as a human being it is our responsibility to respect them and not differentiate
them. How many of us don’t oppose marriage from other caste or creed? Isn’t it
shameful that a country which is moving up on an economic ladder still believes
in the stigma of untouchability. It is
extremely easy to sit in front of television and sympathize with the issue
thinking it is someone else’s problem. But the need of the hour is walking the talk,
to lead by example.
Cynics will always dismiss it as
another show, but it is for the masses and the policy makers of the nation to realize
that unless we deal with these issues and come up with firm solutions posterity
will not pardon us for our callousness and irresponsibility. Team Satyamev has
done its bit by awakening us for twelve long weeks, to bring us face to face
with the impending danger. Now it is up to us to either wake up and act or
remain in our deep slumber and live in a fool’s paradise.
It is my nation, it is my society, and hence
it is my responsibility, period! Satyameva Jayate.
