Indian Cinema -Taking a big leap

Indian film industry is one of the oldest and largest film industries in the world, which started its journey in 1913 with the movie Raja Harischandra by Dadasaheb Phalke. However, with the course of time, Bollywood has undergone a sea change. From Mother India to Peepli Live, from black and white to colour and from mute to Dolby Digital, the history of Hindi film industry is quite vivid and interesting. A variety of characters, a plethora of stories and a range of music have adorned the silver screen.

Indian films have always depicted several subjects and issues pertaining to the society and this is where a major difference between old and modern Hindi films comes to the fore. Think of the Hindi movies in the 70s and the 80s, the storylines of movies usually revolved around some common subjects like patriotism, romantic affairs between two people from different social strata, tussle between two communities, family struggle and melodrama. However, the film industry started witnessing a different trend from the 90s. The movies like Lamhe (1991), Roja (1992), Dil Se (1998), Lagaan (2001), Swades (2004), Rang de Basanti (2006), Chak de India (2007), Taare zameen par (2008) and 3 idiots (2009) were the harbinger of the change. Undoubtedly, all these movies added a new dimension to Indian cinema.

It is true that the outset of globalisation and the revamp of education system in our country have given birth to a new genre of audience. Keeping this audience in mind, directors are nowadays experimenting different subjects in their films. We can hope that this experimentation can open a new chapter in the Indian film fraternity.

With the blessing of technical advancement, modern Indian films have become more technically advanced. The use of the latest technologies in the movie is indeed a visual paradise. In addition, the introduction of Dolby digital sound system has added more charm to the movie-watching experience. We now can hope that counting upon our advanced cinematography; Indian films will be able to share the same dais with western movies in near future.

However, the flip side of modern Indian films cannot be overlooked. Earlier, acting and storyline of a film held immense importance for the success of the film. However, in the 21st century, Indian filmmakers give more importance to the visual appeal of films. In modern days, a film is a complete package, which is also aesthetically appealing to the audience. It is true that some recent movies like Race and the Dhoom series have sold solely on the basis of visual appeal, and not the actors’ performance. Besides, these days the commercial aspect of a movie, many a time, takes precedence over creativity and quality of the movie.

Sensuality is a popular ingredient in modern Hindi films. Scantily dressed heroines are taking the helm of modern cinemas. This surely has a negative impact on young people.

Nevertheless, if we consider the positive side of modern Hindi films, it will not be an exaggeration to state that these sometimes give a peep into our future. In the 21st century, Hindi cinema is no longer a mere means of entertainment. It projects a possible life and captures dreams. These cutting-edge Hindi films hold the ability to mould the public opinion and change the scenario more effectively than political leaders because these films are nothing but a mirror to our society.

Media sensationalism – Is it misleading the audience?

Edmund Burke once referred to the press as the Fourth Estate, which according to him was more important than other three estates in the Parliament. The term fourth estate is quite applicable to the mass media, as the media have always served as a powerful watchdog in liberal democracy, defending the democratic rights of its citizens. However, in modern times, the media have become manufacturer and manipulator of public opinion. No doubt, the media are now a major commercial industry, always run by a profit-driven approach. For today’s media, TRP is the backbone of their success for which, they are even ready to distort information. Quite naturally, the commercialisation of the media has given birth to a new term, known as media sensationalism.

Gone are the days when the media served as a reliable source of information about any local or global issue. These days, increasing corporate involvement in the media industry has added a new dimension to news and information. To grab more and more audiences’ attention, the media are sensationalising stories in various ways. The sole motive behind it is to get people to tune in their programmes and thereby, earning profits.

Different ways of sensationalism:

The media sensationalises stories in different ways. By showing graphic images of events and using emotional voice-overs to state the intensity of a catastrophic event, various news channels these days try to grab the audiences’ attention. This thing especially came to light during the 26/11 Mumbai mayhem when almost all national and local new channels evoked public emotions, counting upon these two things. Likewise, they often use a human subject, be it as footage or an interviewee, so that we can identify with them as a person, which makes it easier for us to sympathise with the tragedy.

It is very true that the media coverage of the terror attack in Mumbai has brought the Indian media’s incompetence and irresponsibility of handling tragic and sensitive situation to the fore. Do we Indians appreciate melodrama, sensationalism or is it media’s perspective?

What is the impact of sensationalism?

Now the question is the whether media sensationalism is misleading the audiences. Truly, sensationalism is hurled at the common audiences, who tend to believe whatever they see on television. This sensationalist news sometime creates fear or hatred among various sections of a society and thereby, creating a rift in the society. Especially, sensationalist news at the time of crisis seems to ground common people by spreading unnecessary panic.

In his thirty-year research on the effects of television sensationalism, George Gerbner has found that violence seen on television may create the feelings of insecurity and dependence. It can also affect the children growing up in a home where television is viewed heavily and they tend to assume the roles of a victim or victimiser. George Gerber states: “Children are not born knowing these roles. Stories teach them how to act. The stories are the stories that children see and learn from the TV. Consequently, the actions of the media are their own cause for the demise of credibility. The effects of sensationalism are damaging the public and the integrity of journalism.”

It is a real fact that sensationalism has become entrenched in the media, leaving the public paying a high price through their loss of credible sources of information. News, at the time of emergency, on any Indian channel is able to make our spine tingle. Do media houses expect that people in torments will be capable of stating their feelings and emotions? Broadcasting of trials and tribulations of common people ultimately help every media house to keep more audiences glued to the TV and boost its TRP.

Gandhism in modern India – Is it the ultimate solution to all our social problems?

Gandhism refers to an amalgamation of Mahatma Gandhi’s views and actions, which revolved around two basic ideologies: truth and non-violence. Today, our country is reeling under several socio, economical and political problems. To bring feasible solutions to all such problems, collective efforts are essential, which can be backed by Gandhian techniques. Let us analyse how Gandhism can help our country overcome various challenges, which are posing a serious threat to its growth and integrity.

Gandhism to eradicate conflicts

Since its independence, India has been rattled by several conflicts within and outside the country. On the one hand, it has border disputes with its neighbouring countries like Pakistan, China and Bangladesh and on the other; it is rife with a number of separatist movements within the country. Now, the question is – how can Gandhism help us solve the problem.

Ahimsa or non-violence is the nucleus of Gandhism, which is a value and present in human nature but in different forms. This value, along with its many supplementary forms, shows us how to overcome the situation of conflicts and transform conflicts into cooperation. Gandhian non-violence theory accords solutions to all kids of problems, only if it is applied as per the demands of time and present circumstance. The Gandhian way to resolve conflicts is very simple and based on some principles, including sincerity, sacrifice, high morality, courage and most importantly, non-violence. Unfortunately, we have been habitual of not implementing this simple method to eradicate all conflicts.

Gandhism in the context of terrorism

The problem of terrorism is looming large on our country threatening country’s integrity and progress. Can Gandhism provide any solution to the problem? In this context, we can say that every act of terrorism derives its legitimacy from a moral basis in perceived injustice. Once the moral force is reinforced and all wounds heal, the power of gun will automatically be muzzled.

Woman and progress

Even after 63 years of Independence, women in India are living in distress. There is a growing disparity between men and women. Besides, female foeticide, an increasing rate of women illiteracy and dowry death are still prevalent in modern India. To change the situation and acquaint common people with the problem, Gandhism can also come into play. Gandhiji strongly believed that intellectually, mentally and spiritually, a woman was equivalent to a male and she could participate in every activity. Shedding light on the role of women in various social activities, Gandhiji once said, “Only when the woman is liberated from the slavery of the kitchen, that her true spirit may be discovered”. According to him, as long as we don’t consider girls as natural as our boys, our nation will be in a dark eclipse.

To improve the standard of living

Poverty is one of the greatest challenges faced by our country. India has the unique distinction of having the richest man in the world, while at the same time, about 30 per cent of its population lives in poverty. Besides, villages in India are lagging far behind the cities when it comes to basic infrastructure and standard of living. Gandhiji used to say, “If India is to attain true freedom, then sooner or later the fact must be recognised that people will have to live in villages, not in towns, in huts not palaces”.

To improve the situation, the Gandhian concept of ‘Sarvodaya’ can be effective enough. The term ‘Sarvodaya’ refers to the ‘universal upliftment’ or ‘progress of all,’ reaching the masses and the downtrodden. No doubt, this concept is still relevant for the country’s development.

Gandhism to quell religious clashes

Gandhi opined that no religion had a monopoly on the truth. He always encouraged amicable relations across religions. His famous lines, “Iishvar Allah tero naam, sab ko sanmati de bhagavaan,” still can inspire every Indian to think beyond religions and instill a feeling of solidarity and oneness.

The legacy of Gandhi has been adopted by eminent personalities across the world, including Martin Luther King, Desmond Tutu, Dalai Lama and Aung San Suu Kyi. Various feminist and human rights movements in our country have been inspired by Gandhism. Several instances show that many doctors and teachers, inspired by Gandhism, have left their city homes and started running clinics and schools in the countryside. It is time to adopt Gandhism as the fabric of our society, which will ultimately pave the way for progress and peace.

How effective is Environmental Education in our country?

With the rising concerns on climate change and global warming, the need for environmental education has gained significant importance today. Therefore, in the year 2007, Environmental Education was incorporated in the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations syllabus. Indeed, the initiative was praiseworthy; however, its execution has not achieved its benchmarks. After 3 years of its implementation, the subject has not made quite an impact on the younger generation.

If we look at our education system, we will see that it lays more emphasis on examinations and scoring good marks. In this situation, it is doubtful whether the introduction of a subject like Environmental Education will yield any result. More importantly, the textbooks for the subject do not contain the latest updates. Most of these textbooks give a bird’s eye view of various environmental issues like carbon credits and emerging concepts related to pollution. Besides, more and more technical jargon and chunks of repetitive text can barely capture the students’ interest in the subject.

Will a simple list of India’s biodiversity hotspots or non-specific chapters on pollution make students understand the potential threats to the environment? Undoubtedly, all these textbooks don’t capture the day to day realities of the climate issue and most teachers don’t have technical knowledge about the present environmental issues.

Now the question arises as to how to generate the students’ interest in the subject. It would be better to give students a hands-on experience by teaching them how to make their school campuses clean and green. Showing them various documentaries and movies on environmental issues and letting them work with NGOs are some positive moves in this regard. Most importantly, the mark of this subject should be considered at the board examination so that students can pay more attention to the subject.

E-book or real book – Which is better?

An E-book is a major breakthrough that has made reading much easier for book lovers. Now, readers do not need to visit a book shop to buy their favourite books. Instead, a few mouse clicks can help them to read books easily. Indeed, the invention of the e-book has renewed the habit of reading. Furthermore, with the advent of various electronic reading devices such as Kindle, Nook and i-pad, e-book’s popularity has gained momentum.

Many avid readers love reading books while travelling. However, it is not always easy to read a voluminous book while travelling. First of all, it is hard to carry a book all the time and most importantly, it is not always possible to hold a book firmly and read it, especially when a person is travelling in a crowded bus or train. Now, all such reading devices have given such voracious readers a reason to cheer. These devices are usually very handy and therefore, carrying them is not a big deal. Furthermore, these devices come with many features, including an expanded memory that can store as many as 1500 books at a time, easy book searching and downloading options, easy navigation systems for turning pages and increasing the font size and many more. Some people also think e-books are a better option than real books as they are environment friendly.

No doubt, all these advancements have given our reading habit a new lease of life.

Now the question is – whether the popularity of the e-book has sounded the death knell for the printed version? While it is true that the electronic reading devices can lead to a decrease in the publication of books, but it may be noted that these devices consume energy and tend to increase the consumption of electricity. Thus, e-books are not completely environment friendly.

It does not seem that e-books will soon take the place of real books in India where many people are still computer illiterate and internet connection is yet to become a reality in a number of places. The steep price of e-books is another matter to contend with. It is doubtful whether it will be possible for common Indians to afford electronic reading devices just for reading books.

No doubt, we need to wait and watch whether e-books can take precedence over real books in our country. However, there is no denying the fact that nothing compares with the joy of reading a real book lying on the bed.

Why observe only one day for our mothers?

Janani Janmabhoomischa Swargadapi Gariyasi (Mother and motherland are superior to the Heaven)

In Indian culture, the mother holds the highest importance. According to Hindu mythology, the mother is the energy source of the whole universe. She is prakriti, shakti and an embodiment of divinity. The worship of goddess as the mother is an important part of Hindu belief. In Manusmruti, it has been stated, “The mother is revered a thousand times more than the father.” In our culture, the mother has been worshiped since times immemorial. The word ‘Ma’ is uttered with great affection almost in all Indian languages.

As the western culture has made inroads into Indian society, the celebrations of various days are now in vogue. And Mother’s Day is no exception. Indians are now also celebrating this day by wishing their mothers and getting them gifts. With each passing year, the commercialisation of Mother’s Day is gaining momentum.

Do we really need to allot a special day to pay tribute to the most important person in our life? Is it necessary to show our care, respect and love for mothers only on one day in the whole year? Can’t we celebrate and honour motherhood in the remaining 364 days too?

Everyday should be Mother’s Day, as one day is too short to revere the person because of whom we are in the world. It is our duty to show love, care and respect for mothers all the time. However, with the growing distance between parents and children, many parents now find themselves in emotional distress. Several elderly parents are deprived of family support, care and affection.  It is also a reality that the emotional bond between mothers and children has become weak.

If Mother’s Day gives a reason to salute motherhood, then the promise to take better care of the mother daily should be the ideal gift for the day. It is perhaps the best time to realise that our mothers’ happiness does not lie in attractive gifts; rather it lies in our unconditional love and affection for them. This realisation can certainly make everyday a Happy Mother’s Day.

What are the challenges to our water resources?

Water resources are a big asset for any country, as the socio-economic developments largely depend on them. With residential and industrial areas expanding at breakneck speed, the availability of dependable, safe and suitable water resources, which can meet multiple requirements, is getting scarce.

A brief discussion on the major challenges to our water bodies can give a better understanding of the prevailing water crisis.
* Overuse of water: In our country, over 90 percent of groundwater is used for agriculture and industrial purposes. Irrigation consumes a large amount of water. Industrial water use also accounts for nearly 6 per cent of total freshwater abstraction. In the last few decades, the steady industrial growth in our country has already increased the demand for water, making the depletion of groundwater and water crisis imminent.

* Limited supply of water: Surface water and groundwater are the prime sources of water in our country. However, other sources of water supply, such as desalination, are not very popular in India. Most of the Indian rivers flood during monsoon. However, due to unpredictable and brief rainfall and prolonged dry season, many rivers in the interior parts of the country run dry most of the time. Since we do not have any proper system to store surplus water for the dry season, the threat of severe water crisis looms large over the country.

* Climate Change: Climate change is another factor that poses a serious challenge to our water resources. Climate change has made rainfall irregular. Besides, temporal variability in water resources and higher rate of evaporation also hamper the process of replenishing water resources.

* Inferior water management: Inferior water management practices are also responsible for water scarcity in our country. Our country lags far behind in water legislation, water conservation, efficiency in water use, water recycling and infrastructure,. Besides, improper maintenance of pipes and canals has also intensified the problem.

* Pollution and human activities:  Human activities, coupled with pollution, have decreased the availability of pure and usable water. Several factors like sewage disposal, industrial effluents, chemical from farm, fluoride and arsenic have made many water resources unhealthy for drinking, irrigation and industrial use. A study shows that our capital produces around 3.6 million cubic meters of sewage every day; however, because of our poor management, less than half of the sewage is treated effectively and the remaining waste is dumped into the Yamuna River. Besides, because of poor sewage management system, people tend to dump their waste into canal, which ultimately pollutes water sources like rivers. At times, the polluted water seeps into the groundwater and pollutes it too. It is necessary to mention here that the water-borne diseases are spreading alarmingly in our country.
A stringent water management system is the need of the hour to safeguard our water resources. Privatisation of water, to some extent, can yield good result. However, it is more important to consume water consciously and judiciously to prevent our water resources from depletion.

Protecting Ganga – What has been the success?

It is hard to imagine Indian culture without the river Ganges or Ganga Mata. Our ancient civilisation flourished along the Indus and the Ganga rivers. Regarded as the national river of the country, the Ganga has been playing an important role in the country’s socio-economical development. However, the national river is now stuck with several problems. The Himalayan glaciers are melting. Besides, the depth of the river bed is decreasing due to the rising pollution level. As a result, the threat of untimely and unprecedented flood looms large over the Ganga basin. On the other hand, because of the fast melting of Himalayan glaciers, the river faces the danger of extinction. In many places, the river is running almost dry or as a seasonal river. With the rising threat to our national river, there is a dire need to save the Ganga.

The deplorable condition of the Ganga is attributed to several factors, including pollution, global warming and other man-made activities. Presently, more than 29 cities, 70 towns and thousands of villages extend along the banks of Ganga. Almost all of the sewage, which is approximately around 1.3 billion litres per day, goes to the river directly. Industrial pollutants are another major source of pollution. According to a report, over 146 industries are located along the river Ganga. Most of these industries discharge their toxic effluents into the river. Some recent water samples collected at Varanasi revealed fecal-coliform counts of about 50,000 bacteria per 100 milliliters of water. Various diseases such as cholera, hepatitis, typhoid and amoebic dysentery are the result of this pollution.

Another major threat to the river Ganga is the rampant illegal mining around the river. Mining, coupled with rising deforestation, has intensified the problem of soil erosion. This poses a serious challenge to the river, causing worries about a flood-like situation. Several initiatives have been taken to protect the Ganga but all these have hardly made any difference. However, the importance of government actions and policies to save Ganga cannot be ignored. Simultaneously, our activities need to be checked too. Without people’s participation and their conscious efforts, all measures to protect the national river will go in vain.

Do you know the adverse effects of online music downloading?

The phenomenal growth of the Internet-based industry has bestowed several benefits on the country; however, its flip side cannot be ignored. Illegal downloading is one such adverse effect that has posed a serious threat to the country’s entertainment industry. With the widespread use of the Internet, online downloading has become a more viable option, enabling people to download music and movies almost free of cost.

This practice is an infringement of the country’s Copyright Act, which provides legal protection for the work of artists, authors and film directors. The violation of the act is an offence.

Illegal downloading sources rampant form of music piracy due to which, our music industry incurs whopping losses every year. A report of Ernst and Young, named “The Effects of Counterfeiting and Piracy on India’s Entertainment Industry” revealed the Indian film industry lost $959 million and 571,896 jobs due to the piracy. Besides, because of this widespread piracy, the government is deprived of tax revenues, jobs are lost and research and innovation always take a back seat.

Finally, this illegal practice also takes a toll on artists and musicians. People love downloading songs of their favourite artists; however, they do not have the slightest idea how their brazen act spells trouble for their favourite singers. All artists and musicians are paid the royalties on their songs, paid to them every time a record is bought or played on the radio. The menace of illegal downloading deprives them of their money.

Illegal music downloading from various websites is a severe problem, which should be addressed immediately. Stringent laws and action are undoubtedly the need of the hour. Besides, it is also necessary to acquaint people with the ill-effects of this practice. Combined efforts and strict regulations can save our entertainment industry from this pitfall.

Malnutrition- a common picture of rural India

Malnutrition, described as “a national shame” by former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, is one of the greatest challenges faced by our country. Despite robust economic growth, India’s child malnutrition rate is worse than many sub-Saharan African countries. India is home to the greatest population of severely malnourished children in the world. Four hundred million children suffer from the diseases associated with malnutrition.

Malnutrition is more common in rural India where income and food variety are lower. According to the National Family Health Survey of India, 55% of children living in rural areas suffer from malnutrition compared to 45% of children in urban areas. The situation is particularly grim in the states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.  It is true that in rural areas, females with little or no education more commonly raise malnourished children.

Malnutrition makes children more prone to illness and deters physical and intellectual growth for a lifetime. Malnutrition is also a major contributor to infant mortality in rural India. Besides, being underweight, anaemia and low immunity are some common consequences of malnutrition. As per some researches, in India, more than 75 percent of preschool children suffer from iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and 57 percent of preschool children have sub-clinical Vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Besides, the prevalence of underweight in rural areas is 50 percent as compared to 38 percent in urban areas.

The root of the problem

Malnutrition is the result of a wide range of factors, including overpopulation, poverty, environment pollution, lack of education, gender inequality and inaccessible medical care.

* Overpopulation is posing a great threat to the Indian society. This problem is linked to several other problems, including competition for food and thereby leading to malnutrition, especially in rural areas where the access to food is limited.

    * Poverty is a major cause of malnutrition because it limits the amount of food. A deficiency in food leaves millions starving, many of whom are children.

    * The environment is affected by air, water and land pollution. Pollution is ultimately creating problems for food growth, sanitation and spreading illnesses through the air and water.

    * Lack of education is a serious challenge, resulting in malnutrition in rural India. Unfortunately, many people in India are still living with the curse of illiteracy. These people are still are not acquainted with the facts like nutrition, family planning, breast-feeding and parenting.

    * Last but not the least, the availability of medical care is very limited in rural India.

Programmes and initiatives to eradicate malnutrition

Several programmes were adopted by the government to eradicate malnutrition from all over the country. These include Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), National Children’s Fund (NCF) and National Rural Health Mission. India is a signatory to the survival and development goals, devised by the World Summit on children 1990. In order to implement these goals, the Department of Women & Child Development has also adopted a National Plan of Action on Children. In addition, UNICEF has been helping India to eradicate malnutrition.

The task of eradicating malnutrition may take some time but is not unattainable.