So the popular and controversial Satyameva Jayate has wound up its first season. Whether some consider it to be a marketing gimmick, a TRP game or a star playing his power…for me, it was a brilliant start bringing difficult topics out in the open. We were forced to watch some ugly realities. Things we don’t want to see or hear as they make us uncomfortable. We feel ashamed that we aren’t doing anything about these topics. It forced open some wounds for a few and gave courage to some others.
As for me, here are my 5 take aways from the program:
1. Speak up! Nobody else can do it for you! Dont fear being judged!
Whether its being ill treated by the in-laws, society in general or looking for help in issues like quitting alcoholism…you got to speak up! Nobody else can do it for you. Once you stand up and ask for help, thats when others will come around. How does it matter what others think about your issue? Is it worth wasting another single day of your life for fear of reaction from others? No one has the right to judge you. Its our life and we should have absolute right to make amends as we like. If you are in an abusive relationship, if you have been wronged, get up and speak up! You will always find help, universe will send you messengers if you gather the courage to make the start.
2. Everyone is “differently” abled!
What does this phrase even mean?! All of us are differently abled. Some of us who may require special physical assistance need to be included in the social system seamlessly. Often its our attitude which makes things worse for them. Atleast I personally assure of an equal opportunity to any such person in Azure, whyonlycupid any other venture I may be associated with.
3. Every effort counts…
Dont sit back comforting yourself that the problems are way too big for you to make any difference. Thats just your consolation for your inaction!! Get up and do your small bit. If it means teaching one child, feeding one person, keeping your environment clean, saving drinking water & electricity, sharing your skills with another person…do it! We are a nation of a population over 1,241,491,960 as I write this. Even if 10% of us did our small contribution, it will be worth it…every small effort will be worth it!
4. Racism, casteism, religion?! Really?!!
Which era are living in? Honor killings in name of caste? Rioting and damaging public property in name of religion…”ethnic cleansing”..are you serious?! And we think this will lead us to become a super power in near future?!! We cry ourselves hoarse if such an incident happens in a foreign land to an Indian but are we really free from prejudice? Its time that we let such archaic practices get buried in history books or else we will stagnate as a nation, race and human kind.
5. Respect your women!
Atrocities against women seem to be rising every day. Its shocking how even the so called safe cities like Mumbai aren’t safe for women anymore. Beating up women on the roads, brutal murders, torture for dowry…is this the kind of society you want to create for our own daughters, wives, sisters? Women are a reflection of a society’s well being. Any society which ill treats its women is a sure sign of its mental ill health. It will only go downhill. We need to create an environment where women feel secure, where they have a right to equal education, thrive with respect and most importantly no one should dare to resort to violence against them. Its an absolute shame. If you hear of such an incident, know someone in trouble, make sure that you offer help in whichever way you can. There are many NGOs offering safe shelter houses for women who have escaped from their oppressive surroundings.
If you know any such women in need of employment, please reach out to me on akancha@azureonline.net
Several of our clients are happy to train them and offer desk jobs in their offices.
We are the ones responsible for making a better tomorrow. Afterall, we are going to live in the society we create. Stop blaming every other person around you. Yes, the politicians are corrupt, infrastructure is poor, life is tough and we are working very hard….so what? Its still our responsibility to do our small bit for the society and the world in general. Stop giving excuses, stop critiquing SMJ…there are enough people to do that already. Get up and do something to REALLY make a difference.
SMJ!