Clash of uncultured

In wildlife reporting there is an ethical code that is followed that is one would not interfere. Antelope will be killed and eaten by pack of lions is law of nature. But are the events happening in human societies also part of law of nature. If helpless people are attacked by thugs and lumpen common people get scared and try to save themselves but there will be some among these common people who will have go with their conscience and try save people. That is what society is all about and that is culture. That brings into sharp focus on people who hold camera (and mike, dude we also want sound byte) referred to as Media. What is their responsibility?.

Can common people be as irresponsible and cunning as market media?. So next time you see atrocity being committed no never think about the victim they are only pawns in bigger plans we have (infact planning has already started!!). If possible coax the perpetrators to be more violent and try for some spectacular angle (exclusive the better). Indeed lumpens are only too happy, they too have plans. Even thugs also like to exaggerate in front of camera. In the end it is win-win situation for both sides. It is an event now that is celebrated in studios with Delhi based experts (and so called feminists) trying to work out their share. It is clash of uncultured unfolding for coach potatoes. Incredibly both claiming a pie of culture!!. This is the symptom of mediocre market driven media that lack rigor. Clearly they resort to manipulations to cover up lack of depth or competence to cover the reality of billion people nation. Most people don’t have much trust on media, it lack credibility (some rare exceptions are there). How much liquor lobby could be behind this is also anybody’s guess. This blogger strongly feels that there should be blanket ban on liquor ads, even surrogate ads through soda and water. To consume liquor or not is a choice but promoting it is unacceptable. There is aggressive marketing of liquor and cigarette products in poorer societies. Talking about tradition (I seriously don’t understand culture and don’t mind being cultureless) even in Vedas drinking is mentioned. There are temples that have liquor as offering. Liquor has nothing to do with culture or no culture. But yes drinking at public space does put one at risk of exploitation and abuse.

First thing first if thugs call up media isn’t it the responsibility of media to inform police first (as any common people would do). The top cop of Karnataka was right to call it a small incident. The reason being there are millions of cases of inhuman acts committed on people (in particular women), just because this was caught in camera for the viewer (about people like us) doesn’t make it big or less big. Further cops don’t work for TRP they have much pressing issues (the incident in Mangalore being just one of them).

Clearly the events happening around us only show the hold of patriarchy, and this blogger believe it is going to get worst. Mangalore is one of the great place to be in, I love that place. I have spent lots of time in here (roamed around a lot in my cycle). It is quite common to have women in public spaces (cycle to kasargod and down, women particularly younger ones start missing before you reach kannur. Clearly the hold of organized religions-patriarchy). Infact I was regular to a decent joint in Udupi on Saturdays that used to serve liquor there were lots of women mostly from Manipal, nobody had any problems. Enter market media and also enter patriarchy torch bearers. You have recipe for an event.

It is funny that culture has much to do with how woman behave or do?. It is no secret that India is primitive in most parts. Gender and caste disparities are quite common. It is audacious that young men had the audacity to hit woman and have got away with it. What right these scoundrels have talk of culture?. Case of misguided youth (elders will have to take the blame. Also one need to focus on portrayal of woman in movies and ads. I believe human beings at the basic level are nice and caring it is surrounding that can create problems). Unfortunately these elements are going to get belligerent; with polarizing political–religion climate and rising unemployment (some is seriously going wrong in Mangalore region). There should be zero tolerance for these elements. Is India a soft state?.

One need add that representation of woman in panchayats has been nothing short of revolutionary. Change can go only take shape at grass root level. Frankly people mostly want to have peaceful and happy life. It is only when power seeking system and greed starts working when things start to wither. Power mongers come in the form of divisive politicians as also city based scoundrels playing victims and usurping position for common people sake (they even want to have woman’s reservation in parliament!!). Both equally dangerous. Of course one is not suggesting that ingrained gender insensitivity should be tolerated in peaceful and happy family, the focus should be children and education as also empowering women from weaker sections. Grameen bank and micro credit at the grass root level was a stupendous success for these very reasons. When Mohd Yunus was awarded Nobel Prize there were marketers who cringed and questioned the "unproductive steps". Scene now is Marketers are out with begging bowls. They don’t want micro credit but big and bigger credit- also referred to as bail out package !!.

PS. Please visit photo blog on "woman at work"