Rang De Basanti is old hat. Great songs, visuals and ham handed story. Though, the post isnt anything about it.
The latest cause “celebre” is Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) which is being increasingly focussed on by the media. And Rang de Basanti cast crowing up to the people who are fasting and pressing for their demands. It all makes for a good copy- the “Gandhian” way of protest, uncaring Government and Arundhati Roy spouting wisdom. Now Aamir Khan has decided to jump in the fray and milk the whole process for whatever it’s worth it.
I wouldn’t comment on Aamir’s intentions. He’s a citizen of India and is free to do anything- even blow himself up. No issues with that. However, as a celebrity, he is sure to attract media attention and discretion needs to be exercised.
NBA have been thwarting the progress of Gujarat by protesting on the issue of re settlement. Agreed, that it’s politically contentious, but a couple of thousands should not come in the way of millions who have benefitted from water flowing in the traditional arid regions in Gujarat. Those areas that haven’t seen any degree of rainfall in as many years, are now gushing with Narmada’s water. The long “lost” Saraswati, the so called “mythical river” has been revived. (It wasn’t mythical, neither lost. But due to tectonic movements had changed it’s course and went underground).
Big dam projects carry their own ecological liabilities. Agreed. And the hydel power on this scale isn’t warranted. However, semantics and technicalities apart, we could focus on the projects where public money has been sunk in, where huge cost over runs would make the project unviable and defeat the entire purpose for which the project was started off in the first case. (here- in 1961!)
NBA’s actions smack of defiance to Supreme Court. By their actions, are they trying to suggest that honourable Lordships have faltered in any way? Are they sending a strong message that it’s fashionable to disrespect the highest court of the country, vested to us by Constitution itself? (The Supreme Court had ordered rehabilitation along with raising the height of the dam).
This is where Aamir Khan’s actions would be questioned. This is where NBA’s actions are questioned. And of course, the media who has refused to ask these basic parameters and instead focussed on Medha Patkar’s “detiorating condition”.
The fact that Medha is fully aware of her actions and is willingly commiting suicide is liable for punishment.
The worst part is the action of the jholawalla brigade, the mass of lampooning idiots who feel that they have to “do something for the country”. The rot stems from the “halllowed” portals of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) with it’s glorified version of Marxism and Communism spouting out. No wonder they have extended their venomous tentacles on the thinking and polity of this nation. The “civil society” is defined by these jholawalla brigades. And the same bunch of idiots who hijack the mainstream media for their interests. Hence, we see such lop sided coverage of the major issues facing this nation.
The way out is opposition to their evil intentions and media that ought to go on a course correction. We could definitely do without Khans and their ilk, Medha and her whole consort of law breaking individuals (read Roy) and professional heart bleeders.
The post is to send out a strong signal that there are people who wouldn’t want to align themselves with the circus. If political issues need to be debated, they need depth and understanding. Not the ham handed manner where the entire attention is focussed on celebrities.
It’s the matter of millions of Gujuratis, who need water. We can’t have such a chest beating brigade hold ransom to the basic needs. Interestingly, NBA hasn’t disclosed it’s source of funding till to date. Further, the whole spectrum of political parties has come together denouncing Patkar’s actions. Including the Congress and BJP.
Read the Wikipedia entry on Medha Patkar. She’s got a string of awards for roughing out in the streets. Well, a job well done? No wonder, media gets so woolly eyed without questioning the intentions or shying of asking hard questions.
I disagree.
A couple of thousand is a lot of people. And the government is actually violating the supreme court notice by allowing the height raise. Supreme Court said that 12 months prior to the height raise all people must be temporarily shifted. And 6 months before raising the height they must be permanently rehabilitated.
These people who havent been resettled will be left without land and a shelter. How can you just ignore their plight ?
The ground reality is different.
First, the Supreme court order. It said that the rehabilitation to take place “parri passu”, meaning thereby- concurrently. I haven’t seen the judgement asking for “temporary” shifting.
The tribals (or whatever they are) had been offered land in Madhya Pradesh. This was prior to the present BJP Govt (ruled by Congress) who bungled on the land allotment. AFAIK, they were given arable land and most of the oustees accepted it.
The exact ground situation is very hard to fathom from the media reports. The whole thrust of the post is to protest against their ham handed views instead of giving a hard look at the realities.
No one knows for sure as to what is the exact magnitude of the displaced. By all accounts it’s roughly 35000. Yet, they are holding ransom to 400,000 populace. It’s not accounted for. Those who would get water. The same ares would get electricity. And that’s essential.
The tribals practise shifting method of cultivation and usually don’t have fixed assets. Which would make their rehabilitation a tad easier than the ones who have fixed assets like “pucca” or concrete houses. Or even having set up industries et al. In what way rehabilitation is being demanded by NBA? The Govt. is on record saying that it’s willing to negotiate a settlement, but it’s NBA that has been reneging on it’s commitments. Supreme Court would have stopped the construction right away, but they realised the value of the project.
We need power and raising the dam height to 121 metres would fully utilise the purpose with which this project has been started off.
I dont know Pallab from which region of India u hail from,but i do know that in guj. in many cities fresh water comes after every 5 days that to only 2 ,3 buckets ,if u need to have a hair wash u need to collect daily 1glass of that precious water till required quantity that means 1 week or so since extremely hard water of that region damages hair,,,,this seems trivial but when u live in this constant stress of storing and saving fresh water it becomes killing ,,,,give govt. a chance
national basketball association? :|
am appending a link which some of those who have commented might find interesting and informative
http://www.narmada.org/debates/gail/gail.open.letter.html
Joseph
Well, Joseph, excellent link.
Arundhati is just another media hog and I wonder, what’s so special about her (or her Booker prize- she writes crap) that she is getting such undue prominence?
Just wondering. This link above just re inforces what I have mentioned here. Narmada Bachao Andolan has been getting funds from outside the country for sure. The quantum/ direct proof isn’t known.
Another of her specimen and ilk is Teesta Setalvad; the “editor” of Communalism Combat. She was in prominence because of Zaheera Sheikh.
I wont be surprised if Zaheera stars in next bollywood flick on her. Much like Anara Gupta in the infamous CD case.