If Mother Mary Could Speak…

I  close my eyes and I find Mother Mary before me. Along with the aura of her blessed face, I see a semblance of sorrow accompanying it. I try asking ‘Oh pious lady! One of the most virtuous women to have ever set foot on the earth…What makes you wear that grief-stricken look?’

In reply, silence is all that I get. I open my eyes and say to myself, ‘better luck next time’.

I then happen to browse through the internet and I find one of the pictures of her statues somewhere in France. The typical mournful look on her face is what I find yet again.

I make my own permutations and combinations. I try figuring out what could be troubling Mother Mary so much? Incidentally, I happen to come across a news story as I browse, about the ban on Hijab or the burkha on women in France. I say to myself, perhaps this is it. One might wonder what has Mother Mary got to do with the Hijab? Well, the way I see it, there’s hardly any difference between the clothes that Mother Mary is seen wearing and the Islamic Hijab worn by the Muslim women.

Perhaps Mother Mary wants to say ‘I dread people will call for ban on my clothing as well. They didn’t bother one iota before they made my blessed son look trendy and ‘cool’ not too long ago’. (Yes, it’s about the ‘Jesus in Jeans’ statue unveiled in a Church in East Essex, England) The last thing she would want is people making her wear mini skirts.

Quiet possible that Mother Mary is unhappy about the allegation laid on the followers of a faith that regard her son as one of the mightiest messengers of God, that they suppress their women by making them dress like her. It’s a misconception that Islam subjugates women by imposing the Hijab on them. The reason for Hijab for women in Islam is mentioned in the Glorious Quran which makes it clear that it is to protect women from being molested. A lesser known fact is that the Quran talks about Hijab for men before women. The Quran commands every believing man to lower his gaze on the sight of women in order to restrain him from feasting on the beauty of the female body. Islam has got no issues with a woman being a career woman, gives her the right to education and inherit property, does not approve of a marriage without her consent,  allows her to involve in business transactions and the like as long as she carries out her activities within the framework of the shariah. Ask a lady who wears the Islamic hijab and you’ll know that she wants to guard her modesty and expects to be respected.

In fact, subduing of women is something of a global significance. If you thought women in the West, with all its democratic principles, live a life of liberation and empowerment, think again. Even in our dear country India, which boasts of a modest lifestyle and rich cultural heritage, assault on women is alarming. According to the data released by the Union Home Ministry, India stands third in the list of most registered rape cases in the world, with 18,359 rape cases being registered in the first three quarters of 2008. The first place goes to the US with 93,934 cases followed by South Africa with 54,926 rape cases, as reported by www.newsx.com. The country with the lowest number of rape cases registered according to the report, is Jordan, (only 78 cases) where 92% of the total population is Muslim.

Yvonne Ridley, a journalist from UK who made headlines after her 10 day captivity under the Taliban in Afghanistan, writes in one of her articles ‘How I Came To Love The Veil’ that was published on her official website www.yvonneridley.org, “Western women are still treated as commodities, where sexual slavery is on the rise, disguised under marketing euphemisms, where womens’ bodies are traded throughout the advertising world. This is a society where rape, sexual assault, and violence on women is commonplace, a society where the equality between men and women is an illusion, a society where a womens’ power or influence is usually only related to the size of her breasts.” Further, she goes on to reveal “I used to look at veiled women as quiet, oppressed creatures and now I look at them as multi-skilled, multi-talented, resilient women whose brand of sisterhood makes Western feminism pale into insignificance.”

Here’s an unnoticed example of women exploitation that we saw in the Indian Premiere League (IPL) season II that concluded in South Africa not too long ago. In a match played between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Mumbai Indians at Port Elizabeth, a venue known for its windy conditions, we saw most of the players on the field wearing double jerseys and sweaters and a few in the dug out wrapped in towels. Even the commentators who would come out on the filed to fill in some telecast time during the 10 minute strategic time out, were seen fully clad in thick jackets and monkey caps, trying to combat the chilly weather. But there was this contingent of cheergirls who continued to be in action (or were ordered to do so) in those skimpy outfits in that very chilly weather, making a mockery of the equal rights for women mantra that the ‘civilized’ societies talk about.

Mr. Sarkozi’s concern for the womenfolk deserves appreciation. But perhaps he needs to ask the womenfolk themselves whether they feel ‘subjugated’ in the hijab before really making conclusions. There are a whole lot of things that decide the actual suppression of women than her abundantly covered body.

Even as her son strived to tell his people what is good and what is not, I wonder if Mother Mary with her fully clad attire ever felt subjugated.

Phew… If only Mother Mary could speak….

Alcohol Needs Just 6 Minutes To Act: Research

A research conducted in Heidelberg, Washington, has concluded that 6 minutes is all it takes for alcohol to disrupt normalcy in the brain.

According to a report, scientists using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS)  have shown that only six minutes after consuming an amount of alcohol equivalent to three glasses of beer or two glasses of wine — which leads to a blood alcohol level of 0.05 to 0.06 per cent — can cause changes in the brain cells.

Reference – http://ibnlive.in.com/news/it-takes-just-6-minutes-for-booze-to-fuzz-the-brain/94997-17.html

It was even demonstrated that the harmful effect of alcohol also sets in quickly. No wonder we have alarming statistics from across the world against alcohol consumption. According to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, there are 105,000 alcohol related deaths annually due to drunken drivers and alcohol related injuries and diseases.

Alcohol, many a time, is the root cause of all evil. In a state of intoxication, there are always greater chances of a person committing crimes such as murder, rape, theft, and many more.

All the more reason why one should distance oneself from that abominable stuff.

Azad Gives Azadi To Smoke On Screen

The newly formed cabinet of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been in the news for various reasons. However, one of the members of that Dream Team, Ghulam Nabi Azad, who has taken over the mantle of Health Ministry, has made headlines already. He gives a clean chit to portrayal of smoking on screen, much in contrast with the views of his predecessor Ambumani Ramadoss. Azad is of the view that smoking on screen is a part of ‘entertainment’ and regards portrayal of puffing on screen as a fundamental right of filmmakers.

True that filmmakers require freedom of expression in the medium of cinema. However, it is also true that the kind of impact cinema has over the minds of people is massive. Many get into this deadly habit thanks to the silver screen. Yes, if portrayal of smoking in a film is a part of some context that demands that it be shown inevitably, then perhaps one may have a second thought. But just to glorify a character,  portrayal of smoking on screen should be done away, specially when it can be shot in another way to convey the same meaning.

Not sure whether he wants to be different or he truly treats cinema as mere entertainment. However, one thing is for sure, that a majority of movie going population in the country loves to take a leaf out of what they saw on screen and in that perspective, the azadi on smoking on screen given by Azad doesnt seem to convince.

Now, Jesus in Jeans

Recently a statue of Jesus was unveiled in a church in East Essex, Britain, wherein he is seen wearing baggy jeans, a casual shirt, in addition to trimmed hair and beard. Father David Buckley, who unveiled the statue said ” “You are always looking for new ways to enrich people in the experience of Christianity and it is good people can be open-minded to appreciate it. We wanted a figure of Christ not in suffering but dynamic and welcoming. “We felt this design summed up the spirit and activity of Christ perfectly and I think it speaks for itself.”  

(Reference: Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5318718/Jesus-in-jeans-sculpture-unveiled.html )

There’s nothing wrong in the notion of walking abreast with time, and adapting to changes that this constantly evolving world throws at you. But adaption should not be to such an extent that it insults the very identity of a noble idea.

Jesus (pbuh) – a man who commands reverence from not just the Christian community worldwide but also by the followers of Islam, as a prophet of Almighty God, favoured a life devoid of pots of money, wealth, and a living underlined with lavish spending. He is even believed to have said that it is difficult for a rich man to enter heaven. But unfortunately, the depiction of his in the statue seems to contradict his preaching.

The truth is, that today’s world is dictated by corporate ethos. In order to make sure that their corporate and commercial interests prevail, people are ready to do anything.  Money is all that matters today.  These corporate powers consider religion as one of their biggest enemies, for they know that if people start practicing religion the way it is supposed to, it is but inevitable that markets across the globe will crash. A person, who is inspired by simplicity of life that religion provides, will obviously not be interested in owning a Mercedes or a BMW. He would rather contemplate spending his wealth in charity.

Jesus said ‘Follow me’… Well, now you know to what extent people can manipulate things in deciding who has to follow whom.

Brand Ambassadors: The Bitter Truth

Brand Ambassadors have been a significant part of the advertising strategy, the corporate world has been using in the recent past. A tactic, that aims at attracting consumers in large scale capitalizing on the fan following factor that celebs carry about with them.

Unfortunately, a fair portion of the consumer population falls prey to this non-sense time and again. A personality may have his / her aura alright. Its quite a trick to make people buy your product by having a Shahrukh Khan or an Amitabh Bachan asking the public to do so. Having said that, its high time people realize that the so called brand ambassadors may change colours like a chameleon any moment, thereby making a mockery of the ‘trust’ they have in a particular brand.

Shahrukh Khan is a known culprit in this regard. He is notorious for advertising any product as long as he is paid well, besides switching brand loyalties. There was a time when SRK used to call himself Shahrukh ‘Mayur’ Khan, everytime he hit the TV screens promoting Mayur Suitings. But today, you’ll find him saying Belmonte’s the best. Very recently, he broke his age old loyalty with Pepsi, one of his trademark ad brands. Over the years, SRK shouted the pepsi slogan – whether it was Yehi Hai Right Choice Baby, Yeh Dil Maange More or Oye Bubbly… but now, all of a sudden he has jumped to its rival Coke camp, advertising for Sprite.

So is the case with Sachin Tendulkar. The little master’s smile accompanied many a ‘express yourself’ posters of Airtel until recently. Now, he is seen disclosing his phone number on TV Commercials of Idea Cellular.

The Master does it, why not the Blaster? Tendulkar’s opening partner in ODI’s and teammate Virender Sehwag’s tale is no different. When he first burst onto the cricket scene, among the many products he advertised was Coca Cola. Now, he is seen promoting Pepsi donning a Youngistan icon (although the number of hairs on his head seem to be disappearing with every passing day) along with skipper Dhoni, and teammates Ishant Sharma and Sreesanth.

Talking about Dhoni, he too ain’t innocent either. Remember that 7 up ad wherein a tennis player goes onto becoma a batsman (Anhonee Ho Gayi Honi, Aur Main Ban Gaya Dhoni) ? 7 up to Pepsi – Captain leading from the front!

If you too are among those who trust a brand becasue your favourite star asks you to do so, it is time you think again. Let your reliability of a product depend on its quality and performance and not merely on your favourite icon’s persuasion.

Clear Hai?

The Burning I’Shoe!

Just when everyone thought they had enough of shoes making headlines, yet another one pops up, and yet again for all the wrong reasons. And what’s the news this time? Its about a haul of heroin worth 30 lakhs found in a shoe that was being sent through courier from Bangalore to South Africa. You just cant keep the shoes away from the happening stage nowadays, can you?

After a series of ‘sole attacks’ on prominent personalities in public, the act has garnered unpleasant responses from all quarters. One of the prominent politicians even remarked that shoe slinging is not our culture. As far as the Indian perception of footwear with regard to culture goes, one does find a mixed insight. The footwear garlanding of effigies of cricketers and politicians as a result of public outrage is one side of the coin and the sandals of Shri Ram ruling the Ayodhya throne in his absence is the other. But yes, in general, we do perceive shoes as ‘dirty’ which is symbolized by our leaving of our footwear outside places of worship and our own houses, in contrast to our Western counterparts who walk into a funeral room with their shoes on, but take their hats off.

Nevertheless, if shoes continue to hog the limelight for negative reasons the way they are now, a stage might come when authorities will ban sporting of shoes. What if that happens? Well, not a bad idea to imagine a shoe-less world – Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh will not be fined for carrying unhygeininc shoes aboard. Good reason to walk into the field with the fine away, but watch out for that Brett Lee Yorker that might literally end up being a ‘toe crushing’ one. Hindi film heroes will not be able to recognize policemen in civil clothes, for all these years they used the tactic ‘Police walon ko unke kapdon se nahi, jooton se pehchana jata hai’. Ladies will not be able to use the trademark ‘sandal ka number bataaun?’ stuff for men busy with eve teasing. Superstitions will lose an option of keeping their houses safe from evil sight with no old shoes/slippers hanging right at the top. Raj Kapoor might never have sung the song ‘Mera joota hai Japani’. The saaalis of the groom will lose a weapon to torture him for money (You know, the joote lo paise do stuff).

Now you know why that shoe bites.

IPL Cheergirls: Picture of Women Exploitation

The IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians yesterday was played in Port Elizabeth, a venue known for its chilly and windy conditions, specially after dusk. No wonder we saw almost all players on the field in action wearing sweaters or double jerseys. From commentators, players, to the members in the dugouts of the respective teams, everyone was doubly clad and a few were even seen wrapped in towels as well. However, one contingent that didnt give you an impression of feeling the chill was – the cheergirl unit.

As others on the field struggled to keep themselves warm, these scantily dressed cheergirls showed no signs of covering themselves up. They are instructed to do so, rather. Just goes on to show you how the female body is being used as a product, a commodity for attraction.

I’m perfectly aware that at this point of time that there is a fair chunk of people wanting to pounce on me in stating “The girls don’t have a problem, why should you?”. They’re right. The girls may not be having a problem with that. But its not just about these girls. Its the women community in general, and how the corporate / commercial sector perceives them. And they are the very same people who talk about women empowerment.

In the first place, its hard to understand the need for a bunch of girls dancing in a game of cricket, in a manner that gives you an embarassing feeling, not being able to watch the ‘gentlemen’s game’ with and without family.

Rubina ‘Sale’: Father Gets Clean Chit

We all knew of the attempted ’sale’ of Slumdog child actor Rubina Ali by her father Rafiq Qureshi. Why? Because it appeared on the first page of almost all prominent dailies and hit the headlines of news channels. But the news of him being granted the clean chit by the Court on grounds that there was no evidence, is something that seems to me not many might have known. Here’s the link for the online version of the story that appeared in The Hindu yesterday:  http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/27/stories/2009042756892000.htm

I myself would not have been aware of it, had I not ‘eaten’ the newspaper through and through with all the time in the world at my disposal on a jobless Monday (’twas a holiday). The item was published as a small piece on the last page. I tried checking other newspapers, just to check how they have responded and pretty much to my expectations, it never appeared in those papers! Just another media trick for you…

Presenting Afghan News: Media’s Gimmik

I happened to go through a news report regarding the displeasure (a protest rather) expressed by a group of Afghan Shiite women against an Islamic law which they termed as ‘Taliban-like’. 

As I came towards the conclusion of the report, I was surprised to read what I read. It read “But the law’s opponents were outnumbered by its supporters. More than 100 women marched out from the mosque shouting “God is Great” and waving banners backing “Islamic Justice”. “The women coming here to demonstrate don’t know much about the law and did not study it fully,” said Qudsia Frotan, a student leading women in support of the law. She said it bore no resemblance to Taliban-era controls.

(To go through the story yourself, here’s the link: http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Apr162009/foreign20090415130466.asp  )

The headline of the story read “Afghan Women Fume At Family Law”. According to the very report, it says the law’s supporters ‘outnumbered’ the ones who are against it. Anyone with remotest  of common sense, would know that majority of women are in favour of the law and welcome it. The headline, which certainly doesn’t justify the lines that I quoted above from the report, goes onto exhort the games that media play in portraying a particular issue, ideology, or situation.

What we hear about ‘Taliban’ is all courtesy media. Who knows what is actually happening there? Regarding women rights, their society, their lifestyle… It is rightly said that one should not believe in things unless he has verified it or seen it with his own eyes. True, there might be some instances where actual injustice has taken place and need to be condemned for sure. But Media has always had this habit of blowing things out of proportion and toying with the news story every time it gets one. Taliban has occupied a demonized status in our eyes, again thanks to the media. How about the experience of someone who has ‘been there and done that’ – Yvonne Ridley, a UK journalist who reverted to Islam after her ‘captured’ experience along with the Taliban.

Ridley says that she was she was impressed by the way she was dealt with during her stay in Taliban captivity. She explained that the Taliban looked after her very well. She said, “I was horrible to my captors. I spat at them and was rude and refused to eat. It wasn’t until I was freed that I became interested in Islam.” [Wikipedia]

Now, after embracing Islam, Ridley is all praise for the Sharaiah which is reflected in her write ups and views published on her official website and various other platforms. Here’s a link to one such article written by her: http://yvonneridley.org/yvonne-ridley/articles/how-i-came-to-love-the-veil-4.html

Moral of the story – Beware of the Media Gimmiks.

 

 

 

Mangalore: Lawyer Murdered

The situation of  Mangalore is in dire straits at present. After relentless reports of violence, the law and order situation of the city  hit a new low with the murder of Naushad Kashimji, a lawyer who had reportedly taken up the case of Raheed Malbari, the alleged Chota Shakeel aide.

But all said and done, the departed soul deserves to be respected - the man has presented before the society his dedication and loyalty to his profession and the urge to dig out the truth. When it becomes a part of you, laying down your life for truth doesn’t seem all that difficult.