Yearly Archives: 2011
Anna Hazare’s Movement: Winners and Losers (so far)
It has been but a week since Anna Hazare ended his fast and people celebrated it as a day of victory for the country (Note – see Losers below for exceptions). Since then, there have been more than their fair share of analyses, critiques and opinions of the events that spanned the 13 day period between August 16 and Aug 28. Clearly, the 74 year old man and his crusade captured the imagination of Indians around the globe.
I can think of various winners and losers that emerged. Here is strictly my (non-exhaustive) take on the subject. Who and what did I miss?
Winners
1. The People of India
The fight to end corruption rallied the nation like nothing else in recent times, and the the victory of the underdog is still being relished.
2. Anna Hazare
To this selfless man, service to the nation and its people has become his mission and way of life. Anna – who with his simplicity and plain but powerful message – took on the government and ended up winning the hearts and minds of a country. Now, we can add youth icon (the real one) to his attributes. Who would’ve thought?
3. Arvind Kejriwal, Medha Patkar and Prashant Bhushan
Standout strategists and tacticians – the core of Team Anna, working in the background and foreground to ensure that Anna’s cause would bear healthy fruit. Clever, tough, insightful, transparent, honest, credible…all these words can be used to describe them.
4. The Mobilized Youth of India
Who would have guessed that it would take a 74 year old man to mobilize India’s youth? Indeed, to make them involved, engaged, connected, passionate and committed. Yes, they won big too.
5.Pranab Mukherjee of the UPA ruling party, Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj of BJP
If there is one group who were definite losers in this battle it was the politicians, but for a few standout spokespeople, negotiators and deal makers who were there as exceptions just to prove that rule. I’ve picked the three that stood out for me.
6. The Media
For unstinting coverage of what they saw as a good cause for the people and nation, while being unapologetic and non-objective about it! The media did make a difference. Take a bow.
Losers
1. The UPA Government
For fighting the wrong fire with the wrong tools and the wrong people. They lost. Of course. Specific losers from this group follow.
2. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
For his lack of insight, leadership, communication, judgment and political savvy. Ultimately costing him his credibility across the country. For all his position and power, he looked positively diminutive next to Anna.
3. Rahul Gandhi
He missed a great opportunity to show leadership and courage – to really become the youth icon that his backers promote. Clearly, he does not have it in him. Especially when his mother is away. [On the other hand, his cousin Varun Gandhi outshone him in every way possible].
4. Kapil Sibal and P.Chidambaram
Clueless fighters who used legalese and elitism against the raw emotion and disgust of people. They’re probably still wondering why and how they could have lost.
5. Manish Tiwari
For his most famous quote: “Anna Hazare is corrupt from head to toe“. Really? Thanks for adding fuel to the fire in people’s belly, pal. Now, we can forget about you.
6. The Cynics and Critics
There are always some, and its important to have them. By existing, they showcase the power of democracy. Even if they were on the wrong side this time…;)
7. Arundhati Roy
She emerged as the poster child for nutcase critiquing. Temporarily got her what she was obviously laboring for – some attention. This post did a great job of rebutting her nonsensical tirade.
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I hate to end this post on a sour note (i.e. with losers). Therefore, here’s another great cartoon by Kureel to round it out. Guess which side won the battle? *
* Warning: The war is not over yet.
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UPA Govt Cartoon By:Thomas A. Kodenkandath, Ph.D. (Thommy); http://InnocentLines.blogspot.com
Note: All other photographs, cartoons and images used in this post are courtesy of the Facebook page for India Against Corruption.
Bollywood For Discerning Minds – Part Tres
Here then is my third installment of entertainers and truly outstanding productions from Bollywood. Strictly speaking, these are not all Bollywood films but they are by Indian directors, wherever in the world they may be. Some of these films go back in time. But, I am convinced that in spite of that, they have survived the dating well and continue to be relevant, thought-provoking or simply entertaining. I think that it is because one has to search through a lot of chaff to find the true treasures, that I tend to appreciate them even more.
So, here goes –
- Delhi Belly (2011) – This one is currently top of mind since it has not been long since I saw it. A non-stop laugh riot, this has to be the most audacious Bollywood movie I have ever seen. Deservedly rated “A” for Adults, this is a must-see. Released in both English and Hindi (dubbed), this is another gem from Aamir Khan. Who stars in it really doesn’t matter, it’s about the story, screenplay, dialog, music, the attention to detail and absolute creativity. A hilarious winner! Watch the trailer here, then go see it!!
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And here are some more movie recommendations for your discerning tastes –
- I am Kalam (2011) – On the lines of Stanley Ka Dabba, this story is of two boys in the deserts of Rajasthan. One, an underprivileged and ambitious child laborer, the other a well-to-do boy with no friends. It’s about their bonding, the people and conditions they have to deal with it and how they overcome their individual challenges. The best thing about it is how natural and unassuming the boy actors are.
- Fire (1996) – This Deepa Mehta film broke new ground, I would say not just in India, but globally. It is the first in her trilogy (the others follow immediately below). Spectacular performances by Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das, who play co-sister-in-laws, and have to turn to each other for love and compassion when neglected by their husbands. While it won some 14 international awards, it also sparked riots across India when it opened. Years before Brokeback Mountain hit the screens and caused strong emotions, dare I say it – this film broke new ground? What an understatement!
- Earth (1998) – The second in the trilogy by Deepa Mehta, this brilliant film showcases the time of India’s partition in 1947, the division between Hindus and Muslims, and the story of real people on the ground. Aamir Khan as never seen before, along with a stellar performances by Nandita Das and Rahul Khanna. This is one of those films that lingers on your mind long after you have watched it.
- Water (2005) – Deepa Mehta ended her trilogy with this stirring film focused on the life of widows in Varanasi. As with the others, this issue-based film roused strong emotions as well as huge controversy in India. A moving story of very young, middle-aged and elderly widows and their second-class (or worse) status in society, this brought to light some of the injustices done to humans, women especially, in the name of religion.
- Mississippi Masala (1991) – one of the better films of Mira Nair, juxtaposing the Indian and American approach to race and relationships. Shot in the deep south of US, and starring Denzel Washington, this movie gave desis in Amerias a reality check on their lives while giving Indians a peek into what it was like to live in the US.
- Kaminey (2009) – Who knew Shahid Kapoor could give such a glorious performance (or two)? One as a good twin who stutters, and the other the “bad” twin who can’t say the letter “s”. It obviously takes a director. Vishal Bhardwaj (again!) came out with this brilliant movie about identical twins born and raised in Mumbai’s slums.
- The Blue Umbrella (2005) – Another jewel by Vishal Bhardwaj, this film is based on a novel by Ruskin Bond. With Shahid’s dad and actor extraordinaire Pankaj Kapur as the main character; the shopkeeper jealous of the blue umbrella that is gifted to a village girl by a Japanese tourist. This film is set in picturesque Himachal Pradesh and can be seen just for the beauty of the surroundings, but wait! This is a Vishal Bhardwaj film, so there’s so much more to delight in!
- Arth (1982) – This goes way back in time; I probably saw it a few years after its initial release but the power-packed performances of Shabana Azmi and the late Smita Patil are not easily forgotten even now. The allegedly true story of a Bollywood film maker and his extra-marital affair with an actress entailed all the drama you would expect. But the real winners were the soul-stirring performances by the wife (Shabana) and the high-strung actress (Smita).
I end with this trailor for the Blue Umbrella. Enjoy!
The Yin and Yang of Life Anywhere 