1:45 AM
Meera
I'm currently reading the book Freedom at midnight - it is an epic drama of india's struggle for independance. Then there was this article in hindu about the real role models of today. Where are the leaders, people we look up to and learn from. Icons we idealise?
Some excerpts from the article
"India is passing through a critical phase when the crisis of values is so serious that words like idealism and altruism sound like the wearied notes of an old song "
We seem to have a ailing memory - people who we admired a few days ago are already gathering dust and growing cobwebs in the back of our minds.
"Look around today. Who are the leading lights of any fields and what are they doing? Take a Sachin Tendulkar. I like it when he scores runs and returns back from his father's funeral the next day, and scores a century. But when my young daughter asks why does he endorse Coke or Pepsi, which we have been telling her is bad for health, what do I tell her? Who cares for a Pullela Gopichand who refused to endorse the drink saying he could not recommend something which he thought was harmful. Can we visualise a Dilip Kumar or Guru Dutt promoting products as Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan do?"
Sometimes we pass through a lot of things, a lot of images drift pass us, are we a generation lost in this, trying to carve a space for ourselves? Only time will tell.
You must be wondering why i chose the pictures of bhagat singh and rahul gandhi?
Well one was a martyr and the other .... i was trying to think of an icon i could place beside bhagat singh and frankly i cudn't find any.
These people are prob of the same age, one decided that he had to give up his life for the love of his country... do we have a youth icon who would match up to him in this day & age?
What good is the independance to us today, that which resulted from great sacrifices and innumerous deaths?
(This post wud be continued... as i turn the pages of freedom at midnight)
Sleepily Ever After - Part II
1 year ago
6 comments:
The problem of role model is not just confined to India but has got a universal nature. What is need most to fight against it is pay more attention to the studies of humanites. Unfortunately, everyone wants to study science and commerce these days.
bhagat singh was 23 when he became a martyr....rahul gandhi is 33.
one became famous for his selfless sacrifice...another is famous for his famous surname...
i want to write more, but the mind doesnt want to start another internal fight :)
First thing, u shdnt have put Rahul Gandhi besides the photo of bhagat singh, reasons u know urself.
Btw, I am impressed with Kalam's speeches. Not sure he is a role-model, atleast he is a good inspirer for the Youth. His vision and dreams revolve around Youth.
He cud change the nation, what do u think ?
@Razib: Mebbe it is a universal problem..
@maverick: thts an interesting thought..
@prabhu: it was intentional. I wanted to look at it myself, to see the differences and the short comings!!
Whoever you are - since you graced my blog - I shall grace yours. Interesting article. What I like most about it is the fact that words like "idealism and altruism ..." - I think thats the way it ought to be. We have seen enough bloodshed thanks to "idealistic" and "altruistic" tendencies of humankind. Better to be self-centered and do things that one wants to. Less complications; less expectations from others and others from you.
I like the analogy of Sachin/BigB/Sharukh.
"Are we a generation ... trying to carve a space for ourselves?" - I doubt it. Thats what every generation thinks of themselves.
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