The demigod status accorded to Bollywood stars, Cricketers and popular politicians seems to reflect a mindset shaped by centuries of colonization of India. We firmly believe in 'Hero Worship' and 'VIP Status'. Many value their own status and standing by their perceived closeness to these so called VIPs and Stars.
No wonder then that these VIPs expect to be treated like Gods and see no reason to follow the rules or abide by the laws of this nation. Unfortunately, to their dismay, most other countries follow the simple philosophy of - "laws are same for all".
So when SRK got the treatment of a commoner in the hands of US Immigration officials, all his friends and followers were up in arms.
One of our overenthusiastic minister even proposed a tit-for-tat strategy for visiting Americans. Our national dailies and TRP hungry News Channels ran it as the headline story for days altogether.
Lets look at the facts -
Thousands of Indians visit US every day and millions live in the US. Given the US paranoia post 9/11, many would have had similar experiences, but neither the Indian government nor the media bothered to make it an issue. But all the hell broke loose when the "Global Icon" (we may have redefine Global)was queried at Newark Airport for over an hour.
May be it is the US paranoia and strict vigil, with no VIP exceptions, which has spared US any terror attacks post 9/11.
In our VIP infested nation, which provides no-security-frisking privileges not only to the VIPs but to even their relatives, terrorists strike at will. We only pray and hope, as we can not rely on the abilities of our government and security agencies to tackle the terror.
I completely sympathize with SRK when he says that he was irritated and angry for being made to wait but the accusation of racial & religious profiling and resulting media hoopla was completely unwarranted, given the fact that even senior US lawmakers like Edward Kennedy and former Vice President Al Gore have had the similar experiences. It goes to prove that US does not believe in VIP culture, when it comes to national security. So why such hue & cry?
This shows our immaturity as a nation which can not get over our fixation with VIPs and STARs.
SRK would have done a great service to himself and the nation by reporting this incident to the media and also telling them as to how gracefully he cooperated with the US authorities who were doing their job of securing their nation. This could have sent a positive message and might have done some good to change the attitudes of our VIPs and Stars. However, by crying foul, he not only has made himself look small but also has lost an opportunity to become a Real Hero ....
I hope that our VIPs learn some lessons from our beloved former President Dr. Kalam, who despite being frisked in his own country by an US Airline staff, as per US Aviation Authority rules which are certainly against Indian Laws, just laughed away and let the matter be handled by concerned authorities.
Well SRK is no APJ...
RK
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Hmm, you are right in your views, but SRK needs all the publicity he can get for his movie, "My Name is Khan" and everyone (including you!) has fallen for his ploy. He is getting publicity that money cannot buy. I'd say he is doing a damn good job.
ReplyDeleteAgree with your views RK. Exactly my thoughts too (wish I said it first!). Like Arun observes, SRK is partly to blame and the blame mostly falls on the TRP hungry hounds called TV journalists in India.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Our VIPs simply cannot handle it when they are treated like a commoner.
ReplyDeleteAm watching an interview of SRK by Rajdep Sardesai on CNN-IBN. Looks like SRK has read RK's blog because now he is saying all the right things!
ReplyDeleteSheila
ya you are right,even edward kennedy also subjected to the issues like this but there VIP are not meant wich was meant in our country.
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Who will be the next superstar in Bollywood?
A) Sharukh Khan
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C) Hrithik Roshan
D) Amir khan
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ReplyDeleteBefore the grand lanch function of "Bharat Swabhiman Mission"
Baba Ramdev seems to be genueinly interested
in the betterment of desh, dharam, rajniti
and i used to watch him on Aastha channel regularly
But right from the lanch function of "Bharat Swabhiman Mission"
where Babaji had invited a Shia Muslim maulaavi
and introduced him as his darling brother
speeches of Babaji has lost its sharpness
for the protection of desh, dharam, rajniti
Maybe its the price one has to pay
to garner support of all residing in india
and whether they are muslim
it does not matter
As a common hindu
what more could i have done but
only stopped actively watching Babaji
from that lanch function
though i still regard Babaji
as a great yoga master
and for his oratory skills
But, now in the present controvercy
of Devband fatva against Vande Mataram
attended by Babaji and home minister
hindus should protest and show their displeasure
to both Babaji and home minister
for agreeing to be a part of function
working against the spirit of Bharat
and consolidating/ fanning the Jihadi movement
As politicians support Jihadis
for capturing muslim vote bank
is Babaji trying to capture
muslim and sickular followers
by agreeing to attend Jihadi function
and not speacking out against
the fatva then and there
not even 2 days after that
all this when Babaji is
the most outspoken hindu guru
who is more than ready to
give sound bytes on each and every
topic including yoga
and never take any nonsense
laying down from any celebrited reporters/ editors
is it that like all other leaders
whether they are politicians or not
they are always supporting Jihadis
at the cost of hindus
and like them Babaji too
wants to capture muslim and sickular followers
and / or
even Babaji fears from Jihadis
O Hindus come out of your hibrenation
how long you want to wait
for things to get worse
before trying for their recovery
its easy to get charged up against Jihadis
but path to recovery goes first
by winning over the sickular hindus
O Hindus, this is the time
to lanch campainge against
all sickular hindus
in the form of Babaji
and dont wait for RSS/ BJP/ VHP
dont look forward for their orders
listen to your heart/ mind
Babaji has a reputation
of coming out sucessfully
from every controvery in the past
which where lanched by sickulars
but this time
if common hindus campainge
against his sickular tendencies
at least he has to say sorry
for his moments of weakness
i appeal all PRO-HINDU bloggers
to write-up on this topic from their heart
so that greater clearity and publicity to
hindu's view emerage in media
also remember that
blogging alone cannot provide
answers to worldly problems.
http://hinduonline.blogspot.com/2009/11/original-post-no-4-o-hindus-come-out-of.html
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Misra Sir we are waiting for your next post your blogs are really worth reading please keep writing sir :)
ReplyDelete