Bans, Boycotts and Bharat (India) (B on Day 2 of A to Z Challenge 2015)

It was somewhere in the midst of Ban and Boycotts for Bharat (India) - A facade my country has started to don lately.

Here is a quick recap of bans on creativity and choices we make as individuals.
(This is not comprehensive list and in no order of preference):

1. India's Daughter was banned because it projects bad image of India. BBC was sent a notice by the Indian authorities and the documentary was taken down from the internet.

Un-ban our choices, Un-ban our freedom
Source - Google 

2. It was in the midst of a Beef Ban (cow slaughter ban) imposed in Maharashtra as Cow is worshiped by Hindus (majority religion in India) and Indian authorities are presumably stepping towards Hindu theocracy (overshadowing India's secular constitution). Cows will receive legal protection and mug shots with identity proofs are being created. The ban is likely to be extended across the country.

3. It was a ban that Un-freedom Movie was subjected to for focusing on homosexuality as it can promote unnatural passion.

4. Kalki Koechlin's 'Margarita With A Straw' cleared by Censor Board with only one cut - of a 12-second kissing scene. It is a film about a woman with cerebral palsy coming to terms with her queer sexuality.

5. The word Bombay beeped out of Mihir Joshi's songtrack 'Sorry' because it is 'offensive' to use primitive nomenclature (Bombay) for Mumbai. The track is a conversation between a father and his daughter and I wrote it after the Nirbhaya Gang rape case in December 2012.ay

Here are the lyrics of the song:

I am sorry sweetheart

This is the world I am giving you today. 

It is the same thing no matter what you read… 

From Delhi to Bombay. I wish it was different darling...

Wish you could feel nice and safe. 

But the world’s gone crazy, I don't know what to say’
6. Amendments to Section 66 A of the Information Technology Act was aimed at banning my liberty to speak my mind online. Thankfully the Supreme Court of India rendered it unconstitutional. And I am relieved as my Facebook updates will not invite an arrest order from the authorities on grounds of offensive, while I attempt to show my dissent.

7. Creators of All India Bakchod Roost were forced to take down the video from Youtube as it breached Indian values. Outcry over creative cinematic ventures like Haider, PK are not alien to Indians. And even the infamous movie 50 Shades of Grey made to banned items in India.

As I write this post, I am enraged. I have a question for those who support these bans and promote boycotts in the name of our nation. So as individuals, what are we (we refers to those who are impacted by these bans)?  

Are we heading adolescence?
Are we rash bunch of brats who are to be disciplined?
Are we incapable of making decisions?
Do we have to project a regressive face of development to the world today?
Do we really in need of writing a oligarchy for generations to come?
Are we a nation where people need to be fed on the right idea of entertainment, food, religion and music?
Do we have hold years old values paramount and fail to walk with the times?
Do we really have to be controlled for the choices we make as individuals?

THE ANSWER TO EACH OF THE QUESTION LISTED ABOVE IS A BIG LOUD SHOUT OF A 'Damn NO'.

My nation Bharat (India) is becoming all about Bans, Boycott, Bigotry. We do not need this? We are able enough to make the right choices as individuals. And we are liberated enough to make the wrong choices. Do not make decisions for me. My soul suffocates and curse you.

Ban mongers - If you do not like it, choose to avoid it. Please do not make decisions for me. I do not need your wisdom!

Author's Note: Impose a blanket Ban on Injustice, Hypocrisy, Corrupt, Bigots, Small Thinkers, Shallow Minds, Sexists, Rapists, Crime, Violence...

Ban the wrong. Ban it today - you need not ban anything else! I detest those mindless bans that take away my freedom of making choices, my freedom of deriving solace or getting a high to bring out my creativity.

P.S. Bans, Boycotts and Bharat (India) on B - April 2, 2015. My second post for the A to Z April Challenge.

India's Daughter Disowns You. #NirbhayaBraveheart

You teach everyone that it is okay to treat me secondary as
You served him four and mine were counted till two.
You stopped me from eating beyond three and
You said that girls look pretty only when slim and lean.
You got me only dolls when I wanted to play with all, that's when
You told me with conviction that I must choose not what I want.

You said that I need to be ready right when I was a kid
You insisted everyday that I only cook, garden, sow and clean.
You taught me to put up a smiling face when I am in pain and
You label me impure for those three day because I menstruate.
You told me to cover up as I grew towards teens, that's how
You told me that I need to conceal what I have.

You groomed me and it seemed to be getting ready for a war
You did not raise a soldier but a victim of that war.
You saved for not my big day but your big day when
You were to dissociate with me to garner ritualistic praises.
You did wrong and I unlearned all your teachings, so while
You said getting slapped get me out of trouble, I ended up beating blue them all.

29 December - National Shame Day (India)

I (India's Daughter) request you to disown me because I refuse to be your definition of a girl, woman, lady...
To such an India, Am I India's Daughter - I am no more, I disown you!

Source: Google Search

Author's Note: Nirbhaya is not ashamed, it is you who call me your daughter - you are ashamed! 

Stop dragging a brave-heart in your filthy conversations. No one, no statements and no act can bring disgrace to her. That act cannot be undone, and many such acts happen across India, when India quietly prepares its daughters for the war!

Background: There is an outcry following statement made in 'India's Daughter', a BBC Storyville documentary by British filmmaker Leslee Udwin by Mukesh Singh, driver of the bus in which the rape took place. He said Decent girl won't roam around at 9 o'clock at night. A girl is far more responsible for rape than a boy is. Boys and girls are not equal. Housework and housekeeping is for girls, not roaming in discos and bars at night or wearing wrong clothes. About 20% of girls are good. The rape and beatings were to teach the young woman and her friend a lesson that they should not have been out late at night.

INDIA's DAUGHTER is the story of the short life, and brutal gang rape and murder in Delhi in December 2012 of an exceptional and inspiring young woman. The rape of the 23 year old medical student by 6 men on a moving bus, and her death, sparked unprecedented protests and riots throughout India and led to the first glimmers of a change of mindset. Interwoven into the story line are the lives, values and mindsets of the rapists whom the film makers have had exclusive and unprecedented access to interview before they hang. The film examines the society and values which spawn such violent acts, and makes an optimistic and impassioned plea for change.

(Source: IMDB)

Fear

I was walking on a calm road. However, it ought to be a busy one, as it is right besides a busy ringroad. But this one is calm, you dont get to hear the honking to rash bus drivers, its rare to spot a car or two. I am amongst the pedestrians who take resort to an evening walk everyday after work.



Do I actually come here for a walk? I often ask myself. I have a strange association with this place. During the day its all green, peaceful and lively. One can just sit around while missing college days! At night its mysterious. Is it really enigmatic or I make it that way? I make stories as I stand beneath a tree I detest looking up as I fear a child will be sitting on the branch and will wave at me. While walking in dark I feel a witch is riding on a broom stick chasing me.

For the remaining part of the story CLICK HERE

Fear

I was walking on a calm road. However, it ought to be a busy one, as it is right besides a busy ringroad. But this one is calm, you don't get to hear the honking of rash bus driven, its rare to spot a car or two. I am amongst the pedestrians who take resort to an evening walk everyday after work.

Do I actually come here for a walk? I often ask myself. I have a strange association with this place. During the day its all green, peaceful and lively. One can just sit around while missing college days! At night its mysterious. Is it really enigmatic or I make it that way? I make stories as I stand beneath a tree I detest looking up as I fear a child will be sitting on the branch and will wave at me. While walking in dark I feel a witch is riding on a broom stick chasing me.

I know I come here to face my fear! To affirm that I am a brave girl. Of late I have observed myself facing my fears and this makes me feel high about myself. Ironically I feel that I am just being silly, nothing of this sort happens! Perhaps I am in love with this place, my accomplice for happy and sad times. When I am happy I want to take a long walk and celebrate my happiness with the trees and birds around. When I am sad I want to find a secluded corner to cry.

Today was a strange day. I woke up in the morning with someone knocking on the door of my room on opening it no one was there. While commuting a women passed by my car and on my shouting at her she gave a wicked smile to me, as if she wasn't scared of being hit by my car. The lift-man of the office building was a new guy who greeted me with a big smile, dressed like the doorman of five star hotels.

While this thought was crossing my mind, I saw a man coming towards me. He seem like a sensible gentleman in his early 40s. He sought me to guide him for the way to the ringroad. I was distracted from a self interrogation session. This is meant to be my me-time, I don't even take my mobile calls during this time. Irritated, I politely responded to his query to guide him a way to the ringroad. He seem confused and requested me to accompany him till the turn where it would be easier for me to help him locate the way.

Not wanting to walk towards the other end of the road with a stranger. I thought to start interacting with him. I have always been apprehensive about sharing my thoughts and vulnerability with someone known, as it would give them a means to for them to be judgemental. For the world, I am an introvert.

The gentleman introduced himself, I am Dr. Khocchar, I am a management professor at Harvard Business School. For a moment I was taken aback. HBS, well this is amongst the best b-schools in the world, rather the top most school. Ohh, I am Maanvi, I work as a researcher with Mc Kinsey!

I like this place, greenery and peace despite being a part of the national capital, he said.

Is it the first time you have come here? I asked.

He replied, yes, I was suppose to visit FMS, its good to come back to your country.

Mhmmm, I murmured.

This being a campus area, I have been noticing a lot of billboards aimed at sensitising the youngsters about STDs, HIV, fighting eve teasers, and what not.... Is it actually safe? I have been reading quite a few things on Delhi being unsafe.

Yes its safe! I was be-dazed by his question. At least I have never noticed anything supernatural and I don't even want to, I thought.

Ohkkk... he seemingly was perturbed by my being stunned. Well its ought to be safe, I have seen police around, he was trying to get be back at ease.

I smiled at him and decided to share my vulnerability. I said actually you asking me this question took me off my senses. I took your question to a completely different connotation. I told him that I find this place unsafe and fear facing supernatural powers, but I still come here. He heard me with patience.

So you face your fear.. That's amazing, not many people can do it. I must say that you are a brave girl, this made me feel as it I am a kid and someone is telling me that I am the best! I just could not stop now, I started narrating all the instances and philosophies that I have about life and my fear. It was the time that we reached the corner of the road where we were suppose to part ways. He said that he would have loved to spend time with me, a brave girl!

Situation 1: He asked could we sit for some time together and talk about it. We sat roadside and discussed my philosophies with him. He was an amazing human being and I was no more an introvert. After an hour, he had to leave, we shared visiting cards and stayed in touch. He was someone who will remain unknown to me, but I have managed to have a pal to share my vulnerability with, without the fear of being judged.

Situation 2: Now however he had to leave as he had a to rush. Can we meet sometime in future, he asked while we exchanged cards. He promised to meet tomorrow and then vanished instantly in the air. He was a spirit... I was dead scared.

Situation 3: For today its not possible, I have to head for home. I notices a vendor staring at us. Can we meet tomorrow? He asked. Yes we can I said and we shook hands. We took our ways and looked back to pass the last glance for the day. He was not there. He perhaps vanished. I asked a vendor, where is the gentelman? He replied who gentelman. I have been noticing you talking to yourself. I was not scared, he perhaps we a ghost or an illusion. I plan to met him tomorrow. I know I am brave.

Author's Note: Which is the best situation of all... Please give your preference.

Lizards

The only thing I am fearful of is when I see a Lizard around.. I am not scared of rat, dog, perhaps, even a lion!But when I see a Lizard, what crosses my mind is awful!.

I jump away the moment I see a lizard, as I imagine the lizard's shooting tongue aiming at me.. Like it does to insects. Now in less that a blink of eye, I have been gorged by this small reptile. Awful naa?? No!

Well then read on if you really have the guts of spend time here.

After that lizard becomes huge, hunting for the next prey. Its bigger than I was. Its haunting you now, right?? Well I would not know if it really haunts you or no, but whenever I see a lizard this thought always crosses my mind, and I freak out!

So I think about the concept of fear. What is fear, not the dictionary meaning here... I mean to ask what do you mean by fear. Something like what I explained above.

My belief is that fear is the threat we see from something unknown. I have never been friendly with lizards. But now whenever I come to my sister's room, I don't scare away from their pet Lizzy... Probably my sisters are in good terms with her and she does not seem to be targeting me as a prey. But I know the ones who keep roaming around in my room are no less than a monster!! Eeeeewwwwwwuuuu

PS: Share your thoughts on Lizards!