PADMAVAT Protests- Does it herald the death of democracy in India?

After months of endless debate, speculation, baseless rumours, violent protests, delays and cuts, Padmavat is about to hit the screens across India today.

Already, there is news of widespread violence in major states of North India. Even a school bus carrying children to school wasn't spared by the mob protesting against the release of this movie. To give a background to the controversy, this magnum opus is directed by one of India's finest moviemaker in contemporary times. He has been a tried and tested movie mogul with aesthetically shot movies under his belt. He is not some sleazy, slimy third rate director out to sully or distort historically revered figures.

Even if one discounted his credentials as a respected and admired filmmaker, his product should be dissected on its own merit. Civilized society does not function in the barbaric fashion that the protesters are adopting. They are dishonouring the valour of Rajputs themselves by their vandalism, erroneously equating the two as a substitute of one another.

So much agrression and controversy over a mere movie?

I wish people had better causes to champion and channelised their aggression productivel.

The vested interests have no longer any valid opposition to the film in question. Only imaginary slights and conjectures are fuelling the animosity and anger. Even when proved wrong, by the vast majority of media and intelligentsia who have seen the movie and vouched for it, the protesters go on a rampage like insane bulls with no respect towards the law of the land.

How the government deals with these hooligans, remains to be seen. It ought to set an example. Strict state action would act as a deterrent to those who try to curb voice of free expression with their cacophony.

If we are matured as an audience to handle debates on religion and God in PK and Oh My God, surely we can allow a filmmaker to interpret history his way particularly when 'his way' has been applauded by the media as one of restraint and utmost reverance, almost like an ode to the beautiful Rani Padmini.

How about not choking democracy full throttle and letting it breathe??

Sigh.....

When Routine becomes Special!

How are you doing? What's up? Kya chal raha hai ? Sundry polite queries and chitchat begin with the above. My humble, slightly sheepish response is ..."Oh! just the routine" where the routine implies...home management, looking after the needs of hubby and kids, maintaining a functional, thriving family life interspersed with a paltry social life and other obligations. 

As a woman, and an Indian woman in particular, especially who is a homemaker/ stay-at-home mum/ non-career, female member of the household...at times I do find myself trapped in the monotonous routine. 

The routine of daily chores, the routine of performing upto the expected standards, the routine of being held responsible if something goes amiss, the routine of being a pillar of strength even in times when you need a shoulder to lean on. 

This routine of waking up to the shrill alarm bell to get the kids ready for school till the time when you hit the bed, exhausted and spent has its fair share of moments. The sense of fulfilment at being the centre of universe and the fulcrum of your home, to being the indispensable entity in the lives of your loved ones, gives an immeasurable high and joy.

But despite all the accolades and love which is showered upon a woman for all that she does for her family, a part of her craves for something more, a tangible, concrete evidence of her self worth and unexplored potential.

This craving gives way to wanting to do something more than the mundane, something more worthwhile than the 'routine'.

I look around and find lot of women staying abreast of the routine by doing stuff which is for their own pleasure. Developing hobbies and pursuing them with full gusto and dedication is an option being widely explored. Then there are the kitty parties! Often housewives go on a guilt trip if they indulge their time and money in seemingly frivolous stuff like shopping or kitty parties, both looked disdainfully at by their families. 

There has to be a life beyond these necessary outlets of pent up emotions which women need to tap at the right time and place in life. How she manages her 'routine life' depends on her skills and temperament. 
Each woman has her own family graph and unique set of circumstances which may dictate her actions and choices accordingly. 

Now choice is the key word here. The 'choice' to make her decisions regarding her home, family and financial matters, social life etc. is what makes her routine special. 

 From the 'The big choices' of being a stay-at-home mum or a working mum, the choice to live in a nuclear family or joint, the choice to have 1 or 2 kids etc to the small choices like deciding the family menu, holiday trips, planning get-togethers, shopping trips etc, all of the above make the monotonous, humdrum routine life of a woman truly special. This is what makes her feel relevant in the family structure.

And this power of choice emboldens her to make her routine very 'special and unique' in its own fulfilling ways.