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When faced with terrible crimes such as the lynching of those belonging to minority groups, why do we fall into a 'collective silence'? Nandita Das tells us why we need to speak, more than ever.
When faced with terrible crimes such as the lynching of those belonging to minority groups, why do we fall into a ‘collective silence’? Nandita Das tells us why we need to speak, more than ever.
First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
It is not important really who said this and when. Suffice to say, these lines have stayed with me for a long time now.
These are fractious times with increasingly raucous cacophony threatening to overpower the saner softer voices, thereby sometimes leading to deafening silence.
‘Collective silences’ – a powerful phrase isn’t it? Haven’t we all been guilty of the same sometime or the other in our lives? How culpable are we when we stand by mutely and watch the mayhem unfold?
To speak to society’s collective silences Karwan-e-Mohabbat — a Caravan of Love — was crafted as a journey of atonement, solidarity, conscience, and justice. Karwan-e-Mohabbat seeks to stand alongside the victims of hate crimes and the discriminated to alleviate their sense of foreboding and their fear of imminent violence. It also supports citizen initiatives against normalizing minority lynchings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhPoR27wo3Y
In a recent episode (#Tathya) by Karwan-e-Mohabbat, Nandita Das, the acclaimed actor, and award-winning director spoke about the will and the need to be more honest, free-spirited and brave. She reminded us that courage, conviction, and compassion must always go together.
I would like to add another ‘C’ to her list.
Conversations!
Freewheeling Candid Conversations!
For any vibrant and inclusive society to breathe, thrive and prosper, artists must be the fiery stimulants for individual or interpersonal interactions. Creators by their works of art must spawn frank discussions on divisive issues, vexing topics, or current thorns.
The via medium could be anything. Paintings, Music, Cinema, Drama or Opinion-pieces – any that could ensure heartfelt open exchanges.
Artists are like a soothing balm to the wounds that we inflict upon selves blinded by our preconceived notions, and the resulting churning that we undergo. The masters with their creations appeal to our finer senses and trigger a positive spark within our psyche.
Recently there was a collective uproar over cricketers Hardik Pandya’s and K L Rahul’s misogynistic utterances on a talk show. The innumerable write-ups on their abominable behaviour went viral making public aware, how distasteful the whole episode was. The swift punishment meted out to these two showed when society reacts collectively in one voice, justice can be brought where needed.
Can we do the same when our fellow citizens are made victims of hate crimes?
Anupama Jain is the author of: * ’Kings Saviours & Scoundrels -Timeless Tales from Katha Sarita Sagara’, listed as one of the best books of 2022 by @Wordsopedia. Rooted in the traditional storytelling of Indian legends, warriors, read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
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Rajshri Deshpande, who played the fiery protagonist in Trial by Fire along with Abhay Deol speaks of her journey and her social work.
Rajshri Deshpande as the protagonist in ‘Trial by Fire’, the recent Netflix show has received raving reviews along with the show itself for its sensitive portrayal of the Uphaar Cinema Hall fire tragedy, 1997 and its aftermath.
The limited series is based on the book by the same name written by Neelam and Shekhar Krishnamoorthy, who lost both their children in the tragedy. We got an opportunity to interview Rajshri Deshpande who played Neelam Krishnamoorthy, the woman who has been relentlessly crusading in the court for holding the owners responsible for the sheer negligence.
Rajshri Deshpande is more than an actor. She is also a social warrior, the rare celebrity from the film industry who has also gone back to her roots to give to poverty struck farming villages in her native Marathwada, with her NGO Nabhangan Foundation. Of course a chance to speak with her one on one was a must!
“What is a woman’s job, Ramesh? Taking care of parents-in-law, husband, children, home and things at work—all at the same time? She isn’t God or a superhuman."
The arrays of workstations were occupied by people peering into their computer screens. The clicks of keyboard keys were punctuated by the occasional footsteps moving around to brainstorm or collaborate with colleagues in their cubicles. Most employees went about their tasks without looking at the person seated on either side of their workstation. Meenakshi was one of them.
The thirty-one-year-old marketing manager in a leading eCommerce company in India sat straight in her seat, her eyes on the screen, her fingers punching furiously into the keys. She was in a flow and wanted to finish the report while the thoughts and words were coming effortlessly into her mind.
Natu-Natu. The mellifluous ringtone interrupted her thoughts. She frowned at her mobile phone with half a mind to keep it ringing until she noticed the caller’s name on the screen, making her pick up the phone immediately.
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