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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...
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Neena was the sole caregiver of Amma and though one would think that Amma was dependent on her, Neena felt otherwise.
Neena inhaled the aroma that emanated from the pan and took a deep breath. The aroma of cumin interspersed with butter transported her back to the modest kitchen in her native village. She could picture her father standing in the kitchen wearing his white crisp kurta as he made delectable concoctions for his only daughter.
Neena grew up in a home where both her parents worked together in tandem to keep the house up and running. She had a blissful childhood in her modest two-room house. The house was small but every nook and cranny gave her memories of a lifetime. Neena’s young heart imagined that her life would follow the same cheerful course. But how wrong she was!
When she was sixteen, the catastrophic clutches of destiny snatched away her parents. They passed away in a road accident and Neena was devastated. Relatives thronged her now gloomy house and soon it was decided that she should be married off.
Being a writer, Nivedita Louis recognises the struggles of a first-time woman writer and helps many articulate their voice with development, content edits as a publisher.
“I usually write during night”, says author Nivedita Louis during our conversation. Chuckling she continues,” It’s easier then to focus solely on writing. Nivedita Louis is a writer, with varied interests and one of the founders of Her Stories, a feminist publishing house, based in Chennai.
In a candid conversation she shared her journey from small-town Tamil Nadu to becoming a history buff, an award-winning author and now a publisher.
Nivedita was born and raised in a small town in Tamil Nadu. It was for schooling that she first arrived in Chennai. Then known as Madras, she recalls being awed by the city. Her love-story with the city, its people and thus began which continues till date. She credits her perseverance and passion to make a difference to her days as a vocational student among the elite sections of Madras.
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