Deepika Padukone’s Twitter rage over Times Of India video is
disturbing. Not because she roared. Salutes to her! Well said!
It is so because it is making News. Social media is on
a roll… all and sundry slamming ToI, praising the actress’ courage and
discussing media ethics and women’s empowerment.
[I do not want to comment of media ethics or women’s
empowerment now, as they are grave topics that warranty isolated attention. I'm speaking only on social media and virtual users now]
Well, during these last few days, another woman has been on the
internet.
Dr Sunitha Krishnan – co-founder of Prajwala and an
anti-trafficking activist. She was gang raped as a teenager that has left her partially
handicapped. She not only survived the dark days but is living in style. A style
that defies glamour and hoopla. She has dedicated her life to ensure no other
girl suffers her fate!
Now she is selected as one of
the five finalists for the prestigious "Nelson Mandela - Graca Machel
Innovation Award 2014. The news is on the very same social media that’s
rallying for Ms Padukone. Dr Sunitha needs her countrymen’s and women’s votes
to win.
Her FB page [as of writing this] has just 3,401 likes. The link
I shared on my page requesting my virtual friends to vote has just 9 likes and
one re-share.
Am sure, Dr Sunitha wouldn’t care
about winning. But as a citizen and a woman, in particular, it hurts.
It hurts to see that
the nation rallies for a star’s cleavage rather than a laywoman’s courage!
Continuing on the social media clamour…I
happened to see another post comparing Mary Com and Priyanka Chopra, followed
by a plethora of comments on how “one is fake and the other original”; ‘Only fake sells in India”… [To those uninitiated:
Priyanka Chopra is an actress who essayed the role of Mary Com in her biopic].
This time around our virtual
friends are sympathizing with Mary Com – the sportswoman - and slamming Ms
Chopra. Here its money and fame that’s rubbing salt. Each single one of them
forgetting that both the women are just living their passion, their dream.
On the same note, let me mention
another woman-related social media News that made headlines last week. An IPS
trainee officer Merin Joseph went viral on the internet because of her beauty.
Following a rumour that she has taken over as the ACP of Kochi, virtual friends
confessed that they wouldn’t mind being arrested by her. Phew!
Her FB page [as of writing this] has 48,437 likes already…and
counting!
I am NOT concluding this article... simply because it’s going
up on the very same social media...
Just one reminder: The social media reactions to the above
women were not all male-exclusive!
PS: Meanwhile, as bloggers let’s do our bit… Here’s the link
where you can cast your vote for Dr Sunitha Krishnan. Voting closes on September
25. http://www.civicus.org/awards/#/home
have been following all these stories since they came up, even the Kochi 'ACP' one... it is a really sad state of affairs. i felt sad reading up on Mary Kom's financial level compared to Priyanka's and I even read Priyanka's 'justification' and it just did not gel with me..
ReplyDeletethe disparity is so huge that it is demoralising for those working hard. Last night, the nursing staff in my hospital were really feeling bad - they had just read somewhere that Hrithik gets 50 crores for the Mohenjadaro movie... these are hardworking staff who put in 12 hours a day and end up getting 8,000 to feed their family after risking their health and dealing with all sorts of patients.
I felt so bad for them... didnt know what to say? How can we justify some of this is beyond me..
It is really a very sad state of affair. We are attracted by glamour and look down upon, who really matter.
ReplyDeleteVoted. I loved her TED talk video... so inspiring that it gave me goosebumps. The disparity in our country is depressing. But as you said all these women have worked their way up. The difference when it comes to wealth and popularity is really sad. I feel it is a reflection of our hypocrite society. Not just India but world wide.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you wrote this! My husband actually said the same thing. Why is everyone making a hue and cry over this and overlooking more important things? The sad state of affairs is the fact that Sex sells. So does sleaze and dirt. The goodness of people. the noble things they do, the achievements they have are all swept under the carpet, because the above is more eye-ball-catching news. And yes, I voted for Sunitha already, because she is a person I truly admire. Well said, Nisha :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a sad state of affairs really...You know about the Priyanka Chopra and Mary Kom news..I don't mind that Priyanka is earning so much..That is her line and her work...But What I feel bad about is that Mary Kom or let's just say our sportswomen and men apart from cricketers get so less... It just makes me sad sometimes...
ReplyDeleteAgree with Naba here. I do not grudge what Priyanka has. But do mind that people like Mary Kom do not get the appreciation they deserve. Off to vote now.
ReplyDeleteNIsha, this was such an important post that you wrote and I missed voting for Dr Sunitha Krishnan by two days or so...so sorry about that! I would have loved to as human trafficking is such a BIG issue around the world, even in Canada where I live. I do hope she wins. Let me know what happens. Thanks! It's such a shame how media portrays women in general, only appealing to sensationalism it seems. <3
ReplyDeleteThanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here... motivational speaker
ReplyDelete