Reality bites back
As we come across the term reality show, it reminds us of stage performances where individuals or groups compete to achieve the status of celebrity. From what we have seen so far, dancing and singing are two major items for a reality show. Conventionally, anyone rarely thinks beyond this border. It is in fact a platform for entertainment industry enthusiasts to start their marketing of their career.
The most popular reality show worldwide probably is American Idol. But have we taken any keen interests to find what benefits societies have received from these show winners?
When I was back in Nepal, I watched Indian Idol only when it became talk of the town. In the series I watched only a few episodes of a Nepali speaking Indian man Prasant Tamang won the title. Years later, as I watched his contribution to the Nepali music industry, it was much less than what was anticipated when thousands of Nepalese voted to make him winner. The energy, enthusiasm and passion gradually vanished with Tamang’s first album attracting fewer fans.
Here in Australia, I see friends and family members hovering around TV screens waiting for X-Factor, Australia’s Got Talent, The Voice and many other similar reality shows. I have seen arguments and counter arguments for and against these shows on what ways they are beneficial for the viewers. Seniors wait for documentaries, news and other sober shows whereas youngsters say reality shows are their source of inspirations and entertainment for them.
Myself, I never had any interest in reality shows. A few times I saw X-Factor or Australia’s Got Talent or American Idol but never found what I should learn from the show. For me, they are just part of the home entertainment where we appreciate someone’s achievement and ability. You can count in hands of those reality show winners who have brought in changes that have positive impact on the general masses.
I was waiting for years for a reality show where heroes speak. I finally got of this kind – from bollywood star Aamir Khan. And I wasn’t the only one, his show Satyamev Jayate (Truth Alone Prevails) stirred 1.2 billion people in India and similar numbers worldwide. In a 13 episodes debut of Khan into television, the bollywood star presented those social, political and economic issues from India which have remained unchallenged for centuries.
Female feticide, equality for physically challenged, torture and harassment to females for not brining enough dowry, child sexual abuse, the mafia in public health, domestic violence, chemicals used in farming, alcohol abuse, untouchability and ignoring parents in their old age are some of the major issues raised in the show.
The show was not only popular but has made more impact than any shows in the past. Its influence has even prodded the notoriously lethargic government machinery into action.
An organization named Alcoholic Anonymous working to support individuals affected by alcohol said it received over 31,000 calls in less than 10 hours after Khan aired its phone number. Within 20 minutes of its phone number being on air, the AA website had crashed, all telephone lines were jammed and missed calls started piling up.
Weeks after an episode about problems being faced by physically challenged children in getting admission in schools, Delhi government decided to carry out a survey of such kids in the city to extend them educational facilities. Officials said Education Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely has asked his department to launch a survey to find out the number of physically challenged students.
The iconic TV show had exposed the discrepancies and corruption involved in the selling of medicines and flaws in the medical systems as well. As a result Maharashtra and Karnataka state governments have announced to open massive generic medicine stores in their promise to make medicine affordable to poorer masses. Union Health Ministry has announced that generic medicines would be available at all government hospitals from October-November this year.
State and union ministers are taking steps in combating prevailing female feticide. It was almost difficult for political leaders and government ministers not to join Bitiya Bachao Andolan (Save the Girl Child Movement) of villagers in Bhagalpur Bihar, stirred by the show. Chief Justice of the Rajasthan high court gave an in-principle nod to set up a fast track court for expediting trial in cases of female feticide after a consultation with state’s chief minister who was approached by Khan for such a move.
The Haryana government announced that pregnant women would have to submit a photocopy of their identification proof at ultrasound centers as a pre-condition for undergoing the test and there are plans to embed observer chips in ultrasound machines.
Times of India said Aamir Khan’s show Satyamev Jayate is indeed bringing in a revolution (in India). Soon after his second episode on child sexual abuse exposed horrifying stories, the Indian parliament was forced to pass the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences Bill which was pending for far too long.
There have been reports of couples’ reunion after an episode where Khan invited guests to talk about equality and freedom for husband and wife and family disputes arising from dowry culture.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) booked five senior Rajasthan government doctors for granting recognition to the nursing colleges after a show questioned the malpractices in medical colleges. In Pune City school principals have organized workshops on child sex abuse for both parents and younger children. In Maharastra, authorities have cancelled the licenses of seven maternity and abortion centers in Jalna district.
In Bhopal Chhattisgarh, the government has cracked down on nine private doctors and suspended their registration for allegedly advising and performing hysterectomy-removal of uterus and both ovaries-without convincing medical reasons.
To note, it is not just a reality show but a sensational presentation of prevailing social problems, taking full advantage of Khan’s celebrity status. It is an invitation for the viewers to take action at their individual level to address the problems lying near them.
The show is the first of its kind where victims come forward to tell their stories. Khan not only brings victims to show the problem but also brings people and organizations giving answers to those problems. And millions have been raised through donations to support the institutions working hard to give solutions to the problems presented on the show.
For many Indians who believe that their country had moved beyond most of these problems, the show is a gut-wrenching and poignant dose of bitter reality.
The final episode presents shocking facts from around the country where efforts from individual and institutional level have made tremendous and unbelievable changes for good of the general public.
For me, this is a reality show. It is knocking on the doors of the government to act, it is questioning the society about its dark side and it is encouraging individuals to get involved to make it a reality they want to see.
Published in Our World Today