This is a take off on the experience of the courageous Rohtak girls who took on their villains, in a moving bus, with scant support, nay reaction, from any of their fellow passengers, a few of whom even went on to enjoy their discomfiture!
I've a few queries with regard to similar instances:-
(a) Is this phenomenon only prevalent in our country?
(b) Is it because everyone wants to mind his/her own business?
(b) Is it that a problem is considered as one only when it happens to oneself or someone close?
(d) Is it that we've a cowardly streak in us that we're dead scared of the repercussions?
(e) Is it that we want to react but avoid doing so because of the follow through - umpteen number
of visits to the police station and having to face uncomfortable questions at a court of law?
And I also seem to have the answers for my queries above, which are ad seriatim:-
(a) No, there have been similar cases reported from the other parts of the world too. But why go
that far, within our country there are many places where the 'onlookers' are rare or are in a
minority.
(b) A statement that's totally false in the Indian context. More than minding our own matters,
we're bothered about what's happening with our neighbours/friends/relatives, etc. The list can
be endless!
(c) Sadly, yes! Probably, the best example to highlight this trait is when we dump our waste into
our neighbour's space, a trend usually noticeable in the 'flat culture', completely ignoring the
fact that your neighbour's well being is of paramount importance to your own hassle-free life!
(d) Yes, most of us - if not all - are cowards! We're scared of the repercussions. Period!!
(e) Of course, the formalities of the law are viewed as dampeners and a sheer waste of time
because there have been umpteen number of cases where a witness was made a villain. This
happens in cases where one is pitted against the VIPs or the one's with 'connections'(?)
So what's the remedy? Simple, an attitudinal change is needed!
Tailpiece.
1. And it can be brought about easily - when every individual learns to respect the other's sister, wife and mother just as he expects everyone to do so in the case of his own!
2. My salute to the Rohtak sisters! Let your courage ignite the empathy in each one of us!!
I've a few queries with regard to similar instances:-
(a) Is this phenomenon only prevalent in our country?
(b) Is it because everyone wants to mind his/her own business?
(b) Is it that a problem is considered as one only when it happens to oneself or someone close?
(d) Is it that we've a cowardly streak in us that we're dead scared of the repercussions?
(e) Is it that we want to react but avoid doing so because of the follow through - umpteen number
of visits to the police station and having to face uncomfortable questions at a court of law?
And I also seem to have the answers for my queries above, which are ad seriatim:-
(a) No, there have been similar cases reported from the other parts of the world too. But why go
that far, within our country there are many places where the 'onlookers' are rare or are in a
minority.
(b) A statement that's totally false in the Indian context. More than minding our own matters,
we're bothered about what's happening with our neighbours/friends/relatives, etc. The list can
be endless!
(c) Sadly, yes! Probably, the best example to highlight this trait is when we dump our waste into
our neighbour's space, a trend usually noticeable in the 'flat culture', completely ignoring the
fact that your neighbour's well being is of paramount importance to your own hassle-free life!
(d) Yes, most of us - if not all - are cowards! We're scared of the repercussions. Period!!
(e) Of course, the formalities of the law are viewed as dampeners and a sheer waste of time
because there have been umpteen number of cases where a witness was made a villain. This
happens in cases where one is pitted against the VIPs or the one's with 'connections'(?)
So what's the remedy? Simple, an attitudinal change is needed!
Tailpiece.
1. And it can be brought about easily - when every individual learns to respect the other's sister, wife and mother just as he expects everyone to do so in the case of his own!
2. My salute to the Rohtak sisters! Let your courage ignite the empathy in each one of us!!
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