Foolish Viewers

Foolish Viewers

It had been number of times that actors mock the intelligence of viewers. But it is also true that the TV characters get so deep in the life of the viewers that they start believing them. There was a time when people used to touch feet of Deepika Shaw thinking her to be Sita. There was another time when viewers used to cry with Rupa Ganguly on her plight. There was a time when some movies became part of many weddings. But this is an era of reality shows where reality shows are mocking the intelligence of the viewers. Take the case of one actor who initially selected a choreographer for a dance reality show. Abandoned him as her Baliye soon after the show and blamed him for ditching as well. Do we call it a reality show ? Perfect dancers competing with novices and then losing and then blaming the channel for foul play.

Another reality TV comes in, viewers expect that the groom which the bride has selected will be married there and then. All arrangements are made and then the bride-to-be says that she will restrict to engagement. Is it not breach of trust of the viewer. The TV channel has mocked the institution of marriage and how easily the Indian traditions of past can be modified and manipulated for making money . After the first marriage on Swayamar turned out to be hoax the TV channels expect that a season 2 will also be a success. And this time they are playing hoax through a man who had already been accused by his first wife.

There is another reality serial under way wherein it is proposed that infants will be used for the duration of the show. Is it reality or entertainment in any way? It is strange that the Minister of State for Women and Child Development , Ms Krishna Tirath and the Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ms.Ambika Soni (both women) are keeping quiet on such degradation of mother-child relationship. There are NGOs which come up for protection of animal rights violation in movies, but are there no rights of infants and children. Is there no law in India that specifies punishment for parents if they willfully exploit their children. Every one knows that separating an infant from his mother may lead to anxiety to a child. The development of child without a mother always lacks compared to a child who has his mother closely. A mother is primary care-giver to a child and her non presence may lead to insecurity for the child. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had already recommended that children below 16 years of age be barred from participating in reality TV shows but is the Minister of Information and Broadcasting still sleeping on the same? We must understand that the stress of a reality TV show is different then the recorded show.

Infect Government of Maharashtra had issued notices to many TV shows like Balika Vadhu under the Child Labour Act. But did the notices lead anywhere ? Has the Mumbai Laobor Commissioner satisfied himself that the conditions under the Child Labor Act are fulfilled. But in the case of Pati Patni or Woh, it is the issue of Life to Life of infants. Infect the Mumbai High Court should intervene in-case the administrative machinery is sleeping on it. It should set an example that infants in this country cannot be used as props in serials.

As regards the reality show each show appears to be fixed in some way. Remember there are acquisitions against all shows - Big Boss, Nach Baliye, VOI. Also the method of votes by SMS is strange. Though the producers make big money out of these SMSes but there always be question marks on such method. There was a time when Anthakshari started as a first reality show - no judges ; no SMSes and no scope of manipulation. But these days even the producers are aware that the viewers do not trust them anymore therefore they have started bringing in the process auditors in the show. Anyways whatever may be the content - exploitation of infants should be stopped at all cost.