Saturday, December 01, 2007

Lip Service at its best!

1st December - World AIDS day. Another one of those days when socialites, politicians, celebrities in the garb of "social activists" get together and make empty speeches on how we can tackle this menace at all levels. Isn't it a tad surprising that none of these social champions are seen doing anything but appearing on talk shows, debates or other such functions and crying their throat hoarse about protection and social acceptance. 3 million AIDS victims in India alone!! Who are we fooling?? One wonders how many of them are even involved in actually doing grass root level work to help spread AIDS awareness or help AIDS victims. Most of these people on TV don't even know what they are talking of. One such young lady when asked on camera about what she did on AIDS day replied - "Today i ate a biscuit from the same plate as an AIDS patient" This for me is a great achievement. I felt liberated, great, infact out of this world!!!" Shocking isn't it! .... Just makes me wonder what help such a crusader would be in the battle against a deadly menace.

So in the Samurai's humble opinion, mere talks will not do!! You don't need to join an AIDS victim helping organization. All that is needed is to be sensitive to the fact that AIDS victims need to be treated normally. Making them feel like outlaws is ridiculous! Its time we shed hypiit ocrisy and talk openly about how it can be contracted. This ladies and gentlemen is not the time to be politically correct, but being matter of fact about it. Its about fighting an even bigger menace - "Freeing ourselves" . Only if we as individuals in the society are able to fight the battle within our heads. The battle of acknowledging that this is just a disease and the victim needs to be treated with respect. It's only then that we will be able to fight AIDS. Other than that most of it is as they say is - Mere Lip Service.......

2 comments:

!Teq-uila Del Zapata said...

what good will it do? treating them normally will help the smallest bit in this entire scene, Until unless somebody comes and tell you; or you go and visit a AIDS patients ward in hospital you never know which one of them is a patient.
Okay we all talks at all levels; talking happens more than any action, at politicians level scenario is more or less same, we are also part of same pond, only thing is their chances of getting their word converted into action reduces even further, for the simple fact that they are dealing with much much much bigger audience.
Being politically correct or being hypocrite is part of being a civilized being, every one is same.
If we really want to help any one with AIDS or for that matter any fatal disease, we can at least help an individual case and feel good, Criticizing anyone including politician will not help anyone. That is more like tea time discussion or common old age chit-chat.

Ekta Grover said...

I am always mesmerized by the 'tags' you always come up with.Wish I was this creative, I wonder if I should quit being a libran.
Anyway, the article speaks of a B-school Grad,and thinks just the way he should..'Unconventional'

cheers!