I. Satyamev Jayate: Satyamev Jayate S1 | Episode 3 | Big Fat Indian Wedding
Story of Rani Tripathi
Directed by Mr Satyajit Bhatkal, Satymev Jayate is a television show which was aired in three seasons between 2012 and 2014. In the show, a famous icon from Bollywood, Aamir Khan talks to people from different walks of life and discusses different social struggles they have been through. The show tries to provide possible solutions to these challenges. An episode, ‘Big Fat Indian Wedding’ brings to the floor, the issue of unnecessary and showy expenditures and dowry practices in marriages across the length and breadth of India. One of the stories of a girl named, Rani particulary caught my attention. When the invitation cards of her proposed wedding were already out, the groom’s family put forward a demand for heavy dowry. The girl was enraged on realizing this and convinced her entire family for a sting operation to expose the greedy mindset of the groom’s family. There are countless such issues which the families must face boldly. Aamir Khan asks in this episode, very thought-provoking question, “Do you think marriages have become a business transaction in our country today?”
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvLI1kUYazE; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgTpZ-Fxx5s
II. “A Brown Girl’s Guide” – A Better Tomorrow |Poetry YouTube: Heroes by Aranya Johar | Spoken Word Poetry
With an increasing interest of the young population in watching shows and short videos on websites like YouTube, media has been rapidly evolving in present times. In cities like Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad, the concept of open theatres and open mic is becoming ubiquitous. In this regard, a student of DCNM class would appreciate the concept of learning from poetry and short stories narrated by young performers on digital channels. A poem by Aranya Johar encourages the listener to understand the relevance of gender equality today. The poetry points out several ways in which society labels men and women. With her creativity, she tries to break notions: for instance, men are supposed to exhibit masculinity when they showcase their eight-pack abs and in so many Indian households, women are taught that end goal of life is to marry. She envisions a world where all gender, binary and non-binary, get acceptance and their rightful space.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5Tw-JEHJOs
III. Dandi Kutir: Astounding use of digital resources to elaborate on the life story of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
Dandi Kutir in Gandhinagar is the world’s largest museum dedicated to providing a glimpse of the life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. The museum has three floors, and the exhibits are divided into five parts: The Early Life, Life in London and Back Home, Life in South Africa, Return to India and Satyagraha and Road to Independence. There are visuals and pictures all around. The visitors are provided with headphones and a small wireless audio receiver. As one move to a particular section, the audio pertaining to that one automatically plays. The audio is available in both languages, Hindi and English. A router like a device is fitted in each section, which sends the signal to the receiver with each listener. One of the most special section is a mini-train where the audience gets seated. The videos played on its side and front-wall, indeed make the visitors believe as if they are travelling and visiting places in India along with Gandhiji to deliver speeches. The entire set-up is an excellent example of unique use of digital technology and of disseminating knowledge.
IV. ‘Magic Modi’ : Digital campaign using hologram
The three-dimensional hologram technique which was used by our Honorable Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Damodardas Modi in his digital campaigns for 2014 general elections were a matter of awe for both educated and illiterate sections of Indian society. From a studio in Bhartiya Janta Party’s office in Gandhinagar, he used to reach out to around 100 to 125 different locations in India using this technique. According to an article by Telegraph, ‘Leaders have to travel its 9,300 mile length and 1,800 mile breadth several times over the course of a two month, nine stage campaign to 543 constituencies and their 800 million voters. Even travelling by executive jet and helicopter, they can barely address more than three rallies in a day.’A 3-D rally of this sort serves advantages like: reaching out to more number of people at the same time, without actually being present and bringing down of expenses to just one percent of cost which is otherwise required. This new form of media used for reaching out to masses can help invoking the spirit of inquiry and also help students engage in constructive discussions in DCNM class.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z2p3dsTwoU
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