02-09-2009, 10:32 AM
The undercurrent of the events seen in Mangalore is just symbolic of the nature of contradictions that are faced by the urban youth of India. It has to be seen in a much wider canvas rather than through the happenings of events in some isolated places. Today, it has happened in Mangalore, tomorrow it may happen in Jaipur or Bhopal. We have to address the fundamental point of conflict.
In an open society, people do enjoy certain latitude as far as social interaction is concerned. In the traditional Indian society young women generally used to keep themselves engaged within ladies groups. Even interaction with men was within certain parameters. The spread of western education and the influence of western TV Print and Electronic media have brought in profound influence on the mind of urban young India. The flow is accelerating and soon the influence of the West may bring in fundamental changes in our social customs and values. The happenings in Mangalore may be a politically motivated action for some media attention, but we cannot deny the fact that the wider change in our social customs is actually taking place. The so called pub culture is rather only one of the manifestations of this whole change that is taking place.
Criticizing certain individuals for being pro or anti pub culture is not going to resolve the wider social issue. No individual alone is responsible for what is happening and it is futile to give a political color to the whole issue. It is not going to fetch any number of votes to any of the major political formations in the next general election . Very wisely the BJP has distances itself from the entire affair.
In an open society, people do enjoy certain latitude as far as social interaction is concerned. In the traditional Indian society young women generally used to keep themselves engaged within ladies groups. Even interaction with men was within certain parameters. The spread of western education and the influence of western TV Print and Electronic media have brought in profound influence on the mind of urban young India. The flow is accelerating and soon the influence of the West may bring in fundamental changes in our social customs and values. The happenings in Mangalore may be a politically motivated action for some media attention, but we cannot deny the fact that the wider change in our social customs is actually taking place. The so called pub culture is rather only one of the manifestations of this whole change that is taking place.
Criticizing certain individuals for being pro or anti pub culture is not going to resolve the wider social issue. No individual alone is responsible for what is happening and it is futile to give a political color to the whole issue. It is not going to fetch any number of votes to any of the major political formations in the next general election . Very wisely the BJP has distances itself from the entire affair.