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[Zainab Bawa]

Dear Prakash,
Thanks for the thought provoking email. I have gained a lot from it.
I have seriously been thinking as to what is it that can be done in a 
situation like this. While relief and communal harmony agencies are trying 
to provide material help to rehabilitate the riot victims, the wounds are 
much deeper. Unfortunately, they soon develop to become historical wounds 
which lead to more antagonism in future.
My concern is for the youngsters who are likely to be influenced by the 
Sangh Parivar. Here in Mumbai itself, thousands of youngsters have been 
recruited to serve the RSS and its 'cause'. Women are being mobilized to 
take up arms use training. Ekta Kapoor with her 'fantastic' serials like 
Saas bhi kabhi, Kahani, etc. is subtly propagating a 'Hindu' culture which I 
am becoming very wary of. There are Ramayan readings in the dark corners of 
Western Suburbs at mid-nights. One wonders the motivation behind all of 
this. Isn't it too obvious, too sinister?!?!?!
What can we do? My personal aim is to work with young people and stimulate 
their faculities of independent thinking. At this point, I find apathy in my 
generation, yet there is strong hope in this generation and that hope is 
driving me to continue to work towards my vision.
At the same time, I am wondering what is the role that media can play? 
Recently, two friends in Ahmedabad began to use the radio to send out 
messages of how violence can affect lives and how violence can lead to 
contructive or destructive attitudes. They seem to be happy with the 
responses of the effort.
Are there other ways? Whom can we talk to? How can we talk to them? Is 
dialogue the way? Is 'otherization' of the fanatics the way? Are there are 
multiple and parallel ways? I am thinking still . . .
Zainab



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