[Reader-list] They will use you, And They will cast you away

[indiaonedge wordpress]

They will use you, And They will cast you away
February 12, 2009

Where did all the media frenzies lead us, till now.

Rang De Basanti was a fortuitous flash of inspiration for the 'new'
media. The story of a youth like 'us', who rise up in anger against
something old and wrong. And achieve a hero status. That was a story
that could easily take hold of millions of young minds. The
idea-starved media took a shot at it. And hit pay dirt gold. They fell
over themselves in making the reservations a national issue. And 'we'
played into it by braving water cannons and lighting candles and
walking with long strides and fierce eyes. Till we realised that they
had turned away. Looking past when we most needed the strength and
sense of power they subtly offered us. As moved on to other things.

How many of these 'this-has-changed-India' moments have we had. The
booming Sensex? We saw it all over. A new, confident, resurgent India.
Karan Johar neatly twitching with pride with Richard Gere fawning him
over with his brand of India eulogising and China bashing.

More recently they say that we have had enough of terrorism, and that
enough was enough, and it looked like they were again fighting for us.
Fat chance. Mumbais gun weilders are long past dead. As we realise
that the media was sometimes fighting among us , and mostly over us.
There are numerous other examples. Many are city specific. A frenzy
that helps them comfortably get seated in the psyche of a people. And
stay on there with yearly subscriptions making us feel like we cannot
do without them. Bal Thackeray, now Rama Sene, pink chaddis and all.

Reminds me of a senior of mine. Who encouraged conflict only because
it allowed him to retain the reigns of power. All over again it
happens. Pink chaddis won't last long. Tomorrow they will be SO
yesterday's news.

http://indiaonedge.wordpress.com/2009/02/12/they-will-use-you-and-cast-you-away/