- Sarita Raj Goyal
“Anekta men Ekta” is uniqueness of India. This was no exception to Indian Television either. There definitely was a lot of “Ekta” behind these series of soaps, which had magically created what Pidilite never could – superglue to stick over 25% of the Indian Population to their couches from 20:00 to 23:00.
The tale of this transformation starts with “Buniyad” and “Hum Log” back in 1980s. Indian families glued to their screens to watch these realistic and ‘very close to their life’ serials. Gradually, realistic started becoming unrealistic and eventually dramatic…..highly dramatic! Extended working hours of men and lengthy coaching and hobby classes of young ones deprived them of this fun (addiction rather). Apparently a lion’s share of audience rested with the home makers of our society.
In our mythology, women are considered as “Shakti”, the reflection of Goddess herself. But where is this “Shakti” draining??? A woman who plays the role of a daughter, sister, wife and a mother, is the source of power behind all relations. Today, a wife feels disturbed when her husband rings the bell at eight. A mother can’t resist the new episode even if her child requires her assistance in his or her daily home work and other chores. A daughter is too busy scooping the latest fashion trends, to have a chat with her father and dinner is compromised, if ‘Ram is meeting Priya after a decade’.
Instead of TV becoming a medium of entertainment, it became our lives. Today, our lives literally revolve around a box! Nature is forgotten, neighbors are evaded, hobbies are dumped, health is postponed, families are compromised, mind is polluted - what have we gained but insecurities? “An idle mind is devil’s playground”, remember? It’s high time that a clear distinction between entertainment and addiction is realized.
The idiot box is a rightly called an idiot because it does not know what to show you. It’s a free country. Anyone can show what he/she desires, and anyone can view what he/she wants to. But will it grant you intellectual satisfaction, a sense of pride and self accomplishment? To decide is up to you. But for the betterment of self and society, it is must that a woman steps out of this virtual world, realizes her importance, and makes her contribution towards creation of a radiant tomorrow, full of love, wisdom, understanding, oneness and emotional security!
Change is an unavoidable phenomenon of our society. Among the numerous, drastic transitions that our society has witnessed over the past decades, one, that has completely and amusingly so, transformed an Indian household, is the onset of daily soaps on small screen. From “an immortal Baa, an ever weeping Tulsi and a habitually resurrecting Mihir”, to “the never ageing Prerna and Mr. Bajaj”, these daily dramas tuned the lives of Indian women (many men included) to a particular frequency that was ‘Star Plus’!
“Anekta men Ekta” is uniqueness of India. This was no exception to Indian Television either. There definitely was a lot of “Ekta” behind these series of soaps, which had magically created what Pidilite never could – superglue to stick over 25% of the Indian Population to their couches from 20:00 to 23:00.
The tale of this transformation starts with “Buniyad” and “Hum Log” back in 1980s. Indian families glued to their screens to watch these realistic and ‘very close to their life’ serials. Gradually, realistic started becoming unrealistic and eventually dramatic…..highly dramatic! Extended working hours of men and lengthy coaching and hobby classes of young ones deprived them of this fun (addiction rather). Apparently a lion’s share of audience rested with the home makers of our society.
In due course of time, these “saas bahu” serials secured top TRPs and turned into national issues to be discussed in every neighborhood, kitty parties, and peer groups. Vamps like ‘Komonica’ and terms like ‘Saajish’ started seeping into the personalities of simple Indian women. Screen Actors soon became household characters and then their characteristics. From fashion, style and tantrums to conspiracies, it all penetrated into the subconscious minds, bringing deep involuntary changes in the life and outlook of women.
I still remember the beginning of those days, when if somebody would visit your home during these particular hours, he was looked upon as an intruder – such was the addition! Apparently, the impact of this changing psychology went unnoticed and by the time the society realized it, the threshold was crossed.
In our mythology, women are considered as “Shakti”, the reflection of Goddess herself. But where is this “Shakti” draining??? A woman who plays the role of a daughter, sister, wife and a mother, is the source of power behind all relations. Today, a wife feels disturbed when her husband rings the bell at eight. A mother can’t resist the new episode even if her child requires her assistance in his or her daily home work and other chores. A daughter is too busy scooping the latest fashion trends, to have a chat with her father and dinner is compromised, if ‘Ram is meeting Priya after a decade’.
The ethics, values, norms and the entire perception has changed drastically. Though the responsibility for oneness in the family lies with all members, the source has always been the female energy. In the lack of emotional bonding, families are silently fragmented and only a lady of the house can shoulder the responsibility to maintain a balance.
Instead of TV becoming a medium of entertainment, it became our lives. Today, our lives literally revolve around a box! Nature is forgotten, neighbors are evaded, hobbies are dumped, health is postponed, families are compromised, mind is polluted - what have we gained but insecurities? “An idle mind is devil’s playground”, remember? It’s high time that a clear distinction between entertainment and addiction is realized. 
The idiot box is a rightly called an idiot because it does not know what to show you. It’s a free country. Anyone can show what he/she desires, and anyone can view what he/she wants to. But will it grant you intellectual satisfaction, a sense of pride and self accomplishment? To decide is up to you. But for the betterment of self and society, it is must that a woman steps out of this virtual world, realizes her importance, and makes her contribution towards creation of a radiant tomorrow, full of love, wisdom, understanding, oneness and emotional security! 
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