Just finished watching the recetly released bollywood movie 1971. The movie is about 6 Prisoners of War (POW), who were part of the many other such brave soldiers of Indian Army, held captive by Pakistan after the 1971 Bangladesh War. The movie tries to depict the glorious efforts of these men, who try to escape from Pakistan, so as to be able to reunite with their motherland- INDIA !
I was surprised by the fact that like all other Indian movies, this movie did not have a happy ending. An ending, like all other bollywood movies, where the hero after facing hundreds of bullets, lands safely in the arms of his fellow brethren and is able to live happily ever after with his beloved sibilings back in his motherland. Surprisingly, its one of the rare occasions where an Indian movie has presented truth, how so callous and horrendous it be. And beleive me, this time I hate this truth ! I wanted this to be framed like a perfect happy ending, but the fact is that I cannot change it, and I am feeling helpless about it. It makes my blood boil, when I absorb the fact that what the movies shows very emotionally and melodramatically is nothing but truth, or at least close to truth. Many such brave Indian soldiers who are rotting in Pakistani Jails, quite unforgotten by their own country, comes as a reality shock to me. And I am forced to ask the big question- WHY ???
Why on this earth does a nation like ours has to appeal diplomatically for 30 years to get our own brave sons? Why can't we simply barge-in with our entire armed force and tear every wall in pakistan apart to locate our countrymen ? Why do we have to keep quiet and wait for an affirmative action from the other side, and not make a violent and committed pursuasion from our end ? I don't have an answer, and neither do you have. And the big problem is that those who have an answer will never face this question ! This makes me even more outraged and frustrated, that being an Indian citizen none of us is able to do anything for such people. The insensitivity and patriotic character we have as a nation is probably depicted by the fact that this movie could not even manage a sustainable business in theatres across the country , and was wrapped up soon, probably to vacate the audi for a better entertaining movie. Please do appreciate the intended pun in the last line !
I am deeply moved by this heart rendering saga, and am unable to provide myself with a justification for this inaction from our government. All initiatives like the Lahore Bus, or the Samjhauta Express or innumerous social delegations that crossed border time and again, lose their meaning to me. Its simple hypocracy and nothing else, and I can not even think of calling it diplomacy. No parents can ever afford diplomacy at the cost of the lives of their children. Surprisingly over motherland is doing exactly that, or at least it seems so to my immature mind. Just to enhance our image as a peace loving nation, and to substantiate our efforts for mutual harmony with pakistan, we are trying to take such initiatives one after the other. Yes indeed, this will prove our commitment to peace and prosperity in south asia, and enhance our image in the eyes of the world community. However, no body has ever thought-where do we stand in the eyes of those old parents who took their last breath dreaming to be cremated by their loving son? How do we answer the craving eyes of that child who matured from his childhood to teenage to marriage, dreaming about his loving father to be back by his marriage day? And above all, where do we stand in the eyes of those brave men who have lost their vision trying to locate the shades of their tri-colour national flag amidst the four walls of some god forsaken jail in pakistan?
I guess we stand nowhere because this is what the truth is....and thats why I hate this truth !!!
6 comments:
Of course you can help.But will you do it?
You can go and join the administrative services.
You can join the UN.
You CAN do something to change the truth.
I do not have enough courage, neither the resources with me.But it seems you do.
Dear Mr/Ms. Anonymous...
Thought this is the best way to reply back to your feedback ( although you may never read it again)
I am ready to do it, and have already started on the journey that will give me an oppurtunity to change many such truths, and at least raise questions to such things.
Thanks for reinforcing my decision
well i must say u lamented the human condition beautifully..pain turned beautiful bcz of d systemetic cruelity ..i hope ur efforts cud be smelled nd felt to change the flow of system!! goodluck :)
A good view but i feel its one sided ,what about the Pakistani soldiers dying in Indian jail.I dont believe there is no one......
Prasoon we have to appreciate that most of people know about the conditions of soldiers and have apathy with there situation, but there are thousands of countryman dying because of government policy on development be it Narmada dam or so called SEZ,in my opinion life of every countryman should be same. I never say any movie on these topic and if i raise these issue most of educated cum elite people called me a failed socialist.
It really shamed to see when citizens are dying of hunger and poverty we are thinking about war.Peace between India and Pakistan is best solution from both country point of view.
phew!!
Hi Prasoon,
It is indeed a very one sided view. There are Pakistani soldiers in India too. So well depicted in the movie "Mai Hoon Na".
Regarding attacking Pakistan, well ask an average Pakistani whether he wants war with India. He will be just lik eyou and me, looking for a peaceful situation. These are steps by extremists. You will see many such people in India too.
You would also want to watch "Khamosh Pani" and "Pinjar" and "A Train to Pakistan" to understand the major issue between India and Pakistan and its causes.
Thanks
Peeyush
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