Influncing the Youngers to live under Indian value

[Guest mehtab]

Written by a fellow GurSikh, bhai Anmol Singh from Mumbai, India

Movie in response to Bollywood

Hollywood

Deepa Mehta as a filmmaker tries to project the drawbacks or reality (its

how you look at it) of every culture. Her films Earth 1947 and Fire

speak for it. One needs nerves of steel to make such movies. Her film

Water was stopped from shooting at Banaras because it was too

controversial. Regarding Bollywood Hollywood she herself admits that

making such a movie is difficult for her. She has tried to show a Clean

Shaven Sikh family with disgrace.

Now the criteria is how do we safeguard our own interests. Based on my

interaction with an orthodox Brahmin Iyengar family in India;

observations

carried out on the Sikhnet.com based on Dr. Nijjars 15-day tour for

educating the American community; Sept 11 events; etc. I have derived a

script, which can be projected in dramatized form.

I am trying to portray a Sikh professional character settled in America

somewhat similar to Dr. Narindar Singh Nijjar a Surgeon from New York.

The twin towers are brought down due to terrorist attacks. There is

panic in

New York City. Dr. Nijjar along with a team doctors rush to the site to

tread injured people. Suddenly majority Sikhs in America are

misunderstood

as Arabs or followers of Osama Bin Laden. Unlike other Sikhs doctor

Nijjar

also faces discrimination.

Initiatives are being taken by the community to educate the American

community. This Sikh doctor decides to do some thing about this problem.

With help of some American agencies Dr. Nijjars plans to go for a 15 day

tou

r to educate various American communities viz. Catholics, Jews,

Europeans, Arabs, Negroes, Far east, etc. He receives a positive

response

for most of people he interacts. The close association of this Sikh

doctor

with the New Yorks fire Dept. can also be shown, since he along with his

colleagues had saved many during the Sept 11 attacks. The Sikh doctor

has

many of his close associates who are from other Indian communities

mostly

from the same profession. They are all very close friends and treat each

other like brothers.

As time goes by this Sikh professional one day comes across a South

Indian

Brahmin lady dressed in westernized out fits drunk walking on the road.

He

offers her a lift and drops her home. Now being a lady from orthodox

Brahmin

family from South India her parents just dont like her. This is the

problem, which most parents are facing, in the present times.

Once again both meet in a departmental store. They go to a coffee shop a

share a chat. She asks this person the way the Sikh community facing

problems after the Sept 11 attacks. Doesnt he feel afraid because of

your

distinct identity? He replys yes problem does exist, but then

maintaining

your cultural identity in these tough times in a place like America is a

challenge. Its the difficulties that will give you solutions to all

problems. He tells his experiences, ways and methods adopted to safe

guard

his communitys identity. He sites examples of various cultures worldwide

viz. Japanese make the best bridges since the land is earthquake prone;

Israel being a desert country is known for its drip technology, etc. In

order words difficulties exist every where in some form or the other.

Now she realizes in tough times there are people who maintain their

cultural

heritage. This gradually makes her switch over from westernized life

style

to Indian life style.

Now her

parents are surprised by her sudden change in attitude. She

involves

herself in household work, starts learning cooking, etc. like a typical

Indian woman. She goes to the Swami Nayaran temple in America, performs

daily Puja and also worships Lord Balaji from Tirupathi. Then as usual

life

goes on both continue their friendship. In the mean time a colleague of

this

Sikh man, also a Brahmin who is also very close him is looking for a

life

partner. Both the Sikh man and his Brahmin friend are very close to each

other. Both very often visit each others places. The Brahmin is fond of

Aloo Paraths and the Sikh man is fond of Idli Sambar and Dosa.

This Brahmin lady one fine day tells this Sikh man that his dedication

towards his cultural made her responsible for the change which she has

experienced within her, hence she would like to be his life partner. She

appreciates his cool and humble nature despite so many problems his

community faced. Now man thanks her this kind gesture & honor and says

he

will replay on her birthday giving a shy and humble smile.

Now a day comes when he invites the Brahmin lady and his colleague in a

restaurant. Both are not aware. The colleague thinks its just normal get

together. A lady is exited. All three meet the Sikh man introduces both

to

each other. As usual the talk goes on. The lady is anxious and confused

by

the third persons presence. Now the Sikh man breaks the ice and tells

her

that he has brought a gift for her. She says were is it? Pointing

towards

his colleague, the man says this is your gift. Both are surprised and

confused and look at each other. Then the man says breaking the suspense

Yes

his colleague is the right life partner for her. This is where the lady

is

more confused and a bit annoyed and asks the Sikh man why not he.

He replies that he knows for him accepting her his life partner is no

problem,

if she could change from westernized culture to Indian then she

can

very well adjust with him as well, her parents will also accept him with

some hue and cry. But then most important is we, as individuals owe

something both to our parents and to our culture. Now whether he or his

colleague is her life partner, it doesnt matter. Love is same in all

cultures world wide, rather love is more of giving. But then yes I

accept

your friendship. Both thank him and throw a lavish party in his honor

and

finally get married.

Conclusion: Cultural awareness in an individual influences many. Most

NRI

filmmakers show cultural violation by Indians in America but then there

are

many Indians from all beliefs that maintain Indian values. I believe

this

should be a positive step to influence the young generation of present

times. I believe if implemented may be a big hit in India.

You can do some additions and publish it on other web sites.

Regards,

Anmol Singh.