My heart bleeds: AND AM AN admirer
Scene 1: I went to Andaman Islands with my wife and under the clearest of skies ever known to me and the before the prettiest of beaches ever known to my eyes, I forgot the hustle bustle of mainland India and transported myself to a state of bliss. I drove through forests that wriggle down strands of light through the thick canopy and felt blessed. While travelling to Barataang Island from Port Blair in a convoy on 6th January 2012 to see unique limestone caves, I saw the Jarawa families cross the road that wind through thickets. That was a glimpse of life lived in harmony with nature - pristine, unspoilt, innocent and true to their traditions that are centuries old. Before start of convoy we were strictly told on loudspeakers by the police not to feed Jarwas or even stop or slow down the vehicles if they come on road.
Scene 2: I sat cozily before the Television yesterday and watched Times Now. Jarawas were made to dance to the dictats of a policeman/forester to entertain tourists who apparently bribed him. The same shocking video appeared on the website of the British Newspaper Guardian. It was portrayed in vulgarity. A panelist spoke about voyeurism that propels Andaman tourism. It brought Jarawas close to the half clad dancers of a B grade movie shot in the red light districts of our slums.
Now,
What a shame to the abysmal levels of journalism that knowingly or unknowingly has destroyed the fiber of innocence that binds this legendary tribe! The Andaman administration, anthropologists, social workers and local communities have been working for years to gradually bring this aboriginal society to the main stream of national life. They have been collectively trying to educate, uplift, emancipate and rehabilitate this small group of natives who have unfortunately been left behind by the train of civilization. It has been a challenge to bring them into mainstream life while restoring and respecting their deep traditional values, cultural traits and customs. The Andaman administration deserves wholehearted appreciation
Scene 1: I went to Andaman Islands with my wife and under the clearest of skies ever known to me and the before the prettiest of beaches ever known to my eyes, I forgot the hustle bustle of mainland India and transported myself to a state of bliss. I drove through forests that wriggle down strands of light through the thick canopy and felt blessed. While travelling to Barataang Island from Port Blair in a convoy on 6th January 2012 to see unique limestone caves, I saw the Jarawa families cross the road that wind through thickets. That was a glimpse of life lived in harmony with nature - pristine, unspoilt, innocent and true to their traditions that are centuries old. Before start of convoy we were strictly told on loudspeakers by the police not to feed Jarwas or even stop or slow down the vehicles if they come on road.
Scene 2: I sat cozily before the Television yesterday and watched Times Now. Jarawas were made to dance to the dictats of a policeman/forester to entertain tourists who apparently bribed him. The same shocking video appeared on the website of the British Newspaper Guardian. It was portrayed in vulgarity. A panelist spoke about voyeurism that propels Andaman tourism. It brought Jarawas close to the half clad dancers of a B grade movie shot in the red light districts of our slums.
Now,
What a shame to the abysmal levels of journalism that knowingly or unknowingly has destroyed the fiber of innocence that binds this legendary tribe! The Andaman administration, anthropologists, social workers and local communities have been working for years to gradually bring this aboriginal society to the main stream of national life. They have been collectively trying to educate, uplift, emancipate and rehabilitate this small group of natives who have unfortunately been left behind by the train of civilization. It has been a challenge to bring them into mainstream life while restoring and respecting their deep traditional values, cultural traits and customs. The Andaman administration deserves wholehearted appreciation
I am pained that a few unscrupulous elements of society like some individuals of public, some tourists and some tourist operators have been hand in glove on this mindless messacre of cultural identity by portraying the natives in a bad spirit that satisfies voyeurs. And repeatedly showing it on national television, putting on websites and holding insensitive discussions are no contribution to the society.
This is a crime against humanity. Those responsible for this utter impropriety should be identified, brought to books and punished. How could a journalist record a video with such impunity and unprofessional intention by paying 200 pounds? It is definitely an immoral act on the part of this foreign journalist and deserves exemplary punishment. And each one of those should be identified and punished in order to send signals to the society that the civilization intends to provide equal opportunities to all those who are part of its heritage.
Jarawas are not articulate about their rights and traits in a modern society. They are silent in the cacophony portrayed by the assassins of ancient cultures. They are unaware of the deviant thoughts and actions that crowd the margins of a civilized society. They need our voice, our protection and our love, if justice that they don't demand but deserve - is to be bestowed on them.
After visiting Andaman Islands, I feel that in few years this place can give a tough competition to the neighboring Island countries and it was a calculated attempt by a foreign journalist to paint Andaman in bad taste so that neighboring Island countries are benefited.
V K Saxena
President
National Council for Civil Liberties
Ahmedabad - 380 009
web: www.ncclindia.org
e-mail: nccl27@hotmail.com
As you would remember we had visited Andamans in October 2010 and I had commented on the Jaravas living barely 30 kms away from the Rajbhavan totally naked and running after buses, which are not stopped. We are talking of preserving their culture. But we are destroying their DNA or genetic make up by throwing to them Uncle Chips or Coca Cola cans, like we throw them to monkeys. Similarly, in a hospital in Andamans, deadly vaccines and drugs are given to them rather than an Ayurvedic Doctor or a Siddha Doctor treating with their own medicinal plants.
ReplyDeleteIf some foreign journalist gave some 200 pounds, these pounds too must have been pocketed by the corrupt police. I have NOT seen the film that you are referring too. So I cannot comment. But when I was on the Indian Film Censor Board, I had out right rejected a film which was done in very bad taste and the producer was demanding an Education Certification for tax free status.