Minorities are a Majority

"minority • noun (pl. minorities) 1 the smaller number or part; a number or part representing less than half of the whole. 2 a relatively small group of people differing from the majority in race, religion, language, etc. " - Oxford Dictionary.

I was relishing on the delicious lunch when an advertisement on an FM radio station distracted my attention.The ad highlighted how the government of West Bengal was doing "minority welfare" and everyone else should emulate it.

The minority here was definitely implied to Muslims as the categorization is done with respect to religion in our country.But can religion be the only criterion for differentiation? Rather by putting everyone of the same religion together,are we defining them wholly and correctly ?

India is a vast country with varied language,culture and demography.People belonging to the same religion differ in laguage,food,culture etc. as their geographical locations change.A Bengali Hindu is different from a Tamil one, an Assamese Muslim is different from a Kashmiri one.To the contrary a Bengali Hindu would be more similar to a Bengali Muslim than a Tamil Hindu.Similarly an Assamese Muslim can identify himself more with an Assamese Hindu than a Kashmiri Muslim.Hence,the whole idea that religion is the only criterion to form a community becomes futile.

What is the similarity among these groups -Thinkers,Scientists,Army,Police,lawyers,Ruling Class,Rich,Superstars,Cricketers,journalists,Teachers etc ? In a country as a whole they are all minority groups. The vital functionings of a society and a country are alwyas done by a minority.In short they determine the life of a majority.A lion is better than thousand jackals.If we go by this age old saying the minorities are our assets.The majority are just those who come along.The underlying message that 'minority' carries of being powerless loses its significance when we talk about these minority groups.

Finally,no two individuals are similar in tastes,thinking,way of life.In this world of materialism and individualism,every individual represents himself.Hence, everyone is a minority.Thus minorities are actually a majority.

To comeback to the ad,it hinted that the government was doing some kind of favour by addressing the problems of the minority (religious minority to be precise).Our constitution gives equal rights to minorities.So it's every government's responsibility to ensure that they get equal opportunities.Hence it should not look like a favour.And it definitely should not be advertised.

DARK HEROES

I vaguely remember the first time I heard the name of Barack Obama as the potential candidate for some party in the nomination race for Presidency in the USA. Even though they have just two parties I found it hard to remember it. As it become clear that he was going to race against Hillary Clinton he became the marked man for media, thus, for me. I hardly had any hopes for him as no black candidate has ever got the opportunity to get nominated from any party in 200+ history of United States of America. But after an epic battle he finally created history by winning the nomination from the Democrats. And it is very much likely that he will win the race which will make him the most powerful man in the world.

Another man who is capturing enough media space is Will Smith for his film Hancock where he plays the title role who is blessed with superpowers. Traditionally its a white man on whose shoulder lie the responsibility of saving the world. But its happening for the first time that a black man is playing the lead role in a superhero flick.

There lies the similarity between the two man of different attributes - both are powerful and DARK. They represent the coming-of-age of the most suppressed race in the world. Even though slavery was demolished more than hundred years ago, the blacks never got the right they deserved in their forced homeland. But contemporary events are going in their favour. Its no longer the same America otherwise one could have never imagined the rise of a Obama or a film like Hancock.

Barack Hussein Obama is an epitome of multi-ethnicity. His biological father was a Kenyan Black Musilm while Mother an American White Christian. The marriage didnt work as his father walked out when Obama was just two years old. His mother remarried an Indonesian Muslim and shifted to Indonesia. Obama lived there till the age of 10 after which he shifted to USA to live with his maternal grandparents. After coming back, as a teen adult he converted from Islam to Christianity. This is the reason why the blacks as well as the muslims across the world identify with him.

The idea that Americans dont like muslims get re-inforced with their foreign policies towards Muslim countries specially the Middle East. Still not all muslims hate america but they do like Obama. He can be a great factor in reducing the anti-american sentiments that run through Muslims all around the world. The fear, imaginary or real, that Americans are essentially anti-Islamic will cease if Obama gets to the White House.

But their is a twist to the tale.Both the heroes are not perfect. While Hancock makes the people around him feel whether they actually want him or not by his insensitive activities,Obama is catching up. Recently, two Muslim women were barred from standing behind his stage so that they dont photograph them with the Democrat nominee. This implies that he doesnt stand by his cry of bringing change in America where everyone will be treated with equal rights.

Though they are heroes in their own rights, they have a tough test ahead - that of a public mandate. Obama is yet not elected the President and Hancock is still not released in theatres. So we have to wait a while to know if the predominatly white America accepts her Dark Heroes.

The OOMPH Factor

I hated her when she exploded in the media with her 17 kisses publicity for her film Khwahish.The subsequent claims didnt make any difference either.But the Maxim photo shoot really made me to rethink.

Soon came the sensuous belly dance number in Guru which really made me sit and notice.It had an effect which compelled me think about it over and over.

Then I saw Dasavatharam which made me lust for this woman.The hip gyrating pole dance number seduces unlike anything.My verdict - Mallika Sherawat is the most sensuous actress on Indian Screen.