The seven 'sur's left out again!

I was quite excited yesterday prior to a press conference which was to launch the remake of the legendary DD song Mile Sur Mera Tumhara Sur. This one is called Phir Mile Sur. And what is recommendable is that a private channel decided to make this rather any efforts from DD. But then all expectations turned waste as I along with some other fellow media personnel were made to witness the song for the first time, outside people who were associated with the making. This one turned out to be nothing more than a grand PR campaign for that channel and the telecom company involved in the name of showcasing national spirit.

I am so mighty disappointed that I don’t even want to give them a little credit publicity in my blog. And trust me I have every reason to be upset. In my humble opinion, this song not only brings shame to the old one but also makes a fun of national integration. It ends up being nothing but a celebration of film stardom. As a friend remarked, “The video did to the song what al the DJ dolls do to our golden oldies!”

And being from the North East of India I have more reasons to complain. I fail to accept that some 15-minute long song about the Indian spirit failed to give more than a few seconds to the seven states of the North East. A couple of fleeting visual of Mary Kom and one line from a terrible shot Bhupen Hazarika is certainly not the best way to show this important part of India. I consider it nothing less than an insult. I would have never found it as appalling if I didn’t see most other states given such prominence.

What’s worse is this song is aired proudly on some channels on a day we call our Republic Day – the 60^th anniversary of the day when we turned republic, with a complete constitution. A day we are supposed to remember our nation’s achievements and stand in unity. Wonder why then, do I feel still left out of what we call the mainland India. Are you really considered Indians as yet? Many of my friends say North East is very much a part of India as much as any other state. But I still wonder if this is just them or do every one else think the same way. I hope they do… because we celebrate every spirit of India – be it cricket, Bollywood or the national holidays.

Another friend tries to correct me. “It’s not jus the North East. It has very little to with the Indianness at all... The video has 90% only of Indian actors... It’s sad to know that only the cinema industry represent us (INDIANS)... There was so much expectation I had from the video but was let down with most of it... I felt there was nothing in the video which showcased the entire INDIA, which also includes REGIONAL,” says this guy from Tami Nadu. Well my dear friend, without meaning any disrespect, at least you had each state represented from down south!

Somehow this reminds me of an incident that happened to a friend of mine while we were studying in Bangalore. A traffic police stopped his bike and asked for his license. When he was shown the license the officer asked back “This is Assam license. Show me Indian license”.

There is a definite anger. A frustration!

Interestingly today being January 26, there are all these films, with some patriotic bent, being played on TV. Bose the Forgotten Hero, Gandhi, Mountbatten the last Viceroy of India, Lage Raho Munnabhai… Strangely this also makes me wonder why has never been a film made on any heroes from the NE. Worse, while we study about everything for Chalukyas to Vijayanagar to Mughals to Pritviraj Chauhan to Shivaji, none outside has ever read a chapter on Lachit Borphukan or Ahoms or other kingdoms from the NE.

As I watch Gandhi… I feel an urge… an urge to create tell people that we exist. I was never a great fan of Gandhi let me tell you. He gave to Indians the idea of ‘bandhs’ as a form of protest after all. But there were certain things that are inspirational about him, even on this date.

Gandhi said – “treat us equal”.  I ask for the same! And I call my friends to tell everyone they know the same. Let’s turn some heads. And next time attempts like Phir Mile Sur are made they don’t miss out on these seven states – what’s good a rainbow with the seven colours?