Sach Ka Saamna

The game show is barely two weeks old and has already rocked the Parliament!Our so very alert,soaked in "Indian culture" MP's cannot find a better topic to discuss in these difficult times.The country is staring at a drought-like situation,farmers are already crying,drinking water woes plague the nation,industry which was barely recovering from the effects of recession again looks set to be down in the dumps, lakhs are still out of jobs and yet...all of these petty,run-of-the-mill issues can wait while these virtuous, holier-than-cow sages of the modern age go about the onerous task of saving the "Indian culture".Wonder if this phrase ever crosses their minds when they bed prostitutes in their protected,out-of-the-public glare enclaves...

Just for the record,the issue was raked up by a Samajwadi Party MP in the Rajya Sabha. What else can one expect from a party which openly declares English as anathema and is paranoid of computers and all the technology that makes farm-work easier?Of course with the caveat that it doesn't have a problem if the party chief's son gets trained as an Environmental Engineer from a college in Sydney...one's gotta make exceptions once in a while,eh?

Politics apart, the show has definitely been an instant hit with the Indian audience right from the very first episode.I watch it everyday.For those who still don't know,it's the Indianised version of the American show "The Moment of Truth". Participants are asked more than 50 questions in the polygraph test before the actual shooting of the episode and 21 out of those are asked here.So one always knows what to expect in the hot seat.If despite that contestants choose to go ahead I don't think it should be anybody else's problem. Even in the course of the game contestants are repeatedly reminded about their prerogative to call it quits at any point.How much more fairness can you ask for?I'm sure that before signing up, contestants realise the full import of what they're getting into.If despite that they choose to,I think it's the courage of conviction that brings them here.It takes enormous guts to accept your mistakes,secrets,beliefs and convictions in front of the whole world and more than that,in front of your near and dear ones.In a country that believes in keeping its deepest,darkest secrets in the bottom-most drawer of the closet,what is it that's making it flock to the show in drones?Why is it that there hasn't been a dissenting voice from the public over this washing of dirty linen?(I'm not talking of politicians,they don't classify as public except during elections)Is it not because whether we accept it or not,we're all voyeurs at some level?Isn't the itsiest, bitsiest hint of a scandal involving a public figure enough to make us glued to the TV or the net?Forget a public figure,if it's someone you know and you know that your friends know,(confusing,eh? :P)ask yourselves whether or not you go running to tell others about it.Girls are more gossipy but boys aren't all that innocent either.We all want our own houses to be kept sacrosanct but couldn't care less about violating the sanctity of other's.

Whatever the reason for soaring TRP's, I believe every person on the show must've had a reason to be there.The lure of money may've played its part but it's got to be more than just that.It could be a desire to come clean for once and for all to rid self of guilty conscience or a desire to prove to the world one's honesty and integrity.I won't comment upon the accuracy of the polygraph machine whose results are still not admissible as evidence in court but would still implore you to look beyond just that. A criticism being levelled is about the show's potential to break relationships and homes.In response,I'll quote Rajeev Khandelwal,the host,from his blog:

"Also i spoke to Smita Matai a few days back. It was one of the happiest moments of my life when she told me that everyone who walks up to her feels proud to have met her. People on the roads and in multiplexes where she has visited off late do not just recognize her but also acknowledge her courage and confidence. And more then that she and Tony(her husband) have come even more close since the episode was air. Isn't it a reflection of a growing, mature and positive India."


In all fairness to the critics though,the American version of the show has had a mixed impact.Some relationships broke,some got back on track and some got firmly cemented than ever.To know more search on Wiki for "list of the moment of truth episodes".My argument is this: These people chose to be open about their lives and relationships,they wanted their relationships to be built on truth,not deceit.It's a choice they made about the way they wish to lead their lives.And if they were going to go the whole hog,how did it matter if the whole world knew about it in exchange for some moolah?The ones to whom it would really matter would still be their near and dear ones.For the rest,it's just instant gratifiaction of voyeuristic desires.

While the debate doesn't look like it's going to end soon,what with the I&B Ministry serving a show-cause notice to Star Plus,I believe it's a question of choice.Nobody's forcing anyone to go speak the truth.The show is aired at 10:30pm which is a decent enough time to prevent kids from watching the mature content.And oh!I wonder why the Shiv Sena hasn't uttered a word so far...I rather expected them to be ransacking the studio by now.. :P