Lakhon Mein Ek tackles ragging

Indian television is never known to have tackled burning social issues. The scenario first underwent a change with Satyamev Jayate (SJ) and now Lakhon Mein Ek on Star Plus. This Big Synergy presentation salutes ordinary people who take on the might of societal and governmental systems. Yesterday’s episode dealt with trials and tribulations of Mr. Rajindra Kachroo (Yashpal Sharma) who lost his son Aman, a medical college student, to ragging. The structure of the episode that went from the past to the present was quite engaging. The helplessness of a father touched a chord in all. I admit that normally, TV content does not hold me, but this episode did for I have seen ragging up front and personal. Luckily I was not subject to the extreme abuse but poor Aman had to endure. The scene where he repeatedly takes bath gave us a glimpse into the extreme physiological pressures he was being subjected to. The narrative also exposed the utter apathy the government officials and ministers hold for raging. They say we have bigger issues like floods and terrorism to deal with. What really was being highlighted was the criminal collaboration the college authorities had with the raggers. One of the best parts in his sad story was Aman’s aunt who said that society must allow men to cry for that is warning signals that ‘all is not well’. The documentary drama was marked by very good performances by Yashpal Sharma and Navni Parihar as the emotional mother of Aman. The creative’s also gave the fourth estate the right due in raising awareness about this social evil. The most hard-hitting part was not the dramatization, (it needs to be credited for bringing the horrors what young Aman and several others go though) but the short interview with the real Mr Kachroo who started an anti-ragging drive with his open admission, “That the guilt of ignoring the warning signs will never abate, but yes, if I can save a couple of lives, it will be a worthy cause.” Sad to add, but the dramatisation of the anti ragging drive was not well done, it lacked the realism. But his flashing of the anti-ragging website address at the end of the show might help students who face such evil to get a redressal. Pooja Gor, as the anchor who is used in short bits at the start and in the end, is doing a good job to focus attention on the issue. The channel is smartly using her fire brand image in Pratigya. More popular faces should be roped in as cameos as that will further increase youth connect to the show. Coming to the ratings of Lakhon Mein Ek (0.9), it is disappointing but then the Sunday 11 am slot is not ideal, you don’t want to discus serious topics on lazy weekend mornings. The ratings of SJ also dipped despite having Aamir Khan tackle equally burning social issues. Lakhon Mein Ek could have been slotted on an evening or afternoon weekend slot. This issue of ragging is not dead and the recent early release of the four convicted in the Aman Kachroo case is an indication that the state is not serious enough. We need many more such hard hitting shows which will encourage educational institutes like a Bandra college which recently suspended a number of seniors under a no tolerance policy.