No, your eyesight is not playing tricks on you. No, the word PDA is not misspelt. No, this is not about the dinosaur of a gizmo called PDA (personal digital assistant). Who needs PDA when you can BlackBerry, Blue Berry or even Strawberries? And it is not about public display of affections (Y-generation lingo). No, PDA is not patent ductus arteriosus, either! PDE denotes public display of emotions - an abbreviation I coined just to make heads turn.
Whilst browsing through the channels of TV (it is a guy's thing that ladies would not comprehend, what would we do without remote controls?), I come across many cable news channels showing the rescue efforts at full force in Japan at an orderly and 'cultured' manner. People are struggling with thirst and hunger but have so much trust and confidence in authorities that they just do as they are told. Some of them have their houses swept away by the wave of a tsunami and some with missing relatives whose whereabouts are unknown, but they take everything at a stride at a time. Yes, sorrow and uncertainty are written all over their faces, but faith and hope are evident as well. There is crying, yes but never did I see anyone wailing and anyone showing emotional display at the camera. Unlike the mayhem in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in US of A, there is no looting!
This is a far cry from I am used to see on Makkal TV which showcases daily occurrences and mishaps faced by the poor Indians in the state of Tamil Naidu. Makkal TV (as the name denotes 'People's TV') highlights social issues around Southern India. Almost on a daily basis, we are exposed to extreme public display of emotions by victims of floods, loss of loved ones or robbery. There would be ladies with unkempt uncombed hair wailing away on the top of their voices, heaving their chests and with repetitive hands and head movements as if they are having an epileptic seizure or crying for attention orchestrated nicely in front of the rolling camera. This kind of behaviour is not pathognomonic of people of Dravidian descent only for this pandemonium can also be seen in footages coming from the Middle East. In fact, in affluent Chinese families, the culture encourages paid mourners who would stop their lament once their time is up. I once saw a Cantonese movie where mourners repeatedly wailed more when more money was offered to them!I suppose when societies evolve and affluence sets in, behaviours change. In Japan, the citizen has unshakable belief that the Japanese leaders will do all in their means to do what is best possible for their people. This is just like how the subject stood behind with undivided loyalty behind Emperor Hirohito and his war strategies during World War II!
not so much the leaders, their trust is in the civil autorities who are ther to put things right, and do it without fear or favour.
ReplyDeletein most countries this civil apparatus is in the hands of the politicians, as such it is impossible to trust or have faith in them...
In Japan, everybody including the politicians work for the greater good of Nippon San. Failure in their zest to do their best or failure in their endeavour only means one thing - 'Hirakiri'or 'Kamikaze'!
ReplyDeleteYes.
ReplyDeleteI feel that they are in good hands and even after destructive WWII, they can merge as a top in the nation so this is nothing to them.
Ganesh sent this one:
ReplyDelete10 things to learn from Japan.
1. THE CALM
Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.
2. THE DIGNITY
Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.
3. THE ABILITY
The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn’t fall.
4. THE GRACE
People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.
5. THE ORDER
No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.
6. THE SACRIFICE
Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?
7. THE TENDERNESS
Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.
8. THE TRAINING
The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.
9. THE MEDIA
They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.
10. THE CONSCIENCE
When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly!