CELEBRITIES AND CAUSES

Ok, so Amitabh Bacchan just made an announcement about global warming, and its good that this cause has, "reached" India. This is of course crucial, as India, one of the top three developing nations, with a mammoth population, is one of those nations that would soon join the consumerist ecological imbalance causing nation. The countries, on the threshold of development are the ones where changes in big measure can be taken place. For one, the citizens are in the process of aquiring the wasteful habits, as opposed to their developed counterparts, who have lived that lifestyle for some time now. This means that, they are more likely to be able to devise a lifestyle that is more informed. Another, is of course, the population of India. its the second largest in terms of population and so, its crucial that measures to develop a more informed and concsious lifestyle are taken here. As India joining the bandwagon would mean that there are probably twice as many people involved in environmental degradation as ever before. Indians know that the law and order situation is rather non stringent here, though with development, thats changing for the good. (and to think people consistenyl just hate on capitalism, blindly condemning it, while benefitting from the goodies and jobs it throws in there kitties).

Anyways, why would the title of this write be celebrities and causes, if all I am talking about is global warming and India? I will tell you. Three odd years back, just as six odd years back, global warming was still happening, though not the kind of subject that would get anyone any footage or attention. I remember trying to send out fliers online to my friends, requesting them to join the cause, and i got nothing but disinterest and apathy. Apart from a few celebs, prominantly Leonardo di Caprio, there werent any interested in voicing concern about it. Come on, these people are your idols right? But forget vision, they dont even have common sense to figure out that our reckless behaviour will cost us, and that with the useless media coverage they get for changing their hair colour, they could probably raise awareness about that? No, they supported cancer then. Some because they had seen its horrors in close terms, others simply because by then it became a well publisized cause. You see, the people whose every word you hang on, are nothing but working actors or musicians, or Paris Hiltons, meaning jobless famous people. It doesnt make them lesser, but the fact is that most of them are probably there, not because they should be, but because they can fool naive people in to making them reach there.

Yet, even if for trivial things like media bytes to cover their inconsequential life, if these people bring attention to something that should get a voice, I will always prefer that it happen than not. I would not take Sheryl Crow or for that matter anybody else's advice on these matter ( as remember there are professionals to give you those. An environmentalist will obviously know more than a singer, about environment. And would you rather that a dancer at your club design your house than an architect? till of course they possesed a gift for it and experiance in it.)
But they give the cause the media bytes. And media a better job than to hound celebrities or make mess out of trivial issues and try to act director instead of media. For this, I would rather that this happen. For the sad reality is that, most people will not listen to a cause till it isnt endorsed by someone famous. I dont get it? Most of these things are visible to common sense. Why would you trust someone's rambling over your minds voice? Or maybe, not everyones mind is focussed on living life completely. Ironic, yet possible.

But today, as i read the article about Amitabh Bachhan, the man people call God here in India, for reasons best known to them, and his voicing concern on global warming, my dad just chuckled and said, " they finally found another cause. All the scientists do the hardwork and these people take the credit and limelight." Its true. And its absurd. Of course, we assume that if its a celebrity voicing concern, the cause might be legitimate. As you know, there are many cheats out here, who find charity the easiest way to raise money. But the fact is that, in that search for legit, we are ignoring the true movers and shakers. In this world, where heroes are made by the media ( a sad degradation from the days when they were made so by their actions), its crucial that people start finding the hero within themselves. Also, I know that while there might be a possibility that there could actually be a stupid entity called masses, that basically just seem to crowd the planet, the fact is that most humans have a sense of discernment and basic intelligence. Which means that they probably might actually become cynical about these causes if they see another stupid celebrity dancing to the tunes of a new charity thats getting all attention. Many of you, have probably distastefully thrown an article about some celeb and his advice on GB or AIDS or any other thing for that matter. Or just laughed and ignored it. And that probably is a right thing to do.

But my advice would be simple. Forget the people raising this concern. The ones who truly care, are doing this because they wouldnt be able to sleep without sending out this message, and doing what they can. The people who take the action, the scientists, the researchers, the people who build this world, are the true heroes. It doesnt decrease the importance of the people who bring attention to this, and definitely not the media. But they hold a position thats theirs. Ultimately, it gives them very little credit for what they are doing, putting these celebrities on the pedestal they should be on. Also, a major part of the "attention" campaign is done by the media.

Lastly, if all this is too complicated, forget the junk and do what your common sense tells you is right. We are all a part of this planet and what kind of people would we be, if we didnt live our lives aware and determined. Whoever gets the credit, however wrongfully, the fact remains that there will be some the toil and work and others that bask in light. But only those who follow their heart and mind, will set this world in right.

Adios.