RIP
Veteran Actor and the winner
of numerous awards for his character portrayal in the Indian Hindi film
industry bid adieu yesterday. He lived to the ripe old age of 93 and images of
an infirm and weak Pran saheb receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke award from
Information minister Manish Tewari creeps across my mind.
Everyone describes him as a gentleman villain since he was known to be very benevolent in actual life the opposite of his screen presence. Words of praise and phrases coined especially since he passed away scroll rapidly across the media and social networks. Pran saheb did not have the strength to raise his hands to accept the award. So deep into the twilight of life was he that attendants were seen wiping the edge of his mouth at intervals. One felt so sorry for him receiving his due on his death bed, when the applause and accolades should have come his way during his peak or just past his peak.
Everyone describes him as a gentleman villain since he was known to be very benevolent in actual life the opposite of his screen presence. Words of praise and phrases coined especially since he passed away scroll rapidly across the media and social networks. Pran saheb did not have the strength to raise his hands to accept the award. So deep into the twilight of life was he that attendants were seen wiping the edge of his mouth at intervals. One felt so sorry for him receiving his due on his death bed, when the applause and accolades should have come his way during his peak or just past his peak.
Of what use are medals and
scrolls and money when one cannot differentiate between them, and when one
cannot decide what it entails nor is able to bask in the glory of this
achievement. I would rather that a man is given his due when he can recognize
the intent and intentions not when he is at the mercy of the donor.
If we look around us we notice many a people who have done their bit before bidding adieu to this world and without having received their worth. Why is that we tend to ignore such individuals while they are alive and make a beeline for them while they are sinking or just after they are no more? Is there a selfish motive in our obituary or memorial service speeches? Are we merely paying lip service to these individuals, because we were not interested in their elevation during their life time or are terribly tied up ourselves to celebrate their achievements?
Why can’t we give people their due at the appropriate time while they can enjoy the perks of a good deed or utilize the proceeds whether in cash or kind for their own benefit. Of what use can the Dadasaheb Phalke award be put to by Pran sahib when he has to be supported by aides or family. Isn’t this a waste of the award? Wouldn’t it be more prudent to confer it on someone who is entitled to and does not have to wait for long years to gain recognition? It is almost as if the award was given so late as recognition of the fact that he was 93 and still alive, or was it that we were not expecting him to last so long and delayed this kind deed hoping it would not be needed, but was forced to in the end simply because the man outlived our selfish motives.
If we look around us we notice many a people who have done their bit before bidding adieu to this world and without having received their worth. Why is that we tend to ignore such individuals while they are alive and make a beeline for them while they are sinking or just after they are no more? Is there a selfish motive in our obituary or memorial service speeches? Are we merely paying lip service to these individuals, because we were not interested in their elevation during their life time or are terribly tied up ourselves to celebrate their achievements?
Why can’t we give people their due at the appropriate time while they can enjoy the perks of a good deed or utilize the proceeds whether in cash or kind for their own benefit. Of what use can the Dadasaheb Phalke award be put to by Pran sahib when he has to be supported by aides or family. Isn’t this a waste of the award? Wouldn’t it be more prudent to confer it on someone who is entitled to and does not have to wait for long years to gain recognition? It is almost as if the award was given so late as recognition of the fact that he was 93 and still alive, or was it that we were not expecting him to last so long and delayed this kind deed hoping it would not be needed, but was forced to in the end simply because the man outlived our selfish motives.
Let’s celebrate people and
their achievements while the recipients can still recognize between the motives
of the givers and even while them can translate this award or recognition to
benefit their being during the rest of their lives. Delaying dues takes away
from the prize and its value is diminished in spite of it being conferred on
the beneficiary. It becomes a token and not a prize, an act without emotions,
thereby taking away the soul of the award and bringing the prize and the possessor
on even keel both drained of emotions and holding on to something that is truly
worthless.
Robin Varghese
mail to- robin_
vargh@yahoo.com
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