Superstition and media

It is said Media is propagating the superstitious belief sideways attracting the viewers in the name of entertainment modules. It is rightly said, that over thousands of years of evolution, everything has changed except the way we think...

Society has changed a lot. The impact of Globalisation has affected people's cultural status. They are swapped by high living standards and dazzling gizmos. The more we are moving on with the latest technologies the more we are becoming reserved and possessive regarding our thoughts and gratifications.

That makes us look for alternatives and methods by which we can hold on with and for the easy flow of destiny. Is it the "grahas and nakshatras" that help us in achieving our desired wishes? Why they are called by as the external forces which direct our happenings?

As you sow so shall you reap. Whatever a person does, he will get back what he deserves accordingly. But these are mere beliefs and are kept aside in a corner and going on for divine power for a blessed life doesn't matter what Karma (acti on, deeds) he/she does.

When there is so much of superstitious belief and irrational beliefs of this kind i.e. to believe in the unbelievable and bizarre things... In media this is not a new thing to be discussed at. Horror stories and chronicles based on superstition and supernatural beliefs have been telecasted since very long.

The shows like Zee Horror show, Aahat, Shh Koi Hai, Shh Phir Koi Hai Nishaan, Koi Aane Ko Hai , Anhonee, Who, Mano Ya Na Mano, Kya Hadsa Kya Haqeeqat, Honi-Anhoni, X-Zone, Khaufnaak etc. have always been popular along with the other Indian television' soap operas. Also in the mainstream Indian cinema movies like Raaz, 1920, Bhool Bhulaiya etc. have the pinched the notion of believing on the forces which are beyond our understanding. The picturisation of the mysterious part of the horror and thriller movies have good number of viewership.

Article 51-A(h) of the Indian Constitution states that "it shall be the duty of every citizen of India. to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform". But this is never taken into account by any organisation or individual as such.

No action is meted out nor does any one have a say when Indian cinema and television keeps harping on the triump h of superstition, ghosts, astrological predictions against the credibility and rationale that science offers. Rather this is a market force factor in relating to TRP's and GRP's.

There are scenes acted out in programmes with the prior gathering of information about the viewers beforehand and use it in their shows to create such delusions.There are large columns dedicated to astrological interpretations, numerology tarot card readings, fengshui, vaastu in newspapers and magazines.

It is Science versus Superstition. At times the Scientists are also prone to having their untenable beliefs despite their eminence in their f ield of specialization. There are number of weird beliefs and customs that are maintained and being followed.

It is a 'breaking news' for the news channels every time there is something weird happening. And it for sure that heavy weights of illusive myths, superstitions, magic are injected, transmitted in everyone creating fear and phobias in the minds of the people.

Some recent news like father having sexual relationship with her daughter when a Tantrik allegedly encouraged the father of the family to rape his elder daughter, saying that he could become prosperous by doing so. Another case, a Tantrik appearing in dream s made the couple end up the life of their younger son with the transfusion of blood from their younger and more talented son to their elder one, who was academically mediocre believing that it could make the latter more bright. The operation, however, went horribly wrong and the younger sibling died of excessive bleeding. People, literate or illiterate repeatedly commit great mistakes in the name of divine power and blessings.

Forget about the fact, now it has been more to perpetuate belief in superstition, in ghosts, in astrological predictions, than to reinforce the value of science in everyday life. People are guided by astrology. It argues that there is no such thing as spirit possession, but rather that this is a manifestation of schizophrenia within the human psyche.

Instigating fear and anxiety through weird shows is unfair. This is making matters much worse because crimes are ever-increasing, it is lending people into a state of dilemma to choose what is best. Yes its true that tantrik forces are always fake still doubts erupt whether rely on divine forces or ones own spirit. Who is to be blamed or can media be really accused for the blame game where superstition is the religion of feeble minds...!