Another kind of ‘icon’

Takenfrom http://www.hindu.com/op/2008/05/04/stories/2008050451471400.htm - G.G. Menon
------------
Not all human beings are self-motivated. Those without self-motivation need external motivators to motivate them to excel in their field of activity. For such people, very often the external motivators are the men and women perceived as ‘icons’ by society.

These ‘icons’ normally reach their exalted status by virtue of their skills, dedication and sustained hard work in a particular area of activity. The huge public adulation that they command inspires lesser mortals to strive to emulate them.

To the extent that the ‘icons’ inspire people to excel in various socially desirable activities, they serve as catalysts for the progress of society. But, in the present age of television, ‘icon making’ has become almost an exclusive function of TV channels, which, of course, do this with their viewership rating and cash registers in mind.

Thus almost all the ‘icons’ projected (or should it be ‘overprojected’) by the TV channels are either film stars or cricketers or playback singers or other celebrities who form part of the popular culture. Hyperbole and exaggeration are an integral part of the exercise.
It is a mutually beneficial arrangement for both sides. To the celebrity, it ensures that he continues to be a draw at the box office or gets to endorse more and more products. The TV channel on the other hand is assured that its viewership rating remains high enough to rake in loads and loads of money.

Disturbing implications
One would not have any quarrel with all this but for their disturbing implications in the larger context. The orderly progress of any country requires the efforts of millions of men and women, spread across its length and breadth, hailing from different strata and background and pursuing numerous vocations and professions.

Why then confine ourselves to having only film stars or cricketers or playback singers and such others as ‘icons’? Does not a policeman or a teacher or a postman, doing his duties with sincerity, honesty and dedication equally deserve to be lionised in these times of all-round moral decay?
What about the agricultural scientist silently working away in some faraway research station to develop a rice variety that increases the yield for the farmer? What about the conscientious public sector banker tirelessly doing his bit in a remote village to provide sustainable livelihood to BPL families? What about the doctor in a government dispensary in a tribal hamlet trying to provide healthcare to its denizens with the limited resources at his command?

Are these people any less worthy of the nation’s attention than the film stars and cricketers who hog the airwaves most of the time? By not projecting the former before the public, are we not losing out on an opportunity to inspire thousands of others to follow in their footsteps and contribute to the all-round progress of the nation?

One can almost hear the TV channels saying that all these people can hardly be expected to have the kind of appeal a Shahrukh Khan or a Sachin Tendulkar has to the public? To that, let me say this: the TV channels today wield immense power — power that is not wielded even by the print media.

They can paint even the blackest villain in grey or white colours and the public will believe it. Conversely, they can sully even the most immaculate reputation by making a baseless allegation and the public will believe that too. Should it then be difficult for them to project as ‘icons’ people who may be small and insignificant otherwise, but who are selflessly and silently doing their solid bit for society in myriad ways?