I had seen this a while back, attracted my attention for all the wrong reasons even then but came back again with a speech of a prominent person. "Vasudaiva Kutumbakam" loosely read as The world is a family. Sounds wonderful, the idea that we all are a family inspite of the differences, the commonality being the human bond, is indeed a beautiful idea. Sounds like Lennon's "Brotherhood of man". Imagine!
But all is not so simple, an idea so great can also be read to suit certain people.
At a superficial level it might all look wonderful but a careful look is all it takes for the camouflage to fade. Here it is, the entire world from Washington to Chechenya is connected but somehow the only difference that one sees is that of the race, probably because that cannot be erased. The rest caste, class, culture is all erased, as if it never existed. Here the world now comes to India dresses in its clothes, the clothes of the dominant upper class North Indian and celebrates Hindu festivals. And then comes the trouble maker with the skull cap who refuses to mingle but we try and make attempts and assimilate them too. Then the whole world can celebrate Hindu festivals together and live happily ever after. But what is wrong with it? After all isn't that the Hindutva dream.
What is more fascinating is that this is a corporate ad, yes the corporates and the state speak the same language, like never before, live always?
Things work in unimaginable ways, India changes its stance and becomes pro Israel, the nation formed on the basis of religion. A model which the Hindu nation might want to follow.
The connection is far fetched, but some how for my mind with all its fears, it seems not so far fetched
Here is another Israel promotion video, people from different races, cultures, languages all connected by the single thread of Religion.
Is this the way we are headed? I hope not.
Here we are wanting for one human family, the only condition is that the religion be mine.
