Only last month I met a woman who refused to go out for an evening with her friends as she had to catch up on the next episode of an ongoing popular serial. It was this random remark that set me thinking. There may be so many such women who are influenced by this medium for better or for worse. The fact remains out of all the new age media of entertainment this one is with the mostest. While industry insiders often deny this power, saying television is just for "entertainment," it is clearly obvious both adults and children learn a great deal from watching the small box. Whether it is the bored homemaker in the metropolis or the farm hand in the remote interiors, whether it is the upwardly mobile professional or the teeny bopper each one of these devours television at some point of time and is even influenced by it in varying degrees. Many of the women who watch TV have learnt a lesson or two from the women in the shows they watch. And now with issue-based shows being the flavour of the hour there is an ‘inspiration’ for a lot many women. I thought it would be interesting to know if these issues really touched a chord with the women who watched them. Have they ever been influenced by any of these shows or the characters in them? Here are some questions I ask the women who watch them and if you do have any answers please feel free to write back to us. Would you now report a child marriage if you ever encountered a child bride in your neighbourhood? (like in Balika Vadhu) Would you slap a guy if you were eve teased or harassed by him? Would you take up the cause of your sister-in-law if she was forced to abort her child till she was pregnant with a male child? (Pratigya) On your wedding night would you tell your husband you are not in love with him? Also would you confess about your ex to your husband? (Sasural Genda Phool) Would you be proud about the fact that your husband is a house husband? (Mrs Tendulkar) If your husband leaves you (for whatever reason ) would you ever agree to get back with him? (Pavitra Rishta) The point of the matter is do any of the female protagonists, who our makers so happily turn into primetime heroines, inspire you in the right direction? Are these heroines just made up dolls or do they have it in them to take on an errant husband, torturous in-laws, anti-social elements or even the establishment? Are our small screen ‘women’ role models for the millions of those who watch them every day? Are those behind these shows (read broadcasters and producers) actually using TV and its power to change the society? Time for some answers. And yes, I take this opportunity to wish all the women reading this column a lifetime of respect, dignity and the right to co-exist. Read more...