Satyamev Jayate: When Aamir Khan met the unsung heroes of India

Gayatri Sankar Nikal Pado Re Bandhu Nikal Pado Re…Nikal Pado Re Arey Na Mumkin Bhi Mumkin Hove Karke Dekho Re Bandhu…Nikal Pado Re… The first season of Aamir Khan’s debut TV show ‘Satyamev Jayate’ culminated with a beautiful and a thoughtful message asking us to embark upon a journey where one could translate the impossible into the possible. Since its inception, ‘Satyamev Jayate’ has inspired an ocean of humanity across the globe and has also ushered in sea change by persistent efforts and sheer commitment. The last leg of the show’s first season saw Aamir Khan playing a proud host to a number of unsung heroes, who the world had not known, whose noble initiatives changed a number of lives and is continuing to do so. The point of contention was the constitutional right of every individual in the country. The very first leaf of the Constitution of India speaks of Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. And in his show 'Satyamev Jayate', Aamir reminded the audience of the fundamental rights of an Indian citizen. The first guests on the show were the trustees of Sarvodaya Trust in Gujarat, who braved opposition and provided a roof to homeless Muslim children, who had fallen prey to communal riots in the state a few years back. The Trust is now a unique shelter that provides unconditional support to children of the minority community and treats them as equals. Communal violence is omnipresent and the state of Jammu and Kashmir stands witness to the savagery that mindless violence can unleash. Asha Bhat, a Kashmiri Pandit had contemplated to leave her village in fear of losing her life like many other Hindus in the state. And when she went to inform her Muslim neighborhood about her plans to leave the village for good, their love forced her to change her own decision. She was eventually elected a Sarpanch by the Muslim dominated village and now leads a peaceful life in the village where both Hindus and Muslims co-exist happily. After highlighting communal unity, Aamir shifted the focus towards casteism and how Sanjeev, a commoner leading a comfortable life in the national capital decided to change the plight of the untouchables in his village in Bihar. And with determination and selflessness, Sanjeev led the way and helped the people of backward class fight for their rights. The concluding episode of the show was a learning experience where one and all could seek inspiration from others. One such inspiring lady who was a guest on the show was Sunitha Krishnan, who runs an organization called Prajwala. Sunitha was gang-raped by eight men when she was just 8 years old and hence her organization works towards women and girl children who have been physically abused or were forced into flesh trade. Sunitha braved the mafia and refused a number of prostitutes to give them a better life and make them self-sufficient by employing them in her organization. It was then time for Naseema to narrate her journey. A handicapped woman herself, Naseema is an inspiration for many other physically disabled people. She trains them to be self-reliant and financially independent. Her trust helps them to lead a normal life. Like Naseema, Subhasini Mistry too gathered great strength from her belief that she could do something for the helpless in the society. After having lost her husband to illness, Subhasini, a vegetable vendor had to put her younger son into an orphanage due to financial constraints. And the dutiful son of the hardworking mother now runs a hospital called “Humanity” in West Bengal and gives free treatment to the poor and needy. “Humanity” was Subhasini’s dream, which is now a reality. After Mistry, it was the turn of Babar Ali, a 19 year old boy and perhaps the world’s youngest School principal to share his experience. He provides free education to the underprivileged children in his locality. And Wipro founder Azim Premji, who works towards educating a number of rural children too shared his experiences with Aamir ‘Satyamev Jayate’ unfolded a number of stories that were beyond imagination. One such story was that of Mohammed Sharif alias Sharif Chacha from Uttar Predesh. Sharif had lost his son and could never find his body. And hence could not perform his last rites. Now he gives unclaimed bodies their respectful last rites irrespective of their religion. One can see him in a Muslim graveyard and even at a Hindu cremation ground paying his last respect to the departed souls. And after Chacha, Aamir shifted the focus to whistleblower Satyendra Dubey, an honest engineer who was shot dead for uncovering corruption in the system. Dubey’s death had made headlines and had created a huge uproar in the country. And at the end of the show, the inspirational story of Dashrath Maaji who personified passion, determination and courage was narrated. Maaji had single-handedly carved a path through a mountain alienating his village from the nearest town with his hand-held tools. He was made fun of and ridiculed by the villagers for even thinking of trying to break the mountain. But Dashrath was passionate about what he was doing. It took 22 years to complete the task and now thousands are reaping the fruits of his efforts. The curtains are drawn temporarily but the effect of ‘Satyamev Jayate’ is bound to create ripples in the country and hopefully bring in more change in the way we perceive India now. Follow @gayatrisankar