OUTSaucered

Yesterday I was watching The Simpsons and the episode was about outsourcing. It was hilarious, and I found it funnier because they showed Indians spaking in Hindi and Homer and family dancing to the tune of an old Bollywood number. Ofcourse it was irritating when they still showed Indian roads full of elephants and lined with palaces on both sides, but I felt proud nevertheless. Although it was a apoof it definitely asserted that we're making a mark and how.

The best part was when Homer's giving this speech out of nowhere and two people are wondering what he's talking about. Then the girl from MIT says that they should clap so that he stops his humdrum soon. And they were shown talking in Hindi.

But yes, there are still a lot of assumptions people make when they look at an Indian. Hopefully, we break out of the moulds set for us by the outside world soon. Coz we're more than snake charmers and elephant rides.

Switch to DemocraTV

Hugo Chavez, our very own self-proclaimed socialist, who is determined to start a revolution of sorts, is well, full of surprises, to say the least. Now airing an 8-hour long talk show where he went on and an about everything under the sun has showed the world the idea of a true leader of today. The idiot-box bitten Venezuelan masses couldn't have asked for more. They can actually watch their government in front of their eyes. Chavez will reportedly even fire/hire officials on the show. This is reality TV at its very best.

So will Chavez also be affected by the TRPs?? Will he have to create drama on his show just to keep his people glued to the TV and his popularity soaring?? Well, he did break into a song on Sunday. And yes, he was quite funny at times. But is that enough to stop the people from not switching to another channel where a weepy soap is on? I guess the pressure will get to him sooner or later. He might have to fire a loyal employee who is reportedly being 'unprofessional' with his young secretary, or he will have to resort to some obscenity now and then.

But it all boils down to how efficient this experiment can prove to be. If all goes well, this could prove to be an ideal model of a responsive, interactive, accessible government.

So here comes the million dollar question. Can we do he same here? It could be radical and purists wouldn't agree. But if you see the slums, they won't have a light bulb, but definitely a TV with a dish antenna attached. So why not? Our very own democratic soap. Think about it Sonia. You could be the next Tulsi.