Last night I had the chance to watch a select / test screening of Ocean of Pearls. The movie has won countless awards in the US and has also been on a selective theatre release. I also had a chance to interview the Director and Producer, Dr Sarab Singh Neelam. I hope to issue this audio interview in a future Sikhwithin, probably Episode 56

Dr Sarab, is both an inspiring and committed film-maker. Starting off as a medical Doctor he has also spent the last 10 years and managed a budget of $1.5million to deliver a film that really moves you. His connections to Hollywood have assisted in the development of the film and its themes.

As you watch the film you realise that it is not preaching in manner. There are some scenes that as a Sikh make your heart sink. In others, you recognise similar public stereotypical influenced episodes.

The films delivery is based on generating a universal message of self-realisation of who you are and the importance of what you represent. Other themes explored by the film include seva (service) and dilemmas introduced by different health systems.

Please see the trailer below:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Please visit the Website too:
http://www.oceanofpearls.com

After the movie the audience had a chance for Questions and Answers with Dr Sarab. Dr Saran spoke of the impact that the film had on people from different denominations. In the US film-goers expressed they felt  the need to know more about their own religion and some from the Sikh faith reflected on the importance of their own faith. Interestingly, I have heard this phenomena before. As chair of the Interfaith Youth Trust, we often hear that kids who attend interfaith awareness events often wish to learn more about their own religion. Thus deepening a respect for parallel ethics and greater meaning of their own elements.

Currently, European plans for this movie are under review. It is certainly a must buy to share with your family, local community, services agencies and your library.

The more we communicate who we are and our stories and we have many of those, the greater an understanding between ourselves and  diverse world will develop.

In the run up to last night’s BBC1 documentary on the unfortunate events of 1984, I like many friends had received texts and emails suggesting it was an essential watch. As per normal, the BBC broadcasted the programme at a late hour!? I do feel that the BBC need to understand that there are lots of ethnics in the UK and we deserve a better service, especially as the programme was supposed to be educational with universal appeal.

In my view the programme title was a wrong starting point, `1984: A Sikh Story’ became clouded with identity issues rather than explore the historical context of the troubles. If it was about Sonia’s (not her real name, she later declared) journey of self-discovery then it was a bit disjointed, for example:  There is no deep reference to her own family – If she wanted to explore her identity then maybe she should have been featured on a full BBC genealogy episode of ‘Who do you think you are’.

I have written to the BBC before about skimming issues. For example, in Michael Woods ‘The Story of India’. He forgot to mention the invaluable contribution of Sikhs to free India from the tyrannical reign and ethnic cleansing practices of the Mogul empire. For example, Guru Gobind Singh Ji the 10th Guru of the Sikhs lost his entire family to ensure religious freedom, human rights and equality for all.

Back to the programme. As Sonia traced what happened during the unfortunate desecrating of the Golden Temple known as Operation Bluestar (June 1984), she forgot to mention the essential historic context of the core issues dating back to the early part of 20th Century. For example, water rights, broken promises about greater autonomy for the region by Nehru and the economic policies of India’s central government at the time. Interviewing one person selling T-Shirts is simply not enough to explore the real issues.

General Brar’s comments hinted a slight remorse but no evidence was produced about the assessment of his decisions at the time. Why did he allow so many innocent people within the Golden Temple on a religious day to be killed? Why was the force so devastating that it damaged the architecture, religious books, historic records, art and relics? Why were people shot at point blank range with their hands tied behind their backs? Why were no available human right violation reports communicated during the documentary?

The programme then moved on to the genocide of Sikhs in November 1984, post the assignation of Indra Gandhi. The events of those dark days of free reign by looters and murderers have been described as riots. They were in fact pogroms, an attack directed against a particular group, in this case one religious group – the Sikhs. A pogrom is characterised by the killing and destruction of their homes, businesses, and religious centres. The term was originally used to denote extensive violence against Jews – either spontaneous or premeditated. The programme then skimmed over key facts, for example – documented evidence and eye-witness reports of certain government MPs directing the attacks, the use of kerosene sourced from the same warehouse to burn victims. Why have the 9 investigations over the years revealed very little in terms of justice or revealing the truth. In the taxi Sonia made an excellent point about the assignation of Mahtma Gandhi – when he died mobs did not go after the religious group the assassin was part of !

The programme concluded with a loose link back to identity, consisting of confusing narrative about directing pain and Sonia’s thoughts about her own spiritual journey. The programme was left open ended with so many questions: What about the problems encountered by the region today? Where is the accountability for what happened? What about the post 9/11 situation and international mistaken identity issues? What about people who are still awaiting a court hearing, who have been locked away  for so long? Why is this situation not treated the same as the Jewish Genocide, both involved persecution and innocent lives being lost.

Although the programme was an attempt to educate, it did to a certain extent. However, it used tired footage and chats from the same old spokespeople. Apart from Sir Indrajeet Singh’s comments, He is to be appluded as he provided a sensitive and welcome perspective. At least last nights programme highlighted that many innocent people attending a religious event inside the Golden temple during Operation Bluestar were killed – the actual number killed runs into the thousands.

What we really needed was a ray of hope to communicate that Sikhs still need justice. I recommend that people watch, ‘The Widow Colony’ – it is a film that really delves into the lives affected by the Delhi genocide. Many people say that Sikhs should forget! Do we forget our loved ones when they leave the world? One of the most profound statements made by a widow of ’84 is that every year Sonia Gandhi lays a reef to remember her husband. As Sikhs we need to recognise our holocaust must never be repeated and steps must be taken to assure this, else the lives of the innocent will be forgotten.

In 1984 a news blackout prevented us from gaining access to the truth – this truth is still hidden. We must continue to retrieve more information from human rights organisations active with their data and we must record more media to assure that the true Sikh Story is told.

What is it about entrepreneurs that interests many of us so much? Are we seeking the secret success formula?
Those with such dreams are probably interested because they believe in the Walt Disney’s Adage,  ‘If you can dream it, you can do it’. Are we really in admiration of what can be instantly achieved.

This is a fictional adaptation of what might have happened when Facebook was first inspired, created and then exploded!

Ben Mezrich publication is drawn both from research and imagination.

If you read the associated inside notes, it is interesting that he DID NOT met or get a response from Mark Zuckerberg. The reader is therefore left wondering what was is actually fact, adlib or opinion from those that Ben interviewed/researched.

The review at Entertainment Weekly (ew.com) suggests that:

‘the book is a breezy blend of fact and fiction’.

What is dangerous, is the risk a movie being produced that is far from reality.
I’m half way through the book and although it is a quick read, I’m struggling with the concept of clubs, fraternities and in-crowds.
Am I too shocked about how business really works or should I take this book as motivation to strive forward in an honest and thankful manner.

The latter is what I was taught.

We can only hope that success was based on a sincere approach.
NB Facebook now has more than 300 million members around the world. The privately owned company has been valued as high as $15 billion!

http://www.sikhnet.com/reviews/singh-kinngh-film-review

Last year I presented at a Sikh camp in the UK and suggested we need to create our own media. This is one answer and this film says that such desperate times need desperate efforts. We needed to assemble good media right now and more than ever!

I skimmed through the film Singh is Kinngh – I wanted to see if my fears about the film were warranted. The skimming was the result of my cringing and the fact that it was hard to concentrate. My fears about this film are warranted. The film contains swear words and variable views of Sikhs and that is putting it lightly.

In addition, questionable themes are revealed as the so called romantic comedy unfolds.

Let us consider the film in the context of whether we should laugh at ourselves.
Sorry, I can’t as it is too offensive. There is simply too much misinformation and humour that does not travel. Bollywood is known for slapstick comedy, sick jokes about speech impediments and the disabled. In this film slapstick is the focus. The various characters are shown as clumsy. Clowning around humour simply does not last.

Does the film show that Sikhs are cool just because they can capture villains from an aerial feat or rap with Snoop Dogg?
Hey! Sikhs know that they are already cool and they certainly do not need this kind of film to exhibit.

If you want to read an article I wrote as early as 2004 on how Bollywood always betrays Sikhs please checkout:

http://www.saviarora.com/bollywood-always-betrays/

The sad reality is that nothing much has changed.

It is certainly strange that in a world where Sikhs are leaders in a variety of world arenas, for example: Medicine, bravery and self-less service not enough information is available about the reality of who we are.

A light on the horizon is to see how Sikhnet inspires by the way they are encouraging the annual Sikhnet Film festival.
It shows that we can be creative without being crude and cool without being cunning like the likes of Bollywood moguls.

Keep the Faith!

Yesterday it was nice to receive a text message from someone we met whilst touring South India. I remember writing about India’s terrible death toll and also the irony between shiny new petrol stations surrounded by slums.

In February I wrote about the enormous cost of the Oscars, whether our media outlets were changing and the extent of global warming.

In March we remembered that on 25 March 1807, the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was passed. For more than 200 years Britain was at the heart of a rich (to them!) transatlantic trade in millions of enslaved Africans.
I also wrote an article about the need for greater accuracy for documentaries. Especially as one outlining the last days of the Raj (consider that 2007 was commemorating 60 years of independence for both India and Pakistan) was full of inaccuracies and bias. We need to create higher quality media outlets!

In April I commented about the sadness of the Virginia Tech tragedy: Everyone watched with shock and horror the post nightmare of the Virginia Tech shootings. Scholars and lecturers were gunned down in a pointless sense of rage by one lost soul.

In June and July I wrote articles about the lead-up to the annual Birmingham to London cycle ride – this year the 18th with proceeds collected for the Children with Leukemia charity. I also viewed a documentary about child cocoa workers being exploited by giant multi-national confectioners.

August was the month when the actual commemorations took place for understanding that it was 60 years since independence for both India and Pakistan – So many pointless deaths instigated by a few who had the power to be more creative!

In September we saw another misleading documentary, this time: Michael Wood’s: The story of India! When we do get any good documentaries, e.g.: October’s Roots Remembered it was shown at non-peak hours! I suppose we have to make room for more reality TV!

In November it was an honour for me to meet and interview the Rev Jesse Jackson. He commented on the lack of corporate justice and responsibilities of banks.

This Month I was disturbed to hear a certain musician mouth off about British culture considering the person does not even live hear!
Hot News of the week has to be the terrible killing in Pakistan of B Bhutto.
Until the world appreciates that living is a gift and that ego should be removed, there are going to be challenges!