Aamir’s corruption blockbuster: stimulating Sunday brunch

By Rupsa Chakraborty

Maverick Bollywood star, Mr Aamir Khan, has set the proverbial cat among the medical pigeons by exposing alleged malpractices by the medical fraternity in the fourth episode on his hugely popular new series on Doordarshan and Star Plus, `Satyamev Jayate.’

Incensed medical professionals are up in arms. In the aftermath of its telecast, an umbrella body of 21 medical institutions has insisted that Mr Khan apologise for charging doctors of corrupt practices.

This issue clearly rings a bell with ipaidabribe.com portal since we realised long ago that corruption in the medical sector was so rampant that it warranted a separate category in our bribe reports. Apart from respondents eagerly sharing their experiences in paying bribe at various hospitals spread across the country, we were also fortunate that a very successful doctor offered to write anonymous pieces on the corruption practices tarnishing the profession.

Titled `Does health care need healing’? the episode focused on doctors prescribing costly medicines allegedly due to prodding of medical representatives. Instead of prescribing generic medicines which are cheap, doctors allegedly prescribe highly priced ones due to the commission the pharmaceutical companies allegedly provide them. It also dwelt on how MCI head, Mr Ketan Desai, now in jail for demanding bribes in crores for providing the green signal to colleges to run medical courses, perfected the art of corruption.

It was indeed a piece of journalistic excellence from the `Lagaan’ star that forced Dr K K Talwar, Head of the Medical Council of India, to candidly admit on stage that corruption is in vogue in the sector.

Mr Khan really deserves all-possible kudos for using his clout to create awareness about medical corruption across the country. With advice rendered by actors or cricketers considered sacrosanct in India, the super star has definitely helped the message reach the greatest audience possible.

The program set the social media world on fire with the show trending among the top Five on each Sunday of the show. Probably, an indication of how desperate Indians are for the virus of corruption to disappear.

Team Anna member and former top police official, Ms Kiran Bedi, tweeted thus.

“I would give full marks to Amir Khan's TV Prog Satya Mev Jayate, very creative, evidence- based and emotionally connecting, inspiring!”

The programme has generated such a craze that it is said that millions of viewers do not budge from the TV screen during its duration. The first battle in the step to curb corruption has already been won -- creating an awareness and generating a debate on the issue.

As a portal committed to fight tooth and nail against the scrouge of corruption, we sincerely the other steps that would lead to its eradication get taken from here.

People's Voice

For every noble issue, somebody has to take the first step, whoever he is, whether he is Aamir Khan or Anna Hazare or a simple Indian. But it is a fact, when Aamir Khan, a known face to every Indian and one who is popular as a perfectionist, says something; it will definitely encourage the people to fight corruption without hesitation. Ranabir Bhattacharyya, Government school teacher.	These issues are not new but what is new—Aamir Khan. There were other social issue related programmes but those had no impact on audiences. When Aamir says something, people listen and act. So, it might contribute to stimulate people into action. Shipra Chakraborty, Housewife, Kolkata.
This programme is getting so much attention because of the star status of Aamir Khan. No one cares about the common person. But it can put the issues in the forefront. People by themselves are a system. If people change, then the system will also change. Rajeev Rama, Editor, Broadcast Media India Pvt. Ltd, Andhra Pradesh.	Yes. I believe celebrities; especially, stars like Aamir Khan and Anupam Kher, who are active social campaigners with credibility, can make a difference and contribute to fighting corruption. They definitely help in spreading awareness to the masses on a large scale. Anuj NK, Final year Engineering student, Bangalore.