With the advent of Christmas, preparations for the New Year are well underway. Composing this column during a period marked by widespread joy, anticipation, and celebration is particularly meaningful. Many individuals have spent the festive season in the company of family and friends, with celebrations that often extend beyond a single day. Ultimately, it is the sense of togetherness that enhances and deepens the enjoyment of these occasions.
Amid the festive season, it is important to consider those who may be alone, such as the elderly, the disadvantaged, and those in need. In Twickenham, Shashibhai and Palluben Patel, together with their sons Deepen and Meeten, continued their longstanding community initiative at their four-decade-old establishment, Meet and Deep News. On Christmas Day, they distributed more than 500 complimentary samosas to elderly individuals living alone, providing not only food but also social interaction and companionship. This effort aimed to address loneliness and promote well-being within the community.
In Birmingham, members of a Sikh organisation united with the purpose of supporting those in need and uplifting underprivileged communities. Indian Vegetarians and Vegan, under the leadership of Nitin Mehta, has continued its longstanding tradition of celebrating Christmas through acts of service and compassion, while also advocating for vegetarian principles. Similarly, at Oldham’s CommuniTEA event, held with the support of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Oldham Hindu Temple, over 300 cups were served, resulting in more than £400 raised for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice. These initiatives represent just a selection of the efforts carried out by various individuals and organisations known to us.
It is likely that many others within our community, both individuals and groups, have contributed to spreading joy and providing support during the festive season, each according to their resources and ability. This, after all, is the very essence of our Sanatan Dharma.
The core of our Dharma
Life involves not only personal interests but also extends to giving, sharing, and offering support to those in need. Our core values emphasise that ‘service to humanity is service to God’ and endorse the concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”-the whole world as one family. These principles are deeply embedded in our identity. Notably, Indians often demonstrate an exceptional capacity to welcome others and foster a sense of belonging, even in unfamiliar environments. While this is undoubtedly challenging, thoughtful intentions and genuine efforts can ignite hope and joy in many individuals.
This ethos is eloquently expressed in the classic song from Raj Kapoor’s Shree 420: “Mera joota hai Japani, yeh patloon Englistani, sar pe laal topi Roosi, phir bhi dil hai Hindustani.” Written by the esteemed Shailendra and performed by Mukesh, the song embodies a philosophy that continues to inspire generations of Indians.
I can still clearly recall the days of black-and-white movies. I was about seventeen when I moved to Vadodara for university. Hearing my friends talk about films made me want to see them at the cinema, but that required having some cash on hand. Most of the time, I found happiness just standing by the roadside and listening to Binaca Geetmala on someone else's radio. It was probably during those years that “Mera Joota Hai Japani…” quietly took root in my mind. Later, while living abroad, that song—whether consciously or not—became even more meaningful, growing deeper in my heart over time.
The evolving landscape of television
As the conversation has shifted toward film songs, it's worthwhile to pause and consider the broader world of cinema. There was a period when movies offered affordable, widely accessible entertainment for all. Back then, theatres were the main venues for watching films. The arrival of television changed this experience significantly. I vividly recall Doordarshan broadcasting movies each week and the remarkable enthusiasm around serials such as Mahabharat and Ramayana. People would reliably gather at the few houses equipped with a TV to watch them together.
The landscape of film consumption has transformed significantly. With the proliferation of numerous television channels and the rise of OTT platforms, viewers now have the flexibility to watch films at their convenience, including the ability to pause, rewind, or replay content as desired. Unlike previous eras, when audiences endured commercial interruptions and remained attentive throughout broadcasts, today’s viewing experience is highly personalised and controlled by the individual.
Nevertheless, despite these profound changes, cinema continues to hold a central position in global entertainment. This is reflected in the industry's expansive operations. Bollywood is internationally acknowledged for producing the largest number of films, whereas Hollywood leads in terms of average revenue per film, frequently achieving box office earnings in the billions.
It is for this reason that leading global companies are competing fiercely to acquire iconic studios such as Warner Brothers. These are not deals worth a few hundred millions, the figures involved are truly staggering. Recently, Netflix, a leading OTT platform, made an offer of $83 billion to acquire Warner Brothers and many believed the deal was all but done. However, another Hollywood major, Paramount Skydance Corporation, surpassed this with an even stronger bid of $108 billion, sending shockwaves across the entertainment industry.
The massive financial growth in entertainment demonstrates that, despite new options emerging, the film industry continues to hold, and will keep, a special place. Even though the internet, YouTube, social media, and apps are now everywhere, cinema’s influence remains strong and distinct. Some people believe streaming platforms and big studios create deeper, more meaningful content like documentaries or web series, while Hindi cinema is too focused on action.
While everyone has their own opinion, I don’t fully agree. Many Hindi films, with their stories and songs, have inspired change, given hope, and provided guidance. When a message is effectively delivered through audio-visual means, it can leave a powerful impression, and Hindi cinema has achieved this repeatedly.
Enduring allure of melody
Consider the song, “Mera Joota Hai Japani.” At a recent event in London, this classic was performed and around 500–700 people of all ages happily danced along. But is its lasting appeal just because of its melody? Not at all. Although the film Shree 420, which featured the track, was released in 1955, the song remains enduringly popular nearly seventy years later due to its meaningful message about life. In essence, it encourages us to embrace human life and truly live it. Raj Kapoor delivers this idea with an easy confidence, inspiring us to hold our heads high, face the future bravely, and let go of fear and doubt. He suggests that we should trust in a higher power who oversees everything and focus on moving forward with determination, just like waves persistently rolling ahead.
Another song I cherish is “Kisi ki muskuraahaton pe ho nisaar...” from Anari (1959), featuring Raj Kapoor. Despite its brevity, the song delivers a strong message: life’s true value lies in kindness, easing others’ pain, and sharing love. Even without material wealth, generosity and compassion define a meaningful life.
As we enter the New Year, let's keep in mind that life is made up of both joy and hardship, wins and losses. It's important not to lose hope during tough moments or get carried away when things go well. What truly matters is how we handle each situation. With courage and resilience, let's aim to help others through compassion and do our best to make a positive impact wherever we can. May these lessons inspire us as the New Year begins.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!
