True friendship

I'm writing this on Friendship Day, so I should tell you about two friends of mine.

True friendship

I'm writing this on Friendship Day, so I should tell you about two friends of mine. One of them is X, who has known me for less than a decade and gives me expensive gifts, but doesn't share many secrets with me. The other is Y, who has been a friend for close to two decadesu00a0Y and I don't exchange gifts, but we know each others' secrets.

So who is a closer friend? The book 'Simhasana Dvatrimsika: Thirty-two Tales Of The Throne Of Vikramaditya' says that there are three signs of friendship to entertain and be entertained, to give gifts and receive them, and to tell and hear secrets. Out of this, perhaps the most crucial deal with secrets. This is why Y is closer to me than X, though the latter has spent more money on me.

So I find it funny that people are willing to share secrets on a show. At one level, one has to admire their courage, but the dividing line between courage and suicidal behaviour is extremely thin.

That said, Sach Ka Samna has tremendous potential but only in the right context. For instance, if a man were to say on the show that he felt bad because his parents treated a younger sibling with greater affection, then the bond between this contestant and his parents may grow stronger after such a revelation.

However, if somebody were to talk of something like an extra-marital affair on the show, then this could lead to a divorce. The same issue, discussed in private, could give the erring spouse a second chance. In this context, this show might have a negative impact.

However, what I have said here are just my own thoughts, and I think that the show must go on.

Adults should have the right to both participate and watch such shows.

It would however be good if Siddhartha Basu, who is hailed as the father of Indian quiz shows, were to come up with guidelines that would enable contestants not just to make money, but also to 'discuss and repair' relationships on the show.

If this is done, then the show will become more compelling. Of course, this might cost some TRPs, but let Basu too face his own Sach Ka Samna do you want to help others, or do you only want to increase your ratings?

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