Meryl Streep during her speech at the Golden Globes earlier this month. Pic/AP

Here's a fun fact we should all consider: Speaking out is frowned upon in contemporary India. Shutting up is encouraged. We are urged, by our gov­­ernment and other powers — in subtle as well as direct terms — that it is best to put our heads down and carry on as best we can. To speak out against anything — be it perceived injustice, a very real threat or blatant misuse of power — is now enough to get a whole lot of people irate and bothered. In fact, some people are now paid to get annoyed on behalf of other people.