The UN-FAIR Advantage

I was out for a dinner last evening with my big size family at our preferable and often visited south Indian restaurant. The place was quite crowded for a weekday, however we managed to get our favourite family size table. I occupied the extreme corner of the table and could hardly hear the discussion that was happening among the members. Incidentally, I could clearly hear the chatter happening over the table right next to me. I heard the ladies talking about the little girl, her dress  and how cute was she looking in it and eventually how fair coloured she was. To quote the woman's words " mera bacha to gora angrez hai angrez" and the giggles and laughter carried on.... and a thought rapidly crossed my mind..."Are you serious auntyji .. you pretty much look desi"....

Ergo... "How fair is FAIR" !!!

Why are we so obsessed with the fair coloured skin? Why don't we find comfort in whatever colour we are made of? 100% of the times which is not in our hands and which we inherit. It starts right when we are born, goes along with us till our matrimonial ads( Wanted - A FAIR, beautiful/Handsome, Girl/Guy - Go buy a show-piece instead) are placed and yet beyond that. If you think more carefully, its kind of a viscous circle. 

To add cherry on the top, we never seize to make an incidental remark on the dark toned people. 

No wonder, why Indian FMCGs having a product line of a fairness product, are making millions. Just to give you a number, the fairness cream and lotion segment is approx. Rs.3000 Crore market in India. WOW! 

And these FMCGs are going bizarre, spending millions more to advertise and sell the products by your favourite actors. You should see some classics for yourself on youtube. I guarantee you an LMAO session. Women were making a mark in this industry, when men realized that they can be fair and handsome too. Now you see Mr. Khan, suggesting pehelwaans to use men's fairness cream and consequently all the girls going nuts. I remember those funny late night dubbed commercials selling non branded fairness products using standard repetitive statement - " Main pehle bohot niraash thaaa, mere pass job bhi nahi thaaaa ... blah blah". Really.. did anyone use to buy those? And do you get jobs, wife/husband, femina awards after becoming fair in 5 weeks... I suggest sue the people or the company if the answer is YES. 

So what makes us so obsessed to become a tone lighter? Is it the lack of confidence or the statements like "gore rang par har kapda acha lagta hai"  or apparently the society's pressure. I am trying to figure out myself. But next time you feel the same, try reading about people like Oprah Winfrey. 

Er. ...Imagine Will Smith becoming fairer !! Think Think!!

I shall use a tag line of yet another product promoted by a famous actor to end this malicious blog... "Gorepan ke peeche mat bhago... Jaise ho waise dikho"...  (I am not promoting this brand...)