Rude and Ruthless Roadies

MTV Roadies is on to its 5th season (I am not sure about the season #, it for me is as confusing as the number of versions of the Tally accounting software). I have never had the patience to sit through even a single episode of this mindless mayhem till date, but today I tried my best to sit through 15 minutes of this idiotic show and I got frusturated to an extent I have never felt before. To start with, I still have not understood the concept behing what is being shown on screen. A group of half naked boys and girls who swear at each other at the drop of a hat and indulge in all sorts of team games where what exactly they do is bitching and bickering about everyone else behind their backs (of course, on camera). The members are put into teams of 2 while taking part in an activity and there is no effort made by either of the team members to understand and co- operate with the other which makes things easy for both the team members if the team fails. They can easily blame the other. If on the contrary the team wins the game, there is a big battle in claiming the lion's share of the credit. This is one show which makes fun of this whole concept of team building, team work and team achievement. Being a team player who has to lead a team of a little more than 50, it really is a matter of big concern for me. The television channel as well as the participants are for easy tasks- trust me, it really is VERY VERY DIFFICULT getting heterogenous people to work together in teams to achieve team goals. While every day is a struggle for people like me in taking a team together at work, the gen next in India is watching shows like Roadies which kinda drill the concept of "I AM THE BEST" into them. There is no denying the fact that self confidence is a pre requisite to success, but at the same time, let me make it very clear that overconfidence kills. Certain jobs can be done only single handedly but most of the jobs require a team effort and it really matters how good a team player one is to determine whether or not his/ her team will make it to the top. In a fast growing country like India where the youth can make a big difference, the channel that is most watched by the urban youth is propogating a very incorrect mantra through shows like Roadies. In their own language it is- Love only yourself, f*** the team that you are part of. This is totally, completely wrong and if the country's youth is planning to move ahead based on the learnings that MTV Roadies is putting forward, there is no doubt that life for them is going to end up in a big mess. I have still not been able to find out a single thing that is good about the show. Reality shows should be rooted in reality and what is expected of them is to give its participants a couple of messages which they can carry with them and apply in their real lives. I feel very sorry to say- MTV Roadies is a complete disaster whichever way you look at it, but unfortunately for us, it is highly popular. God save India!