Media Coverage | 05-05-2026
Yes, every form of ‘Melody’ brings sweetness to life, be it chocolate or a melodious voice
Dr Vijay Darda
Over the past few days, two words have dominated the public discourse. One is cockroach or ‘tilchatta’ in Hindi and the other is ‘Melody’. The buzz around both became so extraordinary that I felt compelled to discuss them with you this week. You are, of course, familiar with the context behind both expressions.
During the hearing of a case, the Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant invoked the word cockroach merely to convey his emotions and observations. Yet, some people took the remark to heart and linked it to the country’s youths. The Chief Justice of India immediately clarified that such was never his intention. However, once an aggrieved mind chooses to internalise something, the possibility of mischief naturally begins to brew. In no time, a gentleman named Abhijeet Dipke hurriedly floated, what he called, the Cockroach Janta Party. It is not a legally recognised political party, yet social media erupted with excitement over it. Within days, it amassed crores of followers. Now there are reports that it has been banned. In my view, such spectacles are hardly unprecedented. The Internet has repeatedly shown us how quickly things soar into the skies of popularity, only to fall flat on their face moments later. India has witnessed many such movements that once appeared unstoppable, only to vanish without a trace over time. Do you remember Gujarat’s Hardik Patel? Politics eventually consumed and dissolved his movement entirely. In fact, most people today may not even know what he is doing anymore. Just to refresh your memory, he is presently the BJP MLA from Viramgam in Gujarat. Not only in Gujarat, but in Assam, Punjab and several other states as well, the eventual downfall of many such movements has been witnessed by all.
Let us now return to the subject of the cockroach itself and examine some of its astonishing characteristics. The cockroach is an ancient and remarkably resilient creature that has inhabited the Earth since the age of the dinosaurs for no less than 35 crore years. It can survive for weeks without its head, hold its breath for nearly 40 minutes and remain alive underwater for more than half an hour. Some even believe that if an apocalypse were ever to strike the planet, the cockroach would still endure. Clearly, such extraordinary survival instincts are rare in the animal kingdom. Yet, have you ever heard of anyone raising a cockroach? I hold deep respect for every living being, but one undeniable truth must still be acknowledged: For most people, the very sight of a cockroach instantly evokes the urge to eliminate it. That is why when individuals like Dhruv Rathee, sitting comfortably in Germany, proclaim that ‘the cockroach is back’ and that the ‘56-inch chest is frightened’, I find myself compelled to question the intent behind such rhetoric. Even a person with the most ordinary understanding may begin to wonder whether unseen and shadowy agencies, unsettled and enraged by India’s economic rise, are somehow operating behind such provocations!
Those who harbour the illusion that India’s Gen Z can be manipulated into behaving on the lines of what was witnessed in Nepal or Bangladesh are merely indulging in fanciful daydreams. Whether it is Gen Z or Gen Alpha, India’s younger generation is exceptionally intelligent and possesses the ability to grasp every issue with depth and discernment. For the sake of clarity, those born between 1997 and 2012 are classified as Gen Z, those born between 2013 and 2024 as Gen Alpha, while children born thereafter belong to the Gen Beta category. Our younger generation is intellectually so strong, alert, self-respecting and deeply devoted to the nation that it cannot be easily misled or manipulated. India’s Gen Z fully understands that politically two visible forces generally operate — one supporting the government and the other opposing it. But if any hidden third force attempts to play its own game, Gen Z will recognise the design without delay. They also understand that those who truly speak of revolution never insult revered gods and goddesses, nor do they descend into abusive or uncivil language.
Yes, I understand the emotions and aspirations of the youths very well. I have repeatedly written in my column that while the nation is steadily advancing on the path of progress, young people must also be encouraged towards entrepreneurship and industry so that they, in turn, can generate employment opportunities for others. In Russia, Vladimir Putin, and in China, Xi Jinping, have undertaken significant efforts in the direction of providing opportunities and employment to the youths. In our own country too, emerging technologies have opened new avenues and possibilities. Yet, for those young people who remain unemployed or feel deceived by the system, a sense of dissatisfaction is only natural. I have always suspected that several foreign agencies are eager to exploit this discontent for their own interests and they continue to make such attempts. However, I have equal faith in India’s youths. I firmly believe that foreign powers can never mislead them. Time and again, the younger generation has demonstrated its wisdom, maturity and sound judgment.
Now, let us speak a little about ‘Melody’! In its literal sense, the word signifies sweetness in sound and music, a harmonious tune, a lyrical cadence. But the ‘Melody’ currently making headlines happens to be a brand of chocolate. During his visit to Italy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with chocolates of this brand, and it seemed as though the sweetness between the two nations acquired an even warmer glow. Amid the uproar surrounding the ‘cockroach’ controversy and in these bloody times of conflict and war, this fragrant melody of friendship and human warmth brings a rare sense of comfort to the heart. Thank you, Meloni ji, for the affection and goodwill you continue to express towards India. Heartfelt gratitude! ‘Salamat rahe dostana hamara..!’
The author is the chairman, Editorial Board of Lokmat Media and former member of Rajya Sabha.
vijaydarda@lokmat.com
Intro
It is hard to predict which word will become a missile, manipulating the Internet. An interesting story of two such words.
