Every generation needs icons and role models. Sometimes it’s a symbol, very often a person.
While faces of Che Guevara, Bob Marley and the peace symbol have appeared on T-shirts for decades now, a worrying trend has trickled into the city.
The Nazi Swastika has made its way to bandanas and bracelets that are increasingly available in the city at areas like Kachiguda and Trimul-gherry at stores frequented by college students and young working professionals.
Be it a positive symbol or a negative, one is always left wondering if the youngsters understand the implications of what they are wearing.
Fortunately, most youngsters of the city are cautious of the messages they send out. “No, I would never wear a Nazi symbol. I am a peaceful person, not a hater. I do wear T-shirts with strong messages, but make sure that they suit who I am. My favourite T-shirt has the symbols of four religions made into a smiley,” says St Mary’s student and beat boxer Raj Varma.
In 2005, Prince Harry invited harsh criticism globally for wearing a Nazi uniform at a fancy dress party just two weeks before the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz (the Nazi concentration camp).
Priyesh Manjith Raj, a rocker by profession loves to flaunt his band T-shirts.
“I wear Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix T-shirts because they signify peace. But Che is another symbol I see that is over-used that too by people who aren’t aware of its implications. As to the Nazi symbol, people even go for tattoos of the Swastika. But if someone has to justify it, the best they can do is that Swastika was traditionally a symbol for peace.”
Which it wasn’t, as the Hindu or rather Aryan Swastika is inverted, thus a mirror reflection of the Nazi one.
Prerna Baheriwani, a party regular, says she is not all that keen on sending out strong messages. “Honestly, I prefer funky and floral prints as they go with my image. I am not a rebellious person and that is what I wish to state through my clothes as well. I don’t want to convey any messages, especially since people tend to misunderstand easily,” she says.
Kavitha Golecha, CEO of Panache Finishing School, advises that youngsters should be considerate of others while protecting their individualism.
“Youngsters should wear what suits them and what they are comfortable in. But that doesn’t mean just because they are extremely comfortable in something they can go around insulting people. They think it’s cool to wear flip- flops, but in some occasions they are inappropriate. Outfits should be simple, smart and elegant and should never cross the line of decency.”
As a mother, she objects to her children wearing the brand “FCUK”, which stands for “French Connections United Kingdom”.
