Episode 1: Daughters are precious
The show in progress during its first episode where Aamir Khan is interacting with journalists Meena Sharma and Shripal Shaktawat
The first episode focused on the issue of female foeticide in India. The show began with some stories of mothers who struggled to give birth to their girl child. The first guest on the show was Amisha Yagnik from Ahmedabad. Yagnik was forced by her husband and in-laws to abort her female unborn child six times in a span of eight years and further shared her experiences to finally give birth to a daughter later. The second guest, Parveen Khan from Morena, Madhya Pradesh shared the story of her husband disfiguring her face by biting it, when she insisted on giving birth to a female child against his wishes.[3] Another guest, doctor Mitu Khurana from Delhi was asked by her orthopaedic surgeon husband and in-laws to abort her girl twins just after 20 weeks of conceiving. Her story helped dispel the perception and myth among people that such abhorrent practices of female foeticide is practiced by rural people or those living in small towns or is confined only to lesser educated people.[4]
The show claimed that according to 2011 Census, the rate at which the unborn female child is killed amounts to killing off 10,00,000 girls a year and there were 914 girls for every 1,000 boys.[4] The episode concluded with a song "O Ri Chiraiya" sung by Swanand Kirkire along with Ram Sampath.
Impact
On the next day after the episode went on air, Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot urged the public representatives and other non-governmental organisations to take actions to stop illegal practice of female foeticide. An official reported that Gehlot also reviewed existing efforts taken by government against the issue. He also directed the officials to prepare a plan for a special campaign against female foeticide.[5]
Khan, as promised on the show, met Gehlot over the issue of female foeticide. Gehlot accepted the request to set up fast track court to deal the case of sting operation featured on the show, which was conducted in 2005 by Meena Sharma and Shripal Shaktawat.[6][7] After discussion with Gehlot, Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court Arun Kumar Mishra given permission to set up the fast track court.[8] The sting operation had revealed faces of more than 140 doctors involved in illegal practice of sex determination test and abortion. But no one were punished in the case even after seven years.[9]
On May 10, 2012, The Rajasthan Government suspended licenses of six sonography centres and issued notices to 24 others for violating the provisions of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal and Diagnostic (PCPNDT) Act, 1994.[10] However, the health minister of Rajasthan, Rajkumar Sharma, criticized the show for "sensationalising female foeticide cases". He argued that government had already been taking action against female foetecide, and did not perform a knee-jerk reaction following the show.[11]
The first episode of the show also made impacts on several state governments in India. Maharashtra Health Minister, Suresh Shetty asked Khan's support for government's campaign against female foeticide. In a letter written to Khan, Shetty mentioned that Maharashtra government had registered cases against 317 sonography centres in the state conducting unauthorized sex determination tests. Also 27 doctors and four families who sought the sex determination tests have been punished under PCPNDT Act.[8] However bollywood actor couple Ajay Devgn and Kajol are later associted with the government's campaign against female foeticide.[12] Haryana government made it compulsory to submit identification proof of the pregnant woman at ultrasonography centres as a pre-condition for undergoing the prenatal sex discernment test. Haryana government also announced a reward of 
21,000 (US$418.95) to those who give information about doctors conducting sex determination tests in the state. While Government of Madhya Pradesh had suspended licence of 65 Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) centres in the state.[8]
Episode 2: Break the Silence
The second episode focused on Child sexual abuse in India. For the episode, Khan had worked with NGO's working with children abused sexually. It showcased two cases of persons; Cindrella Prakash and Harish Iyer, who have had gone through bad experiences in their past. Cindrella was molested in her childhood by a elderly person close to her family while her parents were not in the house. Harish was also sexually abused and raped for several years by a similar person close to his family until one day he fought back at the age of 18. The show also focused on how the victims hesitate to tell their parents about their suffering to fear and shame. It went on to explain on how at times even after informing the parents they are unable to take necessary actions due to disbelief or due to fears of being ridiculed by the society. [13] The chief guest of the episode was Sridevi, who then applauded Harish’s courage and determination and handed him a present for appreciation. She also signed Khan's letter to the Parliament of India lending his support to the Parliament for a strong Child sexual abuse laws in India.[14]
The episode also included a workshop for children to create awareness about the subject amongst children and their parents. The children were told that there are three "danger zones" (private parts) in everyone's body. These includes the chest, area between the legs and the bottom. The children were advised to shout and run to a safe place, and immediately inform a person whom they trust (preferably parents) in case any unwanted person tries to touch them in these parts.[15]
Impact
Following the broadcast of the second episode, the helpline for children received increased number of calls from different cities of the country, and reporting different sorts of child abuse (both sexual abuse of children and other forms of abuse).[16]
On 22nd May 2012, The legislation to protect children below 18 years from sexual abuse became a reality with Lok Sabha passing the bill which was earlier cleared by the Rajya Sabha. [17] Child rights activists have however called the bill to be regressive and the teens across the country are generally appalled by the bill. [18]
Episode 3: Marriage or Marketplace
The third episode focused on Dowry system in India. Khan spoke with several women who had faced dowry harassment by their in-laws before and after marriage. It showcased the story of Komal Sethi from New Delhi who was married to a software professional. Her in-laws demanded furniture, cars, jewelry, home appliances and cash from her family during and after the wedding. After her husband got a job opportunity in USA she was forced to ask money from her parents so that her husband could buy the travel tickets to USA and a car there. Once in the US, her husband tortured her to get the legal rights to her house in India. Upon her refusal, he physically abused and left her without providing food and water, confining her in their apartment for four days before she was rescued by a woman care helpline.
Apart from Komal's story, the episode showcased few similar stories where the women had to face similar abuse and demands including forced plastic surgery and at times had ended with divorce or lawsuits which are still pending judgement. The episode also showcased the story of Rani Tripathi from Mumbai who fought back against the dowry system by recording the dowry demands by the groom's parents with a hidden camera. Once she informed the media about the tape it was showcased in major TV channels across India.[19] Her effort and courage was appreciated by Khan.
The show was concluded by audience opinions and the episode song Rupaiyya composed by Ram Sampath and performed by Sona Mohapatra.[19]
Episode 4: Every Life is Precious
The fourth episode of the show threw light on the frail health care system prevalent in the country. The show started with the story of VS Venkatesh who went thorough four surgeries to cure an infection in his leg. He later learnt that the entire process that had cost him 2 lakh (US$4,000) was unnecessary and the infection could have been treated with medicines. Next, Arvind Kumar from Hyderabad shared that he was hospitalized in ICU for three days and later advised a surgery when all he needed was a dose of ORS.[20] The episode showcased a tragic tale of Major Pankaj Rai’s wife Seema who was suffering from a kidney ailment and lost her life when the doctors forcibly operated her for kidney and pancreas transplant without her family’s consent. While the surgery cost Rai 8.25 lakh (US$16,500) and loss of his wife, the doctors were not bothered to inform the family about her demise and switched off their mobile phones.[20] Dr Anil Pichad from Mumbai who owns a pathology lab revealed that he used to overcharge patients for the tests as he had to pay commission to the doctors. But after he went through a personal tragedy, he stopped bribing the doctors and charges nominally from the patients. Several women from Kowdipally village in Andhra Pradesh were forced to undergo operations to get their uterus removed. The farmers sold their lands or took loans to meet the expensive operation expenses, which was not needed at all.[20]
The show also shed light on a number of other such medical cases where patients suffering from minor ailments were recommended to undergo surgeries on the pretext of extracting more money from them. Khan spoke to Dr KK Talwar, Chairman, Board of Governors, Medical Council of India (MCI), a statutory body regulating medical colleges, affiliation, new colleges, and doctors’ registration, to understand their actions to tackle such frauds. Dr Talwar committed Khan and the people of the country to take actions against such corrupt doctors. Khan read out the statistics of the percentage of doctors in England whose licenses were permanently cancelled in the past 3 years, and according to the RTI filed by Khan and his team, not even a single doctor's licence has been cancelled in the recent past in the country, thus letting the corrupt doctors scot free. Khan also spoke to retired Major General Som Jhingon, ex-chairman, MCI, who had resigned from his post as he was completely disillusioned by the way the organization was functioning.
Khan, with the help of Dr. Shamit Sharma from Rajasthan, enlightened viewers by informing them about generic medicines that are available at affordable cost and are in no way inferior to the branded medicines produced by celebrated pharmaceutical companies. The show also spoke about Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty and his noble scheme that allows poor people to get medical treatment at affordable rates. Veteran Dr. Gulati also urged the government to prioritise health schemes so that even the poor could lead a healthy life.[21]
Aftermath
Highly upset with Aamir on the issues raised in the episode 4, Indian Medical Association (IMA) has demanded an apology from Aamir Khan and warned him of legal action if he did not do so.
However Aamir disagreed to apologize by saying “I am very comfortable if they (IMA) plan to take legal action if they feel that I have done something wrong. Of course, the courts are available for them. My answer is no, I will not be apologizing.” “I deny that I have done that (defame doctors). I have the highest respect and regard for the medical profession,” he added. [23] [24] [25]
Episode 5: Intolerance to Love
The fifth episode focused on unacceptability of love marriage in Indian culture, and also threw the limelight on honor killing in the country. The show showcased some real life examples where a couple married against their families' wishes and had to leave their loved ones and of honor killing. The first case saw a couple; Lokendra and Fehmida from Uttar Pradesh, who have been struggling to save their life from the latter's family despite a protection order from court, which is proving them helpless. The next case was of 27 year old from Kolkata; Rizwanur Rahman, who lost his life in an attempt to marry a Hindu girl Priyanka Todi, daughter of industrialist Ashok Todi. The episode then showcased the story of Manoj-Babli honour killing case from Haryana, both of whom were killed for having a love marriage. Manoj’s mother and sister have been fighting for justice despite many odds, often being threatened number of times to withdraw the complaint. Aamir then had an interaction with Khap Panchayat, a religious caste-based council having no judicial powers. The panchayat claimed Manoj and Babli marriage to be immoral, however added that they didn’t deserve to be killed.
Sanjay Sachdev, Chairman of Love Commandos from New Delhi was invited for the episode as a guest. His committee helps believes in the motto, "Love shall conquer the world", and thus helps couples by giving them basic necessities and legal help. The last story was of Alka and Uday, both doctor by profession. Alka's parents refrained themselves for a long time from accepting their daughter's marriage due to the fear of social stigma. Her parents realized that their daughter's happiness weighed more than social stigma and accepted the marriage. The show ended up with a song "Ghar Yaad Aata Hai Mujhe" sung by Sona Mohapatra and Ram Sampath.
Aftermath
Haryana's khap panchayats, known for their bizarre diktats, have now demanded that Aamir Khan's popular TV show, Satyamev Jayate, be pulled off air. The Aamir drew the ire of the kangaroo courts after he accused them of triggering honour killings. [26]
Chris Gayle
