Media Sedation, not Kanhaiya Sedition

The more the news around Kanhaiya Kumar spreads, less inclined I am towards believing in anybody, let alone his own version. Among all this drama and confusion, the one source which keeps escaping scotfree, is the media. On the one hand the media reports of instances of intolerance, on the other hand, they want the freedom to continue reporting incidents and blowing them into such major proportions, there is no one who knows what the truth is. And then what happens? The so called anti national gets the sympathy of many, courtesy the media and no one now is willing to even know what the truth is.

The reporting media has become so powerful and opportunistic today, that an entire nation is held ransom to its opinions and views. It is quite appalling for the media to report incidents of intolerance when they themselves demand so much of tolerance. If I were given an opportunity, their wings should be clipped, not to subdue their reporting, but the constant debating and putting words in the mouths of politicians or students, you name them. It is disturbing to air debates which are fruitless given the media's reach and clouded views.

Freedom of speech is something which every Indian is proud to have. But does it give anyone and everyone to air their opinions and generate anti national sentiment? No. But hey, counter question would be - is there proof to show there were anti national slogans at JNU? But do we have proof to prove otherwise? No. But when you see news channels, Kanhaiya Kumar has become the victim. Irrespective of whether he is in the wrong or not, media will report he is the victim, and track him for 6 months and more.

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Birds' Word

If he were born to a traditional Indian Tam family, Dickie Bird would be busy for his Sathabhishekam. In English you are entering the Octogenarian phase. At this age, it is difficult to raise eyebrows, let alone other details of anatomical significance. But the famed cricket umpire has supposedly dared to declare his all time cricketing XI without modern greats including Sachin Tendulkar.

One knows the heights of joblessness when either media thinks these are newsworthy items to even be discussed, OR I have enough time on hand to even blog about this. Either ways it is one's own discretion to choose their own cricketing XI. Dickie chose his own, but why it warrants media debate is beyond me.

As for omitting Tendulkar, which is what India's national debate will be, the way Sachin is prolonging his career, it is no surprise he got omitted by Dickie. In fact, with the Indian selectors' mindset, Sachin himself maybe having his Sathabhishekam on a cricket field, battling the quicks in Proteas' land. And India will still cheer him on for another run to help him reach his 101st international century.

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MNIK - Media Holds India Hostage

Though I have been trying to restrain myself from blogging about My Name Is Khan (MNIK), the outcome and the coverage it has been given warranted me to write atleast a few words about the entire episode. There are three main protagonists about the entire MNIK episode. Shah Rukh Khan, the Badshah of Bollywood, fondly referred to as SRK, Shiv Sena, and the third annoying protagonist, the media.

Frankly, the Shiv Sena's protests and insensitive posturing and violence are but sure signs that it is in its last leg as a prominent political outfit. Its protests against Rahul Gandhi died down in a whimper, and even though they threatened to cast a shadow of violence around the screening of MNIK, the film has gone on to open to full house audiences. Another blunder by Shiv Sena, which is ailing under the senile leadership of Bal Thackeray. Not only is the Shiv Sena devoid of any agenda which helps Mumbai or Maharashtra as a whole, it has brought embarrassment to itself by taking on national icons like Sachin Tendulkar, Mukesh Ambani and now, SRK.

SRK, to be fair to him has found himself in the midst of unnecessary politics, which Shiv Sena claims to have had success at. SRK had made statements on NDTV that there was a problem about signing Pakistan players in IPL. And that he wanted to have Abdul Razzak in his Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL. Shiv Sena conveniently misconstrued his statements and branded SRK a traitor, and asked him to apologise, questioning SRK's intentions behind signing Pakistani players and his statement of Mumbai for All. SRK to his credit, stuck to his stand and insisted that no one should question his Indianness. He was even asked to go to Pakistan if he felt so strongly about his support for Pakistani players. SRK repeatedly held his ground and refused to tender an apology for something which he never alluded to as anti-Maharashtrian or anti-Indian.

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Phir Mile Sur or Frivolous Mile Sur ?

India celebrated its 60th Republic Day yesterday. A moment every Indian, including I, am proud of. India is expressing itself on the global stage, and Indians are becoming confident, self-assured and assertive, all in a positive sense. Perhaps its this freedom of expression that is running deep in all of India. Especially it would seem, among the emboldened and influential television medium.

This Republic Day was more remembered for the spiced and hyped Phir Mile Sur, a rehash of the 1988 original version by Doordarshan. Spiced, because of a skimpily clad Deepika Padukone and banyan clad Salman Khan amongst other Bollywood celebrities (even Karan Johar found a place!), and hyped because it was apparently 'released' by Amitabh Bacchan. Now, what bemuses me no end is what do these esteemed figures stand for? Are they the epitome of Indian patriotism or Indian achievements?

I wish I weren't cynical. But the way the new Phir Mile Sur has been done up, looks very botched, annoyingly long and at times even ridiculous. It looks more like a marketing gimmick to win TRPs for Zoom television. It was good old Doordarshan days which brought about the original Mile Sur Mera Tumhara (see original below). Zoom has been one of the gossip channels promoting everything from Bollywood to Bollywood (pun intended).

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See The Hypocrisy in Pravasi ?

Since Australia claimed that incidents like the stabbing of an Indian in Australia was common in big cities, there has been huge uproar amongst Indians in India and expectedly in Australia too. It has been quite easy for India and Indians to brand the spate of attacks on Indians, especially Indian students as racially motivated. What Australia has probably been right about is the hysteria around the incidents being highlighted and channeled by the innumerable television channels in India. Today has been no different with another Indian in Australia being set on fire.

What has been striking about the coverage about these incidents is the emotional upheaval the media has been able to generate. Every single attack on an Indian in Australia is being questioned and accused as racist by the Indian media. The media seems to have taken it upon itself to represent an entire nation to question the atrocities against Indians in Australia. The statement issued by the deputy prime minister of Australia couple of days back, belittling crimes and murders as being common in big cities was frankly insensitive. It has only flared tempers.

So what is so different about crimes against Indian nationals in Australia to be captured as headlines? Is it the easily available and accessible news fodder from a smaller Indian immigrant community in Australia? Is it the thirst to accuse another nation of being racist when crimes against foreign nationals in India happen quite frequently? Patriotism is most welcome from news channels. But if the media needs to broadcast respectful news stories, it needs to shed its hypocrisy.

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Publicity from Audacity

A year on, India may have learnt some lessons. 26/11 for Mumbai, befell from some evil script written by satan. What has changed post 26/11, is the harsh reality of how cruel and audacious terrorists and their attacks can be. So far, and still, it is mostly fidayeen attacks, or other timer based bombs. Laying seige to a city by holding soft spots like hotels hostage came out of the blue. Expectedly, India was caught unawares.

What however was troubling, was that this was probably the first time, that 2 days or so of terrorist attacks were telecast live on television. And the entire world was witness to less than 10 terrorists, creating panic amongst an entire nation. In fact, it is now clear, that such attacks magnify the terrorist activities, and this is precisely what they want. Sensational events, covered by media, where the terrorists can claim responsibility and get away with ample free publicity, out of sheer audacity.

While the media has been, and will always be criticized for sensationalism, there is no doubt that message through the media, especially the visual medium is here to stay. Innumerable news channels, can influence an entire public mindset, turning the tide for or against political parties. However, annoyances and uselessness from this very medium (especially television) are equally on the rise.

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A Media Check, Mate !

Media has done it again. Sensationalism is one, while responsible journalism is another. The current spate of racial attacks on Indian students in Australia (or which seem like racial) are doing the rounds in all news channels. And with the burgeoning number of channels, it is not surprising that the Indian youth and telly audience alike is being overfed with information. There is no doubting that the attacks do seem racial. There is also no doubt that the attacks have been gruesome in nature, which makes it all the more worrisome. But do 4 attacks warrant stamping an entire nation as racist ? That would be going too far.

But our television channels are determined to mint the sentiments of the Indian youth and build a case against the Australians in general. No channel has spared to blame the entire country of Australia as being racist. Hence the attacks on Indians, they claim. Racism need not be confined to brown skins being attacked by white skinned. It can also be the other way round. If Indians treat fair skinned Australians badly, Indians too are racist.

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All for HITS !

This is CHEAP .. to get hits on my blog. But hey, anything for Amitabh and his tummy !! Err.. FYI He Got HOSPOTALISED and that too on his birthday !!!! Equivalent to a Bihar flood, what say ?

Am I not right .. media ? So, here goes the list of links (just a sample !) with this news piece doing rounds in Headlines in India !!!!!!!!

http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20081011/1416/tnl-bachchan-taken-ill-admitted-to-lilav_1.html

http://movies.ndtv.com/template/generic_movies.aspx?template=amitabhbachchan&pollrequired=n

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/actor-amitabh-bachchan-hospitalised-on-birthday/75580-8.html

http://www.hindu.com/2005/11/29/stories/2005112911080104.htm

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Amitabh-taken-ill-on-birthday-hospitalised/372101/

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/on-birthday-amitabh-bachchan-hospitalised-under-observation-second-lead_100106130.html

http://www.nowpublic.com/style/actor-amitabh-bachchan-hospitalised-birthday

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Bray-King News !

Breaking News ... CBI cordons off Sector 25 in Noida, breaking News, Lie detector Test on Krishna, Rama, Kumbhkarna. I am not able to find more characters to the string of names which come up on everyday news stories these days. The news items only pertain to Neeraj Grover's gruesome murder or Aarushi and Hemant's mystery. Or for a change cops charged for raping a woman, and the woman killing herself for not being heard by the Haryana Police.

I would rather the news channels dedicate their prime time for news which has more sense, than some botched up investigative cases which are of no consequence for people far across India. Instead, what these channels bring on the idiot boxes for all of us is nothing but Breaking News, which either has to do with cordoning off, lie detector tests or suicide which maybe murder. I shudder to think what the new age, impressionable children and teenagers are being fed with as far as news is concerned.

Most of the news channels, atleast the Indian ones as of today have 3 crime investigation details everyday. Do they make any sort of attempt to do such investigative work, to break terror plots ? When terror strikes, they have all the news in the world to blame and question the lackadaisical police approach or sleeping intelligence agencies. Is it because, terror plots involve people who are far more notorious and have nefarious links with terror groups across the world ? Is it that media of today is scared to break these plots or try and find the instigators of violent acts ?

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For Ur Co-et-al Kama

Warning : Some of the words/sentences maybe offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. No offense intended.

Look no step further, and read the Co-et-al as it is meant to be, for when you wish to abbreviate the topic of the post, it is all too obvious what it stands for.

Fumble, Fondle
Tumble, Cuddle
Snuggle, Meddle

Use F**K For Ur Co-et-al Kama !

In 5 years time, there will be a complete package for any couple who want to marry. Right from providing matrimonial service, to the point of procreation, all inclusive package deals. Just Rs. 2 lakhs. * Conditions Apply. I will come to the conditions part real soon.

I came across an article in Yahoo News about Indian Wedding Services Industry Corporate India will now sponsor and give complete packages for any lavishly spent Indian Wedding. Match Making To Love Making. Though Love Making as an industry is yet to see a greater demand, the way Indian Weddings are being conducted that day won't be far away either.

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A$$-Ana

Strange, that the Indian word Asana can actually be dissected and re-modified as A$$-Ana, yet the meaning remains the same. Though the actual meaning in Sanskrit is seat, it of course is something where we need to be using our rear most a$$et on.

Strange, the more we look at it, the more obvious the commonality of a$$ in a$$et and a$$ana. That, my friends is precisely where I want to bring your attention to. Not to be vulgar or offensive as to bring your attention to that specific treasured a$$et. But when a programme is dedicated to whether a famed cricketer is doing the right a$$ana (notice my dollar sign usage. It is meant specifically to hide the obvious reference I mean to make), wouldn't one want to get frustrated, irritated, angry and upset at the time wasted at prime time 9:30 p.m on a Saturday ?

Clearly, Headlines Today doesn't seem to have any news of substance to talk about other than Sachin's A$$anas. It was hilarious to watch the anchor rope in a Yoga expert and give a demonstration of what Sachin is not doing right. It was all action, for a change, but it was clear. Sachin wasn't doing it right, and of course, as a result, the Yoga Instructor of Sachin's wasn't giving the right guidance. Mind you, this also probably meant that the instructor who appeared on the channel would get a shot at getting into the Indian Cricket Team as an instructor !

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NEWS - No Essential Watchable Substance

One of the major factors which has brought about a sense of realisation and awakening in the new age India has undoubtedly been the media. Today, along with the hefty pay packets that a well to do Indian gets, their spending habits have also grown manifold. The sensex boom can partly be attributed to the risk appetite of the young Indian. Daring and Raring probably fits as the right phrase. Willing to invest heavily in stocks, keep track of the markets. The fluctuation, the trends, and every single move of the Government too. A decision or an announcement by the Finance Minister can have so much impact on the decision of these young investors. A budget session carries so much of importance and gains attention never known to India before.

All these, have had to do a lot with how the media has covered these events. Today there are innumerable news channels. Most of them Indian channels. Regional and National. This influx has given a heavy dose of information. It can almost be confusing just like how the UP exit polls by NDTV and Times NOW seemed poles apart. On the one hand, it is refreshing to see the common Indian citizen seek information, and learn the Government's moves, and thus more often than not conclude whether central Government decisions are fair/just/practical. On the other, skewed news items, with various interpretations can lead to the wrong information getting percolated.

Take for example the Face The Nation programme telecast on CNN-IBN yesterday by Rajdeep Sardesai. The topic for the nation was so communally flagrant, I fear for the life of Mr Sardesai now. The topic was - "Is Islam Incompatible With Democracy". That is no way to put across a topic for discussion leave alone have it aired to millions of viewers. There can be nothing worse than stoke up communal sentiments through the media itself. As a viewer who sent an sms to this poll yesterday rightly pointed out, democracy shouldn't be assessed by the religion it thrives on. It was honestly disgusting to see such a topic in a supposedly responsible television media channel.

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Pointless, Meandering Rubbish !

It is not difficult to get one's mind shrouded with thoughts. Atleast that is not very difficult for me. As a warning, I must tell the reader that what follows will have no sense or conclusion or opinion. These are thoughts which run deep, not skin deep or neck deep, but which tries to delve into the psyche of the present, past and the future, to an extent.

Starting with the tragic Virginia Tech killings, it was shocking to see how one person could massacre 33 people in a span of 3-4 hours. Following the news about CNN investigation report, it seemed that Cho the killer had had previous mental illness problems. He was declared as mentally ill in 2005 by a court. But that didn't prevent him from getting license for the guns which would be responsible for pumping in bullets into 33 innocent lives.

Why am I confused, though what I told above was straightforward ? Because, I am lost for words. This post is as meaningless as they get, but when one watches the media attention that the greatest Indian Actor's son's marriage gets, I fail to understand what else is news in India. Even when the trafficking by an MP was supposed to be the news of the nation, media was busy covering the wedding events unfolding at Prateeksha. Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai have been called Abhiash. India cannot ever stop copying how foreign paparazzi refers to alliances in the glitz world. Following in the same footsteps as their contemporaries in U.S called Tom Cruise's and Kate Moss's wedding as TomKat, and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's relationship as Branjelina. Terrible to see Indian media copying without shame. Abhiash it seems.

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Sources Change Courses !

Washing dirty linen in public. Sources Say, Sources say... Over the past week or so, lot of relaible sources have been leaking and giving information for our famed media channels. Now, who these sources are God alone knows. So, the very wod called source probably gives the press the freedom to bandy abotu anything and everything. Well, maybe I am being too harsh. But when sources keep giving insinuations of one about another, in the ongoing Greg Chappell V/S Players saga, one fails to understand if these sources are even worth the sound bytes.

Indian media has categorically announced to the entire nation that Indian Cricket has touched its lowest ebb. Come on, how often have we heard the same headline ? Match Fixing brought the same headlines, so did the Chapell-Ganguly face off. Either the media channels need to get a new headline or should just shut their mouth and not float around information which only sources have in hand. That India fared poorly is known to every cricket enthusiast. And no one can hide behind and shift blame on to someone else. But, this precisely is what the media is projecting to the nation.

It is obvious that the media wants the viewers to keep the TRPs high for their channels, so spice up Indian Cricket's poor showing with a new sop opera - Chappell V/S The Boys. Even before the World Cup report has been tabled to the BCCI by the coach and manager, the media has got hold of every possible angle which can give a dramatic twist to the turn of events.

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Too Much To Carry Too Less To Wear

Now that you have seen this ad, tell me how should I interpret it as ?

1. Wearing VIP briefs or the female version of a brief(if one exists) makes one's journey happy and enjoyable ?
2. The VIP suitcases are so spacious, one can literally travel bare naked and have a happy journey ?

Agreed, the girl looks cute, but what should we make of the ad itself ? Albeit it is obvious it is a suitcase showroom, a layman may have struggled to find out what the ad is for. Maybe if he had known VIP briefs he would have gone to the suitcase showroom of VIP and asked ..... "Briefs please ....." (aka Moods ad)!!!

The ad above is more apt for the caption - Too Much To Carry Too Less To Wear. Which is true in modern day scenario, where clothes are getting skimpier. As a result, I fear the day when they would be so skimpy, the girl in the ad may not be adorning anything at all !

N.B. I took the above snap from a V.I.P showroom I had been to, to purchase a suitcase.

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Marital Bliss Is Amiss

Strange that such a topic has to be selected for a sport related issue, that too when it’s not about marriage per se’. When Sony’s SET MAX took up the challenge of “marrying” entertainment with cricket, the general consensus was that both should be treated separately. But such a union would blur the already thinning line of commercialism and cricket. Sony though, with their popular Extraa Innings show had brought a lot of curiosity to the game, especially among the female audience, mainly due to smart hosting by Mandira Bedi. The marriage took place, and now it was the turn of Extraa Innings to take centre stage for each of the Champions’ Trophy matches being telecast on MAX. Mandira Bedi was to epitomize the entertainment value, with help from another failed actor, and Charu Sharma the co-host of the show would give the cricketing perspective.

It all seemed a very good idea, for Extraa Innings had a good reputation and was supposed to do remarkably well this time too. But that is not how things have turned out to be. If anyone has been watching the pre-match and post match shows of Extraa Innings, it is quite evident that all is not well with the 2 hosts, Mandira and Charu. Charu, whose torso refuses to move even as his hands and head move about like a robot, tries to be over enthusiastic, a trait which Mandira exudes no end. As a result Charu Sharma looks more artificial than he always has been. Trying to show a penchant for passion and enthusiasm is just not his cup of tea. This is precisely what happens when a former commentator is put in a predicament where it is more entertainment than pure analysis, as is the case here with Charu.

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Gone Up In Smoke ??!!

The Cola bans are creating a lot of heat across the country.When SRK (i.e. the Bollywood star - Shah Rukh Khan) made a comment, trying to justify his Cola endorsements, saying that even mother's milk is contaminated, there was anger amongst the political brass which was vented out at a theatre screening his latest Bollywood movie, KANK (Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna). Window panes were smashed down and posters were torn apart.

The point is not about the Cola controversy itself. It is not about endorsements either, which really are out of the hand of these cinestars. But such justifications and comments can only instigate more protests. What irks me more is the way SRK had vowed to quit smoking as part of his new year resolution, and gone ahead in DON and stylishly (atleast that's what the intent has been) smoked away to glory !

DON, a remake of the old Amitabh superhit, being directed by Farhan Akhtar of Dil Chahta Hai and Lakshya fame, has SRK puffing away for almost 5 seconds on national television, in slow motion ! Now, what I find absolutely ridiculous is that there were restrictions imposed on smoking on the Television and especially in films. It seems these regulations which if ever existed have been thrown out of the window. And if SRK had any conscience, he would have thought twice before going on air with a 5 second slomo trailer of the biggest star in India smoking away to glory.

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Bravo Media !!!

First of all, I would like to share a good news with you all, that this is my hundredth post, during my blogging stint of a little over a year. I still can't believe I could write almost 8 posts per month !! Anyways, let's come to the more important matter which my post seeks to address.

A fifty hour ordeal in a well of a child hardly 6 years old, came to light all over the country in the weekend that went by. Prince, got stuck in a well on Friday evening in the state of Haryana. Well, well it was, and a child it was, and rescued he had to be, and so he was, by no less than the army itself. Bravo Indian Army !! Kudos to you !! For it was not an easy task to carefully get Prince out from the well, without the sand covering him up even as there was a tunnel being dug out from another nearby well to reach little Prince. And the media as always was there. To cheer on the rescuers, to show how agonising a wait it was for Prince's parents, and all the while giving coverage of the rescue effort.

End result ? Two days of coverage for Prince, like a Star born overnight, and front page headlines today read, how Prince was finally rescued. For God's sake, isn't there other important bits of news to cover ? Media seems to be following a trend wherein people are only interested in the smaller things in life. True, amidst all the chaos and bloodhsed of the war in Lebanon and the Storms in China, a successful rescue of a little boy brings in a lot of happiness. But for the whole country to pray for Prince and then to be as far as being well wished by the PM himself is nothing short of being ridiculous.

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Media is going way too far ..

What is dogging Indian cricket ? What is the inside story ? Why is Ganguly under pressure ? Well, the Indian media, has it's way when it comes to creating divides in the Indian team. It will publish the story in the front page , then on the 15th page and then on its website. They will conclude VERY logically, that if Indian skipper was asked to step down, it was said so by the coach himself. Then what does the media do ? It takes it the next step forward, dig the skipper more AND more and brainwash the reader into believing that the skipper was indeed asked to step down by the coach himself. Any proof for the reader ? naah, believe the media dammit.

I believe whatever issues have been raised about Ganguly's captaincy, have been blown out of proportion by the media, and the spicy news is always what can keep the media groups shining on and on. And then, they conduct polls, and come out saying, India indeed needs a change of captaincy. I am not here to justify Ganguly's stance as a skipper. It is a known fact that he has not been performing well in the past year or so. So there can be no compromise on that count. But, to poke into the dressing room, get news which never might have existed and turn it into a big story, that's what the Indian media is upto. Then they get views from people like Wasim Akram, who will unfazingly agree that Ganguly needs to step down. Dammit, who needs to be captain or not can be decided by the BCCI , why the f#@k do outsiders have to bother ? This is where media is acting irresponsibly. For God's sake, there are more news stories to cover. Cover Sania, cover Bhupathi, cover Anju Bobby George, there seems to be no controversy surrounding them. Why seed controversies and blow issues out of proportions ?

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As if we didn't have enough remixes !

The latest remix to hit the Indipop charts is a DESI-LATINO mix !! phew !! As if we did not have enough remixes. I don't get to see any original tunes composed by Indian Musicians for pop music these days. All seem satisfied by remixing old tunes and glamorise and vulgarise by having bikini/skimpily clothes clad women in the videos. This DESI-LATINO mix , which is being beamed, is by Avadhoot Gupte , and the song he has done the remix on is Gulaabi Aankhein Jo Teri Dekhi ..(an old hindi movie song) and the latino touch is the Enrique Iglesias song, Bailamos which has been given some lyrical manipulation. We do know that there was another remix , with Las Ketchup song for the Chadthi Jawaani song by DJ who ?? Lots of them floating around. Don't remember who.

I have a question here folks. If we are remixing songs, why don't we mix up clothes as well ? Let it be a full mix. Those skimpily clad women can as well wear a hlaf saree on top and a mini skirt. Now thats what I call a fashion trend !! What say ??

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