Bhartiye Television Ke Prabhav...

I don’t know why most of the themes of my posts/stories generate either while I’m on a journey or in the bathroom; though I am not very fond of the later one. This one struck when I recalled, from my deep memories, a phone call made to my Ma: She was watching some soap on TV and paid little attention to my voice. I swear I thought of breaking that screen right away.

Apart from a deep dive into my memories, if we are to believe a few surveys available over the net, South Asians spend an average of 23 to 28 hours a week staring the 60 years aged Idiot Box. Approximately 60 percent of all Indian households own a television; over 550 channels are available in the country out of which about 155 are pay channels.

Not to mention the genres this box enfold: the reality shows, dramas especially Sans-Bahu ones, news from all the corners, sports related and a lot of shows. Ewff… the list is stretched, rather not type here. But, can anyone tell me that apart from entertaining us what else does it serve? Does it showcase anything that add to one’s personality? Does it offer some practical guidance? Are those stuffs anyhow useful to its viewers?

Unfortunately, the answer is a big NO! The Indian TV shows today have a lot of negativity and undue explicit content even in the prime time slot. The biggest markets for these Indian TV channels are the housewives who have a good amount of free time on their hands. Be aware uninformed husbands! Anyways, these serials affect many parts of the society, directly or indirectly in many ways by disrupting the positivity in a household as our indigenous housewives watch the negativity for the whole day. Also, it brings inhuman and unhealthy ideas in the minds of all the audience members as more interest is being taken in watching these serials instead of doing one's own duties.

Movie Masalas seem to be of no use, just another time pass. Producers cry for sake of the society and proclaim that they try to reduce the anti-social elements and influence people through their air-transmits. But the picture is not always the same as it suggests. Sans bahu’s kichdis and ladaiyan broadcast how ladies fight over nonsense issues and have a twist every weekend in the midst of parallel blaming games taking place continuously and uninterruptedly. Aur sabse maje ki baat to ye hai ki har dusre din ek naya beta paida ho jata hai (funny thing is that every other day, a new baby is born)! The vicious plots and plans that the negative characters and the negativity of the various misunderstanding-filled situations is so much that it knowingly or unknowingly creeps into the mind of the people who frequently watch these serials. Individuals can create a parasocial or faux relationship with characters from their favorite television shows as a way of deflecting feelings of loneliness and social deprivation. For that reason, I am not able to see the advantage of these serials at all. So, just tell me what I’ll do by taking into account the how-and-why-abouts behind a virtual relationship?

Given that we all know the fixtures, inside stories and the marketing strategies employed to increase the TRP, a few reality shows are better than the rest who really search talents and give them a platform. While taking about the stunt shows similar to Roadies and Fear Factor India, nothing a person can gain by watching the stunts and abuses. Swayamvars, Big Boss Seasons and many such shows join the same herd. Simultaneously taking about the news feeds, please someone make me understand why news channels don’t have better stories to share with the world instead of those horrible reports alike how he did that magic and how come a snake can fly! Is this of any value? I don't think so.

Perhaps, there are many educational advantages one may explore. Television can be a very powerful and effective learning tool for all if used wisely. It can be a source of guidance to the youths through Discovery Channel, NatGeo, FOX, Topper and other educational shows. It can teach the complex social aspects of communication as well. I think broadcasters should focus more on this area rather than on useless subjects. If they are willing to make available something constructive and helpful to the society rather than rubbish garbage via broadcast media, they must change their prospects, views and orientations and utilize the full potential of the IDIOT BOX.

I think my next post will be "Facebook k Prabhav..."

Baba Mania

From where should I start? Should it be the time when I turned the tv on and tuned into news channels saying that Baba Ramdev will take on corruption and black money? Or maybe the Sunday morning when I heard words buzzing on tv and my father screamed at me, "Wake up! Wake up. Look Baba has been accused as a law breaker.” Uhh... I am, right now, equally in a state of amusement and unhappiness. Amused seeing all these dramas taking place and also worried about the unexpected nonsense events.

I’m not here to make any political statements like our political turncoats. I’m to just share what I feel at the moment about this incident. To be very honest, no matter what happens, I will be the least concerned. And so will be every 3rd person reading this because we as a simple-middle class-beings have never considered to bother over these sensitive issues. We wish for peaceful daily routines with our elders leaving early for work, children attending the institutions and ladies looking after the house. Why should we indulge in these matters when life is running so smooth? Why should we brainstorm while others are getting hurt, hammered or crushed? Why not sit idle and enjoy till nothing happens rather than speaking aloud?

Apart from all those logical interrogations, I had not indulged my mind in the internal affairs, misunderstandings and the blames exchanged between the two sides. Neither have I cared whether Baba be termed as a thug playing political games or a poor negotiator. The only thing I see now is that how and why, government ordered a crackdown on the innocent unarmed supporters. The reasons behind are all crystal clear. Being aware of the circumstances the government could not see such a large Satyagraha where crores participated across the country demanding the Lok Pal bill to get an ordinance approval; which if drafted a bunch of names of politicians, bureaucrats, corrupt leaders and traders will be put in public domain as consequence.

No doubt the crackdown was a violation of the Fundamental Rights. There was no need to supress this movement and attack those protesting at midnight. It is a total inhuman decision to lathicharge the people at midnight where small children, women and aged were brutally assaulted. Baba’s Satyagrah wasn’t unlawful enough to impose 144 Penal Code. It shows complete intolerance on the part of the Government for a peaceful Satyagraha by arresting Ramdev without any proof. It completely makes mockery of the democracy.

Again, recalling the events, I am unable to understand why the Government had been negotiating with Ramdev if there were doubts regarding his agenda and agitation. At one level senior Cabinet Minister rolls out the red carpet for him and on another, calls him a fraud. If he is really a cheat, then why go to the airport to receive him with four ministers. And on top of that, even if the Government had a deal with Baba Ramdev earlier, there was no need for this midnight action. Thus, the main point is that why the Government was entertaining Ramdev’s demands if they thought he was a crook?

While reacting over the matters, opposition parties showed criticism and disrespect to the decisions taken. “This is not democracy. The police alone could not have taken such a step. It had the approval of the Prime Minister and full approval of the Congress President,” said Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj. And there were many such poll-focussed political comments made during the phase more likely to accuse the ruling party. But, surprisingly none of them supported the cause and stated it clearly that they really want the bill to be passed! Apart from all these accusations, the question prevails; why oppositions didn’t raise and address this issue when they had their time being on the ruling side instead of only condemning others? Most probably because of the fact that nobody wants to get under the radar of income tax and law abiding courses, whoever is involved in corruption, bribes or black money. Moreover, Saturday night's act confirmed that about Rs 50 lakh crores belong to the Congress and its allies.

Whereas on behalf of the accused Congress party and the Central Government, a few ministers opened their mouth, mostly were busy attending emergency meetings or falling asleep. They were not even permitted to make any statements and comments without consultation. I can’t figure out why don’t they address these communal issues with top priorities for which they have been picked as our representative?

I’d like to know from you that if making demands alike those of Baba’s is an offense. Can’t even a person being a citizen of India have his opinion and carry out a peaceful strike on national issues, which persist and eat away the socio-economic properties for more than many decades! I don’t think that the problems like corruption and black money are new threats to the society, the nation and the government.

At last I’d eagerly want to discover the whereabouts of our mute PM. Yes! We have not heard even a word from that old robot or should be called the-puppet-in-the-hands-of-‘Italy ki Beti’. How come the PM’s chair of such an enthusiastic country went to lethargic Manmohan Singh, who having tremendous powers can’t even move his eyebrows sans having a word with the Chairman of the UPA! Now he must explain and clarify on the crackdown.

One of the Cabinet Ministers, Dr. Subramaniam rightly examined that this type of satyagrahs will only highlight the problem rather than solving it. For that to happen, the entire country should stand up as one and protest against this brutal and inhuman action. Everybody must speak and boycott against the anti-social issues. Even, I am of no exception. Just writing and discussing things will not help this country. But, I can assure that if I can do anything for the sake of India, then I will. I will try to generate more ideas and solutions to the problems and as soon as I find any, I will execute it fairly with full devotion. But the question remains the same with which I started: Will YOU?

I Couldn't Take It Anymore

This one was on my mind for those two months just before I was to take +2 Boards: to write all the pain, tension and frustrations, we as students undergo during those vital times. So, I wrote it while laying on the side upper berth no. 53, on my way back to Patna from Calcutta after taking WBJEE.
Here it is:

Life In a Test Tube

Late time shifts

And bulging eyes

We try hard

For the prepaid fights

Triple E, IIT gonna

Blow these minds

Help o Help!

Anybody help o help!

Negative thoughts flow

During bitter askings

Fear and pressure intensifying

With daily scoldings

They foresee failure

While memory goes fainting

Heart shouts hold it

When brain starts bursting

Help o help!

Anybody help o help!!

Do help these kids

In removing their pain

Otherwise push their lives

Forever in vain

Try to be affable

But refrain from arguments

Kill the voice of disapproval

And appraise their talents

Help o help!

Anybody help o help!!!

Authentic Mirror

These are what I saw somewhat fewer than 15m radii around Lakshmi Complex-situated amidst of jam-packed Boring Road.

 Has the child labour been abolished completely?

The place we live in between but rarely pay attention to.

Footpath tailors!?!

This is our own Patna Sahar. Traffic sucks here; cops unfasten automobiles from every corner simultaneously, showing lack of experience and training as well. A flyover is taking shape for the last 4 years! And only seven pillars have been dispersed. Nitish's government has failed to keep his promises in a manner. Roads are being reconstructed every 2 years, what a waste of public money.

Expecting some sensible work from public officials is a crime. As mentioned above, we pictured not even 0.1% of what the hell happens out at the streets - the bigger picture is something else. I write for the right. Name is Shaleen, signing off.

*Update* Jan 27 '10

Finally, Nitish’s army is on his way to prove this post a false one. I am happy as my words going wrong. According to latest CSO figures, Bihar has the highest growth rate amongst other states. Whether be it infrastructure, security, public affairs or anything else, you name it. Nitish Kumar has decided to make Patna a clean, modern and carefree city, in other words the best one.

You remember the seven pillars mentioned earlier in the post? Yes, now-a-days more are joining them to shape a flyover. More are in the pipeline. Law and order has become more responsible, answerable and stricter than earlier. (as of Jan 2010)

On Wait

A fresh dawn is waiting

Waiting for me, for you, for everyone

Not to hope a glad new year

But let you face terror yet again

And waiting for terrorists

To see soft impotent India

Crying for help

Waiting for

The plantation of bombs

In bikes, buses, roads, stations

Waiting for a new born Kasab

To smash the camel’s back

And enjoy the scenery out of it

Then how the New Year be joyful?

Still waiting

To witness the immobility

Of inappropriate half-equipped personnels

Waiting to watch

How politics and bureaucrats

Fail in these delicate times

Waiting for a second time

For the human race to observe

How people panic

How India is mired in poverty

And waiting for India to learn nothing

And remain defenseless as ever

Waiting for the planet

To dub India a rotten state

For corruption sprints

Through its veins & capillaries

Then how the New Year be blissful?

Waiting for leaders

To talk away stuttering & mumbling

For nightly news to replay

Waiting for Thackeray

To play a new game with his own brothers’ blood

Waiting for a duplicate Zardari

To ascend the stage

With a house-full drama

Waiting for the foreign minister

To solicit his P.A to get ready

Few false convincing statements

To silence new-aged mob’s fury.

Then how the New Year be at ease?

Waiting for a man

Like Shivraj utter just three words

“Sorry, I resign”

Waiting for R.R.Patil confessing

Stating that these pin-prick incidents

Crop up often

Waiting for the politicians

Announce latest forms of policies

To feed their hunger of votes

And waiting for the reporters

To assist, aid the victims

While doing live telecasting

Then how the New Year be cheerful?

At last the New Year is

Waiting for us to pledge for

Fighting against those who kill the innocent

Supporting measures that ensure our safety

Waiting to

Expose corruption and incompetence

That endangers our security

And eliminate the forces which worship hate

Waiting for the world

For being united in our resolve

Till the victory is ours

The victory of humanity

Then only

We can have a Happy New Year.