Facebook: Has It Turned Into Playground Of Devils?
When will human beings learn to use any forum for constructive designs?
“How I wish that somewhere there existed an island for those who are wise and of good will.” ( Albert Einstein) That’s presumably an ideal state of affairs- an utopia whose actual manifestation on earthly existence is simply not possible. Let’s understand why it’s pretty difficult to create a world, which lies above human flaws. That I would explain via the mess which prevails on Facebook. It’s a pretty awesome networking site, but marred by fake profiles and anti-social activities. The point I wish to convey is that any good forum/institution either in real world or virtual world, sooner or later, gets corrupted by wrong elements. Instead of improving the face of such institutions/ forums, the negative elements infect it with their misimpressions, and thereby considerably reduce the credibility of the forum.
Before dissecting the activities taking place on Facebook, it would not be a bad idea to analyze what’s happening in our real world. The moment a good soul appears on the stage of world, the lesser souls become hyperactive to malign his/her image, and that too for no other reason other than that this person depicts some uncommon traits. They shout at him, just the way other doggies bark at some stranger dogie, who somehow happens to stray into their domain. And so we never find these stereotyped minds promoting such a different soul unless he/she happens to serve their vested interests. They try their level best to tame the instincts of such person and make them on par with their own so that they can be used to fulfill their narrow concerns. And when they are not able to dictate terms, the rumour mill, like always, starts churning out all sorts of absurd details make the life hellish for such a person.
It’s not that these people running the vilification campaign are devoid of brains. They have enough intelligence, owning big degrees and enjoying good position in life, but they happen to be devil’s advocate. High profile degrees also make them owner of big ego and complex mind. That’s why they not only make a simple issue attain a pretty complicated shape, by coining vain theories and complex terms for a simple phenomenon. The very same situation could have been easily handled by framing the perspective in simple terms but presence of worldly wise practical souls, usually from corridors of known institutions, just complicate it that proper solution becomes an impossible affair. The negative minds destroy all good relationships, forums and institutions, the way a computer virus comes to hang the system. They never offer perfect solutions, but only ways and means to corrupt the face of all simple phenomenon. Now let’s see how wrong souls have corrupted a beautiful site like Facebook. Many people harbour the wrong impression that online world is different than real world. I am afraid it’s not true. The virtual world is simply the reflection of your real attributes which you come to unleash in real world.
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*The Glory Of Facebook Status!*
One of my friends fell ill. He is a sensible person but then even sensible person commit silly mistakes. He informed everyone about his illness, breaking this news as Facebook status. And that’s okay but its aftermath is amazing, saddening and disappointing. Besides flow of get well messages, there appeared a large section of friends who came to “like” the status! Is that a sensible application of mind? If that’s the way they are behaving on Facebook, imagine how would they be responding in real lives. I am sure had the same status been of a lady “likes” and get well messages would have flooded the thread of that status in huge number. The impression that I wish to convey is that by unleashing such false sentiments, vain application of mind, aren’t the Facebook users lowering the status of Facebook?
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*Is there any merit on debating over certain issue on Facebook?*
Being someone hailing from the world of legal professional, the importance of offering rational and logical rebuttals as arguments is crystal clear to me. However, I see no reason as to why any sensible person should waste time in offering appropriate arguments on Facebook amid disinterested users. Majority of the Facebook users are pretty casual as they get engaged in important conversations. As far as I am concerned, I do take all conversations on Facebook, related with minor or major issues, quite seriously as long as its required to make the issue attain perfect clarity and then give way to other important concerns. Having said that, the waywardness and chaos which prevails on Facebook during conversation on sensitive issues usually keeps sensible minds tight-lipped.
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*The Existence Of Strange Groups On Facebook*
Many good for nothing souls have formed groups having dubious aims. The moderator appointed in these groups operates in strange way. It adds and removes person, without apprising the concerned person of the reason for such gestures. The moderator promotes himself as an open-minded person but it generally has hidden designs and so it edit any views which is contrary to his designs. There is also some hidden hand, operating in the group, whose only task is to give wrong colouring to all your well meaning impressions. Most of the groups remain active for some time but soon you would find them defunct, a barren land.
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*Dangerous Love On Facebook Via Photoshop*
True love is above the differences caused by caste, creed and colour. It also defies differences caused by age and nationality. That’s how real love operates in real world by rising above such vain concerns. Using the same passion and virtues, even the wrong souls also claim to be in real love in real world. However, it’s faking at its best, wherein superficial sentiments, false vows get exchanged. If that’s how true and lesser lover exists in real world, the situation is not much different in virtual world. Love in its real and wrong shades/forms also exists in online world too. On Facebook an aged person, using a fake profile, having the picture of a celebrity as profile picture, can easily dupe a teenager girl and strike an unholy alliance. In the same fashion, a worn out over-aged women can play the same trick. One of the recent surveys showed that number of fake profiles on Facebook is quite large. So it’s pretty difficult to ascertain the genuineness of an individual on Facebook against such a scenario, wherein Photoshop allows a fat lady to have hourglass shape of Julia Roberts quite easily!
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Well, these various aspects prevailing on Facebook ascertain that just like the real world, the virtual world is also comprised of good and evil. The precautions we take in real world to separate good from bad are also to be taken in virtual world. However, that’s not something what I wish to communicate. The real motive as I talk about making distinction between good and bad is to highlight the pain suffered by the real soul as we come to ensure that difference. The agony and humiliation faced by good souls in the process to ensure that bad gets truly marginalized always takes it toll on sensitive souls. The struggle between good and wrong people shall never stop in this world but it is not high time that good souls be prevented from being sacrificial lambs in this deadly drama? Have good souls appeared in this world merely to act as sacrificial lambs for attainment of insignificant causes powered by distorted minds? It’s time to think about it quite seriously so that good souls come to serve better cause rather than turning into sacrificial lambs.
For Mine Eyes Real Julia Roberts Is More Genuine Than Beauties Impersonating As Julia Roberts Via Photoshop 
Pics Credit:
फेसबुक वाला इश्क: इसको बौड़मपने का माध्यम ना बनाये !!
फेसबुक: क्यों नहीं हम किसी माध्यम का सही इस्तेमाल करते कभी?
अलबर्ट आइंस्टाईन की तमन्ना थी कि एक ऐसा जहां हम बनाएं जहाँ मानवीय दुर्गुण न पहुच सके। जो इसके प्रभाव से परे हो। लेकिन शायद ये बहुत ही आदर्श स्थिति है जिसकी परिकल्पना तो ठीक है इसको असल जिंदगी में रूपांतरित करना शायद संभव नहीं। इसको फेसबुक पर व्याप्त नौटंकी से समझे। इस पहले ये देखे कि इस दुनिया में देखिये क्या हो रहा है। कोई भी अच्छा आदमी हो। उसके बारे में इतने सारे भ्रम फैला देंगे कि और तो और वो आदमी खुद भी भ्रमित हो जाएगा कि उसका असल चरित्र क्या है। ये दुनिया के लोग प्रमोट तो नहीं करेंगे पर हा सामूहिक रूप से मिलकर उसके इज्ज़त का चीरहरण जरूर कर देंगे। और ऐसे ही लोग किसी भी संस्था, फोरम को गिराने के पीछे भी होते। और ऐसा नहीं कि ये बिना दिमाग वाले लोग है। इनके पास बहुत दिमाग है लेकिन जैसे कि होता है कि भारी भरकम ओहदे और ऊंची डिग्री वालो के पास सिर्फ अहम होता है सो ये ना जिंदगी जी पाते है और ना ही किसी भी फ़ोरम की आदर्श स्थिति को ये बरकरार रहने देते है। मटियामेट करना ही इनको आता है, सब अच्छे खूबसूरत चेहरों और गतिविधियों को इनको सिर्फ विकृत करना ही आता है। हर साधारण चीज़ को ये जटिल बना देते है जिसको सुलझाने की तमीज इनके पास नहीं होती। आइये फेसबुक के माध्यम से समझे। लोग मानते है कि ऑनलाइन जगत सच्ची दुनिया से अलग है। बिलकुल अलग नहीं है। बल्कि ये आपके ही गुणों अवगुणों का आइना है। आप माने ये ना माने ये अलग बात है।
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*फेसबुक स्टेटस की महिमा*
मेरे एक मित्र है। थोडा बीमार पड़ गए है। पता नहीं किन ग्रह नक्षत्रो के चलते इसका उल्लेख फेसबुक पर कर दिया। कर दिया सो कर दिया पर देखता हूँ कि कई बुडबक उस स्टेटस को लाइक करके निकल गए है। इसी बेहायी के चलते फेसबुक का स्टेटस लोग गिरा रहे है। जब दिमाग का इतना वाहियात इस्तेमाल फेसबुक पर कर रहे है तो मन डरता है ये सोचकर कि असल जिंदगी में ये कितने सुलझे हुएँ होंगे। किसी भी अच्छे प्लेटफार्म/ फोरम का ऐसे लोग ही स्तर गिराने के पीछे होते है।ये तो अच्छा हुआ एक पुरुष मित्र बीमार पड़ा। स्त्री जात का स्टेटस होता तो और नौटंकी होती। लाइक्स कही अधिक होती। ठीक होने की शुभकामनाएं भी अधिक होती।
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*फेसबुक पर तर्कों का औचित्य*
कानून का विद्यार्थी रहा हूँ इसलिए आर्ग्यूमेंट्स का महत्त्व औरो से बेहतर समझता हूँ लेकिन होता ये है कि जहा भेड़िया धसान सरीखा माहौल हो, कोई बुडबक कुछ भी बक सकता है वहा क्या तर्क करे और क्यों करे। खैर कुल मिला के बात सिर्फ है कि अपनी बात कहने का हौसला रखे कैसा भी माहौल हो जब तक आत्मा गंवारा करे खासकर तब जब बोलना ख़ामोशी से बेहतर हो। और उसके बाद ख़ामोशी से कट ले। हम तो यही करते है। आप का मै कह नहीं सकता।
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ना जाने किन वाहियात लोगो ने कैसे कैसे ग्रुप बना रखे है और बिना अनुमति लोगो को जोड़ते घटातें रहते है। इसमें एक सनकी मॉडरेटर रहता है। जिसको ना जोड़ने की तमीज है और ना ही ग्रुप की गतिविधियों को मानिटर करने की तमीज। कहने को ये खुले दिमाग का होता है पर ये किसी के आधीन होकर एक ख़ास तरीकें ही की बात को प्रमोट करता है। तो जब कोई गतिविधि ना हो। और एक ख़ास दिमाग-गलत दिमाग- जब आपकी सारी बातो का अनर्थ कर डाले तो ग्रुप्स का औचित्य क्या है?
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*फेसबुक वाला इश्क़ एंड फोटोशाप*
इश्क़ जात पाँत का भेद नहीं देखता। उम्र का फासला भी नहीं देखता। असल जिन्दगी में इश्क के इस फ़लसफ़े का सही रूप भी देखने को मिलता है और गलत रूप भी देखने को मिलता है। फेसबुक का यही हाल है। यहाँ भी यही फ़लसफा विद्यमान है अपने सही गलत प्रकार में। सो तो फेसबुक पर भी लोग असली नकली चेहरो के साथ विद्यमान है। किस चेहरे के पीछे कौन है ये आप ठीक ठीक नहीं बता सकते है। कोई थुलथुल महिला भी जूलिया रोबर्ट्स सा फिगर पा सकती है फोटोशाप के जरिये और फील गुड कर सकती है और करा सकती है। एक अधेड़ उम्र का गया गुजरा व्यक्ति भी शाहरुख खान की तस्वीर लगा कर कुछ भी एहसास करा सकता है। जाहिर है कम उम्र की लौंडिया ही पटायेगा बकवास बात करने के लिए। अब इस तरह तो वो गहरा इश्क वाला लव करने से रहा।
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शायद असल जिंदगी की तरह ये आभासी जगत भी अच्छे बुरे लोगो से भरा है। जो सावधानी आप असल जिंदगी में बरतते है वो ऑनलाइन में भी बरतते है। लेकिन मुद्दा ये नहीं है। सावधानी बरतने वाला। तकलीफ ये है कि इस नौटंकी मतलब अच्छे बुरे के फर्क में भेद करने के उपक्रम के चलते अच्छे लोगो का जो प्रताड़ना झेलनी पड़ती है उसकी भरपाई कोई नहीं कर सकता। अच्छे बुरे के बीच संघर्ष तो हमेशा ही चलता आया है और चलता रहेगा। ये कब रुका है। लेकिन अच्छे लोगो की बलि देने का सिलसिला इस संघर्ष के चलते कभी रुकेगा कि नहीं। क्या अच्छे लोग सिर्फ बेवजह बलि चढ़ने के लिए दुनिया में आते है? बताएं कोई?
फील गुड करने के लिए ये असल जूलिया रोबर्ट्स की असल सौम्यता ही काफी है। ये फोटोशाप वाली माया की क्या जरूरत है?
Pics Credit:
Online Love Vs Real Life Love! A Contrast.
Online Love: For real person it is as real as real life love!
The point is that the wrong person shall always deceive whether it’s online world or real world. It cannot be that in online world you remain honest and in real life you are almost different- unethical and immoral. So love, whether in online world or real world, is real all the time. It has same effect in virtual world which it has in real world. Those who see the effects as different have either not loved at all or are the ones who have been bitterly deceived in online world. That’s why they have lost faith in online lovers!!
As far as I am concerned all I see whether the love is true, deep and real or not. Whether it happens in online world or virtual world, there is hardly any noticeable difference. A person with wrong set of values shall deceive both in real world and in virtual world. On the contrary, a real person shall remain real both in virtual and real world in matters pertaining to love or anything else. In lighter vein love is, at least, disease free in online world! It’s safer.
Bottom line: For True person both online and real world are equally beneficial. For wrong person both the worlds-online/real- are playground of devil.
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Hindi Version:
होशवालो को खबर क्या ….…!!!! मनई चालू पटरी पर बैलगाड़ी/स्कूटर/फटफटिया लेकर जान की बाज़ी लगाते हुए निकल जाते है. सो इहाँ तो प्रेम की बात हो रही है. वैसे जो गहरा प्रेम करते है उन्हें पता है कि प्रेम कैसे भी हो प्रेम ही रहता है. क्या असल जीवन में प्रेम धोखा धडी, आग लगावन तत्वों से नहीं भरा रहता. सो ऑनलाइन प्रेम के लिए ही क्यों मूल्य अलग है? जो धोखा असल जीवन में देगा वो ऑनलाइन में भी देगा. और जो रस ऑनलाइन में है वो ही वास्तविक जीवन में भी है. कोई फर्क नहीं एक सही आदमी के लिए. सतही आदमी/स्त्री के लिए ऑनलाइन जगत भी घटिया है और वास्तविक जीवन भी घटिया है। कम से ऑनलाइन प्रेम हेल्थी है रोग मुक्त भी है.
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A song from the period when love songs were not all about hot bed scenes, hot kissing. A song from movie of Mahesh Bhatt, whose films not only have off-beat themes, but even the song picturization is so aesthetic and appealing.
Pics Credit:
Delhi Gang Rape: Important Aspects Totally Overlooked By The Paid Mainstream Media
Rape Is A Social Issue!
India’s braveheart girl must have begun a new journey in some other mysterious world. Back in India, the land of her birth and also death in such a tragic fashion, after being gang-raped and sexually assaulted in most barbaric manner, leading to severe multiorgan failure, the protests have begun to lose momentum. That’s a typical course of action for any movement in India. It sooner or later, becomes part of fading memory and, after some years, many find it hard to recollect what exactly happened! Even in this case, eyewash gesture of setting another committee had been done, ignoring Supreme Court’s previous directions, which talked about safety of citizens, especially the women. In fact, constitutional provisions and Law Commission recommendations, if implemented with total sincerity, are suffice to take care of safety concerns of women, always left vulnerable to such cruel turns of destiny. One Lakshmi, researcher related with women’s issue, made a fitting remark in The Hindu: ”She didn’t die of multiorgan failure, but it was the multiorgan failure of this society and the state which killed her.”
For instance, in this case, how was this bus with illegal tinted glass windows, allowed to move freely on the streets, and that too, when it passed through many police check-posts? What were the cops doing? Even in UP, cars with illegal glass windows, usually having, illegal blue/red beacon lights are in fashion. So why is the Traffic Superintendent, a mute spectator in this regard, when the policemen from the same department are so damn conscious about ensuring regular hafta (a form of bribery) at every crossing from the truck drivers? That’s because no body is interested in annoying the political goons, occupying the high posts as Ministers! The government and High Court wish that common citizens should act as guardians of democracy but have they ensured safety of the whistle-blowers? Before this case,Assistant Sub Inspector Ravinderpal Singh, was shot dead allegedly by Akali Dal leader local secretary (Urban) Ranjit Singh Rana and three of his associates on December 05, 2012, in Amritsar, Punjab, who had resisted the harassment of his daughter. In the same state, a gang-rape victim committed suicide on December 26, 2012, nearly a month after alleged gang-rape, which took place on November 13, 2012, being pressed upon both by police and the society to compromise. In this alleged gang-rape, a woman, identified as Shinderpal Kaur, played a key role. The point that’s being suggested is that popular anger which has got focused on “hang the rapists” or, for that matter, demand for more stringent punishment is absolutely misplaced. That’s not going to yield any better result.
The paid media, having struck unholy nexus, with the government, is constantly projecting rhetoric or misplaced popular sentiments. In United States and in other nations, despite having tough provisions, the rape incidents are quite frequent, even as the better implementation of strict provisions have ensured lesser victimization rate. The point worth considering is that they have given to wider considerations side-by-side stricter laws, which includes concerns related with widespread denial of women as potential sexual aggressors, female-female rape, distinction between forcible and non-forcible rapes, rape of males by females and etc. The researches there also included the impact of drugs, especially alcohol. Even though timing of entering into contrasts with United States is not okay, especially at this point of time, I am but compelled to do since angry people have given way to demand for tougher laws, forgetting that stricter laws can only work wonders when we have sound and sympathetic government machinery in action. Is that the case in India, wherein all sorts of legal provisions have got limited to law books alone?
Against this backdrop, before I deal specifically with the Delhi gang-rape, I wish to clearly state that it would be fatal to confine the urge for changes to “safety of women alone” or, for that matter, demand for stricter provisions to prevent rape. This line of action is being deliberately highlighted under pressure from feminist wings, tactically supported by Congress government, which hopes to regain power with female voters and minority card in next Parliamentary actions. The mainstream media is also singing the same tune, because in wake of fear to lose government’s aid, it has no other option but to toe the stance taken by government. This whole drama which captured the nation’s attention from December 16, 2012, until death of gang-rape victim was a well-orchestrated show managed perfectly well by the paid media and Congress government. There are enough circumstantial evidences which give proof of it that the real story is something else and it’s more horrible than what we all came to witness in these past turbulent fifteen days. I will deal with this aspect later in this article but first let’s not ignore these pertinent points.
Had the protests been genuine and intentions of government honest, the demand would have not been focused on safety of women or rights of women alone, it would have been focused on better safety concerns for every citizen, irrespective of gender. The most horrible thing is that this time politics was done in name of this unfortunate girl, victim of brutal gang-rape, who is no longer in this world. This protest was given vulgar and aggressive shape by the vested interests with immediate and long-term gains in mind. The news of nuisance created by agents of Congress, belonging to NSUI wing, at India gate have now surfaced, and this confirms the suspicion that real story is something else. Three main reasons could be deviating attention of general public from its recent failures on all fronts, diminishing the impact of victory of Narendra Modi at national level, and, above all, an attempt to keep intact the female votes, by emerging as champion of female rights ( the way it tries to emerge as protector of minorities) in long term with some immediate steps in this direction right now.
It’s really ironical that on the one hand sponsored protesters, and foreign funded women’s organisations, are demanding for tougher laws, and, on other hand, this case is now being under the vigilance of Delhi High Court since it has taken suo moto cognizance! Now that’s pretty disturbing! What was the need to do so? May be its apprehensive that government machinery might play foul and delay the justice, and thus, it’s intervention becomes necessary to ensure fair and speedy justice! Without debating the merit of High Court’s decision to take suo moto cognizance of this case, I wish to know will superior courts always take moto cognizance of such cases to ensure fair trial once tough laws come into operation? In other words, we are mindlessly asking for tough laws in a nation, wherein monitoring of cases by superior court becomes necessary to ensure fair justice. In the United States, we have a fair system which not only ensures that tough laws operate within a perfect apparatus but also that cases be dealt in scientific manner. Imagine the consequences of tough laws in corrupt and biased set up which India entertains, wherein right from investigation to trial stage, everything is shoddy and flawed. Does our system has ensured that those abusing the process of law do not go scot-free?
We have already witnessed what has been the fate of tough dowry provisions and SC/ST provisions and still dare to believe that tough provisions would stop rapes in current set-up? Isn’t it was the fear of misuse which led to scrapping of POTA provisions? I am afraid it would only lead to further deterioration of men-women relationships, which is the agenda of foreign sponsored feminist institutions (weakening the institution called family and marriage) and also of secular parties, which breed on chaos and disorder. I mean we are living in times, wherein rape has become some sort of tool to settle scores, a weapon to blackmail, to an extent that even consensual sexes, after love gone sour, gets projected as rape. I am sure a little commonsense, instead of expecting everything to be achieved with the help of laws, would yield better results.
We should not forget that we are living in times, wherein, an actress, Maria Susairaj, can enter in one of the most macabre murders, ever intercepted by world of crime. That’s why instead of a knee jerk reaction, a conscious approach which ensures that cases are dealt in light of merit, not governed by biases for any particular gender shall create better days. Mere strict provisions, with ample scope of their misuse shall only make females become natural enemy of males. There are many MPs and members of state assemblies,booked under rape charges, and if they are asked about it they would let you know that they have been falsely implicated! Their versions may or may not be true, but it does give you an idea that either legal system is being used to settle scores or it’s not being used at all! Against this backdrop, how would you ensure that tough provisions would ensure justice? Let’s have a glimpse how this system functions. The death of constable Subhash Tomar, amid the violent protests at India Gate, is now shrouded in mystery. The autopsy report suggests, that death was caused by a sharp object but the witnesses claim that death was a natural affair and no such attack was involved! See the contradiction.
But we are living in strange times. The mere appeal to women to dress properly or maintain right visiting hours is seen as some sort of curtailing their rights or independence, and not as commonsense. That’s because so-called lust for absolute freedom, on par with corrupt theories sponsored by feminists, have robbed of their ability to think in simple terms, making them see every such sound advice as insult of their beings. For instance, I am sure even a men, however strong may he be, run the risk of being attacked and killed, if he dares to move on streets all alone during nocturnal hours! So is there any point in seeing a crime in a gender specific way and demanding safety of women alone? Check the data and you would find more number of men killed in tragic way. So should I start campaigning for safer world of men? Attack and getting killed is more failure of law and order, instead of something born out of gender specific cause. Another idiotic argument presented by the feminists, and modern girls, is that wearing provocative dress is no invitation to rape. That’s true and I agree whole-heartedly with the counter offered but what I totally disagree is that provocative dressing creates no impact. That defies psychological laws. It’s a common phenomenon that both female and male physiological responses i.e. erectile responses are involuntary in wake of anticipating atmosphere surcharged with sexual stimulants.
So why are we trying to create a system, which mainly tries to accommodate demands of one sex, not in tune with common sense and psychological aspects? Mind you even “gun-culture” would not ensure a safe scenario if some basic sociological principles get avoided. That’s the reason why gun-culture in United States has not ensured desired result. Anyway, I am not suggesting that following such simple steps, rapes would become a rarity or, for that matter, decently dressed woman would altogether be free of sexual assaults, but these simple steps would ensure a significant drop in crime against woman. That’s exactly what Vrinda Grover, lawyer and women’s activist, is trying to say when she says that: ” There is no evidence to suggest that the death penalty acts as a deterrent to rape…….Certainty of punishment rather than the severity of its form could act as a deterrent.” (The Hindu)
It’s also strange that gang-rape of this girl is being projected as awakening of this nation but it’s really baffling to understand what exactly are we trying to say when we say so? Are we trying to say that had this girl been not gang-raped we would have never awakened? That’s why I feel this huge protest is orchestrated or it’s totally redundant. That I say so since Delhi has already attained the infamous title of being “rape capital of the country’” long back ago. There were 568 cases of rape, registered in 2007-2011 period. So was Delhi and whole nation sleeping? The Times of India news report from where I picked this data, quoting a police official, stated: ”Former IPS officer Y P Singh said the police informally classify rape into two categories: technical and violent. ‘In case of technical rapes, there is an element of consent involved and there is no violence. Some examples are a lady caught red-handed in an act and then alleging rape; a man inducing a lady with a false promise of marriage and having intercourse. There have also been cases where departmental seniors have called for wives of suspended juniors to stop the husband being dismissed from service,” said Singh.”
At the time when this case caught the limelight, an unfortunate mother in Uttar Pradesh, was struggling hard to get justice in a case involving suicide of her daughter, after being gang-raped. However, neither the media nor the concerned higher authorities including District Magistrate paid any attention to her grievances. That makes it even more important to understand the true elements constituting the protest at India Gate and Jantar Mantar. That I say so because in past we have witnessed murder most foul like Naina Sahni murder case, Madhumita Shukla murder case, Jessica Lal murder case, and brutal rapes like one involving Aruna Shanbaug and rape of a twelve year old mentally challenged girl by a drunkard in Mumbai local train even as the others remained a mute spectator, and now we pretend that after December 16 gang-rape, nation has awakened, and, thus, demand greater safety of women!
How can we forget the brutal gang-rapes of two Mizo women, abducted from Dhaula Kuan, Delhi, and repeatedly gang-raped in moving vehicles in 2005 and 2010? Why we did not then gave way to such awakening? In fact, they were too dumped on the street, unconscious and without clothes, very much like the December 16 tragic episode? They were not subjected to injuries of grave nature but they are still facing emotional trauma.”The condition of this woman is worse as she seems to have lost her mental balance after the incident. “I have been told she still flows into a fit of rage, bangs her head against the wall and keeps on inflicting injuries on her private parts,” informed one of the members belonging to the Northeast Support Centre & Helpline while narrating the normalcy report of 2005 case victim.
That’s why it becomes more than necessary to intercept this December 16 gang-rape case under the lens and scrutinize its each aspect very deeply. The moment you do so, you realize that this tragic episode, was used very shrewdly to serve some vested interests and there are many dark aspects, which have not at all surfaced despite being vast media coverage in sensational way. One might differ with my conjectures/hypothesis but the very facts point towards well-planned conspiracy to first blow out of proportion such episode and later conceal or destroy the evidences so that real picture never surfaces. Let’s deal with such dubious aspects one by one. First of all, many who had gathered at India Gate/Jantar Mantar were people belonging to women’s rights association and as per unconfirmed news reports there were disturbing elements from one political party to make the protests go out of control! The same thing happened. So that means less number of people from general public-the cattle class- and more people from dubious sections of society were mourning at the India gate and Jantar Mantar -the two spots which got maximum coverage by the mainstream media- demanding safety of women, which led to killing of constable Subash Tomar!
Secondly, we need to know who was behind the decision to carry her to Singapore based hospital? Why was that considered necessary and that too when it not only involved additional risk to patient but also involved huge expenditure involving taxpayer’s money? Medical fraternity is absolutely sure that there was no need to get her shifted to any other hospital, involving flight journey, when she was on ventilator, struggling hard to overcome multiorgan failure Since it appears to be more a political reason than a medical reason, isn’t that shows lack of insensitivity on part of political class? And secondly, a government claiming to ensure safety of woman, entered in such a cruel gesture when the whole nation was watching! It speak volumes about the decision making ability of Congress leaders, ironically, one of them is Lady Chief Minister of Delhi! Agreeing that Delhi High Court had remarked about shifting the victim to a super-specialty hospital but that was subject to advice of medical experts and limited to extreme conditions. And the medical team has already denied that they had no role in that decision! So who made this decision and for what reasons? It’s also curious that electronic media channels, who covered the initial sensational phase of the tragic episode, were the ones, who abstained from covering the last ceremony of the victim, wherein it’s learned that government acted with undue haste to get the last rites done quickly, much against the opposition of parents of the victim!
Anyway, the most sensational aspect happened while recording the statement of victim in the ICU. The Sub Divisional Magistrate Usha Chaturvedi was not only prevented from video recording of the victim’s statement by three senior police officers but also asked by them to ” use a questionnaire they prepared”. Now that says all. The episode took a serious turn, making the SDM report the matter to Deputy Commissioner (East) B.M. Mishra. The questions we need to ask and think over are: Whom was Delhi Police trying to protect? Why was it not interested in having the videography done? Who were the backstage people involved, who influenced Delhi Police to act in that fashion? As per news reports, the people involved, the six men charged with crime, are people from lower section of society and so it’s highly impossible that top level police officers would react in that fashion and be head on with a superior authority unless some big fish is involved! And that too, at a moment, when right from Prime Minister to whole nation, everyone appeared to be damn conscious about ensuring justice for this lady! So what was the need for Police officers to prevent the SDM from following her own way? Isn’t it a stunning blow to the claims that tough laws would ensure better environment for women? With this sort of functioning style, it’s anybody’s guess that only innocents would be behind the bars, leading to weakening of the societal structure, which in turn would help the foreign agents, in tandem with anti-India forces, to create more space for their direct control of affairs in India.
Anyway, I leave upon conscious readers to frame suitable answers for these disturbing questions. Right now I just pray for that departed soul: May you always rest in eternal peace. Hope Lord gives you all, what you failed to achieve in this ephemeral world, governed by human sharks, promoting their deadly agendas. Angels like you have no room for survival in this world.
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Celebrations, After Ajmal Kasab’s Execution, Hold No Meaning Until Islamic Terrorism Gets Wiped Out Totally
That’s Mumbai 26/11 Reeling Under The Impact Of Islamic Terrorism
Well, we Indians are always desperate to elicit happiness from even the most insignificant happenings. That too when almost every alternate day, we are involved in this or that celebration. Have taste of the recent cause of celebration: Terrorist Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, hanged till death. Is this news worthy of receiving that much attention, the way Indian mainstream newspapers flashed it on their front pages, highlighting the jubilant mood which prevailed in the nation in aftermath of the death of Kasab? It was turned into an event as if India had carved a defining moment in world history at that point of time. It appeared as if our always tight-lipped PM Manmohan Singh, started roaring like a true lion, with deafening intensity! Let me make it very clear, instead of putting it figuratively, that we need to intercept critical issues not in light of such minor gains. Instead of going overboard with such idiotic style of celebration, let’s learn to delve deep into resultant implications, when the issue pertains to sensitive issues.
The mainstream media is guilty of projecting the whole episode the wrong way. It first informed us about in a sensational style, the high level of secrecy maintained by the people involved in hanging process of Ajmal Kasab, adding that it was carried under the direct supervision of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, making the whole process bear close resemblance with Laden’s killing by USA, which was perfectly executed under the supervision of Barack Obama. Such colouring is absolutely out of place. Next we are informed by some sections of media about the high level of commitment of this UPA government, caught between the devil and the deep blue sea most of the time, in keeping at bay the threats imposed by terrorism. Isn’t mainstream media guilty of first giving rise to such flawed contrast in covert manner, and later, projecting it as some sort of moral victory for the government?
That’s certainly not the case. The death of Kasab got brutally delayed because of the slow judicial process, as he had been declared guilty way back in 2008. It would not be hard to imagine that government would have spent huge amount of taxpayers’ money in providing him great security, in offering food and lodging. So is there any merit in celebrations which took place? Does this government, failure on every front deserve any credit? If it’s that committed to send strong signals to Islamic terrorists, what’s the reason of delaying the death of 2001 Parliament attack death row convict Afzal Guru? If it’s that alert to avoid fresh attacks, why the same loopholes prevail, in measures concerned with internal security, which prevailed at the time of Mumbai attack? The commoners are still susceptible to same threats and a fresh attack remains a great probability. So isn’t our happiness misplaced?
This paid media, sponsored by vested interests, is corrupting the sensibilities of average readers by such crass sensationalism of minor happenings. It’s trying to deviate away our attention from more pertinent concerns- the real issues. It’s weakening our ability to frame any issue in right perspective. Such crass reporting of vain developments is no less than sweet poison, rendering ineffective the impact caused by uneasy questions. Let me put the record straight. I am not ardent fan of Bal Thackeray, but I must admit that I liked his view that these dreaded terrorists do not need convictions after such lengthy trials. On the contrary, they need to be immediately shot dead. I mean what’s the point in subjecting a terrorist to trial, who was caught live on cameras killing people in cold blooded manner, with no sign of remorse, tainted with sadistic pleasure? But you ensured that he dies only after rejection of his mercy petition by the President- a petition which is never meant for such people! Never forget that had dedicated team lawyers under the headship of Ujjawal Nikam, didn’t pursue the case with that much sincerity, it would have simply not been possible to ensure conviction of such dreaded criminal.
In light of such facts, it’s really hard to believe that death of Ajmal Kasab highlights the strong commitment on part of the weak UPA government to erase Islamic terrorism from Indian land. The slow process involved in the elimination of such dangerous minds is only indicative of its lackadaisical approach and any conscious observer shall never treat it as sign of strong will. Strong will gets depicted when you get involved in serious manhunt of dreaded terrorist for years and kill him on the spot-the way USA killed Laden. Strong will gets projected when you ensure the killings of dictators by attacking a nation despite huge protests, sacrificing lives of so many of our own people. The targeted drone attacks engineered by CIA’s programme, in various parts of Pakistan’s tribal heartland, is what truly represents will to eliminate dangerous minds! The strong commitment becomes evident when you ensure that such lethal attacks become a remote possibility, and for that you ensure that even foreign dignitaries have the taste of tough measures. It’s better this government stops fooling people, boasting of its so-called commitment.
Let me bring into light some of the important aspects related with hanging till death of Ajmal Kasab, which the mainstream media deliberately kept it away from the focal point of an average reader’s eyes, blocking him to form a substantial perspective. In a news item published in The Hindu, it was reported, citing recent UN General Assembly’s human rights committee’s resolution calling for a global moratorium on the death penalty, that ‘execution was an “unconstitutional act” of the State’. The Amnesty International, like always reacting in hypersensitive way in India related affairs, wondered about “unusual speed with which the mercy petition was rejected’, labeling it as something that would give rise to a “dangerous precedent”. The Kafila publications, best place for anti-India secularists to publish their outburst, taking a similar stance as one taken by The Hindu, stated that “the very fact that Kasab had indeed committed an unpardonable crime is what renders him eligible for mercy”. One writer, belonging to the same publication, went ahead in unleashing his frustration, termed the jubilant mood of the victim’s families of 26/11 as “barbaric”. I am die-hard champion of freedom of expression but I wish to know do such anti-India sentiments constitute freedom of expression? Very recently, a cartoonist was sent to jail for dishonouring national symbols and this writer is interested in knowing from the government what actions has it taken to stop such publications from repeatedly hurting the national pride?
Almost challenging the so-called commitment of this UPA government, just after the execution of Ajmal Kasab, the commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was quick in communicating his intentions to news agency Reuters: “He was a hero and will inspire other fighters to follow his path.” The news of Kasab execution came as a bolt from the blue for the Taliban leaders in Pakistan who were badly hurt that a “Muslim has been hanged on Indian soil”. If that was not enough, Pakistan’s failure to keep its promises intact of acting against perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack has only added fuel to the fire. It still insists on not having enough evidences sustainable in court, which is a blatant lie in eyes of India, as it had already presented enough concrete evidences. Strangely, a major political party in Pakistan, headed by cricketer turned politician, Imran Khan, has demanded the hanging of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh. Such a knee jerk reaction is enough to suggest the level of derailment of Pakistani leaders.
In a shocking disclosure in The Economic Times, B Raman, additional secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, virtually shattering the myths spread by the Government that it’s fully prepared to counteract terrorism iron-hand way, stated that “we were a soft state before 26/11 and we continue to be a soft state after 26/11 and the execution of Kasab”. The government, I am sure would take political mileage, but it would be better for it, if it pays attention to words of sensible minds like B Raman and take appropriate measures, instead of fooling the people with help of mainstream media with rhetoric and crass sentimentality. “Kasab is no more, but the jihadi terrorist threat posed by the state of Pakistan and its non-state creations remain as serious as before. We need a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy to deal this. We do not see any signs of it so far.” (B Raman) What’s the point in feeling glad, after the execution of Kasab, when it has utterly failed to put right pressure on Pakistan to heed its line of action?
Let’s stop being swayed by such misplaced emotions. The citizens of India should not be influenced by such rhetoric, and, instead, put pressure on government to ensure its safety in a proper way. It should replace this government with one which better suits the destiny of nation, allowing better rulers to be in the driver’s seat. The country needs few more souls like Indira Gandhi, K P S Gill and Jagmohan, to name a few, to teach fitting lesson to dangerous organisations like Indian Mujahideen (IM), aided and funded by foreign nations including Pakistan. That’s why it becomes imperative for citizens to use their voting rights sensibly, and a failure in this regard, only ensures an unstable future. So ‘wake up sid’ it’s now a do or die situation! Act before it’s too late.
Killing The Petty Criminal Means Nothing, Kill Their Commander!
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Pic One
Tale Of Three Great Street Dogs, Which Protected An Abandoned Baby
The Three Saviours
This world seems to have fallen prey to negative forces. Or else, it would have been easy to find meaning in the happenings of world. Old friends turn into foes in no time; parents leave the kids into lurch, whom they once raised with great care; trust gets repeatedly shattered by the ones who are supposed to be most trustworthy; lovers who loved each other with great intimacy come to parting of ways over insignificant issues; friends appear more lethal than actual enemies, and couples who tied knot in glittering ceremony having religious and legal sanctity, live in same relationship which a customer strikes with a sex-worker.
While surfing the net, I came across this very moving picture. It shows a new-born protected by three stray dogs. The news item below this picture, clicked by Tapan Mukherjee, stated that these three dogs not only protected this child throughout the night but also followed the crowd, which carried the baby to Burtolla Police Station. They remained there and returned only after the Officer-in-charge at Burtolla Police Station completed the proceedings of shifting it to home for abandoned babies.
This baby was placed near the dustbin in one of the localities of Calcutta on the evening of 23rd May, 1996. One might argue that this type of incidents are pretty common in nation having population of more than one billion people. It’s understood that this baby either due to social stigma or curse of poverty was left at the mercy of fate. Still, the photograph filled me with pain. That’s because I have seen many couples wishing to have baby but baby always eludes their fate. They remain childless. On the other hand, we find parents subjecting their child to such cruel treatment, involving abandonment.
True, human beings in our times might be competing with devil, but it appears animals have retained the attributes found in Lord. They realize what sensitivity really means, and the great words/phrases carved by human beings like “care” and “sense of responsibility” are in actuality lived by animals, or else one would have found such words in dictionaries alone. Paradoxically, these stray dogs are projected as nuisance by civilized human beings and subjected to death. However, human beings continue to emerge successful with their shrewd manueveres which are not only poisoning social relationships but also corrupting the entire globe. Kudos to these street dogs, which exhibited to God’s most beautiful creation, human being, the art of offering true help. Kudos to news reporter Pinaki Mujumdar, for reporting this heart-rending news in touching manner, making it clear that some people are still left in fourth estate to add dignity to it.
No..No..This one was not the part of rescue team :p
Photograph by Tapan Mukherjee, courtesy Aajkaal, a Bengali daily (Dated 25th May 1996)
Original News Report Filed By Pinaki Mujumdar
Savage Humans and Stray Dogs, a book by Hiranmay Karlekar, Sage Publications 2008
A Discussion On Future Of Journalism
What’s The Future Of Print Media?
Very recently, some of the writers and journalists furiously got involved in a discussion related with future of journalism on LinkedIn website. Most of us were of the opinion that arrival of newer mediums like Internet has hit hard practices related with old school of journalism. In my eye own eyes, the future doesn’t seem bright unless it prepares itself well to imbibe new changes. The old mindset must give way to better one in league with recent patterns. The problem is that journalists and media groups, belonging to previous generations, treat the rise of bloggers and citizen journalism as wrong phenomenon in the world of journalism. They are not open to create a balance between the old forms of journalism with newer methods of news presentation. That does not seem to be the case since old heads continue to remain skeptical.
However, my main concern in the debate was related with the survival of people seriously involved in the field of journalism. It’s harsh reality that even after introduction of dynamic medium like Internet, the economic scenario for talented souls remains grim. So if we are not paying them well, I wonder who would dare to be methodical and research oriented? Who would really bother to add new dimensions in the qualitative standards? So my point of view is that let’s not only provide these new methods appropriate space but also ensure that financially they enjoy a stable position, if not strong.
That’s what some of us said on the prestigious “Online Reporters And Editors” forum.
Arvind K.Pandey, Writer/Freelancer, Allahabad, India:
“Time changes everything except something within us which is always surprised by change.” (Thomas Hardy) The future is surely bright, only if journalists learn to maintain pace with changes taking place in the world of news and views! Sadly, we waste our precious time in mindless criticism of the recent trends, unleashed by the intervention of Internet. And why are we not discussing about the exploitation of journalists? They are paid so less by the media houses even as they come to deliver quality reports in short time. In fact, reporters, belonging to both online and print section, are the most harassed lot in term of monetary benefits. For media houses, it appears such a pathetic situation means nothing as they have kept deepening the insecurities in media sector.
How can future be bright when there is a sword hanging over your head in terms of job security?
One should not forget that journalists working for NYT, CBS, CNN, Fox News Channel and etc. are the ones exhibiting high journalistic standards! Yet they compromise with truth, and give way to biases of all sorts! Against this backdrop, when we start hating new alternatives, the future of journalism becomes more complicated and grave.
Paul Ivice, Writing Coach And Editor For Freelancers, Palm City, Florida, USA:
Arvind, the fact that you mention Fox News Channel in the same breath with the others indicates that you lack an understanding of both high journalistic standards and the way that media people can insert bias into their reporting, because FNC has taken biased reporting to an entirely new and shameful level.
Arvind K.Pandey, Writer/Freelancer, Allahabad, India:
@ Paul
I have taken note of the situation from Indian eyes! The subtle difference that you highlight is not of much importance to me just the way difference between Star TV India’s approach and Zee TV’s approach remains unnoticed by you, and, above all, is not of much importance to you unless you are based in India! And yes, you missed something very important. When I placed all of them in one category, it was to show that even when trained journalists from old school of journalism are involved the chances are high that news reports could be biased, twisted and incomplete. If that’s the case, there is little merit in condemning people belonging to new forms of news presentation.
Paul Ivice, Writing Coach And Editor For Freelancers, Palm City, Florida, USA:
@Arvind
I am familiar with neither Star TV nor Zee TV in Indian, but if you say the difference between them is subtle, then you have no clue about the difference between Fox News Channel and almost every other mainstream media outlet in the USA, biased or not.
Arvind K.Pandey, Writer/Freelancer, Allahabad, India:
@Paul
The operative part of my comment is not my so-called ignorance about US media. The question that really matters is that how come trained journalist having faith in objectivity, accuracy and other fine values created such a mess of extraordinary type, which has compelled all of us to discuss the future of journalism? It’s their biases and partisan approach, which eroded the faith of readers/viewers in print media/news channels.
Simon Morice, Media Production,Southampton, United Kingdom:
The truth, Arvind, is that news journalism is expensive, and unless it has the luxury of a hands off sponsor then the power of ownership will influence it. There is a wider context and this is no new development. In the dying days of the nineteenth century, Adolph Ochs purchased an ailing New York Times. He turned it around on the strength of great journalism and producing ‘All the news that’s fit to print’. People would happily pay for good, not just sensational, information about human affairs. And advertising revenues followed too. The NYT went on to achieve preeminence in the world beyond New York, and other papers copied its example.
But then the news, which had honestly monitored and spoken to power for so long became power itself. Advertising revenue began to exceed that which was derived from serving its audience with integrity and excellent journalism. The audience became a market, a conflict was born between fiduciary responsibility and integrity, the newsroom and marketing department began sharing elevators – and the mess which you perceive was made – all over again.
Recently, we have seen the rise of Al Jazeera as, probably, the world’s most respected news organisation. In the same epoch, the leadership aspirations of both the NYT and the Guardian appear to hark back to the values of great journalism. But while Al Jazeera may depend on the stringless resources of Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Guardian and the New York Times must trade their way to the high ground again. Audiences and journalists alike live in an interregnum of chaos.
Paul Ivice, Writing Coach And Editor For Freelancers, Palm City, Florida, USA:
Arvind, the “mess” you refer to is almost entirely attributed to electronic media’s pursuit of the almighty dollar, though with some exceptions I don’t consider electronic media to be journalists as much as entertainers. What biases show up in the reporting of print media, I think, resulted mostly from their misguided effort to pander to the same nitwits among the populace who think a combination of celebrity news and opinion is journalism. It is an unfortunate path that is taken when profits outweigh principle.
Some hate the rise of newer alternatives!
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Silence is not always golden, Mr Prime Minister
The Washington Post: Not Far Away From The Truth Yet Misses The Point
The stars are not favouring Prime Mininster Manmohan Singh. He seems to be chased by problems instead of solutions and that’s turned him into a sorry figure. The Washington Post’s article is not far away from the truth. It’s not entirely based on figment of one’s imagination. If you read between the lines, Simon Denyer has not conveyed anything unusual and bizarre. He has reiterated facts which we all know quite well. So it’s really hard to understand why the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) acted in such an amateurish fashion, hell bent on seeking apology on part of The Washington Post? It’s true that the Washington Post, like any other Western Media publication, relied heavily on points which served its interests instead of making an attempt to create a perfect balance. I am compelled to say that because it attempted to portray the reality not through well established facts but via remarks made in lighter vein at the meetings.
It’s ironical that such a reputed newspaper preferred to be swayed by popular sentiments in an issue which demanded a serious approach. It should have made serious efforts to know what really caused this transformation? What were the factors responsible for turning “scrupulously honorable, humble and intellectual technocrat” into a “dithering, ineffectual bureaucrat presiding over a deeply corrupt government”? The Washington Post in its article has presented India’s economic growth in wrong light, stating that “economic reforms have stalled, growth has slowed sharply and the rupee has collapsed.”
Incidentally, it’s worth noting that US President Barack Obama in an interview given to PTI in Washington in July, 2012, not only treated this “ineffectual bureaucrat” as his friend with whom he worked closely but also “valued the insights of the Indian leader at various international fora including the recent G20 meeting in Mexico”. Referring to economic growth in India Obama stated that “Indian innovation is an engine of the global economy. And even with the recent challenges, the Indian economy continues to grow at an impressive rate. The Indian people have displayed a remarkable capacity to meet India’s challenges.”
It’s pretty clear that despite taking a bold step of presenting the Prime Minister’s image, on par with popular perceptions, the newspaper miserably failed to substantiate its stand with hardcore logic. We would have loved to know why Indian Prime Minister became like captain of a cricket team, having players treating the captain with disdain? It should have let us know that he had ministers like A Raja in his cabinet who could dare to ignore the recommendations made by the Prime Minister and frame their own “unconstitutional and arbitrary” policies. He gave rise to one of the biggest scams, 2G Spectrum Scam, which made Time to place it “at number two on their ‘Top 10 Abuses of Power’ list”. In fact, in his regime we became aware of the fact that how the big names in media and the big corporate houses influenced policy making power of the government.
So what was the stand of PM on these scams? Nothing more than that of being a mute spectator, reminding us about classic character in Mahabharata named Dhritarashtra. The recent remarks by Supreme Court in the water-share dispute, provide a glimpse into the happenings taking place inside PMO. “For fixing a date for the CRA meeting, you seek the convenience of the states. It is the PM who should see his convenience. For fixing a date, you see the convenience of the PM or the states?…We had already expressed our anguish the last time. It still doesn’t matter to them. This is very, very shocking. This is what happens in the PMO.”
It has never happened before that Cabinet Ministers instead of fixing the problem openly attack the Constitutional bodies for revealing the harsh truths. It is really tragic that there is constant effort to weaken the Constitutional bodies by such scathing comments. So what’s the role of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)? In the congress regime, it just keeps adding zeroes! And what’s the perspective of Prime Minister on such serious charges leveled against the government? “My silence is better than a thousand answers; it keeps intact the honour of innumerable questions.” Well, his remark says all. It gives you an idea about the attitudes and beliefs operating in Congress regimes. It’s time to realize that silence is not always golden. More so in times, when corrupt practices rule the roost.
Manmohan Singh: Silence Is Not Always Golden!
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The journalistic fraternity should learn to truly honour the bloggers
Traditional Media vs Blogosphere
Well, it appears emergence of bloggers have really unsettled journalists and media groups. I say so because they love to indulge in snide insinuations about the bloggers, which speak volume about their insecurities. I had been part of journalistic fraternity and, therefore, know quite well about the type of work done inside newspaper office. I agree that journalists follow a refined work culture, which lays stress on “accuracy, a critical sense, balance “and divergent view-points. However, it’s really tough to understand how come presence of certain aspects in one circle leads to absence of same aspects in other circle following a different modus operandi? It really defies logic that while highlighting the good features of traditional media, it’s been assumed that media in its new avatara (emergence of blogosphere) lacks credibility and substance.
The truth is that bloggers have emerged as better alternative because traditional media betrayed the faith imposed on them by the readers. It’s now very clear that newspapers/electronic media take stand according to their political affiliations. Most news is now sponsored news. And that’s the reason why bloggers emerged on the surface. You cannot fool all the people all the time. Okay, the journalists are taking total care of language errors, factual accuracy and etc. but these are of little use if the end product is flawed one! I think none of the gentlemen participating in the debate came to throw light on the unholy nexus between journalists, politicians and business tycoons. True, great power is always in tandem with great responsibility and I am pretty sure that bloggers would learn all the tricks necessary to present news items in better way. In fact, they have already done some wonderful work. It’s now undeniable that citizens have finally found a medium to express views close to the reality. Or else, they were left at the mercy of big media brands who offered only half truths in name of truth!
Anyway, when I appreciate the good work done by the bloggers, I do not assume (like my friends in newspaper world) that everything is wrong about the traditional media and people associated with them. They have certainly set good precedents. But my main worry is that will the bloggers be able to keep themselves above the flaws found in traditional media landscape? Will they be able to use in fair way privileges enjoyed by them? Or will they become monkey with a razor blade? Let’s leave it on time. In the end, I must inform my friends that in many countries, including India, new IT laws have been introduced to make bloggers more responsible. In other words, they are being tamed in name of acting with responsibility.
If bloggers have still to learn a lot from journalists, if they are still novice and if they are still inexperienced I wish to know why all prominent magazines, newspapers, websites and web editions of prominent magazines are placing views of bloggers side-by-side views of their own writers/journalists on important pages? In India nearly all news papers have either introduced regular columns for bloggers or they are borrowing articles from them. If bloggers or blogging still lack required credibility, I wish to know why many journalists have become bloggers? Why are they playing the role of blogger? Why blog columns have been introduced by prominent magazines like Time, Newsweek, New York Times and etc.?
Lastly, it really sounds ludicrous when I notice that veteran journalists speak aloud about superiority of their ilk only because they have received certain training and they have got few qualifications. That gives them right not to acknowledge the traces of good writer and journalist in a person who did not become like them but instead became a blogger! In other words, if one becomes a blogger one loses the right to emerge as person of substance; after all, how dare one wrote beautiful articles, prepared brilliant news reports without qualification and training! This rigid insistence is a weak (and shrewd as well) attempt to maintain their superiority complex and monopoly, which in any case is destined to be crashed in new scenario that has emerged.
Anyway, I am just trying to establish that qualifications and training are not the only or ultimate parameter to measure the worth of a blogger. The ultimate parameter is the qualitative output a blogger delivers even as the blogger is devoid of critical resources, key infrastructure, financial gain and reward. On the contrary, a journalist enjoys all this advantages. The blogger, on the other hand, is most of time, a selfless crusader. So it really hurts that instead of being honoured, the blogger’s good work is ignored citing absence of training/qualification. I wish to know will they dare to dismiss the greatest performances of many actors, singers, sportsmen and businessmen, to name a few, only because they did all that not with help of training and qualification but with help of natural talent provided by the almighty Lord? Will the future generations refuse to acknowledge their worth only because they did not attend Business College, Acting College, Fine Arts College and etc? Please think over it carefully.
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Blogger: The Underdog Making Journalist Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
Bloggers Are Journalists In A Different Way
Who is performing better in modern times–blogger or a journalist? This question has become relevant in our times when bloggers have made their presence felt in a big way across the globe. In our age when online publications are fast replacing print versions, one needs to evaluate the role of bloggers with fresh perspective. The people belonging to world of traditional media treat bloggers with disdain even as we find that most reputed brands have given healthy space to bloggers on their editorial page. It’s now commonplace to find bloggers contributing to newspaper columns on issues sensitive in nature. However, the sad reality is that people working in newspapers love to exhibit holier than thou attitude when contrasted with bloggers.
They find the role of bloggers not as reliable as journalists involved in print publication. In support of their viewpoint they cite their biased approach, lack of accuracy, lack of accountability, lack of originality and lack of multiple sourcing. In my eyes, since I am sandwiched in both the worlds, that’s a sweeping analysis. It’s not true. After all, social media is comprised of people belonging to journalistic circles, academic institutions and prestigious forums. So how can these responsible people enter in malpractices on social media forums? And if they are doing that on social media platforms then it’s hard to believe that in reputed print publications they remained above corrupt practices!!
In fact, social media enjoys terrific advantage over print media in a sense that contributors have the choice to present uncensored news by remaining above the biases of media houses and editors. True, a large number of are devoid of proper language and perfect style to convey their viewpoints but it’s presentation of facts and truth that really matters. That sabotages the lies spread by enlightened souls associated with print world!
There is merit in allegations leveled by big names in print media that bloggers often present one-sided stories in absence of multiple sourcing and often news when put under microscope proves to be false. I need to say that blogging in its nascent stage displayed such tendencies. Over the years it has matured as far as presentation of stories is concerned, shifting focus from details pertaining to one’s private life to cause-based blogging. Yes, many bloggers still depict lack of responsibility and are bit lazy in searching for right facts but that’s not suffice to whitewash their genuine efforts. Let’s not forget that how refined people in traditional media distorted the news items to serve vested interests. If that’s the case what’s the point in undermining the sincere efforts of people related with social media? That’s one of the important reasons as why it has emerged as a powerful alternative to traditional media, which is now dying a slow death.
We have many evidences wherein sponsored journalism has wrecked havoc. It’s no secret that sensationalism and rush for “breaking news” has wiped out the ethical values in field of journalism making journalists behave more like professionals than people in search of truth! For instance reckless journalism, which made mockery of one’s privacy, led to suicide of Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, the professor of Marathi at Aligarh Muslim University. In other incident, a female teacher named Uma Khurana faced deep humiliation when a fake sting operation showed her involvement in sex racket. Taking a look at the issue from a different angle, the emergence of people like Neera Radia who in name of media management influenced the making of news, made it clear that in days to come social media was about to emerge as perfect alternative to traditional media.
Bloggers Capturing The Globe
The rise of social media has not disappointed us considering the way it came to influence the happenings in big way in Egypt,Tunisia and Syria. The footage of protests and police repression presented in uncensored way by the social media activists led to ouster of cruel regimes in these nations. In fact, it became the primary method in mobilizing protests. Back in India, it was because of brilliant role played by the Internet activists which ‘led to prosecution of police personnel involved in the midnight crackdown on yoga guru Ramdev and his supporters in June last year’.
So we can see how these bloggers devoid of facilities, enjoyed by journalists, protected the foundation of democracy. Before undermining the bloggers one should not forget that they often do not enjoy privileges owned by journalists associated with media houses. That makes it difficult for them to track the sources and get versions of influential sources involved in particular happening.
On the other hand, Wikileaks revelations confirmed the fears that we had about the Iraq War: It was based more on concocted grounds than true facts. The point is who provided legitimacy to lies spread by U S government if not traditional media? This suppression of truth was the result of traditional media being hand in glove with U S government. Against this backdrop, it leaves me really stunned that journalists associated with traditional media sill wish to be treated as holy cow-the icons of perfection, accuracy, accountability and reliability.
I am not saying that bloggers are epitome of truth and perfection. They, like their counterparts in field of journalism, often churn out stories having facts blown out of proportion. In fact, the bloggers in India still behave, more or less, like a monkey with a razor blade. That because true facets of social media are still missing. Internet is still luxury and those who have it use it more for the entertainment’s sake than using it to promote real issues.
However, that’s one side of the story. The Indian bloggers, despite being placed in wretched conditions, are doing excellent work. Often their works remain ignored but that does not deter them to post good stories one after another. Doesn’t that speak volume about their spirit? After all, they do not receive fat salaries including perks like the journalists associated with big brands. They do not even get proper recognition. However, they sill manage to hog the limelight with stunning portrayal of issues happening at local, national and international level.
That’s why journalistic circle is trapped in insecurities of all sorts. The rise of bloggers or social media has limited the monopoly enjoyed by the media houses. The social media is not only capable of presenting news earlier than anyone else but also capable of making news reach to the people who really matter. No wonder the bloggers have bulldozed superiority complex traced in journalistic circles.
It’s understandable that bloggers need to act with more responsibility to emerge as more powerful medium. However, the governments across the globe have already started panicking. The countries like India have immediately amended the IT laws to curb the influence of bloggers and social media activists. In my eyes, social media is not adversary of traditional media. It’s a new platform that deals with missing elements of any issue. That means it act as complement to traditional media.
Unfortunately, they are comprised of underdogs, caught in conflicting situations. Still they manage to highlight issues in notable manner. In our world, money is needed to sustain the spirit of excellence. One expects standard performance from social media activists but nobody pays attention to their lack of resources, lack of money. At least, stop entering in mindless criticism if you have nothing to offer them for their survival. Let’s recognize the real worth of these champions of truth who are working day and night in selfless manner so that truth remains in our lives.
Social Media Landscape
Reference:
Role of social Media in Middle East
Supreme Court Pulls Up Police
Iraq War Facts
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