A Journal of the press Institute of India ISSN 0042-5303 April-June 2018 Volume 10 Issue 2 Rs 60 Onus on Central Government to support agriculture CONTENTS • ‘Running like the deer How do Small Farmers Fare? Evidence from Village Studies is the name of the to escape the lion’ / recently released book edited by Sandipan Baksi and Madhura Swaminathan. Colonel R. Hariharan The book was released by Prof Yogindra Alagh at the Indian Society of Agricultural • Is moral policing part of the Eonomics Annual Conference in Barapani in Meghalaya. There media’s job? / Kuntala Das was a discussion on the book later with a group of development • Why does mainstream study students at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai. media throttle consumer rights? / Sashi Nair spoke to Swaminathan about the book, about the small Sakuntala Narasimhan farmer, the farming community, and whether the plight of the average • The vulnerable still farmer in India had really changed for the better search for food and jobs / Bharat Dogra Seventy-one years after India gained Independence and after the Green • When schools lack even Revolution spearheaded by Prof M.S. Swaminathan, when novel methods the basics, where is hope?/ and technology were adopted to improve production, the plight of the average Afsana Rashid farmer in the country hasn’t really changed and the majority of small farmers • Where are the women continue to live in poverty, isn’t it? Why has this happened? in urban planning? / Ranjita Biswas You want me to summarise the book… (smiles). Actually, we didn’t use poverty (as a part of the study) because the Indian poverty level is also a matter of debate, • Childhood obesity – a threat to the future health / but there is no doubt that the average small farmer is not having a basic minimum Aditi Panda standard of living. Income is something that fluctuates every year. For example, • Child-friendly education in our study of some villages in West Bengal, the potato prices crashed and they is the need of the hour / went heavily into debt. But the previous two or three years had seen high prices Rakhi Ghosh and that was why more farmers were picking up potato cultivation. As you know, • Call to preserve a historic the growth of potato in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal has been very rapid. So building / Nava Thakuria it’s not that people are in poverty every year or that there has been no change. • An outstanding journalist, an We have not been able to study change very much, so I don’t want to give the intellectual and a nationalist/ impression that 70 years and nothing has happened. Things have happened. Mrinal Chatterjee One of the things that has happened is that the crops that have been grown have • The best in Bengali changed. For example, potato cultivation is widespread in UP and Bengal and cinema recognised / potato consumption has gone up such a lot in India because of production. But Shoma A. Chatterji we don’t have any price support system for potato. It is not coming under crops • 2001-2011 – the best that are listed by the Government of India as having the minimum support price. decade for Indian cricket / Even those that come don’t get it. There are so many intermediaries and the small Partab Ramchand potato farmer sells to the trader on his farm field. He needs the money because he • Tributes to S. Nihal Singh, spends so much – on potato seeds, fertilisers. Potato is so input intensive and the Shammi, Supriya Devi, Stephen Hawking, Mohan Deep, Sridevi (Continued on page 3)
April-June 2018 VIDURA 1 From the Editor Why do farmers in India get so little attention and sympathy?
ost of the space in the city. Educational inequality is it is unhealthy to have two meals newspapers, on television increasing.” There are new schemes ten hours apart? Is it the lack of Mand on news publishing for crop insurance but how do we information, is it the constraints of websites is occupied by politics and expect a person with no schooling time or something else – these are all the mudslinging and ugliness to deal with such schemes and how questions to be studied,” she says. associated with it. Then there is will they be implementable, she Incidentally, How do Small space for crime and film and sport. wonders. What will happen is a few Farmers Fare? Evidence from Village So, why doesn’t anybody talk will benefit but the majority will be Studies is a spin-off of the work about Rural India and the lives of left out. “Education is the basic need, that Madhura Swaminathan has farmers? Farmers usually make the it is the future. They are now talking been doing with an organisation headlines only when they commit about e-auction and giving market called the Foundation for Agrarian suicide. It’s almost as if their lives intelligence to farmers, also, e-nam Studies, a group of academics in don’t matter. Agriculture in India or e-national market. How do we India interested in agrarian and is generally looked at as ‘farmers expect such important transactions rural issues. The book is written in a feeding the people’. Ironically, like price for your output to be simple way so that it’s assessable to nobody seems to care much about done online without electricity or the general reader. One of the good their welfare. Why such widespread Internet? The design for agricultural things is, she and her team head apathy? Education and health policy is coming from urban back to the villages and share the pertaining to farming communities, residents who have hardly gone to a findings with farmers and peasant critical for the well-being of farming village. We are getting carried away leaders, and also activists. In households, are not spoken or by technology without looking at 2005-06, MSSRF started a series of written about enough. Farmers find the underlying problems.” village surveys, starting in Andhra it difficult to educate their children I then asked Madhura Pradesh and the last one was in and access primary health care. I Swaminathan about health, infant 2016 in three villages of Tripura. was recently talking to Madhura mortality and malnutrition. Does Detailed household surveys were Swaminathan, chairperson of the farmer have access to the PHC? conducted in 25 villages across the MS Swaminathan Research Although this did not form part of ten states in India over ten years. Foundation, about her book, How the study, she referred to covering Although this book focuses only do Small Farmers Fare? Evidence from two villages in Mandya and Kolar. on one issue – small farmers, how Village Studies (detailed interview In the first survey done in May, the they are doing, their income levels, alongside), which is based on a hot season, most women had only indebtedness, their access to bank loans, cost of imports – there is study, and I asked her these very two meals a day. They took their considerable data, useful data that questions. first meal at around 11.30 am or 12, should be made available to the Madhura Swaminathan’s res- their breakfast comprised ragi or Government of India in the hope ponse helps give us an idea about mudde; the second meal was at night. that it will goad at least a few in how life is being lived in most When the team visited during the the administration to do what is parts of Rural India 70 years after harvesting season, they found the required make the lives of small, India’s Independence. In the 25 women were having three meals. marginal and landless farmers in villages she and her team visited “I think on average they are having India happier. and studied, 50 per cent or more two meals a day – the first at 12 of women above the age of 16 had Sashi Nair noon after getting up at 6, sweeping, [email protected] no years of schooling. “This is the milking the cow, cooking – they are state we are in, she says, “We see not sitting idle. It is going to have big differences – by caste, larger nutritional effects. We have not paid farmers who are now sending their attention to the question that you are children to hostels and schools in asking. Do these women know that
2 VIDURA April-June 2018 (Continued from page 1)
– of all the governments that were has announced, then the Centre in place – was on productivity will withdraw all support. TN is and production, not on incomes. offering a higher price; Kerala is, So we have had new crops, higher for paddy. These states are now production, new technology. under attack; I don’t know what Tripura is an exception; everybody has happened now. It is political. there is organic because they didn’t It’s a way of saying that we are not have money for fertilisers. But you going to spend money; it’s a way go to the smallest village anywhere, of curtailing expenditure. Actually, Bengal or Andhra Pradesh, there agriculture is a state subject, so this is a huge amount of fertiliser, the is rather interventionist. latest seed whether it is BT Cotton or something else, so technology That agriculture is not being has spread, output has grown. given due importance is clear However, the price of output is low when we know that small farming while the price of input is rising, households are unable to generate so you are being squeezed – the incomes to maintain a minimum cost price squeeze. For example, standard of living. In the book, the cotton seed prices were very you make a case for urgent public high but farmers knew the yields policy support to bring economies would be high and so planted of scale to the small farmers so as to Madhura Swaminathan. them. They started making losses. ensure them a minimum standard The minimum support price is of living. Can you explain this a cost of production so high that the there on paper, started in the 1960s. bit? minute the output comes they want It is effective only for certain crops Internationally, we have the to sell it, which means they are and certain regions. For example, two-dollar-a-day poverty line. We selling it to the nearest person and Punjab farmers get the msp when have to see how many farmers on getting the lowest possible price. they grow paddy and wheat. But in average get this income. The least Bengal has a cold storage system Bengal or Bihar, paddy farmers get poverty by this criterion is Punjab, but a study by one of my students half the price of the Punjab farmer. Northwest Rajasthan, all highly reveals that the capacity is much The policies were started but irrigated regions, Rayalaseema, less then the production. So, for they have not been implemented eastern UP and so on. But on the every crop these kind of factors are wholeheartedly and uniformly whole, the large majority is not different. We hear mostly about rice throughout the county. earning even the poverty line. So and wheat but there is a diversity you need multiple action – it’s of crops and the reasons why small Do you think it is because of the an entire livelihood that’s being farmers are facing a loss are price federal structure we have? affected. We haven’t gone into crashing in one year, weather- Partly, I think. The failure is of the detailed policy or what should related drought in another; there Centre because when we talk about credit policy be. That would be a are a variety of reasons, not one. We food, and now everybody is talking separate book but our data show argue in conclusion (in the book) about GST and the national market, that if you ask small farmers from that there are weather-related it has always been a national market across 15 villages how much credit factors – agriculture by nature is – produced in Punjab and given to they have got from the bank or risky – but there are non-weather- Kerala. The point of being a country cooperative sector during the last related factors also – institutional, is that… it is the responsibility of one year, the highest is 25-30 per marketing, pricing, government the Central Government. I would cent, which means two-thirds of policy. say some state governments – Tamil small farmers have had to borrow Nadu is one of them and recently from the informal sector. Credit to Would you say that consecutive Karnataka – are offering a price for rural areas is increasing but it is governments have failed to ragi and nutritious millets and trying clearly not enough. address the problems that have to procure. Last year, there was an Another thing I want to mention bedevilled the lives of farmers order from the Central Government – in fertiliser use, we find that both over the years? – if the state government offers a small and large farmers are not The policy focus till very recently price higher than what the Centre using the recommended fertiliser
April-June 2018 VIDURA 3 due to lack of information. It’s what I think it is much better to do giving a loan to a big company like your neighbour does or what your it through the banking sector Pepsico to set up a big cold storage fertiliser shop tells you. Nitrogen, whether it is the cooperative banks plant in Chennai would be termed phosphorous and potassium, there or commercial banks. The banking an agricultural loan. It is a loan to is a ratio of 4:2:1 to apply, but it is system since the 1991 liberalisation the agricultural sector technically not being used that way. So there is a was told clearly that don’t focus but not a loan to farmers. There is real failure of information and even anymore on what was called no need for any new idea or policy. if I have to stick my neck out I will social and development banking We know what is to be done and say that the agricultural universities in India. After Mrs Gandhi’s bank it is done in other countries. Unless in India have by and large failed in nationalisation, that was the term you give it priority and say this has this job of transferring information. that came, unique to India as an to be done it will not be. What is the latest has not reached experiment, the rural banking the farmers, so here it is a question network growth in India from Are crop insurance schemes of inappropriate farming practices. 1969 to a few years thereafter was effective? Our extension and knowledge tremendous. In the 25 villages we studied, I transfer systems would have to be Now, banks are closing down think two or three people out of strengthened in different ways like rural offices instead of having a rural about 3000 households reported the fisher friend mobile app our bank branch with an agricultural crop insurance. But I must say in foundation developed. We have to officer who will have the knowledge the last two years there has been a give real-time data on weather etc and capacity to meet farmers, assess new PM Scheme for crop insurance, to fishermen. Similarly, for farmers, their needs, their repayment and the Fasal Beema Yojana, which has we have to every season give the then give loans. RBI is now talking really expanded. The coverage latest information. about business correspondents, who has increased but there is a huge are just agents who go from village number of unpaid claims. They Small farmers in India are still at to village to dole out cash through have not been paid. The insurance the mercy of the local moneylender. debit cards etc. They don’t have schemes are underwritten by large Often, they are unable to repay the knowledge or experience for private companies supported by loans, and suicides are largely lending operations. So bank staff in the government. They have been the result of not being able to rural areas has gone down, branches guaranteed a minimum income. cope with debt. Can’t the banking have closed. With a farmer you have In agriculture, many regions may system be more generous since to spend more time and effort in be affected, so the government crop failure is usually the result of giving the loan and on recovery; it’s has guaranteed them a minimum drought or floods or scanty rainfall not like a car loan. return. Despite that, there are tens over which they have no control? Also, the definition of agricultural of thousands of unpaid insurance And can’t easy credit facilities be credit was changed by the RBI late claims. In the case of the small extended? 1990s or around 2000. So now, farmer, if you don’t get the money before you sow your second crop then he is affected. May be after five years the claim will be paid but the timeliness is obviously very important. The same thing happened with demonetisation. – the shortage of working capital or cash in the growing season when you need to buy certain things during harvesting which is the most expensive because of labour… so cash shortage then can affect you even if in the long-run you get access to money. As far as I know, the insurance scheme has not done very well; some studies are being made now; the scheme is only two
Photos: MSSRF years old. So we have to wait and Small farming households are still unable to generate incomes to maintain, see. It hasn’t reached the small leave alone raise, their standard of living. farmers.
4 VIDURA April-June 2018 Several initiatives are being taken to help farmers and the farming community. For exampler, the focus of the MSSRF biotechnology programme is to undertake anticipatory and strategic research in response to severe environmental degradation, changing climate scenarios, such as sea level rise, reduced precipitation and deteriorating soil and water quality, and develop relevant products.
We often read stories about young how we are going to keep our food immediately. In ten or twenty years NRIs or executives junking production growing. from now climate change will bring corporate life and taking to down the potential yield. We have farming. In farming families, Climate change must be affecting to start worrying about the current youngsters are not interested and farmers a great deal. Is there generation’s problems because the are keen to head to towns and adequate awareness in the farming variability and repercussions on cities in search of jobs. A curious community about the problem agriculture today is like a window paradox. How can farming be and what do you see as the major to the future. This variability will made attractive for the young in challenges in facing up to it? only increase with time. But let’s the farming community? Isn’t it We did a study on climate change start dealing with it today. important, considering that with impact on farmers in Karnataka. We their exodus from the villages, a lot got peasant leaders from different In today’s world when we are in will be lost – tradition, knowledge, parts of Karnataka to come. What a capitalist economy, when large skills? was surprising is how they are corporate houses call the shots, On the whole, I would say no. tracking climate change. One of them how do you see the future of the Because the traditional knowledge in Gulbarga said how they were average, small Indian farmer? that is there, there are a few people getting freak events like a hailstorm In the very long-run we’d see a who can look at the clouds and say during summer. These are things kind of consolidation; we’d see fewer how the weather will be, others who people are experiencing. Farmers and larger farms which support the know the medicinal value of plants. are tracking the changes. One of the same level of agriculture. In India, I If you go to the village where they possible effects of climate change don’t think that is likely because of are growing ragi or tomatoes you is that because of the hot weather our huge unemployment problem. will see they are adopting modern the yield of the crop will go down. You may even have a crisis if all practices and more and more of the Now already the yield between the small farmers say it’s not viable operations are getting mechnaised. what is there in the laboratory or in and come to the city. In ten years Threshing, for example, is the Vietnamese farm (Vietnamese time I hope we really see some
mechanised. The young leaving is paddy yield is twice that of India; kind of simple initiatives where not really a drain of knowledge. it’s because of the organisation of small farmers can work in practice < We are just starting a study on their farming, land reform, pooled collectively. ageing of the rural population. We resources) and what is grown by have to plan for this. But right now the Indian small farmer is huge. So questions are more serious about let us start addressing the problem
April-June 2018 VIDURA 5 TRANFORMATION OF THE MEDIA ‘Running like the deer to escape the lion’
The world of newspapers is changed forever, and perhaps for the good. However, the tragedy is that the electronic age has turned journalism to mass communication, it has morphed the holy cows of newspapers into buffalos to be milked to make money rather than churn out wisdom from opinionated editors and columnists, says Colonel R. Hariharan
ournalists in the 1970s used find their way into mobile phones, or read op-ed stories, often we are shorthand to scribble down laptops and newspapers. The confronted with a few troubling Jreports and typed out stories morphing of the word ‘journalism’ questions: on manual typewriters. Subeditors into ‘mass communication’ itself • Does media affect the way mercilessly chopped and spliced the provides the answer to the impact society behaves? reports to turn them into ‘proper’ of stereotypes. The semantic change • Does it influence government news stories. They worked in ill-lit is more appropriate because this is policy? offices, under dusty fans churning the century of mass communication • Can the media remain impartial out hot air with rattling teleprinters rather than classical journalism. in its news coverage? providing the sound byte. Late The knowledge era has irreversibly Even the New York Times which night, the rotary press spewed out changed four things in the media: has on it masthead emblazoned the the paper that was warm to the 1. Media has to adapt to the famous slogan, 'All the news that’s touch and had a peculiar smell of requirements of multiple modes fit to print' ever since Adolph S. wood pulp. of production in print, visual and Ochs adopted it in1897 to proclaim In those days, the celebrated social form to stay in business. its impartiality, is seen stumbling psychologist-philosopher turned 2. Media news is no more the to live up to the principle. columnist Walter Lippmann, better Holy Grail. Editors are no more Media theorist Professor known for coining the phrase ‘cold the holy cows and columnists have Herbert Marshall McLuhan was war’, in his book Public Opinion, lost their oracular status. Now, they a visionary who predicted the wrote about the most pervasive have to dish out their wisdom in 300 World Wide Web three decades of all influences which create words, or even worse, in two-minute before it was invented and coined and maintain the repertory of speeches in the midst of talk show such expressions as “the medium stereotypes: “We are told about the cacophony, interrupted by deo or is the message” and the “global world before we see it. We imagine tooth paste ads and the imminent village”. In his 1964 pioneering most things before we experience threat of breaking news. study, Understanding Media: The them. And those preconceptions… 3. Media has to cater to the Extensions of Man, McLuhan said govern deeply the whole process of mass audience seeking instant the medium and not the content perception.” This is how the media gratification within their very brief that it carried, should be the focus tends to convey complex news in attention span. So the media story's of study because the characteristics understandable products to readers focus, right from headline, lead and of the medium rather than its or viewers. display, is to catch attention rather contents affected the society. Professor Richard Dyer explained than convey the whole news. McLuhan’s postulate that content Lipmann’s stereotypes through four 4. Mass media has to rate its own had little effect on society or to functions they perform: employing performance, here and now, to stay put it in plain language, violence an ordering process (knowing little in business. It has to use suspect in television broadcasts would is better than nothing at all); using devices like TRP ratings, print order, not matter because all media a ‘short cut’ to convey the meaning; web hits and advertisers impact have characteristics to engage referring to the world based on the surveys. the viewer in different ways, social construct; and expressing our In short, every day the media has became controversial. His theory values and beliefs. to ‘run’ like the deer to escape the on media has become relevant The four Lipmann stereotypes are lion chasing it – to stay one step with the arrival of mass audience being tested every day in the news ahead of the lion of competition. thanks to the mobile phone, real stories that flood the Internet and Given this reality, when we write time global connectivity, World
6 VIDURA April-June 2018 Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:
Wide Web and the Internet. Even distortions unwittingly. Unless (The writer is a retired colonel of if we do not agree with McLuhan, media managers understand the Intelligence Corps. He writes his study can perhaps help us find their onerous responsibility, the and speaks on South Asia and its answers to the troubling questions process of holy cows of media neighbourhood as well as terrorism, raised earlier to make media more being morphed into buffalos may the areas of his specialties during his meaningful, to make the world a become complete. Though buffalos service. He has more than a passing better place for the people to lead yield rich milk, they wallow in mud interest in the media.) a peaceful life. So, journalists have and forage on what they can find.
more reasons to be objective and Surely, the media would not want less judgemental than ever before, to end up like that. < because the characteristics of the medium has ways of creating Express Group launches IeBangla.Com Coming after the launch of ieMalayalam and ieTamil in 2017, the Indian Express Group has announced the launch of its next regional online venture, ieBangla.com, to coincide with Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year. The new website will focus on political opinion and analysis while offering the discerning Bengali readers in-depth
coverage on technology, entertainment and sports. ieBangla.com will be ad-free to start with. The site will be managed out of Kolkata and will feature writers from across the world. < (Courtesy: exchange4media.com)
April-June 2018 VIDURA 7 Is moral policing really part of the media’s job?
The representation of women by media channels and media professionals raises some important questions: How do women and their choice of lifestyle become subjects of concern for the media, asks Kuntala Das. Who allows the media to conduct moral policing in the guise of reporting news?
recent photograph cir- the places they visit. All this is targeting women, are carried to culated on social media has considered worthy of prime time increase sales and raise TRPs. Aonce again sparked a debate news. Reports in newspapers like The on the boundaries of the role of the The infamous incident of a girl Times of India debated on ‘Deepika media. The picture titled ‘Picture of being molested on the streets of Padukone’s cleavage show’. A the day (no caption)’ was shared by Guwahati in 2012 and the media’s Hyderabad news channels carried a veteran journalist from Assam. It live coverage of the crime outraged a story about women going to featured two girls in front of a liquor many. A news channel once aired a club at night, and questioned shop. Although the journalist didn’t a piece on short dresses worn by their values and style of dressing. elaborate, the underlying meaning girls, saying sarcastically that even A Tamil magazine had a report was clear enough. It was just monkeys have learnt to wear clothes portraying women wearing another instance of moral policing whereas girls are scantily dressed. leggings as indecent. Also, there by the media, targeting women. There was also a comment that are instances where cameras have The photograph in question was short dresses attract the attention of been readily available to record shot on the day of Saraswati Puja, passers-by. incidents of moral policing. Later, and the two girls were dressed in Yet another news story centred on these clips are run as exclusive or traditional Assamese attire. Men girls visiting bars, and implied that breaking news. buying liquor on the same day it was wrong and against tradition Such reports raise doubts about did not catch the attention of the for women to go to such places. the functioning of the Fourth journalist, who obviously did not Women have become fair game on Estate and its understanding of the consider it worthy of being shared Valentine’s Day, they are ‘ambushed’ definition of news. The freedom on public platforms to trigger and photographed and projected of expression guaranteed by the a debate on traditional values. negatively in news stories. Such Constitution gives the media the There were many reactions to the incidents reflect the prejudices that right to act independently for public photograph; the journalist was Assam’s regional media channels good, for societal equilibrium; it accused of being sexist and, in are prey to. does not provide a license to pass consequence, apologised later. Apart from moral policing, judgements on morals. This is not the first time that the another grim trend noticed in the The representation of women ethical obligations of a journalist media channels of Assam is the by media channels and media or media house have come up focus on ‘beauty’. Many television professionals raises some important for discussion with reference to hours are devoted to the subject. questions. How do women and moral policing. The media’s role as A panel of judges discusses and their choice of lifestyle become society’s watchdog has been taken decides standards of women’s subjects of concern for the media? to a new level of vigilantism that beauty. The proliferation of media Who allows the media to conduct intrudes on personal spaces. houses has added a new dimension moral policing in the guise of Media channels in Assam have to festivals in Assam. On occasions reporting news? consistently focused on women as such as Saraswati Puja, Durga Puja Indian women have already subjects of news. Newshour often or Bihu (a regional festival), almost witnessed dreadful consequences has stories that comment on the every media channel in the state of society’s vigilantism. The morality of women. Women are airs beauty competitions for women country is still plagued by squads often filmed without their consent at which the best dressed woman, of vigilantes, backed by politicians by journalists; they have to face the most beautiful women, etc are who exercise their power to guard charges of being immoral on the selected. perceived traditional Indian values. basis of their clothes, lifestyle, the Elsewhere in India as well, stories Institutions of moral policing, such people they hang out with and woven around moral policing, as the khap panchayat, continue
8 VIDURA April-June 2018 Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration: to function and impose harsh platforms should give publicity to (The writer is a senior research punishment on women who are the consequences and wrongdoings fellow in the Department of Mass deemed to be morally incorrect. of moral policing, rather than act as Communication and Journalism, What Indian society needs is a moral police themselves. It’s time Tezpur University, Assam. Her area of credible media and not another for the media to decide which role interest is media and conflict.) moral police force contributing to it wants to play – that of watchdog
the prevalent misogynist, sexist for a democratic society or of moral treatment of women. Media police. <
T.R. Gopalakrishnan of The Week retires T.R. Gopalakrishnan, editor-in-charge of The Week magazine, announced his retirement on Facebook after an illustrious 35 years at the magazine. He began his career in journalism in 1976 and started working at The Week in 1983. "It has been a great journey for me, to be editor of the country's English news weekly, working with wonderful colleagues and doing some memorable cover stories. But all good things come to an end and I
felt this is the right time for me to open a new chapter in my life. My contract here ends on Feb 28 and I hope to get up on March 1 morning without having to worry about cover stories, pictures and the usual Monday < morning blues," he wrote in his post dated February 9.
(Courtesy: exchange4media.com)
April-June 2018 VIDURA 9 Why does mainstream media throttle consumer rights?
After 51 years as a journalist – 27 of them as a columnist on consumer rights – Sakuntala Narasimhan is still stymied by a question that she asks herself every year as World Consumers Day (March 15) comes round. Why is it that consumers’ rights gets a low priority in the mainstream media, although the statute on consumer protection (passed in 1986) is the one law that applies to each and every one of the 1.2 billion citizens in the country, regardless of age or status?
rom the new born infant in tap water”). Bottled water sales phone users (in a population of 1.2 to senior citizens, everyone run to billions, and urban citizens billions) at last count. Fconsumes or uses a variety in particular, travellers and tourists, Magazines and online portals of goods and services (medicines, buy bottled water “to be on the devoted to consumer issues and clothes, food, water, hospital safe side”. If they are contaminated, rights, like Keemat (published by services) whereas other laws that shouldn’t that be very big news, for the Consumer Guidance Society specifically apply to women, tra- millions of citizens who depend on of India, the oldest consumer ders, advertisers, etc do not affect the media for information? I found protection group in the country) the entire population – in fact, even only two small bits of mainstream and Moneylife (co-founded by the unborn fetus is a consumer (of coverage, neither of them on the journalist Sucheta Dalal who medication and medical services front page. Again, why? exposed the infamous Harshad via the mother). The survey’s credibility wasn’t Mehta case -- available online and Consider these facts: in August in question (it has been endorsed as a hard copy magazine) routinely 2017, a leading multinational by the World Health Organisation) carry reports about cases from the (Johnson and Johnson) was but it was not seen by the media consumer courts (set up under slapped with a massive penalty as ‘important enough’ compared to the Consumer Protection Act of $417 million by a US jury for reports about a film star’s death, or 1986), giving details of complaints suppressing the fact that its talcum the pronouncements of our VIPs filed and compensation ordered, powder can cause harm (which and netas (leaders) ? Whose interests against builders, for example the company knew for a long and concerns matter more in a (inordinate delays in handing over time, while still promoting its sales democracy – the people’s, or VIPs’? apartments), which should be of worldwide). Talc is used extensively Consider this too -- the fashion now vital interest to millions of middle- for even newborn infants, even in is to promote ‘cashless’ transactions, class citizens owning or planning hospitals and in rural areas, and and everyone is required to use to own a flat. especially in the tropics, including smartphones or computers for The reports show that even well- India. The fact that the jury online dealings. But having a educated doctors and professionals penalised the multinational with smartphone or Internet connection get routinely cheated and lose a hefty fine ought to have been does not mean everyone is aware lakhs through fraud. A few of big news, of interest to millions about the dangers of hacking, theft such reports make it to mainstream of users in the country but hardly of bank details, etc. No one tells the media, but only occasionally, found any coverage in mainstream users, especially the illiterate and as small, inside page ‘masala’ media. Why? semi-literate owners (vendors, maid fillers. Shouldn’t mainstream In March 2018, a worldwide servants, domestic workers, casual media (including radio and TV) survey discovered that bottled labourers) about how to safeguard be covering the cases as a public water contains absorbed micro- their interests. Mainstream media, service, to create awareness and plastic particles and that “90 per even in local languages, do not warn citizens? cent of samples tested, including always carry reports about court Neither Keemat nor Moneylife popular brands from well-known cases where compensation has enjoy wide circulation like companies and multinationals, been ordered for malpractices, mainstream papers . Insight were contaminated” (one sample misuse and fraud. Why, when such magazine from CERC of tested from Chennai contained over information is of utmost importance Ahmedabad likewise used to 5000 particles per litre— “twice that and use to owners? We had a billion focus on consumers’ issues, rights
10 VIDURA April-June 2018 Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration: and complaints, along with the grievances to relevant authorities. for an assignment, I suddenly country’s first independent lab That got discontinued when the guessed the answer to the poser test reports on a variety of goods editor changed. that I started this report with – why ranging from electrical appliances Deccan Herald had a thriving, consumer rights are a low priority to food items. It was the first to test award-winning consumer interest for the media. bottled water, over two decades column for more than two decades, The day’s paper now opens with ago. Again, circulation for Insight which included contributions from a full page (sometimes two or three was not what it should be, given leading high court lawyer-activists. full pages) of ads -- for jewellery, its relevance to readers’ safety and That got dropped unceremoniously housing, mall sales. One needs to protection. in 2009, making way for news get to page 3 or 5 before reaching Keemat is only Rs 150 for an about cinema, gossip about film the day’s headline news. As the annual subscription of 12 issues, stars, fashion, etc. Because “that’s festive season approaches, the so cost is not the limiting factor. what readers want”? Really? Does ads proliferate like mad, as if life Femina magazine was a pioneer in that reflect perhaps a pervasive is incomplete without the frenzy devoting a page, every fortnight, to degeneration in social values? Does of buying. Sales offers often cheat consumer empowerment during the the media contribute to it, or reflect too, but the enticement goes on, late 1970s-early 80s; the magazine it? regardless. even helped readers resolve their Recently, while examining the Ads, and more ads, mean more complaints by forwarding the contents of mainstream papers revenue for the media house,
April-June 2018 VIDURA 11 and with corporate ownership another dimension of the current against ‘magic remedies’ and tall of the media (print as well as debate on muzzling of the media – claims—height depends on genes, electronic) becoming the norm, not through political coercion but not gadgets), he might not have profit considerations rather than through commercial pressures of needed surgery. In other words, citizens’ (readers/viewers) rights profits. The issues are thus all inter- the media failed to educate citizens become paramount. Which in turn connected – increasing corporate about existing laws meant for their calls into question another basic ownership of the media, profits protection against charlatans. But question – is the role of the media taking precedence over social good, even after the news item about his only to generate profits, like any citizens’ rights as ‘news’. They surgery appeared in the papers, other business? It costs a bomb to cannot be tackled piecemeal. And I see the same ad, carried on have a full page ad. And it is not for that to happen, citizens’ voices autorickshaws in Bengaluru, with just products that get advertised in need to be strengthened. impunity, to woo other gullible this fashion – as elections approach, In other words, citizens need citizens. Who monitors, who even the government (state as well to ‘get involved’, patronise and checks, who penalises, if the media
as national) takes out full page ads subscribe to media outlets that cater doesn’t lend a hand in exposing extolling their party’s ‘commitment to consumer education, just as one such malpractices? < to the people’. pays a little extra for organic produce Shouldn’t the media be to prevent pesticide poisoning. It is (The writer, based in Bengaluru, is questioning the expense of so after all, OUR rights, to information, a recipient of the Media Foundation’s much public money on ads (Rs safety and protection. And also, Chameli Devi Award for Outstanding 301 crores in Karnataka alone, urge mainstream media to devote Woman Journalist 1983. Her during the Congress’s current more coverage to consumers’ rights. fortnightly columns on gender issues reign – an increase of 1009 per cent After seeing an ad, a boy in and consumer rights ran in the in four years) rather than using Karnataka went in for “height Deccan Herald for 27 years. She public money for much needed increase treatment” last year, and had earlier worked for The Times of road repairs, garbage clearance, had to be hospitalised with serious India Group in Mumbai.) improving services and ensuring consequences; had he known about basic needs? The Modi Government such bogus ads (there is a law at the Centre has spent a whopping Rs 3755 on ads -- achche din for ad agencies? If consumer protection is about creating awareness about Harish Khare quits The Tribune malpractices by corporate businesses, and about judgments Harish Khare, editor-in-chief of The Tribune, a Chandigarh-based from consumer courts awarding newspaper, resigned from his post barely two months after it published damages for fraud (misleading ads, a shocking report on security flaws in the Aadhaar database. Khare, overpricing, tall claims, unethical who was the media advisor to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh practices), the media don’t want from 2009 till 2012, has previously been associated with several English these publicised, right? Prominence dailies, including The Hindu, Hindustan Times and The Times of India, to consumers’ rights would holding various editorial positions. He joined The Tribune in June 2015 mean alerting the public to their and even offered to quit last year in protest against the three-column entitlements vis-a-vis sellers, and apology that The Tribune made for publishing reports on Bikram Singh that would curtail commercial ads Majithia, a former minister, and his involvement in the drug trade.
and reduce revenues for the media. According to an online news portal, the apology was reportedly forced None of the consumer magazines I upon him. < mentioned carry ads (naturally). So it is a struggle for them to survive. (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) Consumer issues are a low priority for the government, too (whatever the party in power). Where does that leave democracy “for the people”? If you covet full page ads for the sake of revenues, you cannot have consumer news items criticising those products/ services. This is
12 VIDURA April-June 2018 The vulnerable still search for food and jobs
Among 119 countries in the 2017 Global Hunger Index, India stands at the unenviable position of 100. The country’s nutrition indicators are no better. Rights to food and work notwithstanding, the poor and marginalised remain hungry and unemployed. Bharat Dogra reports on a national public hearing on the subject
n March 15, the Right to Giridih, due to hunger in January Food Campaign organised 2018. Prominent food rights activist Oa national public hearing Dipa Sinha who was a part of the at the Gandhi Peace Foundation, fact-finding team enquiring into Delhi. People from 14 states testi- the starvation death of Amir Jahan fied about their situation of hunger in Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh), and lack of work opportunities said Jahan’s family did not know before a panel consisting of how to apply for a ration card. eminent legislators, scholars, Her husband had had to give up lawyers, journalists and activists. his job as a rickshaw puller due to Shardaben from Kumbariya Village in Gujarat says that at least 50 Dalit The hearing began with testimonies tuberculosis and migrate to Pune in families in her village have been denied from families that were denied a search of work. ration cards and ration for the last one ration card even though they met Debashish, a sarpanch (panchayat year. their State’s criteria for inclusion head) from Koraput, Odisha, said in the Public Distribution System of the 1393 households in his gram unable to get an Aadhaar card and under the National Food Security panchayat, 175 did not have a ration were denied several entitlements Act. card even though they had applied in the absence of identification Vishwanath from Jharkhand for the cards over a year ago. documents. It was pointed out that talked about the death of Budhni Some homeless persons from it had been claimed that Aadhaar Soren, a tribal woman from Delhi testified that they were would be particularly useful for the poorest people to assess basic services, but the experience of the homeless persons has been that they are denied even Aadhaar cards. Some of them said they had only an election card, which was useful only to caste their votes. Homeless persons like Reshma and Trannum said they were sent from one official to another but their needs were not met. After listening to these cases, prominent scholar Reetika Khera commented that although many poor households were excluded from the ambit of food security, the Campaign should draw strength from its victories. The National Food Security Act was one such success – limited as it might be – she claimed, as it had significantly expanded the
Photos: BD coverage of the Public Distribution A meaningful song, sung in chorus, to kick-start the hearing. System.
April-June 2018 VIDURA 13 Rajiv Gowda, a Congress Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, said though it was his party that had brought in the Aadhaar Scheme, the intention was not to use the Unique Identification system as a tool for exclusion. Testimonies of vulnerable persons denied social security pension followed. Gulshan Khatoun of NOIDA has three sons with disability, but none of them receives pension. Maida Khatoon, also from NOIDA, is a widow who does not get the pension for which she is eligible. Ranjeet Kaur, a woman with disability, has been promised a pension from the Amritsar (Punjab) District Collector several times, but The public hearing at the Gandhi Peace Foundation was well attended. the promises have always turned out to be empty. Activists of the campaign spoke The body mass index of about a redress mechanisms of the Act. of starvation deaths caused by the fifth of India’s adult population is Transparency and accountability denial of services because, for one less than normal. As much as 53 per provisions of the Act also need to be reason or another, the mandatory cent of women and 58.5 per cent of strictly implemented to minimise integration of welfare schemes children are anaemic. Across the transgressions. • with Aadhaar cards could not be country, 45000 women die during The Pradhan Mantri Matru completed. Taramani Sahu from childbirth every year. Vandana Yojana introduced in 2017 Simdega (Jharkhand) told of The Right to Food Campaign is provides a maternity entitlement how Santoshi had died of hunger a network of organisations and of only Rs 5000 – that too only after her family’s ration card had individuals committed to the for the first live birth – and is been cancelled due to the failure realisation of right to food in India. hedged with several conditions. of Aadhaar seeding. Similarly, The campaign has demanded The scheme needs to be modified another activist, Narasimha, gave the better implementation of the to provide pregnant women a details of how three brothers from National Food Security Act (NFSA) minimum, unconditional maternity Gokarna (Karnataka) had starved to in the following ways: entitlement amount of Rs 6,000
• death as their ration cards had been Every eligible family that – as stipulated by NFSA – for all < cancelled due to lack of Aadhaar is now excluded must be given deliveries. cards. compensatory food grains or ‘food According to official data, there security allowance’ as mandated in (The writer is a senior freelance are 19.5 lakh ration cards in Delhi, the NFSA with retrospective effect. journalist based in Delhi who has • but in January 2018 almost a quarter Given the widespread been associated with several social violations of NFSA, there is urgent movements and initiatives.) of the beneficiaries were unable to need to activate the grievance access ration due to Aadhaar-based biometric authentication failure. The campaign has pointed out Dwaipayan joins Mail Today as editor that among the 119 countries included in the 2017 Global Hunger Dwaipayan Bose has quit DNA as editor-in-chief and joined Mail Today, Index, India stood at the unenviable India Today’s tabloid newspaper, as editor. He will be based in Delhi. He position of 100. The country’s replaces Abhijit Majumder who stepped down as managing editor. This is nutrition indicators are no better. Bose's second stint at the India Today Group. For every 1000 live births in 2015- Bose has also worked with The Times of India, where he was the resident
editor in charge of Bhopal, Indore and Raipur editions. He has also been 16, 41 infants died before they were < a year old. The same year, 38.4 per associated with HT Media, Dainik Bhaskar and Network 18. cent of children below five years of age were stunted (as compared to (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) 34 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa).
14 VIDURA April-June 2018 Whither is India’s education system bound?
Are the thousands of schools, colleges and universities in India equipped to cultivate competence, abilities and capacities to meet new and emerging opportunities and challenges? The answer is No, says Prof M.R. Dua. So what is wrong, and what is the remedy?
esterday’s educational these youngsters found wanting in skills; the needs and the basic system will not meet the eyes of employers? The reason requirements of jobs have changed “Ytoday’s, even less so, the is that they have gone through hugely. Are our thousands of needs of tomorrow,” said Professor outdated and obsolete syllabuses schools, colleges and universities Daulat Singh Kothari, chairman of and have not been taught the skills equipped to cultivate competence, the 1964 Education Commission, required in today’s job openings. abilities and capacities to meet new presenting his report to the Union Also, most of the pedagogic and emerging opportunities and Government over half a century infrastructure and supporting challenges? ago. Kothari’s words sound paraphernalia – labs and libraries, No, the reality is that nearly 60 prophetic today. industrial workshops, tools, per cent of the students who pass There is no doubt that India’s techniques and devices – are either out from government and private present education system doesn’t not working or fall way short of institutions are hardly aware of compare favourably with global international standards. the latest research, developments standards, and is much less than India’s educational system is a and innovations. This is also true satisfactory even for domestic needs. complex and labyrinthine venture of alumni of private and Deemed The growing armies of unemployed – with more than 15 lakh schools, Universities. Of course, alumni graduates and mounting ranks of over 35500 colleges and 700 degree- of IITs and IIMs do stand out and jobless postgraduates in subjects granting institutions dotted over make a mark at global levels, but the like History, Sanskrit, Arabic, the country delivering knowledge need of the hour is for most schools, Hindi, Urdu, Political Science or in diverse disciplines to more than colleges and universities to rise to any other Social Science discipline, 20 million students and counting. the occasion and turn out personnel and the overflowing registers of Access to education has markedly ready to take responsibilities. employment exchanges across the climbed, particularly after the Right A recent survey by the Indian country, stand witness to this fact. to Education Act came into effect. Express revealed horrendously low It stands to reason that if these Consequently, the literacy rate is standards at engineering colleges degrees don’t make students eligible also jumping and is nearly 66 per in Haryana, Andhra, Karnataka, for decent jobs, the system needs cent overall. etc. The academic levels are to be thoroughly refurbished and In the days of yore, instructions low because students with poor remodelled. Our schools, colleges in essential axioms of morality, grades are admitted for hefty and universities are producing ethics and philosophy, civilization, monetary considerations; nearly young men and women who are ancient heritage and culture were 300 engineering colleges have been less than prepared for employment, imparted in classrooms. No more. ordered to shut shop, and some 500 because of both their less relevant, The 2ist Century is the age of STEM others are under the HRD ministry’s mediocre academic credentials – Science, Technology, Engineering scanner for inferior standards. The and the poor standard of training. and Mathematics. If teachers Subramanian Committee, the latest They are far from equipped to and trainers don’t fully prepare to study the matter, also expressed immediately join the ranks of aptly youngsters in the niche areas of deep-seated dissatisfaction with qualified and adequately trained STEM, the youth will only swell the teaching and learning levels of workforces sorely needed to take the ranks of the unemployable and students at the school, college and over the new openings that India’s unemployed. university levels. fast-growing economy is throwing Today, nations are looking to An eminent educational up. match high-end, specialised job administrator, N. Sundararajan, So, what’s wrong with our profiles to appropriate scientific feels that by 2030, the existing educational system, and why are and technological knowledge and challenges for Indian education
April-June 2018 VIDURA 15 Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:
– access, equity and quality – will Multiple national and international national investments at all levels only be greatly exacerbated unless educational testing and assessment of educational reform. The Union we significantly transform our agencies have often pinpointed the Budget should make at least a 6 per education model. “The global flaws in India’s overall educational cent provision for this annually. For, economy is undergoing structural model which are crying out for unless new institutions, including transformation; there will be need instant attention. IITs, IIMs, and other institutions of for a workforce of 3.3 billion by 2020, It is necessary to urgently halt excellence are generously funded increasingly in the services and sanctioning of new colleges and to sponsor and conduct quality capital-intensive manufacturing universities. It is a disgrace that research projects, the gaping holes sectors… and 90 per cent of GDP many deemed universities function in higher education and research and 75 per cent of employment will from small premises with poorly will stay put. be in these sectors,” he feels. qualified faculty, openly ‘selling’ Meanwhile, strict financial Therefore, flawed, substandard MSc, MA and PhD degrees. It is audit is essential to check fraud academic streams which do not imperative for the powers that be in universities’ spending, such match current needs should to chalk out an elaborate, vibrant as the incidents reported from be immediately discarded or and multi-faceted education model the Aligarh Muslim University, reformed, borrowing ideas from the to guide India’s youth to meet Allahabad, and universities Universities of Berkeley, Stanford, the demands of the millennium. in Puducherry, Garhwal, etc. London, Harvard, Ottawa, etc. It is also imperative to boost Similarly, academic vigil should
16 VIDURA April-June 2018 ensure that undeserving faculty if scientists are left alone, they their research and academic courses, are not promoted. Such steps will can be more creative, innovative, admission processes, etc. go a long way in encouraging and and dedicated to the pursuit of In brief, a dynamic nation rewarding genuine and original individual and joint research. like India should be at the research and innovation. It’s largely due to such freedom forefront in innovative, out-of- Promotions under the MPS (merit that professors in many western the-box methods of teaching and promotion scheme) should not be nations are able to win prestigious knowledge streams. Diversity, automatic; excellence should be the international awards and honours variety and polymorphism should deciding criterion; merit needs to like the Nobel Prize almost every be the hallmarks of a successful
be respected and awarded, while year. educational system in the New stagnation and a niggardly attitude The good news is that UGC India that we seek and strive to < to scholarship should be dealt with may soon be “freeing top-ranking build. sternly. Introducing innovative institutions from its control… and schemes should be encouraged. provide [them] greater autonomy” (The writer, who spends time Moreover, as technology plays a with some conditions, for starting between New Delhi and California, dominant role in all branches of new courses, new departments, is a professor and former head of the knowledge and education, it should and schools. Journalism Department at the Indian be actively yoked to academic and Another plan is to grant Institute of Mass Communication, research pursuits. autonomous status to reputed and New Delhi.) It has been widely proven that well-established colleges to manage
Cobrapost says paid news widespread Investigative platform Cobrapost has said it had exposed several Indian media houses whose representatives allegedly showed willingness to peddle the Hindutva ideology and malign many senior Opposition leaders and Union ministers in lieu of proceeds ranging from ₹6 crore to ₹50 crore. In its first part of the expose, Cobrapost carried out a sting operation against the representatives of seven TV news channels, six newspapers, three web portals and an agency. As part of the plan, an under-cover Cobrapost reporter offered huge amounts, by way of advertisements and also in cash, for running pro-Hindutva campaigns and also for defaming several Opposition leaders and Union Ministers. Representatives of the said media houses were also offered money to “rake muck” on some prominent names in the legal fraternity, brand the agitating farmers as Maoists and also raise questions on judicial orders. “Codenamed Operation 136, this investigation was undertaken by senior journalist Pushp Sharma and establishes Indian media’s propensity to run content irrespective of its nature to soar up their bottom lines,” said a Cobrapost statement. The reporter promised to pay for promoting Hindutva through customised religious programmes, promoting speeches of Hindutva hardliners, running campaigns against Opposition parties and their leaders and also target certain Union ministers on various platforms. “Shockingly, almost all media houses showed their eagerness to undertake such a diabolical media campaign,”
said Cobrapost. “First, the proposition itself is potentially violative of various sections of the Indian Penal Code, which hold publication of content of communal and defamatory nature a criminal act punishable by < imprisonment,” said the statement, adding that the act violated several other laws. (Courtesy: The Hindu)
Rajesh Ramachandran is Tribune's new editor Rajesh Ramachandran has been appointed as the new editor of The Tribune, sources have confirmed to exchange4media. Ramachandran took over as Outlook's editor-in-Chief in August 2016. He has had stints with The Times of India, The Economic Times, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, The India Today Group and NDTV.
Ramachandran's appointment comes months after Harish Khare resigned as The Tribune's editor-in-chief post barely two months after it published a shocking report on security flaws in the Aadhaar database. < (Courtesy: exchange4media.com)
April-June 2018 VIDURA 17 Three teachers, and three lessons for a lifetime Three teachers, three lessons, each received a decade apart, made Dr Manju Gupta the person she is. The first lesson taught her that she could do whatever she wanted; the second that if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing well; and the third that doing well was not good enough, it had to be her best. The lessons didn’t appear exceptionally profound but they worked because they were well timed and made sense to her
Circa 1968 and was declared president and a I went up to the teacher and I was in first grade. To teach us boy who was much more popular, offered to take the lesser post, being how the government is formed, Ms but had lesser votes, was made vice- the 'weaker sex'. She explained the Lynn Butler, our teacher conducted president. I was surprised by the meaning of 'vice' and added that a mock election. When the ballots outcome more so because I thought even if the post was 'wife' president, were counted, I emerged winner the word was ‘wife-president’. my gender wouldn't have mattered. Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:
18 VIDURA April-June 2018 She said, "You should honour she was smarter than I thought. the organ she was trying to stitch your classmate's trust of choosing And then she said something became clearly visible. She gave me you for the top position and believe unforgettable. She said that if I had a tired smile and said, "Even the in yourself. There is nothing which considered doing it, I should have most mundane and insignificant a boy can do and you can't." Her done it well and put up a more jobs deserve perfection. Don't words made a great impact on me convincing performance. It is no wait for a bigger opportunity to at a time when I was picking up surprise that she had many, much showcase your talent. Do everything subtle hints on gender roles from more illustrious students than me, to the best of your ability and you'll society. astronaut Kalpana Chawla being never have regrets." Though I have I took up the post with a new- one of them. not been able to reach her level of found confidence and lasted the excellence, I think her advice helped term without facing impeachment. Circa 1988 me become the best I could be. This, despite some very I was doing my postgraduation Most teachers try to inspire unpopular decisions like shifting and my boss, Dr Sushila Rathi, was and ignite young minds, some the water break from the second a stern taskmaster. She felt that recognise the perfect moment to do period to the third. my potential was marred by my so. Few realise that their seemingly lackadaisical attitude and so was unremarkable words have the
Circa 1978 specially hard on me. She would ability to change lives. Sadly, very As happened often, I had not constantly push me to do better, few get the gratitude they deserve < done my homework. It was English never accepting my excuses. Her for doing so. class and our school principal, Ms usual refrain was, "Is that the best Vimla Raheja, taught us. I was in you could do?" (The writer is a gynaecologist. She tenth and being the senior-most One day, frustrated by the way blogs at alifeextraordinarilyordinary. class in school she thought that our I was holding the retractor to com about the trials and tribulations of assignments needn't be checked expose the abdominal cavity while livingin a small town of Haryana. Her like fifth graders. She would ask a she operated, she asked me if there articles have appeared in The Hindu, question from the lesson and a few was a better way of doing it. I Hindustan Times, The Tribune and of us would read out answers from changed the angle of my arm and The Week.) our notebooks. Then she would discuss the various viewpoints and expect us to make corrections. Later on, she would sign the copies in her office. NDTV's Uma Sudhir bags prestigious That day she kept on asking Chameli Devi Award me question after question and I pretended to read out the answers NDTV’s Uma Sudhir has been awarded the prestigious Chameli Devi Jain from my notebook. She didn't award for 2017. The Media Foundation, which gives the award, said Sudhir seem to notice that anything was was chosen for the recognition for her impressive body of work covering vital amiss and I was pleased that I issues relating to politics, children, women, human rights, agriculture, rural had been able to fool her. While distress and minority issues. “Her incisive and analytical reports help create leaving she asked me to bring awareness of ground realities in various states. The jurors were impressed with all the notebooks to her office. I the amount of work put into her stories through travelling, talking to people, complied unperturbed, knowing examining underlying issues and finally conveying the stories with a humane that she would miss mine in the touch.” pile of twenty-five others. But to my amazement she asked me to The award was presented on March 9 at the India International Centre in take out my copy from the stack. New Delhi. Named after Chameli Devi Jain, a freedom fighter and home As I stood there dumbfounded, maker, the award recognises women journalists for upholding standards of she calmly said, " It may not always excellence through a sustained body of work. seem so, but living a lie is difficult. The jury commended Suraksha P, senior reporter of The New Indian
Accepting the truth is easier." I Express, with an Honourable Mention for her Aadhaar-related series on managed a meek apology. She said leprosy patients who had no access to social benefit schemes. < she didn't want to shame me in front of the class since I knew the (Courtesy: NDTV.com / The New Indian Express) lesson which was the purpose of the assignment. The showdown in private was necessary to make me realise that
April-June 2018 VIDURA 19 When schools lack even the basics, where is hope?
Aiming to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all as ensued by UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) with the realisation of achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, streamlining education system at the school level across India is the need of the hour and Jammu and Kashmir is no exception, says Afsana Rashid
ammu and Kashmir is the the Kashmir Valley have turned into respective trusts. Absence of any only state in India that has money-minting machines with no regulatory body by the government Jmade education free to all its regular checks and balances. to look into the matter leads to lack citizens at all levels, but the of transparency and accountability. education system in the state is Capitation fee A group of parents questioned still in its nascent stage. A more Enrolment of a child in any private the purpose of such trusts and the than two-decade-long conflict in school starts with the admission silence maintained by the concerned the Valley has disrupted schooling process and the school authorities authorities. “Despite strict ban on and crumbled the support system charge exorbitant capitation fee capitation fee or donation by the apart from there being killings, in the name of ‘donation’ ranging apex court, these schools charge displacement of people and other from Rs 50000 to Rs one lakh. The hefty amount from parents as human rights violations. While donation is usually charged by the donation,” say the parents, adding government schools do not have schools under the banner of ‘trusts’ that absence of any regulatory the basic infrastructural facilities, and almost all private educational mechanism leads to strengthening private educational institutions in institutions here have their the mafia operating in the Valley in the name of imparting education. Even the monthly tuition fee structure in the schools has no uniformity. The private schools charge hefty monthly amounts from the wards ranging from Rs 2000 to Rs 5000, plus bus fare. “A uniform pattern of tuition fee should be devised and implemented after proper categorisation of schools on the basis of infrastructure, basic facilities, staff strengths and all the details ought to be made available on the respective websites of the schools and open to public scrutiny,” add the parents. Though education is almost free in government schools and the staff is well-qualified and better trained, still people do not opt for these schools. The education policy ought to be reframed, redesigned and thoroughly revamped (not just mere cosmetic changes), keeping in view these broader contours. Government, in particular the
Photos: AR Photos: Education Ministry, ought to School children huddled in a van in Srinagar. meticulously invest in the sector
20 VIDURA April-June 2018 No child-friendly toilets Almost no school has child- friendly toilets for kindergarten and pre-primary classes. The design for toilets for kindergarten classes, particularly the height and width of toilet seats, has to be child- friendly, customised and uniformly followed by all the schools. Simply providing schools the license to operate does not absolve authorities of their responsibilities. Regular follow-ups by authorities and timely infrastructure building and upgradation by schools is sorely needed. Research suggests that poor sanitation and lack of toilets in government schools have emerged as one of the major reasons for school-dropouts. The state government in December 2015 announced that 15387 toilets were built in schools across the state under the Swacch Vidyalaya Abhiyan. According to a report by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DISE) under the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, out of 23234 schools in the state, 14116 schools were without toilet facilities (6294 were Ugly sight — heaps of garbage dumped just outside a school in Srinagar. schools for girls and 7822 boys). and investigate wrong-doings so institutions in the state. Infrastructure as to make it a viable option for Schools ought to be well-equipped parents to rely on. No kindergarten and updated with the latest and Interestingly, Education Minister Hardly any private school in relevant tools and technology. Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari told the Valley has a separate junior Good hygienic conditions within the J&K Legislative Assembly in wing for kindergarten classes. It and around the school premises, proper furniture, updated library, January this year that “profiteering is an accepted fact that needs and relevant teaching material and and commercialisation by private requirements of kindergarten science/computer lab, spacious schools has been prohibited by children are entirely different from school compound properly fenced the older ones. Their school timings, the Supreme Court and the school along with sports material and education department is actively duration of time spent in schools, first-aid material comprise the considering bringing legislation to playground and lavatory facilities, basic infrastructure every school regulate the fee structure of private etc cannot be same as those of the ought to be equipped with. Many educational institutions and a draft older children and have to be in sinc studies have shown that majority bill on fixation of the fee structure of with their needs and requirements. of schools run by government lack private schools in the state has been The Education minister in May infrastructure and many (low cost) prepared and shall be laid before last year announced a plan to private schools around are located on the state legislature in due course of establish 800 more kindergartens property that was initially built for time.” The minister informed that in government schools in private residence and later on given the government had constituted “convergence mode” with social out to schools on lease. With the a school fee fixation committee welfare department. Before such result, the main facilities and basic to supervise the regulation of fee start-ups, the basic infrastructure infrastructure are either missing structure of all private educational has to be in place. or in a very deplorable condition.
April-June 2018 VIDURA 21 Almost every private school in students properly seated, they add. class on a real-time basis with CCTV Srinagar has built concrete over a cameras installed in all classrooms major portion of the playgrounds Garbage of government schools in Srinagar. on their school premises, increasing A clean and safe environment Though the move was criticised by the vulnerability of children to within and outside the school some stating that such heightened hurt themselves. “Aren’t any premises is of utmost importance surveillance would be detrimental specifications set by the state but overlooked by some school to creative or meaningful teaching government for registration of authorities. Huge mounds of gar- and learning, or for nurturing these schools? Are these things ever bage dumped just outside the school social capacities to understand and checked and cross-checked by the and the site earmarked for dumping engage with others with empathy, concerned authorities or they are garbage just outside the school is a the same needs a rethink. just enjoying the comforts of their matter of great concern as it relates Parents, who are stakeholders, cozy rooms,” question the parents. to the health of children. Not only have no access to the management Vans used by some schools to should the school authorities take of most of the private schools, and ferry students are overloaded, up the matter with relevant quarters in government schools they hardly making students vulnerable to in the government but the Srinagar bother to intervene. The parent- accidents. It is the responsibility of Municipal Corporation (SMC) school management relationship both parents and school to check too should ensure that no waste/ has to be adequately specified, the capacity and condition of such garbage is disposed within a couple revived and strengthened. In tune vans. Unfortunately, some parents of kilometres around any school. with easy access and availability of don’t mind the bad practice. Internet facility, school authorities Some schools have hired local CCTV ought to introduce, develop buses during morning and Keeping in view the rising cases of and design technology-assisted afternoon hours as it incurs them child abuses, it should be mandatory communication (in terms of apps) less costs, but commuters suffer as for every school to have close so as to establish effective and
the number of buses plying routes circuit television cameras (CCTVs) meaningful communication with is few during the time-slots. The functional in their schools and share parents and other stakeholders. < parents demand action against live footage with the parents, on such schools and cancellation of demand or if required. The Arvind (The writer is a Srinagar-based route permits of such buses. Kejriwal-led Delhi Government had freelance journalist) It should be ensured that all announced that the parents would the school buses are spacious and be able to see children studying in
Kannada Prabha celebrates 50 years of publication Kannada Prabha is one amongst the oldest serving and most trusted Kannada dailies in Karnataka. It has turned 50 years old . Kannada Prabha, was founded in 1967 by Gandhian freedom fighter, Ramnath Goenka, who was also a politician, businessman and a media mogul. It has inherited the ideals of its founder and has been practising straight, bold and relentless journalism, since its first issue on the 4th November, 1967. The paper was part of Indian Express' fight against the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975. It also played an active role in Indian Express' campaign against Indira Gandhi, and was instrumental in creating a public opinion in favour of the first non-Congress government at the Centre 1977. Under the editorship of Khadri Shamanna, Kannada Prabha, took a valiant stand on issues of the state and its people. The newspaper's support in favour of the fight against Hindi imposition, the Gokak Agitation, the Cauvery dispute are a few examples of its pro-people reportage. It has also scripted many firsts in Kannada journalism: from publishing PUC results, to bringing out a special supplement on the occasion of Deepavali; to publishing weekly exclusive magazines for women, magazines related to commerce, cinema and health; as well as, printing daily calendar pages and publishing daily serials. Kannada Prabha's journalistic breakthroughs also include, a separate column for legal matters, students, Kannada comics and colour printing. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary, the January 18th issue was a 134 page collector's edition which received rave reviews from readers and advertisers. The publication is now part
of Asianet News Network Media Group. With its strong digital news portal, Kannada Prabha, is accessible to Kannadigas all over the world and with its sister News TV channel Suvarna News, advertisers have an unbeatable < combination to reach the Kannada speaking markets. (Courtesy: exchange4media.com)
22 VIDURA April-June 2018 Cartoons – could they be agents for gender parity?
International Women’s Day was celebrated with the usual fanfare in India on March 8th this year, with governments and other bodies listing the progress made in improving the status of women, and new women-oriented schemes being announced. But the World Gender Report 2017 put all the hype in perspective when India was found to rank just 108, lower even than China (100) and Bangladesh (47). If anyone still believed that women were beginning to get a better deal in India, the Asifa rape case put that idea out of their heads, says Mou Mukherjee-Das
he deep-seated gender bias, emanating from age- Told traditions, cultures and taboos, has percolated through generations and is practically all- pervasive. These long-held thought processes can only be overcome by questioning them. The media has the power to challenge these thoughts. It also has the power to positively influence the ideas and ideals of children, who take the batons of tradition and culture forward. Cartoons, in particular, can be powerful agents of change. It is a commonly-voiced criticism Children of Durgapur Public School pictured in a jubilant mood. that cartoons are male-dominated and portray gender stereotypes she may sometimes be brave too, cartoons in the villages of West such as the angry male who is plays second fiddle to the male. Bengal, found that they did actually strong and brave, and the caring Yet, a survey conducted by this help children develop a progressive and nurturing female who, though researcher during her study on attitude vis-à-vis gender. Irrespective of whether they were girls or boys, the children praised cartoon characters who were brave, honest and simple, like Shizuka (Doraemon), Chotta Bheem (Chotta Bheem) and Ninja Hattori (Ninja Hattori). They were critical of Suniyo (Doraemon) and Amara (Ninja Hattori) because they were cowardly. The boys surveyed were quick to say that they helped their mothers with their chores, just like Nobita, Jian and Kenichi do. Nanhe, an eight-year-old boy, admitted that he was originally very naughty, and his mother scolded him just like
Photos: MMD Nobita’s mother did, and started Students in a class at the Madhabmath Free Primary School in Kanksa Block. comparing him with Doraemon. The block is developed by ESSAR oil as a CSR project. As a result, he has started helping
April-June 2018 VIDURA 23 have electricity and Cable TV connectivity. Although confined to a small pocket, the results of the study can be taken as indicative of a shifting paradigm in the aspect of gender parity. Cartoons can be useful in bringing about positive
changes, and the marketers should keep their tiny consumers in mind < while framing the plots.
(The writer is an educator who is presently engaged in research work on cartoons and media literacy of children and their impact. Her areas of interest include media studies and new media.)
A teacher acts out a character as the children watch her every move.
in the house, mainly by keeping his own room clean and tidy. Mukul, another boy, asserted that mothers No ads of tender notices in newspapers always work hard for their children. Advertisement in cases of tenders above a certain threshold, value He said he had realised this on should be placed on the Central Public Procurement Portal (CPPP), seeing Nobita’s and Jian’s mothers. Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Portal, as well as on the websites of The boys laughingly admitted Ministries/Departments/organisations, says an office memorandum from that it was Shizuka, a girl, not the Ministry of Finance. According to the memorandum, the requirement Nobita, the boy, who is held up of compulsory advertisement in newspapers as per the General Financial as an ideal in their homes when it Rules (GFR), 2005 has been dispensed with, and GFR 2017 is applicable. comes to values. The girls admired The Finance Ministry has also requested other ministries and departments the bravery of both Chutki and to provide year-wise details of expenditure on advertisements in papers Rani Indumati (Chotta Bheem). and magazines for procurement, if any, issued by them. It has also They were more or less unanimous directed the ministries and departments to provide the number of tenders in the opinion that cartoons like year-wise where advertisements in the newspapers have not been made Chhota Bheem and Doraemon had by them in accordance with GFR 2017. The deadline for submitting the taught them that no work can be information is March 31, 2018. segregated as solely the domain of Last year in May, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had issue boys or girls. They reported that an advisory informing about the new provision as given in the amended they don’t didn’t experience much GFR 2017, in respect to tender advertisement for procurement of goods gender disparity in their homes. and services. “These rules have done away with the need for publishing The children who were advertisements in newspapers for procurement of goods and services,” the interviewed for the research project advisory reads. were from Standards 2 to 4, and E-publishing of advertisement on CPPP at www.eprocure.gov.in and on were drawn from both English GeM has been made mandatory as per the amended GR 2017. “In case a and vernacular medium schools ministry/ department/ attached subordinate office/ field office, still insists in Durgapur in West Bengal’s that the advertisement should be published in newspapers, a request to Burdrwan District. Durgapur is DAVP should be sent in a signed letter stating that the competent authority known chiefly for the steel plant has approved publication of newspaper advertisement(s) despite the new there, and is West Bengal’s third GFR provisions,” the advisory issued by I&B Ministry adds. However, largest city. It draws people from it also adds a condition that only window advertisements should be
all over India to live and work published in newspapers along with publications on CPPP, GeM and the < there. It has many schools and websites of respective organisations. colleges imparting instruction in both English and vernacular (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) languages. Even remote corners
24 VIDURA April-June 2018 Financial acumen is still a closed book to many women
Women in India are steadily progressing towards economic equality with men. Yet, many still leave management of their own earnings to their fathers or husbands. This general truth is borne out in microcosm in Coimbatore, as revealed by a recent survey of over 100 women from various fields by Sathyapriya M.
study of the level of financial being in charge of their financial al had exposed the low level of finan- knowledge of women in security, even well-employed cial literacy among rural women in ACoimbatore, Tamil Nadu, women are not in a good position Tamil Nadu. However, Coimbatore has revealed that, despite the to handle their own money. is an industrialised city and home to obvious advantages of women A 2014 study by Mathavathani et a number of multinational financial Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:
April-June 2018 VIDURA 25 organisations. Particularly over the financial literacy programmes for its com is a new personal finance past two decades, women have been staff. site for women in their 30s while taking up positions of responsibility A college professor, Poornima, Pocketsmith is a personal finance in various city organisations. emphasised that actualising software which helps people Therefore, the question of how financial literacy in everyday life understand and organise their they manage their finances and was substantially more important money. provide for their own futures than frequently attending courses Overall, studies demonstrate assumes importance. That was the on the subject. She suggested that women don't find money and consideration that motivated the that educational institutions investment as intriguing as men. study by this author. link financially literacy courses They find investment decisions Why are women, who are to all disciplines of learning. distressing, troublesome and accomplished and holding Manimekalai, an assistant manager tedious. However, for their own responsible positions so hesitant at a private bank, had fundamental good, they cannot and should not with regard to their finances? Do budgetary knowledge, but felt she avoid learning how insurance women consciously take a back seat needed training in the use of money functions, understanding tax when it comes to money matters, management tools such as Vault, planning and figuring out how to
or are they simply confounded by Mint.Com and mobile apps that save for retirement. Women must numbers? help people manage their personal leave their shells and develop an < For answers to these questions, finances. enthusiasm for personal finance. the study connected with almost Obviously, not all women lack 100 women working in various financial aptitude, many may just (The writer, based in Coimbatore, fields in Coimbatore city. An need time to become knowledgeable has a doctrate in Personal Finance. astounding 87 per cent of the in the subject. Financial advisors say For this article, she was guided women surveyed revealed that many women need to be prodded by R.Nandagopal, Director - every financial decision was taken to evaluate their financial planning. PSG Institute of Management, by male members of their families. They might find LearnVest and Coimbatore.) About 79 per cent of the women Pocketsmith useful. LearnVest. were found to have little or no knowledge of mutual funds. Almost all respondents (98 per cent) are currently repaying loans, yet just Express scribe Ambika Raja bags three out of ten understand how EMIs work. Besides, 85 per cent NWMi Fellowship don't understand the ramifications of putting their resources into gold Ambika Raja, trainee reporter at The New Indian Express, Kozhikode, ETFs and how the high making has been awarded the second edition of the Network of Women in charges of ornaments eat into Media-India (NWMi) Fellowship for 2018-19 instituted by NWMi. profits. The fellowship consists of an annual stipend of Rs 60000, professional Women from different pro- equipment and mentorship. fessions were asked how they The fellowship is given to women journalists working in challenging would enhance the level of their situations, remote areas or conflict zones. Ambika has been wheelchair- financial literacy amidst their busy bound since 2014 when she sustained a spinal cord injury in an schedules. Subhashini, chief of an accident. Despite the major setback leaving her paraplegic, she went on to study at the Asian College of Journalism (Chennai) and pursue a organisation, said: "Essentially, career in journalism. financial literacy ought to be The NWMi Fellowship selection committee decided to confer this created from adolescence. Financial year’s fellowship on Ambika as a tribute to her strength, courage literacy campaigns must be activity- and determination in the face of adversity. She won the fellowship oriented as well as inventive in from among the 16 women journalists from Assam, Andhra Pradesh, approach.” Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir (including Ladakh), A. Priya, a physiotherapist at Jharkhand, Karnataka and Kerala. Applicants belonged to various a private hospital, stressed that minorities, marginalised communities who represented print, online,
unless one focused on and tracked television and radio. The first recipient of the NWMi fellowship was money, it was difficult to have a grip Jayanti Buruda, a journalist from Malkangiri, Odisha. < on how it was spent. She felt that budgetary planning and financial (Courtesy: The New Indian Express) knowledge were critical, and every organisation should institute
26 VIDURA April-June 2018 Where are the women in urban planning?
Roti, kapda aur makaan (food, clothing and shelter), the three basic needs of a human being, is universal. In fact, there was even a Hindi movie with the eponymous name in the 1970s. While food and clothing are definitely on the top of the rung, shelter or a house to live in is no less important. Ranjita Biswas looks at the ‘women question’ in the planning of urban housing and hopes that women will get due recognition under the new housing schemes
n the past few decades, as rural hinterland due to various planners. Hence, the question of a major chunk of the world reasons, congestion and pressure how to plan future cities, taking Ipopulation has been on the on the existing infrastructure have into consideration all the aspects of move to urban areas from the posed great challenges to urban rapid urbanisation, is increasingly Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:
April-June 2018 VIDURA 27 cropping up, not only in India, but between good urbanisation and their needs in the household space. across the world. It was at the crux development.” It is worth noting that women and of the UN Habitat III Conference According to the India Habitat III girls comprise close to 50 per cent on Housing and Sustainable Urban National Report (2016), the country of the urban population in India Development held in Quito, the now has 423 million people living today. capital of Ecuador, in 2016. in cities and towns, poised to rise Anju Pandey, programme The two earlier ones were held in to 606 million in 2030, the goal year specialist (Ending Violence against 1976 (Vancouver) where attention in the UN’s Agenda for Sustainable Women), UN Women-India, says was drawn to the fact that the Development. The trend has also most of the urban housing planning world was urbanising rapidly but brought a shift in the country’s GDP around the world is “gender haphazardly, and in 1996 (Istanbul) with the urban sector’s contribution blind”. where a global action plan to being at 60 per cent. Ensuring Women have their special provide shelter for all was adopted safe, inclusive and resilient cities needs, not necessarily fulfilled in a as the Habitat Agenda. is part of the SDG No. 11, which homogenised ‘housing complex’. India was a signatory, among 193 envisages, among others, adequate Street lighting, sanitation and member countries, participating and affordable housing and basic street designs have particular in the Quito conference where the services for all by 2030. impact on women’s feeling of New Urban Agenda was launched, However, in the planning of urban safety. In an ABP News-Nielsen which emphasises “a paradigm shift housing, what is often overseen, survey post-Nirbhaya gangrape based on the science of cities” and “a say many experts, is the ‘women’ case, 62 per cent of the respondents new recognition of the correlation question. That is, brushing aside said that women safety in Delhi
Small is useful in crowded Bengaluru As the city expands, activists and residents are going hyperlocal online to connect with the community, says K.C. Deepika Bengaluru is having a thousand local conversations these days, with the rise of community websites, blogs and social media groups. These hyperlocal forums pick up the latest on civic issues, easy commute options, property listings and upcoming events. Bengaluru became bruhat Bengaluru, indicating its growing stature, and residents are flexing their civic strengths to highlight their own localities. The city’s citizen activism is getting a boost through online engagement, while newer residents get a quick wrap-up of their locality even before they arrive. Nithya Reddy from the Citizen Welfare Association of Richmond and Langford Town says the local Town Crier newsletter has been around for a while, but has been given a makeover to connect with residents even more closely. “We felt that so many civic issues need to be addressed and it can’t just be one or two people or the association office bearers looking into them. The newsletter and a Facebook page — Reclaim Richmond and Langford Town — let residents get in touch with councillors and so on. These forums let people know there is an association and how they can get in touch. We list our meetings with the traffic and law and order police, for instance. Politicians have also taken notice of the Association, as a result,” she said. The Association has a WhatsApp group for each street. Residents of Indiranagar have a collective blog named I Change Indira Nagar. “We wanted to invite residents to write. We also collect ward-wise information and provide links to newspaper articles about the area. For those who want to get in touch, there is a contact form with details of residents’ associations,” said Swarna Venkatraman. With the arrival of real time interactions, such as on social media and WhatsApp, the blog took a backseat, though. There is a plan to revamp the blog soon. The fast-growing suburb of Whitefield has an eponymous umbrella body for residents’ associations, called Whitefield Rising. It has a cyber presence through a newsletter and website. Zibi Jamal from the website said it is a repository — a one-stop shop — for the movement which turns five this year. “City-scale news is available in newspapers, but what is more relevant to residents is locality-specific information. The newsletter is not as regular as we want it to be, but it hits the inbox when it comes to campaigns such as Million Voter Rising. Upcoming events, and follow-up on issues and actions is there,” she
said. Despite its vast reach on social media, though, it is still hard to reach out to everyone. Newsletters, she added, lend formality and seriousness to the initiatives that people are taking in their community. <
(Courtesy: The Hindu)
28 VIDURA April-June 2018 had not improved after; 60 per cent work and back, women were on people into public spaces and of the respondents said that they multi-nodel travel – picking up the promoting walkability and cycling felt afraid to leave the house alone. children from school, performing with the goal of improving health As Saskia Sassen, professor of other chores, even shopping; they and well-being”. sociology, Columbia University, have to change modes of transport Gender equality, No. 5 in the SDG observes, “Urban planning is not too – a bus, an auto-rickshaw, etc agenda, stretches to women’s share gender neutral. While there has according to the distance. In the in the urban planning. At a recent long been research on how urban process, they also have to pay more media workshop on the subject systems fail to respond to women’s on transport. organised by the UN Information needs, it was only a decade ago Cities will need to make a Centre and UN Habitat in New that the subject surged. Since then, concerted effort to improve women Delhi, Hardeep Singh Puri, Union countless cities have been host to and girls’ experience of sustainable minister of state with independent initiatives addressing a version of modes of transport to achieve a charge in the Ministry of Housing the ‘urban-planning gender gap’.” target of 40 per cent of all trips, the and Urban Affairs, said that 11 It is seen that a simple street policy brief says. Public space for million homes were required in light can reduce violence or fear of women is another area that is often India’s urban sector. The new violence. In Kolkata recently, a girl ignored, especially in India. housing policy unveiled by the returning from work in the evening Pandey says that not in a single government takes into consideration by a lane parallel to the main road case we see plans for public space the gender question, and ensure the from the airport with hundreds of for women, a meeting place where “dignity of girls”, he informed. commuters and cars plying, literally they can meet and communicate. The Pradhan Mantri AwasYojana had to run screaming for help when It is particularly relevant in India promises housing for all by 2022. she found a car with four youths as women, living close to the The affordable housing initiative following her on the ill-lit lane. community in rural areas, migrate plans to provide homes to 18
Fortunately, she could get help. to cities with families and often million households in urban India In Brazil, the Safe Cities for feel ‘de-rooted’. They need a space and nearly 30 million households in < Women Campaign developed by outside the confines of the home to rural India. Action Aid for the municipality converse with other women in the of Garanhuns, launched a plan of community, share their thoughts (The writer is a senior journalist public policies for women’s safety. and problems which can act as based in Kolkata.) It followed reports that 60 per cent catalysts to alleviating stress. of women feel unsafe in urban The New Urban Agenda spaces limiting their freedom of Declaration promises support for movement. “community initiatives, bringing Well-planned and adequate transport in urban and semi- urban areas is important too for women, whether home-based or Avinash Kaul is COO, Network18 full time workers. Transportation helps women access economic and Netweok 18, one of India’s most diversified media conglomerates social opportunities. SDG (11.2) today announced the elevation of Avinash Kaul as chief operating envisages that by 2030 there should officer. Kaul will oversee the operations of all national and regional news be “expanding public transport channels. He will also continue in his role as managing director of A+E with special attention to the needs Networks and TV18. of those in vulnerable situations, Kaul joined TV18, one of India’s leading television broadcast networks
women, children, persons with in mid-2014, and since then has been responsible for the overall profit disabilities and older persons”. and loss responsibilities of all the brands managed by him. < In 2017, ITDP (IT Department of Professionals, Bhopal) and (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) ‘Safetipin’, an app-based tool to make cities safer and more inclusive for women, worked together with UN Women on a framework of policy brief on the subject, Women and Transport in Indian Cities. It noted that while men were usually on uni-travel mode from home to
April-June 2018 VIDURA 29 Childhood obesity – a threat to the future health Lack of awareness about the dangers of childhood obesity has kept India a long way from accepting it as a serious public health concern, and our duty to inculcate habits of healthy eating and exercise in the upcoming generation. Parents must wake up from their slumber before it is too late to save our children and the future health of India, says Aditi Panda
alnutrition and un- binge on junk food which is easily dernourishment are available. Alongside unhealthy Mareas of concern for the eating habits, they are forced to government and figure on the live a sedentary life because of long priority list of policy makers and school hours, tuitions and academic administrations around the world. pressure. The minimal leisure time Innovative schemes and policies available to them is usually spent are burgeoning at the global level watching TV or playing games on to eradicate malnourishment and the computer or smartphones. bring all children under the safety The Global Nutrition Report 2017 net of proper nutrition. Ironically, based on a study across 140 countries amidst this worry, a crucial aspect – found that a staggering two billion Genetically, Indians are prone to the rising rate of childhood obesity, of the world’s seven billion people weight accumulation, especially particularly in metropolitan cities – were overweight. There is little around the waist, and a lifestyle is ignored. doubt among leading public health without physical movement makes Children in urban areas are more experts that obesity has become a that danger even worse. After inclined to be obese as they regularly serious epidemic. economic reforms took effect, disposable incomes have risen and the country is moving towards a consumerist culture. Liberalisation brought in MNCs and global brands and competitive pricing made international fast food joints accessible. The urban Indian middle class considers a visit to these outlets a status symbol. Children are exposed to the fast food culture from a very young age. With 6.12 per cent of obese children in the age group of 2-19 years, India ranks second in the world (after China) with a total of 14 million obese children. India has to tackle the twin problems of under-nutrition and the alarming rise in obesity. “By 2025 obesity related diseases such as heart ailments and diabetes will approximately cost the country $13 billion annually,” says Sujit Kumar Mohanty, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Central University of Odisha.
30 VIDURA April-June 2018 Unfortunately, lack of awareness has resulted in the country being a long way from accepting obesity as a serious public health concern. Childhood obesity can lead to life- threatening conditions as well as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and other disorders even in children. Other repercussions such as diseases related to liver, premature puberty and respiratory problems can affect the development of children. Neel Sengupta, a dietician who runs his own breakfast solution says, “Sandwiched between a busy parent's schedule and easily available packaged foods, the health of the young generation is in total disarray. The balance between the macros and the micros are hardly met. Prioritisation of the right eating habits among kids is the need of the spectacles at a very early age and not get a chance to eat junk food. hour. Preparing nutritious food is having weight issues. Eating local Urban children are trapped in the not a function of time but intent. produce, avoiding packaged food competitive rat race, double-income A total of 10 to 15 minutes spent in and eating at the right time are system and the blandishments the kitchen rather than falling back the three mantras for reducing by the media. The urge to play on readily available food can make obesity.” outdoors has been displaced by the difference. The habit of eating Home delivery of junk food has the lure of gizmos and gadgets. the right food has to be set in place made it even more accessible to But one problem that parents have from a very young age. It is sad children. Children living in villages tried to cope with down the ages to see kids having no inclination are in good health because they remains unsolved intact – that of towards outdoor activities, using play in fresh air, eat at home and do children refusing to eat home food, especially vegetables. Children have no energy and time left at the end of the day to eat, so it’s essential to camouflage the veggies to ensure that the regular quota of nutrition is fulfilled. “Adding sprouts or grated veggies to make nutritional rotis or making colourful changes to a monotonous raita can entice a child to eat happily. Innovative combinations of sprouts and salads make delicious toppings on brown bread sandwiches to replace a burger or pizza,” says
Gayatri Samantray, who has school- going children. <
(The writer, based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, works freelance for the state government and several funding agencies. Her field of interest is disability, gender, child rights, child protection and accessibility.) Cartoons: AP Cartoons:
April-June 2018 VIDURA 31 Child-friendly education is the need of the hour The move to allow states to detain students at the Standard 5 and 8 levels doesn’t bode well for the boosting of education, many stakeholders feel, while others argue that it will motivate students to put in more effort. Rakhi Ghosh provides the broad picture
leven-year-old Puja Nayak was undertaken in 28 districts is worried. She studies in spread across 24 states of India. In EStandard 5 at a government Odisha, the study was conducted school in Odisha. She knows she is in Khordha District. not particularly bright and has to put The report on the basis of the in consistent effort to score average study said the ‘no detention policy’ marks in school examinations. “I had systematically lowered the am good in all subjects except for learning levels of students. But Math. I have a fear of the subject educationists and activists in the and I have asked my father many State argue that “we can’t improve times to let me go for extra tuition, the learning ability of a child by but he is reluctant to do so because detaining him/her in class; rather of financial constraints,” says the it will de-motivate the children and young girl. later increase dropout rates”. Puja’s father is an autorickshaw The decision to scrap the ‘no driver while her mother detention policy’ will have an supplements the family kitty by adverse impact on the education working as a domestic servant. Puja system as well as on thousands has been able to remain in school of children, according to some so far because of the government’s stakeholders. According to Section policy of not detaining students up 16 of the RTE Act, no child can to Standard 8. The policy of free and Chinmaya Panda, a Class VI student. be detained or held back in a compulsory primary education for class until the completion of his all children helped Puja’s siblings Many other children are in the or her elementary education up to go to school, but they were same fix. Chinmaya Panda, now to Standard 8. The objective is to forced to give up their studies after in Standard 6, says, “I have to be retain those students who drop out Standard 8. Puja, the youngest child attentive in class. If I miss any class due to fear of failure. of the family, is worried because of of Maths or English I will not be able Experts say, instead of detaining the government’s move to remove to catch up. There is no one at home children, government should the no-detention stipulation. who can help me in studies and our ensure a child-friendly education The RTE (Right to Education) financial situation doesn’t permit system in schools. “Most children Act universalising primary me to go for private tuitions.” in backward and rural areas are education for children aged 6 to The findings of Annual Status first-generation learners and they 14 was implemented from the Educational Report (ASER) for rural don’t get an atmosphere at home 2010 academic year. Last August, India in 2017 reveals that over 25 per of learning. So, detaining a child the government introduced an cent of teenagers in the 14-16 year may push him out of the education amendment bill in Parliament to age group is incapable of reading system instead of providing him a allow states to detain a child at the text in their mother tongue fluently, chance to learn,” says Anil Pradhan, end of Class 5, Class 8 or both. The while 57 per cent has difficulty in convener, RTE, Odisha Forum. bill is now with the Parliamentary solving simple Math problems, Many teachers in government Standing Committee. “If I am especially division. Moreover, 21 per schools are completely against detained in Standard 5, I will feel cent of the teenagers didn’t know the ‘no detention policy’. Bichitra shy to attend school; if I am detained the name of the state they reside in Mishra, who teaches at the twice my father will not allow me and 36 per cent were unable to name Harihara Vidhyapitha where Puja to continue my studies,” says Puja. the country’s capital. The survey studies, argues that “because of
32 VIDURA April-June 2018 this flexibility students have lost competitiveness and have no interest in scoring good marks. If government introduces a policy allowing students to be detained for poor performance, it will create fear among them and they will devote time for studies. Also, their parents will be serious about their studies.” Pradhan says the learning levels were falling even before implementation of RTE. “There are schools in remote areas where teachers do not even attend work regularly, so how will the students perform well?” The RTE Act has given a chance to all children, including girls, to Class IV and VI students study together in a classroom. get free and compulsory education till Standard 8. In rural areas, in many families, traditionally, girls policy change allowing detention] and conduct holistic assessment rear goats, help their mothers is implemented in schools children every two months. The teachers with household chores and take from tribal and Dalit communities to need to be trained to conduct care of younger siblings instead will be the sufferers. Now at such assessment and also to impart of attending school. There was no least they are getting a chance to education in a child-friendly focus on their education, but the enrol in schools, but by detaining manner to students who find studies RTE Act has given them a chance them for poor performance they difficult,” says Prof Uday Nath to get an education. “In migration- will be deprived of their right to Dash, a well-known educationist prone districts, parents take their education.” in the state. “Without teaching children along with them to help In remote villages children attend them properly we are punishing at worksites for additional earning. schools for the sake of the mid-day students and throwing them out But through seasonal hostels and meal (a school feeding programme) of the elementary education fold, hostels especially for tribal girls which helps to meet their nutritional and that will create another kind of we try to retain them, give them a requirements. This will also suffer problem,” he cautions. chance to get an education and save if detention is permitted and Jamuna Samartha, a member of them from the evil of child labour. consequently children lose their the School Management Committee Detaining a child in a class may motivation to attend school despite from Mayurbhanj District, who push them back into same hellish their right to free and compulsory is a tribal and illiterate, says, “We situation,” says Umakanta Sahoo, education, say those who are send our children to schools to be activist at an NGO working in against the move. educated so that others can’t cheat Bolangir District. Many experts feel the problem lies them. They will be aware of what is Pradhan concurs. “If this [the in the system of education. There going on around them, and will be aren’t enough qualified or trained able to communicate with people teachers. Teachers are not willing from other communities. But to work in remote villages and without teaching them properly sometimes one teacher teaches two and improving their educational or three classes in the same room. ability, if they are detained in class, Tribal children find it difficult to they will be de-motivated and lose understand the Odia language. In interest in attending class regularly.
some schools, though government And this generation will remain has introduced MLE (multilingual) illiterate like us”. < teachers for tribal students, the system does not work well. So, it (The writer is a freelance journalist is necessary to introduce a child- based in Bhubaneswar.) friendly assessment system rather detaining a child, they say. Photos: RG “Teachers should keep a track Puja Nayak, a student of Class V. of the performance of students
April-June 2018 VIDURA 33 PADMAAVAT Sifting through arguments and counter-arguments
An analysis of various discourses on the controversial film about television, Facebook, Twitter, and other public platforms by Sandhya Rajasekhar and S. Jaishree reveals the weakness of protestors’ arguments, the protectionism of mainstream media, the meekness of the filmmakers and the silence of government and opposition leaders. Ultimately, the filmgoer cast the deciding vote, as Padmaavat boomed in the box office, they say
ilmmaker Sanjay Leela the protestors, spearheaded by film be screened for Hindu and Bhansali’s Padmaavat, bas- the Rajput Karni Sena members, Kshatriya leaders before release. Fed on the legend of the 14th an organisation of the Rajput The Congress also supported the Century Rajput Queen Rani community, expressed their dissent call for banning the film if there Padmini of Chittorgarh, created in manifold ways. The sets of was any distortion of history as discord and triggered widespread Padmavati were destroyed and its claimed. BJP MLA Diya Kumari, protests and discourse across Indian crew attacked, resulting in damage a member of the erstwhile royal society, including governments, worth crores of rupees. family, came out strongly against political parties, fringe groups and Other groups like the Jai the movie on Twitter. ordinary citizens. Rajputana Sangh, the Sarv Brahmin Film personalities, including This is not the first time that films Mahasabha, Jauhar Smriti Sansthan actor Kamal Hassan, expressed in India and elsewhere have faced and the Rajput Caste Coordination support for the film (November 22, trouble during their making or Committee demanded that the 2017). The Bengal Film Fraternity prior to release, but the controversy movie be shown to historians and in Kolkata denounced protests over Padmaavat, originally titled intellectuals before its release. As the against Padmaavat and announced Padmavati, seems to be the longest date for release got closer, Rajasthan a 15-minute blackout in the entire and most widespread. The India witnessed massive demonstrations, industry (November 28, 2017). Today television channel described vandalism and threats to burn down The film fraternity by and large it as “Bollywood’s most hounded theatres screening the film. Protests supported Padmaavat, and called film ever”. were also held in South Kolkata, it a case of ‘misplaced priority’. The evolving scenario of the Gujarat, Bihar, Mumbai, Lucknow Acclaimed film maker Adoor protests – the media attention, the and Bangalore. Gopalakrishnan expressed the view arguments and counter-arguments The Karni Sena called for a that the constitutional guarantees of of detractors and supports and the countrywide bandh on December 1, freedom of expression were under public discourse – was intriguing. 2017, the day Padmavati was slated threat in India. The Chief of the Reports in the national daily, The for release. After the film makers Central Board of Film Certification Hindu, television debates on the themselves postponed the release, (CBFC), Prasoon Joshi, explained row, and #Padmavati/#Padmaavat the bandh was called off, but the that the Board was working towards on Twitter were analysed by the Karni Sena stuck to its demand for a balanced decision on Padmavati. authors of this article to map the a ban after the CBFC awarded a U/A The Supreme Court said its episode and gain an insight into certificate to the film and suggested “conscience is shocked” that states various opinions and mindsets. changing the title from Padmavati had guillotined creative rights A study of more than 88 articles to Padmaavat. It even threatened to and stayed the ban on screening on Padmaavat in 77 issues of kill Senior Supreme Court Lawyer Padmaavat. It observed that the The Hindu from 29th September Harish Salve who represented CBFC certification denudes states 2017 to 31st January 2018 reveals producers of Padmaavat. of power to prohibit exhibition of a stiff opposition to the film from Ironically, fringe elements and film and refused to entertain pleas many groups and politicians and politicians based their claim of to cancel the CBFC certificate. comparatively limited support distortion of facts on a 3:05 minute The Central Government from a few quarters. Claiming trailer of the film. The chief minister has been severely criticised for that the movie 'distorts history', of Gujarat demanded that the its silence during the entire
34 VIDURA April-June 2018 Illustration: SR / J
Colour key: Red: protestors, Pink: supporters, Green: neutral, Black: silent.
Padmavaat row. Moreover, BJP-led would ensure law and order. In padmaavatofficialpage. It notched state governments that were mute its editorial denouncing the attack up 2804 followers and 2779 likes. spectators during the violence and on school children by protestors The official page uploaded the trailer damage to property inflicted by in Gurgaon, The Hindu criticised of the film, carried the filmmakers’ Karni Sena and other fringe groups the state’s failure to stand up to statements and published regular were not censured. Prominent vigilantism. Malaysia banned updates on the changes made in the members of various parties screening of Padmaavat, owing movie. expressed individual views and to fear of angering the Muslim #PadmavatiTrailer had 15 million issued threats on the matter, not community in the country. views in 24 hours on YouTube. It also necessarily along the lines adopted Mainstream television channels garnered 500000 likes on YouTube. officially by their parties. Before were unanimous in fighting for The posts for #PadmavatiTrailer on its release on January 25, 2018, freedom of expression and giving Twitter were full of encouragement.
Karni Sena leaders finally agreed unflinching support to the film. There were portraits, illustrations, to watch Padmaavat on Bhansali’s Members from the protesting quick surveys and support for the < invitation. groups, the BJP and other parties, film. On the day of the release, Gujarat, were grilled at televised debates. Haryana and Rajasthan failed to But the channels were also criticised (The writers are associate professors, control violence over Padmaavat for providing a platform to fringe School of Communication and Media (January 26, 2018), contrary to elements to whip up passions and Studies, MOP Vaishnav College for the assurance given earlier by play to audience sentiments. Women, Chennai.) Information and Broadcasting The makers of Padmavati had Minister Smriti Irani that Padmaavat an official Facebook page, the would not face any trouble on its name of which changed from release, and that state governments Padmavati to Padmaavat Film @
April-June 2018 VIDURA 35 VIEW FROM THE NORTHEAST Call to revive and preserve a historic library
Civil society groups in Assam are calmouring for the revival of a languishing public library-cum-hall in Guwahati that hosted many stalwarts of India and was a venue for several stirring meetings during the Independence struggle. Nava Thakuria has the story
f walls could talk, the Nabin Named after a great Assamese Ram Das, Jagannath Baruah (B.A. Chandra Bardoloi library patriot, socio-political leader and Jagannath), Satyanath Bora and Iwould have many a stirring writer, the library-cum-public hall a few others established Curzon tale to tell. Located in the midst is a century-old structure. Built on Hall with the help of generous of Cotton University, Handique the western bank of the picturesque donations from the public. Then Girls’ College, the High Court, Dighalipukhuri Tank in 1910, it was Chief Commissioner Henry Cotton State Museum, Ravindra Bhawan initially known as Lord Curzon Hall. and Commissioner Lt Col Gordon and other landmarks in the heart It was dedicated to the memory of supported the initiative and of Guwahati, the library-cum- Karmavir Nabin Chandra Bardoloi the library-cum-public hall was public hall has hosted many great in 1953 under the aegis of then completed in a year. personalities of yesteryear. Yet, Assam Chief Minister Bishnu Ram Cotton College was located in the moves are afoot to dismantle the Medhi. same area. By 1912, Curzon Hall historic building and hand over the The roots can be traced right back was shifted to its present location premises to some state department to the big Assam-type house built at and the old building was used to or the other. Getting wind of the Panbazar locality in 1900 to welcome house the Cotton College library move, persistent voices are being Lord Curzon, then viceroy to India, and is still being used as such by raised to revive the library and who visited Assam in 1903. Great the students of the prestigious use the hall to hold select public personalities like Manik Chandra institution. The first public library gatherings. Barooah, Rai Bahadur Bhuban of north-east India, it also housed the Assam State Library in 1953. The latter was later shifted to the southern bank of Dighalipukhuri in 1960. The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) took the responsibility of restoring the hall in 1969. But the Corporation started using the hall as a branch office in 1975 and like many government buildings across India, this historic one too fell victim to carelessness and official apathy. Today, the huge campus has virtually turned into a GMC dumping ground. Officials of the GMC as well as of the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) and Cotton College (now a university) have separately appealed to the government to shift the library Photo: NT elsewhere and hand over the The eye-catching facade of the Nabin Chandra Bardoloi Library. premises to them, as they all have
36 VIDURA April-June 2018 plans to utilise the space to meet A recent meeting of the All India conducted the free screening their growing needs. Patriotic Forum resolved to demand camp for five days from April 9. However, various civil society an immediate revival of the library- Underlining the need for post- groups, including the Assam cum-hall for the benefit of the test consultations, the hospital has Association of Architects, the common people and booklovers assigned an experienced physician state unit of the Indian Institute of in particular. Organised on the to counsel the scribes on their blood Architects and the Assam Library occasion of Karmavir’s 82nd death reports. Association have vehemently anniversary on February 15 this Lipids are essential organic opposed the move to dismantle the year at the Guwahati Press Club, the molecules in the blood and stored building. They stress that it was a meeting also called for installing a in tissues. They play an important witness to many historic events in life-sized statue of the great patriot role in the functioning of the the last century and was graced by at an appropriate location. human body. Dr Jayanta Bardoloi, most of the Assamese stalwarts, While senior journalist D.N. managing director of Dispur including many national heroes Chakravarty described Bardoloi Hospital, stressed the need for in that period. They want it to be as one of the outstanding national regular lipid profile tests after a declared a heritage building. leaders of the pre-Independence certain age, as they help identify “As a witness of many historic era, Padma Shri recipient Ajay genetic ailments and determine risks events, the hall is a symbol of the Dutta paid homage to the great for cardiovascular disease and pride and tradition of Guwahati. soul. AIPF Assam unit president certain forms of pancreatitis. Most important meetings of the Rupam Barua, academician Dr Guwahati supports hundreds town used to be held there till the Jagadindra Raychoudhury, social of journalists working with over Sixties,” says Dipankar Banerjee, a worker Jaharal Saha, singers Kishor 25 daily newspapers, several prominent history scholar, adding Giri, Anindita Choudhry and Ruma periodicals, five satellite news that Rabindranath Tagore, Acharya Barua and many others recalled channels, a few entertainment P.C. Roy, Ashutosh Mukherjee, Bardoloi’s patriotic zeal all through channels and FM Radio as well as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and his life. portals dissemenating news and Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan The Patriotic Peoples’ Front, other content in Assamese, Hindi, were among the many who Assam, supporting the growing English and other languages. delivered lectures at the hall on public demand, came out with a The City Press Club has been various occasions. statement denouncing any move taking steps to increase healthcare The hall also played an important to shift the public library from its awareness for many years. It runs role in India’s freedom struggle – it present location. The Front wanted a weekly out-patient clinic for the was there that Karmavir Bardoloi the revived library to be always benefit of over 300 active members appealed to the students of Cotton open to the general public. and has organised over 100 free College to join the Independence health camps so far. In this, it has Movement. His call received an Health camp for scribes been supported by GNRC Hospitals, overwhelming response from the A lipid profile screening camp Down Town Hospitals, Apollo student community. covering a group of working Hospital (Chennai and Guwahati Karmavir (1875-1936) was journalists in Guwahati indicated campus), SIMS Chennai Hospital, already a prominent Congress that nearly one-tenth of the Manipal Hospital (Bangalore), leader from Assam, associated participants needed urgent medical Fortis Hospital (Bangalore), with Gandhiji’s Non-cooperation attention as their cholesterol and Medanta the Medicity Hospital Movement. An Arts graduate triglycerides levels were far above (Gurgaon), Ayursundra Hospital, from Presidency College and Law the permissible limits. Almost half of Barthakur Clinic, Wintrobe graduate from Ripon College under them needed lifestyle modification Hospital, Nemcare Hospital, Sun Calcutta University, Bardoloi was (read more physical activity), added Valley Hospital, Excelcare Hospital, elected to the Legislative Assembly the health camp report. Rahman Hospital, Narayana Super- in 1934 and was spokesperson A total of 13 of the 130 scribes Specialty Hospitals, Swagat Super-
Surgical Institute, Sight First Eye for the Opposition at one point. who were screened were diagnosed < Clinic, etc. with high triglyceride levels. A visionary leader, he was also Among the participants (mostly instrumental in establishing two (The author is a senior journalist and males aged 25 to 65 years), members important institutions – Earle secretary, Guwahati Press Club.) Law College and Cotton College of Guwahati Press Club, 40 per cent in Guwahati. The Government of seemed to be maintaining good India commemorated him with health. a postage stamp in his centenary Assam’s popular healthcare year. institution Dispur Hospital
April-June 2018 VIDURA 37 GREAT INDIAN EDITORS An outstanding journalist, an intellectual and a nationalist Sisir Kumar Ghose was sharp, intelligent and brave enough to take on the might of the British rulers – for public interest. A man of supreme intelligence and principles, he championed the cause of a free press and condemned the oppressive policies of the establishment. Though media was still in a nascent stage in 1800s, the newspaper he edited – Amrita Bazar Patrika – dared to openly criticise the unjust policies of the British Government and thus helped form national opinion. Mrinal Chatterjee on the man and his times
isir Ghose was born to During the time, peasants were Amritamoyee and Hari exploited by Indigo planters due SNaryan Ghose, a rich merchant to the zamindari system and Amrita from Magura in Jessore District in Bazar Patrika took up the cause. the Bengal Presidency (presently Speaking for the poor farmers, the area is in Bangladesh), in Amrita Bazar Patrika quickly gained August 1840. He had two brothers: popularity among the masses as a Motilal Ghosh and Golaplal Ghosh. people’s paper but irked the imperial His father had built a market and masters no end. named it Amrita Bazaar after their The outbreak of plague from mother. He was among the first where they operated was harsh batch of students who passed in on the newspaper. So, in 1871, it the first entrance examination of shifted base from Amrita Bazaar Calcutta University in 1857. to Calcutta. Here, it became a Along with his brothers, bilingual weekly. Due to Amrita Sisir Ghose founded a weekly Bazar Patrika’s growing popularity
newspaper in Bengali and named and continued anti-establishment Photos: MC it Amrita Bazar. It began publishing stance, the British admnistration A picture of Sisir Kumar Ghose. on 20 February 1868. They printed was miffed. Reportedly, the then and published Amrita Bazar Patrika lieutenant governor of Bengal, Sir from a wooden press that was Ashley Eden, called the editor, Sisir printed material that it deemed purchased for Rs 32. Despite not Ghose, offering to contribute to the objectionable. Heavy fines were having much formal education, newspaper on the condition that he slapped and several editors jailed. Motilal Ghosh served as its first let him approve the final version Since the Act targeted newspapers editor-in-chief. before it went into publishing. To published in vernacular languages, Sisir Ghose was, however, closely this, Ghose not only declined the Amrita Bazar Patrika stopped involved in all editorial aspects. offer, but also told him that “there printing in Bengali and turned into ought to be at least one honest an English newspaper overnight! journalist in the land”. Be it economic exploitation or Having failed miserably in denial of civil liberties, Amrita Bazar thwarting the newspaper, it was Patrika went all guns blazing against accused of sedition for its writings the ruling imperialists through and fined repeatedly. The worst was their reportage and editorials. yet to come. It was Ghose’singenuity Their pro-people coverage was a in handling of the crisis that proves thorn in the flesh of Britishers. The the adage, ‘If there is a will, there paper became a daily in 1891. It is is a way’. Then Viceroy of India credited as the first Indian-owned Robert Bulwer-Lytton promulgated English newspaper to foray into the Vernacular Press Act in 1978 investigative journalism. A commemorative stamp on Amrita to clampdown on the media. The A reporter of Amrita Bazar Patrika Bazaar Patrika, issued in its 100th Act gave the Police sweeping sifted through the waste paper bins year of publication. powers, such as to confiscate any of the viceory’s office and pieced
38 VIDURA April-June 2018 A front page of the Bengali edition of the paper. together a torn letter detailing established the political outfit, India authority on the writings of Nobel Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice’s (5th League, along with Kali Mohan Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. He Marquess of Lansdowne) or Lord Das, Shambhuchand Mukherjee is well known for his biography Lansdowne’s plans to annexe and Jogesh Chandra Dutt, in 1875. named Amiyanimal Charit in Kashmir. After reading the letter The nationalist organisation pre- Bengali; the work consisted of on the first page of Amrita Bazar dated the founding of the Congress six volumes, of which first three Patrika, the Maharaja of Kashmir Party. Though aspiring to stimulate published in 1885-86 and the rest in went to London and lobbied for the middle class and masses and 1896. The book entailed the story of independence. formed chiefly with the objective to a great Vaishanava saint; since then On December 31, 1868, Ghose inculcate nationalism in all Indians, the volumes have undergone many described the misrule of the India League was superceded by editions. He also translated Prabhat Britishers in the paper thus: “The the Indian Association on July 26, Kumar’s Life of Tagore in English. Bengalis are determined to oppose 1876. Ghose translated Sri Aurobino’s the tyranny of the Englishmen at Ghose lived most of the time articles in English, articles that every step.” Espousing the cause in Santiniketan where he was described Aurobino’s life in prison of India’s independence, Ghose a professor of English and an and courtroom. The translations
April-June 2018 VIDURA 39 become the main text of the teach true patriotism to a proved followed in the footsteps of his book, Tales of Prison Life. Being a and unparalleled patriot”. illustrious father and exuded the Vaishnavite, he is remembered During Lord Curzon’s tenure as same gusto. Amrita Bazar Patrika for writings on mystic saint Lord viceroy, Amrita Bazar Patrika had continued to blaze a trail based on Chaitanya. In 1897, he penned a several brushes with the appointed Sisir Ghose’s ideals. Long after his book on him titled Lord Gauranga head of India. The newspaper did demise, Sisir Ghose continues to
or Salvation for All. He is, thus, not take kindly to the partition motivate generations of journalists. respected as a renowned scholar of of Bengal province in 1905. The < mysticism. newspaper is quoted as calling Ghose’s literary pursuits never Curzon “young and a little foppish, (The author, heads the Eastern India came in the way of his journalistic and without previous training but campus of the Indian Institute of trail. A nationalist at heart, he invested with unlimited powers”. Mass Communication in Dhenkanal, vehemently protested against the To rein in the newspaper and Odisha. This is the fifth in a series crucification of freedom fighters. force other media houses to toe of profiles of great Indian newspaper When Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the the government’s line, the Press editors who have, through the course fiery editor of Kesari newspaper Act of 1910 was passed. The British of their work and career, made a signal was prosecuted for sedition on Raj demanded Rs 5000 as security contribution to India's Freedom 1897, Motilal Ghose and Sisir money and charged its editor, Movement, to the development of Ghose raised funds for his defence Motilal Ghosh, with sedition. society and to the development of and to secure his release. They Though they had to shell out the Journalism.) printed a scathing editorial and amount, Motilal Ghose came out of lashed out at the judge who had the ordeal unscathed thanks to his sentenced LokmanyaTilak, as he eloquence. was popularly known, to six years Sisir Kumar Ghose passed away in prison. They called out the on 10 January 1911 and was survived judge’s bluff for “presuming to by son Tushar Kanti Ghose, who
Now, a govt committee to regulate online media The government has constituted a committee for framing regulations for online media, news portals and online content. An official order (dated 4 April, 2018) has been issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. “It has been decided to constitute a committee to frame and suggest a regulatory framework for online media/ news portals, including digital broadcasting and entertainment/infotainment sites & news/media aggregators,” the order read. According to the order, the committee comprises 10 members, and will have representatives of the Press Council of India, News Broadcasting Association and Indian Broadcasters Federation. The Terms of Reference (TOR) of the committee, according to the order, includes delineating “the sphere of online information dissemination which needs to be brought under regulation, on the lines applicable for print and electronic media.” The committee will “recommend appropriate policy formulation for online media/news portals and online content platforms, including digital broadcasting which encompasses entertainment/ infotainment & news/media aggregators keeping in mind the extant FDI norms, programme and advertising code for TV channels, norms circulated by PC, code of ethics framed by NBA and norms prescribed by IBF.” The newly formed committee will “analyse the international scenario on such existing regulatory mechanisms with view to incorporate the best practices.” The content telecast on private satellite TV channels and transmitted/re-transmitted through the Cable TV are regulated in terms of the Programme and Advertisement Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (CTN) (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994, framed thereunder. TV channels are required to adhere to the Programme & Advertising Codes mentioned in the CTN ACT and there exists a mechanism for dealing with any violations. Similarly, the Press Council of India, has its own norms to regulate the print media. But “there are no norms or guidelines to regulate the online media websites and news portals including digital
broadcasting like entertainment/infotainment & news/media aggregators,” the order read. “Therefore, it has been decided to constitute a committee to frame and suggest a regulatory framework....” <
(Courtesy: exchange4media.com)
40 VIDURA April-June 2018 Indian media, entertainment industry zooming digitally
The Indian Media and Entertainment (M&E) sector is on the cusp of exhibiting growth, on the back of digital-related innovation both by the consumer and the content supply chain. The changeover from analogue to digital has been powered by affordable Internet facilities and cameras in mobile phones; these have transformed media in a never-before-seen way. Digital facilities have altered the approach to content and involvement in media, as users display a tendency to access content on the latest screens. Pulugurta Chandra Sekhar provides the perspective
ndia puts out the highest According to BARC (Broadcast crores. Advertising revenue grew number of hours of content Audience Research Council, India), by just 1 pc the same year. Online Iin the world, with 2000 films, advertising insertions grew 10 pc dailies have increased in metros, by more than 800 TV channels, from the previous year. Digital 11 pc. Digital content is still notably around 250 radio stations, over a advertising dominated with 47 pc under-penetrated by several lakh of newspapers and magazine of the total advertising revenue. players. editions and vast coverage of live Of this, 30 pc was contributed by Cinemas are the biggest source of events. Further, as India’s digital the top 10 Hindi channels thanks entertainment in India, with 2000 infrastructure developed, gaming to the launch of several free to air films released in 2017. Indian cinema became a segment by itself. The movie channels on Doordarshan registered the highest footfalls in the film sector gained – international Free. English news and English world. Regional movies dominated revenues added to its resurgence as entertainment segments registered the industry with Telugu in first a quality outsourcing destination a fall in viewership in 2017 while position with 300 films, followed by in the animation, VFX and post- content in regional languages like Tamil and Hindi. production business. Punjabi, Odia, Bhojpuri, Assamese Baahubali 2: The Conclusion With the launch of Internet and and Gujarati witnessed nearly (originally made in Telugu and digitalisation, new segments such double the rate of growth of content dubbed into Hindi, Tamil and as live events, out of home (OOH) in languages like Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam) was a landmark in media, online gaming, animation Telugu, etc. the history of Indian cinema, and VFX, music and sports have In 2017, news channels taking regional cinema to fresh become integral segments of the concentrated on nearly 10-15 heights in 2017. One of the greatest industry. Indians are opting to stories a day for in-depth analysis, blockbusters of all time, it sold 5.25 access content of their choice in reflecting an increase in the time crore tickets for the Hindi version their own mother tongue at a spent on studio-based content alone. Dangal proved a hit overseas, convenient time and place. The showing anchors and guests in especially in China. Tamil cinema, craze has in turn raised the demand conversation and debate. however, registered negative for content, and the industry is also As much as 87 per cent of children growth, with domestic collections gaining importance internationally in the age group of 2-14 watched coming down 5 pc from Rs 996 as an entertainment provider. non-children’s channels, according crore to Rs 946 crore in 2017. The sector grew by about Rs to A Peek into Kids Viewership India has the second largest 150000 crore in 2017 – a rise of published by BARC India. This online video audience. In 2017, 25 nearly 13 per cent, according to may be due to co-viewing with crore people viewed videos online, the latest FICCI reports, with adults. The report added that the 64 pc more than in 2016. Audiences digital accounting for a 29 per cent group accounts for 20 pc of the total have shown preference for short increase, film 27 pc, animation and TV impressions, the highest among duration content, with the average VFX 23 pc, gaming 18 pc, events 15 all age groups. length of videos viewed being pc, TV 11 pc, music 7 pc, radio 7 pc The print sector is the second 20 minutes. In the entertainment and print 3 pc. The dissemination largest in the Indian media and category, videos and music of TV in India has gone up to 64 pc, entertainment industry, and currently account for nearly 90 pc of reaching 78 crore individuals and registered a 3 pc growth in 2017, consumer preference. The liking for 18.3 crore households. achieving revenues of Rs 30300 vernacular and regional language
April-June 2018 VIDURA 41 Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:
content is continuously rising, with 30 pc on entertainment and 30 pc on a strong local connect. Online
93 pc of the time spent on videos other genres such as gaming, news gaming shot up to 17.6 pc in 2017. being bagged by Hindi and other and ecommerce. < regional languages. With the launch of Jio in the last Meanwhile, smartphones are quarter of 2016, app downloads have (The writer is a research scholar, JJT cementing the growth of the digital gone up to 65 pc. Entertainment apps University, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, media in India, which is the second increased by 120 pc in 2017, taking it and works for the News Services largest smartphone market in the to fourth position after Social, Tools Division of All India Radio, world after China. Urban areas and Photo/ Video categories. The New Delhi.) account for 64 pc of smartphones top five Video OTT (over the top) and rural areas 36 pc . apps are YouTube, Hotstar, Jio TV, The average mobile Internet user JioCinema and Voot. in India spends almost 70 pc of the The radio industry grew 6.5 time on platforms like Facebook pc in 2017. It is favoured by the and WhatsApp, and accessing youth. Film music is the focus of music and entertainment apps. Of FM radio. As much as 76 pc of the the total time consumed by a mobile audience choose FM radio stations, Internet user, about 40 pc is spent on accessed through mobile devices social media and communication, at home or in transit, bringing in
42 VIDURA April-June 2018 NOSTALGIA A hard-to-please film critic who simply loves the old classics
For long very enthusiastic about contemporary cinema, Partab Ramchand explains why he has virtually stopped going to movie houses and is content to watch old classic films on the Internet at home
have been a movie buff for as either as a filmgoer or film critic. I that the film had no sex, violence long as I can remember. When I spent hours at the British Council and bad language and was either Iwas very young I accompanied or American Centre libraries going a comedy or a family entertainer. my parents to the matinee or through innumerable film books That was how I came to see and evening shows and when I became – both serious and the coffee table appreciate Kabhi Kushi Kabhi a teenager I graduated to going variety. I pored over the writings Gham, Hungama, Baghban, Taare for night shows. This was all in of Pauline Kael, Stanley Kauffman, Zameen Par and the two Munna the days before television came to Judith Crist, Vincent Canby, Bosley Bhai films. But, overall, I found Madras, my hometown, in 1975 Crowther, John Simon, James Agee, myself losing touch with the film and I eagerly looked forward to Michael Billington and other well- scene and could hardly recognise my visits to the various theatres to known film critics. any of the stars or film makers catch up on the latest films. My earliest movie recollection when I watched the annual Oscar I loved going to the movies with are of the late 1950s, watching or Filmfare awards on television or my friends but if none was available New Delhi, Chalti ka Naam Gaadi, read about them in magazines and I still made it to the theatres alone. Insaniyat and Goonj Uthi Shehnai. newspapers. For one thing, I just loved the movie In the Sixties, I began appreciating Fortunately, by this time the experience and by going alone I English movies and my first hero Internet had made an appearance. was able to follow them closely and was Stewart Granger. The Sixties Thanks to YouTube and other by the time I was about 20, I became in India was the era of Rajendra technical advances I was able to a keen student of films sometimes Kumar and Shammi Kapoor and I see old classics in the comfort of knowing them more by the director never missed a popular movie. Then my home albeit on a smaller screen than the stars. I also never missed a came my days as a film critic and I with Halliwell’s Film Guide and chance to see old classics during the viewed the movies with a different Halliwell’s Filmgoers’s companion Sunday morning shows that were perspective even as I earned a name constantly by my side. Seeing the popular at the time. as a rather hard-to-please critic. Hollywood classics of the 1930s, In 1968, I joined the Indian Express The love affair with the movies Forties and Fifties as well as many in Madras as a sports reporter continued through the 1970s, 80s old Hindi films of the Fifties and and the editor in charge of the and 90s, but by then I could see Sixties have in the last decade and cinema page, coming to know of the love was diminishing with a half proved to be an unforgettable my interest in films offered me each passing year. Being a bit of experience. The film production the chance to review movies. I an old timer brought up generally code of those days saw to it there jumped at the opportunity and for on ‘wholesome’ entertainment, I was hardly sex, violence and bad many years covered the Hindi and found the growing tendency for language and that is the way I English movie scene in the city. films to have an overdose of sex, have always enjoyed seeing these This brought me close to the film violence and abhorrent language. movies. people – be they stars and directors, Also, computer graphics had taken My favourite stars these days are technicians and film distributors, over and the technical wizardry not Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, and I became more aware of the only went over my head but also in Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Rita technical and commercial aspects my view frequently obscured the Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe of film-making. storyline. and I am always on the lookout Enjoyable, entertaining and By the start of the New for films directed by John Ford, enlightening are the words that Millennium, I had virtually given John Huston, Frank Capra, come to mind when I look back up going to the movies unless I was William Wyler and Billy Wilder. on my days of going to the movies assured by members of my family Yes, I do have a weakness for
April-June 2018 VIDURA 43 Hollywood classics but I am also able to appreciate old British films Focus on 'democratic process' particularly those of the New Wave of the late Fifties and early Sixties – A Taste of Honey, Look Back in at PR Day celebrations Anger, Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Room at the Top, A Kind of Loving and so on. I don’t mind admitting that the movies of the highly acclaimed European masters Michelangelo Antonioni, Luchino Visconti, Federico Fellini and Ingmar Bergman go right over my head. Of course, there are always the evergreen entertainers which can be seen over and over again. While serious films are always welcome for ‘time pass’ as the expression goes, there is nothing like a breezy film with a judicious blend of drama, dance, music, comedy, romance and a happy ending and Photo: NT sans the computer graphics and the technical wizardry. In my Nava Thakuria holds the attention of those on the dais and the audience. retirement, this is how I spend my evenings. The Public Relations Society to enable the electorate to judge Certainly movies like Bobby, of India’s Guwahati Chapter their potential, instead of parties Seeta aur Geeta, Caravan, Yaadon celebrated National PR Day allocating huge sums as poll ki Baarat, Teesri Manzil, Waqt, on April 28th. City Police expenditure. Aradhana and Kati Patang can be Commissioner Hiren Chandra Stressing that India should focus watched repeatedly since they are Nath, the chief guest, spoke on being the greatest democracy all high on the blended qualities about Indian Democracy: Mantra rather than being the largest one, mentioned above. Admittedly, for Effective Elections. He held Thakuria said it was the duty of
some of them may be called escapist the audience spellbound with every eligible citizen to participate but they entertain and that should < interesting anecdotes and diverse in the electoral process with utmost be the last word. perspectives on the theme, sincerity.Photo: Bijoy Ghosh He also suggested giving garnered during his over two some responsibilities to those with (The writer is a senior sports decades of experience in policing. sizeable electoral support, who journalist who has more than a He regretted the “urban apathy emerge as the closest rivals of the passing interest in cinema.) towards the democratic process”. winning candidates. Senior journalist Nava A journal, Seven Sisters, was Thakuria, addressing the audience also released on the occasion in comprising distinguished the presence of PRSI office bearers Log on to personalities, PR and corporate Anu Majumder and Sita Barua
communication professionals as and eminent Assamese poet well as students, made out a case Sananta Tanti, among others. < www.pressinstitute.in for nominees of various political to read more such parties engaging in public debates articles
44 VIDURA April-June 2018 The best in Bengali cinema are recognised
Samabartan, roughly meaning ‘convocation’, is the name given to the awards instituted by the West Bengal Film Journalists Association for outstanding contribution to Bengali cinema. The awards are based on the number of films released during a calendar year. A shortlist is prepared and members of the association are asked to indicate their choice of filmmakers, actors and technicians for prizes. The films winning the largest number of votes get the top award in each category. Shoma A. Chatterji has more on the second year of the awards which was held in February
f the 88 films released cinema today. The film traces the Actor in a negative role (Sudipta in 2017, only 35 made the shifting values across generations Chakraborty) and Best Make-up Oshortlist for the 17 awards. trapped within evolving conflicts (Somnath Kundu). The Lifetime Achievement Award arising out of the negative impact The Best Supporting Actor went to 87-year-old filmmaker of globalisation, the sense of (Female) award went to Mamata Tarun Majumdar whose films are responsibility towards an ageing Shankar for her portrayal of a sick memorable for their fine balance parent and family values that mother tied to a hospital bed in of storyline, treatment, music and get strained due to the pressure Pratim D. Gupta’s very entertaining entertainment. He is still making of circumstances beyond one’s Maccher Jhol. In her moving films and his latest, Bhalobashar control. acceptance speech, she said she felt Bari (The House of Love), will be Veteran actor Soumitra Chatterjee honoured to be chosen from among released later this year. and Prosenjeet Chatterjee bagged her very talented co-nominees who The award for the Best Film of the Best Actor Award for their deserved the award as much or the Year went to Mayuraskhi (The performance as father and son perhaps more than she did and that Stream Within), jointly produced by respectively in Mayurakshi. she wished to share the award with Firdausul Hasan and Prabir Halder Jaya Ahsan of Bangladesh won them. She invited them on stage who head Friends Communication, the Best Actress Award for her and hugged each of them. one of the better production stellar performance as the young The Best Cinematographer houses in contemporary Bengali and beautiful widow in Bisorjan Award was shared by Shubankar (Immersion). It is a delicately Dhar (Maacher Jhol) and Samik woven love story between the Halder (Amazon Abhijaan). Neha widow and a guest from India who Gandhi and Pansy Saha bagged the she is forced to separate from when Best Costume Designer Award for he turns out to be an illegal entrant Cockpit, which also won for its new into Bangladesh and is suspected leading lady, Rukmini Maitra the of arms smuggling. The film had Most Promising Actor (Female) for bagged the Best Bengali Film Award her multi-layered performance. this year at the 64th National Film Awards. Bisorjon bagged the maximum number of awards this year. They included the Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Best Screenplay awards (Koushik Ganguly). The award for Best Actor in a Comic Role was bagged by Lama, Best Art Direction by Gautam Bose and Best Music by Bisorjon was directed by Koushik the late Kalikaprasad. Arindam Ganguly, and starred Abir Chatterjee Sil’s controversial film Dhananjoy Champ, directed by Raj Chakraborty, and Jaya Ehsan. bagged two awards -- Best starred Dev, a popular actor.
April-June 2018 VIDURA 45 Nur Aslam and Samiur Alam won the Most Promising Actor (Male) for their wonderful performances in Sahaj Pather Goppo which also fetched the film the Best Promising Director Award for debutant director Manas Mukul Pal. The same film bagged awards for the Best Photos: SC Soumitra Chatterjee and Prosenjit in Mayaurakshi, directed by Atanu Ghosh.
Background Score by Chandradeep award for Best Editor for Bibaho Goswami and Indradeep Dasgupta. Diaries. Arijit Singh won the Best The Best Sound Design award Playback Singer (Male) Award for was shared among three sound his song in Champ, Ritom bagged designers, namely, Manas Mukul the award for Best Lyrics for Pal, Dipankar Chaki and Amit Projapoti Biscuit and Chandrani Kumar Dutta for the same film. Banerjee won the Best Playback The Most Popular Film Award was Singer (Female) for the same film. won jointly by two films, Posto and Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee anchored Bibaho Diaries. While Dev won the the show, the theme being comedy Dhananjoy, directed by Arindam Sil, Most Popular Actor for his work in and comedians in Bengali cinema, starred Anirban Bhattacharya. Champ, Pronoy Dasgupta won the taking the audience on a nostalgic revisiting of the stellar roles played by actors like Tulsi Chakraborty, Bhanu Bandopadhyay, Jahar Roy and others. Veteran actress Sabitri Chatterjee and filmmaker Sandip Roy came in as special guests
for the programme held at Priya Cinema. <
(The writer is a senior journalist and film historian based in Kolkata. She has won the National Award for Best Writing on Cinema twice, the Bengal Film Journalists Association Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Laadly-UNFPA. This article had appeared in a different version in Silhouette Magazine.)
Mamata Shankar in Maacher Jhol, directed by Pratim D. Gupta.
46 VIDURA April-June 2018 Are raptors finally making a return? Disciplined and innovative measures to stem the decline in vulture population, which dropped alarmingly in India and adjoining countries over the past decade, have been showing some results in the case of a few species. Diclofenac, a painkiller used by veterinarians for cattle, has been primarily responsible for the fall. It will be economically prudent to do as much as possible to stabilise the numbers of the birds which are Mother Nature’s scavengers, says Rina Mukherji
he decline in the population Diclofenac, a painkiller used by surveys, established the role of of the White-rumped vulture veterinarians for cattle, has been Diclofenac. Tin India has slowed, and even primarily responsible for the fall The Oriental White-backed or possibly reversed, bringing cheer to in vulture population, since it is White-rumped vulture is found the hearts of conservationists and neuro-toxic for the birds which all over India from below 1500 wildlife enthusiasts. feed on animal carcasses. Although metres in the Himalayas. The In a paper titled ‘Recent changes in Diclofenac has been banned since population is most concentrated populations of critically endangered 2006, it continues to be illegally in the Indo-Gangetic plains. The Gyps Vultures in India’ published procured and used. However, the Long-billed Vulture is found south in Bird Conservation International, strictures on its availability have of the plains. It is mostly endemic Vibhu Prakash et al say that though contributed to the gradual growth to India, the exception being a very the population of the Indian Vulture in the vulture population all over small population in Pakistan. The continues to drop, the rate of fall South Asia. Slender-billed Vulture always had has slowed. The report, based on BNHS has been involved in a restricted distribution, and is surveys conducted in 13 States in tracking the vulture population found north of the Indo-Gangetic North India, could not determine and conservation and breeding plains. Now it is largely confined to anything about the population of programme since the 1990s. It was Assam. the Slender-billed Vulture, which also instrumental in identifying According to Prakash, who had earlier been found to stand at the cause of decline in vulture also heads the BNHS Vulture only about a thousand. populations, and through extensive Conservation Breeding Programme, India has nine species of vultures in the wild. Of these, the population of three species — White-backed Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture and the Indian (Long-billed) Vulture – once widely distributed, dropped by nearly 99 per cent in the wild over the past decade. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), a pan-Indian wildlife research organisation, therefore decided to conduct the study focusing on the three species, sys BNHS deputy director and lead author Prakash. Though the circumscribed scope of the study has limited the significance of the findings, the figures are heartening because the vulture population had declined alarmingly in the past few years. It had reduced by 35 per cent between 1994 and 2000, after which the drop was 11 per cent per year. Long-billed Vultures in the wild.
April-June 2018 VIDURA 47 In addition to the breeding centres, vulture-safe zones were notified in Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Assam and Jharkhand with BNHS help. These zones, each with a radius of 100 km, are free of Diclofenac. In another move, ‘vulture restaurants’ have been set up in some states, providing Diclofenac-free animal carcasses for the birds, which are essentially scavengers. . Diclofenac continues to be illegally available in many parts of the country as other painkillers that are non-toxic to vultures are not as effective in treating cattle. The price aspect also has a major bearing on the issue. Meloxicam, which is seen as the best non-toxic alternative to Diclofenac, is available in both Indian and European formulations. Photos: RM The European formulation, which An Oriental White-backed Vulture spreads its wings and impresses. is just as effective as Diclofenac, costs Rs 145 per 30 ml vial while the the vulture population in India was initiated in India. In 2005, the Indian version is not as effective. estimated at over 40 million until Vulture Research Facility in Pinjore, the 1990s. The drop in population Haryana was set up – the first Cultural bias was first noticed in the 1980s in vulture conservation and breeding Unfortunately, because of the Keoladeo Ghana Sanctuary in centre in Asia. At present, India its unsightly appearance and India. Surveys showed a decline of has three vulture breeding facilities preference for rotting flesh, people 97 per cent over a 12-year period. In apart from the one at Pinjore – at associate the vulture with death Pakistan, the decline was around 92 Rani, Guwahati (Assam), Buxa and consider it an ill omen. But, per cent over three years. Nepal too (West Bengal) and Bhopal (Madhya in truth, a single vulture provides showed similar trends in the mid- Pradesh).The Central Zoo Authority scavenging benefits worth 1990s. (CZA) manages four other centres in around Rs 695000, as evaluated By 2005, the decline in populations Junagadh, Gujarat, Nandankanan, of the Gyps genus was almost 97 Orissa, Hyderabad, Telangana and per cent. The International Union Muta in Ranchi. The idea behind for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) the breeding centres is that there classified all three Gyps species should at least be a pool of captive as “critically endangered.” India vultures even if the birds completely moved a resolution in IUCN, disappear in the wild. calling on all member countries to Vultures start breeding only when ban Diclofenac. they are around six years old, so the Vulture Recovery Plans were release of birds into the wild from the breeding centres was scheduled after ten years, since the founding population comprised year-old birds. In November 2015, the first ten birds from the Haryana breeding centre were released. Coloured bands were placed on them so that they could be easily identified. Another lot of captive-bred birds from the Haryana centre are to be released this year. Currently, the second Vultures at the BNHS breeding A Slender-billed Vulture. generation of vultures is breeding. centre.
48 VIDURA April-June 2018 by The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)-India Initiative of the Indo-German NCRB to collect data on crimes Biodiversity Programme under the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEFCC). In against journalists fact, the scavenging ability of 300 pairs of vultures is close to the The National Crime Records Bureau will now be collecting data on processing potential of a medium crimes against journalists on an annual basis for murder, attempt to carcass disposal plant; that is, murder, assault and intimidation, etc, according to a statement from approximately 60 carcasses a week. Ministry of Home Affairs. “In addition, the Bureau would be collecting If investment for carcass disposal data on crimes against journalists on annual basis for murder, attempt to services for the next 50 years in murder, assault and intimidation etc through the revised proforma which rural India are taken into account, would include cases registered, persons arrested and disposal of cases,” it would come to an estimated Rs read the statement. 351.5 million. As against this, the National Crime Records Bureau, currently, collects data on attack breeding of vultures in vulture- on media persons (Section 325, 326, 326A & 326B of IPC) through safe zones would be economically Monthly Crime Statistics including cases registered and persons prudent. arrested. The statement from the government comes after a delegation A drop in the vulture population of journalists’ organisations, led by the Press Club of India, met Union not only results in increased Home Minister Rajnath Singh and submitted a memorandum, drawing environmental pollution and an his attention to the increasing attacks on journalists in several States of increase in anthrax and water-borne the country. diseases, but it spawns a rise in feral In the meeting, held in October last year, they demanded enactment dog population and, consequently, of a legislation to protect and safeguard the lives of journalists while an increase in animal bites and discharging their duties. The delegation sought intervention of the Home cases of rabies, leading to morbidity Minister in preparing a status report by his ministry on the pending cases and death. Feral dog population in of violence and murder of journalists from all the states. The delegation India rose by an estimated seven also pointed out that over the past three decades there had not been any million following the decline in the conviction in cases of violence against journalists. number of vultures. According to “According to the NCRB, there have been 142 attacks on media some experts, this could be at least persons in India since 2015 and 70 journalists killed between 1992 partially to blame for the rabies and 2016,” read the memorandum. It requested the Union government outbreak that killed an estimated to expand the ambit of the Working Journalists Act of 1966 by suitable 48,000 people from 1992 to 2006 in amendment in order to give protective cover of employment to all India. journalists, including in the electronic and online media. The stabilisation and recovery The delegation demanded amendment in the Act to include provisions of some species of Gyps vultures for adequate monetary compensation by employers and the concerned holds out a measure of hope. It is governments to journalists who suffer disability, injuries or are fatally important that we facilitate the attacked in the line of duty and establishment of a statutory welfare fund trend by creating a network of para- for journalists by all employers and state governments. vets among villagers who promote While requesting the Ministry of Home Affair for urgent intervention to the use of the safer Meloxicam, ensure “that substantive measures are taken to instill a sense of security especially in areas adjoining the and confidence among the journalistic community”, the delegation also VCZs in India. It would also help requested that an authentic status report by the Union Home Ministry on if awareness is created on the the various attacks on journalists in the form of threats and physical harm
to their person and which form part of government records, be prepared important role that scavengers < like vultures play in keeping the covering the last 10 years. environment clean. It would help
dispel negative superstitious beliefs (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) and ensure appreciation of the < vultures’ service to mankind.
(The writer is a senior journalist based in Pune.)
April-June 2018 VIDURA 49 SPORT 2001-2011 – the best decade for Indian cricket Some of the most significant achievements notched up during 2001-2011, quite a few of them away from home, convinces Partab Ramchand that the decade has to be the greatest in the history of Indian cricket
an there be any doubt that the decade but the balance sheet and South Africa along with India the decade 2001–2011 is showed that the positive entries far were all bunched together with very Cthe greatest in the history outweighed the negative even as little separating them in the ICC of Indian Test cricket? There have there were other results that were rankings. But India more than held been a couple of other phases par for the course. its own and while being particularly during which the Indian team has It was in the aftermath of the match formidable as usual at home, what performed admirably and even the fixing scandal that broke in 2000 that really attracted attention was that present squad has not done badly the Indian team came together under they were winning Tests – and while rising to the No. 1 spot. But a new captain, Sourav Ganguly. even series – abroad. Many notable most of the victories have been India lost to South Africa at home achievements were notched up notched up at home and overall it in early 2000 but then at the start of and these included a shared series is the record abroad that makes the the following season came victories in England, Australia, South Africa difference between a good team and over Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. and Sri Lanka, a triumph in England, a great one. For that matter in the But the golden period starts with New Zealand and Pakistan besides period 1988-1994 India registered the series against Australia in 2001 two in West Indies. ten straight wins at home. But that – and, more specifically, Kolkata At home, they were repeated is hardly remembered for as I said (same year), the mere mention of triumphs over all opponents, the it is the away record that is more which makes every Indian cricket exception being the loss to Australia important. fan’s eyes sparkle with delight. in 2004. There were a few setbacks, It is in this significant achievement One unbelievable victory the most disastrous was losing that the Indian teams during the followed by another remarkable both matches in New Zealand in decade 2001–2011 really scored. one in Chennai gave India the 2002-03. Narrow series defeats in India has a formidable record at series against opponents who were Australia, South Africa (twice) and home but they have generally the No. 1 side in the game and had Sri Lanka (twice) were par for the travelled poorly. Indeed during come to India in a bid to conquer the course as also a loss in Pakistan. the period 1959-1968 India lost Final Frontier. Suddenly, India was The most productive phase was 17 straight Tests in England, the most talked about team in the also illustrated by record feats by West Indies and Australia. And cricketing world. Under Ganguly’s batsmen and bowlers. Tendulkar while there has been considerable aggressive, no-nonsense captaincy became the highest run scorer and improvement since those dark days the Indians meant business and century maker of all time, Dravid Indian squads sometimes bring with a batting line-up that included was not far behind and Kumble back bad memories of those times Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar ended up as the third highest like when they lost eight successive and V.V.S. Laxman, there was never wicket-taker in Tests. Tests in England and Australia going to be a shortage of runs. With Sehwag became the first Indian during 2011–2012. Harbhajan Singh joining forces with to get a triple hundred and added But that was just after the greatest Anil Kumble, the Indians had a spin one more for good measure while decade ended. For ten years with duo to rank with the best even in a Laxman and Gautam Gambhir the most lustrous batting line-up in country that has produced the most (briefly) added more than their the game backed by bowlers who fascinating array of tweakers. And mite. Harbhajan topped the 400- could pick up wickets anywhere the side soon became stronger with wicket mark and Zaheer 300. The India were arguably the most the inclusion of Virender Sehwag Indian run machine crossed the feared opponents overall and in fact and Zaheer Khan. 700 mark total more than once this was the time when they rose to How could such a side fail to achi- emphasising the fact that the the No. 1 spot in the ICC rankings eve great things? The competition batting line-up was the best in the for the first time. Sure they were a was strong for Australia, England, contemporary game. couple of real bad setbacks during New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan (Continued on page 72)
50 VIDURA April-June 2018 Book Review
Quite a masterpiece based on anecdotes, research, nostalgia
the culture, the language, the costumes and the food of different parts of Spain which the author visited because she loved Spain the most among all the places she’d visited over the years and she wished to record the love and pass it on to her readers. The 250-page book is broken up into six chapters excluding the preamble. Each chapter is further broken up into sections, on the basis of cities the author visited. Her writing is replete with the fruits of the painstaking research she has done, as also anecdotes and nostalgic notes on the food she had, how it was served, what went into it and how it tasted, imbuing the reader with bits of the life and soul of the place. This is true of every single place the author has travelled to, from Barcelona to Madrid, through Toledo and Segovia (the chapter is interestingly titled A Paella of Flavours) through Andalusia where she says she was On the Trail of Flamenco and Mudejar Art to Granada and Cordoba where East Meets West, and going further to Santiago de Compostela, which she calls Pilgrim’s Progress. Ranjita Biswas peppers her books with her impressions and her findings about the places she visits. She talks of a guide she meets, a rare piece of architecture she found interesting enough to go into the history of, the conflicts in history between and NOTES FROM A SPANISH DIARY among different faiths and communities and regions, Author: Ranjita Biswas which all contribute to the variety that Spain is known Publisher: Niyogi Books India, Delhi for. What makes the reading interesting is the natural Pages: 250 flow of the language she has used, easily encompassing Price: Rs 850 history, geography, politics and a lot of other things in its ambit, keeping even readers like this critic who Travelling is one thing. Writing about one’s travels is not fond of travelogues riveted from beginning till is quite another. The travelogue is a specialised genre end. that demands expertise not only in the way you travel Those who visit Spain either as a tourist or on but also how you write about it. Notes from a Spanish business usually go to only Madrid or Barcelona or at Diary by noted journalist and author Ranjita Biswas the most, to San Sebastian, none of which offer deep opens a new window not only on Spain but, more insights into the long and varied history of the country. importantly, on the extent of intensive and extensive Biswas takes her readers on a virtual trip to Andalusia, research needed when one is writing about Spain about which relatively little is known. She provides which is perhaps not as favourite a tourist destination detailed insights and descriptions of Andalusian cities as, say, France, England, Singapore or Japan. like Seville, Ronda, Malaga, Granada and Cordoba. The book is a beautiful testimony from someone For example, the portion on Seville begins as follows: who is passionate about travel, about taking the It was early morning in Seville. From the window of Hotel place, in this case, Spain, inside out not only by Inglaterra on Plaza Nueva, the square looked deserted; visiting it again and again and making notes, but also the tram that seemed to drive right into our century-old by expanding the horizons of her travels. hotel was yet to make an appearance. It is that hour in the Notes from a Spanish Diary is no dry account of famous morning when the city waits a little breathlessly, between tourist spots in Spain for you to tick off in your travel need to stir, and wish to slumber a little more, a perfect time diary. It is a journey into the history, the geography, to go for a walk and explore a new place.
April-June 2018 VIDURA 51 Book Review
Her detailed descriptions of the architectural the end of the book and trying to match them to the heritage of Salamanca, the Golden City, and the stories text is too daunting an exercise for a reader. Two, the behind them, are fascinating to read. Her persistence book lacks an index, which is necessary if one needs is evident from the fact that she determinedly walked to refer to a point in the text. miles and miles, because the best experiences can be Spanish Diaries has been held up as a woman’s gained only by walking through the places one is record of travelling alone through Spain several times visiting, be it museums and art galleries, shops and on what appears to be a shoe-string budget. Biswas restaurants, or just the countryside, even the hilly is a senior citizen, married, with grown-up children. parts of it. Notes from a Spanish Diary proves that she lives life, Providing transliterations of Spanish words and and writes, on her own terms. The book is a must for
translations of Spanish poems must have taken a lot travel writers, passionate travellers and students and of effort and patience, but her persistence has paid off; researchers on Spain and all that the country stands < they add valuable layers to a wonderful book. for. There were two negatives for me – one, the wonderful photographic images, taken by the author (Reviewed by Shoma A. Chatterji.) herself are not vivid enough to illustrate the text. There are many images, true, but they are placed at
A model of green living, sustainable practices
core of the extraordinary experiment in city-building, called Auroville. The French spiritualist who found her destiny in this corner of Tamil Nadu, which was then a French colony, visualised a habitat where the motto was peace and living harmoniously with nature and fellow human beings. Anu Majumdar, intimately associated with the ashram for many years, tries to articulate the spirit behind the creation of Auroville in her book Auroville: A City for the Future. Indeed, initiated way back in1960s, Auroville was a daring attempt to re-think about city-dwellings. Behind the brick and mortar story of its emergence is a philosophy dear to the founder. “Auroville was created to realise the ideal of Sri Aurobindo who taught us the Karma Yoga. Auroville is for those who want to do the yoga of work,” the Mother used to remind. In recent times, Auroville has been showcased as an admirable example of green living and sustainable practices but as the author reiterates, it was not so at the beginning. The concept of a future city and bringing it into the practice was fraught with many AUROVILLE: A CITY FOR THE FUTURE problems in the beginning. Author: Anu Majumdar For one, to many it was too esoteric an idea— Publisher: Harper Collins (Element) how to combine the ashram’s credo of ‘yoga’ with Price: Rs 499 karma, and not dhyan and meditation the yoga way. For another, the construction had to depend on own its own resources and every inmate had to chip in “For those who are satisfied with the world as it is, the process of building. To be honest, at thet time, Auroville obviously has no reason to exist”. These environmental concerns about growing urbanisation words by the Mother who founded the Sri Aurobindo and the need for sustainability in the foreseeable Ashram in Pondicherry together with Sri Aurobindo, future were still at a nascent stage. Perhaps those who her guru and companion, in a nutshell reflects the put sweat and blood to bring into reality Mother’s
52 VIDURA April-June 2018 Book Review
concept, far ahead of the time, could not imagine that body and soul. In the journey, you meet many people it would be called a ‘future city’ one day. – from home and abroad, persecuted ones by British At the time of laying down the foundation, the rulers (Sri Aurobindo himself was one), those seeking ‘charter of Auroville’ lay down that “[it will] be a bridge a greater meaning to life beyond the humdrum, and between the past and the future. Taking advantage of inhabitants of the ashram who tirelessly joined the all discoveries from without and within, Auroville Karma Yoga without questioning. And you come to will boldly spring towards future realisations.” know many facets of the place in the early years now Even the Mother admitted, Majumdar writes, that perhaps blurred by the passage of time. such a concept was several hundred years ahead of Like, the “peculiar” things about Auroville; people its time. In her 1965 sketch, she had laid the basic are called by first names doing away with surnames concept for the city where the important activity areas whichin a country like India immediately locates would be planned in such a way that it would be the a person’s place/caste; or even address forms like hallmark of a universal city. Woven into it would be uncle/aunty, etc. There is also no personal ownership the idea of a galaxy where several “arms” or “lines or inheritance of land. The journey has indeed been of force” would emanate unwind from a central fascinating throwing the possibility that a place where region. At the centre would stand the Matrimandir, people live can still rise above the acquisitiveness or the “soul of Auroville”, a place for individual silent chaos that mark modern habitats. concentration. Majumdar does not balk at examining the doubts and Majumdar has delved into reams of material, lethargy setting in certain sectors about the Mother’s correspondence, memoirs to build up the story not dream-city: “Had we already overtaken the dream and so much from the point of history but, in her own surpassed the supramental consciousness?” So she re- words, the “nature of Auroville’s origin” introducing examines the context and response from many who the reader to many unknown facts. She explores the believe and still believe in “the city the earth needs” ‘whys’ of the city as well as ‘what’ has been realised and concludes “Auroville is not a smart city, not an 50 years since its existence. eco-village, nor a lifestyle town but an evolutionary The answers are not easy to arrive at, more so centre”. today as the nature of habitats have changed, people’ As new cities and towns spring up around the expectations have changed and even demands of world haphazardly, and almost two thirds of the living a day-to-day life have changed. Auroville, after population is expected to live in urban areas the all, cannot live forever in a cocoon but has to contend world over, including India (with 423 million urban
with demands and expectations of people living in its population poised to rise to 606 million by 2030), it is surroundings. perhaps relevant to look back and check if the idea like < Rather than giving her own interpretation, Majumdar theAuroville’s makes for a more sustainable model. tries to track the journey of the birth of Auroville from the time of the two soul mates. Sri Aurobindo and (Reviewed by Ranjita Biswas.) the Mother (Mirra Alfassa) meet on the shore of the Bay of Bengal to establish a new abode with a new philosophy of Yoga and Karma (work) to elevate
An engrossing collection of stories of everyday life As rightly stated by Mini Krishnan in her foreword, just getting the equivalent words may not suffice to Writing Across the Worlds, to the book, Moisture express faithfully the intended meaning. A literary Trapped In A Stone, “…that ownership of English no translator must be able to translate feelings and longer resides on Shakespeare’s sceptred isle. He emotions and other delicate elements of the prose of (the author) proves that the more developed and the original language. The text needs to be considered sophisticated the translator’s exposure to the world, in its totality. the better the final product.” Octavio Paz, a Mexican poet, says in an article However, when the source and translated language on translation, “Translation and creation are win belong to different cultural groups, the translator operations. As a result, it is impossible to separate them finds terms in the original language expressing in the history of culture. Literature cannot be segregated certain feelings difficult to be rendered in the target by country and, if all styles have been translinguistic language. Certain ambiguous puns in the original (equal styles in all languages), translation is found in language cannot be translated easily. the heart of all cultural development (it shows how Translation is not transliteration and, therefore, essential translation is in every culture).”
April-June 2018 VIDURA 53 Book Review
humorous and modern writing, which makes it more representative of the language itself. The story, Rain, by Rachukonda Viswanatha Sastry who immortalised novel writing with his Alpajeevi is a remarkable one and the translation does full justice to the story. Sastry, influenced by Marxist theory, employed dialects to narrate the story and, therefore, it becomes difficult for the translator. Yet, Rao has done full justice. For instance, the sentence, “the basil stood in its brick-house like a danseuse caught in a pose, half way through a performance” maintains the essence of Telugu prose without losing its significant sense of artistic flavour. Probably because Rao himself has authored several Telugu short stories, it has become easier for him to convey the original intended meaning. Most stories in the book are about everyday life of ordinary common Telugu people, and their equation with society and struggles. Thus, every story MOISTURE TRAPPED IN A STONE chosen is representative of the community and the Author: K. N. Rao protagonist’s reaction to situations. The story written Publisher: Niyogi Books by Kethu Viswanath Reddy, which focuses on rural Pages: 484 transformation in Royalaseema with its famines and Price: Rs 595 factions, translated as The Citadel in Disrepair, keeps the reader riveted. The book is titled after a story by Madhurantakam K. N. Rao, a nonagenarian, postgraduate in Botany Rajaram, Moisture Trapped in a Stone, which describes from Benaras Hindu University, former professor at the action of the protagonist of the story, a woman Pachaiyappa’s College, Madras, with his love for his who raises an issue with her feudal lord husband mother tongue, Telugu, has rendered 28 Telugu short and gets things done the way she wants. There is a stories by renowned Telugu authors into English in subtle reference to Gandhi’s ahimsa, an idea that runs this book, without losing the spirit of the original through the narration as a slender thread holding stories. He has carried the message in the story as events together. The translation uses original Telugu meant by the original writer and has maintained the words so that the rural atmosphere is maintained cultural nuances and the intended meaning by the throughout. author. Tiladhanam translated as A Gift of Gingelly Seeds is For instance, in a story Rao says, “not for nothing a touching story of a poor Brahmin who believed in did a wiseacre equate marriage with lottery”, bringing what he practiced and his naxalite son who believed the essence of author’s intended meaning in full. The in Marxist theories. The story is built around a newly story is by Maduranthakam Rajaram, an eminent born child to the Naxalite son, who has a price on his Telugu writer and the translated version retains its head. The story, expressive in Telugu, must have been original satirical flavour in the translation. difficult to translate. But Rao has done well. The anthology of short stories by 17 different A helpful glossary at the end that provides authors of repute in Telugu have diverse themes, and meanings to Telugu words used in the translation is a for choosing such a wide variety, the translator must thoughtful idea. This fine collection of Telugu stories
be congratulated. He has also included some new rendered in English should find a place in university authors who have found a niche for themselves in libraries across India. < Telugu writing today. Thus, the variety is maintained giving the anthology a genuine overview of Telugu (Reviewed by K.R.A. Narasiah, senior researcher and short-story writing. writer based in Chennai.) As the author says, “Telugu short story, as a genre of literary writing celebrated its centenary in 2011,” and he took it as a challenge to translate some excellent Telugu stories into English to commemorate the occasion, which one would agree, he has done extremely well. The range of short stories he has selected to render into English, comprise satirical,
54 VIDURA April-June 2018 REMEMBERING C.G.K REDDY A rebel with a cause C.G.K. Reddy, former business manager of The Hindu, was the founder-director of the Research Institute of Newspaper Development (RIND) in Madras, an organisation with which the Press Institute of India in Delhi merged. K.R.A. Narasiah provides a fascinating account of the man and his times
.G.K. Reddy started his life as a mariner, having joined the Ctraining ship, Dufferin, as an engineering cadet. On graduation, he was posted as fifth engineer in SS Chilka, a vessel belonging to the British India Steam Navigation Company. Along with him was another cadet navigating officer, Sayeed Shahabuddin. The ship, carrying troops, left Calcutta for an unknown destination on January 23, 1942. On March 10th, she altered course due east, heading for Padang, Dutch East Indies (now an Indonesian port). The following passage is from A Short History of the British India Steam Navigation Company by
Hilary St. George Saunders: “… the Photo: MM/KRAN ill-fated Chilka (Captain W. Bird), C.G.K. Reddy can be seen in the second row, fourth from left. a passenger ship which had been converted into a trooper, was on the my parents in Calcutta and inform The accused were charged with way to Padang… she never arrived, them of my position.” Reddy kept smuggling dynamite to blow up for on 11th March 1942 she met his promise. The two kept in touch government establishments and with a submarine… was torpedoed, for years after that. Shahabuddin railway tracks. The accused were listed to port and disappeared.” moved to Pakistan after Partition. imprisoned in Tihar Jail, Delhi. A badly injured Shahabuddin Reddy’s nephew, Dr Amulya CGK did not seek help of his and some others watched from a Reddy, has produced a monograph, uncle, Sir C.R. Reddy, former vice lifeboat the ship go down. Four Lest we forget C.G.K. Reddy, which chancellor of Andhra University terrible days later, they reached tells the story of CGK. Incidentally, and its architect, who was quite an Nias Island, 75 miles west of Amulya’s daughter married into influential person then. Sumatra. Reddy, fortunately not Shahabuddin’s family! CGK has written elaborately wounded so badly, reached the After Reddy and others were about this case in his book, Baroda island a few hours later. Learning rescued and imprisoned by the Dynamite Conspiracy: The Right to that Shahabuddin was in an army Japanese, the Japanese planted 19 Rebel. In the prologue to the book hospital, he went to see him. of them as spies in India. They were As Shahabuddin says in his (1977), when he was selected to join autobiography, “The whole of the all caught and five were hanged the Dufferin, he wanted to get into night he sat on a chair next to my for conspiring against the British. the Navy, but was rejected as he bed, and he was there to help me CGK was sentenced to three years was marked as a Gandhian. to turn from one side to another. rigorous imprisonment. CGK was While he was in Calcutta prior to Reddy wanted to stay with me, to be charged with sedition once joining Dufferin he was drawn to but it was not possible as he had to again. During the Emergency, he Subash Chandra Bose and met him accompany the rest of the officers to was arrested in June, 1976, along once. When Bose escaped, one of the Goonoongsitoli, the capital of Nias with George Fernandes for working men arrested for enquiry was CGK Island. Saying goodbye, he told me against the state, in what he became Reddy. This was when he was yet that if he returned to India before known as the Baroda Dynamite in his teens. When he was rescued me, he would get in touch with Case. by the Japanese after the sinking of
April-June 2018 VIDURA 55 the Chilka, he was infiltrated into he met Ram Manohar Lohia and As member of Parliament, from India with the help of the Indian became his follower. He went Karnataka, Reddy took active part Independence League. The 19-man away from politics, but June 26, in various discussions involving party entered Teknaf, a small town 1975 transformed him when the personal freedom and safety. in Chittagong District, in September Emergency was declared. He got Amulya Reddy adds the last note: 1942. One of them was caught in touch with the underground “He was reading a PG Wodehouse and became a collaborator. All of movement and found himself as an book in the intensive care unit them were apprehended and were accused in Baroda Dynamite Case. (Vijaya Hospital in Madras) before first taken to Red Fort and then to He writes, nearly 30000 persons were his operation. On the day he was Madras. in jail then, which swelled to 150000. going in for the major surgery Tried for waging war against He compares this with 40000 people that resulted in death, he asked the king under the Enemy Agents in jail at the height of the Quit India for a piece of paper and penned Ordinance, he was tried with movement. his last testament: “I have had the others by E. Mack, a sessions judge. K.M. Mathew of Malayala good fortune to enjoy the affection, The judge, being a compassionate Manorama offered CGK a job regard and generosity of friends, person, was unwilling to sentence in Malayala Manorama, after he relatives and colleagues. These are all to death, all of them being quit The Hindu. Together, they what made my living worthwhile youngsters. He sentenced four to established RIND in Madras. In his and have come to my aid in battling death and had others detained till autobiography, The Eighth Ring, some very difficult times. May I say 1945. CGK saw in the early hours Mathew talks about CGK and says thank you and wish you the best?”
of August 9, 1943, Satish Bardan, in the Baroda Dynamite Case, he was He passed away in December Fouja Singh, Anandan, shouting the second defendant and concludes 1994. < Bharath Mata ki Jai and Mahathma CGK was dynamite in every sense. Gandhi ki Jai as they went to the CGK’s son, C. Rammohan Reddy, (Courtesy: Madras Musings) hangman’s noose. who served in government, wrote in The three years in jail gave him The Hindu about CGK’s sufferings some maturity in thought, CGK during the Emergency in an article says. It was during this time that titled, When Friends Disappeared.
REMEMBERING HARRY MILLER The most unforgettable Briton Madras has known He sported the fancy title of director of Photography, Indian Express Group. (I doubt if any other major newspaper in India has ever had such a functionary.) This Briton’s friendship with the Madras police (who frequently sought his help for photographs of criminals and crime scenes) and the access he enjoyed to top brass in government and elsewhere made him an influential person. You crossed him at your peril. S.R. Madhu vividly portrays the remarkable personality of Harry Miller
oluble, witty, entertaining UK and lived there for seven years the 1950s and did pretty much what and highly self-opinionated, before coming to Madras – a city he wanted to do. He published VHarry Miller was always “that gave him the powerful feeling provocative and occasionally eye- ebullient company. Miller made that this was home”. stopping photographs. He wrote Madras his home in 1956 and lived He married Revathi, daughter of a popular column, ‘Madras – city there till his death in 1998. He had Parthasarathy Iyengar aka ‘Sadhu’ of neglect’, about civic problems earlier represented The Hindu as Parthasarathy (a leading lawyer of – clogged sewers, uncollected its London correspondent and was Chennai who took to (spiritual rubbish, poor bus services, failing even for two years its correspondent life) after building the Vaishnavi streetlights, illegal buildings. And in Pakistan, a country he disliked temple in Thirumullaivayal). undertook important photographic intensely. He went back to the Miller joined the Indian Express in assignments.
56 VIDURA April-June 2018 Back in 1980, I was Miller’s companion over several thousand kilometres of road journeys – in Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Kanniyakumari and Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu; Kakinada and Uppada in Andhra Pradesh; Puri in Orissa; Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh; and Colombo, Negombo and Beruwela in Sri Lanka. He was particularly loquacious in a car – car journeys seemed to at once unravel his memory and loosen his tongue. Result: stories, anecdotes and jokes aplenty – about Madras, its personalities high and humble, animals and snakes, the Indian Express – some of which were known to very few. Why the car journeys? As information officer of a FAO/ Photos: SRM UN project, the Bay of Bengal Harry Miller looking out of a manhole. This was a picture he used in Programme, I had suggested a the Indian Express to dramatise the problems of manholes in Madras. photo exhibition on small-scale fisheries to raise public awareness of composition and focal length and forgive me. But do what you want about our work. The project dir- lighting. Around that time, a friend after I am gone.” Since neither ector, Lars Engvall, readily agreed of Miller, a visiting British fashion Miller nor The Old Man is around and suggested that we engage Harry photographer, had left a few rolls anymore, I guess it’s okay to share Miller, whom he knew through the of precious negatives with Miller – this anecdote with readers. Madras Club, to photo-document of some luscious ladies in the nude. Another Miller anecdote: our work in India, Bangladesh and He told Miller, “I’m going out of Miller was interested in temple Sri Lanka. I accompanied Miller on town for some time. I don’t want architecture and his TamBram field trips in the three countries to to keep carrying these negatives father-in-law put in a word with the brief him about our work. around with me. Keep them safely temple authorities in Rameswaram Miller took several hundred for me till I come back.” Miller kept for a special darshan for his son- photographs for the Bay of Bengal the negative wallets in a darkroom in-law. Miller decided to go to the Programme, and we held two cupboard. temple bare-chested and clad only successful photo exhibitions – one One afternoon, Miller took in a dhoti (without underwear). The at the Taj Coromandel in Madras, the orphanage kids out on a temple elephant raised its trunk to another at the Galle Face Hotel in photography field trip. He then give Miller a well-trained namaste, Colombo. The exhibition began an told them to process and print in encouraging him to draw closer. association both instructive and his darkroom what they had shot, “Something incredible then entertaining. But what I would like while he went out for some time. happened,” Miller said. “Perhaps to talk about are the stories and When he returned a few hours later, the elephant had never seen a white anecdotes Miller shared with me what did he find? man before. It suddenly twirled its on those car journeys. The kids were on the floor giggling trunk and removed my dhoti.” The One delightful story concerned and sniggering, huddled over photo director of the Indian Express his boss in the Indian Express, several prints of women in the buff. was in the altogether. “There was Ramnath Goenka – or, rather, They had somehow discovered the a photographer around,” recalls about an orphanage Goenka had “steamy” negatives, and used their Miller. “What a stupid fellow. set up in Chennai for destitute new-found skills to process and Instead of snapping a fantastic boys. He once told Miller, “These print them! Miller is known to have moment, he covered his eyes with boys are on vacation from school. a short fuse, and I pity the victims his hands and looked away.” They are idling away, wasting of his wrath. Miller asked me why Tamilians time. Teach them photography.” Miller told me, “For Heaven’s are so colour-conscious. He said Miller took the chore seriously and sake, Madhu, don’t write about he once photographed K. Kamaraj, imparted to the children the basics this anywhere. The Old Man won’t the former chief minister of Tamil
April-June 2018 VIDURA 57 “Do you have a licence for the gun, Sir?” asked one of the officers. “No, I must apply for one,” Miller said. “Please leave the revolver here till you get the licence,” he was told. “Okay, may I leave now?” asked Miller. Yes, said the Customs guys, and Miller left the airport without paying a paisa as duty for the camera equipment. He retrieved his revolver later. I didn’t ask Miller what use he put it to. Miller had had an encounter with the Customs earlier. He occasion- ally received protein-rich “whole milk biscuits” from New Zealand for distribution to poor children in The irrepressible Miller with his pet monkey. Thirumullaivayal. On one occasion, he received a notice from the Customs demanding Rs 25000 for a Nadu. “I thought they were pretty apprehended heavy import duty. consignment. Miller tried to argue good photographs. But Kamaraj’s When the Customs asked him that the consignments were non- response was ‘You have made me whether he had anything to declare, dutiable and for charity. Even the look so black’.” Miller said Indian he replied, “Yes, I have a gun.” New Zealand High Commissioner photographers sometimes used This triggered consternation. “He in India supported his claim. But “red-ink treatment” to make their has a gun,” the Customs officer the Customs did not relent. They subjects fairer. yelled out to his colleagues, and they even billed Miller Rs 50000 for two Miller could resort to bluster to gathered around him. “Why do you earlier consignments. overcome difficult situations. (“As a have a gun, Sir?” one of them asked. On an impulse, Miller dashed off vellaikkaran (white man), I get away “To shoot mad dogs,” Miller replied a long telegram to Prime Minister with some nonsense in Madras.”) with a straight face. Indira Gandhi. He had met her He told me that on one occasion, “Dogs? Why?” and Pandit Nehru a couple of he arrived at Madras airport from “Have you ever carried dying times in London while he was a London with some expensive photo children in your arms, children with correspondent for The Hindu. He equipment bought in the UK. He rabies? I have done that. Believe reminded her of those meetings me, there can be no death more and complained that he was being horrible.” The audience of Customs penalised by the Customs in India officers were tongue-tied and all ears for charity work for children. The while Miller gave them a zoology PM did not reply, but a week later, lesson. He said people harboured the Customs guys phoned him an irrational fear of snakes, most of most courteously and respectfully, which were harmless. But they were and said, “Sir, we have waived the indifferent to mad dogs which freely Customs duty for the milk biscuits. roamed the city and spread rabies. We will deliver them to your place. “I shoot them to save the people of When can we do so?” The children Madras.”
Photographs of fishing communities in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh shot by Miller.
58 VIDURA April-June 2018 got their biscuits. Miller was a authentic photo documentation of in Hikkaduwa.) Miller said Clarke naturalist and wildlife enthusiast, the city of that period. persuaded the Ceylon Government particularly knowledgeable about How did Miller come by to give him tax-free status; he told snakes. He wrote an article for this collection? An aging and them that if they did so, many National Geographic in September impecunious Anglo-Indian nanny Western millionaires would move 1970 on ‘The cobra, India’s good in Coonoor, one Miss Cooper, had to Ceylon in the hope of similar snake’. For many years Miller’s with her four huge custom-made treatment. The government acceded, home in Chennai was a two-acre teak boxes crammed with glass and amended its laws to make this house in Thirumullaivayal (in plate negatives. They were left with possible. But the promised migration Thiruvallur District, near Avadi) – her by a German family she had of Western millionaires to Sri Lanka that he built on land gifted to his worked with in Madras. She didn’t did not happen. The particular law wife by his father-in-law. Visitors know what to do with them. She came to be known informally as the to the house in a rural setting were showed Eric Stracey, then Inspector- Arthur Clarke amendment. varied – frogs, snakes (including General of Police, the collection I once asked Miller why he chose cobras, kraits and vipers), monkeys, when he visited and he had them to live in India rather than Britain. pigs, mongooses and many strange moved to Madras where he gave “Who wants to live in that bloody insects. them to Harry for preservation. cold country?” he wisecracked. But Miller frequently received a Miller found that the collection when someone else posed him the frenzied SOS from neighbours about comprised some 1500 glass plate same question, he replied “Who snakes intruding into their homes. negatives of various Indian events else except Indians will tolerate Priests of the Vaishnavi Temple in and places, including more than 300 a guy like me?” I suspect the real Thirumullaivayal depended on him of Madras. Miller years later sold reason is that Miller had got used to get rid of the snakes slithering the collection to Vintage Vignettes, to being pampered in Madras and in their compound. He kept a pet a five-man partnership with a sense India – servants, assistants, VIP python in a cupboard, and once of history. treatment – which he wouldn’t offered to garland me with it. I fled One of Miller’s friends was have received back home. He liked before he started insisting. the legendary British futurist, the Madras weather; he also liked It was Miller who introduced astronomer and science fiction people looking up to him or fussing Romulus Whittaker (founder of writer Arthur C. Clarke, author over him. the Madras Snake Park and later of 2001, a Space Odyssey and other Journalist Rahul Singh, former of the Crocodile Park) to the snake- novels. Clarke settled in Colombo editor of Reader’s Digest, once told catching Irula tribes of Tamil Nadu. in 1956 and lived there till his death Miller an amusing story of two Rom was so impressed with the in 2008. Miller and Clarke often boys talking to each other at the Irulas and their skills that he moved visited each other. Clarke wrote a swimming pool of the Gymkhana from Bombay to Madras so that foreword to one of Harry Miller’s Club, Bombay. One boy bemoaned he could work with these tribes books, A Frog in My Soup. the fact that his father had been and sell venom from them to the Titled ‘Miller of Madras’, the transferred to Madras, and that he Haffkine Institute in Bombay. foreword said, “I have always would henceforth have to live in It was also Miller who invited S. enjoyed Miller’s splendid that rotten old place. The other boy Paul, brother of Raghu Rai, to join photographs and hearing his responded, “Oh, Madras can’t be all the Indian Express in New Delhi as its fascinating stories, many of which that bad. Harry Miller lives there.” chief photographer. Paul accepted may even be true.” He added: “He Miller says in one of his books and worked with the Express for has an unparalleled understanding that India is “also a land of friendly, 26 years, when he cemented his of India, its people and its animals warm-hearted people, where I have reputation as one of the pioneers of …There must be few Westerners chosen to spend the larger part photojournalism in India. who can match his knowledge of my life, where I shall certainly One of Miller’s most enduring of this endearing and sometimes die, and which has given me more contributions to Madras was in infuriating country.” Clarke happiness than any man could preserving a precious collection of a also described Miller’s house in justifiably deserve.” Miller passed few hundred glass plate negatives of Thirumullaivayal as a “menagerie” away in 1998. The event was mentioned by all local papers, but it old Madras and more of other parts and said Miller had wrapped his didn’t hit the headlines. Considering of India. These were photographs pet python round him. his many contributions to Madras shot by German and English Miller told me an anecdote
that is Chennai, he deserved a more photographers during the period about Clarke which was perhaps < handsome tribute. 1870-1930. The value of these high- true. Clarke migrated to Ceylon quality photographs is inestimable. because of his interest in scuba- (Courtesy: Madras Musings) Its Madras component is the only diving. (He set up a diving school
April-June 2018 VIDURA 59 REMEMBERING P.N. SUNDARESAN A sports writer remembers his guru with love
On the eve of completing half a century of sports writing, Partab Ramchand remembers P.N. Sundaresan, the man who helped him kick-start his career
am on the verge of completing tribute to his standing among the columns – expressing my desire. half a century of being a cricketing fraternity. Within a few days I got a letter full Iprofessional sports writer, To his cricketing nephews of warmth and encouragement that having started my career as a rookie V. Ramnarayan and V. Siva- I still have with me. It reads: “My reporter with the Indian Express in ramakrishnan, Sundaresan was dear friend. Thanks very much for Madras in June 1968 and at a time a mentor always giving them your letter. I am put up within a like this it feels apt that I should meaningful advice. I remember how mile of your place. You can meet remember fondly the man who once in the early 1970s he walked me conveniently in my house any helped me kick-start my career. all the way from his house off morning. Do give me a ring and fix P.N. Sundaresan was many things Kasturi Ranga Road to Vivekananda up a time so that I can be at home. I to many people. To readers of The College to see Sivaramakrishnan in am eager to meet such an enthusiast Hindu, he was the newspaper’s action and was upset at the manner of cricket as you are.” respected cricket correspondent in which the youthful cricketer, then Within a couple of days, I was from 1964 to 1974, succeeding his eying a place in the state team, got discussing cricket with PNS in his guru S.K. Gurunathan. He also out. house. Noting my enthusiasm to succeeded Gurunathan as editor “He still makes the same mistake join the fraternity of sports writers of Indian Cricket almanac, a post he of playing away from the body,” he spoke immediately to N.S. held from 1966 to 1974, and was PNS told me while ruefully shaking Ramaswami at the Indian Express the Indian correspondent of Wisden his head. He genuinely felt that and put in a word. He then asked from 1967 to 1990. the lad could go places and that’s me to go and meet Ramaswami. The A sober and knowledgeable why he was disturbed. Benefiting historical scholar closely examined writer, Sundaesan brought to the no doubt from his uncle’s advice, my writing for a week after which I profession the analytical skills of a Sivaramakrishnan progressed to was inducted into the newspaper’s lawyer that he was by profession, a point where he was the state’s sports department as an apprentice before turning to journalism. He batting bulwark for over a decade reporter. I was – and remain— eschewed sensationalism and off- and came close to playing for the deeply grateful to PNS for giving the-field gossip and concentrated country. me a professional opening at a on events on the field. The batting To his compatriots in the critical juncture in my life. of Pataudi, Borde and Viswanath profession, Raja, as he was popularly Over the years, we maintained a moved him to write effusively known, was engaging company. very close personal and professional as did the bowling of Prasanna, And to his young colleagues in the relationship and he took a lot of Chandrasekhar and Bedi. sports journalism fraternity, PNS interest in my work guiding me There were no frills about his was a respected father figure. But and pointing out grammatical writing and if his compatriot N.S. for me, he will always have a special errors in my reports and suggesting Ramaswami was a scholar and place in memory as the person who how I could improve my copy. almost poetic in his descriptions, inducted me into the profession. He was also full of praise when Sundaresan’s prose was exemplary In 1968, I was a rather frustrated I wrote what he considered to and flawless. He had a deep feeling and unhappy youth undecided be a good report. Thanks to his about the game and this was seen about my future. As a cricket-crazy encouragement I started to write in his reports and comments youngster who had dabbled in for the Indian Cricket almanac. that were read with keen interest writing while at school, I thought After retiring from The Hindu not only by cricket lovers but I would try my luck at this as a in 1974, PNS edited a Bangalore- also by administrators who took profession. In desperation I wrote to based sports magazine for a Sundaresan’s comments with the PNS – whom I had never met and had couple of years for which I was a utmost seriousness. This was a known only through his newspaper regular contributor. From the late
60 VIDURA April-June 2018 1970s to the early 90s he was only to go to him to seek his blessings. walking stick to pay his respects to an occasional visitor to Chepauk By 1993, Sundaresan’s health an old friend. After all, while cricket but he maintained his association had deteriorated but he always was his first love, PNS also wrote with the game by contributing to welcomed me with a smile and with equal felicity on hockey and Sportsweek, the popular Bombay- we talked cricket and other topics tennis. And as a lover of the fine based magazine, editing the various for some time. When he passed arts, he was the founder-publisher statistical books brought out by the away in March 1994, I went to pay of Sruti for over a decade. < Board of Control for Cricket in India my respects and was pleasantly and writing ‘Not so unofficial’, a surprised to see that many from history of the unofficial Tests played the cricketing fraternity – players, by India. administrators, journalists, past and At a personal level, we kept in present – were there. touch by my visits to his house. Even M.J. Gopalan, then well into Whenever I took up a new job I used his 80s came with the aid of his
TRIBUTE TO S. NIHAL SINGH (1929-2018) A principled editor, a gentleman who always stood tall
A remarkable feature of the many affectionate and respectful tributes that have appeared in the Indian media since the passing of veteran journalist S. Nihal Singh in Delhi on 16 April 2018 is the nostalgic refrain describing him as the last of a certain generation, a particular venerable category, of distinguished editors. Several in memoriam articles have also alluded to the end of an era in Indian journalism. Ammu Joseph recalls his career and times
“The last of a generation of admirable March, a couple of days before he editors…” mentioned in an email to me that he “The last of the liberal, democratic was convalescing after two major editors…” surgeries. “The last of the gentlemen editors…” Mr Nihal Singh entered the “One of the last of a vanishing breed of profession soon after India became old-school editors...” a republic. He joined the Delhi “Among the last old-school titans…” edition of The Times of India in 1951 “The last of the editors who believed in and worked under the legendary keeping intact a wall between editorial editor, Sham Lal, initially as an independence and business…” unpaid apprentice sub-editor and
then as a paid employee (earning Rs Photo: Internet r Nihal Singh – as I 150). Later, he joined The Statesman Nihal Singh. continued to address him as a cub reporter who went on to Mdespite his best efforts to become a political correspondent, from Singapore, Islamabad convince me that Nihal was fine, a foreign correspondent and, (the first correspondent permitted even preferable – would have eventually, chief editor. to represent an Indian newspaper turned 89 on 30 April. He certainly He was editor in chief of in Pakistan after the 1965 war), lived life to the full throughout his the Indian Express, founding editor Moscow, London, New York and four score and nearly ten years, of The Indian Post (Mumbai) and Paris. virtually up to the very end. The editor of Khaleej Times (Dubai). Mr Nihal Singh was widely last of his regular Talking Turkey In addition, he edited Vidura, admired as one of the rare columns in Deccan Chronicle, on while he was director of the Press editors of the time who strongly the proposed Donald Trump-Kim Institute of India (1992-94). As a opposed the Emergency (1975- Jong-un meeting, appeared in mid- foreign correspondent, he reported 77) and consistently attempted to
April-June 2018 VIDURA 61 circumvent the press censorship imposed during the period. Among the several awards conferred on him in the course of his long career was the International Editor of the Year Award, presented to him in New York in 1978, for his role during the Emergency. He also received at least two Lifetime Achievement Awards. He had the unique distinction of possibly being the only editor who resigned from the three Indian newspapers he edited following differences with the proprietors of those media houses. Mr Nihal Singh was also a prolific author, with eight non-fiction titles (The Yogi and the Bear: A Study of Indo-Soviet Relations; Indira's India; The Gang and 900 Million: AJ Photo: A China Diary; I Discover Singh's Holy Cow and Other Poems published by Writers Workshop, Calcutta as a limited edition. America; Blood and Sand: The West Asian Tragedy; The Rise and Fall of UNESCO; Ink in My Veins: A Life in Mr Nihal Singh was a firm believer had to be based on meals paid Journalism and, most recently and in not only allowing but enabling for by the paper (no freebies); he perspicaciously, The Modi Myth) to diverse views to be expressed on the kept aside a modest budget for the his credit. He also dabbled in fiction opinion pages. He was clear that the purpose. and poetry, producing two novels actual edits would reflect his opinions As the editor of the Sunday and a collection of poems. as editor-in-chief of the paper. But magazine of the Post – Postscript I had the privilege of working other senior members of the team, – I was given the freedom to with Mr Nihal Singh at The Indian as well as other contributors to the conceptualise and plan the weekly Post in Mumbai in the mid-1980s. I edit page, were free to express views features section as an attractive consider myself very lucky to have that were different from his own so smorgasbord of weekend reading, had that experience because I learnt long as they could substantiate and covering everything from current a great deal about journalistic defend their positions. affairs and social issues to literature standards and ethics from him. His perspective on international and the arts, from science and The Indian Post was the first fully news and analysis, evidently interpersonal relationships to computerised newspaper in the developed during his many years travel, sports and humour. I will country and Mr Nihal Singh, then as a foreign correspondent, was remain eternally grateful to him for in his mid-50s, was an early adopter an eye-opener for me. In his view, the confidence he reposed in me. of new technology. At the same international coverage in an Indian I know several colleagues time, he continued with valuable paper did not necessarily have to at the Post also appreciate the old traditions. For example, every be tied to an “India angle”. As he independence he nurtured in us. morning without fail, a copy of the put it, readers here need to know Although he was significantly older day’s paper would emerge from about various important events and and substantially wiser than most his office, marked all over with developments that take place in of us, he somehow made us feel we red ink, with his comments on different parts of the world, not only were working with him, not under everything from hits and misses in those that are somehow connected him. He could appear reserved and to India/ Indians. even somewhat aloof but he was terms of stories, the selection and Mr Nihal Singh paid attention actually a warm and affectionate placement of news, the wording to every aspect of the newspaper. person who established personal of headlines, and so on. Such For example, he insisted that art relationships with several of us meticulous attention to detail from and performance reviews must be that endured over decades. the experienced editor provided submitted on the opening night We must have felt very free with those working with him a daily itself, pointing out that readers need him indeed since, as he reminded opportunity to learn and improve reviews while there is still time to me a few years ago, some of us their craft if they were so inclined. catch a show. Restaurant reviews were bold enough to turn up
62 VIDURA April-June 2018 at his doorstep in the middle of evenings. The walls of his living principled and independent, the night. While the cool, suave, room were lined with books and seeking no favours, beholden to no mature editor had gone to bed after I am glad to know that many of government or political party, no putting the launch edition to bed, them have found a new home in media mogul or business house. As a bunch of us were excited enough the S. Nihal Singh Book Corner in Salil Tripathi pointed in his tribute to proceed to the press to await the Punjab University. The donation to Mr Nihal Singh, even though his first copies. According to Mr Nihal of his most precious possessions – back had become physically bent Singh, “My most vivid memory is his books – is just one example of due to health problems over the of you turning up at my residence his prudent, thorough, methodical past few years, he stood tall till the around 2am to catch me in sleeping approach to the end of life. end. gear and present me with the first Several other possessions also In his own words: Kalam gawah issue of IP, hot from the press!” found new homes over the past hai (Pen is witness). Incidentally, He was also very hospitable, often few years. He had consulted me Kalam Gawah Hai is a Rajya Sabha inviting people home for drinks and – and no doubt others – about non- TV series that explores the life and dinner, especially those his Dutch profit organisations to which he professional journey of renowned wife Geertje Zuiderweg (aka Ge) could bequeath money in his will. and distinguished editors of India, also liked. In more recent years, he So, while he continued his daily including Mr Nihal Singh’s.) < would insist on meeting over a meal routine, he was also preparing for at the India International Centre, the end. That is probably the last, (The writer is a senior journalist where he spent most mornings but possibly most important, lesson and author based in Bengaluru. She until recently (reading and writing I intend to learn from him at a began her career at Eve's Weekly; her in the library), some afternoons personal level. last job was with The Indian Post, of (lunching or attending Saturday At the professional level, his most which Nihal Singh was the founder- Club/ Discussion Group meetings) important legacy is the example he editor.) and – less frequently of late – some set as a journalist who remained
TRIBUTE TO SHAMMI (1929-2018) A comedienne and character actor of great merit
She has been a film journalist for four decades, butShoma A. Chatterji says she never cared to interview Shammi. Why? Because when she saw her at film functions and parties as a growing-up girl, she did not appear like a star at all. She says she is guilty of not interviewing the actress who had a staying power of 50 years over 400 films, in roles ranging from leading lady to bit parts to cameos. She now pays a handsome tribute
remember my mother, a close talking nineteen to the dozen and friend of Gita Roy, taking my smiling away, her face devoid of Isister, brother and me to attend make-up. I asked my mother in a the wedding of Gita with Guru whisper who she was. She had no Dutt. I was hardly ten then and idea. Then, someone called out to was completely awe-struck by the her and I learnt that her name was star turnout. Female film stars Shammi. always wore white then, even for A few years later, I met her almost weddings. With my mother’s help I every day when I was rehearsing managed to identify Nargis, Nutan, for a dance ballet on Gautam a bespectacled Gita Bali, a heavily Buddha. She was not taking part made-up Suraiya and Begum Para. in the ballet but accompanied her
Photo: SC There was one young lady who sister, Seema, who had a small part Shammi. appeared to be a Parsi. She was in it. She had no figurative halo and
April-June 2018 VIDURA 63 was friendly with everyone. I saw to fame on the weight of a single she enriched with her own brand of her again during the shooting of song picturised on her. It is a hit humour include Dekh Bhai Dekh, Anand Mahendroo’s block-buster even today among old-timers and Filmy Chakkar and Zabaan Sambhaal television soap, Dekh Bhai Dekh; her goes: Bade armaan se rakha hai balam Ke. hair had grayed but she did not teri kasam. There was a strong philanthropic bother to dye it unless the character Shammi even tried her hand at side to Shammi’s character. With she was playing demanded it. producing, with Pighalta Aasmaan, music director C. Ramachandra, She still smiled all the time and but it had a troubled trajectory and later with Sunil Dutt, she her conversation was infused because lead actor Rajesh Khanna visited the border areas in remote with intelligence and a sense of and director Esmayeel Shroff didn’t regions to entertain Indian troops. humour. When she looked at me see eye to eye. Rajesh Khanna At first, "the Defence Ministry questioningly, I explained that I walked out of the film, and actor would not permit me to go," she was doing a story on the soap opera. Shashi Kapoor agreed to replace said. Ramachandra had to step in It did not occur to me to interview him. The film eventually released and assert that she could rough it her. And she did not seem to mind in 1985 but bombed. She took a out like any man. one bit. complete break from films after she Shammi participated in numer- She considered her acting as just married producer-director Sultan ous shows to raise funds for a job, which was surprising because Ahmed but the marriage did not charity. She worked closely with she came from an impoverished last for more than seven years and Asha Parekh for the Cine Artistes background. That was Shammi for Shammi walked out of it to live life Association, which aided less you. She had a spontaneity that is on her own terms. fortunate senior artistes and their hard to find among comediennes in During the early years she families. She was also a permanent Hindi films. The only other woman played supporting parts in movies fixture with Sunil and Nargis Dutt's I can recall who had it was Tun Tun, like Half Ticket, Jab Jab Phool Ajanta Arts Troupe. But though Shammi’s predecessor. Khile and Ittefaq. After she walked they collected a lot of money, they With her peaches-and-cream out of her marriage in 1979, she did not know how to invest it and complexion, chiffon saris draped made a glorious comeback in so gave it away to needy artistes. just so, shoulder-length curly hair big films such as The Burning A journalist who visited her which later became shorter, and Train, Kudrat and Swarg and Bandra flat in 1997 was surprised an aura of dignity, Shammi looked became much in demand as the to discover pictures of various every inch a Parsi. Nothing about funny aunt or granny in films religious personalities -- Krishna, her reflected her impoverished like Khuda Gawah, Coolie No. Sai Baba, Vivekananda, Jesus Christ childhood. Her father was a priest 1 and Gopi Kishen. She had a minor and so on -- vying for space with in a Parsi temple. His death when role in Sooraj Barjatya’s Hum Saath the television set. When someone she was only three was a big setback Saath Hai (1999), where she played asked her why so there were so for the family. Her mother cooked a genial matriarch with a fund of many gods on her wall, she said, at Parsi family weddings and other memories. tongue firmly in cheek, “I have festive occasions while the sisters Shammi remained grateful so many gods so that I can pray worked to pay their own tuition to Boman Irani, also a Parsi, for to each one of them for different fees. recommending her for an important favours!” Shammi stepped into films role in Shrin Farhad Ki To Nikal Shammi had very close friends despite objections from her family Padi, which was a good comedy that among the actor community, and went on to work in around failed to rouse the box office. She beginning with Nargis, whose 400 movies in a career spanning also played the role of a drug addict death in 1981 shattered her. But five decades. She was a natural so in Mahesh Bhatt’s Lahu Ke Do Rang she did not allow herself to go into far as acting went and even played and amazed those who were more depression. Other friends were leading lady opposite Mukesh in used to her comic timing and her Nanda, Asha Parekh and Waheeda Malhar (1951), a film he produced. ability to make people laugh. Rehman. It was a time when But the film was a big disaster and Her debut on the small screen was actors were consumed neither it put paid to Shammi’s dreams of aimed at clearing the huge debts by cut-throat competition nor by making it as a heroine in films. she had incurred when her own professional or personal jealousy. An eternal optimist, instead of production failed miserably. But as Her friends backed her when she moping or going into depression, it turned out, it became a blessing walked out of her marriage. When Shammi took whatever roles were in disguise and the small screen she passed away, she was staying offered her, such as the one in took full advantage of her flair for in a small flat in a dilapidated the thumping hit, Ustad Pedro, comedy. One serial after another was house in Juhu. < opposite Sheikh Mukhtar, and rose a big hit, with high TRPs. The serials
64 VIDURA April-June 2018 TRIBUTE TO SUPRIYA DEVI (1933-2018) A versatile actress who exuded sizzle and spark
Supriya Devi, whose talent as an actress was overshadowed not only by her glamour and chutzpah but also by her great screen and off-screen partner Uttam Kumar, passed away on the morning of Republic Day this year. She leaves a legacy which is considerable in terms of the number of films she featured in, the genres of films and the varied characters she assayed, says Shoma A. Chatterji
performance in two the Ghatak classics, the second one being Komal Gandhar. Supriya Devi trained in dance under Guru Muruthappan Pillai and, later, Guru Prahlad Das. Veteran actress Chandrabati Devi (famous for her portrayal of Chandramukhi in P.C. Barua’s Devdas) took a liking to her and requested her father to let her introduce the young girl to films. Her debut film Naagpash (1952) was never released. The same year, she was seen in three mainstream films – Bosu Paribar, Prathona and Madhuratri. Of the three, Bosu Poribar, a family drama starring Uttam Kumar, then a rising star, became a box office Photo: SC hit and Supriya was noticed and Supriya Devi — her sensuality and sex appeal set her apart. accepted both by the audience and by the industry. Interestingly, she engali cinema is as much the film industry. Actor-producer acted as Uttam Kumar’s sister in the ruled by patriarchy as the rest Prosenjeet made a telling comment film. She oozed sex appeal without Bof Indian cinema in general. when he said, “Even if Supriya Devi intending to, and later, when she The domination of the male in had not acted before or after Ritwik got involved with Uttam Kumar, every sphere of film-making, from Ghatak’s Meghe Dhaka Tara, she he groomed her to capitalise on her production through direction, would have left her footprints on the sensuality and sex appeal. No other distribution and exhibition, tends sands of Bengali cinema forever.” actress in Bengali cinema has been to marginalise the contribution Supriya Devi was born in the able to exude sizzle like she did of women. It is only now that small town of Myitkyina in Burma, when she was young. film historians and scholars have now Myanmar. She and her family Marriage in 1954 put a punctuation begun to take cognisance of the were forced to make their way to mark to her career in films and she contributions of actors like Kanan India entirely on foot and put down settled down to a new life with Debi, Suchitra Sen and others. In new roots in Calcutta, in 1948. She husband Biswanath Choudhury. the synthetic world of cinema, has gone on record umpteen times Her daughter, Soma, was born a the beauty of actresses stood in to say, “For me, though I was very few years later. But the marriage the way of an exploration of their young when we came in as refugees did not last and she came back into talent, much of which might not to Calcutta, it was not very difficult acting through two films that set have come to the surface when they to identify with the tragedy of Nita her on the path to box office success. were pitted against the male leads in Ritwik da’s Meghe Dhaka Tara.” One was Amrapali, the eponymous who dominated the screenplay, But it is rather unfair to define story of the court dancer who quit the story and the film as well as her talent only in relation to her dancing to become a devotee of
April-June 2018 VIDURA 65 Lord Buddha, and the other was successful Bengali films of all time. foray into Hindi films was through Shonar Horin, a social thriller By then, she had learnt to change films like Begana (1963) and Aap Ki in which she was cast opposite her looks, body language, style Parchhaiyan (1964), both opposite Uttam Kumar. Amrapali brought of dress and attitude with every Dharmendra, and Door Gagan Ki her dancing skills to prominence character in every film. One of the Chhaon Mein (1964) with Kishore but it also drew a lot of flak for pair’s unforgettable performances Kumar, but the films bit the dust her dare-and-bare costume and was in Laal Pathor (1964) directed by and she never tried her luck in publicity stills which was not quite Sushil Majumdar, in which Supriya Bombay again. the done thing for the then rather portrays a widow kidnapped by a Few outside West Bengal know conservative Bengali audience. lustful Raja and later becomes his that Supriya Devi was one of the Shonar Horin became a very big mistress who runs the household most outstanding cooks among hit and though Uttam Kumar and with an iron hand even when he celebrities and her food show, Suchitra Sen were as popular a brings home a very young wife. This Benudir Rannaghar, on a private pair as they always had been, the was later made in Hindi with Hema television channel was a super new pair spelt out a new box office Malini taking Supriya’s role, but the hit. She also penned a couple of formula for producers, and films film was a flop. cookery books in Bengali. But her starring Uttam with Supriya came Salil Sen’s Mon Niye is another fans hauled her over the coals over out as if from an assembly line. unforgettable film which paired her with Uttam Kumar published Uttam Kumar and Supriya Uttam Kumar and Supriya Devi. She in a film glossy much after the actor Devi went on to do several films played a dual role of two identical passed away. together. Of these, Uttar Megh sisters. It was a psychological thriller Awards did not matter to her (1960), Shuno Baro Nari (1962) – with many layers and lovely music, but she had her share of them, where Supriya played the role of and was a big hit. When television including the Padma Shri by a sex-worker, considered a strict made its appearance, she smoothly the Government of India for her no-no for established stars of the glided into this new medium and contribution to cinema; Banga period – Uttarayan (1963), Surya shone in the title role of Janani, a Vibhushan in 2011, the highest Sikha (1963), Kaal Tumi Aleya mega serial that drew very high civilian honour conferred by the (1965), Chowringhee (1968), TRPs and had to be extended several West Bengal Government; the Bilambit Laya (1970), Ban Palashir times due to public demand. She also Lifetime Achievement Award (East) Padaboli (1973), Sanyasi Raja (1975), acted in several telefilms and her from Filmfare, and the BFJA Award Bhola Moira (1977), Dui Purush style of acting matured beautifully twice, once for her performance in (1978), Debdas (1979) and Kalankini over the years. The National Award Teen Adhyay in 1969 and later for Kankabati (1981) are among the winning Atimya Swajan paired her Chinna Patra (Supporting Actress) most popular and commercially with Soumitra Chatterjee. Her in 1973. <
Global Council formed to build trust in media The formation of a Global Council to Build Trust in Media and Fight Misinformation was announced at the International Journalism Festival in Perugia, Italy. The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and The World Editors Forum are founding members of the Council, along with the Ethical Journalism Network, European Broadcasting Union, Global Editors Network, Global Forum for Media Development and the Online News Association. The organisations represent hundreds of broadcasters and publishers across the globe and are uniting around this single issue to facilitate realistic, practical and workable solutions to build trust in media and fight misinformation. The Council will be non-political and will come together around the core issues of information sharing, innovation, collaboration and coordination of initiatives and ownership of our own narrative in the wider ecosystem. WAN-IFRA CEO Vincent Peyrègne, welcomed the initiative and said: "Misinformation is a menace worldwide - but most newsrooms simply don't have the resources or access to US and European funded initiatives. Sharing who is doing what and emerging best practice is vital for trust in journalism, and ultimately the health of open societies. The council's aim to connect, collect and share is important for the industry." The first action of the Council is to work together on a repository of resources and map initiatives from across the industry to better inform the global journalism community of ongoing efforts regardless of size funding or location. This repository will be added to through the strong networks and memberships of the founding Council members as well as public submissions. The next stage of the Council’s activities will be to connect individuals, organisations and initiatives from across their respective networks with anyone who could add to or benefit from them. <
66 VIDURA April-June 2018 TRIBUTE TO STEPHEN HAWKING (1942-2018) He left an eternal mark on theories of cosmology
Stephen Hawking passed away in the early hours of March 14, leaving behind a rich intellectual legacy that will dominate theoretical physics for years to come. Coincidentally, March 14 is Albert Einstein's birthday and January 8 (when he was born) was the day on which Galileo Galilei died in Arcetri, Italy. Hawking held the Lucasian chair of Mathematics at Cambridge, a position once filled by Isaac Newton. It is indeed fitting that these names are all strung together in the same paragraph and mentioned in the same breath. They are the giants who transformed theoretical physics into the shape that it has taken today, says Joseph Samuel
tephen Hawking's early work black bodies in thermal physics mathematical way. Hawking (in collaboration with Roger emit as well as absorb light. captured the public imagination SPenrose) was on singularity Hawking's striking insight was to both for the boldness of his ideas theorems in Einstein's General realise that black holes were indeed and the trying circumstances they Theory of Relativity. The work thermodynamic objects which have were developed in. His bestselling showed decisively that Einstein's a temperature and emit radiation, book, A Brief History of Time, and its theory predicted singularities: now called Hawking radiation. sequels, have drawn the lay public regions of space and time where our The brilliant insight nailed into the esoteric realms of space, theories no longer hold. Einstein's the analogy and has led to deep time and black holes. General Relativity seemed to relations between gravitation, Hawking is very much a part of predict its own demise. There was quantum mechanics and statistical popular culture. He has appeared new physics beyond it. mechanics which are still being on ‘The big bang theory’, a popular Another seminal work of explored today. Hawking has television serial that pokes gentle Hawking’s concerns the areas made many seminal contributions fun at the arcane mysteries of black holes. He showed that to cosmology, black holes and the of theoretical physics and the the area of a black hole always relationship between geometry, curiously warped personalities increases with time. This suggested gravitation and quantum theory, and personal lives of the cerebral an analogy with entropy and the too numerous and technical to and self-absorbed people behind second law of thermodynamics, mention here. the science. He is featured in The which predicts that disorder of a Hawking brought to the subject Simpsons, a popular and satirical closed system always increases. a style of mathematical physics television cartoon show. He has The analogy was initially not taken that used subtle methods from diff- also been sensitively portrayed seriously because it seemed so erential geometry and differential by Eddie Redmaynein the movie, farfetched and, indeed, flawed. topology to bear on the physics of The Theory of Everything. However, Jakob Bekenstein, an black holes and cosmology. There At 21, Hawking was diagnosed Israeli physicist, persisted with is a strong Indian connection here. with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis the analogy, despite the obvious The idea of a black hole had its roots (ALS), a degenerative disease (motor flaw that black holes absorb light in the work on the stability of white neuron disease). His doctors gave and do not let it escape, whereas dwarf stars by S. Chandrasekhar, him two years to live. They were an American physicist of Indian off by about fifty - 50 more years in origin. which Hawking continued to defy Hawking's analysis of singularities the odds and leave his eternal mark and the area theorem relied crucially on the theories of black holes and on an equation discovered by Amal cosmology. < Raychaudhuri, an Indian physicist whose name is perhaps better (Courtesy: India Science Wire. The known abroad than in his native writer is a theoretical physicist at land. The classic book by Hawking Raman Research Institute, Bangalore, and Ellis on the large scale structure and works in the areas of general
Photo: ISW of space time summarises some of relativity, quantum theory and Stephen Hawking. these developments in a rigorous quantum information theory.)
April-June 2018 VIDURA 67 TRIBUTE TO MOHAN DEEP (1948-2017) A forthright and fearless film journalist
Only one editor among the few Shoma A. Chatterji approached for writing this tribute agreed to publish it. She says she has no clue why none of the others seemed interested in commemorating a journalist who was prolific and wrote exactly what he believed in, till he switched channels to Feng Shui when he felt that the direction and ambience of film journalism had changed so that he found it stifling
rrespective of one’s personal my photograph with my column so opinion about anyone’s style of he knew what I looked like. Iwriting or choice of subjects, the Mohan’s was an ever-smiling fact that a journalist could sustain and charming persona. His steadily himself in a cut-throat world receding hairline was matched with without a godfather to back him is a beard and round spectacle frames by itself worthy of a tribute. Mohan that became a part of his identity. Deep began as a fearless crime He had a 40-year-long innings as reporter in the 1980s but within a a journalist and author, spanning short time turned to film journalism various changes in journalism, and where his byline became familiar evolved into an irreverent writer to readers. I wrote for him even who feared no one – he became a
before I met him but we knew each biographer to Madhubala, Meena Photo: Internet other’s bylines. He was then editing Kumari and Rekha, and created a tabloid that covered everything controversies and anger in the Mohan Deep. from politics to gender to cinema, respective families of these stars. a touching tribute in South Asia and he asked me to do a few cover Mohan Deep was born Mohan Daily, a friend writes, “Cultural stories for the weekly and paid me Kishhindas Chandiramani. He refinement and essential decency for my contributions. belonged to a Sindhi, Hyderabadi were two consistent and common I remain grateful to Mohan for Amil family that had migrated themes in Mohan Deep’s character giving me a break via articles like from Karachi after Partition. Few as he traversed from being a ‘Will the real Sonia Gandhi please are aware that he had a very strong fearless crime reporter in the 1980s stand up?’ and ‘The several faces of command over his mother-tongue, to a controversial and irreverent Tasleema Nasreen’. He also asked Sindhi, and began his career in biographer of film stars to a me to do a free-flowing column that writing in Sindhi, trying to dispel successful novelist and finally a carried my photograph along with the popular perception of his much sought-after Feng Shui my name. In the late 1980s, this community as petty tradesmen practitioner in recent years. I knew was like manna from heaven and I who were neither educated nor him through these decades as a jumped at the chance. The tabloid intellectual. His published works fellow journalist and dear friend was called Suvidha Express. It had include over 200 short stories, two with whom I shared many social to pull down its shutters after two novels, namely Surg Munhje Baahun and artistic sensibilities.” years for want of funds. Mohan was Mein (Heaven in My Arms, 1964) Even while he was earning his gentleman enough to let me know and Khaali Haath (Empty Hands, bread and butter as a film journalist, that he would not need my column 1969), a collection of short stories not very much liked by the film anymore and paid me my dues to entitled Parai Aurat (The Other fraternity for his forthright writing the full. That was the Mohan Deep Woman, 1970) and a collection of and fearless demeanour, Mohan I remember. poems called Munhje Paachhe jo Hik Deep began his journey as an author We met briefly some time later Hisso (1972). He had a passion for of books, mainly biographies of at a film party and he smiled at restoring Sindhi literature to its lost iconic film stars. He did not shy me. Surprised, I asked him how he glory. away from stating that they were had recognised me when we had Mohan’s writing in English not authorised biographies. never met. His grin widened and began after he graduated from He was roundly criticised for he reminded me that he had used the University of Pune in 1974. In his first biography, The Mystery
68 VIDURA April-June 2018 and Mystique of Madhubala (1998), “controversy is Mohan Deep’s popular as Feng Shui. I wrote a few published by Magna Books, for middle name”. articles and had long discussions painting the late beauty as a Mohan Deep took a sabbatical for with some friends in the industry. deliberate and diabolic seductress nearly a decade and returned not as I also did a couple of courses. I who seduced Dilip Kumar a film journalist but as a Feng Shui saw that Feng Shui really worked. and Premnath simultaneously. master and an author of different So, I started giving consultations Madhubala’s sister objected to genres of books. His first novel occasionally. And then I wrote the author’s use of the family was It’s My Life and the last The Five a book, Feng Shui for the Bold & name. But Mohan Deep remained Foolish Virgins. Slowly but surely, Beautiful, the Rich & Famous.” unapologetic about his work and he became the face of Feng Shui in A journey that began with writing reiterated that he had written the India. He offered consultations on in longhand, with a fountain pen book after interviewing around 200 layouts. He had film stars among on lined notebooks in Sindhi film personalities. his clients. Add to that his Feng progressed to tapping on a Brother His next biography, titled Simply Shui paintings. He was the only portable typewriter, followed by Scandalous: Meena Kumari, was Feng Shui master in India who more years on a PC and laptop, published by Image Books and painted and energized his symbolic ended on his iPhone, using which did not raise any controversies. It paintings. he created his novels Color Me Rich was serialised in Mumbai’s Hindi In an interview, he said, “I was and The Five Foolish Virgins. Mohan daily Dopahar Ka Saamna. The final always interested in painting, and Deep left this world suddenly in part of this trilogy was Eurekha! An also in oriental philosophy. I came October last year. < unauthorised biography of Rekha across books about the ancient published by Shivani Publications. science of geomancy. It is now It is full of intimate details of Rekha’s personal life, from the time she was pushed into the Hindi film industry at the age of 13. 2001-2011 – the best decade... The book abounds in expressions like, garam, garam cheez (hot stuff) (Continued from page 52 and bindaas (devil-may-care) and purports to give glimpses of the The glorious run ended with the World Cup triumph, the inaugural bedroom secrets of the actress. series win in the West Indies in 2011. World Twenty20 triumph in 2007, There is hardly any assessment of The 4-0 rout at the hands of England being joint champions in the Rekha, the actresses. The media later the same year not only saw 2002 Champions Trophy and the reception to Deep’s book was India lose the No. 1 ranking but also winning of the NatWest Trophy in hostile and it sort of distanced him set the stage for a number of defeats England in 2002 and the CB series in from the film fraternity and also over the next few years, including Australia in 2008 and, oh yes, it can from his journalist colleagues. I the first setback at home to England be said even more emphatically that have not read any of the books, as in 2012. the decade is the greatest in Indian I did not wish my opinion of these The 2001-2011 decade will always cricket, the disastrous 2007 World actresses to be negatively influenced be fondly remembered by Indian Cup campaign notwithstanding. < by Mohan Deep’s writings, much cricket fans. Throw in the 2011 though I respected him for his determination to lead life on his own terms, come what may. How Mathrubhumi Group bags three awards at many of us can stand up to such MAADYS ostracism and keep going? Mohan’s career as a muckraking The Mathrubhumi Group was recently conferred with three metals at crime reporter was held against Madras Advertising Club Awards (MAADYS), one gold and two silver. him and his standing in the They were for Blackout Innovation (freedom of press) campaign under profession was questioned. "Oh, Best Use of Print medium, Best use of Public Service, and Club FM happy you know Mohan Deep and what (inclusive) New Year campaign won under Best TV Public Service. he can produce," was a comment MADDYS 2018 awards were given across 30 plus categories in often heard, even among fellow creative and seven in media. An eminent jury of creative and marketing journalists. But the late Khushwant professionals evaluated and selected the entries. < Singh is said to have described him as “a truly gifted gossip writer” while actor Shekhar Suman said,
April-June 2018 VIDURA 69 A TRIBUTE TO SRIDEVI (1963-2018) A superstar who carried films solely on her shoulders
What can you say about an actress who left us so suddenly when she still had so much to give to the world of cinema? This is the question that struck me when I heard the news of Sridevi’s sudden passing away in Dubai of a massive heart attack. She was only 54, and had just returned to the big screen, to the fashion ramp and to product endorsements. Shoma A. Chatterji takes us along Sridevi’s long journey as an actress and danseuse, who held her audience spellbound for four decades
Sridevi is sometimes referred to as from an old, black-and-white Tamil the ‘first female superstar’ because film where she played a little girl. I she strode five language films could recognise her instantly from successfully and can be said to have her large eyes with a surprised been an actress and a star with the expression on her face. Her initial Midas touch – almost any film she films in the Hindi film industry acted in turned to gold at the box much before the term ‘Bollywood’ office. When she came to Mumbai to came into being, struck the hearts try her luck in Hindi films, it was an of the mass audience though they act of ambition and aspiration and did not carry any of her amazing not one of desperation because she versatility as an actress. That came was one of the most successful stars after the first few films. in the South – in all the four language In films like Solva Sawan, films – Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam Himmatwala, Tohfa, Mawaali, and Kannada. Justice Chowdhury Akalmand, Sridevi was an excellent dancer Naya Kadam and Balidan, she Photos: Internet and as she stepped into films as a was called on to play roles that Sridevi captured in her elements. little girl of four, it would seem as demanded some aggressive if she was just born to act. Her entry behaviour, a lot of thigh-show – hough Sridevi had gone into into filmdom as a child was possibly she was quite chubby those days, voluntary retirement for 15 a sad story of a childhood lost. But colourful and loud costumes, Tlong years after marriage she never spoke of this ever in her heavy make-up and lots of dance and motherhood, the younger entire career. She did not go to school numbers shot against the backdrop generation not quite familiar with or college and the studio, make-up, of lavishly kitsch sets. She drew her talents and her films, were costumes, movie camera and script captivated with her performance defined her education, which she as Shashi Godbole in English- drank to her fill and gave whatever Vinglish produced by husband she imbibed right back through her Boney Kapoor in 2012. Those who films. were familiar with her incredible You name a hero and she had versatility as an actress and dancer, acted opposite him – Kamal Haasan, welcomed her come-back with open Rajnikant, NTR, Chiranjeevi, arms and Sridevi, now a mother of Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), two growing daughters, was back his son Nagarjuna, and opposite again with a new image in different Krishna in not less than 29 films! An kinds of films. And then we got actor who has acted for 50 years in Mom last year, where she portrays 264 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, the middle-aged mother of two Malayalam and Hindi since the daughters, one a teenager and one age of four makes for an amazing smaller. The teenager is her step resume that should find a place in daughter while the younger one is Ripley’s Believe it or Not. I have only Himmatwala, with Jeetendra, set her own child. been able to watch a scene or two Sridevi's graph soaring.
70 VIDURA April-June 2018 on hindsight, one feels that Sridevi deserved it no less. She bagged the Best Actress Award from Filmfare though. The film also marked the debut of Ilaiyaaraja as a music director in Mumbai. Mr India (1987) is one of the biggest hits in Hindi cinema. The film tells the story of an ordinary young man who suddenly pounces on a gift that can make him invisible. Sridevi plays the role of Seema Soni, an investigative journalist who presents a picture of fun, humour, satire and seriousness as and when the situation demands and executes a dance number, Sadma directed by Balu Mahendra, was the Hindi remake of his own Moondram Bjilee girane main hoon aayee, kehten Pirai, which featured the same pair, Kamal Haasan and Sridevi. hai mujhko hawa hawai, in the most ludicrous of costumes, hairstyles attention with her glamour, her overnight without ceasing to be and jewellery that would be any sense of timing, and her bubbly what she had already become. costume designer’s nightmare but screen persona not seen in any Sadma (1983) changed our entire they all seemed not only convincing Hindi female star till then. perspective on Sridevi’s talent in and natural on her but also quite The Himmatwala song-dance taking on and fulfilling any role entertaining and unforgettable. number with Jeetendra, Naino mein that came her way. The film was Other films that demonstrated her sapna, sapna mein sajana, sajana pe dil released right in the midst of the skills in acting and dancing are aa gaya, cinemtographed against a crowd of mainstream masala but Chandni, Chaalbaaz (a remake huge assemblage of colourful pots went relatively unnoticed because of the Hema Malini hit Seeta Aur became an all-time hit. One could it did not do good business. Geeta), Nagina and Lamhe. sense that lurking just before that The film, directed by Balu I have watched snatches of her loud surface of glamour and glitter Mahendra, was the Hindi remake films in regional languages and fell was something one could not put a of his own Moondram Pirai, which in love with her performance in finger on. featured the same pair, Kamal Devaraagam directed by Bharathi Then arrived Sadma, and Haasan and Sridevi. Though in 1996 opposite Arvind Swamy she turned the image of being Kamal Haasan bagged the National and Nedumudi Venu, and the song the glamour and dance-queen Award for Best Actor for the film, sequence in Kumara Sambhavam, with Sridevi as a little girl dressed up and playing the different forms of Lord Krishna in a song sequence. <
With Anil Kapoor in Mr India — together they weaved magic in the film.
April-June 2018 VIDURA 71 OTHER NEWS
magazine from the Malayala Manorama stable that S. Nihal Singh passes away he had himself named. Later, he became editor of Veteran journalist Surendra Nihal the Sunday Mail. Singh passed away in New Delhi Shenoy was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in recently. Singh, nearing 89, breathed 2003. Going by the recollections of old timers, his many his last at the National Heart Institute. news breaks for Malayala Manorama included Indira For the past few months, the veteran Gandhi’s decision to go in for bank nationalisation in columnist was suffering from renal 1970 and, later, in 1971, to dissolve the Lok Sabha and S. Nihal Singh. failure. have snap elections. Earlier, in 1966, he had scooped “He was ill for quite some time. the acceptance of the Mahajan Committee report by But he turned critically ill for the past the Union Cabinet, thereby leading to the merger of one week,” Indu Nihal Singh, his sister-in-law was Kasaragod with Kerala. quoted by the media. He is survived by four sisters. Shenoy was a regular contributor to The Indian Singh had worked with several leading newspapers Express among various newspapers which including The Indian Express, The Statesman, The Indian included Mathrabhumi and Gulf News. He was also an Post and Khaleej Times, and was held in high regard executive member of Prasar Bharati. by his former colleagues as well as his readers. He was an authority on foreign affairs. He was a foreign (Courtesy: The Hindu/ PTI) correspondent in Moscow, London, the United States, and Indonesia, and most of his assignments were for The Statesman. Parthasarathi Swami dies Singh won the prestigious International Editor Veteran journalist and managing of the Year Award in New York for his role editor of Business India, Parthasarathi in opposing the Emergency in mid-1975 and Swami, is no more. became president of Press Club of India in 1994. With a career spanning over 25 He was resident editor, The Statesman, New Delhi, years as journalist, Swami worked from 1973 to 1975, and chief editor in Calcutta, 1975 with several leading business to 1979. From 1981 to 1982, he was editor-in-chief of and news publications in India The Indian Express and founding editor of The Indian Parthasarathi Swami. including Business Standard and Post, Bombay from 1987 to 1988. Singh was director of India Today. Before taking up this the Press Institute of India, New Delhi, 1992 to 1994. assignment at Business India, he was He later became a noted columnist and contributed to the managing editor of Businessworld. A graduate in a number of dailies, including The Tribune. History from Osmania University, Swami completed Singh’s books include The Yogi and the Bear: A his postgraduate diploma in Management (PGM) Study of Indo-Soviet Relations; Ink in my veins: A Life from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, in Journalism; and The Gang and 900 million: A China Calcutta. Diary. Singh was born on April 30, 1929 in Rawalpindi, (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) Pakistan, to Gurmukh Nihal and Lachchmi (Devi) Singh. Gurmukh Nihal Singh was the chief minister and governor of Rajasthan and speaker of the Delhi Senior TOI journalist Ranjan Assembly. Roy passes away (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) Senior journalist and chief of the Times News Network (TNN) Ranjan T.V.R. Shenoy is no more Roy passed away at his home in Gurgaon recently after a prolonged Veteran journalist and columnist battle with cancer. He was 57. T.V.R. Shenoy, mentor to generations Roy, an alumnus of St Stephens’s Ranjan Roy. of journalists, died at the Manipal College and Princeton University, US, Hospital in Karnataka recently. He was also a member of the editorial board of the Times was 77. He is survived by his wife News Network (TNN). He began his journalistic career and two children. in 1982 at the Press Trust of India in New Delhi, and T.V.R. Shenoy. An astute political analyst with a worked with the Associated Press in Kuala Lumpur sharp wit, Shenoy, hailing from Cherai and New York, before returning to India in 2004 to in Ernakulam, helmed the Malayala head the Times News Network. Manorama bureau in New Delhi for decades, before taking over as the editor of The Week, a weekly news (Courtesy: exchange4media.com)
72 VIDURA April-June 2018 OTHER NEWS
Born in January 1952 in Lahore, National Herald’s Neelabh Asma co-founded and chaired the Mishra is dead Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. She had also been Supreme Senior journalist and editor-in-chief of National Court Bar Association president. Herald, Neelabh Mishra, passed away on February After obtaining LLB degree from the 24 at a Chennai hospital. He was critically ill and Punjab University in 1978, she started Asma Jahangir. with complications resulting from non-alcoholic liver her career as an advocate at high and cirrhosis. Mishra, 57, was admitted to the Apollo supreme courts. After obtaining LLB degree from Hospitals in Chennai where he developed multiple the Punjab University in 1978 she started her career organ failure before a liver transplant could be carried as advocate high and supreme courts. She became a out. He had steered the re-launch of the National champion democracy activist and was subsequently Herald. imprisoned in 1983 for participating in the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy against the military (Courtesy: The Hindu) dictator of Ziaul Haq. Tamil writer Balakrishnan is (Courtesy: The Times of India) no more Editors Guild warns govt Tamil writer G.S. Balakrishnan, who against policing media had a prolific writing career spanning 60 years, died at the age of 90 in The Editors Guild of India has strongly condemned Chennai on February 9. He is survived the arbitrary manner contemplated by the Union by his wife, Vijaya Balakrishnan, and Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry two sons. ostensibly to penalise any journalist or media Neelabh An English teacher by profession organisation publishing fake news. By notifying Mishra. and a self-taught Tamil language that the I&B Ministry will initiate such proceedings, writer, Balakrishnan, in his career the Government was arrogating for itself the role of which began in the 1940s, wrote more than 500 policing the media. It would have opened the door short stories in Tamil. In addition, he has written a for frivolous complaints to harass journalists and number of novels, novellas and skits with his works organisations to fall in line. appearing in both literary and popular magazines The Guild acknowledges the intervention of including Kanaiyazhi, Kumudam, Ananda Vikatan, the Prime Minister’s Office to withdraw the I&B Kalki, Kalaimagal and Amudhasurabi. His short stories Ministry’s notification but remains deeply disturbed straddled a wide range of themes — humour, that faith continues to be reposed on the Press Council philosophy, medical ethics, patriotism, romance, of India to deliver justice on such issues. The recent hope and disillusionment. reconstitution of the Press Council of India has been Alliance Publishers had published many of his Tamil done in a manner that gives rise to doubts over the books, including anthologies of short stories, and an independence of the institution and its ability to play introductory treatise on humour. He had bagged the neutral umpire. Kalki-Berkeley Award for the best humorous story, The Guild’s nominees to the Council were disallowed among other awards and recognition. Renowned Tamil on technical grounds. Also, the recent reconstitution writer Sujatha Rangarajan had placed Balakrishnan of the Central Press Accreditation Committee has for his humour with the literary doyens such as Kalki, raised questions over the non-transparent processes SVV, Devan, Nadodi and Savi. being followed by the I&B Ministry as the Guild’s application was ignored. (Courtesy: The Hindu) The Guild also points out that 'fake news' is a process that cannot be left to governments to initiate action when, on many occasions, the governments and the Pakistani activist Asma parties in power - both at the Centre and states – are charged with propagating fake news themselves. Jahangir dies Moreover, news organisations are not the only source Pakistan's well known human rights lawyer and of generation of fake news with the country awash social activist Asma Jahangir died recently of cardiac with digital platforms of all hues and opinions that arrest. She was 66. She is survived by two daughters operate without constraints and have the potential to and a son. Her daughter Muneezay Jehangir is a TV cause far more damage. The Guild has always stood anchor. for observing the highest journalistic standards and is
April-June 2018 VIDURA 73 OTHER NEWS
willing to work with the Central Government, state Shankar Aiyar, Congress leader and former diplomat, governments and media bodies to define what can at the convocation ceremony of the Asian College of be constituted as ‘fake news’ and take action against Journalism at Music Academy in Chennai a few days those found guilty of propagating such news without ago. compromising on the independence and freedom of Delivering the Lawrence Dana Pinkham Memorial the media. lecture, Aiyar said the “terrible business of breaking news has reached mania proportions… (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) manic proportions”. “Everyone is competing with everybody else. To put out the story before it has been checked, before it has been analysed and synthesised Associated Journals with other facts and put out in a sober way… what we get is trivialisation, sensationalisation and appoints new editorial team commercialization.” The Associated Journals, a company founded in “News and comment have become a commodity, 1937 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, has appointed which is measured in terms of TRPs. Anchors senior journalist Mrinal Pande as group senior in particular find that they can catch eyeballs editorial advisor. Pande has earlier served as editor through extreme partisanship. This is journalism as of Saptahik Hindustan and later as group editor of the pamphleteering. The story is never about the story but Hindi publications of the Hindustan Times house: the it is about the anchor,” Aiyar said. daily Hindustan, a monthly digest Kadambini and a The winner of the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) magazine for children, Nandan. She has also previously Award for Investigative Journalism for 2017 was been the Editor of Vama and senior editorial adviser to announced. Journalist Samar Halarnkar’s investigative NDTV and Doordarshan. story ‘As millions try to prove citizenship in Assam, The first Indian woman to be the editor-in-chief one man's story reveals perils of proof’ published on of a multi-edition national daily newspaper, Pande IndiaSpend.org on October 28, 2017 was chosen as the was chairperson of Prasar Bharati and is the founder winning entry for the ACJ Awards for Investigative president of the Indian Women’s Press Corps. She has Journalism 2017. The award comprises a trophy, a written extensively in Hindi and English, including citation and Rs 2 lakh in prize money. novels, short stories and essays, and has written N. Ram, chairman, The Hindu Group of Publications, several columns in various newspapers. She has said India continued to be in the Club of Shame, published many books in Hindi and English. She was where various state and non-state actors enjoyed given a Padma Shri for services as a journalist and impunity after murdering journalists.“An important also received the Red Ink Award from the Mumbai indicator of where we are…is that India is one of 13 Press Club. countries that belongs to the Club of Shame brought The Company also announced the appointment of out by the Global Impunity Index — where journalists Zafar Agha as group editor-in chief for its newspapers are murdered in connection to their work. This is and digital properties with immediate effect. Agha, measured from 1992 to date. Not a single case has most recently editor-in-chief of Qaumi Awaz, a senior reached its final resolution. This is what they mean by journalist and a well-known columnist with nearly three impunity enjoyed by the state, by paramilitary forces, decades of print and electronic experience, started his by various actors including non-state actors. Even Sri career in 1980 with the first Indian news magazine,Link. Lanka got out of the club last year, but India continues He has worked for The Business and Political Observer, to be in what can only be politely called Club of India Today and The Patriot and has been writing Shame.” columns both for national and foreign newspapers. Sashi Kumar, chairman, Asian College of Journalism, His TV programme Guftagu on ETV (Urdu) was said the job of teaching journalism had become far widely seen and perceived as the most watched more crucial today, more than ever because of the real programme in Urdu. threat faced by journalism. “It is important to redeem journalism from the confusion, the distortion... and (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) the practice of it,” he said. (Courtesy:The Hindu) ‘News has become a commodity’ “Bylines were awarded for exceptional performance. Now, it has become totally routine and that makes every story that person’s story… so willy-nilly he becomes an actor in his own story,” said Mani
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