A Journal of the press Institute of India ISSN 0042-5303 October-December 2017 Volume 9 Issue 4 Rs 60

Murdering journalists: CONTENTS • When the media ignored its own principles / Bharat the much larger attack Dogra • GST – a good and simple tax? / Shreejay Sinha When writer-activist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead in Bengaluru • Do Indian cinema and on September 5, it was not just one journalist or one fearless television mimic life, or vice- female activist who was murdered. It was a manifestation of versa? / Pushpa Achanta • Dhananjoy and the death something far, far larger – the maiming of a big chunk of the sentence / Shoma A. lives and futures of 1.2-odd billion Indians, no less, a big chunk Chatterji of the fundamental rights of each citizen, and a big chunk of the • Can’t we make room for Constitution that we gave to ourselves with such pride 70 years people with disabilities? / ago, says Sakuntala Narasimhan Aditi Panda • Fostering change-makers, making the world a ut aside the political imputations for a moment. As of this writing (end- better place / Sakuntala September*), the case is still being investigated, the guilty are yet to be Narasimhan Pidentified. Just collate the facts on a wider canvas, and what you have, as • Creativity: the missing the larger picture, is a collection of events that spell murder of a basic concept ingredient in Chinese of democracy, something more than an attack on an individual, a woman, an thinking? / Asma Masood activist, or journalist. • Another scribe falls victim to If I cannot eat what my family has been eating for generations (something that violence / Nava Thakuria is eaten worldwide) and am punished for doing so (even lynched) because some • A liberal who did not bow factions decide that it is ‘not acceptable’ to them; if I cannot marry the person of down, but created a big my choice because some groups decide I cannot and should not marry outside impact / Mrinal Chatterjee my religion, community or caste, and am targeted with violence (even death) for • Fact before fiction: my days my ‘disobedience’ (not just khap panchayats** but vigilante groups have done in journalism / Shreekumar this, with the media reporting regularly on incidents from around the country Varma – a news item of September 29 says: ‘Inter-faith marriage disrupted by Bajrang • Once a dancer, always a Dal’); if I cannot pray the way I choose to and am hounded for following a dancer / Seetha Ratnakar particular religion; if I cannot follow a profession as leather worker that my • Time to say, Chak de India! / family has carried on for generations; and if I cannot express dissenting opinion Partab Ramchand on social issues (a report in the Coimbatore-based Covai Post, on religious rituals • An informative website on that degrade adolescent girls by requiring them to parade half naked, brought birds, a labour of love / Rina Mukherji threats of murder to the two writers, and the Network of Women in Media has issued a strong protest about this), what ‘freedoms’ do I have left, as a citizen of • Remembering Sufi Amba Prasad, Ananda Kentish a ‘democratic’ country? Does democracy mean just casting my vote once in five Coomaraswamy, Sanjoy years? Ghose, Ramananda Disagreement is the “most vital ingredient of any decent society”; intelligent Sengupta, Sova Sen, Jerry disagreement “is the lifeblood of any thriving society” – these are quotations Lewis, Jeanne Moreau, from an oration given at the Lowy Institute’s Media Awards event in Sydney Kundan Shan, Tom Alter (Continued on page 3)

October-December 2017 VIDURA 1 From the Editor We owe it to Gauri Lankesh to report without fear or favour always

he brutal killing of journalist usual, we received several top-notch National Triangular Wheelchair and activist Gauri Lankesh entries. Here is what the winners T-20 Cricket Series. Twas one of the most were able to produce (am not The two others, both special horrendous we have heard or seen naming the winners as the awards photojournalists with the – of a journalist in India. A hapless are yet to be presented as we go to newspaper, had taken some victim of hatred, she was about to print): stunning pictures – of 52-year-old enter her house after parking her Malayala Manorama’s chief re- Monu, a dwarf, who transforms car when three bullets hit her, two porter in Thiruvananthapuram himself into ‘Charlie Mama’ at on the chest and one on the temple. sent in a short series of articles. Delhi’s India Gate every day at 4 Gauri Lankesh’s fight was against Titled They Are Also Our Pet pm, and of Suyash Jadhav who injustice, she led a crusade against Children (Arumakalanu Avarum), represented India in the men’s 50m crime. In many ways, it was a moral the articles throw light on the butterfly, men’s 50m freestyle and crusade continuing the legacy of sad plight of children with neuro men’s 200m individual medley at her father who left behind Lankesh disabilities, the issues faced by the Rio Paralympic Games. Patrike, a hard-hitting tabloid. the children and their families, A three-part series on the As veteran writer Sakuntala ineffective implementation of India Spend website, examining Narasimhan rightly says in the government programmes, lack of what living with disability in lead article, Gauri’s killing was a treatment facilities, and scope for India means, particularly with manifestation of something far, social support. regard to access to education and far larger – the maiming of a big Manorama’s chief sub-editor’s employment, 22 years after the chunk of the lives and futures of (Malappuram, Kerala) entry was Persons with Disabilities (Equal 1.2-odd billion Indians, no less, titled Life on Wheels. It is also a Opportunities, Protection of Rights a big chunk of the fundamental short, moving series – of Shabna and Full Participation) Act was rights of each citizen, and a big who is an epitome of indomitable passed, has been cited for a special chunk of the Constitution that we spirit despite being confined to a award. gave to ourselves with such pride. wheel chair; of Roy who, after a It’s stories such as these, about Muzzling the press is not on, fall from a jack fruit tree, becomes the lives of ordinary people, done she points out. Indeed, we need partially paralysed but is now a with loads of commitment and pluralism and liberalism if we sought-after carpenter; of Salma, passion, that will help keep the are to progress as a multicultural affected by polio as a child and Journalism flag flying high in India nation and dissent, whether from wheel-chair bound, who today runs and motivate others to raise the journalists, activists or the common a tailoring unit and wants to start bar. Like Gauri Lankesh always man, only strengthens the polity. a training centre; of Basheer who did – without fear or favour. survived a major accident to start a n the midst of all the gloom, it’s business unit; and others. Sashi Nair Iheartening to see journalists Care to Care? That was the [email protected] plodding along, reporting on article sent by The Week’s special subjects and issues that concern all correspondent in Bengaluru. It urges of us. The Press Institute of India and authorities to sit up and take notice the International Committee of the of the harassment female health care Red Cross (ICRC) present awards workers faced in hospitals. to journalists and photojournalists The top three winners in the every year for best articles and photography category are all pictures on a humanitarian subject. from Hindustan Times. HT’s chief This year, the theme is Disability photographer in Jaipur had sent in – Triumphs and Challenges. As an eye-catching photo-essay on the

2 VIDURA October-December 2017 (Continued from page 1) oppression of Dalits. She even defamation, or even murderous helped Naxal rebels to return to crime does not merit shooting; in September, by an op-ed writer the mainstream, which ought to a due process of law is applied (The Dying Art of Disagreement, have been lauded. Instead, her before judgment is given based on available online). He was not killing was hailed (online) by some an impartial, judicial trial. Killing, referring to the Indian context, political factions as “the death of even of a person found guilty, is but the comments apply aptly a bitch”. In the words of a former seen as barbaric and the death to what we see emerging in our Naxalite whom she brought to penalty is being abolished in many country. Those expressing dissent, the mainstream, “She was for nations. in speech, writing or action, are democracy, love, equality and Warning journalists (or other targeted, punished, even bumped harmony.” Was that a crime? citizens) of ‘dire consequences’ off, by self-styled ‘protectors’ of our When Gauri was convicted last is outrageous horror, no better polity in the name of tradition or year in a case of defamation for an than goondaism. If Gauri had not ‘nationalism’. article where she had mentioned criticised developments in society Gauri Lankesh wrote from a three workers of a rightist party, and politics, she would be alive dissenting perspective, criticising a spokesperson of the BJP from today. Is this not engineering irrational trends she thought were Dharwar warned: “Hope other thought processes and articulation detrimental to our society -- caste- journalists take note.” That was a through ‘or-else’ intimidation? ist divisions, communalism, and threat. In any civilized country, Reducing her death to a gender Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:

October-December 2017 VIDURA 3 issue, or that of journalistic freedom, Hindu University). Journalist- but there was no order to stop the reduces the enormity of the crime. activist Teesta Seetelvad, arriving for multi-religious prayers, from any In a democracy, every citizen, a training programme in Jaunpur in quarter. irrespective of status, gender, September, was detained in Varanasi I recall reading a report power or profession, has the right for ten hours till 8 pm, without recently about members of to express dissent as a basic right. charge, and “treated like a convict” endangered tribes being denied Even if it is a private extremist ( in her words), though she had no access to contraceptives. If forced group that intimidates, doesn’t the connection to the BHU protests and conception is an infringement government have an obligation disturbances. So, what happens to of the fundamental and basic to stop/ prevent/ punish them freedom of speech and movement? rights of an individual, isn’t and ensure citizens’ safety? To The latest in a series of recent attacks denial of contraception equally an intimidate is wicked, a crime. The is that on TV journalist Santanu infringement of that right? Why state machinery has a duty to curb Bhowmik of Tripura who was killed do we see increasing instances such intimidation. Three other after exposing malpractices. Trigger of such erosion of human rights? murders by bullets, similar to happy, mafia style reprisal has no This too, is a manifestation of Gauri’s, victimising rationalists and place in a democracy. So it is not a state violence of another kind that progressive thinkers (Dabholkar, Bhowmik or Dubey or Gauri that is goes beyond physical attacks, and Kalburgi, Pansare) have remained murdered, but the very foundations extends to invasion of other socio- unsolved (over four and two years). of democratic rule. cultural-emotional-psychological Because the political will to uphold Seminars are cancelled and dimensions of human life. Gauri’s citizens’ right to dissent is missing. student bodies are told they cannot killing was one aspect of this take- Ramachandra Chhatrapati who invite so-and-so as a speaker because over and throttling of personal exposed the alleged rape by a well- he/ she has views that criticise the expressions. heeled godman (who has since ruling elite (whereas, education is, It is the convergence of state, been convicted) was shot dead. The in the words of the wise, down the religion and big business that editor of the Economic and Political ages -- from Socrates to Chomsky disempowers millions of our Weekly (EPW) was asked to step -- “an exercise in interrogation, and voiceless poor whose needs down after an article on corrupt big developing an open mind capable and concerns our elected re- business-politician nexus. of sifting and analysing diverse presentatives are supposed to The editor of the Hindustan perspectives”). Gandhi (whose birth bring to the attention of our Times is reported to have stepped anniversary we celebrate ritually ‘rulers’ and policymakers (but down (September) and the ‘Hate every October) was a dissenter; so don’t, being busy with other tracker’ series he installed (listing was Nelson Mandela who spent over personal or political agendas). That victims of hate confrontations) two decades in prison for daring to is why journalists and activists has been ordered removed; other disagree with the ruling party ; as are stepping in – to inform us of editors have also stepped down, was Martin Luther King who led what is going on, and helping us only mentioning in private their protest marches for racial equality. to reclaim our rights. If they are to concerns over the nexus between Dissenters have everywhere been in be bamboozled, silenced, punished power and big business (“most the forefront of struggles for social and killed for being outspoken, that editors don’t say enough on this, betterment. And lauded for their is no longer a democracy, despite at least in public,” one former moral stances. periodic ballot exercises. editor has commented). A film Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi The only way public dissent now maker in Kerala was threatened had inter-faith marriages; Gandhi’s has, of finding an outlet, is to vote the in September; fatwas are issued; son and Rajaji’s (Independent India’s incumbent out of power -- but when threats like “shut up or you could first governor-general) daughter corruption is pervasive, sparing become the next Gauri” have been had an inter-caste marriage. So no party or ideological affiliation, issued; censorship that creates fear what? None of the leaders had their when power is sought only for of reprisals, or mob attacks incited patriotism or national allegiance narrow political ends rather than by extremist factions, is no different questioned. So why were two the good of the majority, elections from censorship that draws a red Muslim boys arrested in Dehra don’t help, and it is time for not pencil across news items. Dun after being seen ths September only journalists but all citizens to Students congregating for with two Hindu girls? I remember ensure that we do not remain the meetings are subject to police sitting through one of Mahatma world’s most populous democracy brutality, even female students Gandhi’s prayer meetings in Delhi, only in name. The ball is now in have been attacked and injured and hearing recitations from the civil society’s court – which is why when they assembled for a protest Gita, Koran and other faiths. The Gauri’s murder generated such a over sexual harassment (at Benares city was rent by communal riots, swift, widespread, spontaneous

4 VIDURA October-December 2017 and massive mobilisation of anger, of citizens) should be spent on Dissent, whether from journalists,

around the country and abroad. amelioration of the conditions of the activists or the common man, does Slapping sedition charges – for poor or improving infrastructure, not threaten national security, it < refusing to sing, chant or declaim rather than on erecting massive strengthens the polity. – is another manifestation of statues of dead leaders, or on the intimidation that those not erecting a temple, if intellectuals *Note: The situation hasn’t changed towing the right political line face. raise their voices to warn about the as we go to press. Remember the case of the journalist need to separate fact from belief ** Khap panchayats are community who had petrol poured on him at and both from opinion, such voices organisations in the villages comprising the police station and burned, for need to be heeded. Nothing short of elders, usually found in North India daring to expose wrong doing? Or that merits labeling as democracy. (The writer, based in Bengaluru, is the IAS officers who were ‘punished’ Journalists are not merely writers a recipient of the Media Foundation’s for exposing massive corruption? or reporters, they carry the voices Chameli Devi Award for Outstanding Or the police officers (including of civil society to the corridors of Woman Journalist 1983. Her Rupa in Karnataka who exposed power. Muzzling is not on. Using fortnightly columns on gender issues malpractices in the jail where bullets, threats or intimidation, and consumer rights ran in the Tamil Nadu politician Sasikala whatever, is just not on. Whoever Deccan Herald for 27 years. She had was detained) who got suspended, the guilty are. We need pluralism earlier worked for The Times of India transferred or dismissed, for doing and liberalism, if we are to progress Group in Mumbai.) their job? Where does the common as a multicultural nation with one man turn, if this is the state of of the richest heritages in the world. affairs? And how do the people even come to know about wrongdoings if journalists cannot report on and Patrika Digital revamped expose, without fear? This is the larger issue, of which the murder of The Patrika Group has carried out one of the biggest ever revamps in journalists is a part. the history of its digital arm, Patrika Digital. Giving its digital platform a In the midst of the ongoing complete makeover with both back and front ends being totally transformed, discussions about Gauri’s murder, Patrika Digital aims to make news delivery easy, effective and efficient for the UN General Assembly its users. The revamp has catered to all verticals of Patrika Digital, including in its 72nd session came out web portals, mobile sites and mobile apps. (coincidentally) with a resolution While at the back-end, there is an all new CMS for making the site operate on safety of women journalists, at a lightning-fast speed, the front-end is more upmarket loaded with latest with inputs from around the world features. All of this has contributed in offering optimised ad performance to different clients. The new site now functions on page-based targeting, which (including Slovenia, Uzbekistan, will lead to achievable ROI. Cuba, Tunisia, Burkino Faso, The key component of the revamp is an enhanced hyper local coverage Greece, El Salvador – but not India, powered with a map feature that allows users to view news. The refurbished which is mentioned only in one website has a dedicated page where users can choose their location and solitary sentence – according to get geo-specific news as per their interest. Along with this, a sharp focus international monitoring agencies has been put on making the layout more urbane and user-friendly by using India ranks low in terms of safety the social media and multimedia options in a more structured way. All this of journalists). has resulted in giving a better appearance to the news presentation while The resolution mentions lack of making it more informative. political will (in ensuring safety While planning the revamp, a special consideration was given to the of journalists) and the need for needs and demands of the younger generation. For this, some exciting new

political accountability. “Turning categories are introduced in entertainment and career sections. The new

away (from the obligation to website is now equipped with a mobile-friendly layout, to make sure faster < tackle violence),” the document and effective news delivery to the users, while they are on the go. observes, “also amounts to promotion (of violence)” (by the (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) state). Surveillance of expression, it remarks, is also a form of erosion Dear Reader, of human rights. Otherwise, what In view of the all-round increase in the cost of production of Vidura, we would be the difference between are increasing the price of the journal to Rs 60 with effect from this, the caged birds and human beings? October-December 2017 issue. Please see page 72 for new subscription If I feel that public money rates. We look forward to your continued support. - Editor (money collected from the pockets

October-December 2017 VIDURA 5 When the media ignored its own principles

The controversial Sardar Sarovar Dam Project was completed and dedicated to the nation on September 17 this year. But taken all around, the media fell short of expectations in covering the event, says Bharat Dogra. Very little attention was paid to the prolonged protest against the dam, chiefly by the Narmada Bachao Andolan, and the many allegations about the project

t is a widely accepted precept many injustices meted out to the absolutely no mention of the of media ethics that the voices evictees and large-scale corruption peaceful struggle by the Narmada Iof marginalised communities during project implementation. Bachao Andolan, or its statements should not be ignored in the The climax of the long-drawn-out in regard to the dedication. There coverage of development news. project was reached on September was also no mention of the criticism However, this basic principle was 17, when Prime Minister Narendra by experts about the initiative. not adhered to in the coverage of Modi dedicated the dam to the The print media too gave very events related to the controversial nation. The day also happened to little space to the Narmada Bachao Sardar Sarovar Dam, which be Modi’s birthday. The Narmada Andolan on September 17. Only was dedicated to the nation on Bachao Andolan first intensified three or four of the 20 Delhi September 17. its protest and then temporarily editions of English and Hindi The project has seen consistent withdrew its jal satyagraha – a newspapers studied by this author opposition from the Narmada peaceful protest by the people, devoted a few column inches Bachao Andolan helmed by expressed by standing in the water. to the movement. The Rajasthan renowned environmental activist On the whole, the media failed to Patrika and Bhaskar had brief write- Medha Patkar and other bodies give equal coverage to both sides of ups about the Andolan’s concerns for the past three decades. The the issue. while the Deshbandhu published a opposition has been backed by Careful attention to ten bulletins somewhat more detailed report, detailed documentation of the of All India Radio on FM Gold on citing Medha Patkar’s views and adverse social and environmental September 17 revealed that the lead carrying a photograph of her. There impact construction of the dam will story in all cases was the dedication was also a short piece on the critical have, the retraction from originally of the dam to the nation. This was views on the project expressed by claimed benefits and promises to followed by glowing propaganda Subhashini Ali, former member of those evicted from the area, the about its benefits. There was Parliament. The next day saw wide and exhaustive coverage of the dedication ceremony by most newspapers, though the Narmada Bachao Andolan was mentioned by just four. The Hindu and the Hindustan Times published short reports about the concerns of the Aandolan and the developments within this movement. The Statesman was perhaps the only leading newspaper to make the Sardar Sarovar Dam the lead story while also giving space to the plight of the evictees and the concerns of the movement prominence on the front page.

Photo: Internet Among the on-line news sites, Water bursting through the sluice gates of the Sardar Sarovar Dam. The Wire.in published well-

6 VIDURA October-December 2017 documented articles on September Coming to the plight of those throughout its implementation 17 and 18, giving adequate displaced by the project, a study could prove very revealing. These

information about the objections to of the promises made at the initial are certainly worthy of media the project as well as the concerns stages and the actual condition attention. < of the Narmada Bachao Andolan. now would be a worthwhile and The first article was written by illuminating exercise. Similarly, the (The writer is a veteran freelance Subhashini Ali while the second benefits that the dam was projected journalist who has been involved was by a member of a well-known to produce need to be verified. The with several social movements and environmental organisation. The environmental issues that it brings initiatives.) Andolan certainly deserved to get in its wake merit in-depth study. better coverage, taken all around. And the allegation of corruption

‘Media freedom under attack from multiple sources’ Media freedom has come under attack from multiple sources, said N. Ram, chairman, The Hindu Group of Publications, while speaking at a panel discussion organised by the Foundation for Media Professionals and The Lede at the Asian College of Journalism in Chennai. The discussion, in which senior media professionals participated, focused on how the state’s overreach, extremist ideologies, social media harassment and intimidation have put journalism and journalists at risk, and whether the political class is making the media irrelevant. “India belongs to the notorious club of shame under the Global Impunity Index compiled by the Committee to Protect Journalists. It is one of the countries where investigation into murders of journalists is pending for years,” Ram said. The laws dealing with criminal defamation were one of the most illiberal legislations and journalists in India were facing more hardships and threats now than what they had faced when the Bofors scandal was exposed, he noted. Faye D’Souza, editor, Mirror Now, said journalists now tended to allow online abuse to pass. She recalled the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh and how the social media was used by trolls to discredit her and her work. “It is an organised attack. When one journalist is under attack, where is the rest of the fraternity? Why aren’t we standing up online? Unfortunately, we are allowing a lot of these to happen,” she said. Journalists should keep themselves as honest as possible so that when they got a chance to deliver on big issues, they would get strength from their honesty, Ravish Kumar, senior editor, NDTV India, said. Veteran journalist B.R.P. Bhaskar said it was time for journalists and media organisations to introspect. “The link between journalists and the community has weakened. Whom are we trying to serve?” Mukund Padmanabhan, editor, The Hindu, said journalists needed to start thinking about how to engage with people on social media platforms and should undertake their jobs with objectivity and fairness. Arun Ram, resident editor, The Times of India, Chennai said, “We live in dangerous times where this feeling of brethren is important. The threats should work as an adhesive and we should face it as a single entity.” Ma Foi K. Pandiarajan, Tamil Nadu minister for Tamil Development, Culture and Archaeology, said politicians too faced intimidation from certain sections of the media who sought favours and money. P.T.R.P. Thigarajan, head of the DMK’s IT wing, said the issue of access – for journalists towards those in power – depended on a situation and whether someone was in power or opposition. S. Karthigaichelvan, MD of Puthiya Thalaimurai, Ramachandra Murthy, editorial director of Sakshi group, Revati Laul, senior journalist, actor-activist Gautami and Vidyashree Dharmaraj, editor, Covai Post, were also part of the discussion. Sandhya Ravishankar, independent journalist, moderated. The forum also submitted

petitions to Chief Ministers of five southern States, demanding, among other things, transparency, accessibility of information and security of journalists. <

(Courtesy: The Hindu/ The Indian Express)

October-December 2017 VIDURA 7 GST – a good and simple tax?

GST is a good and simple tax. This is how Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the uniform Goods and Services Tax in his midnight speech in the Central Hall of Parliament on June 30. The rare midnight Parliament session, which was until then convened only on four momentous occasions, was organised to usher in a national sales tax regime that would subsume myriad central and state levies. Shreejay Sinha analyses the impact GST has had so far

t was in 2000 that then Prime made the prices of goods and the so-called white goods such Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of services prohibitive, rendering as fridge and washing machines, Ithe BJP constituted a committee them export-uncompetitive, caus- as also aerated drinks and cars, under then West Bengal Finance ing economic inefficiencies and will attract the peak rate of 28 pc. Minister Asim Dasgupta of the fragmenting the market. The On top of the peak rate, the GST Communist Party of India (Marxist) cobweb of taxes at various levels Council has suggested a cess of 1 to design a model for the Goods from production to distribution, pc on small cars, 3 pc on mid-sized and Services Tax. and ultimately consumption created cars and 15 pc on luxury cars. The In these 17 years, India has been a ‘cascading’, or tax-on-tax effect, Council increased the cess on SUVs witness to tremendous political bumping up prices. and luxury cars to 25 pc in August. and economic tumult. The BJP- The GST, which subsumed about Education, healthcare and third- led NDA Government was voted 17 Central, state and local levies tier railway travel have been out in the 2004 elections and the in line with the idea of ‘one nation, exempted from GST. Telecom and Congress ruled the country for one market, one tax’, removes financial services will attract an 18 a decade in alliance with several the ‘cascading’ effect by providing pc tax, while five services including regional parties. In between, the for input tax credit. The GST is a five-star hotels, will attract the peak nation had to weather the impact destination-based tax that is levied 28 pc GST. Petroleum products, real of a global credit crisis triggered at all stages right from manufacture estate and liquor are currently out by the collapse of Lehman Brothers up to final consumption, with credit of the GST ambit, as these items are in 2008. The CPI (M), which ruled of taxes paid at previous stages the proverbial cash cows for states West Bengal for 34 years, was ousted available as set-off. What this means that are not yet willing to let go of by Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool is that only value addition is taxed their powers to tax them. Congress in 2011. The BJP, under and the burden of tax falls on the India has implemented a dual Modi, registered a stunning victory final consumer. GST in keeping with the spirit and in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. It has This takes us to the key concept Constitutional mandate of fiscal since gone on to win several state of the GST being a destination tax. federalism. As such, both the Centre elections. An indirect tax can either be origin- and the states will concurrently And yet, despite the fractious based or destination/ consumption- impose GST on the entire goods and nature of India’s polity, the based. In a departure from the services supply chain on a common political class remained broadly previous tax regime where the tax base. The federal government will in agreement with the need to was levied and collected by the state charge Central GST and states will levy State GST on every supply of overhaul the indirect tax regime. in which production of goods and services happened, under GST taxes goods and services within a state. The federal and state governments The Centre will impose Integrated ‘pooled their sovereignty’ to launch are levied and collected by the state where consumption takes place. GST on all inter-state supplies the Goods and Services Tax from and then transfer the proceeds July 1, eliminating an archaic maze The GST Council has fixed a four- tiered rate structure of 5 per cent, 12 to the destination state. The GST of state-level duties and helping Council is the apex decision- Asia’s third-largest economy pc, 18 pc and 28 pc on both goods and services, with a ‘nil’ tax on fresh making body for all GST-related emerge as a unified market. issues and is chaired by the Union milk, vegetables, fruits, cereals and Finance Minister with state finance Why India opted for it foodgrains, among other daily-use ministers as its members. The pre-GST India was commodities. Previously, some characterised by the Central and states levied VAT on them. Experience so far state governments imposing a Daily-use items or goods of mass It’s been three months (till plethora of indirect taxes, which consumption are taxed at 5 pc, while September 30) since the GST came

8 VIDURA October-December 2017 Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:

into force, and going by the deluge The impact of the GST was most SMEs are the largest creators of of media reports, the transition tellingly felt on India’s economic jobs in a growing economy. It’s to the new tax regime has been growth. Even before the economy not surprising, therefore, that far from seamless. An important could fully recover from last former Prime Minister Manmohan aspect of the new indirect tax November’s shock currency ban Singh, an economist of repute, has regime is the GST Network, which that crimped business activity and dubbed the GST in its current form is the IT backbone of the GST damped demand, the government as a “fraud” on small traders who and runs websites and mobile rolled out GST. The uncertainty are baffled by the complexity of tax applications for traders to register surrounding such a sweeping tax compliance. themselves and file their taxes. A reform meant that manufacturers patchy technical implementation chose to clear existing stocks in Verdict has raised serious questions about the run-up to the implementation Notwithstanding the initial the robustness of the software. of GST, instead of making more of disruption and technical glitches, Traders have often complained them. This de-stocking, coupled the GST is a historic reform that will about their inability to register with the lingering effect of transform the way India conducts themselves on the GST Network demonetisation,led to the April- its business. The new tax regime portal, file taxes, as well as their June GDP expanding at 5.7 pc – its has the potential to usher in greater tax returns being declined. The slowest pace in 13 quarters. transparency and check tax evasion technical glitches have forced The GST has adversely and generation of black money, extensions of deadlines to file taxes, impacted the small and medium lending a sharper competitive edge with the unintended consequence enterprises, still reeling under to the economy. of exporters suffering delays in the liquidity crunch triggered by The GST is a value-added tax. refund of their input tax credit. last November’s demonetisation. Hence, firms will have an incentive

October-December 2017 VIDURA 9 to comply in order to avail credit hinted at the possibility of merging Therefore, there is no way the for taxes already paid. In fact, non- the 12 pc and 18 pc rates into one government can roll back the compliance will likely force traders once the GST regime settles down. GST, criticisms and glitches out of the business chain. This is Many of the opposition’s notwithstanding. The government expected to encourage compliance, criticisms are valid, and the and the opposition would do well widening the tax net and boosting government needs to look into to put their heads together and government revenues. them earnestly and expeditiously. jointly work toward making the Of the 1211 goods under the But it’s also undeniable that there new tax regime a success, instead of GST, more than 80 pc will be taxed is a concerted attempt at exploiting indulging in political point-scoring.

at 18 pc or below. Moreover, the the GST-driven discontents ahead GST is a good, but not (as yet) a so-called ‘zero-tax rate’ on several of Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat simple tax. < daily-use items that make nearly assembly polls. half of the consumer price index It needs to be underscored (The writer, who studied French basket means that the new tax that the GST bill enjoyed a near- Literature and Indian Philosophy at regime won't be inflationary in the unanimous support in Parliament. JNU, is a financial journalist based in medium to long run. It’s not a simple legislation, but New Delhi.) The GST brings about a fiscal one that required a Constitutional union of 29 states and seven amendment that also needed the federally-administered union legislative support of at least half territories, vastly improving the the states in the country. Hence, the ease of doing business and ending entire political spectrum is a party arbitrage opportunities for traders to this gigantic tax reform. who made profits on account of price differentials of goods between different states, to the detriment of consumers. Thus, GST is truly a The Hindu Union turns 61 one nation, one tax. However, this is not to suggest that each item will The 61st anniversary of The Hindu Office and National Press Employees’ be charged the same tax rate. Union was held recently in Chennai with speakers, including N. Murali, The Reserve Bank of India, as chairman, Kasturi and Sons, and M.K. Kanimozhi, Union president and well as several multilateral agencies Member of Parliament, underscoring the respect that the management such as the International Monetary has for the employees. Fund, the World Bank and the Asian In his address, Mr. Murali said that The Hindu Group had always been Development Bank have lowered treading the path of truth and integrity, upholding ethics in journalism India’s GDP forecast for the current and business. He said the welfare of the employees was an important fiscal year to March 31, 2018 due part of the ethos of the company and that apart from having concern and to the disruption and transition compassion for them, they had always been given due respect to their costs related to the GST. They, services. however, point out that the growth Kanimozhi hoped that the economy would fare much better next year deceleration will be transient, and and that The Hindu Group would provide a bigger bonus to its employees. the economy will revert to a high- She said that although usually employers were portrayed as enemies of the growth path next year onwards, as staff, in The Hindu it was not so. Both were friends and there was mutual respect between them. For the past 60 years, they had been growing the new tax system stabilises over together like branches of one family. time. Rajiv C. Lochan, managing director and chief executive officer, Kasturi The multiplicity of taxes, the need and Sons, said The Hindu had been able to sustain itself for 139 years due to file monthly as well as quarterly to the trust and respect from readers and the sacrifice of its employees. returns, and a chaotic classification Union general secretary M. Kamalanathan said that the employees

of items have raised the were ever grateful for the affection shown by the management and the compliance burden on businesses, trust they had in them and added that they would strive to do their best. < making it more difficult, not less, to do business in the country. (Courtesy: The Hindu) Clearly, the government had not made adequate preparations to launch a reform of this size and scale. Thankfully, the government is taking steps to mitigate the stress. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has

10 VIDURA October-December 2017 Do Indian cinema and television mimic life, or vice-versa? Socio-cultural diversity is not a strongpoint of Indian films and television serials. Could this be a factor encouraging negative stereotyping of groups and communities? How can this issue be addressed? Pushpa Achanta tries to find out

nyone unfamiliar with he has one or no parents or his sexual assault form part of the India who watches popular father is an abusive alcoholic. plot, the victims/ survivors are AHindi, Telugu or Tamil The male protagonist may share usually blamed and portrayed movies, particularly the depiction some of these characteristics, sport as being taunted and ostracised, of wedding ceremonies in them, a stubble or a rugged look, as in including by relatives and friends. may consider them realistic. They movies like Madras (Tamil), Happy An example is Kartavyam, a film may not realise that the productions (Telugu) or Tezab (Hindi). But the loosely based on the life of Kiran propagate the customs of dominant female lead is always slim, fair Bedi. Released in the late 1980s, religious, caste, class or societal and fits other traditional notions of the lady police officer in the film groups. They also trigger people beauty. encourages the rapist to marry his outside these exclusive circles, like Sometimes, the heroine rides a victim. This is apparently what Maniamma (name changed), to motorbike like in the Tamil movie some rapists offer to do to escape imitate the practices depicted in Kaadhal Kan Kattudhe, or prefers conviction or reduce their sentence. the movies. Maniamma, who does a career over marriage, children or A case of life imitating art or vice- not even educate her daughters a romantic relationship as in the versa? beyond primary school, spent Rs Telugu feature, Godavari, or Hindi Not much has changed in nearly 6000 to photograph the engagement movies like Badrinath ki Dulhania 30 years since Kartavyam on the ceremony of one of her six girls. or Ki and Ka. Yet, even these small and large screen. In the Mainstream Indian feature movies are rooted in patriarchy recent Hindi television series, Kya films perpetuate many negative and that girls and women are not Kusoor Hai Amla Ka, a young lady stereotypes. A villain, for instance, shown as ‘too free’. Often, the in Dharamshala is gang-raped. is popularly portrayed as a dark- female characters are depicted Only one of the three rapists (all skinned, well-built, foul-mouthed as physically weak, needing the young men from wealthy families) man from a low-income household protection of the ‘hero’ and other is remorseful while others prioritise without too many professional or male characters. law evasion. Although the mother academic qualifications. Sometimes, When rape or other forms of of one of the rapists is ashamed of her son and concerned about the rape survivor, she is advised to remain silent. While the role of power, money, contacts, etc favouring the rapists is shown candidly, the survivor is deceived into marrying a friend of the rapists. Incidentally, he is present at the crime scene but does not prevent the assault as he is drunk. However, it can be considered that he abetted the rape since he prevents the survivor from leaving. By backing her successful fight for justice, he escapes punishment.

Photos: PA In 2016, Hindi serial Shakti – Ek Journalist Muthi ur Rahman Siddiqui speaks about his wrongful arrest and Ehsaas Ki depicted a transgender religious profiling. woman from the Kinnar

October-December 2017 VIDURA 11 Community in an extremely why coverage of caste, gender or editor. Additionally, opposing inaccurate manner. But in minorities’ issues is insufficient and questionable or objectionable Thenavattu, a movie in Tamil, the sometimes insensitive. This is an content must be regarded a social iconic poet, performer and activist unacceptable situation that must be responsibility although that can be A. Revathi and a few transgender highlighted and critiqued. Ironically, biased. women were not negatively but perhaps unsurprisingly, Muthi- On the other hand, there is stereotyped. ur-Rehman Siddiqui, a young and no justification for vigilantism, And in Saada Haq, a Hindi committed reporter for Deccan including threatening or attacking television series that aired Herald in Karnataka was unjustly journalists or their offices as the between 2013 and 2015, a young incarcerated in 2012-13 for six Shiv Sena did to the Marathi news woman, Sanyukta, studies months as a terrorism suspect. channels IBN Lokmat and IBN7 in Mechanical Engineering while “I was assigned the crime beat and 2009. Even worse is the cowardly fighting the regressive mindset interacted with senior police officers murder of fearless journalists like of her entrepreneur father and regularly. They disclosed I was Gauri Lankesh and Ram Chander brother, with the help of a partly innocent and was framed,” Siddiqui Chhatrapati (who first exposed

supportive mother. Her supportive revealed at a public meeting. This the crimes of Gurmeet Ram Rahim but insecure boyfriend, a college was obviously a case of stereotyping, Singh) of the Hindi eveninger < classmate, marries, leaves and targeting members of a specific Poora Sach in 2002. reunites with her after realising religious community. her worth. Overall, the relationship Article 19(2) of the Indian (The writer is a freelance journalist runs on his terms. Her friends who Constitution guarantees the Right to based in Bengaluru who focuses on understand her ambitions back Freedom of Speech and Expression. social development issues.) Sanyukta. But that does not imply that it is The story lacked significant acceptable for such freedom to harm characters from religious, racial, or humiliate someone. Also, the linguistic, or other minority groups. Press Council of India guidelines Nikhil Kumar is CNN Typically, engineering college and the National Broadcasters Delhi Bureau chief campuses in contemporary India Association standards guarantee are not very diverse, inclusive or to an individual’s right to privacy. CNN International has progressive spaces. Tragically, They accept complaints which announced Nikhil Kumar as the students from socio-economically are investigated and offenders New Delhi Bureau chief. Based in marginalised groups can be are penalised, though they have the country’s capital, Kumar will ostracised, and this can pressure insufficient resources. be responsible for the strategic them to commit suicide. This is not to say that the planning of the network’s multi- Socio-cultural diversity is government must regulate media platform news coverage from minimal among media persons, content. However, there must India and the region. especially those in executive be self-regulation and also an Kumar was most recently the positions – probably a reason ombudsperson like a reader’s South Asia Bureau Chief for Time Magazine based in New Delhi. Before moving to India in early 2015, he was a senior editor based in New York, editing and managing Time's international editions, as well as foreign coverage in Time’s US edition. Before joining Time, Kumar was

New York correspondent for both The Independent newspaper and < the London Evening Standard.

(Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

Screen grab from a recent Hindi television serial on a rape survivor.

12 VIDURA October-December 2017 Dhananjoy and the dreaded death sentence The death sentence is a controversial subject in India, and several award-winning films have been made around the subject. The most recent is Dhananjoy, which takes a fresh look at an old case. Shoma A. Chatterji explores various facets

person sentenced to be hanged has been the Asubject of many Indian films. Since the death sentence is a controversial topic, these films get labelled as ‘serious’ and ‘out- of-the-box’ cinema. Mrinal Sen’s all-time classic Mrigaya (1976) that earned a national award for Mithun Chakraborty is an excellent example. Govind Nihalani’s dir- ectorial debut Aakrosh (1980) is another immortal film about the death sentence handed down to the adivasi (tribal) protagonist who used silence as his language of protest against a corrupt system. Another example is Massey Saheb (1986) adapted from Joyce

Cary's novel Mister Johnson (1939) Photos: SVF Films and directed by Pradip Kishen. A scene from Mrinal Sen’s all-time classic Mrigaya (1976), a film that Raghuvir Yadav picked up two earned a national award for Mithun Chakraborty. international awards for his role in this, his debut film. Purush (1994) A recent Bengali film, Dhananjoy, crime. Though the film team insists directed by Rajen Kothari is perhaps directed by Arindam Sil, raises that it is fiction, the name of the the only significant movie which questions about the execution of film and of the protagonist indicate shows a female protagonist walking Dhananjoy Chatterjee in 2004 for otherwise. up to the gallows as punishment raping and killing a schoolgirl The larger, underlying agenda for castrating and killing a village who lived in the building where is the victimisation and injustice leader who brutally raped her. he worked as a security guard. meted out to the poor, the Dalits He served sentence in solitary and the weak in the matter of confinement for 14 years and when death sentences. In Dhananjoy, Presidential clemency was not a concerned lawyer reopens the given, he was hanged to death. case and skeletons begin to topple Was he really guilty of the crimes out of the cupboard, pointing to an he was accused of? Or, did his investigation gone awry or cooked impoverished, uneducated and up to hide the true criminal. suburban social backdrop work It would be interesting to take against him? Though the director a look at the findings of a study and the scriptwriter insist that conducted by National Law they are only raising questions, the University students with the help narrative of the film set in 2008, of the Law Commission currently four years after Dhananjoy was engaged in a wider consultation hanged, points to the possibility with various stakeholders on the Om Puri in Aakrosh (1980). that someone else committed the issue of death penalty and whether

October-December 2017 VIDURA 13 Chhatna, the suburban town he belonged to. “In the history of the death sentence in India, this is the first death sentence of a civilian citizen carried out without a single shred of physical evidence and on circumstantial evidence alone and that too, after the man had already served 14 years of rigorous imprisonment. On the basis of our research for this film, we have concluded that Dhananjoy’s death sentence was premised on the massive media outcry so it was possibly a media-created trial that sentenced him to death,” says director Sil. Dhananjoy, the film, came about A courtroom scene from the film, Dhananjoy. when Arindam Sil was sent a book based on research on the entire it should be abolished. As part of Many have forgotten Prakash case done by Paramesh Goswami, the study, 373 death row convicts Jha’s Damul (1985) but it is one of a social activist, and Debashish were interviewed over a 15-year the boldest films, exploring casteist Sengupta and Probal Mukherjee, period. and capitalist politics in pockets of professors at the Indian Statistical Himanshi Dhawan and Pradeep rural India. The viewer is exposed to Institute. Another filmmaker, Thakur in a report (TNN, July 15, a series of audiovisual shocks. There Atanu Ghosh, who sent Sil the 2015) point out that the poor, Dalits is murder in cold blood, there are book, suggested that he make a and those from backward castes get mass killings of defenceless people, film based on this new perspective rougher treatment from our courts sexual blackmail of a helpless young “We added our own research more often than not because of their widow of high caste, the holding that ran into 5000 pages. I asked inability to find a competent lawyer of an entire basti (slum) to ransom, my scriptwriter Padmanabha to represent them. As many as 93.5 gheraoing (a protest not allowing Dasgupta to write a script out per cent of those sentenced to death people to leave) the basti to stop the of these findings. But he also for terror offences are Dalits or from residents from casting votes, forcing needed to be convinced,” says Sil. religious minority groups. them to ‘repay’ debts they had never “Circumstantial evidence throws They go on to quote from the taken and compelling them to steal report that over three-fourths of cattle for the landlord who leaves the prisoners on death row belong them to die if and when caught. The to backward classes and religious final blow comes when Sanjeevana minorities; over 75 per cent are (Annu Kapoor), an innocent Harijan economically vulnerable; they are from the Dalit basti is sentenced to not allowed to attend proceedings death because he became wise to and have limited or no interaction the landlord’s wicked ways. He had with lawyers; they are not permitted not committed any crime. to work inside the prisons and are What about the background of lodged in separate barracks, mostly Dhananjoy Chatterjee? He was in solitary confinement; 23 per cent the son of a Brahmin priest who have no schooling while the rest had small plots of land, and was have not completed secondary burdened with several children, education. including daughters to be married Founder of Human Rights Law off. In other words, they were very Network and senior advocate Colin poor. Dhananjoy was married just Gonsalves says: “The rich mostly a month before the crime. He got a get away while the very poor, job as a security guard in a housing Prakash Jha’s Damul (1985), one of especially Dalits and tribals, get complex in South Calcutta and the boldest films that explored casteist short shrift.” commuted to work every day from and capitalist policies in rural India.

14 VIDURA October-December 2017 director, the script and Dhananjoy’s draw out the rape victim’s mother family in Chhatna village. Besides, I from her private space and accuse had to create the body language, the her of having killed her daughter dialect he spoke, which was truly solely on the basis of speculation? quite difficult. I will now wait for the Was the film made with the

audience to judge my performance objective of profit and based on just as they are being invited to sit commercial considerations alone? < in judgment on whether the death One wonders! sentence was right or wrong.” Questions remain. How ethical (The writer is a senior journalist Anirban Bhattacharya, who played is it to bring out an old case in and film historian based in Kolkata. the role of Dhananjoy. public domain under the guise of a She has won the National Award for fictionalised drama of a true crime? Best Writing on Cinema twice, the up a different interpretation and What impact will this have on Bengal Film Journalists Association that is what we aimed to show,” Dhananjoy’s family so many years Award, and a Lifetime Achievement says Dasgupta. after the crime? How right is it to Award from Laadly-UNFPA.) It takes courage to reopen an old case and leave it to the audience to judge the merits of the sentence for itself. Even so, film Dhananjoy Akila Urankar is president, INS has two major flaws. First, the lady lawyer who reopened the case and Akila Urankar of Business Standard was elected president of The Indian argues in defence of Dhananjoy, is Newspaper Society (INS) for 2017-18 at its 78th annual general meeting. informed, during her research, by She succeeds Somesh Sharma of Rashtradoot Saptahik, according to an INS one of the doctors who conducted press release. Jayant Mammen Mathew (Malayala Manorama) is the new the post mortem that it was a case deputy president, Shailesh Gupta (Mid-Day) vice-president, and Sharad of “consensual rape”! Yes, you Saxena (Hindustan Times, Patna) the honorary treasurer of the Society for read that correctly. How can ‘rape’ 2017-18. S.P. Gaur is the secretary general of the Society. be ‘consensual’? The terms don’t The members of the executive committee of the INS include L Adimoolam belong together. (Health & The Antiseptic), Ashish Bagga (India Today), S. Balasubramaniam The second flaw relates to the Adityan (Daily Thanthi), Girish Agarwal (Dainik Bhaskar, Bhopal), Samahit projections the film makes, such Bal (Pragativadi), V.K. Chopra (Dainik Asam) and Vijay Kumar Chopra as suggesting that the murder was (Punjabi Kesari, Jalandhar). possibly an honour killing, which The other members are Vijay Jawaharlal Darda (Lokmat), Jagjit Singh is just as speculative and lacking in Dardi (Charhdikala Daily), Viveck Goenka (The Indian Express, Mumbai), concrete evidence as the premise Mahendra Mohan Gupta (Dainik Jagran), Pradeep Gupta (Dataquest), that led to the sentence handed to Sanjay Gupta (Dainik Jagran, Varanasi), Mohit Jain (Economic Times), and Dhananjoy. Sarvinder Kaur (Ajit). If it is considered as fiction Also among the members are C.H. Kiron (Vipula & Annadata), R. inspired by a true crime story, Lakshmipathy (Dinamalar), Rajul Maheshwari (Amar Ujala), Vilas A. Marathe Dhananjoy is a well-made film (Dainik Hindusthan, Amravati), Naresh Mohan (Sunday Statesman), Anant Nath ( Marathi), Pratap G. Pawar ( ), D.D. Purkayastha with brilliant acting and technical Grihshobhika, Sakal (Ananda Bazar Patrika), R.M.R. Ramesh (Dinakaran) and K. Raja Prasad support. The protagonist’s role is Reddy (Sakshi, Vishakhapatnam). Atideb Sarkar (Sananda), Rakesh played by Anirban Bhattacharya. Sharma (Aaj Samaj), M.V. Sreyamskumar (Mathrubhumi Arogya Masika), He says, “This is the most Kiran D. Thakur (Tarun Bharat, Belgaum), Biju Varghese (Mangalam challenging character I have Weekly). Rajiv Verma (Hindustan Times, New Delhi), Vinay Verma (The portrayed in my entire career. It is Tribune), Jacob Mathew (Vanitha), Bahubali S. Shah (Gujarat Samachar), a character that does not have any Hormusji N. Cama (Bombay Samachar Weekly), Kundan R. Vyas (Vyapar, frame of reference. Dhananjoy’s Mumbai), K.N. Tilak Kumar (Deccan Herald & Prajavani), Ravindra Kumar

experience is very difficult to (The Statesman), Kiran B. Vadodaria (Sambhaav Metro), P.V. Chandran < internalise and portray. It was so (Grehalaksmi) and Somesh Sharma (Rashtradoot Saptahik). emotionally draining for me that (Courtesy: PTI) at times, I felt that I just could not take it anymore. I have never met Dhananjoy so I just had to visualise and realise the character on the basis of perceptions I got from my

October-December 2017 VIDURA 15 Sex workers plead for more sympathetic media coverage

Do sex workers not deserve dignity? Do the terms ‘rape’ and ‘violence’ not apply to them? These were some of the questions that came up at a media sensitisation workshop organised recently at New Delhi by Taaras, a coalition of women in sex work, and Swasti, a health resource centre for marginalised communities. The workshop brought together several community leaders of women in sex work for an interaction with media persons. Bharat Dogra has the story

omen engaged in sex paid very little attention to it, one of resource centre for marginalised work often faced rape and the leaders of the community said communities. Wviolence while pursuing at a media sensitisation workshop The possibility of violence their profession. However, there organised recently in New Delhi increased when they had to move was an unspoken denial of such by Taaras, a coalition of women away from their designated places issues, and the media and police in sex work, and Swasti, a health of work to service clients, the Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:

16 VIDURA October-December 2017 women reported. At times, they portrayed in a negative light, which On the plus side, community were told there would be only one only strengthened the social stigma leaders said organisations of sex client, but when they reached the they faced, they complained. workers were coming up in various place, they would find a whole One sex worker pointed out that parts of India and they were now in group waiting for them. If they while trafficking certainly needed a better position to complain against objected, they were subjected to to be opposed, the fact remained some glaring injustices meted out violence and force. There were that many women entered the to them. And thanks to outfits instances when the women had profession because they choose to, like Taaras and Swasti, they were been stripped and left in public and they had a right to dignity. now able to communicate more places. If the media covered such They were being consistently effectively about their problems cases with the same sensitivity denied this dignity. A sympathetic and issues.

as they did in cases where other media could help them and their Taaras was set up in 2016 while women were involved, such crimes families in negating social stigma, Swasti functions as a ‘secretariat’ < against sex workers might reduce, she stressed. for Taaras. speakers at the workshop felt. The organisers also brought to the notice of participants that very Viveck Goenka elected PTI chairman often, the media published names and photographs of sex workers. Viveck Goenka, chairman and managing director of the Express Group, This made them easily identifiable and N. Ravi, former editor-in-chief of The Hindu, were unanimously elected and caused them and their families chairman and vice-chairman of Press Trust of India, the country’s largest hardship and anguish. As one sex news agency. Goenka (60) succeeds Riyad Mathew, who is senior assistant worker explained, many of them editor and a member of the Manorama management. Ravi (69) succeeds had to hide their profession from Goenka as vice-chairman. The election took place at a meeting of the Board friends and relatives and sometimes of Directors following the Company’s 69th annual general meeting. even from the immediate family, Goenka, an engineer by qualification and a publisher by profession, and media coverage exposed them. is also a director of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) besides being a They related how even their member of the Advertising Association, India Chapter. He has served as daughters were threatened with chairman of United News of India news agency, as a council member of the rape and violence because of the Audit Bureau of Circulation and was one of the youngest past presidents of stigma attached to their trade. One the Indian Newspaper Society. He is also a wildlife photographer and an sex worker brought a copy of a avid student of conservation. newspaper which had published Ravi, an award-winning journalist with an illustrious career in India and such information to drive home her the United States, is a director at Kasturi & Sons, which publishes The Hindu. point. It would help if the media Ravi joined The Hindu in 1972, and served as reporter, leader writer and highlighted the injustice suffered Washington Correspondent until 1980 when he became a deputy editor. He by their children, they said. was editor from 1991 to 2011 and editor-in-chief from October 2013 until As the women pointed out, January 2015. He has a master’s degree in Economics and a bachelor’s there was usually an economic degree in Law. He has previously been chairman of the Press Trust of India, compulsion or some tragedy which and president of the Editors’ Guild of India. He was a member of the Indian had driven them to take up sex government’s National Security Advisory Board from 2006 to 2008. work. Even in that respect they The other members of the PTI Board are Mahendra Mohan Gupta (Dainik faced difficulties, as a significant Jagran), K.N. Shanth Kumar (Printers Mysore), Vineet Jain (The Times of part of their earnings were often India), Aveek Kumar Sarkar (Ananda Bazar Patrika), M.P. Veerendra Kumar taken away by others. These aspects (Mathrubhumi), R. Lakshmipathy (Dinamalar), Vijay Kumar Chopra (Hind of their lives wre never highlighted Samachar), Rajiv Verma (Hindustan Times), Hormusji N. Cama (Bombay by the media. Samachar), Justice R.C. Lahoti, Prof. Deepak Nayyar, Shyam Saran and The media seldom highlighted the J.F. Pochkhanawalla. positive aspects of their lives either, The PTI Board took a major decision last year to split the roles of chief the community leaders pointed out. executive officer (CEO) and editor-in-chief (EIC), which were traditionally held by one person, to meet growing challenges resulting from the changing Giving examples, they said some of media landscape. The editorial team is now led by editor-in-chief, Vijay them had helped to rescue girls who Joshi, a veteran journalist with more than three decades experience in the

were being trafficked or coerced to profession. The CEO is Venky Venkatesh, who also has more than three join the profession. Others helped decades experience in sales, marketing, corporate affairs and media. < set up old age homes for sex workers. Such initiatives were not (Courtesy: The Hindu covered and, instead, they were

October-December 2017 VIDURA 17 Can’t we make room for people with disabilities? Why is it that we put a ceiling on accessibility to education and workplaces when it comes to people with disability? It’s high time we toggle our mindset and think of ensuring that the entertainment and tourism sectors suit the needs of this section of society, says Aditi Panda. We have miles to go but together we can achieve our goal much faster just by small attitudinal changes

udipta Mishra works as a and workplaces when it comes to restricted when it comes to difficult- special educator in a special people with disability? It’s high time to-access temples, historic sites and Sschool. She herself suffers we toggle our mindset and think of heritage monuments, particularly from cerebral palsy. “As a woman ensuring that the entertainment and those on elevated terrain. Even with a disability, I have had to face tourism sectors suit the needs of this people with sufficient resources a lot of discrimination,” she says. section of society. at their disposal hesitate to travel For instance, she has had to cope Tourism is a very significant because of practical considerations with the harsh comments of a few way of widening the circles of a if they are disabled. insensitive people when she tried group prone to be segregated from Since people with disability, to communicate with them to get mainstream society. People with senior citizens and families information. “Speech impairment disability have the same right as with young children are not is not a crime or a thing to laugh others to travel with dignity and considered potential customers at,” Sudipta says. “We also have the liberty and have access to tourism by the Government and other right to travel, interact with people infrastructure, both products and service providers, these segments and live a life of dignity.” services, including employment constitute untapped potential. The Sudipta’s is not an isolated opportunities. number of people with disabilities travel experience for people with Different aspects such as financial is rapidly growing. The economic disability. The segment faces both constraints, mobility issues, family opportunities that emanate from practical and attitudinal difficulties support and societal barriers the requirements of this section when they move out of their comfort multiply for people with disability have also been identified. Meeting zones. Why is it that we put a when they decide to take a package the tourism needs of people with ceiling on accessibility to education tour. Moreover, their movements are disability, which can be termed Accessible Tourism, can prove to be profitable, besides being an effort to conform to legal requirements. It is a myth that accessibility is expensive to provide. Even simple things can make a huge difference. The main entrance of buildings can be widened to accommodate wheelchairs. Ramps with a minimum gradient of 1:12 and preferably tactile surfaces, equipped with handrails on both sides, can be built next to steps. Water taps can be placed at heights of 900-1000 mm with appropriate leg and knee space. Long lever handles make it easier for persons with disability to operate. Buses can be fitted with hydraulic ramps operated by driver for the benefit of the disabled. Electric switches can

Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration: be placed 450-1000 mm from the

18 VIDURA October-December 2017 access to people with disabilities is everyone’s responsibility, not just that of the Government. “More public awareness should be created on the problems associated with different kinds of disability,” says Sudipta. “If we create more awareness on disability and change our mindset towards

people with disability then the world will be a better place to live < in,” adds Chumki.

(The writer, based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, works freelance for the state government and several funding agencies of repute. Her area of Sudipta (extreme left) with her friends in college. expertise is documentation, training and reporting, and field of interest disability, gender, child rights, child floor level with colours contrasting in the tourism sector and created protection and accessibility.) with the hues of surrounding wall public awareness about the subject. for easy access. Help desks can be The Tourism Department has set up at bus terminals and railway committed to making all upcoming stations to support people with projects barrier free. Punit Goenka again special needs, and make travelling Dr Minati Behera, commissioner an experience to cherish. for Persons with Disabilities, elected president, IBF Chumki Dutta, an entrepreneur Odisha, says, “The Persons with Punit Goenka (managing and social activist working for Disabilities (Equal Opportunity, director, Zee Entertainment the financial independence of Protection of Rights and Full Enterprises) was re-elected people with disability and the Participation) Act 1985 mandates president of the Indian underprivileged, has positive a barrier-free access in all public Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), feedback to provide. places, transportation systems etc. at the 18th IBF annual general “I have travelled all over India on The Rights of Persons with meeting. Punit Misra, CEO- a wheelchair and even if all places Disabilities Act 2016 also mandates Domestic Broadcast Business, are not accessible, people make it facilities such as access to transport, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, an enjoyable experience and help information and communication is the new inductee to the 12 us to move forward. So I have technology as well as consumer member Indian Broadcasting always thought that the attitude of goods. It also makes observance of Foundation Board of Directors. the people towards the differently- accessibility norms compulsory, N.P. Singh (CEO, Sony Pictures abled matters a lot. I remember the and sets a time limit for making Networks India), I. Venkat day I decided to go to Rajasthan existing infrastructure and premises (director, Eenadu TV), and K. to attend a wedding at a palace accessible.” Madhavan (managing director, situated on top of a hill. Initially I The office of the Odisha State Asianet Communications) whose was scared and worried that my Commission for Persons with terms were coming to an end this

wheelchair would not permit me Disabilities has been making year were also re-elected to the to go on this adventure. But I was systematic continuous efforts 12 member team. < surprised by the positive attitude to create awareness among the of the people there, who helped me authorities, administrators, engi- (Courtesy: exchange4media. to reach the palace. I thoroughly neers and architects on the needs com) enjoyed every moment of my stay of the disabled. Relentless efforts in Rajasthan,” Dutta says. resulted in many public buildings The media highlighted the being made accessible to the work done by the Delhi Tourism disabled. Almost all government Department to make Dilli Haat the schools now have ramps and at first disabled-friendly tourist spot least one toilet to suit the needs of in India. The reports generated the disabled. Ultimately, there is a discussion on accessibility issues need to acknowledge that providing

October-December 2017 VIDURA 19 It’s high time we made blood management ‘smarter’

For India to join the ranks of countries which have achieved 100 per cent voluntary, non-remunerative blood donations, the government needs to establish a system where volunteers can give blood safely and the act of donation is considered gratification enough, says Dr Manju Gupta

A needle prick can do what a spider This is an example of how a country is on the right track. bite can't…. turn you into a superhero. blood donation drive appeals to Despite this, blood is in chronic Sometimes, not great power, a little the innate nobility in people. The short supply. The World Health humanity is enough to save lives. organisers rope in celebrities and Organisation stipulates that every Donate blood regularly. We know launch an advertisement blitzkrieg. nation needs a 1 per cent reserve. you’ve got it in you... These campaigns have helped and India, with its population of 1.2 although it is far from the ideal, our billion people, needs 12 million Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:

20 VIDURA October-December 2017 units of blood annually but collects because of sero-reactivity. Screening reduced blood shortage by 30-50 only nine million. This leaves a by rapid tests before taking blood per cent. The initiative needs to 25 per cent deficit that rises to 50 could prevent collection of blood be extended nationwide to ensure per cent in summer. Additionally, from infected donors, which optimum usage of blood. Also, India faces severe shortage of subsequently has to be discarded. a comprehensive online donor blood during emergencies, as Also, many unused units languish registry will help volunteers many blood banks do not maintain past the 35-day expiry period and respond to critical blood shortage the mandatory 25 per cent buffer have to be destroyed. This is due in their community stock. to fluctuations in demand and lack Of the many excuses people give The shortage results in 1.5 million of synergy among donors, blood for not donating blood, ranging deaths a year and has spawned banks, regulators, hospitals and from being squeamish to being a breed of ‘professional’ blood receivers. afraid of needles, and from the donors. Although illegal, almost In India, the blood bank services fear of contracting some disease to 40 per cent of the country’s blood sector is highly fragmented and the uncaring ‘never thought about requirement is met by commercial lacks coordination. Few blood it’, no one has yet refused because

donors and they are responsible banks are accredited and, therefore, they feared that their blood might for transmitting diseases such as uniform and rigorous testing go waste. We need to act before that < HIV and hepatitis. For India to facilities are lacking. India has happens and the donor sees red. join the 54 countries which have approximately 2500 blood banks, achieved cent per cent voluntary, only 500 of which are ‘big banks’ (The writer is a gynaecologist. She non-remunerative donations, the collecting more than 10000 units blogs at alifeextraordinarilyordinary. government needs to establish a annually. The smaller blood banks com about the trials and tribulations system where volunteers can give lack the equipment and technicians of living in a small town of Haryana. blood safely and feel gratified by to separate blood components – Her articles have appeared in The the act of donation itself. packed red blood cells, platelets and Hindu, Hindustan Times, The It is agonising that at present fresh frozen plasma – and supply Tribune and The Week.) relatives of patients have to spend whole blood instead. considerable effort, time and money As a result, whole blood is to get blood when needed. But more used more often, while globally Eastern Media is now the distressing is the fact that some of components are used 90 per cent of Sambad Group this invaluable life-giving fluid is the time. So, a unit of blood which wasted due to mismanagement. could save up to three lives is being Odisha’s largest media con- Hence, the pertinent question is: used to save just one. Compulsory glomerate Eastern Media (EML) how much of the blood collected accreditation and regular audits revealed its corporate identity as through voluntary donations of blood banks will lead to proper the Sambad Group on October 9. courses through patients' veins and inventory management, promote The chairman of Sambad Group, how much is chucked down the usage of blood components and Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, unveiled drains? curtail indiscriminate wastage. the logo on the occasion coinciding A recent RTI filed by an activist All the measures described with the 33rd foundation day from Jammu revealed that nearly above will greatly improve the of Sambad – state’s most-read 2000 units of blood were wasted in blood banking scene but the most and widely circulated vernacular two government hospitals between effective step would be to make daily, in presence of the Group’s 2013 and 2015. This, moreover, blood management ‘smarter’ managing director, Monica was not the first time such wastage through information technology. Nayyar Patnaik, and executive happened, nor was it limited to The goal is to elimínate delays by director Tanaya Patnaik. The Jammu. Similar petitions across creating a ‘web of blood banks'. largest among the Group, Sambad has thirty regional offices, four the country have shown that Blood remains in short supply printing centres, thirty three sales approximately 5 per cent of whole during emergencies due to the lack offices, a largest read Odia daily, blood and 9 per cent of blood of information and accessibility. two leading Odia magazines, a

components are wasted. Networking can overcome this television news channel and two < At large blood donation challenge by effectively connecting radio stations. camps, the inability to maintain the donors with recipients. (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) temperature of blood bags during Once all blood banks are included, transport and storage is the main a person can find blood in a nearby problem. This can be countered by bank at the click of a mouse. Such maintaining a blood donor registry. networks exist in many countries Also, some blood gets discarded and some Indian states and have

October-December 2017 VIDURA 21 Some ethical questions – in search of answers She has taught journalism as guest faculty for postgraduate students at three well-known institutions in Mumbai and Bengaluru, including the Asian College of Journalism (before it moved to Chennai). The teaching and training covers editing, investigative reporting and legal implications, scheduling, layout, etce, but Sakuntala Narasimhan is wondering if there is one aspect of being on an editorial team that gets neglected – editors’ ethical obligations and accountability to contributors

have been on both sides of the “We get so many submissions that my full time job! So what are our editorial desk – as a freelancer it is just not possible to send rejection options (or rights) as contributors? Isending in submissions, as well or acceptance intimation to each and Sometimes, it helps to know as editor assessing submissions for every contributor,” says one editor, the time line (lead time) for each acceptance. At mainstream media and I agree, having had charge of publication, so that topical pieces outlets, submissions can come editorial selections myself. So what are not submitted too late for flooding in and pile up – there does one do, if one has a topical inclusion. A well-written piece can is nothing to stop a greenhorn piece to offer that will get dated if be dumped because the issue on a from trying his or her hand at a held over for a few weeks? “If I am particular topic has been already short story or a ‘middle’, or even a frequent contributor and have closed for printing; few editors take an opinion piece, and at times an written for that publication/ online the trouble to say so, informing the editor or his/ her staff just don’t publication earlier, the editor owes contributor that this is the reason have the time to go through each me the courtesy of letting me know for its rejection. In my teaching I and every submission in its entirety, as soon as a decision has been taken, have always emphasised the need and sometimes pieces that merit because I don’t submit trash, I am for contributors to first acquire attention because the perspective not a greenhorn peddling my articles familiarity with a publication’s lead on an issue is novel (but is badly around,” bristles one freelancer time norms (some magazines work written) get rejected. Re-writing who has been fairly successful as a several months in advance, to allow takes time, and most editorial staff writer. for fact checking, turning round don’t have the time (or patience, or But where does an editor draw the edited versions etc; I remember inclination) to do a rewrite job. line between ‘known contributor’, receiving submissions relating to Fair enough. But look at it from ‘frequent contributor’ or some Christmas, sent in during the first the contributor’s angle – rejections other? Is it possible to sift through week of December, whereas the are not conveyed to the sender, so a pile of incoming submissions fortnightly magazine I worked for one doesn’t know whether to wait and decide on the basis of bylines? finalised its Christmas issue 4-5 or place it elsewhere. Some editors What about time constraints and weeks in advance, so there was no have a policy intimating that if the constant deadline pressures that way such submissions could be something is not used within six most publications (especially daily accepted even if they were good). weeks, the contributor can assume or weekly publications) work under? I also recall contributors that it has not been retained for An unknown byline can also be an saying that they “do not read publication. Again, fair enough, but excellently written piece and worth that magazine” (but want to get what about pieces that are topical using. Where does ethics lie? And published in it. That’s unethical – and cannot be offered elsewhere do any courses in journalism teach if you want to get published in a after a wait of six weeks? It is of or, at least, debate these issues? particular paper or magazine, you course unethical for a contributor to There was a time when I decided need to first familiarise yourself send the same piece to two editors I would boycott publications that with it by looking through at least a (that happened to me once; I was do not acknowledge receipt of few recent issues, to know its style, mortified to see my piece appear in submissions, or convey decisions format, average length of articles two different periodicals during the within a ‘reasonable’ time. But etc. Are these considerations not as same week, after I had waited for what is ‘reasonable time’ and who important as learning good writing, over a month and assumed that it decides? I was soon running out of for success in journalism? wasn’t being used in the publication outlets for placing my pieces when I I also remember one occasion I first sent it to.) began boycotting editors, after I left when an excellent article had come

22 VIDURA October-December 2017 < Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:

in, on a topical subject but my that Moral Science which used to boss decided we could not use it be a subject taught in schools two Kalli Purie is because we had already covered generations ago, is no longer on any vice-chairperson, that theme in our issue that had curricula. Quite. But can we resign India Today Group just gone for printing. I thought ourselves to this lacuna, and leave this should be conveyed to the it at that? Isn’t it time to bring back Chairman Aroon Purie has contributor explaining the editorial ethics into all training modules, reportedly said in an email sent reason for rejection but, of course, including communications, because to the employees that Kalli Purie magazine staff seldom have time all human values are linked to has been appointed as the vice- for such courtesies. “He will see ethical dimensions which are being chairperson of The India Today our next issue and understand why eroded under today’s market driven Group. During her 20 year long we couldn’t use his piece,” my boss priorities? association with Group, Kalli Purie declared. Even the media are admittedly has held several important posts. Ethics is no longer a favoured not free of market compulsions. Until now, she was the Group

subject (not only in Journalism However, who can help focus on editorial director (Broadcast &

New Media). As per the new but also in Economics and other this dilemma except the media, and <

disciplines). I remember former generate wider deliberations? order, the Group CFO and the Karnataka Lok Ayukta Justice new Group CEO when appointed < Santosh Hegde once remarking will report to Kalli Purie. in a public lecture in Bengaluru (Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

October-December 2017 VIDURA 23 SALZBURG SEMINARS Fostering change-makers, making the world a better place

While India was celebrating 70 years of independence in 2017, there was another 70th anniversary being observed worldwide, by a group of ‘fellows’ who have been part of an exciting initiative seeking to “make a difference to the world” in diverse fields. Sakuntala Narasimhan reports

n the wake of the Second World ranging from food security enriching their own perspectives, War, a group of three young issues to the impact of technology through day long sessions that IHarvard men came up with on lifestyles, ramifications of offer opportunities for interactions the idea of a Marshall Plan for globalisation, literary trends, using rarely available in conventional the mind to form global networks the arts (music, theatre) for social seminars or conferences. Fellows and explore the way forward to goals, strengthening civil society, range in age from 19 to 56-plus, the promote peace and progress. Quite issues in the media, free markets, criterion for selection being their serendipitously, a wealthy woman legal implications of cyberage, commitment to their area of work who owned a fabulous castle in engaging youth in combating and their potential for contributing Salzburg in Austria (which was extremism, and the role of NGOs. to their countries’ development in used and damaged by the Nazis Each session has faculty their chosen fields. during the war) and happened speakers drawn from a galaxy of Comments from fellows returning to be on the same train while the international achievers and leaders from a session range from “it was three men were tossing their idea – anthropologist Margaret Mead an experience that changed my life, about, offered the three dreamers (who was co-chair of the inaugural stretched my canvas of viewpoints” the use of her castle as a venue session), Mary Robinson (former to “I was a different person after for their global experiment – and president of Ireland and later UN the session – it opened my eyes to a remarkable series of seminars, High Commissioner for Human the wider world in a way that no known as the Salzburg Seminars, Rights), Hillary Clinton (former First amount of reading could have…”. took shape. Lady and secretary of state under During the two sessions that I was Funding trickled in, private President Obama), Pascal Lamy privileged to be part of, I shared a donors pitched in, excited by the (director general of the World Trade room with a young scientist from novel idea of forging global links Organisation), writer Saul Bellow, Bulgaria, and the next time with for a Marshal Plan for the mind (as prime minister of Australia Bob a participant from Madagascar; it the founders saw it, for intellectual Hawke, Nobel-winning economist was fascinating to exchange ideas reconstruction, supplementing the Leonlief, and the vice-president of and learn about their countries post-war political Marshall Plan for the European Parliament among which normally I would have had the economic rebuilding of a war- them, who initiate each session’s no occasion to visit. torn world), and soon the corpus discussions (all volunteering as There is no hierarchy; and grew enough with philanthropists faculty, without charging any fee). no political, religious or racial and sponsoring agencies extending Justice Leila Sheth of India, who divisions – Palestinians and Israelis financial support to facilitate passed away recently, was among sit together; the famous people of regular sessions where participants those who served as faculty. ‘prominence’ (faculty speakers) selected from around the world Around 50 ‘fellows’ – innovators, and young fellows of ‘promise’ spent a week living in the famous organisers, activists and academics sit together after sessions, during castle (schloss, meaning castle in – selected from around the world , breakfast and after dinner, sharing German) where the movie, Sound representing promising leaders who conversations over a cup of tea or of Music, was filmed. could return to their countries and set juice, either carrying the sessions’ in motion fresh ideas for improving discourse forward or forging Inspiring location, stimulating their native societies, sit together links that abide beyond the end of discussions to carry the discussions forward, the sessions and result in lifelong Every year, several sessions of the sharing personal experiences and networking. Till 2016-end, more Salzburg Seminar are scheduled insights, learning about trends in than 580 sessions had taken place, with great thematic diversity, different parts of the world and and many of the fellows chosen for

24 VIDURA October-December 2017 the Salzburg Global Seminars have gone on to become leaders and international role models in their own right And all this, in an ambience that is nothing if not inspiring – the opulent castle (renovated after the War, with a rich library that is a joy to browse through) with its outdoor sit-out facing an idyllic lake (remember the lake, from the movie?) with the Austrian Alps rising along the horizon; nothing could be more picturesque. On the last day of the week-long session, participants are treated to a formal music concert by the city’s symphony orchestra (Mozart was Photo: Salzburgglobal.org one of the most famous sons of Participants and faculty members who attended the 15th symposium of the Salzburg ) in a beautiful ball room, Salzburg Seminar American Studies Association. with each participant encouraged to attend in native costume (imagine encouraged to contribute freely to do is to emphasise the power of Africans in their colourful kaftans the deliberations started off by one ideas – from around the world, and turbans, the Japanese in pastel of the faculty invitees. I cannot think shared freely with participants from kimonos with painted landscapes, of any other programme where every continent – and enthusing Indians in resplendent saris, and young and promising participants the participants to return with a Arabs in their flowing robes and from five continents get to enjoy strong urge to carry out those ideas headgear). such close interactions with global gleaned from diverse corners and An outing into the town, visiting leaders for a whole week. The communities. the nunnery (from where Maria of focus is on ‘common ground’, not NGOs, for example, get an Sound of Music is said to have come contrariness, and whether one is excellent chance to network and to look after Captain von Trapp’s from Estonia or Moldova or the US, expose themselves to experiments children) and the olde style market makes no difference. that worked (and some that place, is part of the ‘Salzburg Among my abiding memories didn’t work elsewhere), so the experience’. There are days when is of sessions and chats with Prof successful ones can be replicated. fellows carry on their discussions Manfred Max-Neef of Chile (who Developments in the media and into the early hours, sitting through ran for president, and believes in literature, likewise, get show-cased animated discussions in the theories of development that come among participants who have been basement. close to Gandhian ideas) and going chosen because of their interest “It is hard not to get lyrical while for walks in the woods around the and involvement in those fields describing the Salzburg experience,” castle with West Indian feminist (Vikram Sheth, bestselling author, says a leading journalist who leader Peggy Antrobus – learning incidentally, was part of an earlier attended a session on the role of the for ‘fellows’ was not confined to session during the 1990s) media. A Jordanian fellow says, “If formal sessions alone, every minute Here is to the next 70 years of a the world recognised the extent of of interaction was a learning remarkable initiative that three young dreamers set in motion – affection and understanding that can experience in the broadest sense. Now an internationally renowned to make the earth a better place,

be generated by human interaction, through human endeavour and

it would abandon forever wars and NGO, the seminar series has since dialogue, rather than muscle- < 2006 been known as Salzburg hatred. The Salzburg Seminar is a flexing. forum whereby such a realisation Global Seminar in keeping with its can be easily obtained.” expanded agenda and scope. Former fellows get together The power of ideas in different parts of the world Week after week, the schloss hosts (Bengaluru and Pune saw such a group of fellows with disparate get-togethers this year, with a re- ideologies, cultural differences, presentative from the schloss flying and economic disparities, who are down to join us). What the seminars

October-December 2017 VIDURA 25 Creativity: the missing ingredient in Chinese thinking?

The Communist Government of China is attempting to delicately balance the demand for innovation with an environment that restricts uninhibited thinking. But there are grey areas and inconsistencies, says Asma Masood

hina has woken up to the arts such as literature, theatre, film, countries such as the US. Wangwen fact that innovation is the media, etc. publications devote attention to Cneed of the hour if it is to Chinese literature is tightly mysticism, fantasy and the surreal. progress economically. Its leaders regulated. It has reached such a Perhaps, these trends point to a are encouraging innovation level that most authors practice subconscious cry from the Chinese among university students and self-censorship. As a result, there to release their creative spirit from graduates. These students are is a plethora of Chinese literary fetters. It is doubtful whether this being wooed with incentives and works that may conform to the will be happen in the near future. national honour. However, China norms of political correctness, but Every human being, it is thought, is acknowledges that innovation spins into the realms of the mystic born with creative DNA, but it is the is a double-edged sword. Room or absurd. Surprisingly though, social and cultural upbringing that for failure must be allowed in the Chinese literary works are gaining plays a crucial role in encouraging innovation process. Only a trial- worldwide attention. or inhibiting the creative process. and-error approach can yield rich Children’s books such as Bronze It is also ironical that cultural dividends. This is in contrast to the and Sunflower and science fiction relations in China, be they prevailing Chinese attitude, which like The Three-Body Problem have domestic or international (soft is burdened by fear of failure and gained international acclaim. China power), are largely regulated by ensuing criticism. even has a Nobel Prize winner – the government. There is, hence, a Despite the encouragement being Mo Yan – who was acknowledged lack of spontaneity which is crucial given to innovation, there are some and praised by the Chinese media. for creative pursuits that are the grey areas. The fact that recognition Besides, Wangwen or Chinese online foundation of cultural identity. and rewards for innovation are literature websites are a rage even in China may be supporting the open only to those who are at least old enough to go to universities makes one wonder whether China does not want its school-going youth to get into the groove. For, innovation is the manifestation of creativity. Creativity in turn fosters free thinking and a questioning mind. Both are likely to be frowned upon in China, a country where freedom of speech is discouraged in order to guard the government’s stability. The Communist Government of China, therefore, is attempting to delicately balance the demand for innovation with an environment that restricts uninhibited thinking. Such policies imply that innovation will be welcomed mostly in the domain of science and technology alone. It will not extend to creative What lies within the Chinese mind is anybody's guess.

26 VIDURA October-December 2017 Photos: AM Photos: Illustration of Chinese women with silk woven during the Han Dynasty.

protection and fostering of minority space technology, communication political realm that cages freedom cultures, but it is not always done. industry and manufacturing of expression. Will innovation Uyghur Muslims and Tibetans sectors. in science compensate for the fear a dilution of their culture, as There are some ‘innovations’ deficiencies in the Hans’ cultural the majority Han population is such as combining two existing creativity? Only time will tell. making inroads into their provinces technologies into one (cigarette Until then, Beijing will do well to and changing the demographic lighter and cell-phone is a classic remember that while lips may be landscape. This raises the question example). However, China is well- sealed and websites blocked, the

whether the result will be a spurt known for replicating technologies, creative mind remains ephemeral of creative expression among from iPhones to fighter jet aircraft. and cannot be stopped from < one section of the population, The country has the world’s largest thinking the unthinkable. while others are denied such number of patent applications but opportunities. it is yet to be seen how many of (The writer is a research officer One dynamic that is common to these patents are truly innovative with the Chennai Centre for China all ethnic groups in China is the or merely tweaking of existing Studies.) education system. The Chinese products. embrace rote-learning, as the Without doubt, Chinese youth competition for higher education are capable of finding a way around and good jobs is exceedingly high. certain restrictions. A website While this may also be the case in report reveals how they are using India, there are exceptions – for imaginative ways to cheat during example, the ICSE syllabus. examinations. The Chinese are There is little room for such also well-known for their hacking variation in China. It is not expertise. surprising that the stress on such It will be interesting to see education patterns is producing how China will juxtapose its success for China in the fields of inherent creativeness alongside a

October-December 2017 VIDURA 27 Cinema of resistance focuses on victims of bias, suspicion

The People’s Film Collective is an independent, autonomous, people-funded cultural-political collective based in West Bengal. Formed in 2013, it believes in the power of films as a tool of pedagogy as well as alternative media. PFC organises monthly film screenings and conversations in Kolkata and travels in Bengal with films and videos. It organises an annual film festival (KPFF) and publishes a magazine (Pratirodher Cinema). Shoma A. Chatterji describes a recent screening

nder the apt title, Framing suffer from the stigma of terror tag Innocents -- Bias, Suspicion, and unfair media trial. When those UIncarceration & the Muslim acquitted are asked for possible Youth, People’s Film Collective reasons for their arrest, often the organised a screening-cum-lecture answer is the stark reality: witch programme reently. It included hunting based on religion. a wonderful lecture-presentation PFC collaborates with like- by M. Reyaz who specialises in minded collectives of the working unjustified imprisonments of class and people’s movements. victims labelled as terrorists. In Two documentary films and one his talk entitled Indian Muslims: short film were screened during Born to be Suspected, backed by the programme. Anjali Monteiro The Suspect, a short fiction film, tells graphs and diagrams, he said, and K.P. Jayasankar’s Farooq the story of how a 26-year-old was “hundreds of youth are believed versus the State (2013) is a 25- framed. to be incarcerated as under-trials minute documentary. It deals with in connection with alleged terror the controversial case of Farooq (people praying) by blocking all the attacks or terror plots. Muslims Mhapkar, one of those wrongly entries and Nikhil Kapse, inspector have a disproportionately high accused in the Hari Masjid case. of the local police station, was prima representation in jails. It is not just Hari Masjid, Wadala, Mumbai, facie guilty of this attack and for Muslims who appear to be at the was the scene of a brutal police attack leading his team of policemen.” receiving end of the biased system, on January 10, 1993. Though Farooq But Nikhil Kapse got off scot- about 65 pr cent of total jail inmates Mhapkar was one of the victims of free even after the Shiv Sena-led are Dalits, tribals or other backward indiscriminate police firing, he was state government was replaced by community members according to charged as a rioter. Farooq versus the Congress which promised the the National Crime Bureau.” the State is the story of Farooq's victims that justice would be done. Reyaz went on to inform the protracted legal battle against an Since the film was made in 2013, 20 packed audience in Kolkata that unyielding state in pursuit of justice. years after the incident, it offers a though there is no authoritiative Through this case, the film seeks to retrospective and in-depth view of data on those behind bars explore how justice was delayed and the event that shows up the current specifically on terror charges, and denied to the victims and survivors atrocities against minorities and not all terror charges are false, there of the 1992-93 communal violence. their wrongful incarceration in a are well-documented cases where One person who is named again and new light. the accused have been incarcerated again in the film, by some of those K.P. Sasi’s Fabricated is based on sometimes for as long as 22 years. who were injured in the shooting, the case of Abdul Nasser Maudany. As a consequence of partition on and even by former Supreme Court The film was part of a nationwide the basis of politics of religion, as Justice B.N. Srikrishna, is Inspector campaign to focus on the scourge also the communal politics of the Nikhil Kapse. of falsely implicating activists, saffron brigade, Muslims in India During an interview in the film, political opponents, and fighters for have generally been viewed with Srikrishna says, “All evidence peoples' causes by the state. Who is suspicion, perpetuating a certain suggests, prima facie, that the police Maudany? He is a Muslim spiritual negative stereotype. Even those had opened fire on an innocent, leader who reacted strongly against who are acquitted continue to unsuspecting group of namaazis the demolition of Babri Masjid in

28 VIDURA October-December 2017 1992. His house was attacked and enter. Third, targeting Maudany he spent nine-and-a-half years in was a way of sending a message to jail. All charges against him were Muslims in the country, telling them proven false and the judgement that ‘we can even suppress a well- makes it clear that the case was known Muslim spiritual leader and fabricated. He was released without not just ordinary Muslim youths any compensation. who are spending their lives in jail Those responsible for such for no reason’. It is also a message fabrication were not brought to to activists in this country who take trial. Instead, Maudany was framed up the issues of the marginalised. for another series of charges and is Therefore, Abdul Nasar Maudany still waiting for justice in Bengaluru is the best symbol for me to work Parappana Agrahara jail. Maudany on the entire issue of fabricated became a very popular leader cases.” among the Muslims. He founded The film spells out that Maudany’s the People’s Democratic Party and is not an isolated case, but several his fiery oratory attracted a massive Muslims, Dalits, adivasis and audience. Several attempts were activists from people’s movements made on his life and in one bomb go through similar experiences. The blast, he lost a leg. His wife was question raised by the film is: why also imprisoned for no fault of hers is a person spending so many years

and was later let off on bail. in jail in without being proven Film Collective Photos: People's About his rationale in making guilty? The film portrays the inner The poster with information about this film, Sasi says, “The focus on dynamics of present institutions of the screenings. Maudany is for three reasons. First, the democratic system. during the last three or four decades The Suspect, a short fiction film flashing his name as the main of my own political observation, by Nitin Neera Chandra, is a rare culprit. The straightforward, linear I have not seen a single politician example of a film in Maithili. The narrative minus any frills makes in Kerala who is as charismatic English subtitles help viewers the story seem real and meaningful. as he. No politician can match his follow the dialogue. It is the story Explaining why he decided to oratorical skills. Such a person of 26-year-old Abdul Rahim make the film in Maithili language, need not use bombs. His magic is Ansari, who arrives in Mumbai director Nitin Neeru Chandra said, his being itself. Second, if Maudany from Darbhanga (Bihar) to work “Maithili is one of the 22 scheduled were an ordinary Muslim spiritual as production assistant trainee in languages listed in the Indian leader, he would not have been a film unit. It is his responsibility Constitution. It is the language targeted. But he is a charismatic to identify locations for shoots. As spoken in Mithilanchal Region, leader, a leader who supported luck would have it, Mumbai comes which has Darbhanga as its centre. Dalits, adivasis (tribal people) and under terrorist attack on his very Darbhanga has earned a dubious other marginalised sections – where first day of work and, out of the (and unfounded) reputation as a mainstream politicians did not blue, every news channel begins centre of terrorism under the given term Darbhanga Module. So, my story demanded that the character be a Muslim from the Darbhanga Region, speaking the local language, which is Maithili.” Chandra adds that The Suspect is inspired by a true incident. “Nisaruddin Ahmad’s story shook me from within. I saw a picture in which he was hugging his mother. He was in prison for 23 years. As a suspect he could not prove his innocence for years. There are

times when a judicial system based on witnesses and facts fail too. My < story is about such breakdowns.” K.P. Sasi’s film, Fabricated, is based on the arrest of Abdul Nasser Maudany.

October-December 2017 VIDURA 29 VIEW FROM THE NORTHEAST Another scribe falls victim to violence Even as India was reacting sharply to the murder of journalist-editor Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru, the crime found an echo in the Northeast with the killing of Shantanu Bhowmik, a young television scribe in Tripura on September 20. Nava Thakuria reports

auri’s murder prompted was attacked for that reason. Das a review and overhauling of civil society groups however clarified that Shantanu the power supply system in the Gopposed to the Rashtriya was a full time journalist and was country. The Patriotic People’s Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) not involved in any party activities. Front of Assam (PPFA) has and the BJP, against which she Meanwhile, the IPFT demanded a highlighted the danger posed was vocal, to take to the streets CBI probe to bring facts to light. by faulty high voltage wiring demanding justice. Manik Sarkar The Tripura Government finally arrangements, which takes a toll of who heads the CPI-M Government decided to constitute an SIT to probe wildlife too. in Tripura, also joined in a protest into the crime. DGP Shukla claimed PPFA is endorsed, among others programme at Agartala, earning that the police had identified the by Gandhian Natwar Thakkar, appreciation from the country’s culprits and three arrests were civil liberties campaigner Dr media fraternity. However, when made. Following demands for Gopal Krishna, senior advocate Shnatanu, an employee of Bengali compensation made by Tripura- Upamanyu Hazarika, eminent cable news channel Din-Raat, was based journalists, the government author-journalist Paranjoy Guha brutally beaten to death by a mob announced a grant of Rs10 lakh to Thakurta, Monalisa Changkija and in Agartala, the same chief minister the bereaved family. Bidhayak Das. It is campaigning remained silent. After Agartala- Shantanu was the seventh Indian for the reduction of standard based journalists demanded a journalist to be killed this year. domestic supply voltage from 240 statement from him, Sarkar, also in The most recent was the murder of to 120 volts or even lower. charge of the Home portfolio, came K.J. Singh (66), a senior scribe from Although Assam’s electrocution- out with a watered-down reaction. Punjab, who was found dead along related casualties are low compared The crime was condemned by with his aged mother. The trouble- to many other states, it loses 50 to national and international bodies torn Northeast has lost around 30 90 people annually to this problem. including the New York-based journalists to violence over the last More than 975 human lives were Committee to Protect Journalists three decades. snatched away by electricity- (CPJ), the Paris-based Reporters Soon after Shantanu’s killing, related accidents in Assam since sans/without Borders (RSF) and various political parties started 2001, with 2016 seeing the highest the Brussels-based International accusing each other with regard to number of deaths due to this in a Federation of Journalists (IFJ). A communal violence and failing law year – 88. In the first half of 2017, series of protest programmes was and order. Demands were made around 60 people were electrocuted. organised by various media outfits for Sarkar’s resignation. The tiny “We believe that a pragmatic action demanding justice for 29-year- state of Tripura will hold Assembly plan for the laying of high voltage old Shantanu’s mother and sister. polls next year. The Left parties are but low quality live wires, timely Shantanu was covering a protest in a comfortable position as they maintenance and adequate public by the Indigenous People’s Front have 50 seats in the 60-member awareness of safely issues are the of Tripura (IPFT) against the ruling House. The CPI (M) and Sarkar need of the hour,” PPFA said in a CPI (M) when it turned violent. He have been in power for decades. But statement. was capturing images of violence will the 2018 elections throw up a The organisation condemned on his mobile phone when he was different result? Only time will tell. the use of bamboo and other attacked. trees to carry electrical wires. It Seeking to establish that Shantanu Concern over electrocution deaths demanded that the Assam Power was targeted by IPFT supporters, India loses nearly 10000 lives due Distribution Company replace all state CPI (M) leader Gautam Das to electrocution annually. Taking such temporary poles across the announced that the young reporter cognizance, a civil society group state with posts of the prescribed was a member of his party and based in the Northeast is demanding material at the earliest. The forum

30 VIDURA October-December 2017 also stressed the need to use proper particularly in the Northeast, for a country like India involving fuse wires (or other protective where high voltage wires posed a a huge volume of resources with systems) in all electrical systems. danger to wildlife. It said wherever adequate preparedness,” PPFA “As electrical wiring can be a public possible, electrical wires should stalwarts said, but added that the health hazard, the concerned be laid underground instead of matter was worthy of debate. The authority must deal with the overhead. organization called on qualified safety issue. The State electricity “Finally India should debate and practicing engineers to come

departments should create a whether 110/120 volts (alternate out with pragmatic ideas on the responsive safety department along current with 50 hertz) may be an subject. < with trained safety officers at the option in place of the present 220/240 earliest,” th forum leaders said. volts to reduce fatalities,” it said, (The author is a senior journalist Taking into account future adding developed countries like based in Guwahati and secretary of the energy needs, PPFA has urged the U.S.A, U.K and Japan had already Guwahati Press Club.) government to encourage alternate taken such steps. “We understand sources such as solar power, that it would be a major policy shift

Seminar looks at issues and challenges in implementing rooftop solar panel installation The Government of Tamil Nadu had issued the Solar Policy in 2012. The aim of the policy was to promote both grid-connected solar electricity and rooftop solar installations. Despite the policy, however, rooftop solar installations have not been encouraging with only 91 MW added so far. There have also been issues relating to TANGEDCO’s (Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company)

stand, the net metering scheme, the system Photo: PII-RIND (NS) of power credits, adequate compensation for Journalists and researchers at the seminar. selling power to the grid, etc. To try and help journalists and researchers in the subject get a proper perspective on such issues relating to solar power, the Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG), a non-profit organisation that works towards protecting citizens rights in consumer and environmental issues and promoting good governance processes, and the Press Institute of India (PII), together organised a seminar titled, Tamil Nadu Solar Policy 2012 & Rooftop Solar Implementation: Issues and Challenges, at PII, on October 24. The half-day seminar saw some interesting speeches and quite a bit of interaction. The overall impression one gauged was that despite the confusing signals and the hardships people interested in installing solar had to encounter, the situation wasn’t so bad after all and with the voices for green and clean energy and solar growing louder and many people taking the initiative to switch to solar, things were likely to get better. Sashi Nair, director, PII-RIND, set the tone for the discussions with a broad sweep about the energy situation in Tamil Nadu, with particular reference to solar power. K. Vishnu Mohan Rao, senior researcher, CAG, took it further with his introductory remarks on issues pertaining to solar policies and rooftop solar implementation. D. Suresh, a solar energy developer and director, Zwende, spoke about his experiences in installing a solar power plant at home. Solar Suresh, as he is popularly called, has converted his home into a self-sufficient unit, generating electricity, conserving water, using biogas and also drawing produce from a kitchen garden. He saves on electricity costs, and hikes in tariffs don’t bother him. Suresh has succeeded not only in being independent of the grid but also in generating excess power, the government has introduced a scheme called net metering. The solar power generated can be fed into the grid and credit obtained for it. This is adjusted against night consumption from the grid and translates as monetary savings for households. Muthusamy, former director, Tariff, TNERC (Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission); Toine van Megen, Auroville Consulting; Raghunathan, managing director, Solkar Solar Industry; and S.N. Dinesh Kumar, CMD,

Sootless Energy, provided valuable inputs to the discussions, showing the way forward. T. Ramakrishnan, associate editor, The Hindu, provided the media perspective. < Bharath Jairaj, senior associate, World Resources Institute, summed up the proceedings for the benefit of all.

October-December 2017 VIDURA 31 GREAT INDIAN EDITORS A liberal who did not bow down, but created a big impact

Harish Chandra Mukherjee, remembered for being one of the first intellectuals to usher in liberal democratic ideas in British India and for being a fearless and crusading editor through the newspaper (Hindoo Patriot) he steered to glory, died early at the age of just 37. He left a legacy that was hard to match, says Mrinal Chatterjee, and a paper which had made a reputation of supporting social causes and fighting for the masses

arish Chandra Mukherjee Ray, under the editorship of Girish the alien rulers. Regular editorials was born in April 1824 at Chandra Ghosh. It began to be against such tyranny on the poor HBhowanipur in Calcutta. published every Thursday from hapless indigo farmers attracted His ancestors belonged to Kalakar Street where Madhusudan public attention and evoked Sridharpur in Baradhaman District. Ray's press was located. Harish universal condemnation from a His father, Ramdhan Mukherjee, Chandra was associted with the large cross-section of educated had three wives and Harish was paper from the beginning. Gradually, Indians. born to his third wife Rukhmini his association became more intense Other social issues highlighted Devi. Ramdhan Mukherjee was a and he began to take a keen interest by Hindoo Patriot in its columns man of modest means. in editorial matters. Around June were women’s education and Harish Chandra studied as a 1855, he bought the newspaper from Hindu widow remarriage. As ‘free student’ at the Union School. Girish Chandra Ghosh in the name regards women’s education, the Financial problems forced him of his elder brother, Haran Chandra paper advised everybody to follow to give up his studies and he Mukherjee, as he was still serving the lead given by John Drinkwater sought out to earn a livelihood. at the office of the Military Auditor Bethune and on the question of He got a clerical post in the Office General. widow remarriage it sided with of the Military Auditor General Harish Chandra, however, took the reformists and supported the after appearing in a competitive charge of Hindoo Patriot in 1856-57 cause of legalising such marriages. examination and started working and soon through his remarkable The paper, however, opposed the there. Though his education was journalism imbibed with a keen implementation of divorce laws in discontinued in early days, he sense of national sentiment, not Hindu society. learnt history, politics, law and only made the paper the voice of Although the principal objective English, all by himself. the oppressed peasants but also of Hindoo Patriot was to focus Harish Chandra started writing made it the first national newspaper on the anomalies in the British columns in newspapers like Hindu of India. Hindoo Patriot played a Government in India, it pinned Intelligencer edited by Kasi Prasad vital role against the tyranny of the very high hopes on the liberalism Ghosh and Bengal Recorder edited indigo planters, particularly during of the British public and Parliament. by Ramgopal Ghosh while he was the post-Sepoy Mutiny period. Thus, it always advised Indians serving the Office of the Military In the mid-19th Century, British to look for the redressalof their Auditor General. His writings traders aided by officers tried to grievances with the British public were critical of the policies of increase the cultivation of indigo. and Parliament whenever the the government. It attracted the The farmers were forced to cultivate British Indian administration attention of the intelligentsia. indigo, even though it was not failed to redress their complaints. In 1852, Harish Chandra became remunerative for them. The coercion Again, the focusing of multiple a member of the British Indian reached a barbaric level. When the anomalies relative to British rule Association, one of the first political farmers revolted and refused to was never intended to tarnish associations in British India and grow indigo, a reign of terror was the image of the British Indian was active in social and political unleashed to suppress them forcibly. Government. Rather, criticism of dialogues and discourses. Harish Chnadra, through Hindoo anomalies was intended to make Hindoo Patriot, a weekly in Patriot, wrote about the movement the administration aware of public English, was first published on and thus played a key role in grievances and their causes so January 6, 1853 by Madhusudan arousing public sentiments against as to enable the government to

32 VIDURA October-December 2017 effect their speedy rectification. To during the time was not properly editor, who edited the paper for 23 Hindoo Patriot, British rule in India defined in Bengal and, hence, years and took it to greater glory. was not blindfolded imperialism through his writings in the Hindu Harish Chandra Mukherjee was but something highly noble to Patriot Harish Chandra tried to one of the first editors of British India be supported for public welfare. inculcate a patriotic feeling. He who brought in liberal democratic Indians still had much to learn wrote “The time is nearly come thoughts without bowing down to from the English and English rule when all Indian questions must be the authorities or towing the official was accordingly to be endured. solved by Indians. The mutinies line. He was one of the first editors Thus, when during the Sepoy have made patent to the English who showed what a sensible pen Revolt the government imposed public what must be the effects and meaningful discourse could do.

press restriction in India, by Act of politics in which the native is Long after his death, a large public XV of 1857, and papers like Hindu allowed no voice.” park in Bhowanipur, Calcutta, and < Intelligencer suspended publication Besides ascribing most im- a road has been named after him. in protest, Hindoo Patriot made no portance on the public opinion particular grievance of it. of the governed, Harish Chandra, Note: Despite several attempts the Many contemporary historians unlike contemporary newspapers, writer could not find a photo of Harish have lambasted Harish Chandra both the vernaculars and the English Chandra. Neither could we. for being “soft to the alien rulers”. as well as contemporary political However, many hailed him as one modernisers who even attributed (The author, a journalist-turned- of the first intellectuals to usher the Queen‘s Proclamation (1858) media academician, presently heads in liberal democratic thoughts in as the Magna Carta of India, raised the Eastern India campus of the Indian British India. In his paper titled question, “where is the guarantee Institute of Mass Communication Harish Chandra Mukherjee and that the promises, though in Dhenkanal, Odisha. This is the the Hindu Patriot: the Diffusion of coming out of the Queen, will be third in a series of profiles of great Liberal Democratic Ideas in Bengal honoured?” Indian newspaper editors who have, in the Mid-Nineteenth Century Hindoo Patriot was an influential through the course of their work and (published in International Re- paper, but it did not do well career, made a signal contribution search Journal of Interdiscipli- financially. And as it was writing to India's Freedom Movement, to nary & Multidisciplinary Studies against the indigo planters there the development of society and to the (IRJIMS),Volume III, Issue V, June were several litigations, which development of Journalism.) 2017, Page No. 314-320),Abhishek drained Mukherjee’s resources. Karmakar writes: Harish Chandra died on June 16, 1861 at the age of 37. At the time A staunch journalist as well as liberal of his death, as material property Vivek Khanna is CEO, modernist, Harish Chandra bore he only had his house and Hindoo India Today Group almost all the indispensable features Patriot. His widow was targeted of modern liberal democracy such as with different court cases by the Vivek Khanna has been raising questions and criticising freely indigo merchants. His house was appointed as the Group CEO of against a despotic authority, arguing up for auction and Hindoo Patriot the India Today Group. He will for the defense of equality and most was almost on the verge of closure. report to Vice Chairperson Kalli of all acknowledging and ascribing Purie. Khanna comes with 26 most importance on public opinion It was Kaliprasanna Singha who bought the paper and saved it from years of experience in strategy, in governance. He fearlessly raised sales and marketing. He began his questions against various arbitrary extinction. Kaliprasanna initially handed over management of the career with HUL where he had a policies of Lord Dalhousie. Harish decade long stint. He joins ITG from Chandra opposed Dalhousie‘s policy magazine to Shambhu Chandra Hindustan Media Ventures where of annexation and confiscation of Mookerjee. Girish Chandra Ghosh he was CEO until recently. At HT different provinces of India like Nagpur who had severed all ties with Hindoo and Jhansi. Considering the policy as Media, Khanna set up the Ad for Patriot three years ago, was moved Equity (AFE) business. He ran the “foolish”, he attributed it as “the source by the plight of Harish Chandra's of discontent in the country”, which AFE business and the Mint business prepared the ground for the Great bereaved mother and helpless for the last five years, growing

widow and took up the editorship Revolt of 1857. these from insignificant numbers to< again. After he left Hindoo Patriot a strong and significant size. The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 again in November that year, the provided him with a platform paper was bought over by Ishwar (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) to raise the issue of being Indian Chandra Vidyasagar. Kristodas and solving all our problems by (in Bengali, the pronunciation is ourselves. The political discourse Krishnadas) Pal became its new

October-December 2017 VIDURA 33 Fact before fiction: my days in journalism In the late 1970s, Shreekumar Varma had his first job with theIndian Express, Bombay. Journalists were either hard-core, or waiting for a better opportunity, like swimmers on a springboard waiting to jump. Those days, the preferred side of the pasture was PR. He couldn’t begin to understand how a public relations job could be better than being a journalist. Their reason was simple: more money, better lifestyle

knew of many who left for It placed the truth where it belonged, John Abraham (who snapped “better” jobs, snapping their with delicate accuracy. The average that he could “make a glass act” Ifingers in sanitised offices, reader must have skimmed through when I pointed out the laborious before finally making sheepish the piece. Residents of the concerned performances in his film), and comebacks. Journalism was areas either shook their heads or included Adoor Gopalakrishnan anything but sanitised. It was life, whistled quietly to themselves. But who spoke to me in a cab on the raw and right there. It hooked they were three hugely satisfied way to the airport. me, despite the meagre salary. My readers: the two corporators and I. I was fascinated by cinema and needs were limited, my dreams It was my first hit, and the mango theatre. Those were glorious days big. Journalism was the screen on had fallen. The taste was sweet. of parallel cinema – ‘art films’. which my dreams were projected. I soon discovered the power of my Audiences celebrated, wondered at, If there was anything I’d give it profession. Imagining journalists and ridiculed them. I had a contact up for, it was the opportunity to were stationed on the bottom rung, I who invited me to film society become a full-time writer. And that climbed the stairs to another five-star screenings and informed me when was an impossibility. That was a launch. The organisers recognised elusive filmmakers were in town. creature like the unicorn, found me and welcomed me effusively. I was also smitten by theatre, and only in myths. And probably in the My identity was being embellished interviewed a ‘guru’ of structural West. by the day. At a political function, theatre. A journalist was like a water when the chief minister walked in, If these were performing arts, diviner, sensing news in unlikely the audience stood up and so did I. then circus was one too. I did a places. The ideal journalist was I heard frantic whispers of reporters cover for the Sunday Standard. blessed with a bloodhound’s nose. from other papers: “Sit down! You Accompanying me to the tent was My very first assignment (the five- don’t have to stand. The Press has my senior sub whose cousin was star inauguration of a bank branch, that privilege!” I felt it was too late a mortal victim of the circus. I met which I’d covered grandly) ended to rectify my mistake, so the other his colleagues and family, who’d up as two lines at the back of the reporters beside me reluctantly remained trapeze artists despite paper. I vowed to sniff out things stood up, keeping me company. their loss. It was one of my most worthy of prouder placement. A Another lesson. fulfilling and talked-about pieces. I tussle between two corporators, When a public telephone at learnt that people will do anything each accusing the other of graft, Churchgate started vomiting coins to live. And when they like what reached me. My ears pricked up. promiscuously for anyone who they do, they’ve nothing else to fall Both were from my home state. pressed the right buttons, there back on. We tend to underestimate. All evidence pointed to a vintage was a clamour around it. People Family, the bonds of precarious rivalry whose pedigree surged were getting unexpectedly, happily togetherness. The ever-present through their family roots. I spoke rich. And then I played spoilsport danger, the lure of death, has to be their language. We understood by writing about it. The flaw was carefully confronted. each other. It was amusing. Each rectified, and I still don’t know how Bombay being Bombay, you was interested in highlighting the abundantly I was foul-mouthed that move. Two colleagues from Screen, other’s infidelity to his constituency. day. impressed with my cinema pieces, Their own culpability was besides I began an interesting project, asked me to join a film industry the point. reviewing films and interviewing paper they were refurbishing. Why I investigated, offered obeisance their makers in the same extended would I leave the Express and join to my muse and composed a report. piece. I began with the whimsical a trade paper, I asked. You’ll make

34 VIDURA October-December 2017 sure it doesn’t stay that way, they times to see if the driver was one of I don’t think either Bombay or I replied. It took them a while, but the notorious murderers, Billa and had had enough of each other, but

I succumbed. I knew my Bombay Ranga). the time soon came to say goodbye. shelf-life was short, and Madras I met Dilip Kumar (who shared And journalism was never the same < would soon call me back. lunch sent by Saira Banu with again. So began Cinema Today, published us), Raj Kapoor (who was flirting (The Chennai-based writer is an by IMPPA (Indian Motion with Aruna Irani), Dev Anand author, teacher and playwright. He Picture Producers’ Association). (who invited me to join the new, is the great grandson of Raja Ravi The decrepit office was soon short-lived National Party), Manoj Varma and son of the matriarch of the transformed into a white haven, like Kumar and Shatrughan Sinha, and Travancore Royal Family who died an unbelievable Hindi movie set, interviewed G. P. Sippy, producer recently. He is the recipient of the probably the luxury den of a mafia of Sholay; spent a day and half a R. K. Narayan Award for Excellence don. I was reporter and sub-editor. night with Amjad ‘Gabbar’ Khan, in Writing in English, 2015. He was I interviewed film folk, both big watching him shoot, listening to awarded the Charles Wallace [India] and tiny, laid out pages, corrected his Urdu poetry and non-stop Trust fellowship, and was Writer-in- proofs, waited in the press, took witticism. My nights were staid, Residence at Stirling University, UK, plates to the lab in the thick of night or sizzled. I was in a film party, in 2004.) (including one thrilling ride when watching a shooting, or wearily cops stopped my auto five-six getting the paper to bed.

A holistic approach needed for peace, stability, happiness The body achieves what the mind believes. Body, spirit, environment and mind are like the four legs of a table. If positioned correctly in length and dimension, then peace and tranquility prevail, says Dr Sumithra Shanmugham, something journalists keep yearning for

A is the Spirit. Spirit is the non-physical part of a person which is the seat of emotions, character and the prevailing mood or attitude of a person. It needs to belong, to be loved, to live a life of peace Dr Sumithra integrity and honour. Shanmugham. B is the mind. A steady clear mind to meet positives and negatives of life with courage and confidence. Our mind has to work out a balance between past reflections and future positivity. Also, find peace and pleasure beyond limitations of materialistic world.

C is the body. Ninety nutrients a day for vitality (vitamins, etc). Aerobic exercises such as stretching, yoga, h ydration, hydrotherapy and detoxification. Deep restorative sleep and may be some pampering.

D is Environment. Managing pollution, creating conducive work space, healthy relationships and a social conscience of cleanliness and care for others.

The truth is we are multi-dimensional human beings in

terms of psychological, social, physical and environmental aspects and we need a synergic, a holistic approach for <

Illustration: SS peace, stability and happiness.

(The writer is a veteran obstetrician and gynaecologist who has a passion for writing. She has served as president of the Woman Doctors Association of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.)

October-December 2017 VIDURA 35 NOSTALGIA Once a dancer, always a dancer

They say some people are born to dance. Seetha Ratnakar wonders if she was. She remembers watching dance as far back as her memory goes as her elder sister, Rathna Papa, had her arangetram (debut stage performance) when Seetha was two. When Seetha joined Doordarshan, her love affair with dance was given a new lease of life but with a totally different perspective. Here, she travels down memory lane

hose were the nascent me there to probably keep me out of Rathna and I had our Kuchipudi years of black-and-white mischief. Surprisingly, Master saw a Rangapravesam in October Ttelevision and I was given the spark in me and took me under his 1967, and the chief guests were responsibility of recording dance mantle. the erstwhile Chief Minister of programmes for Doordarshan. I was a quick learner and honed Tamil Nadu, Thiru Annadurai, Watching dance from the other my dancing skills under his able and Nadigar Thilagam Shivaji side of the camera lens opened up guidance. A few years later, Sarasa Ganesan. My dance journey was hitherto unexplored possibilities to Teacher saw my dance and was very gratifying for a decade and I showcase this wonderful art. impressed and started me straight gave more than 200 performances I remember my mother taking away on items. I began performing along with Rathna all over India me along with my sister, Rathna, along with Rathna in 1965, who and also in Singapore, Malaysia, to the renowned Bharatha Natyam was by then an established dancer Sri Lanka and the US. guru, K.J. Sarasa Teacher, to initiate and much in demand. Initially, In 1975, I had to give up my me on Vijayadasami, but for some I had to perform solo items to dance for the love of my life when reason my dance never progressed facilitate her costume changes but I got married because it was still beyond the initial adavus (steps). In I gradually progressed to dancing considered taboo to perform in 1961, the legendary guru, Vempati invocations and finales along with those days. The same year I joined Chinna Satyam, came to Madras to her. As we became a popular duo, Doordarshan and as fate would teach Kuchipudi classes right down Teacher choreographed items have it, my love affair with dance our street and my mother enrolled specially for us to perform together. was given a new lease of life but with a totally different perspective. Those were the nascent years of black-and-white television and I was given the responsibility of recording dance programmes for Doordarshan. Watching dance from the other side of the camera lens opened up hitherto un- explored possibilities to showcase this wonderful art. When I saw a performance on stage I had to train my eyes to focus on the face, hands or feet of the dancer according to the artist's emphasis. The television cameras gave me the options to highlight these aspects through close-ups and transform the dance into a different visual experience. My knowledge of dance came in handy as I had to anticipate these movements and get the cameras ready before the action to capture For her Kuchipudi Rangapravesam, presided over by Chief Minister Annadurai the nuances. There was no editing and veteran actor Shivaji Ganesan in 1967. The writer is seen here (partly facility those days so the entire crew hidden) with her sister and mother. worked hard to capture close-ups,

36 VIDURA October-December 2017 Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:

leaps and pirouettes and not chop not chronological. We had to work the artist during movement. It was with mutual trust and in harmony challenging for both the dancer and with a large crew of technicians. the production crew. The dancer Technology developed in leaps and performed before the camera but bounds and artists and technicians I had to perform with my crew on adapted to changes as we moved Photos: SR the other side working on several from black-and-white unedited aspects like set, lighting, audio, programmes to skillfully edited A classical pose. camera angles and shots to create colour, from terrestrial transmission a visually appealing television to satellite, from analog to digital. programme. We grew and changed with times (The writer was former assistant Doordarshan provided a platform but ever remained true to the art. station director, Doordarshan, whose for artists of all ages and calibre and Then came time for area of specilisation for more than four I was fortunate to have recorded superannuation and I had to retire decades was art and culture.) the best dancers in all the different from active service but the dancing classical dance styles during my bells never stopped ringing in my New status for Rajeev Dubey 37-year-plus tenure there. In 1980, life. I used my vast experience at Rajeev Dubey, currently the we started telecasting the National DD to reinvent myself and have managing editor, Business Today, Programme of Dance at 9 pm every been collaborating with my sister to has been appointed as managing Friday from all the four metros. The develop concepts, design costumes, editor, Business, (TV & Digital), video tapes were sent on a chain to do stage and lighting design for Aroon Purie, chairman & editor- the other metros until the advent dance productions. I have also in-chief, India Today Group, of satellite transmission. Dance written some articles especially informed employees in an internal dramas were very popular on TV about classical Indian dance in the mail. Dubey, who will also be the because we provided appropriate diaspora. I may have been a late editor, businesstoday.in, will report

sets, lighting and special effects to bloomer but, as they say, if you to Kallie Purie who was appointed

add layers to the visual imagery. are once a dancer, you will always < as the vice-chairperson of the group < But we had to break up scenes remain a dancer . last month. according to the sets to save (Courtesy : exchange4media.com) recording time and dancers found it extremely confusing when it was

October-December 2017 VIDURA 37 WOMEN IN SPORT Time to say, Chak de India!

In sport, women have been in the shadow of men also because of the all too familiar hurdles and obstacles they have to overcome in a generally patriarchal society. Right now, however, there is a lot of focus in India on the women achievers and why not? They deserve plaudits aplenty in fighting the odds and emerging triumphant, says Partab Ramchand

omen power in Indian sports personality in the nation. For silver medal in the world shooting sport is not exactly new. a brief while in the late 1970s, Geeta Grand Prix in Georgia later the WSince Independence, India Zutshi was the flag-bearer, winning same year. has produced a few who have the gold medal in the 800 m at the However, it was not until the touched international standards 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok. start of the New Millennium but certainly there have not been But it was the arrival of P.T. Usha that Indian sportswomen started as many as one would have liked. in the early 1980s that really put making their presence really felt Generally, it is the men who have the spotlight on Indian women at the international level. Karnam garnered most of the attention and and what they could achieve. At Malleswari set the ball rolling there is little doubt that they have the Asian level she was supreme, with a bronze in the weightlifting outnumbered the women as far as reaching her peak at the 1985 Asian event at the Sydney Olympics in outstanding feats are concerned. Athletics Championship in Jakarta 2000. Tennis star Sania Mirza was The fact remains that Indian where she won six medals – five the next Indian sportswoman to sportswomen have frequently gold and one bronze. The number make a mark. In 2003, she won the achieved greater feats then the of medals is still a record for a single junior doubles title at Wimbledon. sportsmen. Unfortunately, there athlete in a single international meet. Though she could not make much has been a condescending attitude From 1983 to 1989, Usha garnered headway in the singles events (her towards them from everyone 13 gold medals at Asian track and topmost ranking was 27th and the associated with sport in the country, field meets. best achievements were winning be it their male counterparts At the Asian Games in Seoul in one WTA title in her hometown of or the media, from officialdom 1986, Usha won four golds and one Hyderabad in 2005 and making the to sponsors. What the average silver. But her biggest moment came fourth round at the US Open the Indian sportsman goes through, same year), she became one of the the sportswoman probably has in the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. After winning her semifinal, Usha best doubles players in the world to go through much more to gain reaching the No. 1 ranking. With recognition and awards, money finished fourth in the final of the 400 m hurdles, missing the bronze medal various partners in the women’s and opportunity. Despite all this, doubles and mixed doubles events India has over the years produced by 1/100th of a second. She made the sports fan in the country really she has won a number of ATP Tour sportswomen who have excelled at sit up and take notice of women titles including six Grand Slam international meets, including on athletes, particularly as their men titles three in women’s doubles the biggest stage – the Olympics. counterparts were nowhere in the and three in mixed doubles. In a number of disciplines in the picture at international meets. With Viswanathan Anand as quadrennial event, women have Things had to improve in matters an inspiration, could women matched the men and in some cases concerning women’s sports now chess players remain in the even surpassed them. that inspirational figures had come background? Several of them India did produce some on the scene. The media started became international masters outstanding sportswomen in the highlighting their achievements, (IMs), and two Koneru Humpy and 1950s and ‘60s but no one really sponsors were willing to back Indian Dronavalli Harika became grand made an impact at the international sportswomen and opportunities masters (GMs). Boxer Mary Kom level. In her own way, Kamaljit were more forthcoming. And joined the list of world renowned Sandhu was a path breaker for she in the late 1990s, shooter Roopa Indian sportswomen by winning was the first Indian woman athlete Unnikrishnan was added to the list the world amateur crown five to win a gold medal at the Asian of woman achievers when she won times and being the only woman Games. In Bangkok in 1970, she the gold medal and set a record in boxer to win a medal in each one won the 400 metres and for some the Commonwealth Games in Kuala of the six world championships she time was the most talked about Lumpur in 1998, followed by a participated in.

38 VIDURA October-December 2017 Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:

In the second decade of the New the first Indian woman to win a finishing runners-up to England Millennium, badminton has become medal at the Paralympics when she in a nailbiting final in the ICC the new force in Indian sport clinched silver in the shot-put event World Cup at Lord’s. Verily the

thanks to the feats of Saina Nehwal in Rio. sky seems to be the limit for Indian and P.V. Sindhu. The very fact that This year, the upward trend sportswomen and it is time to say < Sindhu’s clash with Carolina Marin has continued. At the Asian Chak de India! (Go for it, India!). in the final of the women’s singles Athletic Championships held in at the Rio Olympics last year was Bhubaneswar, Indian women won (The writer is a veteran sports watched by a record number of six gold medals helping India to journalist based in Chennai.) people for a non-cricketing event finish at the top of the medals table, underlined the growing interest pushing traditional powerhouse of sports fans in India in events China to second spot. The Indian having Indian women. team won the SAFF football title, Cementing the growing ability of the Indian basketball team beat Indian sportswomen to win laurels Kazakhstan 75-73 in a thriller of was Sakshi Malik finishing with a final to climb to division A of a bronze in wrestling and Deepa the FIBA Asia Cup in Bangalore. Karmarkar taking fourth place in And to bring further cheer came a tough field in gymnastics. About the heartwarming performance of the same time Deepa Malik became the cricket team with the women

October-December 2017 VIDURA 39 TRAVEL An adventurous journey to a cursed land The colour of the sky suddenly turned menacingly grey. An involuntary shiver ran down T.S. Padmapriya’s spine as she looked worriedly out of the window. She was on her way to Talekad – a once flourishing town on the left banks of Cauvery, a major part of which had turned into sand dunes, allegedly due to the curse of a pious woman called Alamelamma. So much has been written about Alamelamma and her curse, that Padmapriya was curious to visit Talekad, dragging her reluctant husband along

irumala Raja was the viceroy of a declining Vijayanagara TEmpire. The raja and his wife, Alamelamma, were great devotees of Lord Ranganatha of Srirangapatna. Alamelamma, in particular, took special interest in adorning the Lord and his consort with her jewels every day. Raja Wodeyar, a chieftain of Mysore, was a vassal of the Vijayanagar Empire. He was desirous of overthrowing Tirumala Raja and obtaining power. In 1610, Tirumala Raja who was suffering from a tumour in his back, travelled Photos: PP to Talekad with his first wife to offer The Keerthinarayana Temple in Talekad. prayers at the Vaidyeswara Temple. Seizing the opportunity, Raja Alamelamma parted with her pearl to confiscate the jewellery and Wodeyar captured Srirangapatna nose ring, but managed to escape take her prisoner. On reaching the and cornered Alamelamma, asking with her jewellery to Talekad. The banks of Cauvery, she jumped into her to hand over all her jewellery. soldiers followed closely behind, the river but not before uttering the following words: Talkādu- Maralaāgi, Mālingimaduvaāgi, Mysurudhoregemakkalagade- hōgali, which translates into: let Talekad be covered by sand dunes, Malingi (a town across Talekad on the opposite bank of Cauvery) turn into a whirlpool, Mysore Kings not have heirs. The curse seems to hold good even after four hundred years. Over thirty temples along the Cauvery at Talekad are still submerged within the sands that have been advancing into the town year after year, forcing the population to move higher and higher upland. Seven temples have been unearthed by A view of the Keerthinarayana Temple with the walking track beyond. the Archaeological Survey of India,

40 VIDURA October-December 2017 but sand still gets piled again and again, requiring frequent clearing. The sand has been found unfit for any purpose, even though it is from the banks of a fertile river. While scientists and geologists propose different theories to explain the phenomena, they are unable to explain why every alternate generation in the Mysore Wodeyar dynasty goes childless ever since the curse was uttered. Raja Wodeyar’s four sons died within a year of Alamelamma’s suicide, and he was forced to adopt an heir. In fear, he erected her statue inside the Mysuru palace to appease her. Even today, on the ninth day of Dussehra, the King and Queen offer prayers to her. I was brought out of my reverie by the driver’s voice announcing we had entered Talekad. The village looked just like any other - kuccha (not solid construction) houses, petty shops and Jio jee Entrance to the Vaidyeswara Temple. A shot from outside the Veerabadra bharke (advertisement by telecom Temple. major) boards. The driver stopped placed within the temple premises. near the Vaidyeswara Temple and, Right next door is the Veerabadra “Don’t take photos,” said a as if on cue, the raindrops started Temple. By now, the rain had turned stern voice in Kannada, which falling. into a steady downpour. With a made me jump. I was pretty sure I got down and ran into the hop, skip and jump, I crossed over there had been no one inside the temple few metres away. It is the to the temple. There was no one temple, but now on my left was a largest among the recovered Siva around, and the priest was inside woman squatting on the platform. temples, with huge dwarapalakas the sanctum. The Ganesha outside I nervously put my mobile back. (gate keepers), ornately carved the shrine looked so endearing that By now, the priest had seen us pillars and a beautiful deity. Several I pulled out my mobile to take a and came out to offer aarti (waving excavated artefacts have been picture. lighted wicks before the sacred image to infuse the flames with the deity’s love, energy and blessings and then brought by the priest to the devotee). My husband (who was reluctant to come on this trip) and I asked a young boy selling bhelpuri in a push cart, how to get to the other temples. Without speaking, he pointed to a raised platform covered by a canopy. Suddenly, we were walking in ankle-deep sand that made movement difficult. On either side of the canopy were burnt and broken trees. An occasional owl and a jackal’s cry from nowhere sent shivers of fear within. The sound of the rain hitting the metal canopy A picturesque view of the Maraleswara Temple. added to the eerie sound effects. A

October-December 2017 VIDURA 41 couple of villagers who were inside Temples were also similar the canopy were hurrying back and (excavated). The Keerthinarayana we were the only ones left. Slowly Temple, the only Vaishnavite yet steadily, we panted our way temple that has been excavated, across the track. was constructed by Hoysala King Out of the blue, appeared the Vishnuvardhana for his guru Pathaleswara Temple. As the Ramanuja’s worship. The circular name suggests, it was about 30 path of over a kilometre that connects feet below. Steps that led to the the excavated temples leads into the temple were covered by sand and temple and one can get a closer view the rain was pushing more sand of the intricate Hoysala architecture from above. “No more temples within. When we got out of the can be excavated,” said the priest, Keerthinarayana Temple, the rain huddled into the sanctum. They stopped as if by some miracle. We are all under the whirlpool and were hungry and thought of buying Alamelamma does not desire them some bhel (puffed rice) from the to be cleared.” young man we saw earlier but there We nodded nervously and was no trace of him. proceed further. The Arakeswara, As we got into the car, an old Mallikarjuna, and Maraleswara woman appeared near the window.

Walking on the sand towards the Pathaleswara Temple.

For a moment, I thought she was seeking alms. But she looked deep into my eyes, smiled a toothless smile, and walked away, swinging

her arms to balance her gait. I kept looking at her till she became a dot < on the horizon.

Panesar to lead DSport business Discovery Communications has appointed former CEO of Hathway Video Business, T.S. Panesar, as the head of the DSport channel business in India. DSport is an all-new premium sports channel launched in India by Discovery Communications earlier this year in February. The launch of the channel was seen as

the first time in over 10 years for a media company to introduce a < new sports platform for the Indian market.

(Courtesy: exchange4media.com) Ganesha found riding a bandicoot rat at the Vaidyeswara Temple.

42 VIDURA October-December 2017 An informative website on birds, a labour of love As an Indian with even a passing interest in bird-watching, it is likely that you have visited Birds of India at www.kolkatabirds.com. Originally conceived as a website called Birds of Kolkata to showcase the works of amateur photographers in the city and West Bengal who are interested in avian fauna, it has now grown to be the last word on bird sightings and news on water-bodies, wetlands and every conceivable nesting site that attracts birds in India. Rina Mukherji calls it a labour of love and one of the best examples of citizen journalism

labour of love by Sumit Sen, who continued to nurture Ahis love for nature and biodiversity even as he spent his working life as one of the directors of American Express Bank, the website, www.kolkatabirds.com, is possibly one of the best examples of citizen journalism. The books on animals and birds Sumit Sen received as a little boy from his father triggered an interest in biodiversity that was to last a lifetime. What was more, his father taught him to love trees. “Baba (father) could recognize every tree, and knew everything about each species. I can hardly match

him there, even to this day,” says Photos: RM Sumit. The Great Indian Bustard, an endangered species.

However, the deeper he delved into bird-watching, the more he “felt the need to educate lay persons who would want to satiate the curiosity of their children on walks around their neighbourhood”. There was another reason too. At the time, there was no way an amateur photographer could exhibit his works, save by hiring a gallery. There was no social media to get the general public to view his photographs. That was why he started the website in 2001 with an investment of just Rs 2000. To Sen’s delight, he found many people who took beautiful photographs of birds in their neighbourhood and were happy The Black-hooded Oriole. to gain access to a website to

October-December 2017 VIDURA 43 the Rann of Kutch, and Mehsana in south Gujarat, as also in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. In fact, there is a Birding Hotpsot Map on the Birds of India site, listing 113 birding sites in India. There are also reviews of books on birding by the best-known ornithologists, as also, in a lighter vein, a collection of bird cartoons by Rohan Chakravarty, called Chirp! (sourced from his blog on Green Humour). The website guides the young and old on the salient features of nature photography, and how to get the best shots of the avian world, with beautiful images to match. “If you want to photograph Red-crested Pochards provide a soothing sight. a bird, you must understand that a bird’s survival hinges around the perception of danger. You showcase their work. Sen would about the deplorable state of the must learn to make yourself painstakingly write about each bird, Santragachi Lake near Kolkata got inconspicuous and study the bird its habitat and its characteristics in several NGOs to come together and for some time. Only then can you the simplest language possible. clean it up. hope to get a perfect shot,” Sen This endeared the website to many Even now, the website carries says. nature enthusiasts, both young and vignettes on rare birds being sighted. In short, Sen advises the nature old. The latest entry mentions the lover to devote some time to actually sighting of the African Pied Crow studying a bird and its ways before A birder’s reference guide (Corvus Albus), a native of Africa, plunging into bird photography. Soon, there were people writing in a garbage dump in Jodhpur. The The efforts he put in have certainly in about birds they had, along with news, sent in by a birding enthusiast paid off; the website today boasts photographs they had taken. It from that city, is accompanied by some of the best images from could be a species that had vanished a photograph of the visitor, and amateur photographers alongside or become scarce; or migrants that speculation on how this bird, which the biggest names in nature had dwindled or were following has never been known to leave photography. new paths. Besides, whenever the Africa, landed up in Jodhpur. However, Sen and his fellow- condition of a lake or sanctuary The website tells us of the best birders running the website steer became such as to affect the nesting bird watching sites in India, ranging clear of activism. “Our reports are sites of the avifauna, the website from places in the far northeast of often cited by activists to launch a would mention it. The write-up Arunachal Pradesh, down to Kerala, wake-up call whenever any species is in danger. But we do not go further than that. It is not what we do best. We had better leave it to those who are good at it,” admits Sen. Today, there are many who have joined Sen in his efforts to educate the young on birds and bird photography. The enthusiasts, many of whom happen to be elderly pensioners, forest officials and retired professors, organise walking tours in various parts of the country for the young, where they can watch and study The White-throated Kingfisher. birds. Such events are announced

44 VIDURA October-December 2017 three years are popular events and Sen has authored a book called hundreds of enthusiastic teams fan The Sundarbans Inheritance, and out everywhere to spot birds. co-authored Birds of India with News of sighting of rare birds well-known nature photographer such as the Falcated Duck, Bikram Grewal on the birds of Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, the subcontinent, focusing on the Great Hornbill, Brown-winged northeast. Sen is particularly keen Kingfisher, Slaty-legged Crake, to promote the northeast as a bird Jerdon's Baza, Northern Goshawk, destination. “I want to break the Collared Falconet, Spotted Laughing perception people have about Thrush, Slender-billed Scimitar the Northeast, often dubbing it a Babbler, Black-headed Bunting remote region, plagued by unrest and Scarlet Finch, the Blue–fronted and insurgency.” Robin, the Greater White-fronted Of late, Sen has had the website Goose and the White-Browed technically upgraded to make it Bulbul have turned Kolkata Birds mobile–friendly. He is also planning into an important source of news to write a book for beginners and

and updates for those interested in young enthusiasts keen on bird- biodiversity. watching, though he clarifies that it < won’t be a field guide. Ongoing up-gradation Several schools seek the help (The writer is a freelance journalist The Wood Sandpiper. of Kolkata Birds for nature trips based in Kolkata who specialises for their students. “A nature tour in developmental issues. She is the through the website. In Kolkata, is not just a nice outing; it teaches recipient of several national and Purbasthali Lake, Nalban, Botanical you compassion, and empathy. international fellowships, besides Gardens, and the Chintamoni Kar You learn to be appreciative of the India's first-ever Laadli Extraordinaire Sanctuary in Narendrapur are the world you belong to,” explains Sen, Award for relentlessly fighting gender most frequented sites for birding. although he does not conduct the injustice.) In Kolkata and West Bengal, a bird walks. “I always guide them to Big Bird Day and a Bengal Bird those of our friends who specialise Day being organised for the past in these.”

I&B Ministry directs PIB to verify circulation of newspapers On August 30, a directive by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) entrusted the Press Information Bureau (PIB) with the task of verifying the circulation of newspapers for which its regional and branch offices will be also given an additional Rs 50 lakh and Rs 70 lakh, state media reports. The ministry order further mentions the names of the designated officers alongside the publications whose circulation they will have to check. Along with regional newspapers named in the order, there is also mention of national players such as The Indian Express and DNA. For The Indian Express, designated PIB officers have been asked to verify circulations in cities such as New Delhi, Pune, Mumbai and Chandigarh, while for DNA, the Ahmedabad and Jaipur editions would be verified, state reports. This is the first time that PIB has been tasked with verifying circulation of newspapers. Before this, the task was undertaken by the Registrar of Newspapers of India (RNI). According to a report in Newslaundry, a well-placed source within the I&B ministry said that the task was handed out to PIB keeping in mind the 2019 General Elections so that the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) -- a body that decides allocation of government advertisements to newspapers -- knows which newspapers to give ads to based on their real circulation numbers. Also up for verification will beDainik Bhaskar’s Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Muzaffarpur editions and regional papers including Niyomiya Barta from Assam, Andhra Prabha in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Deepika and Janmabhumi

from Kerala to name a few. The RNI will continue to issue title verification and registration certificate. It will also help PIB conduct training sessions for PIB officers to hand-hold them through the verification numbers. <

(Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

October-December 2017 VIDURA 45 A riot of fluttering colour

On a sunny day, as you step through the gates of Central Park in Kolkata’s Salt Lake City and proceed towards Picnic Point, you will be greeted by a riot of colour. You will see myriad butterflies flitting around the trees and bushes. They are denizens of the Butterfly Park set up by engineer-cum-nature enthusiast Arjan Basu Roy, with encouragement from the Urban & Recreational Forestry Division of the West Bengal State Forest Department. A butterfly haven amidst the concrete jungle that is Kolkata spawns hope for the environment, says Rina Mukherji

Naturalists associate the pre- sence of butterflies with healthy ecosystems. In fact, the North American Pollinators Protection Campaign (NAPPC) apparently attaches more importance to the butterfly than the honeybee as a pollinator, mainly because of its ability to migrate over long distances, as compared to the bee’s movements, limited to a small circle in its vicinity. With cities turning into concrete jungles, and ill-advised land management in general, butterflies are bereft of biomass to feed on. Moreover, when people tend to plant flowers, they choose showy, perfumed A butterfly dips its proboscis to suck out nectar in a lantana bush. species. These, unfortunately, are

utterflies are inspirational beings. Research on their Bwings has led to new wide wingspan aircraft designs. Studies on the reflection and scattering of light by the scales on wings of the Swallowtail butterfly has helped create more efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Their spectacular colours are driving nanotechnology research to produce paints that do not use toxic pigments. Most significantly, the health of butterfly populations is being studied as an indicator of air quality in cities. Climate change has badly affected the butterfly. Long taken for granted as an inhabitant of gardens, the butterfly is becoming increasingly rare in urban landscapes. It is an important link in nature’s chain, since it helps in pollination and Photos: RM hence, germination of flowers, fruit Host plants lined up at the Butterfly Park for nurturing butterflies and their and vegetables. laying eggs.

46 VIDURA October-December 2017 of no consequence to the butterfly. Instead, the humble, wild ones that we are often dismissive of are what butterflies look for.

Crusade to save butterflies Mindful of the disappearance of these beautiful creatures from our midst, engineer-cum-nature enthusiast Arjan Basu Roy has embarked on a crusade to bring A butterfly hatches out in a lab jar. Ready to be let out. butterflies back into metropolitan Kolkata. For Arjan, who grew up He has published several books lab. The larvae go through their admiring the birds, butterflies on butterflies and is an avid lifecycle within glass jars and and sundry creatures in his family campaigner for their cause. A few are transformed into beautiful bungalow at Bijoygarh in suburban years ago, his work attracted the butterflies. Once the butterflies south Kolkata, photography was attention of the authorities in West hatch out, they are released into a hobby that satisfied his urge to Bengal. State Conservator of Forests the gardens from where the larvae observe nature at work. Even as he Sourav Chowdhury and Divisional were collected. studied to become an engineer at Forest Officer Nilanjan Mullick “Butterflies need an average Jadavpur University, he loved bird- from the Urban and Recreational temperature of 27 degrees watching and clicking away with Forestry Division approached him Centigrade to thrive. If it is too his camera. for setting up a butterfly park in cold, they cannot adjust; they are After completing his studies, Banobitaan at Central Park. cold-blooded and must hibernate,” Arjan started a non-governmental The plan matched Arjan’s dream Arjan says. The best time to watch organisation, Nature Mates, to take of making the most of available these beautiful creatures is when it up environmental causes in the greenery for the neglected butterfly. is warm and humid. public realm. He soon realised that The Central Park is a huge expanse The monsoons are a veritable treat clicking birds was too expensive a of foliage with a fairly large water for the eyes at the Park. The Yellow proposition since birds are disposed body. It has several species of Emigrant, White Tiger, Common to flit away when one gets too close. plants including flowering species. Jay, Peacock Pansy, Striped Tiger “Expensive cameras with telephoto It was the ideal place to nurture and Mottled Emigrant are some of lenses were too costly for a middle- butterflies. It only needed the the numerous varieties of butterflies class enthusiast like me. Butterflies right hosts to be brought in for the which flutter over the little patch were an easier option, since they butterflies to lay eggs on and thrive. of green in the midst of Kolkata’s could be studied and approached concrete jungle. A few hundred feet

at close range,” he says. From lab to outdoors away, roses sway desolately in the < With encouragement from Vijay Butterflies look for nectar from rose garden. Barwe of the Bombay Natural wild flowers like lantana, and they History Society (BNHS), Arjan took need host plants like mango, lemon, to compiling notes on butterflies curry leaf, jumkalata and akanda to which he ultimately got published. lay eggs. Roses don’t attract them. Log on to “Butterflies do not care for perfume, they look for colour,” Arjan explains. www.pressinstitute.in His NGO took the initiative to plant 162 host and nectar plants to attract to read more such butterflies. And, thus, the Butterfly Park took shape in 2010. Nature Mates runs a small lab articles at the Butterfly Park. Volunteers from the organisation collect larvae from the trees in Banobitaan and from various other parts of Kolkata such as St John’s Diocesan School, the Future Foundation School, A sign indicating the Butterfly Park at Eden Gardens and Presidency Central Park, in Kolkata’s Salt Lake. College, and bring them into the

October-December 2017 VIDURA 47 Book Review Engaging ideas for the serious mind Rabindranath Tagore had been a pioneer in the field of Indian Literature for a long period that witnessed his change as a writer as well – not only in terms of style but also with respect to his philosophies which were shaped by personal and social experiences. It has to be noted that in most of his novels and long stories, Tagore’s representation of the woman protagonist had been generally radical and ahead of the prevalent trends influenced largely by the domesticated woman in the literature of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, says Amitava Nag

eminist theories have analysed setting of the characters it depicts However, to look at the feminine the women in Tagore’s oeuvre but also acts as a mirror to the figure in relation to the material Fwith interest and inquisition. temporal and spatial positioning of world they are set to be designed Satyajit Ray had based three of his it in a broader matrix. Any observant within is a new angle of vision. films on the literature of Tagore – reading of the cinema of any Veteran film critic Shoma A Teen Kanya, Charulata and Ghare language or country over a period Chatterji’s recently published Baire. In Ray’s cinema, apart of time hence reflects the changing book Woman at the Window: The from these three, there had been a dynamics of the reality at large. To Material Universe of Rabindranath consistent tendency to look at life analyse the ‘objects’ in relation with Tagore through the Eyes of Satyajit with a distant objectivity as well as the ‘subjects’ who use, exchange and Ray (Harper Collins India, 2017, making his social comment through preserve them is hence a reflection page 356, INR.499.00) takes up this representation of the feminine of the shifting times. difficult task in an un-explored gender. In films made on non- A lot of texts have already been terrain and presents us with a book Tagore stories hence – Mahanagar, written on Ray’s incorporation that will interest the serious reader. Kapurush, Aranyer Din Ratri – we of Tagore’s stories. These have It is obvious that the distinct find self-reliant women sure of prevalently dealt with the aesthetic uniqueness of the two media themselves and in the relation with interpretation focusing mainly on in question grants cinema to the man of their choice. the comparison between Tagore’s be more visual and, hence, it is The material objects in a film not women characters vis-à-vis their rather pertinent that cinema will only defines the socio-economic screen depiction as Ray’s heroines. have its own visual objectification through one set of codes while the written text will deal with another. WOMAN AT THE WINDOW WOMAN Chatterji’s book picks up these differences in representation which AT THE are as much due to the contrast in WINDOW the characters of the two media as The Material Universe that in the two creative geniuses of inematic conventions tend Cto be embedded in the of Rabindranath Tagore patriarchal. The controlling through the Eyes of India. look is always male, with women subjected to the Satyajit Ray WOMAN AT THE WINDOW: gaze—voyeuristic, investigative, looking The book starts with an for titillation. Yet, Satyajit Ray’s cinema THE MATERIAL UNIVERSE strove to steer clear of this. None of Ray’s introduction that fairly lays the women protagonists—most memorably in his OF RABINDRANATH TAGORE adaptations of Tagore’s stories but true of other films too—can be reduced to a cliché. They defy every imaginable stereotyping. shoma a. chatterji THROUGH THE EYES OF ground for what is to be followed. Woman at the Window attempts a completely new way of looking at Ray’s films in general, and his adaptations of Tagore in particular, through an examination However, in a bid to assimilate a shoma a. Chatterji SATYAJIT RAY of objects that are the familiars of his female protagonists. A lorgnette in Charulata, a box of jewels in Monihara, a bag of gold coins in Ghare Baire, a squirrel in Samapti and, in the non-Tagore stories, a lipstick in Mahanagar and Publisher: Harper Collins India plethora of theoretical rubrics (and a hairpin on a rumpled pillow in Apur Sansar. What do these everyday objects subtly suggest about the characteristics of their owners and users? What role Pages: 356 also in the subsequent chapters), do they play in the lives of the characters? Do they offer a new dimension or perspective in the study of Ray’s cinema? Price: Rs 499 Chatterji probably has made parts National Award-winning author Shoma A. Chatterji offers an entirely new understanding of the differences and synergy between Tagore’s original stories and Ray’s celluloid readings of them, as also fascinating material of her text a bit heavy at times and for anyone interested in cinema or gender. SHOMA A. CHATTERJI more importantly disjointed. In Literature and Cinema, we come

`499 Cover design Pinaki De across Chatterji’s views on the Cover image courtesy Society for the Preservation of Satyajit Ray Archives www.harpercollins.co.in HarperCollinsIN CINEMA inter-textual spaces as she draws

Photo: People's film collective Photo: People's reference from films on literary

48 VIDURA October-December 2017 subjects but with distinctly different associated with the male characters of both the geniuses binds them outcomes – for example, Meghe like the Oxford shoes, the portrait at a creative plane alongside their Dhaka Tara by Ritwik Ghatak or of Nepolean, the gramophone and aesthetic, philosophical and cultural Shatranj Ki Khilari by Ray. others. identities. The only deterrent for this What followed was the writer’s Though the chapter on Teen otherwise engaging and thought- account of Tagore and his probable Kanya intrigues with sharp provoking book is that it didn’t choices behind the women observations and comments, most take a cue from this minimalism. characters – a delightful read that poignant being the employer- It seems a bit cluttered at times – explores options that probably servant relation in Postmaster, it with a few too many theories and worked in the maverick mind. was the one on Charulata which ideas that have been left dangling. The main attraction of the book steals the show. Primarily because Irrespective of that, the book will will be the last four chapters that this is a film laden with motifs, with remain a pioneer in serious writing start with Ray’s vision of women in symbols and code representations in the context of Indian cinema in

the society in general followed by probably more than any other Ray general and the Ray-Tagore dyad in how he adapted Tagore’s characters film and surely more than Ghare particular. < for his cinema. Like in the chapter Baire, the third and last of Ray’s on Tagore’s vision, the writer opens films on a Tagore story. the reader up to multiple facets that If Tagore’s Charulata in Nastaneer shaped Ray’s distinct vision of life. (the story on which Ray based Rajat Sharma elected For instance she is spot on when his film) is drawn heavily from president, News she comments: “Ray’s widowed his familial experience and his Broadcasters Association mother, who was a single parent, proximity to his own sister-in-law rooted his acute sensitivity for the Kadambari Devi, Ray positioned The News Broadcasters Asso- woman in his progressive Brahmo his version of Charu as a more ciation that represents the private background and upbringing.” lonely and forlorn person. In having television news and current affairs Later, in reference to Ray’s Soumitra Chatterjee play Amal broadcasters in India, elected Rajat marriage to his first cousin Bijoya with distinct Tagorean features Ray Sharma as the president during (who was also older to Ray), probably did keep the identification a board meeting held recently at Chatterji’s remarks are insightful: question open for interpretation. India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. “It comes no surprise, therefore, In an interview to Silhouette M.V. Shreyams Kumar, whole-time that he would break ‘taboos’ film magazine, Shoma A Chatterji director, Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing, has been elected as the through some of his films too… commented that “no one across vice-president. Throughout his life, Ray was closer the world has explored the subject Anurradha Prasad, chairperson- to the feminine touch than to the of objects and their significance masculine. One does not know cum-managing director, News24 in forming not only the material whether he was conscious of this Broadcast India, has replaced ‘female’ influence on him, but his universe of a film but also what K.V.L. Narayan Rao, Group CEO & films have time and again borne significance and meaning these executive vice-chairperson, NDTV testimony to this subtle yet strong objects hold for certain characters Group, as the honorary treasurer feminist streak.” in the film. I found Satyajit Ray’s of NBA. In the same chapter Chatterji celluloid interpretations of Tagore The position of President had ideal to be analysed from this point skillfully brings out also some of been lying vacant since end of of view.” There is no doubt that this July this year after Ashish Bagga the salient objects which depict the is a novel effort and a very unique social conditioning to the tee. She resigned as the Group CEO of one at it as well. Chatterji also the India Today Group. The other points out how food recurs as a motif raised questions on the characters’ of patriarchal power economics – members on the NBA Board are: behaviours and how patriarchy Rahul Joshi, CEO News & Group we find Apu drinking milk from a molded their actions mostly because large bowl in Pather Panchali and editor-in-charge, TV18 Broadcast, the creators of them on screen or in Bhaskar Das, Group CEO, Zee never his elder sister Durga, and text are essentially men. how Durga’s daily adventures Media Corporation, Avinash In the definition of short story Pandey, COO, ANN, and Rajiv revolve around the different but Tagore mentioned that it is insignificant food items that she Singh, executive director & COO, something that ends even without Zee Media Corporation. The NBA

gathered by legitimate or other an ending. Ray had always ways. The book is replete with currently has 65 news and current < promoted the view of minimalism affairs channels as its members. examples – the popular ones like the in his art – ‘how many shots you mirror, the lorgnette, the lipsticks, can’t do without’. The economy (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) the purse and so on. Also the ones of expression that is the hallmark

October-December 2017 VIDURA 49 Book Review

An award-winning journalist shows the power of RTI Act

the right to freedom of speech and expression”. The RTI Act has helped investigative journalism in getting information that otherwise would have been almost impossible to unearth despite legal provisions. Using the storyline approach, the author through his own experiences unravels how news was collected by persistent efforts using RTI, how the stories evolved and how the subject was followed up keeping an eye on the rightful impact. Hence, the emphasis is less on theory and more on practical aspects. This book is also a concise history of RTI, its role in a democratic society and the powerful tool it offers the investigative journalist. Perhaps no other journalist has utilised the RTI Act as often as Yadav has done for a decade now. He is one of the main reasons the RTI law is so powerfully effective. He has not only shown how to collect startling documents from government but also has demonstrated that the facts can be turned into powerful stories that can goad people into action. Yadav has used the RTI law very effectively to reveal important stories with persistence, thorough research and ingenuity. This is his impressive account of how he did it and how others can learn from his example. The book includes detailed practical examples as well as necessary perspectives so that peers and future JOURNALISM THROUGH RTI – Information, journalists can learn from his experiences and at the Investigation, Impact same time be encouraged to ask their own questions Author: Shyamlal Yadav relevant in their own context. Publisher: Sage Publications Yadav is an ardent RTI activist and the contents of Pages: 220 the book show the range and depth of his inquiries. By his persistent work, he has transformed the newspaper Price: Rs 795 into an instrument of social change. Indeed, the book could not be published at a more relevant time. Investigative journalism is very much the flavour of As Raj Kamal Jha, chief editor, Indian Express, says the season whether it is for newspapers, TV channels in his foreword: “As governments and establishments or websites. Of course, under the guise of investigative get more impregnable, as leaders reach out to their reporting there will emerge some outrageous stories constituents on social media in one way conversations, that are way off the mark but none can deny that if as institutions start pulling up the drawbridge in the such a task is carried out in a fair and balanced manner name of efficiency there is a need today more than there is much to be said in favour of it. And in the ever of journalism that asks questions and that strives forefront of approaching this onerous but important to hold those in power to account be it in government task is Shyamlal Yadav, for long acknowledged as or business or the political system.” Yadav’s work is a among India’s leading investigative journalists. The testament to the power of that journalism. This book book reflects his passion for truth and persistence on should inspire the next generation of reporters and facts and is an extremely useful reference and guide editors as they fight secrecy to get to the stories that for any young person aspiring to join the media. need to be done. After an inordinate delay, Indians got the Right One must give full credit to Yadav for the manner to Information (RTI) in October 2005. The RTI Act in which he has approached his task. His research has is considered an extension of Article 19 (1) (a) of the been painstaking, his persistence is to be lauded and Indian Constitution which says “all citizens shall have he has produced files, documents, correspondence

50 VIDURA October-December 2017 Book Review

and newspaper cuttings to back his writings. He is The title somewhat defines and sets the tone of the thorough on the subject and his statements carry the book. Bimal Roy, once upon a time in Bombay, was a stamp of authenticity. leading filmmaker, with Bengali sensibilities. It was a Yadav certainly has the right credentials to bring out time when big banners existed but not with the bluster a book of this nature. A member of the investigative of publicity that drowns all other sounds today. bureau of the Indian Express, his reports such as the A soft-spoken man, Roy makes up the tribe of men foreign junkets of ministers and bureaucrats, MPs who are always the “outsider” and whose works appointing their relatives as their personal assistants, remain a body of classics, never to be forgotten in a bank staff putting up their own money to reduce the hurry. They are like a soft breeze and not a hurricane. total number of zero balance Jan Dhan accounts have Each of his films demonstrated that his heart was in had a considerable impact. He is the only two-time the right place and films such as Do Bigha Zameen, winner of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Award Sujata, Devdas, Madhumati and Bandini among others, for Excellence in Journalism in the investigative were also about the marginalised in society, maybe a reporting category. Yadav has also been the recipient woman, a theme that Raj Kapoor, V.Shantaram and of several foreign awards and has addressed several Guru Dutt, too, championed. international conferences on RTI and the media at a The period was the 1940s. India had just gained range of platforms. Having earlier worked at Jansatta, Independence and such filmmakers were clearly

Amar Ujala and India Today, Yadav is presently senior under the influence of Italian neo-realism cinema editor with the Indian Express. < symbolised by Vittorio De Sica. There was one difference, however. Indian cinema has always been (Reviewed by veteran journalist Partab Ramchand.) clear entertainers with music and dance but the music of Roy’s films added a new dimension to the old classics. When scored by Salil Choudhury, we have some of the best combinations ever. Love played a significant part but it was never sealed in matrimony. A scholarly take on a Instead, it was much tears or rain-soaked, pierced by a feeling of loss and loneliness. master storyteller It was a time in Bombay when artistic collaborations between Bengalis became one of the golden periods of Hindi cinema. The industry was introduced to other talented individuals like Ritwik Ghatak (who subsequently returned to Calcutta but not before scripting Madhumati), Salil Choudhury who gave us such melodious and unforgettable tunes in Madhumati and Biraj Bahu, among others, Hrishikesh Mukherjee who edited Parineeta; Gulzar who wrote some of the best lyrics, and Nabendu Ghosh. He made stars of newcomers like Dilip Kumar, Sunil Dutt, Sadhana, Vaijantimala, Nutan and even Suchitra Sen (in Devdas as Paro) for a short while, outside Bengal. And whoever can forget Balraj Sahni, a rickshaw-puller as a protagonist in Do Bigha Zameen! Technicians who worked with Roy established themselves in the industry as time went by. The handful of films that he directed in Bengali, Udayer Pathe, remains one of the best known and a trailblazer. Shoma A. Chatterji requires no introduction as far as writing on cinema is concerned. Churning out 20 books on cinema, gender and fiction over a period of three decades reflect immense intellect. At times, it THE CINEMA OF BIMAL ROY – definitely has been in conflict with what one has to An ‘Outsider’ Within write today on contemporary cinema, which is less Author: Shoma A. Chatterji about critiquing and more about promotion. She Publisher: Sage Publications bravely soldiers on with meticulous research, both Pages: 240 primary and secondary. Price: Rs 395 Chatterji came in touch with Roy briefly inher youth and she creates a Bombay of those times where

October-December 2017 VIDURA 51 Book Review

she herself was born and raised. Much of her research is from secondary sources, of books already written An expert focus on on the cinema of Bimal Roy. Two of the books have been by his daughter, Rinki Roy Bhattacharya, one of remote posts in the which is a more personal take. In this case, Chatterji Indian Ocean too tries to take an outsider view and peppers the book with tidbits that are vital in the business of film- making. Little details of Roy’s non-existent Hindi and numerous technical details such as camera angles, the use of light and darkness, sound, editing and, of course, music, which lifted the films to another level altogether. Chatterji offers film-by-film research- based analysis, bringing her gender interpretation in many of Roy’s films where heroines hold centre-stage. Sujata, Parineeta and Bandini have strong female representation. Even in a film like Devdas, the story is more about Paro and Chandramukhi. A scholarly book like this, sans gossip, will be of great service to aspiring film makers to re-discover the art of telling simple stories in a simple, lucid way. Or else, Bimal Roy’s name and the cinema he stood for may just become a distant memory amid new trends of tech driven genres of today’s cinema. Chatterji rues that the director gave very few interviews, so whatever can be constructed as a biography is from scholarly sources. She brings in a comparative study of serious genres of cinema. Ultimately, this gentle period of cinema started slowly eroding with the passage of time and big ISLANDS IN FLUX – The Andaman and Nicobar budget films with Punjabi domination began to hold Story sway. In between, several filmmakers like Gulzar, Author: Pankaj Sekhsaria Shyam Bengal and even Vidhu Vindo Chopra spoke Publisher: Harper Collins, New Delhi of his influences on them. But who knows, ultimately cinema is all about a soul and emotions that are Price: Rs 399 perennial and there will, certainly, be takeaways from

the lessons the great master left behind as a kind of cinematic legacy. < The Andaman & Nicobar islands have had the ill fortune of being colonised several times over, first by (Manjira Majumdar, freelance journalist based in the British and then by the mainlanders of free India, Kolkata, sent in this review.) with nary a thought for the original inhabitants who have lived there for over 40000 years. Located closer to Burma and Indonesia than the Indian mainland, these remote outposts of India in the Indian Ocean 'Education for all' also house the southernmost part of India – Indira Point, besides forming the northern tip of the Ring of is still a distant dream! Fire that skirts the Pacific south-east Asian rim. Ironically, the region’s military-strategic importance Annual Subscription Rs.240 for India’s security, its verdant evergreen forests Get to know the real face of India. Subscribe today! and ample forest resources have been major factors accounting for its environmental degradation over the past five decades. The burgeoning population of mainlanders brought about by the official desire to ‘colonize’ these islands has not only resulted in a drastic fall in the indigenous population, but triggered RIND Premises Second Main Road. Taramani indiscriminate sand mining to feed the needs of the CPT Campus, Chennai 600 113 realty sector on these islands. Coupled with logging, Ph: 044 2254 2344 Fax: 044 2254 2323 this in turn destroyed the coral reefs which are www.pressinstitute.in now just a fraction of the extensive ecosystem they

52 VIDURA October-December 2017 Book Review

constituted in the past. For the Negrito-Andamanese, being encouraged to visit the Andamans with free air the zeal to mainstream them has brought only sorrow. fare post-tsunami (to give a fillip to tourism on the Their numbers have dwindled to a handful, even as islands). hitherto unfamiliar diseases and ailments have been The demands of strategic security have seen defence brought in by modern civilization and decimated establishments gain momentum here, and a nuclear their populations. plant is under consideration. Even where every For the local fauna and flora, too, exotic species precaution is being taken to rejuvenate and protect brought in by the colonising British and mainlanders mangroves and the coastal environment, there have have spelt doom. The giant African snail has devoured been cases of wanton destruction. For example, large the local snail population; stray dogs have literally swathes of horticultural resources were cut to make eaten into the turtle population on the beaches, while way for a helipad when a former president came the clearing of mangroves for timber has destroyed visiting. coral reefs along the coasts. A Kolkata-based company Unfortunately, very little of the environmental brought in some 35 elephants in to help with timber catastrophe of the islands has ever been covered by logging in the past. But the company failed, and the India’s national media. A classic case of ‘out of sight, elephants were left behind. As the numbers of this out of mind’, the islands have made it to the national pachyderm grew, they played havoc with the local consciousness only when some disaster struck. flora and fauna. This is where Islands in Flux: The Andaman & The 2004 tsunami was, perhaps, the proverbial Nicobar story plays a landmark role – it offers a better last straw on the camel’s back. The earthquake that understanding of these islands and their indigenous preceded it and the tsunami itself ravaged the islands, peoples. As one who has been covering the islands with a point south of Port Blair serving as a pivot as a researcher and journalist over the past 20 years, around which the Andamans were heaved up and Sekhsaria questions the development paradigm that the Nicobars pulled down. The result was that miles sidetracks the indigenous peoples of the islands of coral reefs in the northern Andamans were left in a bid to achieve what is termed ‘growth’ by the exposed above water to ultimately die, while every civilized world. A collection of perceptive articles island in the Nicobars was surrounded by a wall of from publications as far apart as Economic & Political rotten vegetation due to severe land subsidence. Weekly, Inter-Press Service, Tehelka, Frontline, Down The Pandanus and the Nipa palm populations were to Earth, The Hindu, Sanctuary Asia, and Indian Birds destroyed, badly affecting the Nicobarese community over the years, the book is testimony to the extensive which is economically dependent on them for their work Sekhsaria has put in. The articles combine an daily needs. academic’s extensive research with a journalist’s Since the avifaunal population is largely dependent objectivity to make insightful reading. on the floral vegetation, this left many species The appendices which list local names for major vulnerable. Among them are the Nicobari megapode, geographical landmarks and the recommendations Edible Nest Swiftlet, and many others. The seriousness of the Shekhar Singh Commission and the Supreme of the problem is compounded by the fact that most Court to protect the islands, as well as vignettes that species in the islands are endemic (confined to one illustrate how nature thrives where the indigenous area/ region). In fact, as Pankaj Sekhsaria emphasises people dwell even as the environment is in decline in his book Islands in Flux: The Andaman & Nicobar elsewhere make the author’s bias clear. story, there are 20 avian species endemic to the An ardent cry for environmental justice, the book Andamans, and eight to the Nicobars, with two data- makes a plea for the islands to be left to their original deficient species (as per the IUCN Red Data book) – inhabitants, enabling them to survive the onslaught of the Andaman Crake and the Nicobarese Scops Owl, the civilized world. also found on these islands. However, since it is impossible to put the clock back, Although recent years have seen better sense it would have been in order for Sekhsaria, to make prevail, with migration from the mainland put on some concrete suggestions for a balanced approach

hold, logging stopped, and steps taken to protect to development, wherein the concerns of the ethnic forests, as per recommendations of the Shekhar population are kept in mind even as development and < Singh Commission, the government’s zeal in pushing growth are pursued. up tourism revenue has put a major burden on the (Reviewed by Rina Mukherji.) infrastructure and basic services on the islands. The imperatives of tourism have also prevented the union territory from abiding by the Supreme Court’s order calling for the closure of the Andaman Trunk Road that runs through a Jarawa Reserve. It has also caused a lot of harm, with government employees

October-December 2017 VIDURA 53 Book Review

He acknowledges the support and encouragement of A rare journey into the Forest Department officials and professors, too. To photograph insects with today's technology, amazing world of insects Venkat uses DSLR cameras from Nikon and Canon, specials macro lenses from Tamron and Zeiss, dedicated flash units from Nissin and macro accessories from Kenko, the operative word being 'macro'. The pictures in Venkat's book under review are brilliantly magnified, colourful and detailed, and makes the reader look at insects not in black and brown but in all their glorious colours. Here are some interesting facts excerpted from the book: Insects evolved hundreds of millions of years ago. Beetles were most likely the first insects to pollinate flowers. Bugs consume only liquid food. Dragonflies even migrate across oceans. Some species of damselflies lay eggs underwater. The grasshopper's jump can be twenty times its body length. Only four species of the cockroach are pests and the rest add nutrients to the soil through their waste; they can live INSECTS -- Guardians of Nature up to a week with their head cut off. Attractive to look Author: Poochi Venkat at and easy to rear, the Indian domino cockroach is Publisher: Kalamkriya, Chennai popular as a pet in many parts of the world. Flies can Pages: 160 live on the surface of crude oil. Long distance migration of butterflies takes place over many generations and Price: Not stated no single butterfly completes the full journey. Moths have much more spectacular form and Indifference, aversion and fear are likely to be the colour than butterflies but are not noticed as they reactions of the lay person to the sight of creepy are nocturnal creatures. The Chalcid Wasp is only crawlies. Only a few would consider photographing 0.319 mm, making it the world's smallest insect. With them. Come to think of it, it’s not an easy task. Imagine their powerful sting and impressive appearance, what it would entail to take pictures of insects and wasps have many ships, aircraft and military vehicles document their lives and life cycles! Definitely a job for named after them. Bees and ants belong to the same an entomologist. However, armed with only his skills family and have a very efficient social structure and in photography and plain curiosity, S. Venkataraaman, extensive communication methods. Termites evolved a resident of Chennai, has made photo-documenting from ancestors of cockroaches; though they are called the world of insects his calling. So much so that it has white ants they are not ants at all, and their nests have earned him the moniker Poochi Venkat, poochi being millions of individuals; Insects like grasshoppers, the generic word for insects in Tamil. Today, Poochi bees, ants are a tasty and nutritious snack for humans Venkat is in the limelight with his first book: Insects in countries like Mexico, China, Java, Indonesia, -- Guardians of Nature released this September. countries in South-East Asia and Africa. Venkat's foray into the world of insects began about Venkat has photographed and studied insects in 25 years ago with Dr S. Vijayalakshmi of the Centre Chennai, Parambikulam, Mangurda, Katol, Kolkata, for Indian Knowledge Systems (CIKS) assigning Upper Shillong, Nainital, Kanha, Pench, Melghat, him the job of duplicating 200 slides of spiders. Dr Rann of Kutch, Rampachodavaram, Dandeli, Vijayalakshmi's book Spiders – An Introduction kindled Kudremukh, Lonavla, Karjat and Guwahati among his interest in insects so much that it became a passion. other places. Many insects are threatened by the The garden at his house became the laboratory for destruction of forests, drying water bodies, pollution Venkat's photographic pursuit of insects. It was a time and loss of wetland habitats. On the brighter side, when there were no digital cameras, no Internet and methods of conservation are being evolved to revive a roll of film had only 36 frames without any way to and sustain amazing insects. preview the pictures. Insects – Guardians of Nature, a bi-lingual (English To photograph the insects, Venkat had to mimic the and Tamil) offering, is for private circulation only. If insect itself, creeping on the ground lying in wait for the

you are keen to get a copy, visit www.kalamkriya. right time to click. He also took in his stride the insect < com. bites, stings and infections that went with the work. Venkat says that he owes his powers of observation (Reviewed by T.K. Srinivas Chari.) to the farmers whom he met during his field studies.

54 VIDURA October-December 2017 REMEMBERING SUFI AMBA PRASAD (1858-1917) Courageous journalist, uncompromising editor

Sufi Amba Prasad is remembered with great respect as a journalist who was ready and willing to make any sacrifice to serve the Freedom Movement in India. In fact, he went a step further, starting a newspaper in Iran to help the oppressed people there when he went to that country to escape the wrath of the colonial government in India, says Bharat Dogra. This is why his 100th death anniversary is being observed not just in India but also in Iran

here are facets of Sufi Amba against the improper conduct of Prasad’s personality which representatives of the colonial Thave attracted admiration. government in some of the smaller He was an accomplished Muslim states. This led to another case, scholar and a firm believer in the culminating this time in a six-year unity of all religions. Many of his imprisonment and confiscation of closest associates were from other his ancestral property.

religions – in fact, Sardar Ajit Singh After coming out of jail, where Photo: Courtesy, The Wire uncle of Shahid Bhagat Singh) was he was subjected to extreme Sufi Amba Prasad. his most important collaborator hardships, Amba Prasad worked in preparing literature for the for well-established newspapers for nationalist sections, Amba Prasad freedom movement. He was a very some time, but it was difficult for launched a newspaper called Aabe accomplished Urdu writer and him to function within the various Hayat. editor and his skill as a reporter constraints these newspapers While the newspaper was well- and lead writer on issues related to faced, as his main interest was to received, it also helped the British injustice was a constant thorn in the spread the message of the Freedom forces which had been looking flesh of the colonial government. Movement. He then turned to for Amba Prasad to get details Amba Prasad was born in 1858 reporting and writing for India, a regarding his whereabouts. The and died in a prison cell in Iran nationalist newspaper published by search ended in a fiercely contested in 1917 at the age of 58. His most Lala Pindidas. He was able to write encounter in which Amba Prasad, productive period was a little over more freely but this work again fighting with his single hand (he three decades long. During that attracted the wrath of the colonial was born without a right hand) was time he brought out at least three government. overpowered. He was imprisoned newspapers, served three prison While devoting some time and sentenced to death. However, sentences, played a leading role in to bringing out books for the before the sentence could be carried Punjab’s main publishing house, movement, Amba Prasad also out, he died in his cell in Shiraz. bringing out Freedom Movement decided to bring out a newspaper, To mark his 100th death literature and wrote numerous Peshwa, from Punjab, to better anniversary, it will be good to make reports and articles against the serve the cause of the Freedom an effort to collate and publish many injustices of the colonial Movement. Unfortunately, works of his that are still available. government. For this, he was however, the newspaper, started His writings can be found in the dragged to court and charged with with a lot of difficulty, soon lost three newspapers edited by him sedition. the guidance of its founder-editor as well in other newspapers and During his early days, Amba as Amba Prasad had to escape to journals like India, to which he Prasad’s work was known for Iran with Sardar Ajit Singh to avoid contributed. Several of his books sarcasm. His first Urdu newspaper, imminent arrest. and booklets are likely to be Jaamyul Iluk, was started in 1890. It was quite difficult to settle down accessible in Punjab. His writings

His anti-colonial writings led to in new surroundings, but as the will be useful in understanding police action against him and links with local oppressed sections various aspects of the impact of < subsequently he was sentenced to increased, Amba Prasad became colonial rule in India. 18 months of imprisonment in 1897 keen to write and report about their at the age of 39. After his release problems. After establishing a local (This article had appeared in another from prison he started writing support base, particularly among version on The Wire.)

October-December 2017 VIDURA 55 REMEMBERING ANANDA KENTISH COOMARASWAMY (1877-1947) A ‘noble scholar’, one of a kind In his introduction to the book, The Essential Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, a compendium of essays on topics such as symbolism, Eastern vs Western thinking, literature, metaphysics, traditional art and folklore, the topics Ananda was associated with, selected and published by Rama Ponnambalam Coomaraswamy, a surgeon by profession and a Catholic priest by choice, he says of his father, “...most importantly he is a spokesperson for what has been called the traditional view of life or for the Philosophia perennis (Sanatana Dharnma in Hindu terms).” K.R.A Narasiah on the life and times of a remarkable scholar

n his foreword to the collection, mother, he moved to England. performed under the name Ratan Arvind Sharma, professor After his graduation in London in Devi. Seeing his interest in Indian Iof Comparative Religion, Geology and Botony, he went to Art, the Boston Museum of Fine McGill Univeristy, says, “The Ceylon, accompanied by his first Arts offered him the job as a keeper name of Coomaraswamy has wife, an English photographer, to do of Indian and Muhammadan Art, in become synonymous with an field work on his subject of Geology, 1917. The couple had two children – entire approach to art and of studying Ceylonese mineralogy. He a son named Narada and a daughter the civilization of which it is an formed the Geological Survey of called Rohini. After their divorce in expression. His multi-splendoured Ceylon (now known as Geological America, Coomaraswamy married genius expressed itself over a Survey and Mines Bureau). an American artist, Stella Bloch, thousand published items. One While there, Coomaraswamy and after their divorce, he married might say that Coomaraswamy researched on Sinhalese medieval Argentine Luisa Runsten, to who wrote more than many people art, which kindled his spirit to was born Rama Ponnambalam. read in the course of one life.” In study deeper into Asian art. With Having by then studied Sanskrit this collection Coomaraswamy’s his wife’s support in providing and Pali religious literature as writings are covered with pictures, he wrote his first book well as Western religious works, illustrations and photographs from Medival Sinhalese Art. By then, he Coomaraswamy published his collection, from which one can was fully convinced that Eastern his book, History of Indian and visualise the range of subjects and art had to be properly introduced Indonesian Art, in 1927. A book of the depth to which Coomaraswamy to the West since, till then, people his Introduction to Indian Art deals has dived. who had done elaborate work on with art form from the earliest Born into an aristocratic Vellaala such art were only archaeologists Harappa archaeological finds to family of Sri Lanka to Sir Mutu and, therefore, presented the Indian Rajput and Sikh painting of the Coomaraswamy and his English art form as seen from their technical mid 19th Century, culminating wife, Elizabeth Bibi, on August 22, standpoint only. with the early art and craft works 1877, Ananda lost his father when On his return to England with at the beginning of 12th Century. he was only two. With his English a large collection of photographs In another book, The Arts & Crafts taken by his wife, who later Of India & Ceylon, containing 225 parted company, Coomaraswamy illustrations, with his profound befriended London’s important understanding of art-history, modernist artists, Jacob Epstein and aesthetics, Asian languages and Eric Gill, who with Coomaraswamy’s thinking, Coomaraswamy provides help not only got interested but a preface where his philosophy also incorporated the Eastern art towards art is clearly defined. He style in their works. By this time, says, “The purpose of this book is Coomaraswamy’s interest in Indian to facilitate the understanding of culture and art grew further and the art it illustrates. It is intended with his second wife, Alice Ethel, a for ordinary persons rather than for Britisher, he visited India. archaeological specialists, the pages Staying in a houseboat in Kashmir, are not burdened with references; Coomaraswamy studied in depth but no statement has been made Indian art, especially Rajput without careful consideration or paintings, while Alice learned specific authority.” He further classical Indian music from one states, “The scope of the book is A young Ananda Coomaraswamy. Abdul Rahim. She mastered and indicated in its title. Ceylon, from

56 VIDURA October-December 2017 boundary only to include the beauty nor happiness is easily sculpture of Java and Cambodia, attainable if sought for as a primary the most important of the Indian end,” thus establishing the fact colonies. On the other hand, since that art was part on Indian life and the Himalayas are the natural philosophy. boundary, the art of Nepal, whence In 1947, Coomaraswamy in- come so many fine works often tended to retire as curator in the described as Tibetan, is rightly Boston Museum of Arts to return called Indian, thus indicating the to India, where he planned to cultural boundary of India.” complete translation of Upanishads The illustrations cover the entire and take sanyasa. However, his gamut of Indian art, starting from sudden death in1947 cut his plans the Indo-Sumerian seals, through short. It was no exaggeration when Maurya statues, Rajput paintings, Heinrich Zimmer, German scholar, Ceylonese Buddhas, Burmese Indologist and historian of South frescoes, Cambodian temples, and Asian Art, said of Coomaraswamy: ivory and textile-works. “That noble scholar upon whose Coomaraswamy believed that shoulders we are still standing.” < the Hindus had never believed in art for art's sake; but art for love's (The writer was a marine engineer sake. More importantly, there was who sailed aboard INS Vikrant. Photos: KRAN no distinction between sacred and His love of history and passion for The eye-catching book cover. profane. Says he, “The absence writing turned him into an author. of beauty from art, or happiness His books inlcude Kadalodi, Madras the standpoint of ethnology and from life, is an unanswerable Pattanam, Cambodia Ninaivugal, culture, is an integral part of India. condemnation of any civilisation in Aalavai and Lettered Dialogue I have passed beyond the Indian which they are lacking: yet neither (English).

REMEMBERING SANJOY GHOSE (1959-1997) His lasting legacy: giving voice to the voiceless Sanjoy Ghose, a grassroots social activist working in Western Rajasthan in the late 1980s began writing a column, Village Voice, which was carried as a series by the Indian Express. Ghose believed that the mainstream media could become an ally of development processes on the ground, particularly the concerns of the rural marginalised that do not get reflected adequately in policy-making. This then became a germ of an idea that led Ghose to establish Charkha in 1994, an NGO to connect issues of the rural marginalised communities to the policy-makers through the media. Sujata Raghavan says his vision marks the beginnings of a concept that has since evolved and is common parlance today – Development Communication

n 1980, a young man graduated time, it seemed that all the roads to on everyone by opting for a nascent from Elphinstone a leading a successful corporate career were institution, IRMA (Institute of Icollege in Bombay (now open to him. He had admissions Rural Management, Anand) in Mumbai) with stars in his eyes. to three of the top management Gujarat, taking admission in its Schooled at the prestigious institutes in the country – Indian very first batch. The young man Cathedral and John Connon Institute of Management in was Sanjoy Ghose and the stars in School, Mumbai, he had excellent Ahmedabad, Bangalore and his eyes were not for his personal grades, an outstanding academic Calcutta. success and glory but for the most and co-curricular record. At the The young man sprang a surprise downtrodden of our society.

October-December 2017 VIDURA 57 By 1995, URMUL interventions a series in a column aptly named, that had expanded to address Village Voice. concerns of the poor in Bikaner, Ghose wrote solely with a spirit Jodhpur and Jaisalmer regions was to draw the attention of the urban ready to be handed over to the elite to rural issues – the section community leadership built under of society that accesses news and Ghose’s tutelage. This allowed him forms views through English to shift base to another region in language newspapers. The section India that faced its own and very of society meant opinion leaders, different challenges. policy influencers and policy- In 1996, Ghose moved to Assam, makers. And this was the target to a small riverine island, Majuli, in readership that Sanjoy sought to the midst of the mighty River reach. Photo: Charkha Brahmaputra. Every year during The media has been a powerful Ghose in his prime. monsoons, the island faced tool that ‘mirrors’ the life of a devastating floods. Large chunks nation in its diverse aspects. Ghose Ghose’s sole concern was how of the island had already been lost saw in this an immense potential to make life better for those who due to erosion. With a small team of to connect the voices of the rural were living on the margins of a committed social activists, he began marginalised; those who remain development that could very easily work under the banner of AVARD in the shadows of development. It bypass them. The concern is what - NE (Association of Voluntary is these voices that are ‘unheard’ marked his journey as a grassroots Agencies for Rural Development, and indeed these voices that policy social activist guiding all the North East.) makers must listen to and take steps he took towards academic The team mobilised the heed while planning. In a nutshell, excellence and professional community to work towards low- Ghose was looking at media achievements. cost effective solutions for both advocacy – one that would be On completing postgraduation flood control and soil erosion. This driven by perspectives of the rural from IRMA, and a brief held out a hope for a beleaguered marginalised. period of work on the ground, region and a community distraught Ghose could see that what had Ghose was selected for the by recurring floods. However, the begun as Village Voice could very prestigious INLAKS Foundation promising path, the ground-swell of well extend to many others who Scholarship in 1984 at Oxford local support that the work received are connected with grassroots University, UK. Here, he pursued –was tragically cut short. development. It was this vision that Agricultural Economics. On his On 4 July 1997, Ghose was led him to establish Charkha on 24 return, he chose to work at the abducted by a militant outfit active October 1994. Charkha in a sense grassroots, with desert communities in the region, the ULFA (United was an attempt to institutionalise in Western Rajasthan. Liberation Front of Assam). He the success of the Village Voice As founder-secretary of URMUL experience, to broaden its scope, (Uttari Rajasthan Co-operative Milk was only 37 years old at the time. It has been 20 years since. Ghose’s to bring in more writing talent and Union), Bikaner, Ghose’s concerns different geographies. covered livelihoods, education disappearance has been devastating for his family, his large circle of The move was hailed by several and health for communities living leading media persons who Sanjoy in the harsh desert region of The friends, associates and fellow travellers. It was also a body blow consulted at the time. Many lauded Thar. Community participation it as an idea far ahead of its times. in all of this was the key. He to all that he stood for, built up – a Indeed it was. It became a precursor worked assiduously to build local development model based on the for what increasingly finds mention leadership and enable them to take needs of local communities, driven as Development Communication, charge of their development path. by their aspirations for change. Ghose and his family – wife There was however another aspect now taught as a curriculum in Sumita and children Joyita to his persona, one that propelled him several media institutions. and Anando-spent their early towards articulating development Sanjoy’s vision has survived years (1986-1995) at URMUL. issues on the ground through simply because it touches upon a During the period, he bagged the writing. Not only was he erudite, he home truth. The voices of those at Hubert Humphrey Fellowship. had the unique advantage of having the bottom rung of the social ladder He then spent a year (1988-89) his ears to the ground, his finger need to inform policy-making at the illustrious institution on the pulse of the very people he processes of the day. This makes – John Hopkins Bloomberg School served. All of this he translated into for inclusive development. of Public Health, USA. articles that the Indian Express ran as Charkha has since upheld this

58 VIDURA October-December 2017 vision articulated in its mandate: the organisation continues to place communities. For a development ‘To contribute towards building their perspectives as articles in the process responsive to the concerns a harmonious, inclusive society media across the three languages. of communities at the grassroots, empowered by knowledge’. Over Charkha is making all attempts you need a voice. To leverage the the last more than two decades to live up to a phrase coined at mainstream media as that voice is Charkha has translated this into an the time of its founding: Spinning the legacy of Sanjoy Ghose. < expansive engagement with rural Action into Words. marginalised communities across Grassroots social activism (Courtesy: Charkha Features) several regions in the country. undoubtedly defined SanjoyGhose. Through its Tri-lingual Feature His life was devoted to work for Service in Hindi, English and Urdu, the poorest and most marginalised

REMEMBERING RAMANANDA SENGUPTA (1916-2016) He blazed a trail in the field of cinematography

Ramananda Sengupta passed away at the ripe old age of 101 on August 23. He was the country’s oldest living cinematographer. Sengupta was a walking encyclopaedia on Bengali cinema. In fact, he was an icon in his field. He belonged to a generation in which the stalwarts of cinema were completely grounded, unassuming and ready to share their experiences and memories with whoever was interested. Shoma A. Chatterji pays tribute

ast year, when a film student at Sheperton, Denham and Illy requested an interview with Studios. Lhim for a documentary, “The experts in technicolour Ramananda Sengupta could not taught me the finer details of make- gather the strength to face the up and how it varies in bright camera as he had lost both his sunlight. Working with Renoir hearing and his vision. But right was an eye-opening experience, a into his nineties, Sengupta’s mind learning curve that changed my was as alert, as aware and as conception of film-making and lucid as that of any 20-year-old cinematography. Had I not worked film enthusiast. Sengupta had an with Renoir, I wouldn't have grown illustrious career in cinematography as a cinematographer. Today, despite never having attended a modern cameras like Arriflex do film school. He was trained in not pose such problems,” Sengupta technicolour in London thanks once said. He was probably unaware to the encouragement of French of the drastic change that digital filmmaker Jean Renoir. filming and modern technology Sengupta considered The River to had already brought in by the time. be the most significant milestone of Born on May 8, 1916, in Dhaka, his life. He was chosen by Renoir to Sengupta studied in Santiniketan. work as operating cameraman on After World War II, G.K. Mehta of Photo: Kolkata International Film Festival the film. Following the completion Bharatlakshmi Studios gave him Ramananda Sengupta. of the shooting, Renoir sent an opportunity to work behind the Sengupta along with his brother, camera for Bhakta Kabir. He shot his “While working with Michelle, we Claude Renoir, who was director of first film, Purbarag, in 1938 under could only see half of the actor. So photography for The River (1950) Mehta's guidance, and directed this involved a lot of guesswork to England to train in technicolour by Ardhendu Mukherjee. During that often told on the composition cinematography. Sengupta took the those days, the only two cameras in of shots. With the Super Parbo, opportunity to become an observer use were Michelle and Super Parbo. you have to look through the film.

October-December 2017 VIDURA 59 In Bharat Laxmi Studio, I did the would also ask them to handle the that gave an idea of the kind of indoor shooting with Super Parbo lighting. I would ask my assistant to work which was to come are Rastar and the outdoor with Michelle,” he do the background lighting or use a Chhele, Kankabotir Ghat and reminisced. diffuser and sometimes, also to cut Bindur Chhele. He was a trailblazer Sengupta’s work as cinemato- my light. Like me, they learnt as with films like Ghatak's first movie grapher would begin straight from they worked,” Sengupta said. Most Nagarik and mainstream films like the scripting sessions that he felt of his assistants went on to become Dakharkara, Teen Bhuboner Paarey, laid the foundation for the lighting excellent cinematographers in their Nishithey, Kanna, Shilpi, Abhishapta scheme. He believed that his best own right. Among them are Dinen Chambal, Mrinal Sen's first film Raat work was with the Agragami group. Gupta, Kesto Chakravarty, Sadhan Bhor and Utpal Dutta's Ghoom He developed his own personal Roy, Pintu Dasgupta, Biswajeet Bhangar Gaan. style of shooting. He paid minute Banerjee, Alok Kundu, Dilip Ranjan Though he became director of attention to lighting the actors Mukherjee, Soumendu Roy and Technicians Studio, Sengupta got and objects in each frame, often Jagmohan Malhotra. absolutely no remuneration. This changing the tones to experiment. The names of technicians like him forced him to sell his ancestral To get the effect he desired, he did not find a place in the credits home in Dhaka. Money had never has been known to put brown of the films they worked on. They been a deciding factor for him foundation on the face of the actor, were not paid a single paisa for their so far as work was concerned. as he did for Chhabi Biswas who work and had to remain grateful to He was totally committed to his played the title role in Headmaster, be of some help to the unit. profession. In fact, his vision was and shoot under a cloud-covered Sengupta worked for free almost impaired reportedly because of his sky in Santiniketan with only a for two-and-a-half years. His first work with an Éclair camera at the lantern for illumination. film in Hindi was Asha followed request of Khemka of East India “The work environment in those by Dil Hi To Hai where he worked Studios. Sengupta’s last film was days, when film schools did not exist as assistant. The second film gave Shrimati Hansaraj in 1976, the 67th in our country, was ideal to learn him some chance to handle the of his career. < on the job. I became an expert in camera. He produced Tathapi under managing and controlling trolleys the direction of Bimal Roy who he (This article has appeared in a and other camera equipment so persuaded to direct his film. “It different version elsewhere.) much so that I would be called if was a great learning experience any technical problem arose,” he because Roy began his career as said. Other units would often call cinematographer in New Theatres him to operate a difficult trolley and taught me how to frame a too. scene. I chipped in with some lens “I always answered all queries use suggestions,” he recalled. of my assistants. Sometimes, I Some of Sengupta's earliest films

REMEMBERING SOVA SEN (1923-2017) A grounded, legendary figure of the Bengali stage

Sova Sen, who passed away on August 13 this year in Kolkata, was a woman of grit born much ahead of her time. Her legendary career in theatre, however, has not received the recognition it deserved. It was only on April 10 in 2010 that she was bestowed the Mother Teresa International Award for her lifelong contribution to theatre. Shoma A. Chatterji provides a fascinating picture of Sen, who died at 93

ova Sen was born in Faridpur, After graduating from Bethune husband, Deba Prasad Sen of Gana Bengal Presidency, during the College, Sova joined Gananatya Natya Sangh. After the marriage SBritish rule in undivided India. Sangstha where she met her first broke up, she married Utpal Dutt,

60 VIDURA October-December 2017 performance in Nabanna. Nabanna Theatre Festival), on an off-shore was a Bengali drama written stage by the Hooghly River. Sova by Bijon Bhattacharya and staged stood behind him like a rock by the Indian People's Theatre through all his issues with the law, Association (IPTA) in 1944 under with theatre and finance. the direction of Sombhu Mitra and, Sova also acted in a number of films later, in 1948 by Bohurupee under including Mrinal Sen’s Ek Adhuri the direction of Kumar Roy. The Kahani and Ek Din Pratidin, the drama is said to mark the birth of Gautam Ghose-directed Dekha and group theatres in Calcutta. Dutt’s Jhar and Baisakhi Megh. In

Photo:Internet The group theatre of 1983, she played a crucial role Sova Sen. Calcutta refers to a tradition in the in Basu Chatterjee’s Hindi city which developed in the 1940s movie Pasand Apni Apni. Her last much younger than her, who was as an alternative to entertainment- screen appearance was in Shadows at the time struggling to establish oriented theatres. As opposed to of Time — a Bengali feature himself within the world of theatre commercial theatres, group theatre film by German director Florian as an agency for political awareness is "a theatre that is not professional Gallenberger. and social change. Her son, Udayan, or commercial", characterised by One of Sova’s earliest film from her earlier marriage, passed its tendency for experimentation in performances was in Annapurnar away a few years ago. Sova and theme, content and production, and Mandir which featured Suchitra Utpal’s daughter, Bishnupriya, is a its aim of using the proscenium stage Sen in a character role. Sova’s professor of Theatre History in the to highlight social messages rather most poignant roles in recent School of Arts and Aesthetics at the than having primarily money- times was her performance in Jawaharlal Nehru University, New making objectives. Rituparno Ghosh’s Abohomaan. Delhi. Nabanna is about the Bengal As the dementia-affected, very old Sova joined Utpal Dutt’s Little famine of 1943 in which more mother of a noted film director Theatre Group in 1953-54. She than two million people died who had died, she could hardly be married him in 1960. LTG later of starvation, malnutrition and recognised as the beautiful Sova Sen became Peoples' Theatre Group and disease. The Bengal IPTA took the of her earlier years. There was one she acted in most of its productions, play to many parts of India as a touching scene when her daughter- including Barricade, Tiner Talowar part of its festival, Voice of Bengal, in-law asks her what she would and Titumir. All these were and it became a major success like to eat and not knowing that brilliantly executed, choreographed and collected lakhs of rupees for her son lay dead in the next room, and designed plays with clearly famine relief in rural Bengal. Sova she flashes a toothless smile and Leftist leanings that drew accolades played the female lead in the classic says, “chow mein”. One wonders from every kind of audience during play that has become an integral how the masterful cameo went the Group’s travels in India and part of Bengal’s theatre history. uncommented upon by critics and beyond. This was probably the first time in reviews of the film. Along with Shombhu Mitra and she became involved with the Other notable films that helped Tripti Mitra, the pair was one of Leftist Movement. She remained a Sova keep PTG afloat during the most ideologically committed communist till the end of her life, bad times are Bhagavan Sri Sri in Bengali theatre of the time. If she her theatre being infused with the Ramakrishna (1955), Bedeni considered Utpal Dutt her mentor spirit of the masses. (Ghatak’s unfinished film), and and guru, she herself formed a Kallol (1965), another play in Jharh (1979). In her personal life, solid wall of financial support which she played a pivotal role, she was a thoroughly grounded when Dutt and his group fell on was set against the backdrop of person who wore no starry halo bad times. But few are aware of the 1946 naval mutiny. The play and readily interacted with people her contribution to his group and dramatised the mutiny by Indian she met and fans who approached his career. Along with Dutt, Sova naval ratings under British rule and her. She was part of the last bastion remained a lifelong Marxist and an the questionable role played by the of group theatre in Bengal. < active supporter of the Communist Congress Party in it. It raised doubts Party of India (Marxist). Dutt’s about Utpal Dutt's patriotism. In leftist Revolutionary Theatre was 1965, he was detained for several a phenomenon in contemporary months without a trial when he Bengali theatre. revived the play as Gangabokshe Sova first drew the notice of Kallol, part of the state-funded critics and theatre lovers for her Utpal Dutt Natyotsav (Utpal Dutt

October-December 2017 VIDURA 61 REMEMBERING JERRY LEWIS (1926-2017) Entertainment's defining figure of the 20th Century

In a tribute to comedian Jerry Lewis who passed away on August 20 at the age of 91, Partab Ramchand says that he was “the man who made us laugh” even as he had his ups and downs. Away from his film career, he helped raise funds for muscular dystrophy

s children growing up in matter. The public just wanted to mugging interspersed with some the 1950s and early 1960s see Lewis doing his mugging act pathos. The mixture did not always Ain India, the mention of his amidst some zany comic situations work well and his work became name was enough to make us laugh. and frenetic action. At his best the increasingly self-indulgent. By He was the comedian supreme squeaky voiced screwball comedian the mid 1960s, the films were so who with his unrelenting antics was a very funny man indeed and unfunny that he gradually lost his and clowning had us in stitches. though much of his later work was once fervent band of admirers. And there are few comedians in mediocre – he also directed or wrote But even during the unhappy the history of Hollywood who have many of the films – his place in the phase in films like The Geisha Boy, matched Jerry Lewis when it came pantheon of Hollywood’s comic The Bellboy, The Patsy, Cinderfella, to making comic faces or portraying greats is assured. The Nutty Professor, The Family buffoons. Born Joseph Levitch in 1926, Lewis Jewels and The Disorderly Orderly, Whether it was his double act first attracted considerable attention there were individual scenes that with Dean Martin or going solo when Martin and he teamed up as worked admirably that led one to which he did after the break-up in a double act in night clubs and on believe that with a smarter script the mid 1950s, Lewis was one of the radio. Their success led to a 1948 and firmer direction the films could the biggest box-office attractions appearance in Ed Sullivan’s first have been better. But in most cases of his time. Even if the material Toast of the Town TV show. The Lewis himself was either writer was inferior he had enough talent new comedy sensations launched or director so there was no one to to carry a film on his own. And to their film career the following year blame but himself. be candid many of his films in the with My Friend Irma. Proof of this came about in Boeing Sixties had poor scripts. It didn’t Over the next seven years, Martin Boeing made in the mid 1960s in and Lewis became a familiar name which he had his only straight part with film-goers the world over and during the lacklustre period and they churned out a string of box- put in a fine performance alongside office hits in which Martin invariably Tony Curtis in a comedy that had sang and was pretty much a straight the latter as a journalist in Paris man while Lewis clowned his way who manages to live with three through the zaniness. The list of air hostesses at the same time by their films together include At War juggling successfully with plane with the Army, Three Ring Circus, schedules. Interestingly, the film Pardners, You Are Never Too Young, was remade in Hindi many years Sailor Beware, The Caddy, Living It later as Garam Masala with Akshay Up and their last film together as a Kumar and John Abraham. team, Hollywood or Bust. After directing One More After the team broke up in 1957, Time starring Peter Lawford and Lewis went on to write, direct Sammy Davis Jr, Lewis virtually and star in a dozen films of his disappeared for a decade before own. Although these were all returning with Hardly Working money-makers and he retained his which he both directed and starred popularity with the audience, many in. Again the critics panned it but suffered from weak direction and it struck a chord with the public.

Photo: Internet scripts that produced an oversupply However, he really returned to The ever-smiling Jerry Lewis. of frantic action and plain old form with Martin Scorsese’s The

62 VIDURA October-December 2017 King of Comedy (1982) in which was released last year. not seeing Jerry Lewis’s genius is he appeared opposite Robert de Even as Lewis’s fortunes bewildering”. Niro. For once, even the critics were nosedived in the US, he continued Away from his film career, Lewis bowled over and it has remained to remain popular in France. There was a well known humanitarian arguably Lewis’ finest film. Would was consistent praise for his work who supported fund-raising for it mark a successful return to the by French critics in the influential research into muscular dystrophy. screen for Lewis the movie going magazine Cahiers du Cinema, in part Until 2011, he served as national public asked? because he had gained respect as chairman of and spokesman for the Unfortunately, Lewis appeared in an auteur who had total control Muscular Dystrophy Association. a number of unexceptional movies over all aspects of his films along Totally, it is estimated that over even as he appeared on television the lines of Alfred Hitchcock and nearly half a century Lewis helped and on the stage but the live-wire Howard Hawks, two other movie- collect some 2.6 billion dollars in that he always was, he continued to makers who commanded a great donations for the cause. < appear in films till he was 90. Max deal of respect in France. One film Rose in which he had a pivotal role critic even wrote “the Americans

REMEMBERING JEANNE MOREAU (1928-2017) An incredibly gifted actress who oozed romance, mystery

She could play the role of a fiercely aggressive, avenging and diabolic widow as well as that of a young, naughty, intelligent and sensual young girl with equal panache. Shoma A. Chatterji portrays Jeanne Moreau who surprised the writer with her sparkling performances and versatality

hen I first watched The alienated and distanced wife in a Bride Wore Black, I was fragmented marriage. In Jules and Waround 20. My love for Jim she also sang the significant serious cinema was just beginning Le Tourbillon. The actress was and watching international films none other than the internationally was the first phase of this interest. I renowned and awarded Jeanne watched European films in general Moreau who passed away on July and French films in particular. 31 at the age of 89. When my friend told me the actress During her long and successful playing the fiercely aggressive, career, Moreau worked with some avenging and diabolic widow was of the best directors in European Photo: Internet none other than the young, naughty, cinema. In the 1960s, along with Jules The bewitching Jeanne Moreau. intelligent and sensual young girl And Jim, she appeared in several in Francois Truffaut’s Jules and Jim international films such as Orson The role that changed Moreau’s (1962), I was stunned. How could Welles’ The Trial, The Immortal career graph was that of a criminal the same actress be so versatile Story and Chimes At Midnight; lover in Malle’s 1958 Elevator to the and identify herself with two Losey’s Eva, Tony Richardson’s Gallows. Barry Farrell of Time, after diametrically opposite characters? Mademoiselle and Bunuel’s Diary watching her stunning performance There were more surprises waiting Of A Chambermaid. Other mem- in the film wrote: “Moreau had 20 for me. orable performances were in La forgettable films behind her. Malle This was the same actress who Baie desAnges (Jacques Demy), put Moreau under an honest light gave a sparking performance in Moderato Cantabile (Peter Brook), and wisely let his camera linger. Michelanjello Antonioni’s classic The Sailor from Gibraltar (Tony The film was nothing special, but La Notte (1961) in which she Richardson) and Querelle (Rainer it did accomplish one thing: it plays Lidia, the beautiful, lonely, Werner Fassbinder). proposed a new ideal of cinematic

October-December 2017 VIDURA 63 realism, a new way to look at a for actors of the younger generation. first feature film, 1958's Ascenseur woman. All the drama in the story More recent work includes a brief Pour L'echafaud (Elevator to the was in Moreau's face – the face that role in the 1998 Fox fairy tale Ever Gallows), which was released in had been hidden behind cosmetics After with Drew Barrymore, the US as Frantic. and flattering lights in all her François Ozon’s 2005 Time to Leave, Moreau won the Cannes earlier films. When Malle made The and Manoel de Oliveira’s Gebo And Film Festival Award for Best Lovers the following year, it was The Shadow in 2012. Directing Actress for Seven Days... Seven obvious who his woman would be. credits include the 1979 drama The Nights (1960), the BAFTA Award For one thing, he had discovered Adolescent which she co-scripted, for Best Foreign Actress for Viva her, and for another, they were in and Lumière which she also wrote. Maria! (1965) and the César Award love.” She helmed L'adolescente, which for Best Actress for The Old Lady Dubbed Le Moreau for her won critical acclaim in 1979. Who Walked in the Sea (1992). She sensuality and her gruff voice, she Born in Paris, Moreau was the was also the recipient of several was a femme fatale who was also daughter of an English chorus girl lifetime awards, including a BAFTA one of the top stage actresses of and a French bartender. She lost Fellowship in 1996. her time. Moreau oozed romance interest in school at age 16 and, In 1983, she was head of the jury and mystery even off screen. after attending a performance at the 33rd Berlin International Film The Lovers (Les Amants, 1958) of Jean Anouilh's Antigone, found Festival. In 2005, she was honoured showcased her as a woman who her calling as an actor. She studied with the Stanislavsky Award at deserts her husband for a younger at the Conservatoire National the 27th Moscow International Film man. The film was controversial for d'Art Dramatique. In 1947, she Festival. She is the only woman to the time it was made in and was began in La Terrasse de Midi at the have served twice as the president banned in some US cities. Avignon Festival. In 1948, at 20, she of the Cannes Film Festival jury, in Capitalising on her notorious became the youngest-ever member 1975 and 1995, and was a regular at on-screen image, Moreau acted of the repertory theatre La Comedie the Riviera event. in Roger Vadim's Les Liaisons Francaise, where she first appeared As a gifted vocalist, Moreau had Dangereuses (1959), which was in A Month in the Country. She several albums of songs with the censored in several towns in spent four years with the troupe, famous vocalist-actor Frank Sinatra France. It was briefly banned from and among other plays, was in at Carnegie Hall. She also worked export, not for its sexuality but for the original production of Andre behind the camera as writer, its unflattering depiction of French Gide's The Vatican Caves. producer and director. Based on her diplomats. She won the best actress Moreau left Comedie Francaise in multi-talented life, Janis Cole and award at Cannes in 1960 for her 1953 and joined the Theatre National Holly Dale made a documentary performance as a bored, wealthy Populaire, where she appeared called Calling the Shots on Moreau woman who becomes obsessed with in such plays as Le Cid and The in 1988. Moreau was a close friend a murder in Moderato Cantabile. Prince from Hamburg. Her parents of Sharon Stone, who presented In the film, Moreau is the perfect separated permanently while a 1998 American Academy of incarnation of a sexy bourgeoisie Moreau was at the conservatory and Motion Pictures life tribute to with unfulfilled longings. The film her mother, “after 24 difficult years Moreau. Orson Welles called is worth seeing more than once for in France”, returned to England her "the greatest actress in the her acting alone. with Jeanne’s sister, Michelle. world", and she remained one In 1974, she appeared with In 1953, Moreau starred in The of France's most accomplished Gérard Depardieu, Miou-Miou Shining Hour at the Theatre Antoine actresses. and Patrick Dewaere in Bertrand and was in Jean Cocteau's The I can still recall the angry, fiercely Blier’s sexually explicit and Internal Machine and Bernard vengeful widow applying poisoned controversial Les Valseuses. With Shaw's Pygmalion. She then played toothpaste on a toothbrush of one of Kazan in 1975, Moreau made The Maggie in Tennessee Williams' Cat her victims to kill him in The Bride Last Tycoon with Robert De Niro, on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Wore Black. It was a Moreau much Tony Curtis, Robert Mitchum, Jack Brook, in 1957. Moreau had begun more aged than the one I had seen in Jules and Jim and in La Notte. < Nicholson and Donald Pleasence. her film career with a role in Dernier She teamed up with Losey again Amour (1949). After a number of in the 1970s and 80s for Monsieur nondescript parts, she won her Klein and The Trout. first strong notice as a prostitute Moreau’s career as an actress in Jacques Becker's Touchez Pas par excellence covered three au Grisbi (1954). Malle spotted her generations of actors and her in a French production of Cat on talents made her a guiding spirit a Hot Tin Roof and cast her in his

64 VIDURA October-December 2017 REMEMBERING KUNDAN SHAH (1947-2017) An unsung master of satirical comedy

One of the tragedies of life is that some eminent men who had lived out their talent while they were alive and then forced into a retirement they were not prepared for, are remembered only after they have passed yonder. Human memory is a very fickle master and one more genius to be remembered only after his demise is filmmaker Kundan Shah who passed away in his sleep of a heart attack in Mumbai recently. Shoma A. Chatterji on the man who had a magical touch with black comedy

orn into a Gujarati family, two struggling photographers set Kundan Shah was so up a photo studio and get caught Bthoroughly middle-class in up in one messy situation after his lifestyle, his cultural convictions another. Their naiveté is construed and his behaviour that when he as stupidity and in the end too, even became famous for his amazing when they show the police who the directorial debut Jaane Bhi Do real villains are, they are shunted Yaaron (1983) followed by some out and jailed and the villains go wonderful soaps for television, no scot-free. one who did not know him would A young Naseeruddin Shah and believe that this was the same Ravi Baswani play the bumbling Kundan Shah who had such a magic photographers forever being gift for black comedy and could fooled and taken for a ride by the express it through the language of two-timing, corrupt editor (Bhakti cinema so well. Barve) of a paper named Khabardar Photo:SC Yet, when times changed, Shah and the takes are so hilarious Kundan Shah poses before a poster somehow could not cope with that the audience goes into side- of his cult film. the the market demands of the splitting laughter in every other film industry where never mind scene. The municipal commissioner and the audience that Hindi cinema whether he produced a hit or not, (Satish Shah) who gets murdered had greater alternatives to provide the producers felt he simply did not becomes the funniest of corpses in entertainment than defined by the belong and practically shunned him the history of Indian cinema as the clichéd dishoom dishoom action, and forced him into professional two photographers struggle with songs and dances around trees and seclusion. For seven long years, his dead body as proof to nab the the hero-villain-heroine triangle. he was lost in the lonely desert of real estate culprits (Pankaj Kapoor Even the villains evoked laughter anonymity and unemployment. and Om Puri) and end up in a small and the exaggerated artifice of the Yet, he never lost that shy smile theatre where Mahabharat is being promoter’s girl (Neena Gupta) who on his face, or his cheerful but shy staged and the dead body is decked he uses as a honey trap for corrupt demeanour. up in a sari to play Draupadi! government officers triggers Shah graduated from FTII, The film did not meet with much laughter instead of anger. Pune, and got the National Film commercial success when first Every act of corruption and Development Corporation to released, but over time it acquired bungling had satire punched into produce his first film Jaane Bhi Do the status of a cult film and its digital it, cleverly veiled with humour. Yaaron that had no romance, no version was released in 2012. Jaane The two immortalised scenes in item number, no heroine, but lots of Bhi Do Yaaron fetched Shah the Best the film are the act put on by the black humour that struck home as Director for First Film Award as two photographers as they find it was pinned with low-key doses well as the Filmfare Award which themselves trying handle the of satire on corruption between also bestowed the Best Comedian funniest corpse in the history of and among builders, real estate of the Year award to Ravi Baswani. Indian cinema and the climactic people, promoters, the top brass With Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, Kundan scene of the staging of Draupadi’s of the police and even the police Shah actually opened a new vastraharan scene in the end where commissioner. Within this scenario, window to show the film industry the corpse is draped in a sari with

October-December 2017 VIDURA 65 the end pulled down to hide the in life but that does not make him an characterised by the marginally face, thus, killing two birds with antisocial human being. sidetracked men and women who the same stone – a corpse is made to The third Kundan Shah film, Kya the mainstream crowd needs every stand erect enough to play Draupadi Kehna, was a commercial success minute but does not care to pay and this corpse happens to be a tall but it did not bring out his signature attention to, be it the electrician man. When things get messy on of treating an ordinary story or the young man who runs a stage, the curtain is pulled down with such brilliant and intelligent cycle repairing shop or the simple and then pulled up again to stage a humour that a cult classic like Jaane teacher, the fightercock domestic scene from Anarkali with the same Bhi Do Yaaron became in course of maid, even the beggar, all of who corpse now playing Anarkali! time. The remaining films flopped make their presence felt with their Shah’s second film Kabhie Haan at the box office and were also not individual mannerisms, likes and Kabhie Naa was very different. It worthy of carrying his name in the angst. dealt with the unrealistic dreams credits and after that, despite his Wagle Ki Duniya adapted from of an ordinary young man, Sunil, strikingly original debut film and R.K.Laxman’s daily pocket cartoon, whose dreams revolve around some great television soaps like the famous ‘common man’, was Anna, the girl he loves and refuses Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Nukkad, Wagle extended from the initial episodes to believe that she is in love with Ki Duniya and Circus, apart from to 13, so popular it became among another young man and is also Manoranjan, some of which he co- couch potatoes. Circus featured engaged to be married to him. directed with Manjul Sinha and/ Shahrukh Khan in the main role A very young and fresh Shahrukh or Akhtar Mirza, the signature was with other characters springing out Khan entertained us all as Sunil boldly inscribed into the episodes of the small-time circus tent with who, obsessed with his dreams, he directed. Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi the back stories of pain and pathos fails to take life seriously and fails used a middle-class family as the and exploitation. in his exams. He makes contacts in central focus but it also became a Sad that a man of the calibre of the underworld to get a fake mark platform for other characters to step Kundan Shah who not only created sheet which makes his father throw in and make us all laugh with their his own genre of black comedy but a grand party only to be shocked eccentricities, regional accents and also introduced actors who became when he realises that the mark sheet odd behaviour. famous names later on, had to pass was faked. In other words, Sunil is Nukkad centered on a street corner away almost in invisibility and the a very ordinary boy who is a failure which the word nukkad means, humiliation of forced retirement. <

REMEMBERING TOM ALTER (1950-2017) The blue-eyed star who carved a special niche

Tom Alter was born to American parents in India, but excelled in Hindi and Urdu. His stage performances brought several great historical characters alive, backed mainly by his mastery and command over a language he learnt from childhood – Urdu. Shoma A. Chatterji pays a loving tribute

met Tom Alter at a rehearsal the Internet age had not dawned. the screening and some of them had for a stage play he had come Years later, I met him again for a walked out. But he did not express Ito attend at Mumbai’s Nehru few minutes after his film, Ocean of it. That was Tom Alter – grounded, Centre many years ago. He gave an Old Man, was screened at the Siri erudite, skilled and a fine craftsman me his card and said he would Fort Auditorium in Delhi. at whatever he did in his multi- be prepared for an interview any I was amazed by his performance faceted career as actor across the time. I was taken by surprise – it in the film though it was a bit of a three media – cinema, television was a world where arrogance drag as Alter’s was practically the and stage, sports commentator, ruled supreme. But the interview sole character with cinematography journalist and author. never happened for a silly reason the hero. He appeared disappointed I went to watch his solo – I did not have a telephone and that not many people had come for performance as and in Maulana

66 VIDURA October-December 2017 “He hated to be called the white- became big names in Bollywood – skinned man but I don't think any Naseeruddin Shah, Benjamin Gilani other Indian could have Maulana and Shabana Azmi. Azad or Ghalib like he did. When Alter’s fluency in Urdu – spoken, he acted in Maulana Azad, he acted read and written – drew the attention like Maulana, and when he acted of Satyajit Ray who picked him to in Ghalib, he would behave like play an important role in Shatranj him. He was like a punar janam Ke Khilari. Among his notable roles (rebirth) to Ghalib. He has played during the first decade of his acting the lead actor in nine of my plays; I career were Satyajit Ray's Shatranj don't think I can ever fill that place Ke Khiladi (1977), Shyam Benegal's now.” Junoon (1979), Manoj Kumar's Says Arvind Gaur, founder, Kranti (1981) and Raj Kapoor's Asmita Theatre Group: “Through Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985). Other

Photo: SC his acting and expressions, he was notable directors he worked with The wonderfully talented able to represent the subtext or during the 1970s and ‘80s were V. Tom Alter. would make the audience read Shantaram, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, between the lines. He wasn't an Manmohan Desai, Subhash Ghai, Azad in Kolkata some years ago aggressive actor but rather he was Chetan Anand and Vidhu Vinod presented by New Delhi’s Pierrot’s an intense and intelligent actor. Chopra, who gave him the pivotal Troupe. He carried off the entire Films karne ke baad bhi (after doing role of the gangster Musa in the performance but the sad thing was films), he was committed to theatre, critically acclaimed hit Parinda. that as it was in pure Urdu and few which is a rare case. This is really Other notable films were Mahesh Kolkatans, including myself, had a big loss to the Indian theatre and Bhatt's Aashiqui and Gumrah, any knowledge of such chaste Urdu cinema.” Ketan Mehta's Sardar (1993) and except the hybrid and corrupted Alter’s desire to become an actor Priyadarshan's Kala Pani. In Sardar versions we get to see in Hindi was triggered when he was working Patel (1993) directed by Ketan films. Most in the audience walked as a teacher at the St Thomas School Mehta, he portrayed the role of out mid-way. This, however, was in Jagadhri, Haryana. That is when Lord Mountbatten. During the no reflection of Alter’s courage he began watching Hindi films and time, Alter also acted in regional to perform a character picked out got addicted to films. He was only 19 cinema – Bengali, Assamese, of history to go against the grain and, in addition to teaching, he also Telugu, Tamil and Kumaoni films. though he was White. coached the students in cricket. Among his foreign films were In 1977, along with Naseeruddin Shakti Samant’s thumping box- Richard Attenborough's Gandhi Shah and Benjamin Gilani, Alter office hit Aradhana changed the and One Night with the King, in founded Motley Productions, a course of Alter’s life forever. He was which he acted opposite his idol, theatre group. Their first play so enamoured by the film in general the legendary Peter O'Toole. was Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for and Rajesh Khanna in particular Remembering his commitment Godot, staged at Prithvi Theatre, that along with his friends, he made and dedication to research and Mumbai, in 1979. In 2007, he acted it a point to watch it three times homework for a role /character, in the theatrical reproduction within the same week. He was a Bhargav Saikia who picked Alter of William Dalrymple’s City of great admirer of Rajesh Khanna and to portray the author Ruskin Bond Djinns. His latest play at Prithvi decided to become an actor. It took in his short film Black Cat, says, “I was an adaptation of Vaikom a bit of time for him to make up his knew that Tom Alter and Ruskin Muhammad Basheer’s My mind but once he did, he headed to Bond were very close friends Grandad Had an Elephant in 2011. the FTII Pune. though there was a gap in their His last stage performance was in Alter was one of three men - respective ages. On the very first Once Upon A Time, a collection of the others being Benjamin Gilani day of the shoot, Tom asked to talk five short stories along with Sunit and Phunsok Ladakhi - chosen to Bond on the phone and asked Tandon staged in Mumbai in June from over 800 applicants across him what songs Bond sang when this year. North India who had applied for he was young and we used those Sayeed Alam’s Ghalib is another admission. He graduated with a two songs in the film. It added to play that enhanced the talents gold medal diploma in Acting in the authenticity of the character. of Alter. He essayed the role of 1974. He remained grateful to the Working with an actor of his status, the 70-year-old Ghalib, with four head of Acting, Roshan Taneja, and never mind his modesty, was a different actors also playing Ghalib remained close to his co-students great learning experience for me.” in different age groups. Says Alam, in the acting course who later In 1996, Alter played a significant

October-December 2017 VIDURA 67 role in the Assamese film, Adajya, In early 2017, Alter performed in a e-Rekhta so lovingly proved this that marked the directorial debut specially curated theatre festival of point, although it actually does of Santwana Bardoloi. It was his various plays in Hindi, English, not need any proving.” (www. based on Indira Goswami's Dontal Hindustani and Urdu titled Jashn-e- thecitizen.in September 30, 2017.) Haatir Uiye Khuwa Haoda set in Maazi: The Play of History, which In addition to acting, Alter also 1940s Assam. He portrayed the featured 19 of his portrayals and ventured into direction and was a role of a young American scholar adaptations of leading historical sports journalist in the 1980s and who unwittingly gets involved in figures such as Maulana Azad, Mirza ‘90s. In fact, he is the first ever the lives of three widows trapped Ghalib, Manto, Saahir Ludhianvi, journalist to have interviewed in their socially tragic situations. Rabindranath Tagore, Bahadur Shah Sachin Tendulkar long before the The film won the National Award Zafar, Alfred Einstein and Mahatma cricketer became a household for the Best Assamese film the Gandhi. name. He remained a journalist following year. In a sad opinion piece lamenting for television and the print media Alter’s television career as an actor the dying of Urdu, Alter wrote: for nearly two decades. He did has been as visible and popular as “All languages, when spoken well a weekly column for the Sunday was his work as a sports journalist and listened to equally well, are Observer besides contributing to and author. He was part of more intrinsically beautiful – Urdu is a Mid-Day, Gentleman and Debonair than 300 films besides numerous language which grew from and other than writing extensively TV shows, most famously as the with languages such as Arabic, for Sportsweek. Alter wrote three gangster Keshav Kalsi in the hit Farsi, Turkish, English, Khari books, one non-fiction and two soap opera Junoon which ran for a Boli, Hindi, Awadhi, Brijbhasha fictions, and in 2008 was awarded record five years during the 1990s. – and many more – it is an Indian the prestigious Padma Shri by the Most recently, he was seen in a language, and is a language of the Indian Government in recognition pivotal role in the ongoing serial people – it flourished without the for his services to the field of arts Rishton Ka Chakravyuh on Star particular backing of any religion and cinema. < Plus. or any region, and still does – Jashn-

SCARF Media for Mental Health Awards presented Justice Prabha Sridevan, former judge of the Madras High Court, presented the SCARF Media for Mental Health Awards on October 21 in Chennai. In the English language category, the first place went to Soma Basu for a story in The Hindu, the second prize jointly went to Priya Menon of The Times of India and Zubeda Hamid of The Hindu; the third place was bagged by Marisha Karwaof DNA. In the online category, the first prize was won by Nelson Vinod Moses, a freelance carf journalist, for a story in Factor Daily, and the second to Mrinalika Roy

for a story in The News Minute. A special prize was awarded to Mini S Photo: Thomas of The Week for her consistent reporting on mental health The award winners happily displaying issues. Sridevan presented the awards along with Dr Thara, director, their certificates. SCARF; Dr Jaya Shreedhar, chairperson, awards committee, and R. Venkatesh, editor, Dinamalar 'Pattam'. <

Sukumar Ranganathan is editor-in-chief, HT Sukumar Ranganathan has been appointed the new editor-in-chief of Hindustan Times. He will replace Bobby Ghosh. He will oversee all the print and digital operations of HT and report to Shobhana Bhartia, chairperson and Group editorial director, HT Media. Ranganathan, who has postgraduate degrees in Mathematics and Business Administration and a graduate degree in Chemical Engineering, has been editor of Mint since late 2008. He has previously worked at the IndiaToday Group and The Hindu Business Line. < (Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

68 VIDURA October-December 2017 OTHER NEWS

Dinamalar Trichy editor Journalist Gauri Lankesh passes away shot dead Dinamalar editor of Trichy region and partner of Well-known journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh, the company, R. Raghavan, passed away in Trichy. 55, known for her firebrand writing on social issues, He was 79 and survived by his wife Subbulakshmi was shot dead by unidentified assailants, right and two sons R.R. Ramasubbu and R.R.Gopalji. outside her residence in Rajarajeshwari Nagar in west Raghavan was responsible for increasing the paper’s Bengaluru recently. Lankesh, who circulation across various regions, including Chennai. owned Gauri Lankesh, a Kannada After helping his father Ramasubbu launch the paper’s weekly, had got out of her car Thiruvanthapuram edition, Raghavan was made in that day at 8 pm to open the gate charge of Trichy edition after it was launched. He of her independent house when was also involved in the newspaper’s Chennai and unidentified assailants fired seven Puducherry editions. rounds at her, according to the (Courtesy: The Times of India) police. Gauri Lankesh. Three bullets hit her, two on the chest and one on the temple, and she died on the spot. Ajikali founder-editor is no Four cartridges were found at the scene of the crime. more While the police believed that the assailants were waiting on a two-wheeler, they are not sure how many Bismay Kumar Mohanty, a noted journalist were present, and how they got away. An eyewitness, and owner-editor of Balasore-based Odia daily however, said that there were three assailants. Lankesh Ajikali passed away in Puri following a heart lived alone and the street in front of her house was not attack. According to media reports, Mohanty, 62, who well lit. A large empty plot and a few small, newly is survived by wife, a son and daughter, had gone to constructed apartments are in front of the house. Puri to visit the Jagannath Temple and was suppose Gauri Lankesh’s death comes two years after leading to receive dialysis in Bhubaneswar on his return as he progressive thinker and researcher M.M. Kalburgi was suffering from nephrology-related ailments. was shot dead in his Dharwad home. Lankesh was Many prominent people and others from the media known for her strident stand against communalism in industry visited his native place to convey their Karnataka. In 2016, she was convicted in a defamation condolences to the family at Village Saradangain in case filed by a BJP MP. The journalist, along with Balasore District were his last rites were performed. many progressive thinkers, had recently expressed Mohanty was also the president of Odisha Small disappointment over the state government’s inability and Medium Newspaper Organisation and was to trace the killers Kalburgi. also associated with various social and cultural Within two months after she stepped into the shoes organisations. of P. Lankesh, her father, Gauri had transformed (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) from a regular reporter into an editor who was not afraid of continuing the legacy of her father who left behind Lankesh Patrike, a hard-hitting tabloid. Born Historian Satish Chandra in Shivamogga, Gauri grew up in Bengaluru. After leaves the stage finishing her Bachelor of Arts at Central College, she obtained a master’s in Journalism in Delhi and started Veteran historian of medieval India and noted working as a journalist in 1984. She worked for The educational administrator Satish Chandra passed Times of India, Sunday and ETV. away recently. He was 95. Prof Chandra was the author Gauri was awarded the Anna Politkovskaya Award, of the NCERT’s medieval India textbook that was in instituted by the RAW in WAR (Reach All Women circulation from some time in the 1970s till the early in War). Accepting the award on Gauri’s behalf, her 2000s and was considered the most comprehensive sister Kavitha Lankesh told reporters the award was textbook of the era, loaded with information. His a morale booster for people who wanted to write and two-volume book, Medieval India, was a well-received continue to fight against injustice. reference book on history that generations of students (Courtesy: The Hindu/ Deccan Herald/ have studied. His information-rich work on medieval BusinessLine) India was known to uphold India's composite culture and showed the medieval state as broadly ‘secular’ in orientation. Chandra was chairman of the University Grants Commission from 1976 to 1981. (Courtesy: The Hindu)

October-December 2017 VIDURA 69 OTHER NEWS

fighting several issues such as climate change. He Journalist Santanu Bhowmick asked whether media could dedicate a little space on abducted, killed the same on a daily basis in order to mobilise mass awareness. Miscreants allegedly owing allegiance to the Appreciating the media’s response to his Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) government’s Swachh Bharat mission, Modi also murdered a young television journalist at Mandwai, suggested that the print media could devote a column 25 km east of Agartala. Santanu Bhowmik, 27, was in the newspapers for one year to educate readers attacked recently with sharp cutting weapons while with simple sentences and their meanings in major covering a road blockade agitation of the IPFT, which Indian languages with translation and transliteration. is demanding a separate tribal state called Tipraland. Earlier, Modi commended the contributions of Dina The murder of the journalist, who was working for Thanthi founder SP. Adithanar and the following a local television channel, occurred amid continuing generations to maintain a successful running of the clashes between supporters of the IPFT and the daily. Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in the (Courtesy: The Hindu/ BusinessLine) Khowai, Teliamura and Jirania subdivisions. Police recovered journalist Bhowmik in a critical state after he was attacked by a group of miscreants in Mandwai. ‘No viable business model yet Doctors declared him brought dead after he was shifted to the GBP Hospital here. He had received for good journalism’ injuries on his head. A large number of journalists Nobody has figured out a viable business model for from all segments of media gathered at the hospital to quality journalism and a distinction has to be made demand the immediate arrest of the murderers. between the state of news media and the state of journalism while critically assessing the performance of news media, according to N. Ram, chairman, The Use editorial freedom wisely: Hindu Group of Publications. Prime Minister Modi “The two states tend to get conflated in public as well as media marketing,” Ram said in the keynote Calling upon media houses to take extra effort to address at the annual conference of the Organisation maintain credibility and use the editorial freedom of News Ombudsmen & Standards Editors (ONO) in wisely for public interest, Prime Minister Narendra Chennai recently. As the newspaper industry in India Modi said on Monday that any reform in the media went through several changes in the recent past, he can only come from within through introspection. He said, “There is a need to critically reflect on and rethink also urged the media to look beyond politicians and the implications of the buoyant growth story.” on to the success stories of 1.25 billion Indians across While the growth has also slowed down for the the country. printed press, the situation of news television was “Editorial freedom must be used wisely in public quite complex. Though the huge readership of the interest. Equally, the freedom to write and to decide Indian language press was recorded by political what is to be written does not include the right to be scientist Robin Jeffrey in his research, the “buoyancy less than accurate or factually incorrect,” Modi said and implications of the print media development during his speech at platinum jubilee celebrations of need not be romanticised,” warned Ram. Tamil daily Dina Thanthi at the University of Madras’ “The social reach of the Indian press is still not Centenary Auditorium. impressive in relation to the population and this has As editors of media houses, who select and implications in the news coverage.” The coverage of decide what was important and what was to be rural India was on the decline unlike 15 years ago, given more space, Modi said it cast upon them a Ram said. The economics of publishing newspapers great responsibility. “Today, every citizen analyses, in India had hardened while news televisions didn’t discusses, and attempts to cross-check and verify the pay for itself, he pointed out. news that comes to him through multiple sources. As for the illegal practice of ‘paid news’ that Media, therefore, must make an extra effort, to surfaced in the 2009 parliamentary polls, Ram said maintain credibility,” Modi said. He felt that a lot of it was an endemic corruption, which was present Indian media discourse was revolving only around even after the elections. Though the Press Council politics. “India is more than just us politicians. It is of India did come up with a report on the issue, it the 125 crore Indians, which make India what it is. I did not name the culprits. The Press Council, Ram would be happy to see media focus a lot more on their contended, was “infested” with representatives of the stories and their achievements.” media, “overwhelmingly populated” by proprietors, While acknowledging media’s role in generating managers and working journalists and had no teeth, awareness and consciousness towards cleanliness, which was an “unsatisfactory state of affairs”. he pointed out that media could take the lead in As against the The Guardian’s former Editor-in-

70 VIDURA October-December 2017 OTHER NEWS

chief Alan Rusbridger’s observation that journalism Speaking on the occasion Shreyams said, “It’s an was changing at the speed of light, Ram said it was honour to receive such a prestigious accolade at this changing at the speed of sound in India, indicating time as Mathrubhumi just marked its 94th birthday. the change was slow. It’s a great privilege that we have received the award (Courtesy: The Hindu) from the ruler who has high regards and fondness for books." (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) Awards for Excellence in Journalism announced The Hindu's publishing The Press Council of India has announced the business is demerged winners of National Awards for Excellence in The Hindu Group has announced that the process Journalism 2017. They shall be honoured on National of demerger of the publishing business of Kasturi & Press Day November 16 at Vigyan Bhawan on the Sons (KSL) into a separate entity is complete under occasion of the National Press Day Celebrations. the Companies Act 2013, with the sanctioning of the Sam Rajappa and Sarat Mishra, eminent journalists, Scheme of Arrangement (Demerger) by the Chennai have been jointly designated awardee in the category, Bench of the National Company Law Tribunal vide its Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award, for their outstanding order dated August 29, 2017. The process of holding the contributions towards Journalism and will be requisite board meetings and shareholder meetings venerated with a cititation. Shalini Nair, senior was completed in phases in September 2017. assistant editor, national bureau, Indian Express, N. Murali has been appointed chairman and Nalini Delhi, was chosen for the award of Rural Journalism Krishnan co-chairperson of the holding company, & Developmental Reporting. K. Sujith, senior Kasturi & Sons. The existing directors of the pre- reporter, Mangalam Daily, Kannur and Chitrangada merged KSL constitute the board of the holding Choudhury, freelancer, Odisha, were jointly selected company. N. Ram has been appointed chairman and in the category of Investigative Journalism. Malini Parthasarathy co-chairperson of The Hindu C.K. Thanseer, news photographer, Chandrika Daily, Group’s publishing company, THG Publishing, whose Calicut, Kerala, and Vijay Verma, principal photo board has been constituted with the existing directors journalist, Press Trust of India, New Delhi, were of Kasturi & Sons. The Hindu Group’s newspapers, jointly selected in the category of Photo Journalism magazines, and digital news media publications are - Single News Picture. J. Suresh, chief photographer, now a part of this company. N. Ravi has been appointed Malayala Manorama, was selected in the category of publisher of The Hindu and the other publications of Photo Journalism – Photo Feature. Gireesh Kumar The Hindu Group. All the above changes have come M.P., Times of India, Kochi, Kerala, was selected for into effect from September 16 this year. the award in the category of Best Newspapers Art: (Courtesy: The Hindu)) Covering Cartoons, Caricatures and Illustrations. Selection of the awardees was carried out by a jury S. Prasad to head Broadcast comprising of eminent working journalists and senior editors representing print media: Kundan Raman Editors Association Lal Vyas (convenor), Sondeep Shankar, Prabhat Dash, C.K. Nayak, Ravindra Kumar, Suman Gupta The Broadcast Editors Association (BEA), at its as member of the Press Council of India (PCI) and general body meeting held on August 14, unanimously Mrinal Chatterjee, principal & head of Institute, IIMC, elected Supriya Prasad (managing editor of Aajtak Dhenkanal as external jury member. and India Today) and Ajit Anjumas its president and general secretary, respectively. Dibang (ABP News) and Arnab Goswami ((Republic TV) were elected as Mathrubhumi bags Best vice-presidents and Ajay Kumar as treasurer. A 15-member executive committee was constituted Publisher Award in Sharjah following the election of the office bearers. The Kerala-based media conglomerate Mathrubhumi committee comprises Qamar Waheed Naqvi, Shazi bagged the Best International Publisher Award at Zaman, N.K. Singh, Milind Khandekar (ABP News), Rahul Kanwal (India Today and Aajtak), Sanjay Bragta 36th edition of Sharjah International book fair. The (Zee News), Sonia Singh (NDTV), Deepak Chaurasia group became the first Indian media house to win (India News), Sanjeev Paliwal (AajTak), Abhishek this prestigious title. The award was received by Kapoor (Republic TV), Ravi Prakas (TV9), Sukesh M.V. Shreyams Kumar, joint managing director, Ranjan (News 24), Navika Kumar (Times Now), Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Co from Sharjah Bhupendra Chaube (CNN News 18) and Rajesh Raina ruler and supreme council member, Sheikh Sultan bin (ETV). Muhammad Al Qasimi at the inaugural session. (Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

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