After a Harsh Year, Hopeful Signs of Spring Abound

Home , Basu Bhattacharya, Bindiya Goswami, Ek Ruka Hua Faisla, Girish Karnad, Krishen Khanna, Mallika Sarabhai

A JOURNAL OF THE PRESS INSTITUTE OF INDIA ISSN 0042-5303 July-September 2020 Volume 12 Issue 3 Rs 60 After a harsh year, hopeful signs of spring abound It is a matter of pride that India has emerged among the largest producers of vaccines, thanks to Indian scientists, research CONTENTS institutes and manufacturers. Now we are filled with hope for a • The trauma of being a migrant vaccine against COVID-19 and to reclaim our lives once more, worker in these difficult times / says Sudha Umashanker Rakhi Ghosh • When online classes for children ver since COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease) visited us, our lives have can hang in an air of uncertainty / Lopa Shah undergone a sea change – from wearing masks and social distancing • Media watch in the time to being locked down, managing with little or no domestic help to of a pandemic / E Sakuntala Narasimhan working from home and going online for everything, from grocery shopping to upskilling to infotainment and what-have-you. The one develop- • It is also about the environment and the economy / ment that every citizen is looking forward to keenly is the rolling out of a S. Gopikrishna Warrier vaccine, our only hope for the old normal to return. • Taking baby steps towards a Fortunately, we are better placed than countries like the US in some ways gender-equal tomorrow / Janani Murali because we have a proper immunisation schedule (there is a view that the • Marriageable age: Law reform BCG and other vaccines have somewhat protected us) and there are no proposals are just not enough / major pockets of resistance like the ones that led to an outbreak of measles Rakhee Roytalukdar in the Big Apple over a year ago . • Batting for women and raising the voice against liquor / What was vaccination like in India in the very nascent stages? Small pox Bharat Dogra was prevalent since ancient times and vaccination reached India in 1802 • Journalist, social reformer, during the time of the British. Anna Dusthall, a three-year-old in Bombay, a crusader for Odia pride / was the first to receive the shot that year. From there on, the vaccine was Mrinal Chatterjee • Turning death into a circus / sent to other parts of the country through human vaccinees. Prior to vac- Shoma A. Chatterji cination, variolation (which is inoculation with small pox virus material • OTT platforms and the new from a patient) was what was in vogue for small pox. dynamics in watching cinema / And like with all great discoveries there was a trigger – which in this Manjira Majumdar • Embracing diversity and letting instance was an English farmer called Benjamin Jesty noticing around 1774 passion for art do the talking / that milkmaids who contracted cowpox from handling the udders of cows V. Ramnarayan were immune to future small pox infections. This was well known in the • Time we made match-fixing a dairy farming areas in England (Jesty later tested this on his wife and two ‘criminal offence’ / Partab Ramchand children). Roughly 20 long years after, Edward Jenner, who discovered the • Remembering Olivia de Havilland small pox vaccine, took this to its logical conclusion in 1796. Jenner is thus / Everton Weekes / Balbir Singh regarded as the father of vaccinology. / Baidyanath Basak / Basu Chatterjee / Saroj Khan / Rishi (Continued on page 3) Kapoor / Irrfan Khan

July-September 2020 VIDURA 1 FROM THE EDITOR Courageous and responsible reporting in the time of a pandemic

e are in the midst of very are reports of domestic violence public when in the same physical difficult times. The battle cases having increased two-fold space, knowledge of the equipment Wagainst the coronavirus and many women are unable to go and tools to protect reporters and continues and there is no victory in out or report to the police about the interviewees, and the right hygiene sight. Sometimes, you learn about a violence and abuses due to the lock- protocols to adopt. The course on friend or someone you know suc- down. As Janani Murali mentions in verification will give journalists a cumbing to the dreaded disease her article, in the real world, across thorough understanding of how to and you realise that it can often be different social and economic strata, identify false and misleading data a losing battle. The challenges for women continue to face restric- using open-source tools and how reporters, photographers and editions, some of which have been nor- to critically analyse information to tors are now immense – unprec- malised to the extent that we don’t offer balanced coverage and com- edented in recent memory. One even recognise them as restrictions. bat the spread of fake news. Jour- of the challenges is to report accu- Like Rakhee Roytalukdar wonders: nalists would also do well to read rately and safely. Helping readers How can girls be protected against New York-based First Draft’s study understand the crisis better with early marriage? Will changes in the and tools on health misinformation. words and pictures is not an easy law help? Will the strict implemen- Also to avoid words and phrases task, especially when people are tation of the letter of the law produce such as ‘no end in sight’, ‘turmoil’ now seized of the crisis and are desired results? Nothing has so far. ‘killer’, ‘catastrophe’, etc. Such afraid of what lies ahead. However, words could lead to panic among there is no doubt that people are ******************** readers. What we need is balanced better off with good, clear and hon- reporting that provides a sense est reporting. To try and help journalists at a time of calm. The Reuters Institute has And that is what many journal- like this, the Thomson Foundation produced a factsheet that journalists have tried to do, braving the has teamed up with a range of spe- ists will find helpful while wading exceptional odds. Indeed, without cialist partners to produce a series through the landscape of COVID- such courage, how would we have of free, online courses on its Jour- 19 misinformation. known (and seen), for example, nalism Now platform. The courses Overall, as a WAN-IFRA report about migrant workers from Andhra cover safety while reporting a story; says, news outlets have displayed Pradesh heading back home on foot verification of facts, and content diversity and creativity while cov- and by cycle to Jharkhand? Like the production. The interactive courses ering the pandemic. Coverage has story by Rakhi Ghosh here, which have been created with assistance included visits to hospitals to show highlights the lack of money, fear of from Free Press Unlimited (Nether- the harsh conditions that health COVID-19, and the desire to meet lands), Ethical Journalism Network, care professionals work under, loved ones that led the workers to International Federation of Journal- some useful infographics that take the drastic step. Some of their ists, First Draft and the Dart Centre depict the scale and the speed of cycles needed repairs, but again, Europe. the spread of the virus, and data no one would touch them, fearing A journalist’s first instinct is to get journalism employed to depict the infection. There was no option but to the scene quickly, but now with spread of the outbreak. And, mind to continue on foot, in the blazing the coronavirus, there is a huge risk. you, many of editors and journal- heat. A woman is forced to deliver The courses give practical advice on ists are working from home, which her baby by the roadside. How assessing the risks so journalists are makes the end results even more would we have known about the better prepared to go on assignments. satisfying. lockdown making it even more dif- Advice includes an awareness of the ficult for women and children – of rapidly-changing global environ- Sashi Nair having to fight battles of another ment and restrictions on movement, [email protected] kind, of domestic violence and techniques to ensure safe communi- abuse within households? There cation with sources and the general

2 VIDURA July-September 2020 (Continued from page 1) When small pox vaccination came to India it was not as if it was embraced with open arms. There was a small fee to be paid by those being vaccinated. The tikaadaars who were carrying out variolation opposed the effort as they feared that they would be out of work. There was the belief that small pox was the result of the wrath of female goddesses like Mariamma and Sithala Devi and, therefore, inter- vening in this through vaccination was literally sacrilege. Many Hindus protested because the vaccine came from the cow (lymph collected from the cows after vaccinating them with cow pox matter). Edward Clive, Governor of Madras who held office until 1803 was a great votary of vaccination Photos: SU and in this he was helped greatly by A plaque of Sawmy Naick at Chintadiripet in Chennai. On right, Dr Haffkine. a W.S. Sawmy Naick, also referred to as Dr Woodayagiri Singadivak- persuasion was needed for the requested that he be allowed to con- kam Samy Nayak, who lived in natives to accept vaccination and duct a cholera vaccine trial, which Komaleeswaranpet, Chennai. Francis Whyte Ellis, collector of was successful. He then went on to Sawmy Naick was appointed by Madras and a great scholar in develop the plague vaccine as well, Edward Clive as native superin- Tamizh and Sanskrit, even com- operating out of a two-room, make tendent of vaccination in 1803 and posed The Legend of Cowpox in shift laboratory facility in Grant served in that department until Tamizh (later translated into Eng- Medical College Bombay. 1829 when he retired as chief medi- lish). In the form of a dialogue When a few people reacted cal practitioner in the Department between the goddess and Dhan- adversely to the plague vaccine, of Vaccination. vantri (physician of the gods), Dr Haffkine was blamed and Naick’s was not an easy job. Ellis likened the vaccine to a vir- relieved of his duties. An indepen- Though he went about his task with tue infused into the cows, with the dent enquiry was held and it was great enthusiasm he sometimes got goddess disseminating the info to found that the vials were contami- physically assaulted in the process Dhanvantri in order to benefit the nated. Efforts to reinstate him did because people grew suspicious of people. not bear fruit as he declined the what he was doing. Incidentally, Around 1890, a laboratory in Shil- offer. The Haffkine Institute (earlier there is a memorial for Sawmy long started producing small pox the Bombay Bacteriological Labora- Naick on Harris Road in Chennai vaccine lymph. And early in 1900, tory) in Mumbai stands testimony and a road has been named after the first vaccine research institute to his contribution. him in Chintadiripet. Many travel- was set up in Kasauli Himachal Events such as the First World ling vaccinators helped in control- Pradesh, the Central Research Insti- War and a deadly influenza out- ling small pox.There were cases of tute. Starting from those early days, break slowed down the efforts of deaths and complications which small pox was finally eradicated vaccination and diverted the gov- proved a challenge.And preser- from India in 1977. ernment’s attention. Institutes were vation of the vaccine was also a Yet another man whose name set up across India and, accord- daunting task. Other Indians who will go down in the history of vac- ing to a paper authored by Chan- supported the British in the mission cination in India is Dr Haffkine, drakant Lahariya (formerly with were the Raja of Pudukkottai and an Ukranian scientist and bacteri- the Dept of Community Medicine, Venkatadri Naidu, the zamindar of ologist. When a cholera epidemic GR Medical College, Gwalior) and Chintapalli. broke out in the late 1800s, fol- published in the Indian Journal of The British were quick to realise lowing a recommendation of the Medical Research, the Pasteur Insti- that a lot of concept selling and British Government, Dr Haffkine tute of India produced anti-rabies

July-September 2020 VIDURA 3 helming the co-ordination and the execution. The partnership with the international club worked very well and over the years and thanks to the late Dr Ken Hobbs of the club in Whitby, they got many times that initial quantum every six months. The vaccines were transported to India from New York by Air India. The King Institute helped to store the vaccines. Thanks to its contacts with the movers and shakers in the right places the club got the cus- toms and other duties waived and was able to establish a working relationship with the government

Photos: Dr Nalini Ramamurthy, King Institute. King Ramamurthy, Nalini Dr Photos: and proactive Health Ministry offi- The imposing King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research building at cials like Dr H.V. Hande. Guindy, built in Indo-Saracenic style. When the Universal Immunisa- tion Program (UIP) was launched vaccines in 1907 and followed it as the Universal Immunisation Pro- by the Govt of India in 1985 the up influenza vaccines and trivalent gram in 1985. The typhoid paraty- measles vaccine was still being oral polio vaccines. With tuberculo- phoid vaccine was dropped and imported, but by 1990-91 the coun- sis assuming epidemic proportions, tetanus toxoid for pregnant women try achieved self-sufficiency (indig- a BCG vaccine laboratory was set was added in 1983 along with mea- enous production having begun up at King Institute of Preventive sles vaccine. in the 1980s itself). The Measles Medicine and Research at Guindy, Incidentally, in 1979 the Rotary Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine Madras in 1948, which later moved Club of Madras, the third oldest was introduced in India in Delhi in to new premises. club in India founded in the sum- 1999. Until 1991, the cold chain (2 to 8 mer of 1929, played an instrumental Indigenous research though degrees Centigrade) necessary for role in red measles vaccination, also stepped up has not received ade- oral polio vaccines was outsourced known as rubeola. quate funding.Yet, we can be proud to UNICEF and other commercial To coincide with the International that research institutes in India centres but the states took over Year of the Child in 1979 and in have developed improved vaccines after that. In 1985, Tamil Nadu con- partnership with the Rotary Club of and launched new ones – the DNA ducted polio vaccinations under Whitby and other clubs in Canada, Hepatitis B vaccine was developed the umbrella of the Polio Plus Cam- they initially received over 68000 in 1997, the pandemic flu Novel paign supported by the Rotary. doses of measles vaccine (valued H1N1 2009 vaccine that year, the India launched the Expanded back then at Rs 27 lakh). A team was Meningitis A vaccine in 2010 (for Program of Immunisation in 1978. in place with well-known Chen- the African meningitis belt), the With a shift in focus, it was renamed nai architect the late S.L. Chitale rotavirus clinical trials were completed, and the Japanese Encephali- tis vaccine was jointly developed by Indian manufacturers with interna-

tional partners in 2012. And the one to tackle COVID-19 may well be on< its way.

(The writer is a senior freelance journalist based in Chennai.)

This small cottage served as a small pox vaccine depot. Right: a plaque serves as a record.

4 VIDURA July-September 2020 COVID-19 The trauma of being a migrant worker in these difficult times

In the midst of the pandemic, a group of migrant workers from Andhra Pradesh headed back home on foot and by cycle to Jharkhand during which they met with prejudice and compassion in equal measure. Rakhi Ghosh retraces their journey

rom Vishakhapatnam in They had already spent a fruitless They asked the police to drive us Andhra Pradesh to Garhwa 15-20 days and their savings were away from the place where we were FDistrict in Jharkhand, the getting eroded. Asked why they resting,” says Mukesh. “We only distance by road is nearly 1000 km didn’t wait for train services to wanted to drink some water and fill and takes 24 hours to travel by a resume, the reply was, “we didn’t our bottles. We were too exhausted motor vehicle. But a group of 21 have money to buy tickets”. even to peddle our cycles.” workers, migrants from Jharkhand, The workers started their trek on Their woes didn’t end there. At who were working in a small fish- May 9. They each carried five kilos the marketplace where they tried to processing factory in Vishakhapat- of chuda (rice flakes), gur (jaggery), buy food, they were again abused nam, decided to get back home on sugar, ten packets of biscuits and and accused of being ‘virus car- foot and on cycles. two bottles of water in a backpack. riers’. They were not allowed to Lack of money, fear of the coro- “We had no idea about the route buy anything, and the local people navirus pandemic and the desire from Vishakhapatnam to Garhwa, threatened to beat them up if they to meet their loved ones propelled so we followed Google Maps,” says didn’t leave. “We were halfway the young people to take the dras- Mukesh. through our journey,” says Praman tic step. When the nationwide lock- When they reached Parvatipuram Khalko (23), one of the migrants. down was declared, their work they were exhausted. “We couldn’t go back, and the came to an end, and so did their The group included a married reception we were getting discour- income. Initially they thought they couple, and the woman was unable aged us from continuing our jour- would stay on and resume work to walk any further. They then con- ney too.” once the lockdown was lifted. But tacted their families. Their relatives The group pressed on neverthe- with the restrictions being extended insisted that they buy cycles, and less. Crossing the longest ghat sec- and coronavirus cases rising, they sent the money by GooglePay. “We tion in southern Odisha was the were overcome by fear. bought 17 cycles. We were a group most difficult part. Some of their “We expected our employer of 21 but we thought some of us cycles needed repairs, but again, to provide dry rations, but he could ride pillion,” says Anirudha, no one would touch them, fearing didn’t. We tried to contact him another migrant. infection. There was no option but but his phone was switched off. However, once they crossed to continue on foot, in the blazing We realised he had left us to die of into Odisha, more problems sur- heat, says Paman, a member of the hunger,” says Mukesh Khalko, 23, faced. The scorching heat left them group. over phone from Bargarhvillage in drained. They stopped under some Following Google Maps, on May Garhwa District. trees to rest, and three or four of 13 they reached Kantabanji in Bal- The migrants began to explore them went to a nearby tube-well to angir District. They were debating ways of getting back home. They collect drinking water. “Suddenly, whether to stop there for some rest tried to get help to register on the four local people came and shouted when they saw a group of police- portal for help to return, but were at us, using filthy language, because men and officials approaching. unable to do so. Because of the lan- we had touched the tube-well”, They thought the villagers had guage barrier, they couldn’t make said Anirudh. “They wasted so complained, and they were about to people understand the gravity of much water to clean the tube-well, be arrested. Instead, “they offered their situation either. After talking but didn’t give us a drop to drink.” us food, water, medicine and oil to it over among themselves, on May 7 Other villagers misbehaved with massage our bodies. After peddling they decided to start walking home. us too, calling us ‘virus carriers’. more than 500 kms, our legs were

July-September 2020 VIDURA 5 for the benefit of migrants who are trying to get back to their native villages. Odisha Distress Mapping and Mitigation Initiatives for COVID- 19, a WhatsApp group of volunteers, has appealed to the Odisha Government to arrange vehicles for migrants such as the group from Vishakhapatnam. Responding to the appeal, the state government started transportation facilities for migrant workers from entry points to exit points on the borders, together with food and water. Under the guidance of Bolangir SP Sandeep Sampad, the police team arranged for Mukesh and his friends to be taken straight to their native villages in a vehicle. Asked whether they would return to work, Mukesh replies: Photos: RG “If the employers treat us like this, Mukesh and his friends cycling and (right) migrants from Jharkhand walking home leaving us to die of hunger, we will as they have no money to buy train tickets. never return. When everyone is in aching and scratched. We had not we offered them food and asked fear of this coronavirus, it is the

eaten a meal for five days, so we them to rest at the temporary medi- duty of employers to stand with gorged on the plates of rice with cal centre. “Seeing their plight,my us. After all, we are working for < dalma and pickle they offered. They eyes overflowed with tears,” says them.” also gave us chuda, gur, biscuits and Sanjay Mishra, an activist. “They water bottles to take with us,” said are bearing the brunt of being poor (The writer is a freelance journalist Mukesh. and marginalised. Local people based in Bhubaneswar.) Saroj Mohapatra, sub-divisional shouldn’t harass them,” he says, police officer, Kantabanji, said the adding that government should migrants were terrified when the arrange food and drinking water officials approached them. “But at temporary shelters on highways

Sakal Times, Gomantak Times close

Sakal Media Group will be shutting down operations for Sakal Times and Gomantak Times, according to latest media reports. Sakal Times, the Pune-based English daily, is said to have published its last edition on May 27, whereas the Goa-based Gomantak Times would have ceased operations on June 1. Media reports also suggest that the company also has no plans to continue with the digital editions of both papers. The employees of both the dailies were taking salary cuts since the commencement of the lockdown. With 45 of their editorial staff laid off, the papers were also sharing resources with their Marathi divisions. Sakal

Times began its circulation in May 2008. Gomantak Times was started in Goa in 1986 and was taken over by Sakal Papers in 2000. <

(Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

6 VIDURA July-September 2020 COVID-19 When online classes for children can hang in an air of uncertainty It has been a decade full of intermittent network blockades and almost a year full of crisis schooling for children in Kashmir. As an educator, a principal and a mother, dedicated to providing reformative education to children in Pulwama, Kashmir, Lopa Shah speaks for what looks like a life-changing time for children across the world today, basing her views in lived experiences and on the basics of systems design practice. There’s a lot we can make the world do, if we only start asking it the right questions, she says

here has never been a bet- clueless in the conundrum of the other teacher would, I reached out ter time and a more urgent World Wide Web. to my students and insisted them Tneed to rethink the purpose But is it going to cater to all encom- to represent Kashmir on it for two of schools, and to rearrange our passed? Will it include the immea- major reasons: to make sure their priorities in order for schooling to surable in assessments? Will it unique challenges are addressed be truly educational, inclusive and empower parents, guides, guard- and to let the fellow participants diversely empowering. However, ians to provide tangible support? get a first person view of life in it is imperative to understand that Will it wait for the illiterate to learn Kashmir. although we are all in the pandemic before it leaps to its next advance- My children registered when together and have had a fairly long ment? And most importantly, do Internet got restored. Internet was experience of a lockdown, we are we understand our geographical, snapped again the next day (May 6) not all a Kashmir now. political, economic and social con- and the mobile network disabled. No, our children do not know what texts well enough, before we try to Now they hang in uncertainty, not children in Kashmir feel during and force-fit the new virtual solution for sure how to continue their learn- between lockdowns. The frequency all schools? Evidence supports that ing sessions again (mobile network of lockdowns and the gravity of each the unfortunate answer to these was restored on May 12 with 2G have altered their habits of thinking, questions is a deafening No. everywhere except Pulwama and doing, living. Online classes have What does it mean for a Kashmiri Shopian). This is the ‘normal’ for a been un-inclusive of the most vul- student? I recently came across a Kashmiri student. nerable – of children feeling increas- hackathon inviting children to par- One of my children once said, ingly threatened by exposure, and of ticipate in an online workshop on “Ma’am I feel a stone weighing me those from humble families, holding finding a solution for the impact of down, when I try to push my will ‘non-smart’ phones in their hands, COVID-19 on education. Like any to study at home. This is our way Photos: LS L-r: A teacher moves with the times and functions online; a student manages everything single-handedly; and shut classrooms with schools now turning quarantine wards.

July-September 2020 VIDURA 7 of life, we’ve got to live with it.” How would you help the dying of a spirit, of dreams, of motivation or of optimism?

Solution of paradoxes For a child in Pulwama and Shop- ian, dependent on the only member in the family with a smartphone free to use for online classes, two other siblings fighting for the same, and a network the speed of snail, can it get more difficult? While teachers work relentlessly to be available for interactive learning online, parents plead them to stop online sessions and switch to download- able low-resolution video lectures, because of the exhaustingly slow network. Multiple petitions high- light the issue, but the restriction stays unaffected. One of the few days spent on campus the past year. The daily fight for basics and the fear of losing access at any time many and more in rural spaces clusters rather than individual enti- plays as a constant noise, deafen- still struggle to find ways through ties. Our contexts may be different ing their ears to the sound of hope. many ground challenges. Only but purpose remains constant. It is With little or no means for recreation 40 per cent students in Pulwama time we come together to give and in most districts of Kashmir due to still attend online classes amidst receive support. the overpowering turmoil, schools economic and technological road- Schools with significantly higher become the only space for social, blocks. Only 50 per cent parents can privilege can share resources to emotional, psychological release. afford to give away their phones to the ones with lesser access. Buddy A ban on students going to school, their children for long hours. Most learning between school students takes away from them even this. parents can’t afford forced expen- across states can be encouraged ditures on smart phones and data such that students with limited Solution in perspective packs. And even if they do, they access to internet still have a buddy

While for many urban schools struggle to perceive the benefit of to keep their connection with the < learning has easily shifted online, virtual interaction in learning. world intact. With weak cashflow and limited purview of the online learning (The writer is founding director systems, parents have been found of ELICIT (Education - Livelihoods defaulting their fee dues to school. in Conflict Impacted Territories), Budget private schools in such a an organisation dedicated to design scenario have no means to pay their innovative learning systems which employees, meet fixed expenditures respond to the changing educational and plan for the future. And hence needs in conflict-impacted territories. they drown in debts or close down. She runs Dolphin International School based in Pulwama, South Schools as drivers of a collective Kashmir as the principal and director purpose of Design. A social designer, she Children are assets of the future develops frameworks to empower and we expect them give back to local capacities and enhance resilience the society later. But this is impos- among students and teachers through sible without the means of growth ‘persistent action’.) disrupted and denied. With the Slow network, long pauses and broken widening of the virtual space, it is rhythms. easier now for schools to work as

8 VIDURA July-September 2020 COVID-19 Media watch in the time of an extraordinary pandemic In the time of COVID-19, what are the images one sees on television? Promotional messages – for this yojana for farmers or that scheme for school children – meant as political communication more than anything else. Indian doctors serving in foreign countries being interviewed for comments on the coronavirus. Migrant workers walking home. President Trump curtailing the H1B visa. A woman being forced to give birth by the roadside. From such a tapestry Sakuntala Narasimhan weaves a compelling piece

surf channels, from BBC to or onions, dumping them on the is the ‘prestige’ attached to employ- CNN to DD and sundry others, highway, because they are unable ment overseas. But I am told that Iand the reports and visuals are to even recover their costs, leave each medical student’s education largely the same – the Black Lives alone making any profit from back- over four or five years involves a lot Matter uprising following the death breaking work over many months? of state investment in their training; of George Floyd, or the worldwide Such incidents too get coverage, but this investment is lost to our coun- virus epidemic, claiming thousands only occasionally. After all, visu- try when they do not work here of lives from every continent, the als of beaming farmers and rustic and make their expertise available death toll rising exponentially with citizens mean ad revenue because to their own compatriots. each day, regardless of the region they are paid for by political parties We need thousands of medical – developed or developing, rich or in power; distress visuals bring no doctors and nurses and healthcare poor. Or the stream of migrants in revenues. practitioners, to upgrade our own India heading for their native vil- I switch to TV channels from national health indices in India. lages, walking single file in desolate overseas and notice something What a pity that their training hopelessness, because they have lost interesting – most of the experts goes to serve populations in for- their jobs and wage earnings. The and professional personnel inter- eign countries, when we are short visuals are heartrending, but after viewed for comments – on the of professionals in India. I wrestle a while the repeated images leave virus, for example – are of Indian with this question every time I see your eyes glazed. Which is when origin, even in reports from the US. an expert of Indian origin working one starts noticing the messages on Doctors, for instance, are mostly abroad, being interviewed on TV the sidelines and underneath the Indians, judging from their names. shows from England or USA. main news and the captions. Even on BBC reports from London At the same time, I also listen During the ads that come on in or Manchester or even South Africa. to news reports about President between the news bits, one sees Sanjay Gupta, who appears reg- Trump curtailing the H1B visa promotional messages – for this ularly on CNN, is of Indian ori- facility under which Indians (and yojana for farmers or that scheme gin. Just one hundred years ago others) used to go to the US. Think for school children – meant as – according to an item in The Hindu of Sunder Pichai (of Indian ori- political communication. Smiling that appeared under the heading gin) who heads Google, one of the faces of farmers to promote a kisan ‘One hundred years ago’, in an largest IT enterprises worldwide. yojana, or beaming students testi- edition dated 9 June, Indians were Think of the enormous amount of fying to another scheme for nutri- not considered capable enough to computer work, worth tens of thou- tion supplement perhaps, or some undertake medical studies in Eng- sands of dollars, that Indian com- similar programme. The farmer is land – and today, I hear, the British panies like Infosys undertake and ecstatic about appearing on televi- National Health Service (NHS) will deliver, for firms based in the US. sion, the political party is happy collapse if all Indian medical per- Indian expertise comes in use- about the publicity that reaches a sonnel employed in it left. ful to ensure the success and prof- few million viewers. Why do so many medical profes- its of American enterprises – but But, what about the reports, sionals trained in India leave to go deny H1 visas when the Ameri- on the other hand, about farmers abroad to take up lucrative jobs? can administration (or more cor- destroying their harvest of tomatoes One reason is the money, another rectly, the President) decides to cut

July-September 2020 VIDURA 9 Illustration: Arun Ramkumar foreigners’ entry into the country. agony to the onlookers, but one show the reality of women having It is not much different from the young man, in a blue checked shirt, to deliver in the open, but why did white Americans importing black kept bending down to peek under no one, not one among the crowd slaves from Africa, when labour the plastic cover to look at the of onlookers, chastise the male was needed in large numbers to woman and the delivery process. peeker? Why did no one thrash him work on farms and plantations – It was offensive, and indecent, but for his abominable behaviour? but treating them as lesser beings one of the men holding up one cor- Did the police come to shoo away when it comes to human rights. ner of the plastic sheet merely urged the crowd, did someone phone for Then there are the other sidelights, the peeking man to move away, and an ambulance to take the woman besides the main news scrolls, that gently shoved him off. to a hospital? We do not know… are useful as social comments. There was no admonition, no out- However, but for the media cover- During the last week of June, for raged condemnation of the peep- age, viewers would have had no instance, one channel carried a ing Tom. And for good measure, idea that such an outrageous inci- detailed report on how a woman the TV channel repeated the visu- dent took place. Exposing short-

had been forced to give birth by the als in a loop, again and again, so comings in our society is after all, roadside. The visuals showed four that it looked as if that man in the one of the duties of the media. < men holding up a plastic sheeting checked shirt was repeatedly bend- as cover over the woman, to ensure ing to take a look at the unfortunate (The writer, based in Bengaluru, is some privacy, as she lay by the road- woman who was delivering a baby a recipient of the Media Foundation’s side, going through labour pains, by the roadside surrounded by a Chameli Devi Award for Outstanding helped by another woman who was clutch of onlookers. Woman Journalist 1983. Her ministering to her needs. What does that say – about fortnightly columns on gender issues A roadside crowd naturally gath- shameless male behaviour? And its and consumer rights ran in the ered, mostly men, to watch the curi- dismissal by other men standing Deccan Herald for 27 years. She had ous goings-on. The plastic sheeting around? It was, of course, right for earlier worked for The Times of India did not expose much of the woman’s the channel to telecast the report, to Group in Mumbai.)

10 VIDURA July-September 2020 COVID-19 Will Indian media be the same after the crisis?

As the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the world, the media in India seems to have fallen prey to economic considerations. Managements are imposing pay cuts and layoffs on journalists who pursue their calling at personal risk. Where is the Fourth Estate heading, asks N.S. Venkataraman

t is distressing to learn that and have asked a number of oth- resorted to this ‘strategy’ have a few print and visual media ers to go on leave without pay in been enjoying reasonably healthy Imanagements have closed the wake of the COVID-19 cri- balance-sheets during the last few down some editions, sacked some sis. A few of the print and visual years, and have good reserves of employees, including journalists, media managements that have funds. Certainly, they have the Illustration: Arun Ramkumar

July-September 2020 VIDURA 11

financial strength to manage for a to the cause of independent jour- journalistic profession on flimsy few months. nalism, the media will inevitably grounds. < While some small outfits may lose credibility in the eyes of the have reason to reduce the number public. (The writer is trustee, of employees or delay payment We hear of paid news and moti- Nandini Voice for the Deprived, of wages, this cannot be so in the vated campaigns by a section of Chennai.) case of medium andlarge media the media dependent upon busi- houses. One wonders whether ness houses that own them. In the media managements consider addition, in the aftermath of the journalists ‘disposable items’, as COVID-19 crisis, media man- they seem to have little concern agements which have taken the PII-RIND now on Facebook about the welfare of these people approach of commercial enter- https://www.facebook.com/PiiRIND and their families. Some may even prises in dispensing with employ- say media managements used ees appear to have done so COVID-19 as an excuse to get rid without adequate evaluation or of unwanted staff. giving thought to alternative rem- It is widely recognised that the edies in what is after all a tempor- media is one of the strong pillars ary situation. For instance, those of democracy, and an independent facing financial constraints could and self-respecting media is essen- have availed of loans from finan- tial for the survival of democratic cial institutions to tide over the traditions and practices. Journal- immediate problem, if needed. ists – reporters and editors – sac- Admittedly, print and visual rifice their personal interests for media cannot be sustained if they the sake of their calling. Several incur losses for a length of time. journalists have even faced vio- But a few months of crisis can- lent attacks and court proceedings not be a reason for scaling down in the course of their committed employee strength. When these work. managements easily resort to sack- In this context, if an impression ing employees and closing down is created that the media is being editions, it shows that they have controlled by profit-oriented busi- become solely profit-oriented, sac- ness houses, with no commitment rificing the noble objectives of the

What about the plight of senior citizens?

The plight of the senior citizens who undergo the mental crisis due to COVID 19 do not seem to have been adequately understood or appreciated or discussed. The crisis has brought about a significant change in the thought process, particularly of the senior people who are constantly made to think that their end day could be not too far off. This is particularly due to the fact that the immunity level of aged people is inevitably low. So, senior citizens undergo mental stress. Every time they sneeze or cough or get a sore throat or a slight feverish feeling, they start worrying as to whether the virus has attacked them. The younger ones conclude that they could be COVID patients. It is pathetic to see the elderly subjecting themselves to tests by semi- educated volunteers, wondering as to what would be the results, and heaving a sigh of great relief when they are told that the temperature is normal. When daily statements are released by the government, one gets the impression that the stress is on senior citizens forming a big chunk of positive cases. Many of the elderly live alone with their sons and

daughters abroad. With travel severely curtailed, senior citizens worry whether they would not be able to see their dear and near ones in case they become victims of the coronavirus. <

N.S. Venkataraman

12 VIDURA July-September 2020 COVID-19 When CR stations became crusaders fighting rural India’s battle While community radio stations have been creating awareness programmes on safety measures to avoid the spread of the coronavirus, they are also responding to other issues which have been aggravated by the lockdown. As the entire nation is fighting against an external virus by staying inside their homes, women and children often fight battles of domestic violence and abuse within these confines. Sreelakshmi Prakash reports

round 10 am on the morning Meanwhile, Uday Godbole, by disseminating information and of April 14, villagers in San- station-head of Yeralavani Com- spreading awareness. Agli, a village in Maharashtra munity Radio (CR) station was India reported its first case of close to the Karnataka border, were getting frenzied messages in the confirmed coronavirus on Janu- getting anxious. Their future and station’s WhatsApp group from ary 30, 2020. The number of cases livelihood depended on what Prime the villagers. Quick to act from increased day by day. Finally, Minister Narendra Modi had to say his home, he advised the radio on March 11, the World Health on television. Modi was about to operator in the station to connect Organisation (WHO) sounded the address the nation after the inevi- the station’s TV to the radio and dreaded warning bell and declared table 21-day lockdown due to the broadcast the prime minister’s it as a pandemic. With just one posi- COVID-19 pandemic spread across speech live. As a result, hundreds tive case in January, the number of the country. It had heavily rained of villagers listened to the speech positive cases swelled to 519 cases the other night due to which the through the CR station, Yerala- by March 24 (according to the data drought-prone village’s electricity vani 91.2 MHz. released by Ministry of Health and had broken down and had not been Subsequently, the operator trans- Family Welfare (MoHFW)) compel- restored yet. Many stared at their lated the highlights of the speech ling the imposition of a lockdown. blank TV screens unsure of what in both Kannada and Marathi for CR stations across India sprang was to come, while others tried the listeners. This was just one of into action. Although many sta- frantically to access the internet for the instances of how CR stations tions had been actively engaged the live telecast. The limited net- across India have become crusad- in spreading awareness before work connectivity in the area added ers fighting rural India’s battle the lockdown itself, the challenge to their woes. against the pandemic COVID-19 now was to operate under minimal resources, and sometimes from within the confines of home. According to the president of Community Radio Association (CRA), N.A. Shah Ansari, more than 75 radio stations out of the 276 associated with the organisation, are actively engaged in producing content related to COVID-19. Most of the stations are working with one or two employees at the station, taking shifts. Others are working from home, producing, and sharing content through WhatsApp and Telegram. Stations like Mann Deshi Tarang Vahini 90.4 MHz and Yeralavani in Maharashtra – the state with

Photo: Radio Brahmaputra Facebook page Facebook Brahmaputra Radio Photo: the highest number of positive Community members listening to Radio Brahmaputra’s programmes on coronavirus. cases – have been roping in experts

July-September 2020 VIDURA 13 Photo: Kadal Osai CR Facebook page Facebook page Vahini Photo: Mann Deshi Tarang A coronavirus awareness poster circulated by Kadal Osai CR and (right) Team Mann Deshi Tarang Vahini conducting community awareness programme on coronavirus. from different fields. These include National Commission of Women positive news. We are having a doctors, ASHAs (accredited social and reported by the Economic lot of updates related to corona, health activists), psychologists, Times and Outlook magazine. Out- (but) we do not want people to feel teachers and local authorities look magazine reported that the dejected with the news. We stay who have been contacted over the total complaints from women rose away from broadcasting provoca- phone. Their interactions have been from 116 in the first week of March tive programmes, and we also bust broadcast through radio even as the (March 2-8), to 257 in the final week fake news. We are in partnership producers have conformed to the (March 23-April 1). The Economic with the Assam Medical College, norms of social distancing and have Times reported that the Childline the police, and the local adminis- not left their homes. India helpline received more than tration. If we come across any fake Through these programmes, lis- 92000 SOS calls asking for protec- news doing the rounds, we get in teners are informed where to get tion from abuse and violence in 11 touch with the experts and issue essential services, how to apply days. a clarification,” says Bhaskar Jyoti for government relief funds, how The reports pointed out that Bhuyan, station-head of Brahmapu- to practise quarantine and social many women were unable to go tra CR. distancing. “We ask them for short out or report to the police about As a result of the lockdown, many one-minute messages, which we the violence and abuses due to the stations are facing a financial cri- then convert into PSAs and jin- lockdown. To address the prob- sis as private advertisements have gles and broadcast. They are also lem, Mann Deshi Tarang Vahini decreased to an all-time low. “CR involved in spreading the aware- 90.4 MHz has come forward with stations haven’t been receiving any ness,” says R.J. Anup Gurav of a programme titled Mahila Vishesh advertisement from the Ministry of Mann Deshi Tarang Station. Prasaran Sabha where they advo- Broadcasting (MIB) or DAVP for a The number of domestic vio- cate against domestic violence and year now. The CR stations are pro- lence cases has increased two-fold abuse. The show is anchored by viding on-time, real time informa- according to the data shared by the woman reporter and has the option tion for the locals use. The reporters for live-in phone calls and support are working from the field in many from experts. Another CR station, places. They are putting their lives Kadal Osai, working among the in danger. It is the government’s

fisherfolk community in Ramesh- duty to promote CR stations,” says waram has incorporated coronavi- N.A. Shah Ansari. < rus-related updates in their daily shows, without altering its essential (Courtesy: CR News. The programming. writer works at the Department Brahmaputra CR station in Assam of Communication, University of has been translating its COVID-19 Hyderabad.) Photo: Yeralavani Facebook page Photo: Yeralavani related content into four languages Local artists at a programme at Assamese, Sadri, Hajong and Mis- Yeralavani Studio. ing. “We are focusing on providing

14 VIDURA July-September 2020 COVID-19 It is also about the environment and the economy With changing temperature and rainfall profiles due to climate change, there are chances of new diseases emerging. This is especially so when coupled with the stress of wild animals, already confronted with shrinking habitats, transmitting diseases to humans with whom they are in greater contact now. The uncertainties of climate change can add to those of the COVID-19 pandemic and make the crisis more severe and difficult to handle. The pandemic gives the world an opportunity to think what the economic cost would be if we only talked about development and did not take the environment into consideration, says S. Gopikrishna Warrier

esavan Unni caters for wed- package to help people like Unni capital, flooded not once but many dings and social events for to deal with his personal economic times in 2019. Also, rather unusu- Ka living. He also organises crisis. ally, there were cyclones across the stage decorations and associated The sense of uncertainty that Unni Arabian Sea during the 2019 mon- logistics for the events. He does not faces is shared by many across the soon season. It is usually the Bay of call himself an event manager, for country. The unorganised sector Bengal that is the home to cyclones. the term was brought into Thris- constitutes more than 90 per cent of With changing temperature and sur in Kerala, where he lives, by employment in India. Suddenly, in rainfall profiles across locations due operators bigger than Unni. The the first three months of 2020, the to climate change, there are chances coronavirus infection (COVID-19) world does not know what the com- of new diseases emerging. This is has brought Unni’s income to zero ing week will hold. Even after India’s especially so when the changing in the past two months. This is the Finance Minister Nirmala Sith- climate adds to the stress of wild season – before the monsoon sets in araman announced a Rs 1.7 trillion animals, already confronted with Kerala – that is usually the busiest package to support those who have shrinking habitats, transmitting for him. lost their livelihoods and in turn the diseases to humans with whom For Unni, the COVID-19 pan- already-faltering Indian economy, they are in greater contact now. demic is the latest in a series of people like Unni are not sure if it Most of the time these diseases economic shocks that his small would be of real, adequate support. would be restricted to limited geo- business had gone through since graphical locations and would get the demonetisation of November Adding to the existing uncertainty contained soon. But some like the 2016. The confusion regarding Uncertainty is a term that is used current coronavirus jump the local goods and service tax registration often in climate change literature, and national boundaries. put him on the bench for some despite the scientific progress The uncertainty that the current time, followed by the severity of made over the years to understand COVID-19 pandemic has caused the 2018 and 2019 floods in Kerala. the science behind the change. The and the uncertainty of climate At his scale of operations, where assessment reports of the Inter- change are different in the sense one shock itself can severely affect governmental Panel on Climate that they happen in different tim- viability, Unni is at the end of his Change express this uncertainty in escales. While with COVID-19, it is tether, and hope. terms of very low to very high sci- an acute uncertainty adding to the Unni’s despondency peaked entific confidence levels. here-and-now, with climate change when Prime Minister Narendra The biggest uncertainty among it is more chronic in nature. How- Modi announced a 21-day lock- them, for India, is the fact that the ever, the uncertainties of climate down for the entire country start- reliability of the monsoon itself change can add to those of the pan- ing from midnight of March 24-25. is changing and it is becoming a demic and make the crisis more Even though the prime minister string of extreme weather events. severe and difficult to handle. announced a Rs 150 billion support Kerala, for instance, was known for medical facilities and associ- for its reliable monsoons. But it Caught in the warp and weft of ated needs to deal with the efforts had a drought in 2017, followed globalisation to treat the coronavirus infected by devastating floods in 2018 and Isolating economies or infected people, he did not spell out any 2019. Mumbai, India’s commercial individuals becomes difficult in

July-September 2020 VIDURA 15 of the country as labour. In the mountainous district of Nilgiris in southern Tamil Nadu, the situation is interesting. While the youth from the indigenous communities are going out to urban centres in the plains to find employment, more people from the plains, having benefitted from the liberalised and globalised economy, are building their resorts and summer houses in the Nilgiris. This seamless integration that economic reforms built is good for the economy, but they also became the channels for infection spread when the virus struck. The subur-

Photo: Kartik Chandramouli/ Mongabay ban trains of Mumbai, which carry An aerial view of Mumbai - you can see the haze in the background. the foot soldiers of the economy to and from their place of work, could a globalised world. On one hand, centres into magnets attracting have become the epicentre of the Indian manufacturers rue that their manpower from different parts of spread and hence had to be can- production cycles are affected with the country. While the software and celled. In this networked situation, the lockdown in China affecting related industries attracted edu- the entire country had to be shut component manufacturing. On the cated youth to cities such as Benga- down to protect from the virus. other, the first cases of COVID-19 luru, Hyderabad, Pune and Kochi, The result – the economy, which infection in Kerala were reported to service their needs another army sustained this all, is going into a when Indian medical students of cab drivers and food/ couriers tailspin. returned from the Wuhan region in deliverers moved into the city. China. There were also increasing push Commodification of natural The chain also becomes con- factors. Climate change-induced resources tinuous. While returning, migrant saline incursions into their agricul- Access and availability of natu- labour from the Gulf countries tural fields due to rising seas and ral resources as raw material has are contributing to the number of increased frequency of cyclones been equally important for the glo- COVID-19 positive cases in Kerala, forced residents of Sundarbans to balised economy. As a result, the migrant labour returning from Ker- migrate to Kolkata and other parts predominant economic framework ala into the other states are adding to the risk of the infection in their villages. The manufacturers and the migrant labour are cogs in the globalisation wheel that has been rolling for the past few decades. Manufacturing is clustered in countries where production is cheaper. Thus, many products of many brands carry the ‘made in China’ tag, whereas cheap labour flowed to where they could get work and extra income. The same model is replicated within the country, with domestic labour moving in to fill the needs in Kerala.

The economic reforms in India Rodriguez/ PEP Collective Photo: Steevez and the growth in the tertiary sector Chennai citizens fill water from lorries with smaller tanks that go around the city of the economy also turned urban distributing water.

16 VIDURA July-September 2020 Photo: Abhishek N. Chinnappa Photo:

A farmer looks at his fields inundated by the Cauvery River during the floods in August 2019. in which India operated since 1991 highways and railway lines. While of the pandemic. It is like facing a was to ensure that the industry mines ate forests from the insides, tidal surge of a cyclonic nature. and businesses have easy access to tourism infrastructure ate from For decades the question asked natural resources. If an industry or the edges. More land at the edge was what would be the economic plant had to be located in a natu- of the forests was converted for costs if the environment was given ral growth forest, then the forest agriculture. Large institutions with more importance over develop- could be cut as long as money is their elephant trenches and electric ment. The COVID-19 pandemic deposited with the government for fences obstructed the path of the gives the world an opportunity to compensatory afforestation. pachyderm herds. With increasing think about what is the economic Water, a public good, was turned human-wildlife interaction there cost if we only talked about devel- into a commodity early on. In the are more chances of zoonotic dis- opment and did not take the envi- 1990s, a viscose factory located eases transmitting from animals to ronment into consideration. upstream of the Bhavanisagar Dam humans. Just as how the coronavirus infec- in Tamil Nadu took water from the Changing climate moved biodi- tion attacks the old and those with Bhavani River and dumped pol- versity packets upwards into the other health problems, its economic luted outflow back into the river, hills. In the Nilgiris, the upper pla- impact also affects most those who thereby affecting the livelihoods teau is becoming warmer, bring- are financially weak and have been of farmers cultivating crops down- ing bonnet macaques up from the battered by earlier crises. A health- stream of the dam. Bengaluru lower altitudes. In the hills of Way- ier economic system that reduces and Hyderabad, two cities that anad – also a part of the Nilgiri Bio- its adverse impact on the environ- are located on plateaus, comman- sphere Reserve – there are reports ment will provide better resilience deered water from river valleys far of the zoonotic Kyasanur Forest to Indian society to deal with this away, spending money and energy Disease, otherwise known as mon- crisis, and those in the future. to pump the water up. key fever, even as Kerala deals with If frequent washing of hands is a When Chennai was facing water the COVID-19 infection. must to break the chain of coronavi- scarcity in 2019, water was diverted rus infection, then there isn’t much to the city from agricultural farms It all comes together that can be expected from a family on the edge of the metropolis. If without the lockdown COVID-19 living in the margins of Chennai city While the city authorities managed is expected to spread in a geometric and paying ten rupees for a plastic to desalinate seawater and supply progression, the halt of economic pot of water. Especially so when the

households, those without water activities has also hit people like family does not know how long they connections in the slums had to pay Kesavan Unni on a similar scale. It would be without an income. < heavily to supplement what they got is a time when the environmental from the city corporation tankers. consequences of economic policy, (Courtesy: Mongabay India. The So was it with the land. For- combined with the uncertainty of writer is the managing editor of ested lands were fragmented for climate change, add to the impact Mongabay India.)

July-September 2020 VIDURA 17 COVID-19 Pollution watchdog releases guidelines for biomedical waste To ensure safe disposal of biomedical waste generated during treatment, diagnosis and quarantine of patients with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Central Pollution Control Board of India has come out with special guidelines. The guidelines provide a series of steps for safe disposal of waste generated in hospital isolation wards for COVID-19 patients, testing centres and laboratories, quarantine facilities and homes of suspected patients. Doctors state that biomedical rules are already being followed but admit that in overcrowded hospitals and those that are not in major cities, it becomes more of a challenge. Mayank Agarwal has the story

ndia’s pollution watchdog, “Collect and store biomedical State Pollution Control Boards the Central Pollution Control waste separately prior to handing (SPCBs). IBoard (CPCB), has released over the same (to) Common Bio- Many Indians, who either came guidelines for handling, treatment medical Waste Treatment Facility to India from foreign countries dur- and safe disposal of biomedical (CBWTF). Use a dedicated collec- ing the past few months or people waste generated during treat- tion bin labelled as COVID-19 to who came in contact with such peo- ment, diagnosis and quarantine of store COVID-19 waste and keep ple, are in quarantine at home or in patients confirmed or suspected to separately in a temporary storage community-based facilities (popu- have the novel coronavirus disease room prior to handing over to the larly called as camps) to ensure that (COVID-19). authorised staff of the CBWTF. if they are infected, the disease does Though India already had Bio- Biomedical waste collected in such not spread further. Quarantine is Medical Waste Management Rules, isolation wards can also be lifted the separation and restriction of 2016, the CPCB guidelines were directly from ward into CBWTF movement or activities of persons released to ensure that the waste collection van,” state the guidelines who are not ill but who are believed generated specifically during test- while seeking a separate record of to have been exposed to infection, ing of people and treatment of waste generated from COVID-19 for the purpose of preventing trans- COVID-19 patients is disposed of isolation wards. mission of diseases, according to in a scientific manner. Biomedical The guidelines also sought that the government of India’s National waste, according to the existing bio- bags/ containers used for collecting Centre for Disease Control. medical waste rules, is any waste biomedical waste from COVID- Accoridng to WHO, coronavirus that is generated during the diag- 19 wards should be labelled as spreads primarily through droplets nosis, treatment or immunisation of COVID-19 waste to enable CBWTFs of saliva or discharge from the nose human beings, animals or research to identify the waste easily for pri- when an infected person coughs or activities etc. It could include ority treatment and immediate dis- sneezes. These droplets then land human tissues, items contaminated posal after getting it. In addition, on objects and surfaces around with blood, body fluids like dress- the guidelines sent to all states, the person. Other people can get ings, plaster casts, cotton swabs, direct use of dedicated trolleys and infected when they touch their eyes, beddings contaminated with blood collection bins in COVID-19 isola- nose or mouth after touching these or body fluid, blood bags, needles, tion wards and recommended that contaminated objects or surfaces. syringes or any other contaminated the surface of containers, bins, trol- Again, according to WHO, peo- sharp object. leys used for storage of COVID-19 ple can also get COVID-19 if they For isolation wards where are disinfected regularly. breathe in droplets from a person COVID-19 patients are kept, the CPCB has suggested similar with COVID-19 who coughs out or guidelines stressed that, in addi- steps for the sample collection cen- exhales droplets and that is why it tion to rules regarding biomedical tres and laboratories for COVID-19 is important to stay more than one waste, as a precaution, double- suspected patients. The pollution metre (three feet) away from a per- layered bags (two bags) “should watchdog said opening or opera- son who is sick. be used for the collection of waste tion of COVID-19 ward, sample At the quarantine facilities and to ensure adequate strength and collection centres and laboratories during home care for suspected no-leaks”. should also be intimated to the COVID-19 patients, the guidelines

18 VIDURA July-September 2020 then they (biomedical waste rules) are not followed properly due to various reasons like lack of training and frequent transfers of doctors. Rigorous monitoring is required to ensure such waste does not end up infecting others. Also, we need to ensure that people who are at home are disposing of their tissues etc. properly to ensure that they do not end up passing it to anyone including garbage collectors. What we need are universal precautions by everyone.” The guidelines further state that CBWTF operators “shall ensure regular sanitisation of workers

Photo: Barusahib/Wikimedia Commons Photo: Barusahib/Wikimedia involved in handling and collection A biomedical waste management facility in Himachal Pradesh. of biomedical waste and that they should be provided with adequate noted that even though a low quan- boards about receiving waste from personal protective equipment tity of biomedical waste is expected COVID-19 isolation wards, quaran- including three-layer masks, splash- to be generated, they still need to tine camps, quarantined homes and proof aprons/gowns, nitrile gloves, follow strict steps to ensure safe testing centres. gumboots and safety goggles.” It handling and disposal of waste. Jugal Kishore, Director Professor directed the facilities to use dedi- For instance, it said, while the and Head, Department of Commu- cated vehicles to collect COVID-19 routine solid waste generated nity Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir ward waste and asked them to sani- from quarantine centres can be Medical College and Safdarjung tise such vehicles after every trip. treated and disposed of as per the Hospital, say biomedical waste The pollution watchdog recom- solid waste management rules rules have been there and are being mends that COVID-19 waste should 2016, “biomedical waste generated strictly followed in their hospital be disposed of immediately upon should be collected separately in but cautioned that everyone needs receipt at facilities and emphasised yellow coloured bags and bins”. to take care. that they should not allow “any Quarantine camps/ centres shall “We need to ensure that the health worker showing symptoms of ill- inform the CBWTF operator as and workers and the overall environ- ness to work at the facility”. CPCB when the waste is generated so that ment remain safe. India’s biomedi- has clarified that the guidelines waste can be collected for treatment cal rules are robust and are being need to be followed by isolation and disposal at the CBWTFs. followed. There were similar steps wards, quarantine centers, sample In case of home-care for sus- recommended during previous collection centers, laboratories, pected patients, biomedical waste outbreaks like swine flu or Nipah. urban local bodies, and CBWTFs, in should be collected separately CPCB’s guidelines are reinforcing addition to the existing biomedical in yellow bags (yellow coloured, the strict measures that are required. waste management rules. non-chlorinated plastic bags) and The best management of these items It also specifies that these guide- handed over to authorised waste (biomedical waste) is segregation at lines are based on current knowl- collectors engaged by local bodies. the time of waste generation, which edge of COVID-19 and existing “Urban local bodies should engage can be much higher in times of out- practices in the management of the CBWTFs to pick up such waste break. So, the CPCB’s guidelines infectious waste generated in hos- either directly from such quaran- are a welcome step,” Kishore told pitals while treating viral and other tined houses or from identified col- Mongabay-India. contagious diseases and will be lection points,” the guidelines state. Kishore points out that this is updated if needed. For CBWTFs that will be dispos- a major challenge for hospitals Deepak Saxena, a medical expert ing of this waste, CPCB asked them because of overcrowded and over- on public health and Professor, to maintain a separate record for worked hospitals where mixing Indian Institute of Public Health, collection, treatment and disposal could happen with regular medical in a press release, said, “the soci- of COVID-19 waste. It asked them to waste. “If you go to health centres ety’s perception and practice of report to the state pollution control and hospitals in peripheral areas indiscriminate disposal of various

July-September 2020 VIDURA 19 bag, to ensure the safety of municipal workers and ragpickers. It will also ensure that the cycle of garbage collection and plastic recycling don’t get affected. The government should also provide safety kits to municipal workers urgently and educate them on how to handle household waste during the outbreak, to help in halting the chain of transmission.” Meanwhile, as far as the state pollution control boards are concerned, the guidelines state they shall maintain separate records of

COVID-19 treatment wards, quar-

Photo: Claudio Schwarz/Unsplash antine centers, quarantined homes< Doctors have advised people to regularly wash their hands with soap as one of the in respective states. precautions against the coronavirus infection. (Courtesy: Mongabay India) items can be a potential source of “The communities need to dis- infection of COVID to municipal pose their used napkins, tissues, workers.” empty sanitizer bottles in a separate

How climate change can affect sections of workers

In recent years there is growing recognition that climate change can seriously disrupt the life-nurturing conditions of Planet Earth. Despite this, there has been little effort to understand the impact of climate change on various vulnerable sections. As a result, it hasn’t been possible to start preparing for eventualities. In fact, some of the difficulties are already becoming evident. Here is a glimpse of how climate change can affect some sections of workers. Labourers in the mining, stone crushing and construction sectors work in the open or in dangerously hot conditions already. In the context of climate change, their exposure to intense heat and other hazards will only increase, if steps are not taken to provide better working conditions, including longer rest breaks, drinking water and first aid facilities. Similarly, NREGA employees are exposed to intense heat in the course of their hard physical work, and this will be aggravated by the growing impact of climate change. Their hours of work need to be regulated so that they can rest during the hottest periods, and work sites should have access to drinking water and other facilities. The large body of domestic workers in India, especially in urban areas, have to contend with exhaustion due to exposure, poor nutrition and overwork even now. This will only increase with the increasing effects of climate change. Laws are needed to govern their working conditions and income. Factory workers should be given protective gear against thermal stress, to safeguard against the impact of heat waves. Migrant workers constitute another section of society which is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Carts and rickshaws still form a part of the transport systems in many Indian cities. The rickshaw- and cart-pullers are a neglected lot, and will be affected by the fallouts of climate change, particularly by their exposure to more intense heat. Attention needs to be paid to their welfare and healthcare. Also, it should be remembered that this sector of workers actually contributes to keeping greenhouse gas emissions down.

The livelihood of a large section of the population in India is linked with forests – either as employees of the Forest Department or other state-run agencies, or as a part of communities which depend on seasonal< collection of non-timber forest produce.

Bharat Dogra

20 VIDURA July-September 2020 How a community radio gives voice to the climate-vulnerable After Cyclone Gaja wreaked havoc in Tamil Nadu, a community radio station in Nagapattinam district started an initiative called Voice of the Vulnerable. The initiative aims to engage and empower coastal communities with stories of environment and climate change affecting their everyday lives. The radio station also conducts community journalism workshops to train the youth about the various issues in the regions and also ways to report them. It could help in building climate resilience in the disaster-prone region, says Kartik Chandramouli

hat preparations extreme events. Climate change is in The former journalist from should one make our face, especially if you are in such Mumbai felt that environmental “Wfor children before an area. The impact on livelihood is disasters happening in rural parts a cyclone strikes?” asked Durga, direct, and the suffering is higher. of the country get “tucked inside a volunteer at a community radio Many are poor and so, highly vul- the newspaper” and lack thor- station in the coastal village of nerable.” While recovering from the ough and long-term coverage. Her Vizhuthamavadi, roughly 320 havoc wreaked by Cyclone Gaja in desire to learn and work in the kilometres to the south of Chen- November 2018, Shukla, with the rural development sector won her nai in Tamil Nadu. Ranjitha, a resi- help of her associates at DHAN a position at the community radio dent of a nearby village and the Foundation, formulated an idea to station, through the SBI Youth for radio jockey at Kalanjiam Samuga bring climate change into perspec- India fellowship programme. The Vanoli, crafted credible answers tive for the rural communities. station now has around 25 active from the government’s disaster “Voice of the Vulnerable is a group community journalists, most of management booklet. of rural reporters covering issues of whom are between 15 to 25 years The roughly 20-minute conversa- climate change and environment, of age. “We ask volunteers to tion was recorded on smartphones which are usually not reported or report on what they care for,” said in the 110-square-foot room, made spoken about in the community. Shukla. soundproof by shutting the door We are trying to package it and For instance, 24-year-old Kaviar- and window. The broadcast will make the voice louder,” explained asu, with an inclination towards agri- cover a radius of approximately 20 26-year-old Shukla, sitting on the cultural and solution-based stories, km, reaching seven to eight villages porch of the station located in the interviewed an organic farmer about of the disaster-prone Nagapattinam middle of paddy fields. his practices. 20-year-old Kanaimu- district on the east coast of Tamil The radio station has organised zhi reported on excessive groundwa- Nadu. The voices, transmitted at three batches of Voice of the Vul- ter extraction using borewells in her 90.8 megahertz (MHz), are by the nerable community journalism locality. One focused on the issues of community, for the community. workshops since February 2019. rising salinity in the soil and water Kalanjiam Samuga Vanoli was Shukla and Ranjitha conducted ses- damaging crops post-disasters, while the state’s first community radio sions along with disaster manage- another spoke to a farmer who grew station established in 2008 by a ment officials and other experts. timber-intensive trees to insure him- Madurai-based non-profit, DHAN The workshops attracted numerous self in the time of need. (Development of Human Action) participants from Vizhunthamavadi Foundation, as a means to reha- and neighbouring villages, a major- Broadcasting during Cyclone Gaja bilitate communities after the 2004 ity of whom were young women. “The week before Cyclone Gaja Indian Ocean tsunami. It contin- “We teach them about climate struck, we kept getting weather ues to help in disaster prepared- change and global warming, why information and warnings from the ness and recovery in the region as the village is disaster-prone, why district post office through What- India’s vulnerability to extreme the rise in extreme events, etc. We sApp. We cancelled all other shows weather events is on the rise, due discuss environment-related prob- and pushed alerts continuously,” to climate change. lems from these rural places. But recollected 25-year-old Ranjitha. Aparna Shukla, the station direc- what about the solutions? How is “The fishermen were one of our tor, observed, “People don’t neces- the community dealing with it? We main concerns. Some of them sarily understand climate change encourage those stories as well,” heard the warnings through radio and the increase in the frequency of said Shukla. or other sources and didn’t go into

July-September 2020 VIDURA 21 Photos: Kartik Chandramouli/ Mongabay Photo: Kalanjiam Samuga Vanoli Clockwise, from bottom left: An audio mixer at the community radio station; the community radio station, located three kilometres from the coast, broadcasts shows about the environment, climate change, disaster management, among other topics recorded by its trained volunteers; dark clouds gather on Vizhunthamavadi’s coast; fishing and agricultural communities inhabiting Tamil Nadu’s disaster-prone regions incurred substantial losses during a tsunami in 2004 and a cyclone in 2018; Voice of the Vulnerable workshops train young community journalists from Vizhunthamavadi and nearby villages to document stories about the impact of climate change and the environment in the community’s daily lives; and Ranjitha (left) and Durga record a radio show at the community radio station about disaster preparedness in the coastal villages of Nagapattinam District. the sea. Those who were already “There was no electricity for many the community, village authorities, heading out to sea and carried a weeks. We arranged for a generator, and district officials,” said Shukla. radio with them, heard the warn- fixed the tower, and ran shows for an Vinod Pavarala, an advocate ings and returned to the shore.” hour daily. Many volunteers were for community radio stations for Shukla added, “We kept ask- affected but still contributed updates over two decades, emphasised on ing people to take backups of all from the ground,” said Shukla, obvi- “a formal information exchange government documents as they ously overcome with the team’s protocol is essential between com- are all needed to file claims. We effort. “We transmitted information munity radio stations and district had broadcast other small aspects about claim processes, we got a doc- government bodies” for stations to such as where they can keep their tor and spoke about water contami- get credible information to dissemi- luggage, where to keep the cattle, nation, skin diseases, healthcare for nate, and for officials to get accurate where to keep gold, etc.” women and home remedies, as many information from the ground-up in Gaja made landfall on 16th were falling sick.” the time of crisis. But funding and November 2018 and caused loss of sustainability are still some of the lives and property in several dis- Hopes and challenges issues for the radio station. tricts in Tamil Nadu. Farming and Pointing to each device in the Naguveer Prakash from DHAN fishing communities, which form recording room, Ranjitha said, Foundation, who ran the station the majority in coastal areas such “We have a basic setup to do live for a decade till 2018, expressed his as Vizhunthamavadi, incurred sub- or recorded shows: transmitter, concern. “You might think the use stantial losses from damaged fields, audio mixer, some mics, and a fil- of radio is getting reduced, but in a boats, and equipment. Three kilome- ter. Usually, we go to the field and disaster situation, you cannot ignore tres away from Vizhunthamavadi’s use our phones for interviews. We its reach, reliability and local appeal. coast — which, to this day, has a vast can’t expect people to come here. Ensuring sustainability and technol-

spread of fallen trees — the com- Also, some natural coastal sounds ogy upgrade is a challenge due to munity radio station experienced are good too.” resource crunch.” < structural and equipment damage. The initiative plans to amplify the The radio tower that stands in front voices of the vulnerable through (Courtesy: Mongabay. This article of the station, though slightly bent, the print medium. “We will dis- is part of the Mongabay Series: withstood wind speeds as high as tribute a newsletter called Coastal Environment and Her.) 120 kilometers per hour. Watch with these stories amongst

22 VIDURA July-September 2020 When films came up with pertinent messages

Have health issues featured in Hindi cinema? Not to any significant extent, but the exceptions are enduring, says Bharat Dogra

indi cinema may not exactly years after it was made, it can still in a village. But soon after he gets be known for its serious be seen on YouTube and continues there, the people of the village des- Hengagement with health to inspire. ert the place because of the out- issues, but in the midst of the ongo- Chetan Anand’s celebrated film break of plague. Thinking that this ing pandemic, it is worth recalling Neecha Nagar won the prestigious has only made his task easier, the some films in which disease out- Grand Prix du Festival International gangster breaks open the safe in the breaks play a significant role and du Films at Cannes Film Festival. house he was assigned to rob, only generate important messages. It was also the debut film of actor to find that the family had taken the In his memorable film Dr Kotnis Kamini Kaushal and Ravi Shan- valuables with them. But he finds Ki Amar Kahani (1946), V. Shanta- kar as music director. Set against that a widow, memorably por- ram told the highly inspiring true the larger backdrop of injustice trayed by Meena Kumari, was still story of an Indian doctor from against the marginalised, the story in the house, as the family thought Maharashtra who went to China revolves around an unscrupulous she had contracted the disease, and and worked alongside the people property developer who diverts a had left her to die. resisting Japanese invaders. The drain towards a slum for his per- The gangster nurses her back to doctor travels with the resistance sonal gain, resulting in an outbreak health, and when the family dis- force from one remote place to of disease in the slum. covers this when they return, they another, and saves the lives of many An activist, played by Rafiq increase their torture of the woman. soldiers. Then, there is an outbreak Anwar, leads the slum dwellers’ The many-sided story continues, of a dangerous infectious disease protest (winning the sympathy with the woman leaving with the and Dr Kotnis, played by Shanta- of the developer’s daughter). The gangster, and the latter gradually ram, experiments on himself to find message conveyed is that public reforming under the compelling a medicine and succeeds in saving health is part of the wider issue moral influence of the woman he an even larger number of lives. of social justice, and that housing, has rescued. However, in the course of his water and sanitation have a strong The film was a big commercial work, Dr Kotnis falls seriously ill bearing on disease prevention. success and continues to be viewed and dies. The movie not only show- Again, over seven decades after it even today. Despite the obvious cased the solidarity of one suffer- was made, the social message of the commercial elements, the impor- ing country with another, and how film continues to be powerful, and tance of its social message stands. a doctor can serve humanity, but, it still stands out for its cinematic These three movies are indicative made with hardly any box-office achievements in terms of good of different ways and contexts in

trappings, it sends out an endur- direction, acting and music. which films can make important ing social message. Seventy-four While these two films were far social contributions on health and < removed from the usual commer- social issues. cially successful Hindi movies, the Rajendra Kumar-O.P.Ralhan (The writer is a senior freelance production Phool Aur Pathar is journalist and author who has an example of a box-office thriller been associated with several social in which the outbreak of disease movements and initiatives. He lives in is a significant sub-plot within the Delhi.) larger story. Photo: Internet A gangster (played by Dharmen- A scene from Dr Kotnis Ki Amar dra) is sent to rob the richest family Kahani.

July-September 2020 VIDURA 23 Taking baby steps towards a gender-equal tomorrow Today, as women make apparent great strides in every walk of life, discovering their potential in multiple spheres, one may wonder if patriarchal norms of subservient women have vanished. In the real world, however, across different social and economic strata, women continue to face restrictions, some of which have been normalised to the extent that we don’t even recognise them as restrictions, says Janani Murali

A daughter is born. A father holds the baby’s hand in his, promising to give her the best education, to nurture her impulse to achieve and stand by her dreams. The baby, eyes drowsy, is placed in a cradle and rocked to sleep with these words:

“Beautiful anklets adorning your feet, Eyes lined with kohl. Graceful and coy; The Lord shall come to take your hand.”

A son is born. A father holds the baby’s hand in his, promising to make him a brave man, to nurture his desires and strengthen his resolve to achieve. The baby, eyes drowsy, is placed in a cradle and rocked to sleep with these words:. “Brave and righteous you are. Bow and arrow in hand, destroyer of evil. Look at those majestic feet; Stepping into the world, head held high.”

very night as they fall asleep, and enabling them to chase their does not submit. How confusing little boys are sung ‘tradi- dreams? The uncomfortable truth, then for the world to acknowledge Etional’ songs of bravery, however, is that even in cases where at free will that a woman leads, not of being leaders and being the women have achieved a great deal in subservience. For a world that king; while girls are cuddled into in the public sphere, it has not cannot even accept or acknowl- thoughts of the celestials bowing been an easy stride. On one hand, edge a woman’s prowess, we are down to her. Boys have heard no daughters are empowered with an far from having her back. On the songs of brave women, and some- education on par with boys and are face of it, women may stand shoul- where into a girl child’s lullaby is a encouraged to nurture their ambi- der to shoulder with men, slowly verse that equates humility to sub- tions, for there is pride in daugh- but steadily gaining foothold in mission. And the seed to a certain ters becoming leaders, successful male-dominated public life, becom- notion of an ‘ideal man’ or ‘ideal entrepreneurs, leading surgeons, ing financially independent and woman’ has been laid. respected academicians and more. empowered. But that is of course Today, as women make appar- On the other hand are cruel dis- just the face of it – a face that has ent great strides in every walk of tortions to their dreams – passive been painted from a colourful pal- life, discovering their potential in voices that speak a very different ette so that we don’t see beyond it. multiple spheres, one may wonder language. In carrying forth songs, We could see beyond if we are if patriarchal norms of subservient stories and poems from a yesterday able to snap out of this stupor. women have vanished. May be the that envisioned a stereotypical gen- Women continue to strive, in spite time has come for equal opportu- der role, there is a huge disconnect of the odds stacked against them. nity and mutual respect between between our hopes for our daugh- Women continue to heed to the call the genders. But we are quick to ters and the passive voices that pull of ambition over the noise of those recover from such fantasies. In the her into a shell. While thediscon- pulling her down. Women continue real world, across different social nect eventually becomes apparent to work hard and pull themselves and economic strata, women con- for the daughter, our sons grow up, beyond judgements of aggres- tinue to face restrictions, some of up oblivious to even the outward sion. But the world that we create which have been normalised to the encouragement that daughters are with such a struggle can never be extent that we don’t even recognise provided. Years of conditioning a haven of peace nor one that nur- them as restrictions. Very few are will only reiterate stereotypical tures joy. It is one that breeds con- able to break such restrictive norms. notions of gender roles to him. tempt and unhappiness – for all. But are we not changing for the How confusing then for the And beyond all our ambitions, better, empowering our daughters world at large to accept a girl who sensibilities and perceptions, is a

24 VIDURA July-September 2020 Illustration: Angela Ferrao yearning for peace and joy, whether warp, neither are they etched in underestimate. It is in infancy, you are a man or a woman. So how stone from a time gone by. Every through the years of childhood do we get there? The only way for- song has been moulded in the and beyond that every parent can ward is to go back to where it all hands of each generation. Every create bubbles of an ideal tomor- begins. Because we must take one parent or grandparent that sang row where equality is a reality. baby step at a time towards real- these songs and told these stories We then have a chance at being an ising a dream of an equal world. coloured them with their thoughts. empathetic community of men and Or we will be guilty of nurturing These songs are here with us today. women, supporting and respecting a system that is disruptive of our Why don’t we give these ‘tradi- each other. dreams. tional songs’ some colour that suits It is time to re-write those lul- our growth? The baby, eyes drowsy, is placed in a labies. It is time to re-write those Will you sing a song of a brave cradle and rocked to sleep with these bed-time stories. One hears argu- woman to your son? Will you intro- words:. ments that traditional songs and duce him to Janabai and Kalpana “Brave and righteous you are. lullabies have been handed down Chawla? Will you teach him about several generations and we will Akka Mahadevi and Thimmakka? Ruler of the three worlds, destroyer of lose a part of our cultural wealth Will you sing praises of Kiran Bedi evil.” if we were to discard them. That and Rukhmabai? Will you sensitise is true if the poetry holds value in him to the world that was for gen- These are mere beginnings of being relevant to all times; in other erations before him and a different course. Every step we take after- words being ‘classic’, then it is our world that he will step into? Will ward will need a conscious under- responsibility to hold on to these you sing to your daughter about standing of our intentions and con-

snippets from the past that have her strengths, physical, mental and ditioning. From this understanding fallen into our hands. But we do a emotional? Will you sing to her will arise an undoing that will open< disservice to ourselves by holding about leading the country? Will our cages. on to fragments that do not serve you sing songs of kindness to both us anymore. your son and daughter? Will you (The writer is a biologist and Yes, the world is changing, and tell them stories of a yesterday that freelance writer based in Bangalore. it is our responsibility to fuel the may have been cruel, one they must She is also a performer and is the change for the better. And we must not fall prey to? associate director of Padmalaya Dance continuously remind ourselves that The passive voices of song and Foundation and the founder of an eco- the songs that have been handed dance have an indelible impression enterprise, The Green Wheel.) down to us are not frozen in a time on a child’s mind that we often

July-September 2020 VIDURA 25 Marriageable age: Law reform proposals are just not enough How can girls be protected against early marriage? Will changes in the law help? Will the strict implementation of the letter of the law produce desired results? Social workers tread on sensitive ground. Rakhee Roytalukdar discusses the dilemma and says real transformation in the long run requires that marriage no longer remains compulsory for the social and economic survival of girls eeta (name changed) is 13. opportunities and improving Welcoming the decline in early Living in one of Jaipur’s healthcare for women. marriages, Madhu Mehra, a femi- Gurban slums, she attends The government on June 4 thsi nist lawyer and executive director a nearby government school. She year set up a task force to examine of Partners for Law in Development enjoys school but often has to skip imperatives of lowering the mater- (PLD), a legal resource group work- classes to help her mother, Malti, a nal mortality rate, improving nutri- ing in the field of social justice and domestic worker, employed in sev- tional levels and related issues. It women’s rights, says: “Just having eral houses. will suggest ways to encourage laws or raising the marriageable age Malti, a widow from Bengal’s higher education among women cannot be a solution to improve the Cooch Behar, needs to work to and explore the impact of marital condition of girls or prevent early bring up her three children – all age on infant mortality rate, the marriages. As the data shows, early girls. With the pandemic and fear of mental health of mother and child, marriages have been declining due coronavirus infection, she has lost sex ratio at birth and child sex ratio. to improved educational levels many of her jobs. She now wants It will also focus on raising the mar- and livelihood conditions among Geeta to drop out of school and get riageable age to 21 for girls. the middle and even lower middle married so that she will have one However, the recently released class. To accelerate the decline in less mouth to feed. Sample Registration System Statis- underage marriages, intervention Malti knows that her daughter is tical Report says that in 2018, the is needed to create social systems too young for marriage, and also percentage of girls who were mar- that would incentivize education, that 18 years is the legal age for ried before the age of 18 was 2.3 healthcare, economic opportuni- marriage for girls. Yet, she fears for per cent, while those marrying at ties and skill development of girls Geetha’s safety and feels an early 21 years and above were as high as hailing from the most marginalized marriage is the best option for her. 64.5 per cent at the national level. communities and deprived sections The government is considering Among the states, the percentage of of society. Why is education com- raising the minimum marriageable girls married below 18 years was 3.7 pulsory only till the age of 14? Why age to 21. per cent in West Bengal. Rajasthan not 18? These are questions which However, activists and legal came second with 3.5 per cent and need to be addressed, instead of experts working in the field of Bihar at 3.2 per cent while Kerala at just raising the legal marriageable women empowerment say law 0.9 per cent had the lowest figure. age and policing them.” reform proposals for declaring In rural India, the survey says 2.6 “There is a tendency towards underage marriages void or impos- per cent girls were married before an overwhelming reliance on law ing greater penalties have failed to 18, while 37.4 per cent were married to transform social practices. The factor in how law operates within between 18 to 20 years and 60 per example of Karnataka’s hastily social realities. They emphasise cent at 21 years and above. In urban amended Prohibition of Child Mar- that these laws alone in their lit- India, the percentage of girls marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA) is a case in eral implementation are also not ried below 18 years was 1.6 per cent, point. The declaration of all under- transformational in nature for girls at least 23.2 per cent were married age marriages in 2016 there has not or the community in any way. between 19 and 20 years and 75.3 stopped underage marriages which Beyond nullifying and punishing, per cent were married at 21 years or reportedly continue to take place in they offer nothing by way of mean- later. And at the national level, the the state,” she adds. ingful or restorative resolution. The mean age of marriage for females in Most women’s rights experts experts and activists feel what actu- 2018 was 22.3 years while it varied feel the experience of girls who ally needed is providing incentive from 21.8 years in rural areas to 23.4 approach the courts for preventing for education, creating economic years in urban areas. early marriages and the risks they

26 VIDURA July-September 2020 Illustration: Angela Ferrao encounter in the process must form avoids fulfilling the promises taken uniformly, without reference to part of the policy discourses that during the marriage agreement. social pressures under which it seek to protect the rights of girls. Social workers then combine per- functions. They argue there is a Understanding the interface of the suasion with information about need to distinguish between dif- law and the social context is not an legal consequences of not just child ferent kinds of underage marriages option but a necessity. marriage laws but also domestic – forced, arranged, self-arranged Kriti Bharti, a social activist who violence laws that can be invoked (elopement) marriages and mar- established the Saarthi Trust in over extended periods of time. riages where the parties are in early Jodhpur and has been able to stop Madhu says there are other dif- or late adolescence. and annul about 1400 child and ficulties when parents are pros- Civil society workers should also underage marriages, has often ecuted for the early marriages of use an intersectional lens to see faced opposition in such opera- their daughters. “In cases where the how identification of caste, reli- tions. “When we try to counsel the police arrest the parents for violat- gion, poverty, sexual orientation family on the ill-effects of under- ing the PCMA, it often breaks the and gender identity of the children age marriages, sometimes they morale and confidence of the girl as and their families contribute to turn hostile, sometimes they make it means harm to her parents. This forced marriages or elopements, false promises to call the marriage affects the social workers’ efforts thus nuancing the complex areas of off, but later they take the girl to to have dialogue with parents and kinship intimacies and marriages. another location hastily to marry community members.Social work- Although Kriti agrees that raising her off. So direct confrontation with ers prefer to just invoke the law to the age limit is a step in the right family can be counter-productive,” negotiate with the family rather direction, she feels it requires more she says. than follow the letter of the law. than just an amendment to really Most experts say raising the legal Moreover, court processes take empower girls. She believes that age limit on its own would not be their own time, paying little heed to they would get some more years to effective. Other parallel processes the ground realities where the cus- pursue their education, but what is

have an important role to play. To tody of the girl is precarious with needed is skill development of girls ensure nullification of underage a high risk of her disappearance,” – empowerment will follow. < marriages, social workers have to she explains. engage with caste leaders to avoid Experts say the task force should (Courtesy: Charkha Features. The ostracism of the girl and her fam- also take into consideration the writer is a freelance journalist based ily. Social boycott and fines invari- fact that law reform proposals in Jaipur.) ably follow if the girl or her family often assume that the law operates

July-September 2020 VIDURA 27 Batting for women and raising the voice against liquor The anti-liquor movement suffers from lack of publicity. Bharat Dogra recounts his personal experiences as a journalist, to underline the case for better representation

t was a hot afternoon in the city the city, which was also the district that the state governor intervened of Saharanpur (Western Uttar headquarters. and the liquor vend in Pather was IPradesh). People looked curi- The women were shouting slo- shut down. ously at a small but determined gans against the government pol- This was several years ago. While group of women carrying ban- icy of setting up liquor vends even reporting on the movement for ners demanding the removal of in remote villages, which had led to magazines and newspapers, what the liquor shop in the village of rapid increase in liquor consump- impressed me most was the amaz- Pather. These women had organ- tion. The police responded with ing determination of the women ised a dharna (protest) at the vil- a lathi-charge, which left several in the face of heavy and increas- lage for several days, but since the women injured. But the dharna ing odds. Most of them were very administration was unresponsive continued till finally the move- poor, others worked with a vol- they had moved their protest to ment gained so much visibility untary organisation which was Illustration: Arun Ramkumar

28 VIDURA July-September 2020 being threatened at many levels by the legendary Shankar Guha exception. Also, I found women for supporting the movement. The Niyogi. After a major struggle, the editors more supportive, with strong commitment drew me to badly-needed wage increase was Mrinal Pandey, then the editor of other anti-liquor movements in the achieved, but with this, liquor con- Hindustan Times, being the most Hindi belt. sumption increased. encouraging. In fact, a 4000-word Another anti-liquor protest Women who had played an article I had written at the peak of which left a lasting impression important part in the struggle were the protest by the women of Pather on me, as a very young journalist, very upset by the unexpected side- was carried in full as the front-page was the one in Bhor Saidan Village effect. An anti-liquor campaign cover story in the paper’s Sunday (Kurukshetra District of Haryana). was launched. Niyogi started a edition. I was told me that the edi- Several elderly women had been fast to motivate workers to give tor had specifically said the article sitting in dharna demanding the up liquor. After several days, should not be cut as it reflected the ouster of the liquor shop from their thousands of union members took feelings of a very large number of village. The fervour with which a pledge to stay away from alco- women in the country. they petitioned me, as a journalist hol. Impartial follow-up revealed Unfortunately, the liquor lobby from Delhi, to do what I could to that well over 90 per cent kept their is very strong, and, while the further their cause, has stayed with word. ill effects of liquor are seldom me over the years, and motivated I was convinced that such efforts reported comprehensively, false me to report on other anti-liquor could succeed. I wrote several reports of the benefits of red wine protests and to write on social Hindi booklets which could be and moderate drinking are quite movements and policies to reduce used by social activists. Some often published. Such efforts alcohol consumption. movements used my articles to should be resisted and the highly Covering the protests helped me prepare their own booklets and adverse impact the consump- understand that introducing pro- pamphlets. I followed this up with tion of alcoholhas on health, soci- hibition was not enough by itself; it a well-researched comprehensive ety and the environment should had to be accompanied by a social account of the health, social and be presented very clearly in the movement against consumption of environmental impacts of liquor, media. Also, the efforts of social alcohol and other intoxicants. But which also debunked the myths movements to check liquor con-

some felt the extended scope was spread by the liquor lobby. sumption should be highlighted difficult to sustain. However, I faced problems in and supported. < However, there have been suc- getting the reports and articles cess stories. The biggest one I published in mainstream media. covered involved iron-ore miners Hindi newspapers were more of Dalli Rajhara, who were mem- willing to carry them than English bers of CMSS, a trade union led dailies, The Statesman being the

HT Media sees 77 per cent decline in ad revenues

HT Media has reported net loss of Rs 51.95 crore in the quarter ended June 2020 as compared to Rs 142.48 crore in the quarter ended June 2019. The total revenue is down by 59 per cent YoY. The total revenue stands at Rs 239.84 crore in the quarter ended June 2020 against Rs 588.27 crore in the previous year quarter. The media company states that the decline was witnessed across businesses mainly led by volume drops. In the print business, HT Media reported 77 per cent decline in ad revenues and 37 per cent drop in circulation revenues in the quarter ended June 2020 as compared to previous year quarter. Financial report mentioned that there was a decline in both commercial and government ad revenue streams, and

the impact on newspaper distribution affected circulation revenue. It gradually got better over May- June. <

(Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

July-September 2020 VIDURA 29 VIEW FROM THE NORTHEAST A chorus of protests rises against coal mining in elephant reserve

Nava Thakuria explores the rationale behind the media outcry over mining activity in the ecologically sensitive Dehing Patkai Region of Assam he Dehing Patkai Wildlife put up posts on Instagram, Face- Assam’s State bird (white winged Sanctuary in Assam has book, Twitter and other social wood duck), state flower (fox-tail Tbeen on the radar of social media platforms, calling for the orchid) and State tree (Hollong). It media platforms of late – for all the preservation of the sanctuary, and is also a cultural hub, with dozens wrong reasons. There were reports pointing out that the proposed of different ethnic groups, includ- circulating that the Central and mining activity would negatively ing indigenous Assamese commu- state governments had permitted impact the biodiversity, water and nities like Tai Phake, Khamyang, opencast coal mining within the land resources as well as the ethnic Khampti, Singpho, Nocte, Ahom, protected area, endangering wild- communities living there for cen- Koibarta, Moran and Motok, Tea- life. A campaign was mounted in turies. Politicians, student leaders, tribes, and Burmese- and Nepali- this regard, and many organisa- non-government organisation func- speaking people traditionally tions joined the bandwagon. It took tionaries, and even global bodies living in coexistence with the forest some time to get the facts right – like the Indigenous Peoples Move- ecosystem and using its resources there is actually no move to carry ment for Self-Determination and mindfully. on mining in the area. The pro- Liberation (IPMSDL) also joined Campaigners argued that when posal for coal mining relates to the the chorus. the Amazon forests in Brazil were reserve forest at Saleki under the The delicate Dehing Patkai eco- burning, the world wept, but only a designated Dehing Patkai Elephant system on the south bank of the few people are concerned about the Reserve, which does not come mighty Brahmaputra River has fate of Dehing Patkai. They called under the Wildlife Protection Act. been declared an elephant reserve. upon authorities and concerned Coal mining has been going on in Lying under the Eastern Himala- company officials to respect recog- the area since 1884. yas, the rainforest is also known as nised processes of exploiting nat- Environmentalists, celebrities, the Amazon of the East. The Dehing ural resources. They also appealed social activists and journalists had Patkai Forest Region is home to to society to defend the right to Photos: NT Forests form part of a nation’s built heritage. In recent years, many citizens have become aware of the need to preserve forests and the green cover.

30 VIDURA July-September 2020 self-determination and rich cultural coal mining operations inside the has now endorsed the demand for heritage of the Tai, Tibeto-Burmese sanctuary. expanding the area of Dehing Pat- and other ethnic communities. Nature’s Beckon recently reiter- kai Sanctuary to cover most of the The campaign to save the sanctu- ated its old demand to declare a 500 forests under the Elephant Reserve. ary slowly drew the attention of the sq km area of contiguous rainforests Supporting Datta’s proposal, PPFA public and various motivated ele- in Dehing Patkai as protected reserve said the initiative would not only ments tried to extract mileage from forests. The conservation group, protect the entire rainforest area, the situation. They tried to turn it which has published several books but also prevent motivated elements

into an environmental issue and like Rainforests of Assam, Dihing from extracting undue mileage from corner the state government over it. Patkai Abhyaranya and Namchangor the issue. < In this context, Soumyadeep Datta, Antespur as well as thousands of a dedicated environmental activist, awareness brochures, requested (The writer is a senior journalist has asserted that there is no min- Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and political commentator based in ing activity inside the Sanctuary to include the remaining and adjoin- Guwahati.) and it is completely safe. Datta, ing area of contiguous rainforest who leads conservation group under the umbrella of the Dehing Nature’s Beckon, alleged that some Patkai Sanctuary. groups were misleading the people The Patriotic People’s Front Assam with false information about the (PPFA), a forum of nationalists,

Nitin Sethi, Shiv Sahay bag the top spots at ACJ Journalism Awards 2019

Journalists Nitin Sethi and Shiv Sahay Singh were declared winners of the Asian College of Journalism’s Award for Investigative Journalism and the KP Narayana Kumar Memorial Award for Social Impact Journalism, respectively, at an awards ceremony conducted online due to the ongoing Covid19 pandemic. Sethi’s six-part series titled Paisa Politics, which was published by The Huffington Post India, was chosen as the winning entry in the investigative journalism category, while Singh’s story, Death by Digital Exclusion: On Faulty Public Distribution System in Jharkhand, published in The Hindu, was declared the winner of the inaugural social impact journalism award. The jury comprising Senthil Changalvarayan, Vidya Subrahmaniam and Jose Martin Tharakan chose the winners from ten shortlisted entries in each category. Both awards comprise trophies and citations, while the Investigative Journalism Award winner received INR 200000 in prize money, the Social Impact Award winner received INR 100000. The awards were presented to the winners by the Chief Guest Dr Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist of the World Health Organisation, at the Inauguration of the Class of 2021. Dr Swaminathan’s keynote address was on the ‘Covid 19 Pandemic: What we know and the role of the media’. The efforts of two other journalists have been awarded special mentions by the jury in the Investigative Journalism Category: Jeff Joseph Paul Kadicheeni’s work Kerala’s Contentious Quarries published in The Lede, and Rohini Mohan’s work, Worse Than A Death Sentence: Inside Assam’s Sham Trials That Could Strip Millions Of Citizenship that was published on Scroll.in. The ACJ Journalism Awards Committee received 105 entries in the investigative journalism category and 147 entries in the social impact journalism category. The entries came in seven languages from over 60 news organisations and publications as well as independent/freelance journalists from across India for the 2019 edition of the awards. Two preliminary juries comprising 18 faculty members of the ACJ selected entries for the perusal of the final jury. The KP Narayana Kumar Memorial Award for Social Impact Journalism was instituted as an effort to

keep alive the legacy of K.P. Narayana Kumar, a graduate of the ACJ from the Class of 2001, who passed away last year. <

July-September 2020 VIDURA 31 GREAT INDIAN EDITORS Journalist, social reformer, a crusader for Odia pride

Nilamani Vidyaratna is considered to be the first professional journalist and editor in Odisha. He devoted his life to journalism. In fact, he played a critical role in giving journalism in Odisha the professional touch. Says Mrinal Chatterjee s an editor, Nilamani to be a known scholar in the field of In 1895, Nilamani was awarded Vidyaratna (Pandit was an Sanskrit and Odia literature. with the prestigious title Vidyaratna Ahonorific conferred to him) In 1887, at the age of 23, Nilamani by Sir Basudev Subdhal Dev in rec- he played an important role in the took over as the editor of Sambalpur ognition of his contribution for unification of Odia speaking areas Hitaishini, published by the Raja of spread of knowledge and language. into a separate province, though he Bamenda, Basudev Sudhal Dev. Nilamani also made an honor- was not alive to see the day when He edited the paper for more than ary member of the State Council it actually materialised on 1st April 16 years. The paper carried news of the princely state of Bamanda. 1936. In fact, he was one of the most of the region – Bamanda and other However, he left Bamanda in 1902 stubborn crusaders of unification princely states around Sambalpur on account of differences of opin- of Odia-speaking areas into a sepa- – along with general news of the ion with the Raja on some issues rate province and protection of the country and the world. The style of and joined hands with the Raja of language from being replaced by its writings catered to the taste of Khallikote. Hindi, Telugu, and Bengali as the learned people. In addition to news, Nilamani came to Ganjam in 1902 official language. it published poems, essays, literary and became the editor of Praja- Pandit Nilamani Vidyaratna discussions. Almost all prominent bandhu magazine, published by the was the founder of Odia weekly writers and thinkers of that period Raja of Khalikote, Harihar Mardaraj. paper Praja Bandhu. Published including Madhusudan Rao, Viswa- It was here that he organized Utkal from Ganjam, the newspaper was nath Kar, Fakir Mohan, Sacchidan- Sabha (later known as Madras Odia on the forefront of the language anda Deb and Jalandhar Deb used Association) with the support of the movement of Odisha. He sought to write for the paper. Raja in Berhampur. He invited two for separate statehood for Odia Sambalpur Hitaishini promoted great Odia nationalists, Madhusu- people and campaigned against Odia literature and culture and nur- dan Das and Biswanath Kar, to the the colonial government for tured a generation of Odia writers. organization, clearing way for their replacing Odia with Hindi as the Nilamani also edited a magazine future association. official language at the time when called Indradhanu. He encouraged The conference laid the foundation Sambalpur was a part of Madhya contemporary poets like Gangadhar for Utkal Sammilani, which spear- Pradesh (Central Provinces). By Meher and Radhanath Ray by pub- headed the movement for the uni- then, Hindi used to be the official lishing their literary works in the fication of Odia-speaking tracts into language in the area. journals edited by him. However, a separate province. In 1903, under Nilamani was born on December he never hesitated to criticise certain the leadership of the Raja of Khal- 14, 1867, in Village Brajabehari- trends followed by the Odia writers likote, Raja Harihar Mardaj, Odias pur near Banki in Cuttack District during the period. of Ganjam formed Ganjam Jatiya of Odisha. His father’s name was At the time, Sambalpur formed Samiti, which demanded the unifi- Shouricharan Mishra and his moth- a part of Madhya Pradesh (Cen- cation of Ganjam (then in Madras) er’s name Rohini Devi. Nilamani tral Provinces) and Hindi used to with other Oriya areas. Nilamani struggled through poverty through- be the official language in this area. remained the guiding force. out childhood. However, poverty Nilamani campaigned relentlessly After leaving Khallikote, Nila- and hunger didn’t stop hsi thirst for against this in the pages of Hitaishini mani edited Ganjam Gunadarpan, knowledge and he successfully com- and forced the government to replace which was published by the Raja of pleted his studies up to the seventh Hindi with Odia as the official lan- Badakhemandi, Anangabhima Dev. standard. With time, he turned out guage in Sambalpur in 1903. While in Badakhemandi, he brought

32 VIDURA July-September 2020 a place for his public health treatises. He was the first Odia writer to give special attention to the health and public diseases with a considerable appreciation of western and eastern medicine. His works on health and medicine include Go Chikitsa (1895), Jwara Chikitsa (1898), Basanta Roga Chikitsa, Jibanabandhu (on water and science), Bisuchika Chikitsa, Bata Jwara, Pittala Jwara, Kapha Jwara, San- nipata Jwara. Some of these texts were published in 1899 with the patronage of Samanta Raj Narayan Das, the benevolent Zamindar of Balasore. In his last years, Pandit Nilamani Vidyaratna became the editor of Photos: MC the prestigious Odia weekly, Utkala Akhyanmala written by Nilamani Vidyaratna and (right)Utkal Madhupa edited Deepika, the first Odia newspaper. by Nilamani Vidyaratna. Nevertheless, he gave up this job out a monthly magazine called Utkal marginalised class of people (the shortly afterwards when he had dif- Madhupa, in which one could see the word Dalit was not in vogue then) ferences of opinion with the other beginning of the effort that culmi- of Odisha as early as 1915 and advo- members of its board of directors. nated in the compilation of encyclo- cated the formations of the Unnati He tried to set up a press and bring pedia in Odia years later. Bidhayini Samity for the oppressed out a magazine on his own. But this

dream remained unfulfilled as death Nilamani worked tirelessly for the class which was then a movement < creation of Odisha state through his at the all-India level. While in Bada- overtook him on 26th July, 1924. literary works. He never compro- khemundi of Ganjam, he was asso- mised with his morals. He had real- ciated with Deshonnati Bidhayini (The author heads the Indian ized that literary magazines could Samityand Yubaka Samity for the Institute of Mass Communication be powerful instruments through awakening of the youth. Gunadarpan in Dhenkanal, Odisha.This is the which Odia community could be under his editorship could focus on thirteenth in a series of profiles of awakened to the possibilities held several important issues relating to great Indian newspaper editors who out by the modern world. Through the formation of Odia identity and have, through the course of their work his literary works, he evoked he was very much interested in the and career, made a signal contribution Odia pride among the masses and rise of a literary class there. to India’s Freedom Movement, to attempted to unite the civil society A major work of Nilamani was his the development of society and to the in support of the cause. contribution to public health which development of Journalism.) Nilamani was eager for the was rare in the colonial phase. In development of the neglected and the social history of Odisha, he had

Dainik Jagran’s Sanjay Gupta on Prasar Bharati Board

Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati will have five new part-time members on its boards, according to media reports, including Dainik Jagran editor-in-chief Sanjay Gupta. The other four members will be veteran journalist Ashok Tandon, music composer Salim Merchant, BJP leader Shaina NC and corporate personality Alok Agarwal, say the reports. The board looks into the functioning of Doordarshan and the

All India Radio. There can be six part-time members on the board. Currently, five of these posts had been vacant. The sixth member currently is actress Kajol. <

(Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

July-September 2020 VIDURA 33 A pioneer among newspapers, a leader of the voiceless

On the occasion of the centenary of a small, short-lived Marathi newspaper called Mooknayak started by B.R Ambedkar, Pulugurta Chandra Sekhar explores the contributions the social activist and political leader made to journalism and Dalit literature

n January 31, 1920, a cen- newsreaders whose job it was to post of Edito as he was careless in tury ago, B.R.Ambedkar read out the Mooknayak in the Dalit his work; he was replaced by Dhru Ofounded a newspaper colonies and village panchayats Nath Gholap, who was passionate named Mooknayak (meaning, under his control. The masses about journalism and social activ- leader of voiceless). Notwithstand- were inspired by the contents of ism. He wrote editorials as well as ing its short life, Mooknayak marked the newspaper to intensify their articles on burning issues. the firming up of organised Dalit movement. Mooknayak published articles on politics and heralded a brand of The Marathi fortnightly was various social evils in the country anti-caste politics that breached printed at theManoranjan Print- and competed with newspapers regional, language and political ing Press belonging to Kashinath like Tilak’s Kesari andAgarkar’s boundaries and kept step with the Raghunath Mitra, and was pub- Sudharak on national issues such as larger developments on the nation- lished from 14 Hararawala Build- politics, freedom and social dem- alist scene. ing, Botaliwala Road, Poibadi Parel ocracy. The newspaper reported Babasaheb Ambedkar had an Mumbai. The annual subscription on atrocities against untouchables understanding of the role of the was Rs 2. It also published adver- and difficulties faced by students press as a means of communicating tisements as a revenue-earning of the community in the schools with the masses. He realised the measure. and hostels. It taught the masses importance of a newspaper in creat- Five issues of Mooknayak were to fight against injustice. It carried ing awareness and forming public devoted to exhaustively discuss- editorials titled Vividha Vichara, opinion on political rights. Though ing the idea of swarajya (freedom) apart from Letters to the Editor Ambedkar was appreciative of at a time when India was equip- called, Shela Pagote. It also covered the non-Brahmin-run newspapers ping itself for rebirth as a demo- in detail an important conference of like Dinmitra, Jagaruk, Deccan Ryot, cratic nation. In the first issue, depressed classes held at Nagpur in Vijayee Maratha, Jnan Prakash and Ambedkar observed that swarajya 1920, devoting a whole issue for the Subodha Patrikawhich often wrote involved freeing the masses from coverage. editorials on the downtrodden the problems that were tying them Babasaheb Ambedkar wrote edi- masses, he wanted a newspaper down, and abolition of the caste torials for 12 issues of Mooknayak. devoted to the untouchable classes. system. He told his readers that Later, he went to London for higher When Chhatrapati Shahu Maha- if swarajya was seen in this light, studies but kept himself updated raja of Kolhapur came to Mumbai, far from appearing to be a “weird about the status of the newspaper. Ambedkar and his close associates apparition” it would be clear that Gholap and Sitaram Shivtarkar decided to discuss the plan of start- it would lead to a “system of gov- handled the affairs of Mooknayak. ing a newspaper with him. The ernment in which you yourselves Shivtarkar’s work influenced thou- Maharaja was so delighted by the stand a chance, other things being sands of people. Mooknayak became plan that he immediately donated equal”. He said, “Think about your a pioneer in exposing the injustices Rs 2500 to the cause. Ambedkar best interests, and I am sure you against the socially downtrodden took the lead in setting up the paper will accept swarajya as your goal.” castes. It can be considered a mile- and raised funds from Mahara- Since Amebdkar was working stone in the history of Dalit media. jas, salaried people, the common as a college professor, he could The management of the newspaper man, and even sympathetic British not legally hold the post of edi- was controlled by Gholap. But it officials. tor of Mooknayak. So, he brought had to be stopped due to monetary Chhatrapati Shahuji was so in Pandurang Nandram Bhatkarto limitations. committed to the cause that he take the position. However, Bhat- When Babasaheb Ambedkar even appointed paid Marathi karhad to be removed from the returned to India in 1923, he was

34 VIDURA July-September 2020 The journey of Ambedkar as a journalist lasted nearly four decades. He made a significant impact on the evolution of Marathi journalism. The influence of his writings started a new chapter in Marathi literature.His journals were read even in the Vidarbha and Konkan regions. His work shaped Dalit writings. His critical style and emphasis on facts became the foun-

Photo: PC dation for Dalit literature during The masthead of the first issue ofMooknayak . 1960s, and was reflected in biogra- phies (atma kathans), novels, stories keen on restarting Mooknayak. How- six years after starting Mooknayak, and poetry aimed at exposing the ever, Gholap was not ready to hand he launched a newspaper named injustices of the society. Yet, des- over the responsibility to him. In Bahishkrit Bharat (Excluded India). pite his significant achievements, 1923, Gholap went to Satara to Initially, Babasaheb Ambed- Ambedkar’s contribution to jour-

restart the Mooknayak with the help kar had some difficulty writing in nalism, be it in Marathi or other < of non-Brahmin leaders of the dis- Marathi as he was educated in an languages, is ignored. trict like Bhavurao Payagouda Patil, English medium school. He would K.C. Thakar and Dhanaji Bai Thakre. write the editorials in English and (The writer presently works for However, he did not succeed. get them translated to Marathi. Doordarshan after a stint at the Ambedkar also abandoned the Slowly he started writing in Mara- Prasar Bharati Secretariat and serving idea of restarting Mooknayak and, thi with help of his associates. He the News Services Division of All instead, tried to analyse the setbacks was mainly interested in seeing that India Radio for three decades. He has that had affected the paper. He then the message reached the masses. authored two books: New Media and formed the Bahishkrit Hitakarini But Ambedkar’s Marathi style was Virtual Media and All India Radio - Sabha. He wrote a pamphlet on 4th robust.An analysis of his editorials Sustaining Through Innovations.) December 1924, laying out his plans shows that his Marathi style was to start a full-fledged printing press, more powerful than English. His Bharat Bhooshan, and a newspaper technique of communication was too. He appealed for public con- strikingly ethnic, a quality he inher- tributions for the Rs 20000 needed ited from his father.He used Mara- to realise his dream. The public thi proverbs and hymns to attract responded and on 3rd April 1927, readers.

Shreyams Kumar is member of PTI Board

The Press Trust of India has appointed Mathrubhumi Managing Director M.V. Shreyams Kumar as a new member of its board of directors. The appointment has come into effect from June 5. Kumar was appointed in the casual vacancy due to the death of former Mathrubhumi Chairman and Managing Director M.P. Veerendra Kumar. Kumar is also the Central Executive Committee member and Kerala Regional Committee Shreyams Chairman of the Indian Newspaper Society. He is also serving as the Global VP of the

Kumar. International Advertising Association, executive committee member of News Broadcasters Association, and president of Kerala Television Federation. <

(Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

July-September 2020 VIDURA 35 A forgotten magazine that catered to students and young men Prabuddha Bharata, the official organ of the Ramakrishna Order is probably India’s oldest spiritual magazine, in continuous publication since 1898. Its origin, however, dates to two years earlier, when its predecessor Awakened India was being brought out from Chennai by a few ardent devotees of Swami Vivekananda. Karthik Bhatt pofiles the short-lived magazine and its illustrious editor for its entire duration, B.R. Rajam Iyer

wami Vivekananda’s close youngsters. In his reply dated April around this time that his interest association with Madras and 14, 1896 Swami Vivekananda wel- in Literature started taking wings. Sthe role played by its citizens comed the idea and exhorted him He greatly revelled in the works in ensuring his visit to the Parlia- to make “it independent, following of its masters such as Shakespeare, ment of World Religions in 1893 is the same lines as the Brahmavadin, Byron, Keats and George Elliott a well-documented one. Foremost only making the style and matter and was particularly influenced amongst them was M.C. Alasinga much more popular” and avoiding by Shelley and Wordsworth. His Perumal, who was instrumental in “all attempts to make the journal interest was not confined to English introducing the monk to the people scholarly”. The name of the maga- Literature, for he also delved deep of Madras by first organising his lec- zine was chosen by Swami Vive- into the works of Thayumanavar ture at the Triplicane Literary Soci- kananda himself. and Kamban, whom he considered ety. Swami Vivekananda was greatly The prospectus published in the to be the greatest poet in the world. appreciative of the work done by the first issue that came out in July 1896 1892 was an important year in Madras Boys, as he fondly referred bemoaned the materialism that held Rajam Iyer’s life. It was when the to the group of people from the city sway in the country as a result of “the public first took note of his scholar- who spared no effort in ensuring his one-sided Western education given liness, following the publication of visit to America. in schools and colleges” and viewed his critical review of Kachikalam- The Parliament of World Religions this publication as an attempt to bakam, a Tamil poem by Professor heralded the birth of a star. His remedy the state of affairs. It sought Ranganatha Mudaliar in the Chris- legendary opening line at the con- to be a supplement to Brahmavadin tian College magazine. It was also ference and the reaction of the audi- in as much as it sought to do “for the year the Viveka Chintamani, a ence provided the spark for igniting students, young men and others Tamil monthly magazine edited by his work of propagating the ideals of what it was already doing for the C.V. Swaminatha Iyer first came out. Indian philosophy and religion and more advanced classes”. The magazine would serialise his set the tone for a series of lectures The prospectus was signed by P. only work Aabathukidamana Aba- across the country. With his popu- Aiyasami, B.V. Kameswara Iyer, vaadham or Kamalambal Charithram larity growing in the West, the time G.G. Narasimhacharya (a relative of as it is popularly known today. It is was ripe for spreading the word of Alasinga Perumal) and B.R. Rajam credited with being the second novel Vedanta and carrying the message Iyer. The subscription was fixed at written in Tamil, after Prathapa of our scriptures to the masses in our a nominal rate of Rs 1-8 per annum Mudaliar Charithram by Vedan- country. Swami Vivekananda wrote inclusive of postage to ensure that ayagam Pillai. (It is very likely the to Alasinga Perumal on the need to magazine reached a wide base. The third novel, for the second was once start a journal on “Vedantic lines” mantle of editing the magazine fell again a Vedanayagam Pillai creation and thus was born the Brahmavadin, on B.R. Rajam Iyer, who was then – Sugunambal Charittiram, published its first issue coming out in Septem- making rapid strides in the world in 1887: Madras Musings editor). ber 1895. of writing. In 1894, Rajam Iyer set about Prabuddha Bharata or Awakened Born in 1872 in Batlagundu, his quest for the Ultimate Truth India had its genesis in an idea that Rajam Iyer had had his early edu- as propagated by the Hindu phi- yet another of Swami Vivekanan- cation in Madurai, before coming losophy – that of finding ananda da’s close disciples in Madras Dr. to Madras and graduating from the or infinite happiness. After travel- M.C. Nanjunda Rao had proposed Madras Christian College in 1889. ling from place to place in search and had written to him about, He joined the Law College but did of a guide who could show him the that of starting a magazine for the not finish his course, for it was path, he came back to Madras at the

36 VIDURA July-September 2020 at the same time ensuring that the content was kept simple. His inter- pretation of Vedanta was found to be a unique one. He almost single- handedly ran the magazine, for he wrote every article save for the contributions and extracts columns. All this, while recovering from an acute attack of intestinal obstruction that almost killed him in October 1896. The magazine was a great success for it gathered around 1500 subscribers right at the beginning, which grew to 4500 by the end of the first year, making it one of the most widely circulated journals of its time. The euphoria would however last only for two years, for the editorial of the June 1898 issue read ‘Fare- well’. Rajam Iyer had passed away a month earlier owing to an attack of Bright’s Disease, leaving behind his parents and a young wife. With a sudden void that was hard to fill, it was decided to close the magazine. The magazine, however, was res- urrected two months later as the Prabuddha Bharata by the Ramak- rishna Mission which had just been established as an institution. Its offices were moved to the Advaita Ashrama in Mayawati near Almora in the Himalayas, a place that had been

Photo: MM bought by Captain J.J. Sevier and his An issue of Awakened India dating to March 1897. wife, two of Swami Vivekananda’s foremost western disciples. end of 1895, where a big responsi- Rajam Iyer poured his heart and Rajam Iyer’s writings in Awakened

bility awaited him. He wrote an soul in the pages of Awakened India were subsequently brought essay for the Brahmavadin in one India. Writing under the pseud- out in the form of a collection titled < of its early issues which caught the onyms of T.C. Natarajan, M. Ran- Rambles in Vedanta. attention of Alasinga Perumal, who ganatha Sastri, A Recluse and sought him out when Awakened Nobody-knows-who, he wrote on (Courtesy: Madras Musings.) India was being organised. several aspects of Vedanta, while

Darpan Singh is executive editor, India Today

India Today Group has appointed Darpan Singh, former deputy editor of Mail Today, as executive editor at Indiatoday.in. Singh has close to two decades of experience in reporting and has served stints at

leading media houses such as Hindustan Times, DNA, Times Group, The Asian Age in the past. His longest stint has been with Hindustan Times. <

(Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

July-September 2020 VIDURA 37 Turning death into a circus

The death of celebrities automatically becomes a matter of public interest. But at what point does natural curiosity turn into voyeurism? Where should the media draw the line between thorough, factual reporting and unhealthy sensationalism? Shoma A. Chatterji searches for answers eath has become a topic of the person or event that he is report- channel actually had the reporter intense journalistic interest ing on into the ‘object’ of the report. get into an empty bath tub in D– especially sudden, unnat- A classic example is the treatment by front of the camera to show what ural death. So much so that a new a section of the media of the untimely could have happened. Except that, brand of journalism has emerged, death of noted actress Sridevi in Janu- there was no water in the tub he which goes beyond Yellow Journal- ary 2019. She was found dead in a used, or a tap or shower visible ism, which thrives on seeking out bathtub and the post-mortem report either. So what was he trying to sensational news, or sensationalis- showed she had suffered a fatal heart prove? Unlike Sridevi, he neither ing even innocuous news, to boost attack while bathing. drowned nor died. This is exactly TRPs (television rating points) or Instead of focussing on the what Gonzo Journalism is. increase a newspaper’s circulation. actress’s glittering career, some The worst instances of celebrity The new brand, Gonzo Journalism, journalists raised questions about deaths that the media used to feed adopts a different approach and her death – was it a natural death? the curiosity of the general public style of writing. Was it a suicide? Or something were those of film star Marylyn In this genre, if it can be termed else? Though there was no overt Munroe and Britain’s iconic Prin- that, the journalist assumes the role accusation, the implication was cess Diana. The actress’s death hap- of the subject of the story, and turns plain – murder. One Telugu news pened in 1962, and the media went Illustration: Arun Ramkumar

38 VIDURA July-September 2020 crazy, speculating whether it was a depression and conquered suicidal Journalist Martand Jha says “many case of suicide, an accidental death, tendencies. prominent news channels, particu- a drug overdose, or something Then there came the still ongoing larly Hindi channels, transgressed else. Even today, every August, debate in the media on the ques- all norms and ethics of journalism the month of her death, the echoes tion of nepotism. This is the bane in the coverage of his death. From reverberate in the theories that are of practically every field of life. Is it a reporter of a channel asking the still aired. Princess Diana fell vic- ethically correct to piggy back on the grieving and crushed father of tim to paparazzi, and the site of her tragic death of a rising young actor Sushant how he was feeling, to that fatal accident in Paris has become a to attack this trend specifically in same channel running a news ticker tourist attraction. the film industry? Why was no one stating, “Aise kaise hit wicket ho gaya More recently, a section of the called out for this problem earlier? Sushant” (how did Sushant get out media turned young actor Sushant News coverage of death and dying hit wicket).” Singh Rajput’s death into a circus, has found increased attention in aca- Jha sums up the situation in this serving up a cocktail of intrigue, demic research in recent years. A way: “The rot lies within the system with references to other tragedies few years ago, the European Journal of in which the media is functioning… in the lives of the rich and famous Communication published a paper on the audience collectively needs to thrown in. Speculation was rife Sensationalising Death. The focus of stop watching these channels and

whether it was a suicide, a coerced the study was the generalised asser- start holding the owners and adver- suicide or a murder. Suicidal hel- tions made by newspapers based on tisers accountable.” < plines opened up across digital inadequate or incomplete empirical media and social networking sites. evidence. Attention has now shifted (The writer is a senior journalist Armchair experts on depression from the written word to visual and film historian based in Kolkata. mushroomed, offering theories and representations. She was presented the South Asia solutions. There were also quite a Writing for The Citizen website Laadli Media and Advertising Award few personal testimonials from about the way the media handled for Gender Sensitivity 2017. ) people who said they had overcome Sushant Singh Rajput’s death,

Call for equal rights to land, property for women

Women need to have equal legal rights related to land and property, said M. Venkaiah Naidu, vice- president of India. Speaking at the inauguration of a conference on ‘Science for resilient food, nutrition and livelihoods’ organised by the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, he referred specifically to women farmers. “Land rights are very important for women farmers. In our system, land rights are usually given to men, though changes are slowly coming in. Land rights have to be given to women also; house patta, titles and all properties have to be in the names of both men and women farmers.” Emphasising the importance of anticipatory research and collaboration, Naidu also spoke of integrating traditional knowledge with other forms of knowledge. Saluting India’s farmers for achieving a record food grain production in spite the pandemic and other distress, he said urgent focus and concerted action were needed in regard to nutrition. Listing multiple schemes for health and nutrition initiated by the Government of India, he underlined the need to manage the impact of and conflicts associated with climate change. According to an MSSRF press release, Naidu, speaking of the government’s commitment to doubling farmers’ income, appreciated Prof M.S. Swaminathan’s views on agriculture and added that he would try to make these ideas known at various levels, including in Parliament. In his address, Prof Swaminathan said the government’s commitment to doubling farmers’ income needed to continue and added that the issue of the rights of women farmers should be taken up in Parliament. Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India Professor K. Vijayaraghavan stressed the need to learn from situations such as the pandemic. “We need a new model of sustainable development that has less or zero negative impact on natural resources and our biodiversity whileimproving the quality of life,”

he said, adding that it was possible to achieve this by using science and technology. Chairperson MSSRF Dr Madhura Swaminathan said the Foundation was continuing to look for“science-based solutions and < methodologies to improve agricultural incomes and livelihoods in India and elsewhere.”

(Courtesy: MSSRF)

July-September 2020 VIDURA 39 OTT platforms and the new dynamics in watching cinema Gulabo Sitabo, starring Amitabh Bacchan and directed by Shoojit Sircar in June this year was not released in multiplexes and theatre halls, but on an OTT platform: Amazon Prime Video. The film made on a budget of 45-crore was reportedly sold for 65-crore. However, hit film Piku, made at a cost of 25-crore, went on to make over Rs 100-crore when it was released nationwide in theatre halls. Manjira Majumdar says the focus for now is very much on OTT media, the ‘new normal’ t is said when one door closes, audiences has its own share of fun. big screen for seeing a film in a dark- a window opens. Attributed to Laughing or even crying together in ened hall is a magical experience. It Iscientist-inventor Alexander a dark hall and munching popcorn should not be allowed to die.” Graham Bell, who also said, “we with family was an unbeatable expe- But while well-known filmmak- often look so long and so regret- rience. It still is but the villain of this ers are waiting for things to change, fully upon the closed door that piece, at least for now, is not OTT. OTT platform is good enough for we do not see the one which has It is the COVID-19 virus. Naturally, releases at this point of time, they opened for us.” This applies to the multiplex owners are not happy. opine. Therefore several big-bud- businesses even more. If we take The threat from the virus has get films are lined up. Producers, media and entertainment in total- forced a world-wide lockdown that however, feel that OTT platforms ity, due to the convergences that is perhaps, gradually easing and are a perfect answer to end the star have taken place over time, going imposed in turns. People are still syndrome of big films and focus on digital was the next logical step. being advised to stay at home and good story telling. While multiplexes offered whole- venture out only when absolutely OTT also resolves an important some entertainment at malls in not required. Public gathering are ruled issue for the genuine film lover – the just comfort but with a choice of out so entertainment and restaurant documentary film. When released seats (sitting, reclining and even business is taking a huge hit. And it in halls, it hardly pulls in the audi- lying down), besides an offer of may be a while before flock to the ences but on OTT platforms, one can combo snacks, these did sound a theatres. view the latest documentaries from death knell to the stand-alone theatre The argument here is that whether all over the world. halls. So are OTT platforms going a film, already made, should settle Another important aspect of OTT to replace multiplexes? Will these for an outright sale for there is no platform is the content. Should it times, almost resembling a world guarantee when that film is going to be spared censorship? Even if old war, bring about a change in the way be released, if at all. The gamble with films are available, the newer ones we view entertainment? theatrical releases is that a film can are being given a different and adult As we know over-the-top (OTT) swing either way but now, one has look. At one time it was argued that media service is streaming of films, the safer option as a choice. films were being made only for mul- documentaries and serials over the While everyone is praying that the tiplex audiences because of the cost Internet. It bypasses cable, broad- economy bounces back, we haven’t factor and viewer profile. cast, and satellite television plat- experienced the full recession yet, so The debate has now shifted to OTT forms. Therefore it cuts through we do not know what lies ahead. We content. As communication special- monopolistic channels and gives the must acknowledge the risk-taking ist Prasoon Joshi writes in The Indian consumers a direct access viewing abilities of businessmen and entre- Express in July, “Cinema is a more and at their chosen time. The charges preneurs because it is natural for mass public consumption prod- are covered by data. humans to reinvent themselves to uct, web series and OTT platforms Even with the multiplexes, OTT survive. And in reinventing business are ostensibly more individualistic services such as Netflix, Amazon modules can keep the money rolling. and watched over personal screens. Prime, Disney + Hotstar and various According to director Sudhir However, the pandemic has changed local streaming channels were strong Mishra, OTT is just another platform. perspectives and consumer habits.” contenders for the revenue pie. But It does not signify the end of theatres Therefore, his view is that with the watching a film in multiplex or a sin- but provides an alternative. “Films new order coming in, cultural sensi- gle hall meant being among larger should continue to be made for the bilities must be borne in mind.

40 VIDURA July-September 2020 Illustration: Angela Ferrao

OTT players have already signed making film makers to come up and findings may just have to be a best practices code for regulation with newer interesting styles re-worked. < of online content. In January, 2019, and genre. How the films will be OTT players such as Netflix, Hot- shot is another area where some (The writer is a lecturer in print star and other online-curated con- changes will be effected due to journalism and lives in Kolkata.) tent providers under the umbrella the pandemic threats and perhaps of the Internet and Mobile Asso- those will be here to stay. ciation of India, did so, with the The Ernst & Young Digital www.pressinstitute.in objective to empower consumers Media Report projects 30-35 mil- to make informed choices. lion paying OTT subscribers by Netflix is producing original 2021. A recent Boston Consulting content or buying off content Group reports suggests that about internationally and locally and 75 per cent of content will be con- subscriptions world-wide is mak- sumed on OTT platforms by 2021. ing it a feasible business but now By 2023, content consumed on there will be a demand for more OTT platforms will touch the bil- and more content which can lead lion dollar mark. The film indus- to indifferent content. The audi- try, hopefully not dead by then, ence is a hungry beast. will have to associate with the So, with 40 OTT platforms OTT platforms, regarding rights in India and growing, there is and distribution. But given the a demand for content which is present scenario, these studies

July-September 2020 VIDURA 41 Embracing diversity and letting passion for art do the talking

After watching Rajiv Menon’s inspirational feature film Sarvam Thaalamayam, a sensitive treatment of the subject of caste and elitism in the world of Carnatic music, V. Ramnarayan says it also brings to us the sweet taste of success that passion and love for art can bring against all odds, and despite chicanery and opposition at every stage

he movie Sarvam Thaala- served in plastic cups, not the usual multiple personae from Vijay fan mayam is about the obses- glasses, in a teastall. through hip-hop drummer to street Tsion of a young lad hailing What I like even more are the fighter to obsessive convert to the from a Dalit Christian family — lack of condescension in the man- magic of classical mridangam and mridangam makers for genera- ner the screenplay treats the pro- Kumaravel is effortlessly credible tions — with learning to become tagonist’s hysterical affiliation to as the inheritor of a legacy of mri- a concert percussionist in Carnatic popular film star Vijay’s fan club dangam-making that allows him no music. Rejection and ostracism all and the absence of melodrama in self-indulgence, no illusions about round, with his parents and finally scenes showing blood donation acceptance into the exalted world even his compassionate guru join- to child cancer victims and other of classical music. ing in a shattering chorus of disap- good deeds of the street fighters of Sumesh Narayanan, an accom- proval almost crush his dreams. He the movie. Of humour, there is no plished vidwan of NRI origin, despairs of ever finding a teacher shortage. As when the venerable brings dignified credibility to his as great as his erstwhile guru, but mridangam guru fails to suppress role. Shanta Dhananjayan and in a moment of epiphany, follows his mirth at Peter’s instant recogni- Aparna Balamurali quietly lend the selfless advice of his godsend tion of Vijayadasami day. “June 22, substance to their roles as the of a girlfriend and seeks teachings sir, it is Vijay sir’s birthday!” women who intervene strategically from the bewildering variety of Even the most villainous char- in Peter Johnson’s journey towards musics — folk, devotional, roman- acter of the film is not all bad. fulfilment. The music direction by tic, martial, festive — that India Here again, the director makes no A.R. Rahman is impeccable and abounds in. attempt at showing ‘the villain’s’ appropriate scene by scene, shot The miracle that reunites him transformation when he redeems by shot. The Carnatic music seg- with his guru who relents from his himself in the final scene after ments are totally authentic, with no earlier orthodox contempt for real- scheming to get Peter defeated by attempt to woo the box office. ity shows and trains him for one, his disciple — one he stole from The main reason why I took and the boy’s eventual triumph in under his guru’s nose. He is instead so long to watch Sarvam Thaala- the contest make for a memorable seen as won over by the sheer bril- mayam was that I mistook it to be a climax. In the finale, even a wily liance of the new champion’s per- new avatar of a Rajiv Menon-made judge opposed to him is moved cussion. The loser, too, is a gallant documentary on mridangam mae- enough by Peter’s extraordinary runner-up, not an object of ridicule. stro Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman, originality (inspired by his eclectic Rajiv Menon has extracted which I had seen a few years ago. journey of discovery) to award him exceptional performances from an I was delighted to see UKS’s name a perfect ten. ensemble cast. Nedumudi Venu in the credits. His inputs and per- The movie does not follow a breathes life into the role of eminent sonal example are clearly evident in hardliner narrative. Nowhere is mridanga vidwan Vembu Iyer, an the film. Sivaraman did impart his caste even mentioned. Though we unbending traditionalist wedded to art to his dalit mridangam maker’s know from Johnson’s name that his art, who can spot talent no mat- son, didn’t he? he is Christian, we only learn he is ter where it resides, while Vineeth I think Sarvam Thaalamayam is Dalit by inference — the commu- as his senior sishya (disciple) jealous an important step towards inclu- nity are known in the south to be of new arrival G.V. Prakash Kumar siveness in classical music. Elitism makers of the mridangam requir- is unrecognisable from the matinee and casteism are indefensible in any ing the usage of the skin of cattle, idol we have known him. Prakash walk of life, but to paint whole gen- and Peter and Johnson senior are himself effortlessly straddles erations of classical musicians as

42 VIDURA July-September 2020 Photos: Internet Posters of Sarvam Thaalamayam. blatant perpetuators of discrimina- In an online discussion, Rahman of classical music. Varalama more tion and indulge in strident name- and Menon disclosed that the film accurately describes the story of calling would seem to be just so was originally tentatively named Johnson’s yearning than Sarvam

much posturing rather than a sin- Varalama?, the opening word of Thaalamayam, which stresses the cere attempt at reform. The enlight- the beautiful title song, apparently presence of rhythm in every aspect< ened among our musicians, in inspired by Gopalakrishna Bhara- of life. both the north and the south, have ti’s classic Varugalano Ayya from embraced diversity in their art as the movie, Nandanar Charitam. (The writer is a columnist and well as their fellow artists. The film While Nandan’s song in Danda- author on cricket and music, a former ends on a positive note, which is pani Desigar’s bell-like voice was a first-class cricketer and editor of a not to say that it offers easy redress plaintive appeal to Nataraja to let performing arts monthly. He lives in to centuries-old injustice. Instead, it him enter the Tillai temple, Peter Chennai.) suggests that together we can over- Johnson’s Varalama is a plea to be come rather than annihilate. admitted to the exclusive sanctum

Table Stakes Europe is launched WAN-IFRA, the World Association of News Publishers, is launching round two of Table Stakes Europe in partnership with Google News Initiative. The one-year transformation and coaching programme for regional and local news publishers will welcome 24 participating news enterprises, growing from fourteen in the previous edition. The sessions will start in October 2020 and publishers are invited to apply now. Table Stakes Europe uses a performance challenge as the basis for participating news enterprises to identify and close shortfalls in their core digital capabilities. Funded by the Google News initiative in its two first years in Europe, the initiative will provide an opportunity for 24 local and regional news enterprises to identify and make significant progress in addressing their greatest current challenges. The Table Stakes manual is for local news organisations, identifying what’s required to play and win the game of news in the 21st Century. The programme runs for one year during which participants learn and develop skills and capabilities to improve not only their journalism but also their economics. Table Stakes uses a performance challenge as the basis for participating news publishers to identify and close shortfalls in their core digital capabilities,

the so-called ‘table stakes’, an analogy to the money, or capacity, needed to have a seat at the take in a poker game. The first Table Stakes Europe round will conclude in October. <

(Courtesy: WAN-IFRA)

July-September 2020 VIDURA 43 A relook at Partition through literature and art The recent film Jojo Rabbit directed by New Zealander Taiki Waititi is set in Adolph Hitler’s Germany during the last days of World War II. The film is inspired by Christine Leunens’s book Caged Skies. Like in the film, there are still many stories waiting to be told, says Manjira Majumdar

he film is about a young boy, films continue to be made based substantial creativity output? If a member of Hitler’s young on this theme, by the post-Holo- we talk about substantial Partition- Tbrigade, who discovers a caust generation. Some which ran- related literature, the first name young Jewish girl hidden in the domly come to mind are Stephen that comes to mind is Sadaat Hasan attic by his single mother. The boy Spielberg’s Schindler’s List, Robert Manto who is popular on both sides nicknamed Jojo Rabbit, because of Benigni’s Life is Beautiful not to of the border. There are others too, his timidity, and inability to kill a mention umpteen television serials but if we look at East Pakistan, one rabbit, considers Hitler his imagi- and books and poems and works is acquainted more literature and nary friend. The latter constantly of art. art on the liberation and birth of a appears by his side and goads him Compared to this, the Partition new country Bangladesh in 1971. towards blind nationalism. of the Indian Subcontinent has In Bengal, filmmaker Ritwik The film released in September spawned much less creativity in Ghatak’s Meghe Dhaka Tara 2019 was nominated for several that sense. It is as if the trans-gen- remains an iconic film on how Par- Academy awards and brought for- eration is not bothered with it and tition affected a lower-middle-class ward another take on the Nazis; various interesting nuggets of per- refugee family. Subarnarekha and quite humorously, in fact. The sonal history are gradually getting Komal Gandhar completed a sort holocaust under Hitler witnessed lost. Partition affected millions of of Partition trilogy, reflecting the hundreds of concentration camps Hindus and Muslims and though tragedy. across Germany and German occu- ethnic cleansing was not behind Chinnamul or The Uprooted, pied territories and the massacre of it, religion was at the crux of the another Bengali film directed by more than six million Jews. bloodbath that accompanied the Nemai Ghosh in 1950, is considered Lest we forget the darkest time division. the first film on the Partition, based of our recent history, several Partition is celebrated as mile- on a story by Swarnakaml Bhat- books continue to be written and stones or events but where is the tacharya. There are other stories no Photos: MM Stills from Garam Hawa directed by M.S. Sathyu and (extreme right) a poster of Subarnarekha.

44 VIDURA July-September 2020 Poster of Manto and a screenshot from film Jojo Rabbit directed by aikaT Waititi. doubt. A very touching one is one scripted several films such as Ban- interest stories could be crafted out written by Pratibha Basu, wife of dini, Devdas and Sujata – all directed of historical facts. As Urvashi Buta- famous Bengali poet Buddhadev by Bimal Roy. Says Ghosh’s daugh- lia records in her book, The Other Basu and a writer in her own right. ter, Ratnottama Sengupta journalist, Side of Violence, Voices from the Parti- It is about an old woman who can- author and art curator, and who has tion of India, “My mother tells of the not discern that the man who has translated some of his stories, “Ben- dangerous journeys she twice made come dressed as a sadhu at the ref- galis had become inured to partition back there to bring her younger ugee camp, is actually a trafficker, because Lord Curzon had already brothers and sister to India. My trying to lure away her daughter- divided Bengal it 1905. This sowed father remembers fleeing Lahore in-law and her two granddaughters the seeds for 1947.” And again in to the sound of guns and crackling to work as sex workers. 1971, we witnessed another divi- fire. I would listen to these stories The Hindi film Garam Hawa sion, she adds. with my brothers and sister and (1974), directed by M.S. Sathyu Partition and post-partition peri- hardly take them in. We were mid- and later (1988) a series like Tamas ods were marked by tumultuous dle-class Indians who had grown by Govind Nihalini invoked Par- times. But it is often mentioned up in a period of relative calm and tition. A popular serial Buniyaad in passing as artists chose not to prosperity, when tolerance and in the early days of Doordarshan forget it, but bypassed it for some `secularism’ seemed to be winning also referred to a Punjabi family, reason. In 2015, Bengal’s national the argument. These stories — of

which came over during Partition award winning director Srijit loot, arson, rape, murder — came and how its foundation was laid, Mukherjee directed a film Rajka- out of a different time.” < through joys and sorrows. hani (remade into Begum Jaan in As far as art is concerned, Hindi) based on a brothel being at Satish Gujral and Krishen Khanna the crossroads, literally, of Parti- have depicted the separation of tion. Kalank (2019), a Hindi film loved ones through their works. directed by Abhishek Varma, is a Strangely, Bengal known for paint- love story based against the back- ers, poets and filmmakers, did not ground of Partition. obsess with this theme in the man- Displacement speaks in a uni- RIND Survey ner Jewish writers have. On the versal language. So does losing other hand, Atul Bose, the famous loved ones. Yet, specific to locales portrait painter, who originally and history, there are unique tales. belonged to Dhaka, painted the New ways of looking through the Birth of Kalki commemorating the creative lens and different narra- Bengal Famine of 1943. tives could heal more wounds than Our Journals Another writer from East Bengal, open these as observers opine. And To read articles, Nabendu Ghosh, wrote novels and not through merely politically cor- plase visit short stories around partition; when rect narratives. Urdu became East Pakistan’s state There are academic papers and www.pressinstitute.in language, he moved to Bombay. He essays but many more human

July-September 2020 VIDURA 45 Music and dance: Does it run in the family? There are a number of musicians and dancers in V. Ramnarayan’s extended family, which includes his family by marriage, not to mention painters, writers and even sportspersons. Every generation has felt the need to inculcate in the young of the clan the values of one or other of these fields of activity, he says, adding that the artistic members of the family, who tend to secretly sneer at the sports-minded, are determined to instil spirituality in their offspring by exposing them to the fine arts of music and dance, especially of the Mylapore or Kalakshetra kind

ome thirty years ago, cousin to the effect. Plays based on the The brilliance of his enactment of Ramu, who loved his school Bhagavatam were sufficient inspi- Jatayuvadham — with some help Sso much that he spent extra ration for them to take turns enact- from his plastic he-man sword — years in some of his classes, had ing the violent excesses of Kamsa, that night in our drawing room the opportunity to show off his their siblings’ dolls once again add- has seldom been bettered. scripture knowledge as someone ing a touch of realism to their stir- But don’t get me wrong. There belonging to an artistic family. He ring performances. are serious followers of music in the was the only student to put his Back in the late 1980s, my wife extended family. While it is true that hand up when the teacher asked and I decided that it was time our on my wife’s side, the overwhelm- his class to inform her who wrote he-man-obsessed five-year-old, ing presence of M.S. Subbulakshmi the Mahabharata. I can imagine the Abu, benefited from the great in their midst gave every budding proud if short-lived smile on his philosophical and moral lessons talent a considerable sense of inad- face as he piped up “Kamala Sub- of the Ramayana and took him equacy if not an inferiority complex, rahmanyam” after the teacher let to Kalakshetra’s Art Festival. We many members of the family had a him speak up. were much impressed and heart- good ear for music, and some actu- Ravi and Krishna surprised their ened when he sat still and wide- ally trained to sing quite well with parents with the alacrity with eyed throughout the production. admirable fidelity to sruti. which they volunteered to accompany the elders of the family one evening from their Kilpauk home to the Ananta Padmanabha Swami Temple at Adyar (in Chennai) to listen to a kutcheri (an assembly of musicians and an audience) by Jon Higgins. Imagine their shock and discomfiture when they discovered that the singer of the evening was not their hero the English professor Henry Higgins from My Fair Lady, but a bhagavatar from North America! The same pair of rascals also learned some noble lessons by watching the Kalakshetra Rama- yana series and other mythologi- cals. They invariably assumed the roles of asuras in their own production of such plays at home afterwards. Hanging their sisters’ dolls upside down and torturing them in a variety of ways, they also let out bloodcurdling war-cries to add Illustration: Arun Ramkumar

46 VIDURA July-September 2020 We all know Radha Viswana- teachers, while Athma composed sister Vijayalakshmi, too, has a than, the elder of the Sadasivams’ a few songs). lovely voice and trained to be a daughters, as the devoted vocal That leaves two Gowris — my vocalist under Sangita Kalanidhi accompanist who gave it her all wife, a disciple of P.S. Narayanas- D.K. Jayaraman among others, in the service of her mother, her wamy who in her mature years but did not try to pursue a con- younger sister Vijaya Rajendran provided vocal accompaniment to cert career. was equally keen on music and MS after Radha fell seriously ill, On my father’s side, his cousins did actually accompany MS in and Gowri Natarajan her niece, Ramakrishnan and Jayaraman — some concerts, including the UN a talented student of Rama Ravi, the offspring of his maternal uncle performance in 1967, when she who, however did not pursue P.S. Chandrasekhara Iyer — were went on stage along with her akka music beyond a point, opting for not only talented singers but also (sister). academic excellence. In this, she knowledgeable about Carnatic Vijaya’s daughter Seetha Ravi followed in my daughter Akhila’s music. Ramakrishnan’s daughter too learnt to sing, but chose to footsteps. Akhila had many fine Gayathri and her daughter Ramya be a rasika rather than a musi- music teachers, and both she and are trained singers and Ramya is cian, has even composed a few ‘Kutti’ Gowri have PhDs, like the also a Bhartanatyam dancer, while concert-worthy songs besides senior Gowri, a journalist and her brother Rajiv is a composer proving to be a capable author of playwright, who too, has retired trying to establish himself in the some exquisite fiction centrestag- from music. world of Hindi film music. Bha- ing music and musicians. Radha’s Akhila showed much talent, and vana, my cousin, and Supriya, granddaughter Aishwarya has as young parents, Gowri and I my niece, both became concert made a mark on the concert stage, entertained hopes of her reaching vocalists, the former a student of joined of late by her younger sis- heights as a concert musician, but V Subramaniam and the latter one ter Soundarya. The girls can also we did not know that she nursed of N. Ravikiran, though Supriya is play the veena and violin. the secret ambition of not becom- not pursuing a singing career any Radha and Anandhi — my ing one, as throughout her school more. mother-in-law — achieved fame as and college years, she never once If there was music all around me a young duo on the Bharatanatyam hinted that Carnatic music was growing up, the atmosphere was stage, when, as sishyas (disciples) of not something she wanted to pur- a hundred times more intense in the venerable Vazhuvoor Ramiah sue. Her acting was so good even a performing musician’s home. Pillai, they set the stage aglow with then though we didn’t know it, With rare exceptions like that of their youthful innocence and spon- that she built on it in her grown T.N. Seshagopalan, most success- taneity, aided and abetted by the years and has become so good at ful musicians hail from families enchanting voice of M.S. Subbu- it that not long ago she even won steeped in music, with some his- lakshmi who sang for their produc- a national award for young actors. tory of performers before them. tions, besides helping them with Yet the disappointment that she Many of them had artist visitors vital cues on expression and first- did not take to music seriously has drop in at home all the time, their hand help with make-up. been huge for us, her parents. My parents regularly exposed them Anandhi Mami had a lovely son Abhinav has a pleasant sing- to radio and concert music, those voice, and besides learning the MS ing voice, but like his sister, he too living in Chennai practically lived repertoire as a good clanswoman, has shunned Carnatic music. He inside the Music Academy during also took lessons from T. Brinda, puts his voice to good use when the December season, so on and the redoubtable granddaughter he strums a guitar quietly and so forth. Innate talent was a strong of the iconic Veenai Dhanammal. sings to himself. factor, though someone like Chi- None of the men from the Kalki On my mother’s side, there was travina N Narasimhan would family seemed to have taken to the much interest in Carnatic music, insist that every child is a prodigy

practice of music, though most of and she herself was a trained and just waiting for the right training them were keen rasikas (aesthete talented singer with a strong, to be imparted. < of Indian classical music), if you sweet voice. The youngest of her did not count K.R. Athmanathan, three brothers, Mahadevan, was the Sadasivams’ adopted son, that rarity among amateur sing- who hailed from a distinguished ers of the bathroom (or in his musical lineage himself (his elder case puja room) variety, who had brothers Kumaraswami and Keda- a wonderful voice and superb ranathan were both singers and understanding of raga music. My

July-September 2020 VIDURA 47 Inscriptions on a temple’s walls bring alive another age If walls could talk, the ancient temple at Thiruvotriyur in Chennai would have many a tale to tell – of kings and dancing girls, of a village and taxation, agriculture and trade. Meenakshi Devaraj provides fascinating glimpses into the past, that the inscriptions on the walls of theThiruvotriyur temple provide. These epigraphs are treasures that must be preserved and the wealth of information contained in them should be documented and made available to more people, she says he congested Thriuvotriyur inscriptions document this in much poetry). Gifts for the dancing girls area in North Chennai is detail. Here are a few examples: and their nattuvanars (dance mas- Tdominated by the Thyaga- In the 13th Century, Raja Raja ters) are all documented on the rajaswamy Temple, known locally Chola III, impressed with the per- walls. This makes it clear that devar- as the Vadivudaiamman (Goddess) formance of a Devaradiyar named adiyars were given the privilege of Temple. It was once a magnificent Urvikkna Thalaikoli, ordered the reciting devaram in temples during centre of Saivism, and praises to renaming of a piece of land in the Chola period. Lord Adhipureeswara, the deity in Manali after her, according to one The fascinating records are not the temple complex, probably dat- epigraph. Thalaikoli was a title limited to the dancers, but extend ing back much before the 7th Cen- bestowed on a dancer during the to dance forms as well. One 14th tury, were sung by Saivite poets early Chola period, according to Century Vijayanagar inscription Appar, Sundarar and Sambandar. the Tamil epic, Silappathikaram. The details a dispute between two sec- The 12th Century literary work, inscriptions on the Thiruvotriyur tions of devaradiyars in Thiruvotri- Periyapuranam, refers to Lord Temple tell us the surprising fact yur. It refers to many dance forms. Adhipureeswarar as Ezhuthariyum that the title, Thalaikoli, was used Some of them are mentioned also in Peruman (God who helps in the even in the 13th Century. early Tamil Literature. For instance, learning of letters). There were Epigraphs record not only gifts the Chokkam dance is mentioned numerous mattas (monasteries) given to Devaradiyars, but also in Silappathikaram. Kunipppam is and mandapams (pillared halls) in details of the gifts the Devaradi- referred to in various Tamil literary and around the temple premises, yars made to the temple. An 11th works like Kalingathubharani, Kam- testifying to its importance. The Century inscription carries import- baramayanam, Kalladam, Madurai Vyakaranadana Mandapam was a ant information on the celebration Sokkanathar Ula, etc. It is used in the renowned centre of learning. of the Harvest Festival, Puthuy- same way as koothu, the Tamil term The Adhipureeswarar Temple eedu, in Thiruvotriyur during the for dance in early literary works. was once famed throughout the reign of Rajendra Chola I. A dan- The 10th Century Tamil diction- region and it attracted visitors and cing girl named nakan kodai, says ary Pingala Nigandu also explains gifts from all parts of the land, one inscription, gifted gold to the Kunippam as dance. Varikoothu is including Kashmir. The details of temple for a special food offering another dance mentioned in this such visitors and donations are during the festival.Other inscrip- epigraph which also finds a place recorded not in any ledger or lit- tions speak of devaradiyars who had in Silappathikaram. Malaippu, which erary work, but on the stone walls the privilege of waving fly-whisks the inscriptions say was performed of the temple itself. Many of the before the deity. They were called by the devaradiyars, is mentioned epigraphs talk about the various kavari pinnakkal (fly-whisk girls). in Pingala Nigandu. It is fascinating services performed in the temple, Recital of Thiruvempavai during to note that the dances mentioned starting from thirupalliyezhuchi the Tamil month of Margazhi is a in fourth century epigraphs were (waking up the Lord). common practice today. It dates practiced even in the 14th Century Details of festivals are also docu- back to the Chola period, as shown in Thiruvotriyur. Unfortunately, mented elaborately. Devaradiyars, by one of the inscriptions, which they are no longer performed. the dancing girls who devoted says the king ordered the recital of Thirumezhuku and thiruaazhagu themselves to the deities, played thiruvempavai during Margazhi in are duties related to cleaning and a pivotal role in keeping alive Thiruvotriyur.The king had also decorating the temple premises. the tradition of music and dance ordered appointment of more devar- From the inscriptions, we learn that in Thiruvotriyur. The temple adiyars to recite devaram (devotional these services were performed by

48 VIDURA July-September 2020 Special officers were appointed to conduct periodic enquires. Though they may have been geographically far away, the kings of these dynas- ties kept an eye on the welfare of the people. They ordered the culti- vation of wastelands, for instance. An inscription of Kulottunga I provides important information about the irrigation methods practiced by agriculturists of Thiruvotriyur in that period. There are also epigraphs on saltpans and oil traders. Many inscriptions about merchants tell us that Thiruvotriyur was once an important trading centre. The inscriptions are not limited to life in Thiruvotriyur either. They also talk about other places, including Chennai .For example, one epigraph tells us the original name of Photo: MD what is known as the Chetputarea

Imposing facade: Entrance to the Thiruvotriyur Temple. in Chennai was Serrupeddu (meaning ‘special place’ in Tamil). < the devaradiyars in Thiruvotriyur. was exempted from tax because of Temples were not just religious the acts of Lord Siva. Interestingly, (The writer, a software engineer, institutions in the early days, they an epigraph dating back to the 14th is interested in history and Tamil were centres of administration. The Century refers to Thiruvotriyur as culture and has researched on Tamil walls of the Thiruvotriyur Adhipu- a ningal village, meaning a village Sangam Literature, Chennai history reeswarar Temple have hundreds exempt from tax. Many inscriptions and temples. She runs a YouTube of detailed inscriptions that speak dating from the Pallava period channel in her name, focused on Tamil of the rich social, economic and cul- talk about the village assemblies Literature.) tural history of the place. and committees which took care The temple’s sthala puranam (his- of various administrative activ- tory) found in the 12th century Peri- ities, including those relating to the yapuranam says that Thiruvotriyur temple.

Malini Parthasarathy is chairperson, The Hindu Group

Malini Parthasarathy has been named as the chairperson of the Board of Directors of The Hindu Group. She will be taking over the reins from N. Ram who stepped down from the position at the age of 75. The decision was announced at the board of directors meeting held on July 15. Parthasarathy, the former editor of The Hindu, commended her predecessor Ram for steering the 142-year-old newspaper through times of crisis. She highlighted and lauded his contributions to the organisation, especially for bringing about a synergy between editorial and business aspects of the newspaper. Ram expressed his confidence

in Parthasarathy who has not only contributed to The Hindu in an editorial capacity but also taken an active interest in the business side of the company. <

(Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

July-September 2020 VIDURA 49 A love for art and aesthetics – do you have it in you? Several crowd funding initiatives have been put in place as an emergency measure by members of the art fraternity. But it is time for the public to step in as well, not just to lend a helping hand financially, but also to take a step forward, to attempt at understanding arts in order to become empathetic of the artiste. A beginning must be made to watch, listen, learn and experience, says Janani Murali, while pointing to an initiative that tries to revive the traditional art forms

arath was eight years old envisioned as a place of training, group of artistes are extremely pas- when he walked into his a place where they could congre- sionate about making the art form SAasan’s (teacher’s) school gate and celebrate what they loved, more visible than ever before. Each to learn Silambam (weapon-based and a place where they could put of them is employed in other jobs, Indian martial art). He took to it together acts and take them to the but that does not ever stop them immediately and soon went on to public. from making arduous journeys to invest his energies in learning the Silambam originated as a tech- villages near and far. While these parai (frame drum) and thavil (bar- nique of warfare. Several legends art forms may have a credible rel-shaped percussion instrument) and myths surround the ancient amount of patronage from village alongside Silambaattam. Over the origins of the technique. References panchayats and temple festival years, Puliyattam (old Tamil folk are found in Tamil classical litera- organisers, does urban India rec- dance) and Veedhi natakam (street ture as well. Eventually, the tech- ognise the importance of these plays) drew him closer to a vibrant nique made its way from being a art forms? Are children drawn to world where art meets technique defense or war technique into being these arts? “Very few children join and power meets aesthetics. But it a performative act. When and how classes. Other art forms like dance wasn’t until he was in college that the changes occurred is debated to and music gain instant admissions, Sarath realised that hardly anyone this day as there is almost no docu- but Silambam is still not a popular realised the value of what he had mentation of the same. Silambattam choice,” says Sarath. come to love. Many didn’t even is essentially a craft of the staff, the Aayutham – Kalaigalin Sanga- know what these arts were because control of it and the methods used mam reaches out to a few schools they had never watched it. to inflict blows on an opponent. The in the Coimbatore District to teach It suddenly hit Sarath that such rules of Silambattam have changed children of primary classes. “Since art forms may indeed be dying in too over the years. Today, the per- it is compulsory and has been man- the public’s mind. It was then that formative aspect has superseded the dated as part of their co-curricular Sarath and a few friends decided to ability to deliver powerful blows. activities, children attend, but come together to set up Aayutham Travelling to temple festivals, vil- left to them, they might not have – Kalaigalin Sangamam, what they lage fairs and other events, Sarath’s joined these classes,” Sarath says. Photos: JM A stage concert, and (right) Veedhi natakam.

50 VIDURA July-September 2020 Puli vesham and (right) Silambam and a young practitioner.

However, a few children from the Sarath and his team don’t miss jobs, the crises has put a temporary compulsory primary school classes an opportunity to perform or even halt to performances and teaching have gone on to join Sarath’s insti- use other means to popularise sessions but has not eaten into their tution, the art form sparking an Silambattam. Aayutham is popular pockets. For artistes solely depen- interest in them and resonating. for their innovative Veedhi natakam dent on performances to earn a Sarath believes that more chil- (street play) concepts. While the livelihood, it is an unfortunate dren need to be exposed to such predominant focus of the plays is that remuneration is paltry. Sarath art forms so that they can make social issues pertaining to water talks of peers who have returned an informed choice about learn- conservation, agriculture and socio- to villages to tend to farms or have ing and experiencing it. “It is only cultural practices, they have used opened temporary shops or small ignorance about this dynamic art the same technique to draw atten- businesss. There are many who

that people are not choosing to tion to the folk arts and traditional do not have such options and are learn it. Television and cinema have martial arts of the region. cooped up at home. < steadily eaten away audiences and The current pandemic has sent drawn people away from these tra- traditional artistes into a deep ditional arts. Given an opportunity financial crisis. Performances have to experience it, we are sure that stopped. There have been no vil- many more people will enjoy it, lage festivals since the national both as an involved audience and lockdown. For artistes like Sarath maybe as practitioners too.” who are employed in alternative

MRUC suspends IRS 2020: Reports

Audience research body Media Research Users Council (MRUC) has suspended the production and publication of its IRS 2020 Readership Survey due, according to media reports. The council has reportedly informed its subscribers that it will refund their payments made for the survey. MRUC is said to have taken payments for the survey in October-November. Reports suggest that the

development is an impact of the COVID-19 pandmic, as it is not possible to carry out the fieldwork needed for the research. MRUC had reportedly issued a propoal to appoint a new ageny for the research as its< contract with Nilsen has ended.

(Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

July-September 2020 VIDURA 51 SPORT Time we made match-fixing a ‘criminal offence’

ICC’s anti-corruption unit officer is of the opinion that match fixing in India should be made a “criminal offence”.’ BCCI’s anti-corruption chief says that the law as it stands is “laughable” and should be made “very strong”. Partab Ramchand concurs with their views and explains why such action is necessary

s one who has always with one hand tied behind their which actually goes out on to the felt strongly that those back. That is why Richardson feels pitch and perform any act if they Ainvolved in match-fixing that legislation to make match-fix- had agreed to do so. “The problem in India get away lightly thanks to ing a criminal offence would be a I see is further upstream and it is lax and outdated laws I was over- game-changer. “We have currently the people who are organising the joyed to read the views of both just under 50 investigations and corruption, people who are paying Steve Richardson, the coordina- the majority of these have links to the players the money who should tor of investigations at the ICC’s corrruptors in India. It would be the be mainly targeted.” (International Cricket Council) single most effective thing to hap- To support his stance, Richardson anti-corruption unit (ACU) and pen in terms of protecting sport if provided the example of the Bribery Ajit Singh the head of the BCCI’s India introduces the legislation.” Act in the UK, which was used to (Board of Control for Cricket in Richardson is convinced that prosecute former Pakistan batsman India) ACU on the subject. While more than the players, the law Nasir Jamshed, who pleaded guilty Richardson has the strong belief would deter the corruptors. He to charges of bribery in the PSL. that making match-fixing a crimi- was frank enough to state that he Jamshed was handed a 17-month nal offence will be the “single most could actually deliver to the Indian sentence in February by a Manches- effective thing” for sport in India, police at least eight names of people ter court. In 2010, the Pakistan trio Singh, even as he concurred with who are serial offenders, constantly of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif this view, added that India needs approaching players to try and get and Mohammad Amir were pros- a “very strong law” against betting them to fix matches. But because of ecuted under the 1906 Prevention of which is the source of corruption in the lack of legislative framework in Corruption Act which was repealed cricket in India. India there is little the police can do. by the Bribery Act. The warning is timely for India, “To that extent they have my great According to Singh, there is no scheduled to host two global mar- sympathy because they try as hard adequate law to cover match-fixing quee events in the next three years – as they can to make the existing which both the Indian Government the 2021 T-20 World Cup followed legislation work but the reality is it and the courts have recognised pre- by the ODI World Cup in 2023 – wasn’t framed with sports corrup- viously in dealing with such cases. and Richardson urged the Indian tion in mind.” He is firmly of the view that there Government to consider creating It is this loophole that cricketers is a requirement for a law which a match-fixing law for sport. Last and bookies have taken advan- criminalises match-fixing, the roots year, Sri Lanka became the first tage of and are able to move about of which lie in betting which he major cricket playing country in freely even if they are found to be describes as “a malaise” in India. South Asia to criminalise match- guilty by investigative bodies and Singh pointed out that the cor- fixing with punishments includ- banned. They have gone to court, rupters were not just operating ing a ten-year prison sentence after got the bans lifted and continue to in international sport, but were investigations that found several hold either high offices in politics also busy influencing players and Lankan cricketers guilty of breach- or cricket associations or appear in matches in domestic cricket with ing the corruption code. movies and TV shows. some even posing as godfathers to At the moment with no legisla- According to Richardson, the young players. He said BCCI’s ACU tion in place, the Indian police with players are not the main problem had used data agencies to examine whom ACU is working with a bid when it comes to match-fixing. the extent of betting in some T20 to curb corruption, are operating They are the final link in the chain matches in Indian domestic cricket.

52 VIDURA July-September 2020 Illustration: Arun Ramkumar

“It’s not just the IPL, but even the of flesh. So it needs to be curbed be seen as separate only because leagues run by State associations. heavily, both at the match-fixing betting was legal in many countries. The amount of betting even in small and betting level.” “We have to be very clear here that matches is so much that the temp- As it happens, betting is illegal betting itself is not corruption. What

tation to fall prey to the demands in India, but Singh pointed out it is is corruption is people who are try- or requests of these people is very governed by a law that is “laughing to get to players corrupt in order< high.” able” in its current form. The law to make money from betting.” According to Singh, this is more is the 1867 Public Gambling Act. so with people who don’t see much Those breaching it barely blink an (The writer is a veteran sports of a future for themselves. “Cricket eye, Singh said, with only a cursory writer who spent his career working is played in rural areas and small monetary penalty to pay. “We need for The Indian Express and The towns and there are certain godfa- to make a very strong law against Telegraph and Sportsworld.) thers who finance them. They see betting. Right now the law that a promising player, finance him, exists is totally archaic and the pun- become his patron, and ultimately ishments are laughable.” what happens is when he is at a It is clear then that the Gambling level where his games are televised, Act ought to be replaced as soon as where he has made it to a certain possible but Richardson pointed out league, then they extract the pound that betting and corruption should

July-September 2020 VIDURA 53 SPORT Of domestic cricket, use of saliva, and leg before Thought-provoking ideas have recently emerged on the way forward for cricket, says V. Ramnarayan. One is to focus on domestic cricket and showcase the best of our talent, the second to legalise the use of substances to provide shine to one side of the cricket ball and avoid the use of saliva, and the third, Ian Chappell’s revolutionary suggestion that the lbw law be modified he first of two proposals, a into any Ranji Trophy or Duleep scene, as the late Bobby Talyarkhan result of the Covid 19 pan- Trophy match to realise this fact. often strongly urged, make it man- Tdemic, presents an opportu- List A and T20 matches at the datory for all of BCCI’s (Board of nity to focus on domestic cricket domestic level do not fare much Control for Cricket in India) cen- and showcase the best of our talent. better. trally contracted players to par- Let me explain. Cricketers below The lockdown scenario therefore ticipate, and conduct, say Duleep the international level are already offers a superb window of expo- Trophy matches (in the old zonal used to playing in the absence of sure to non-international cricket. format, to foster greater spectator spectators. You only have to walk Take a break from the international loyalties) to start with, exclusively Illustration: Arun Ramkumar

54 VIDURA July-September 2020 for TV audiences, and glamourise and in the same fell swoop banning a batsman can only be adjudicated these contests. Advertisers should the application of bodily fluids to as leg before under the new rules see value in the option, as, starved ‘maintain’ the cricket ball. While at off balls pitched outside the stumps of other cricket action, Indian and it, they might as well approve the (at best the leg stump) if offering Indian-origin audiences are more nurturing of long finger nails in no stroke. I also suggest not more than likely to support these games. bowlers and fielders to promote the than one close-in fielder behind Another pandemic-related pre- cause of reverse swing. the crease on the legside, as I fear a occupation of the cricket world is The other proposal, coming from return to leg theory otherwise. the dilemma: To spit or not to spit. the dynamic cricket thinker Ian One outcome I hope for from the Every Tom, Dick and Anderson has Chappell, has the merit of tilting proposed lbw rule is a reduction in weighed in with his two bits on this the balance of power in favour of short-pitched bowling by pacemen, matter of life and death. Tony Greig bowlers. I submit, however, that in thanks to the increased opportuni- and his men, principally, the left- the form Chappell recommends, it ties likely for lbw decisions. “Oh no, arm swing specialist John Lever, leans too far away from the ‘bats- not another Phil Hughes!” goes my solved this problem prophetically man’s game’ tag cricket suffers palpitating heart every time I see a back in 1976 by applying Vaseline from. How many batsmen in the batsman felled and collapsing on to the red cherry that started swing- world have the technique not to be the pitch. Why would you need to ing alarmingly like the Beatles- rapped on the pads while attempt- pepper a tailender with bouncers, crazy teenagers of the time. ing to play? The example Chappell for instance, if you can dismiss him I firmly believe that the ICC will cites, of the way Sachin Tendulkar without resorting to such tactics? please not only the bowlers’ union famously demolished Shane Warne In conclusion, I feel domestic but also the most orthodox mad- bowling round the wicket into the cricket, played in spectator-free isar mamis (typical way Brahmin rough, is an exceptional one, not stadia, can be a good platform to

women wear saris) glued to the TV something on which an amend- try out the amended lbw law on an set, by legalising the use of extra- ment of the lbw law can be based. experimental basis. < neous substances with which to While I welcome any move to shine one side of the cricket ball empower bowlers, I propose that

M.P. Veerendra Kumar’s birthday: heartwarming tributes

Former Mathrubhumi Managing Director and Chairman M.P. Veerendrakumar was felicitated on his 84th birthday – he was commemorated online with a virtual tribute. The event titled ‘M. P. Veerendra Kumar - A Virtual Tribute’ was livestreamed on Mathrubhumi’s Facebook page and on YouTube. Hosted by economist, Jairam Ramesh, member of Parliament, delivered the opening remarks and an introduction, The Hindu followed by a heartwarming three minute video depicting the journey of Veerendra Kumar. Photo: India’s Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the event and delivered a keynote address in memory of the legendary socialist and the press baron. “He was Veerendra Kumar. a multifaceted personality, a politician, prolific writer, journalist and environmentalist. In his journalistic role and as member of various media bodies, Kumar pioneered the various campaigns over freedom of press,” Naidu said. Naidu appealed to everyone to draw inspiration from the likes of Kumar and adopt a more empathetic attitude towards the fellow citizens. Former Congress president Rahul Gandh, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Mizoram Governor P. S. Sreedharan Pillai and SitaramYechuri spoke. Makkal Needhi Maiam President Kamal Haasan, actress and former MP Jayaprada, and environmental activist Vandana Shiva shared their experiences, narrated incidents and shared thoughts about Kumar. The Hindu Group’s N. Ram, former INS President and former PTI Chairman H. N. Cama, and International Advertising Association Chairman Srinivasa Swamy also

spoke. P.V. Chandran, Chairman and Managing Editor, Mathrubhumi, and M.V. Shreyams Kumar, son of Veerendra Kumar and MD, Mathrubhumi, were present. <

July-September 2020 VIDURA 55 Cross border bonding – the people’s story For Sakuntala Narasimhan’s generation born before Independence, Lahore and Karachi were part of India. With Partition seven decades ago, new geo-political borders were put in place, but there are thousands of families that have close relatives on both sides of the border. The people-to-people equations between Indians and Pakistanis are nothing but friendly, as she discovered on each of her three visits

y aunt lives in sticky, coloured halwa at Bengali border, to promote friendship and India,” says a Paki- market in Delhi, the shopkeeper goodwill. Especially people with “Mstani friend, while said, with a broad grin, “No, aapa common interests in literature, another friend, living in Karachi, (sister), I will only give you Delhi language, poetry and music. One says her mother is from a royal- halwa.” It was the same stuff, but such linkage took place earlier princely family of central India, he got a kick out of calling it Delhi this year, when Transgressions, a and she has cousins living in India. halwa. book of poems by Professor Anjum And so it goes -- one brother choos- Yet another incident – when a Altaf, former dean of the School of ing to settle in Pakistan after Par- local professor at the conference I Humanities and Social Sciences at tition, while another preferred was attending in Islamabad invited the Lahore University of Manage- to stay back in their ancestral vil- me to her house at Rawalpindi, I ment Sciences, was brought out by lage in Haryana or Uttar Pradesh. had to decline since my visa was an Indian publisher ( Aakar books, Examples abound. underlined and circled in bold LG Publishers, Delhi). The young waiter at the hotel in black ink, saying ‘Only for Islam- The book of poems (in English) Islamabad where I stayed, sidled up abad’. Rawalpindi was just a street inspired by famous Urdu poet to me shyly and looking at my bindi, away from my hotel, but when I Faiz Ahmed Faiz, has been warmly said, “Aap India sey (Are you from said I was not permitted to visit her, received in both India and Pakistan. India)?” When I confirmed I was, she said, “In that case, I shall bring (A Pakistani edition was brought he asked excitedly, where in India? tea and snacks for you here.”And out subsequently by Liberty Books, “Delhi,” I replied and he added ani- once when the delegation I was on, Karachi, since copies of the Indian matedly: “Where in Delhi?” When missed our connecting flight from edition could not be imported into I gave him details, wondering why Lahore to Delhi, the PIA pilots gen- Pakistan from across the border, he wanted to know, he said, wist- erously gave us their food packets. thanks to the trade embargo.) fully, in Hindi, “My grandfather People-to-people equations Faiz is, of course, claimed by both used to play cricket in the maidan between Indians and Pakistanis India and Pakistan – one of his near your house. I wish I could go are nothing but friendly, as I dis- verses, Hum Dekhengey, made news and see where he lived and played covered on each of my three visits, when it was raised as part of a pro- as a young boy… but visa toh nahin even if on a political level, our two test against curtailment of liberties milegaa (I won’t get a visa).” There- countries may be hostile and con- in Delhi and Kanpur IIT last year after, he plied me with extra atten- frontationist. My visa for Karachi during the anti-CAA (Citizenship tion, refilling my coffee cup with was handed to me literally at the Amendment Act) agitation. Hum generous helpings. very last minute, at the airport at dekhengey was composed by Faiz When I went shopping for sou- Delhi, even as my flight to Lahore as a condemnation of Zia’s dicta- venirs for friends back home, and was ready to board; I had to run torship, but became popular with chose some embroidered shawls, to get on the plane; my Pakistani groups voicing dissent and wanting the shopkeeper declared, waving friends say they too have hassles to promote people’s rights. away the money I offered, “Aap getting visas for India, which are The poem offers “solace to those toh mehmaan hain, aapse paise nahin always given at the last minute, so subject to injustice” by emphasiz- lengey (you are a guest, I won’t take one doesn’t even know whether it ing truth, courage, perseverance money from you).” In Karachi, will be sanctioned or not. and resistance (against oppression), when I asked for Karachi halwa Never mind, thanks to tech- and is therefore of relevance at all at a sweets shop, with nostalgic nology now, people still manage times, in all regions, as Professor childhood memories of buying the to link virtual hands across the Altaf points out. Faiz, who spent

56 VIDURA July-September 2020 Illustration: Angela Ferrao time in prison for his persistent But what of that, but what of that and returned to Lahore after a opposition to injustice, is reported One day the buds will bloom anew long stint in the US, before moving to have attended Mahatma Gan- back to Pakistan (where he now dhi’s funeral in Delhi in 1948. Professor Altaf’s poems are not lives with his author-wife, Samia Says Professor Altaf, “The main translations but verses on a vari- Altaf; her book “So Much Aid, So feeling I always got from Faiz’s ety of topics “inspired by Faiz” as Little Development” made waves poetry was hope and dreams and he puts it, and seek to uphold uni- some years ago when it chronicled a desire for change” – and these versal values of human dignity, insider stories of how international will never become irrelevant. Bor- humaneness, and linkages through and multilateral aid gets spent / rowing from the ideas enshrined in friendship and peace rather than dissipated.) the original Urdu version, he has belligerence. And his credentials, Faiz is claimed by both India reworked them as a tribute to Faiz, not only as a respected academic and Pakistan as a towering literary whose lines he has often drawn and writer, but also as a pan-south figure; Urdu aficionados on both comfort and consolation from, in Asian authority lend weight and sides of the border recognize him as diverse situations. Examples: legitimacy to this collection of his one of the leading figures of Urdu poetry – his ancestry spans several poetry in modern times. After all, Every moment bears fresh seeds of life geo-political borders. Partition did not wipe out the fact New passions, new affairs begin Prof Altaf’s grandfather migrated that citizens on both sides of the Why mourn desires unfulfilled at the end from Kashmir to Peshawar, his border share the same heritage, cul- When still there is so much left to tend mother was from Agra (where her ture, music, language, ancestry and parents stayed on) but her family lifestyles; as one Pakistani put it, What myth is it that keeps you divided had migrated from Afghanistan. “We were all Indians once, because Among yourselves His father worked for the railways there was no Pakistan in our grand- That keeps you blind to your strength in Calcutta (as it was known then) parents’ time”. and then moved to Narayanganj True, there have been occa- We’ve fallen on bad days, it’s true (now in Bangladesh). Professor sional skirmishes and encounters Love, beauty, truth, all lie askew Altaf himself was born in Dhaka along the border and on disputed

July-September 2020 VIDURA 57 territory in Kashmir, but for the addition to the corpus that makes In this age of advanced technol- majority of Pakistan’s population, Faiz’s ideas accessible to those ogy that can even do instantaneous the shared links are stronger than unfamiliar with Urdu language. translations, we have plenty to the strands of discord. Remember If one extends the idea, the possi- unearth and enrich our cultural the girl who was arrested in India bilities are enhanced – how many corpus with. As one more Inde- and punished last year for saying North Indians are familiar with the pendence Day comes round, I am “Pakistan zindabad”? Zindabad fiery poems of Tamil patriot Subra- wondering what happened to the translates as wishing someone well manya Bharati of the pre-indepen- Tamil classes that were inaugurated (as against murdabad which is a dence period? by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal curse and condemnation). For that matter, how many north- Nehru in the Central Hall of Parlia- If a neighbour’s house is in bad erners have heard of the 9th Cen- ment, around 1952, for the benefit shape, it cannot but affect adja- tury poetess Andal of Tamil Nadu of North Indian MPs. cent residents too because it poses whose 30 Tiruppavai verses are Language can knit bonds just as a threat to the safety of the entire sung to this day, every morning effectively as non-lingual initia- region. What applies to individual during the 30 days of the month of tives, not only across national bor- houses holds good for nations Margazhi (mid-December to mid ders but also within the country’s too. If exchanging cultural ideas January) or of the medieval Kan- regions to fight divisiveness. Is a

promotes amity, through either nada poetess Akkamahadevi, or of Bengali or Telugu translation of poetry or music or other arts, that Lal ded of Kashmir ? The Subconti- Faiz’s verses, on the cards next? < is a trend to be applauded. In that nent is a rich storehouse of linguis- sense, Professor Altaf’sbook is an tic heritage.

Yet another braveheart bites the dust

According to an article on The Wire website, a reporter for a Kanpur-based newspaper was killed on June 19 in Unnao District of Uttar Pradesh, allegedly at the behest of a ‘sand mafia’ and illegal land grabbers active in the region. Days before his killing, Shubham Mani Tripathi had informed authorities that he had been threatened by persons involved in illegal sand mining and land encroachment activities. The Wire, referring to a report in New Click, mentions journalist Shubham Mani Tripathi (25) being shot by‘unidentified persons’near the Gangaghat area of Unnao District while he was returning home with a friend on a motor- cycle. He was rushed to a hospital in Kanpur, where he died. He worked for a newspaper named Kampu Mail.The article adds that on his Facebook profile, Tripathi wrote on June 14 that an illegal construction by ‘famous land mafia’ had been demolished due to a report he had filed. He said the mafia was angered by this action and had registered a fake appli-

cation against him to the district magistrate. Angela Ferrao Illustration: The tragedy once again highlights the dangers

journalists are exposed to these days in India. The killing compelled Goan freelance cartoonist Angela Ferrao to create this storyboard. <

58 VIDURA July-September 2020 Defying the odds and showing the way – an extraordinary love story The romance of cricket has always held an irresistible attraction for V. Ramnarayan. When the daughter of one of the all-time greats of Indian cricket and his West Indian wife of Indian origin decided to ‘semi-fictionalise’ the classic love story of her parents, Ramnarayan got curious

he on-field exploits of its some of our most enduring icons, odds they had to fight to marry greats and not-so-greats that but I have rarely been curious to each other, of their steadfast devo- Tensure the glorious uncer- know the details of the love lives tion to each other, of the depth of tainties of the game have never of my cricketing heroes—until the their feelings for each other. needed the collateral support of daughter of one of the all-time The premature end of Subhash love stories beyond the game to greats of Indian cricket and his Gupte’s Test career was not only cast a spell over me. True, one West Indian wife of Indian origin one of the great tragedies of Indian has been aware that some great decided to ‘semi-fictionalise’ the cricket but also an example of gross romances through the ages have classic love story of her parents. disrespect and rank injustice, by an served to enlarge the aura around It is a story of the overwhelming uncaring, insensitive administration. After watching his series-winning exploits in the 1955-56 season against New Zealand, overshad- owed by the Mankad-Roy world record opening partnership on my debut as a spectator, I had come to expect nothing short of greatness from this diminutive wrist spinner Sir Garfield Sobers rates higher than Shane Warne. Gupte did not disappoint. His 9 for 102 in the Kanpur Test against the all-conquering West Indies was the best of his heroic bowling performances in that series, but the visiting batsmen led by Garry Sobers and Rohan Kanhai stole the rubber away from India with some magnificent batting that rode the wave of hostile bowling by the likes of Wes Hall and Roy Gilchrist. The Madras Test of that series was the last time I saw Gupte in action, and with a four- wicket haul in the second innings, he did not disappoint me, his young hero-worshipper. It was during the 1961-62 tour of India by Ted Dexter’s MCC that the cricket board destroyed Gupte’s Test career in one fell swoop on disciplinary grounds. He and Photo: VR roommate A.G. Kripal Singh were The cover page of Love without Boundaries. suspended following an alleged

July-September 2020 VIDURA 59 act of indiscipline in which Gupte established in September 1972, AC are very special people, achievers had no part. While Kripal came Goberdhan Memorial School, and in their chosen fields. There is no back into the Test team a couple his wholehearted support of all attempt at establishing the great- of years later, Gupte emigrated to she did. It is also the story of the ness of Subhash Gupte, the world- the Caribbean with his wife Carol, tremendous fight Carol made to class leg spinner. It is as if the whom he had married on 1st April rebuild her life after suffering the author believes the reader knows 1957. worst injuries in a horrendous car that and does not bother describ- She had been Carol Goberd- accident involving her, Subhash ing his art. The book is about the han, when he first met her on the and daughter Carolyn in 1977. Guptes as flesh and blood people, 1952-53 Indian tour of the islands, “Outfitted with a skull cast”, vulnerable, “flawed” even, about a tour during which he had been Carol was hospitalised for three their total love for each other and quite the star attraction. At age 33, months, but once discharged, their families. For Carol, life with he had played his last Test match, made a strong comeback. “With Subhash had been “a constant bar- and barring local games in Trini- skull cast firmly in place, and jaws rel of unexpected surprises and dad, the only cricket he would wired shut, she returned to work a bellyful of spontaneous laugh- continue to play consisted of his and conducted the daily business ter — an imperfect man, a flawed professional Lancashire League of running her home and school man, but… blessed with such a stint with Rishton, where he spent from an upstairs bedroom at Five good heart…” a happy time with his wife. Gables,” the original family home Carolyn Gupte writes effort- Upsetting as it was to find where the school was located. In lessly. Her admiration for her Gupte’s name missing among the 1987, after they moved into their subjects is obvious, and she writes dramatis personae of Indian Test own house, Subhash sustained glowingly of her parents, miracu- performances, I soon learnt to a crippling hip injury that made lously avoiding sentimentality.

discover new Indian heroes even Carolyn — who had graduated The book has the makings of an during the disastrous tours of in London — decide to give up engaging film script. An altogether< the 1960s. Gradually, one became her burgeoning public relations lovely read. accustomed to his absence in the career to become her father’s pri- Indian team. To learn that ‘Fergie’ mary caregiver, playing that role Gupte and his wife played host to to perfection till his death in May Ajit Wadekar’s men in Trinidad in 2002. 1971, or that every visiting Indian Make no mistake; this is a love cricket team made its pilgrimage to story, an unusual one in that it is the Gupte home gave one no hint told by the daughter of the proof the romance and longevity of tagonists. The hero and heroine their relationship, nor of the opposition the couple had had to face from their families during their courtship. A large gap in one’s insights into the Guptes’ adventure has now been filled by reading Love Without Boundaries, the affection- ate retelling of ‘the 49-year partnership of Subhash and Carol Gupte’ by their daughter Carolyn Gupte. The novella, the author Education for calls it, is not the story of Sub- hash’s stellar cricket career, but a all is still a dis- moving account of the family values, strength of character and sin- tant dream... gleness of purpose that went into their journey together, Gupte’s pride in his wife’s many accom- Subscribe to Rs 240 for 12 issues plishments crowned by her successful running of the school she

60 VIDURA July-September 2020 TRIBUTE TO OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND (1916-2020) A luminous star, a gracious lady who stole people’s hearts Legendary Hollywood star Olivia de Havilland passed away on July 25 at the age of 104. Partab Ramchand traces her life and career

he played Melanie Hamilton Then came de Havilland’s most undo that decision. The role required in Gone with the Wind, won famous role that of Melanie in Gone de Havilland to age nearly 30 years Stwo best actress Oscars for with the Wind (1939) and she suc- over the course of the film from an To Each His Own and The Heir- ceeded in making that perhaps too- innocent town girl to a shrewd ruth- ess, and is recognised as one of sweet and rather pallid Southern less businesswoman devoted to her the leading stars of all time. But lass into a three dimensional and cosmetics company. her sweet exterior, infectious smile highly sympathetic human being A couple of years laterm, de and enduring charm camouflaged winning her first Oscar nomina- Havilland won rave reviews for her a fierce determination and fighting tion for best supporting actress. The role in The Snake Pit for which she spirit strong enough to take on the goody-goody role but with a quiet got an Academy award nomina- establishment and emerge with a inner strength suited her image and tion and the New York Film Critics famous victory. That is Olivia de de Havilland was thoroughly believ- award for best actress. It was a dif- Havilland who passed away on able playing the ideal foil to the fiery ficult role about a woman placed in July 25 at the age of 104. and temperamental Scarlett O’Hara a mental institution by her husband In a career that stretched from portrayed by Vivian Leigh. to help her recover from a nervous 1935 to 1979, de Havilland appeared But by now, de Havilland was breakdown. She deliberately lost in almost 50 features and loved the also involved in a running feud with weight to help create her lean and challenge of taking up varied roles. Warner Brothers the studio to which haggard appearance on screen and She ran the entire gamut of act- she was contracted to. On being sus- visited a mental hospital to research ing and her filmography includes pended, she took the studio to court her role and observe the patients. romantic comedies, swashbucklers, against the “slavery” contract as she The result was that she was able to costume dramas, harsh and bitter put it and won a famous victory a deliver a restrained and electric per- melodramas and horror movies. decision that helped the acting pro- formance portraying the extreme Born in Tokyo of English par- fession mightily. It was considered aspects of her character from a shy ents, she and her younger sister a milestone court decision against Joan Fontaine (who passed away involuntary servitude. in 2013 at the age of 96) both de Havilland’s rebellious action began their screen careers in the did not in any way hinder her film mid-30s. Early in her career De career and indeed the roles became Havilland was constantly called bigger and more important. In the upon to look lovely and per- 40s, she emerged as an actress par mit herself to be rescued in such excellence who could tackle any swashbucklers as Captain Blood role and the result were awards and (1935), The Charge of the Light honours galore. She won an Oscar Brigade (1936), The Adventures nomination for Hold Back the Dawn of Robin Hood (1938) and Santa (1941) only to lose the award to her Fe Trail (1940). In all these movies sister who won for the Hitchcock she starred with Errol Flynn, and suspense drama Suspicion. But she the handsome Tasmanian-born was not to be denied an Oscar for leading man and the sensitive long and deservedly won it for To and delicate looking de Havil- Each his Own (1946) in which she land shared an amazing on-screen played an unwed mother who gives chemistry. Totally, they appeared up her child for adoption and then Photo: Wikipedia in eight films together spends the rest of her life trying to Olivia de Havilland.

July-September 2020 VIDURA 61 young woman to a tormented and goes that Davis had Aldrich fly to Honours and awards were show- disoriented woman. Switzerland to persuade a reluctant ered on de Havilland as confetti at a A second Oscar came de Havil- de Havilland to accept the role of wedding. In 2006, she made appear- land’s way the following year for Miriam, a cruel conniving character ances at tributes commemorating The Heiress (1949) besides winning hidden behind the charming façade her 90th birthday at the Academy the New York Film Critics award of a polite and cultured lady. One of Motion Picture Arts and Sci- for a second successive year as well critic wrote: “de Havilland’s quiet, ences and the Los Angeles County as the Golden Globe. This was one restrained performance provides Museum of Art. In 2008, at the age of the finest performances of her a counterbalance to Davis’ ranting of 92, de Havilland received the career as she had to transform her- characterization”. Another hailed National Medal of Arts the highest self from a shy, trusting innocent de Havilland’s performance as “a honour conferred to an individual to a guarded mature woman over subtle piece of acting that was a artist on behalf of the people of a period of time. Under William vital contribution to the effective- the United States. In 2010, she was Wyler’s guidance, her portrayal of ness of the film”.’ appointed a Chevalier (Knight) of Catherine Sloper was developed With suitable roles hard to come the Legion d’honneur the highest through carefully crafted move- by in the 1970s and 80s, de Havil- decoration in France. ments, gestures and facial expres- land turned to television besides Two weeks before her 101st sions that conveyed a submissive being busy with speaking engage- birthday in 2017, de Havilland was and inhibited young woman. ments in cities across the US and appointed Dame Commander of Olivia de Havilland remained attending regular tributes to Gone the Order of the British Empire in active through the 1950s and 60s, With The Wind, being by this time the 2017 Birthday Honours list for making the transition to character the only survivor of the leading services to drama. She was the old- roles smoothly. Her most famous quartet of stars. est woman ever to receive the hon- film during the period was Hush Post retirement, De Havilland our and she termed it “the most Hush Sweet Charlotte (1964) directed remained active in the film com- gratifying of birthday presents”. by Robert Aldrich and co-starring her munity. In 2003, she appeared On her passing it is time to remem- good friend Bette Davis. Joan Craw- as a presenter at the 75th Acad- ber a luminous star, a gracious

ford and Davis had appeared in the emy Awards. The following year, lady and her many memorable same director’s Whatever Happened Turner Classic Movies produced performances. < to Baby Jane (1962) and with the film a retrospective piece called Mela- being a success Aldrich wanted to do nie Remembers in which she was (The writer has more than a passing a follow-up. interviewed for the 65th anniver- interest in old English movies.) However, after Crawford left sary of the original release of Gone the picture due to illness, the story With The Wind.

TRIBUTE TO EVERTON WEEKES (1925-2020) His batting was all about grace, power and timing West Indian cricket great Everton Weekes passed away recently. Partab Ramchand points out that he had a particular liking for Indian bowling

verton Weekes who passed so many years. Weekes crossed The reign of the triumvirate of away on July 1 at the age 1000 Test runs in 12 innings – one the three Ws – Weekes, Worrell and Eof 95 was, simply put, one fewer than Don Bradman and Walcott – constitutes the first great of the greatest batsmen of all nobody has reached the milestone era of West Indies cricket. From the time. Among his many notable quicker. Secondly, his record late 1940s to the late 1950s, the trio feats, two stand as the ultimate of five hundreds in five succes- posed problems galore for bowlers testimony to his greatness as sive Test innings has remained as they plundered runs freely. And they remain unsurpassed after unequaled for 71 years. great as Worrell and Walcott were,

62 VIDURA July-September 2020 the Caribbean in 1953 Weekes continued his dazzling form scoring 716 runs with three hundreds. He was at ease while negotiating the first great Indian spin trio of Vinoo Mankad, Ghulam Ahmed and Sub- hash Gupte. Weekes is the only batsman to average over 100 (106.78) against India with a qualification of 1000 runs. Mushtaq Ali who opened the innings for India in the 1948-49 series was fulsome in his praise for Weekes. “With strokes that were all grace and ease he sent the ball to all parts of the field and it flashed past the fielders like lightning. He played businesslike cricket scoring freely while executing that elegant stroke – half cut, half drive – with tremendous power and exquisite timing.” Indian captain Lala Amarnath said that Weekes was as much a problem to him almost as much as Don Bradman was in the series in Australia the year before. Indeed, as eminent cricket writer SK Guruna- The Times of India than wrote, “when the Indians bowled to Weekes it appeared as Photo: if they were just going through the Everton Weekes had an insatiable appetite for runs. He is the only batsman to average over 100 against India with a qualification of 1000 runs. Here, he is seen formalities.” playing an off-drive in his prime. Weekes continued to be among the runs and notch up big scores Weekes was generally acknowl- with equal ease. Indeed, the bowl- even late in his career, hitting three edged as the best batsman of the ing never looked so helpless when hundreds in successive Test innings three. This is not just on the basis of Weekes was in charge – and this against New Zealand in 1956 and his stats which are of the eye-rub- was quite often. He had an array of 197 in his last series against Paki- bing and mindboggling variety – an attacking strokes which left bowlers stan two years later. In between, he average of 58.61 over 48 Tests dur- bewildered, fielders helpless and displayed his courage in getting 90 ing which he notched up 15 hun- captains clueless. with a damaged hand on a spiteful dreds towards a tally of 4455 runs. While he scored runs against all Lord’s pitch against Fred Trueman Among those who have scored over opposition, it was Indian bowling and Brian Statham in 1957. 2000 runs in Tests, Weekes has the that Weekes relished most. In the Post retirement, Weekes stayed in seventh best average. Test series in 1948-49 he amassed 779 the news for years thanks to being a That Weekes had an insatiable runs with four hundreds, including coach in his native Barbados, serv- appetite for runs and big scores is a hundred in each innings at Cal- ing as an ICC match referee in the confirmed by these figures – he also cutta. In the next match in Madras, 1990s, being awarded the MBE and has a first class average of 55 with he was run out for 90 and insisted CBE and finally a knighthood in a highest score of 304 not out – but for years thereafter that he was 1995. Weekes will also be remem- what really attracted considerable wrongly given out. This was the bered for being a cheerful character attention was the manner of his time when he notched up his record with a friendly disposition and a

batting. Short in stature and quick of five consecutive hundreds hav- toothy smile – a typical fun loving on his feet, he was merciless as he ing started off the run with a hun- West Indian. < drove, cut, pulled and hooked fear- dred against England early in 1948. lessly, treating both pace and spin In the return series against India in

July-September 2020 VIDURA 63 TRIBUTE TO BALBIR SINGH (1923-2020) He was the last connect to the golden era of Indian hockey First there was Dhyan Chand. And then there was Balbir Singh (Senior). There is no point in looking beyond these two as the greatest Indian hockey players ever. Balbit Singh passed away on May 25. Partab Ramchand recalls the contribution of one of India’s sporting icons ndeed, they were the world’s the Asian Games in Tokyo before best during their time – Dhyan calling it a day. IChand and Balbir Singh (Senior). Balbir’s world record for most The period they dominated – from goals scored by an individual in the late 1920s to the late 1950s – was the hockey final of the Olympics when Indian hockey ruled the world still remains unbeaten. He scored and predictably they were at the five goals in India’s 6-1 victory over forefront. the Netherlands in the gold medal

If Dhyan Chand’s wizardry was match at Helsinki. Indian Express a source of joy in a colonised India, Almost equal to Dhyan Chand in

Balbir Singh’s artistry was an inspi- skill and artistry, Balbir was the last Photo: ration for India in the immediate connect to the golden era of Indian Balbir Singh. post-independence era. Indeed, hockey. Nostalgia is what that era Balbir’s magic inside the circle was evokes, a time when Balbir and to ask. He would love to talk about such that opposition players could Dhyan Chand became symbols of hockey and he was a walking only shake their heads in amaze- India’s dominance in international encyclopedia. ment. Simply put, the iconic centre- hockey. Indeed, it was Balbir who In 1957, Balbir was the first forward was one of India’s finest carried forward the original wiz- sportsman to be conferred with sporting icons. ard’s legacy. the Padma Shri but that was all the In fact, Balbir always maintained Balbir and Dhyan Chand never recognition he could get despite his that the one moment which meant played together at the international countless achievements as a player more to him than any other was level but the comparisons were and later as coach and manager. when the national anthem was constant and the former acknowl- After his retirement, Balbir was being played and the tricolor going edged how, as a schoolboy he felt involved with coaching and men- up after India had defeated Britain inspired by watching the original tored the Indian team that won a 4-0 in the Olympic hockey final in icon. “But there is no comparison bronze medal at the 1971 World London in 1948. “I felt that I too was at all,” maintained Ajitpal Singh, Cup. Four years later, he became flying with the flag. The sense of captain of the 1975 World Cup win- the manager of India’s only World patriotism that I felt was beyond any ning team. “The two were at par in Cup winning side in Kuala Lum- other feeling in the world,” he said. all departments. They were both pur. He was particularly proud of The first gold was always going to immensely skilful centre forwards that achievement. be special but then Balbir won two and were both three time win- A prolific goal getter, Balbir more – in Helsinki in 1952 and in ners of the Olympic gold medal. scored 246 goals in 61 matches for Melbourne in 1956 when he led the The only difference was that both the country in an 11-year interna- Indian team that defeated Pakistan played in different eras,” he said. . tional career. Of India’s 13 goals 1-0 in the final. He thus emulated “Many Balbirs came and went at the Helsinki Olympics, Balbir Dhyan Chand who had also won in Indian hockey but none could scored nine, including a hat trick three gold medals wih the Indian match him and his achievements,” against Britain in the semifinal. Bal- team emerging triumphant at said Ajitpal, talking about the bir’s goal tally for India in the Olym- Amsterdam in 1938, Los Angeles in incredible journey of the legend pics was 22. Under his captaincy, 1932 and Berlin in 1936. Balbir titled who was admired for his warmth India scored 38 goals without con- his autobiography The Golden Hat- and the willingness to share his ceding even one while winning the trick. He also won a silver medal at experience with anyone who cared gold medal at Melbourne. He is the

64 VIDURA July-September 2020 only Indian to have the honour of Balbir’s relationship with the she returned to me as fresh, as gay, being the flag bearer at the opening sport, in fact, went beyond the as charming as she ever was,” he ceremony of two Olympics – Hel- goals and the trophies. It was like spoke of hockey, the one true love sinki and Melbourne. a timeless love affair, one that he of his life. “This time she took me to

During the 2012 London Olym- described vividly in his autobi- Kuala Lumpur and we were again pics, Balbir was named one of the 16 ography. “Her love for me was top of the world. I am waiting for < iconic Olympians and lone Indian eternal. Our love blossomed in her -- my hockey fairy.” to be honoured in the Olympic London. We married in Helsinki Museum exhibition, The Olympic and honeymooned in Melbourne. Journey: The Story of the Games, After a period of 11 long years held at the Royal Opera House. (from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics),

TRIBUTE TO BAIDYANATH BASAK (1924-2020) A cameraman who made a mark as being ‘quiet, undemanding, creative’ At about the same time as a young Hindi film actor tragically ended his life, a once well-known veteran of the same industry also left this world. But his passing did not merit even a mention in the media. Baidyanath Basak, cinematographer for 72 films starring Uttam Kumar, passed away at his Kolkata residence on June 4. Shoma A.Chatterji describes the circumstances in which he died and the miserable and sad end

aidyanath Basak died not of actor-producer Dev to announce at and requested him to stay on, but old age as much as of pov- a press conference that he would the disheartened Basak had made Berty and the humiliation be taking care of Baidyanath’s up his mind and got back to Cal- it caused. In the last phase of his financial and basic needs. This hap- cutta, as it was then known. life, he had to walk two kilometres pened in 2018. There, Basak’s life and career daily from his home in a slum for For the past several years, Baidya- took a turn for the better, espe- the free food distributed as part nath and his son, also elderly, were cially through his introduction and of Ramakrishna Mission’s Anna- living with his grandson’s family in interaction with Uttam Kumar who purna programme run in Kolkata, a one-room rental house in Kolkata. was at the peak of his career in the and then all the way back. A few His son, who works as an assistant 1950s. Basak was a contemporary of months before he passed away, a in a textile store, claimed that he stalwarts like Subrata Mitra, Ajay Bengali daily had published a pho- had no means to take care of his Kar, Bibhuti Laha, Bijoy Ghosh, tograph of him standing in queue father’s needs. Baidyanath report- Kanai Dey, Dinen Gupta, Gour Kar- to collect his lunch. This prompted edly suffered a paralytic stroke and makar, Shakti Banerjee and Bimal died in his sleep four days later. Mukherjee. Let’s go back to 1947. The young Director Raj Banerjee takes great Baidyanath got a break – he got pride in the fact that he could per- to assist the famous Bibhuiti Laha suade the nonagenarian to direct soon after Independence. But he the cinematography of his feature did not continue in Kolkata as he film Paad. This was Basak’s last got a call from Raj Kapoor to assist film.He was hard of hearing by cinematographer Taru Dutt for then and could not stand for a long Boot Polish. The film became a big time. “But I learnt a lot from him hit and his name became known and am honoured that his last film in the industry. But work did not was directed by me. I was amazed come. So, Basak decided to try his by his practice of rehearsing the luck back in Calcutta. Raj Kapoor exact placement of the camera for Photo: SC told him he was planning to take each shot through rehearsals one Baidyanath Basak. him on for his next film, Shree 420, day ahead,” he added.

July-September 2020 VIDURA 65 Anindyo Roy produced and which Basak was witness to, and films include Manjari Opera (1964), directed a 22-minute documentary he rushed back to Calcutta. Kokhono Megh (1968), Sabar Baidyanather Itikatha (The story Basak turned an independent Uparey (1955), Trijama (1956), of Baidyanath) for Doordarshan a cameraman with Chhadmabeshi in Pathey Holo Deri (1957), Nayika couple of years prior to his demise. 1971. “He would never ask for any Sangbad (1967), Ekti Raat (1956), In it, Basak talks at length about his help even when he was hungry Putrabadhu (1998), Deya Neya early work and his wonderful expe- and needed to eat,” says Madhabi (1963) and Kakababu Here Gelen? rience as operating cameraman for Mukherjee, who played the female (1995). Uttam Kumar’s films. lead in this film. “I strongly believe Basak had also worked as a “Being a cinematographer has that many producers tricked him cameraman in Manoj Kumar’s given me an experience I may never out of his dues or paid him very film Hariyali Aur Rasta and Kitne have encountered had I led a nor- little,” she added. Door Kitne Paas. With experience mal life. Once, the director asked Cinematographer Prabir Roy he learnt to work in every field of me to get into a coal mine to adjust says, “After the shooting of Khok- filmmaking, including editing and the lighting and shoot some scenes. ababur Protyabartan (1960) was music and even direction. And he I had to sign a statement that said over, I saw him come to meet the did all this for free. It probably did no one would be responsible for my accountant at the studio because not occur to him to ask for money. death. I took on the challenge and his salary was due. Do you know “It was a time when a DOP (dir- went down, fully equipped with how much his salary was? Rs 30 ector of photography) was paid Rs mining gear, headlight, glasses, hel- per month! Which also remained 25000 per film and he was assistant met and so on. It was an unforget- unpaid until he came and asked cameraman, so he deserved at least table experience and Madan Mitra, for it. And he was the chief assis- Rs 20,000. Multiply this by the num- the political leader, hearing what I tant cameraman of the film which ber of films he worked in – around had done, presented me a cheque became a box office hit.” 100 – and unless he was cheated out for Rs.10000,” says Basak. “I have never in my long expe- of his money, how would he die in On invitation from the King of rience as filmmaker met a quiet, such miserable circumstances?”asks Nepal to be the royal photographer undemanding yet creative human Bimal Deb, general secretary, East-

and cameraman, Basak travelled being like BaidyanathBasak,” says ern India Motion Picture Directors to Nepal and stayed as a guest of Pinaki Choudhury for whose films Association. < the King for some time. But then, Basak was director of cinematog- there was a bombing incident raphy. Some of his notable Bengali

TRIBUTE TO BASU CHATTERJEE (1927-2020) He scored with light-hearted films about the middle class Basu Chatterjee was a filmmaker who evolved a distinct genre of wholesome family entertainment, often drawing inspiration from Hindi and Bengali literature. He began his career as cartoonist for Blitz, and the 18 years he spent there honed his penchant for designing and his command over tongue-in-cheek humour and satire. His close friend and colleague was another gifted cartoonist, who later became an iconic figure in Indian politics – Bal Thackeray. Shoma A. Chatterji has more on an outstanding filmmaker

hrough the 1970s and 1980s, (1966). Like their films, his films locations, and was based on anovel Basu Chatterjee became too dealt with light-hearted stories of the same name by Rajendra Yadav. Tassociated with what came of middle-class families often in Along with Uski Roti and Bhuvan to be known as middle cinema or urban settings, focusing on marital Shome, other notable films of the middle-of-the-road cinema, with and love relationships. year, it is regarded as a harbinger filmmakers such as Hrishikesh Chatterjee directed his first film, of the new wave in Indian Cinema. Mukherjee and Basu Bhattacharya, Sara Akash, in 1969. The film was Chatterjee received the 1972 Filmfare who he assisted in Teesri Kasam shot in black and white, set in real Best Screenplay Award for this film.

66 VIDURA July-September 2020 Rajanigandha (1974) and Chitchor (1978) were other memorable films.They were straight- forward, simple stories about ordinary men and women negotiating their way through life and relationships, characterised by beautiful music, satire and soft romance. Inspired by literary works, Chat- terjee made Swami in 1977, based on a novelette by Sarat Chandra Chatterjee. It won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Enter- tainment as well as the Filmfare Awards for Best Director (Chatter- jee), Best Actress (Shabana Azmi) and two Filmfare nominations for singers Lata Mangeshkar and Yesudas. Another Sarat Chandra classic, Nishkriti, inspired Chat- terjee and his Apne Paraye is an adaptation of the book. Subsequently, Chatterjee moved away from family and ethnic stories to make two milestone films, Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1986) and Kamla Ki Maut (1989). Both were Photo: Internet powerful socio-political state- Basu Chatterjee. ments on social ills, focusing on the collective victimisation of Moon Moon Sen, Girish Karnad, famous series. It marked the debut Indian women. Sheesha (1986), Shabana Azmi and many others. of Rajit Kapoor as the detective another out-of-the-box film, was Few remember his Manzil (1979). and K.K Raina as his assistant Ajit. perhaps one of the earliest Bolly- Amitabh Bachchan was at his peak The series is still considered the wood films on sexual harassment at the time the film was made, but most memorable representation of at work. But the film did not do accepted the assignment to play Byomkesh Bakshi and has tremen- well commercially and faded from the role immortalised by Soumitra dous repeat value. public memory. Chatterjee in the Bengali original. The other series Basu Chatterjee Another movie of Chatterjee’s Chatterjee also introduced new made was Rajani, inspired by the that did not make it with the audi- faces who went on to become fam- concept of consumer rights. It fea- ence was Tiriyacharitra, based on ous. His two biggest discover- tured a strong, middle-class house- a noted Hindi short story about a ies are Amol Palekar, a qualified wife called Rajani portrayed by young bride who is raped by her artiste from the JJ School of Arts Priya Tendulkar, who turned into a father-in-law who accuses her who was deeply involved in the- television star as the series evolved ofhaving loose morals. She is sub- atre, and Vidya Sinha, a young and rose in fame and popularity. sequently brutally murdered by housewife. They became famous He also directed many Bengali the patriarchal villagers. with his Rajanigandha, for which films such as Hothat Brishti, Hoch-

Chatterjee worked with a - mas none other than Salil Choudhary cheta Ki and Hothat Shei Din, but sive range of actors, from Jeeten- composed the lilting melodies. by then, the spark had gone. < dra and Neetu Singh (Priyatama), Chatterjee made two historic through Dharmendra and Hema series for Doordarshan. One was Malini (Dillagi), to Rakesh Roshan the first-ever audio-visual version and Bindiya Goswami, Utpal Dutt, of the adventures of the detect- MithunChakraborty, A.K. Hangal, ive Byomkesh Bakshi, based Tina Munim, Mallika Sarabhai, on Saradindu Bandopadhyay’s

July-September 2020 VIDURA 67 TRIBUTE TO SAROJ KHAN (1948-2020) ‘Masterji’ was a hard taskmaster and a perfectionist Saroj Khan, the choreographer who brought respect to the profession of choreography in Indian cinema passed away in Mumbai in July. Hers is a story of struggling to rise from rags to riches in a way that her death brought the entire Bollywood film industry together to grieve over her passing away, says Shoma A. Chatterji

aroj Khan was ailing for of his daughter working in films as it of assisting the two dance direc- the past few years and had was a profession looked down upon tors while they were working on Salmost disappeared from the by middle-class Hindu families. Ladki and Bahar. Sohanlal disap- work field for health reasons. She Khan rose from being a cho- peared from their lives one fine day had to come up the hard way. Born rus girl in dance numbers in films and they never saw him again. He on 22nd November 1948, in Bom- where she could be hardly seen refused to give his name to his chil- bay, Nirmala Nagpal aka Saroj to an assistant to B. Sohanlal, her dren by her. Khan had begun her career as a dance guru and then, to a full- Khan began first as a background child artist at the age of three and fledged, independent choreogra- dancer for actors like Madhubala, later as a background dancer in pher. She went on to marry her then as assistant teaching intricate the late 1950s. Her parents had to guru when she was only 13 without steps to accomplished dancers like move to India from Pakistan after knowing that at 43, he was already Vyjayanthimala. As choreogra- the Partition. married with four children. Before pher, she made Madhuri Dixit a “My father, Kishanchand Sadhu realising what marriage was all phenomenal dancer and weaved Singh was a Punjabi, while my about, Saroj became a mother the that magic with Aishwarya Rai and mother, Noni, a Sindhi. My father following year, and the eldest child Kareena Kapoor. She remained had a flourishing business in Paki- later became Raju Khan, a choreog- grateful to actress Sadhana, who stan but he had to leave everything rapher in his own right. she was close to. Sadhana gave behind when he came to India. I was However, after several hiccups, Saroj Khan her first break as her born in India. Even as a two-year-old the marriage broke up and Khan dance teacher and composer in child, I loved to dance. Since we were never married again, bringing up Geeta Mera Naam (1974). Khan’s in dire straits, my parents put me in her children as a single working big hit that began with with Sridevi films,” Khan had said. Her father mother. Sohanlal and brother Hira- in Mr India. The Hawa Hawaee apparently changed her name to lal were gurus of Vyjayantimala number remains a forever number Saroj Khan because he felt ashamed and so Saroj had the opportunity among film buffs. This was followed by a long string of famous dances in hit films and not so hit films such as Main teri dushman, dushman tu mera in Nagina (1986) and Mere haathon mein in Chandni (1989), and with Madhuri Dxit, starting with the hit Ek do teen in Tezaab (1988), Tamma tamma loge in Thanedaar (1990) and Dhak dhak karne laga in Beta (1992). Choli ke peechhey kya hai and the Devdas dance numbers remain archived in the history of dance in Indian cinema for all time. The, there were Subhash Ghai’s Taal and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hum Dil

Photo: Courtesy, Nidhi Tuli De Chuke Sanam. All these films Saroj Khan. brought her a string of awards.

68 VIDURA July-September 2020 Though Khan never trained in But she did marry a second time, According to Khan, Shringaram, Indian classical dance except for the to businessman Sardar Roshan a Tamil period film, was special basics from Sohanlal, she excelled Khan when she had two kids because it was directed by noted in all the colours of the choreogra- already. Khan was a Pathan and dancer Saradha Ramanathan, pro- pher’s palette between these two was prepared not only to accept my duced by Padmini Ravi, a classi- polarities – hip-hop, salsa, ball- children, unlike Sohanlal, but also cal dancer, and harked back to the room, Indian folk styles, fusion, married me though he was already 19th Century, focsing on the life of item numbers and any other dance married. She married him in 1975 a devadasi (female artist dedicated to style one can imagine. The indus- and, in another unconventional worship). Though the producer and try looked up to her and addressed step, she lived with him and his director were both celebrated danc- her as Masterji. Actors she worked first wife in the same house with the ers themselves, they placed the onus

with were in awe of her when she children. This is when she decided of choreography on Saroj Khan who directed them on the sets; she was to convert to Islam because she had won the National Award. < hard taskmaster and a perfectionist. begun to believe in the faith.

TRIBUTE TO RISHI KAPOOR (1952-2020) A versatile actor who excelled in romantic roles According to Shoma A. Chatterji, among all the members of Raj Kapoor’s family who stepped into films – his three sons and his two brothers – Rishi Kapoor was the most versatile, the most talented and had the longest ‘shelf-life’ in Hindi cinema. He never ever took his famous ancestry for granted

ishi Kapoor created his special ‘kick’ to the character he own distinctive style in act- portrayed. For example, in Doosra Ring and never once tried to Admi, he had to portray a young imitate his father, Raj Kapoor, his man who falls in love with an older grandfather, Prithviraj Kapoor, or woman because she reminds him his two talented uncles, Shammi of the young woman he had loved Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor. Rishi and lost in a car accident. He played Kapoor made his debut in the first hero opposite the bubbly Neetu part of Meera Naam Joker (1970), Singh in 12 films and finally tied his father’s production, in which the knot with her in 1980. he portrayed an adolescent who is Rishi was paired with the most becoming aware of his sexuality and number of leading ladies during his has a huge crush on one of his school career as hero. Apart from Dimple Photo: Internet teachers. He bagged the National Kapadia, with whom he acted first Award for Best Child Actor for his in Bobby, he has also been paired Rishi Kapoor. performance in the film. with Jayapradha (Sargam), a Ran- Then came Bobby (1973). The jeeta (Laila Majnu) and Padmini One of his biggest musical hits was financially stung Raj Kapoor intro- Kolhapure (Prem Rog). In Chandni, Hum Kisise Kum Nahin directed by duced Rishi, also known as Chintu, he shared screen space with Sridevi. Nasir Hussain, where Zeenat Aman as hero in the movie. His perfor- Rishi was a very graceful dancer was his leading lady. The Pakistani mance in it fetched him the Film- and a natural one at that, because, actress Zeba Bakhtiar was cast fare Best Actor Award. Bollywood unlike today’s heroes, he had never opposite him in Raj Kapoor’s home met one of its most durable stars. trained in dancing. His baby face, production Henna. One of the Though his market demand his fresh complexion, his ready biggest musical hits of his career, revolved around his romantic smile and easy camaraderie gave Karz, saw him play opposite Tina screen image, Rishi took each him a unique edge over other Munim on one side and Simi on the role seriously and added his own romantic actors. other. Bol Radha Bol opposite Juhi

July-September 2020 VIDURA 69 Chawla was a glamourised version classics like Coolie and Amar Akbar In 2008, Rishi was presented the of the old Hollywood film Chase a Antony, but also as a veteran actor, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Crooked Shadow. in the recent film 102 Not Out, in Award for his contribution to Another unforgettable perfor- which he plays the old son of the Indian cinema. The following year, mance he gave was in Ek Chadar centenarian played by Amitabh the Russian Government honoured Maili Si (1986),in which he portrays Bachchan. him for his contribution to cinema. a very young man who is forced by As the years passed, Rishi Kapoor In his entire career, he had more Punjabi custom to marry his dead stepped under the skin of charac- flops than hits, but this did nothing brother’s wife, a woman who had ters that were completely different to spoil his image as one of the most

brought him up almost like her from the romantic hero image he loved romantic heroes who graced own son. In Badalte Rishte, he plays became famous for at the start of Indian cinema. < a young man madly in love with his career. Among his cameos was the heroine, Reena Roy. his role in Zoya Akhtar’s directorial Rishi held his own in many debut Luck by Chance where he films in which he was featured plays a veteran producer married with Amitabh Bachchan, not only to a former actress (Juhi Chawla).

TRIBUTE TO IRRFAN KHAN (1967-2020) He exercised ‘learned spontaneity’ and followed his instincts Irrfan Khan was an outstanding actor. Shoma A. Chatterji writes about the man whose legacy includes some of the most wonderful films Indian cinema has ever produced

brilliant performer (though with daughters, hell-bent on bring- perhaps in Life in a Metro, the he could not dance to save ing up the youngest as a boy. movie in which, dressed as a Pun- Ahis life), the way Irrfan Irrfan struggled long and hard to jabi groom, he rides a decked- handled his terminal illness in the find his feet in Bollywood, which in up horse through the streets of public eye was exemplary. “I have turn led to his stepping into inter- Mumbai. this unwanted guest inside me national cinema, beginning with In an interview with this writer which is creating troubles for me in the milestone English film The War- at the Cairo International Film Fes- my work. But I will soon come back rior. Be it the ruthless police officer tival some years ago, Khan said, when I am rid of this unwanted investigating the Indian winner in “I would like to define myself as guest” he said in a voice-over at the Slumdog Millionnaire, or the adult an actor who exercises learned press conference for his last film, Pi in Life of Pi, or, Mr AsokGanguly spontaneity. I am not a director’s English Medium. in Mira Nair’s The Namesake, or actor. I like to work with a director Irrfan, who entered the portals Spiderman’s dad in The Amazing of the National School of Drama, Spiderman, he played memorable Delhi, emerged as a tall, dark and characters in international films. handsome young man who could Irrfan opted out of Mira Nair’s slip into any role he needed to. I The Reluctant Fundamentalist first saw him in a tele-serial titled because he did not want to play a Star Bestsellers, which featured a terrorist. His portrayal of a talented complete story every week. Irrfan sportsperson who was forced into acted in one of them as a psychotic dacoity in Tigmangshu Dhulia’s killer who pushes a young woman Paan Singh Tomar fetched him the to lunacy. I was stunned by his per- National Award for Best Actor. formance. Another unforgettable Irrfan mostly did serious roles performance was in Anup Singh’s but he also had wonderful comic Photo: SC Punjabi film Quissa, as a father timing, which we witnessed first Irrfan Khan.

70 VIDURA July-September 2020 who knows much more than I do. Lunch Box and Piku happened was co-produced, called Quarib Quarib I am just a cog in the giant wheel romance, which I hardly had an Single, which shows how two very of the film that is being turned by opportunity to explore. I enjoyed different and not-very-young peo- the director. I like a director who I working in both these films, one ple finding company in each other.

can place my faith in. If needed, I slightly off-beat and the other quite He was also one of the top heroes put in some homework for a given mainstream.” who had perhaps the largest num-< character. But many characters do As a producer, his films did not ber of shelved films. not need homework. I follow my fare well commercially, though instincts and the director’s direc- they were well-made and good tions. What I had been missing till films. I watched a film he had

A ‘compulsive letter writer’ who remembers Gulshan Ewing

The tribute to Gulshan Ewing by Shoma A. Chatterji in the April- June issue of Vidura brings memories of how I had made my foray into writing for magazines way back in 1970-71 while undergoing a course in journalism. I had read an article in Eve’s Weekly where the writer said Indian men were not progressive enough to marry girls who pursued careers in the hospitality industry and as air-hostesses, with the result the girls opted to marry foreigners and we thus lost talent. I wrote a rejoinder which was published in the ‘letters to the editor’ column and I won the third prize of five rupees. I then began writing letters to the editor regularly on social issues pertaining to women. I would be thrilled to receive complimentary copies by post Photo:Internet whenever my letter appeared and to receive the first, second or Gulshan Ewing. third prize. Subsequently, Ms Kuruvilla, who was the correspondent based in Madras, interviewed me and her story had the headline, ‘Compulsive letter writer’. Later, I had

the pleasure of meeting Ewing when she visited Madras. The first thing I noticed was her simplicity sans any airs. <

(From Meera Rao, freelance writer and author based in Chennai.)

Mathrubhumi: Shreyams Kumar is MD, P.V. Chandran, chairman

In an official communication, Mathrubhumi has announced that the board of directors, at its meeting, has elected M.V. Shreyams Kumar as the managing director of the company. P.V. Chandran is the new chairman of the Board of Directors. The company also said that Chandran will continue to function as the whole- time director. In addition to this, the company also shared that the managing editor, P.V. Gangadharan,

presently director, has been appointed as the whole-time director. Mayura M.S. has been elected whole- time additional director. <

(Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

July-September 2020 VIDURA 71 OTHER NEWS

World News Day sets ambitious fellows. The fellowship programme seeks to nurture the next generation of media leaders who are commit- global target ted to shaping the regional future. The aim is for YML Fellows to contribute effectively to the pursuit of good Highlighting journalism’s importance in an age of journalism, foster dialogue and greater connectedness misinformation, the Canadian Journalism Foundation among one another, and build up newsrooms to meet (CJF) and the World Editors Forum (WEF) — with sup- the needs of their societies in these uncertain times. port from Google News Initiative — aim to have 100 The inaugural class of YML Fellows comprises media supporters from around the world, up from 40 young, high-potential editors and journalists from last year, for World News Day 2020. The annual global across the region nominated by their newsrooms. event is to take place on Monday, September 28. They will gather online over the next six months to Modern-day news consumers are presented with share experiences, exchange ideas, amplify the impact unprecedented opportunities to interact with diverse of news reporting, and learn to lead in an industry news and information sources, but with the prevalence transformed by technology. This is especially relevant of falsehood parading as truth, particularly relating to as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to batter global the coronavirus pandemic, it is becoming harder to economies and threaten the future of the publishing discern fact from fiction. World News Day 2020 aims industry. to raise public awareness of the critical role that news- “This fellowship aims to nurture the next genera- rooms and journalists play in helping people make tion of media leaders who can contribute effectively sense of — and improve — the rapidly changing world to the pursuit of good journalism and build capacity around them. in their newsrooms to meet the needs of their societ- Last year, almost 40 outlets from around the world ies in these uncertain times. We want to expose Asia’s — including such internationally-renowned organisa- future media leaders to the diverse challenges facing tions as The Globe and Mail, The Straits Times, Südde- the media industry across the region and provide utsche Zeitung and the South China Morning Post — took them the opportunity to network and build partner- part to draw attention to the vital work of professional ships to share best practices and improve capabilities” journalists and newsrooms, and the impact they have says Warren Fernandez, president of the World Edi- in the communities they serve. tors Forum and editor-in-chief of The Straits Times in Here are five ways you and your newsroom can get Singapore, who mooted the initiative. involved and add your masthead as a supporter of this “The world’s and Asia’s top news publishers meet global event: regularly at over 50 WAN-IFRA events and meetings • Run a #WorldNewsDay ad in your publication annually. With the Young Media Leaders Fellowship (WAN-IFRA will provide the creative) in Asia, made possible through the generous support • Share your stories of why #NewsMatters on of donors such as the Temasek Foundation in Singa- #WorldNewsDay pore, we are now able to create a similar platform for • Solicit an opinion piece from a source who the next generation of industry leaders, says Thomas has been impacted by journalism to run on Jacob, COO, WAN-IFRA. #WorldNewsDay “The media is well-placed to contribute to the shap- • Devote an editorial to why #NewsMatters ing of the narrative of our times. By tapping on a strong network of media leaders across the region, • Pool and publish high-impact content from 100 newsrooms can draw on one another’s strengths to newsrooms achieve greater impact. We hope that fellows can use the opportunities given to grow, and be empowered (Courtesy: WAN-IFRA) to build up not just their newsroom but also to contribute to thought leadership to shape the challenges WEF, Temasek Foundation in our society,” says Lim Hock Chuan, chief executive launch fellowship programme of Temasek Foundation Connects. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the YML programme The new Young Media Leaders (YML) Fellowship will take place mostly through online platforms. Par- Programme, an initiative of the World Editors Forum ticipants will gather in Singapore in January 2021 for Asia Chapter, the regional network in Asia for editors the fellowship finale where the Asian Media Leaders within WAN-IFRA, and supported by Temasek Foun- Summit will be held, conditions permitting. From dation, launched recently with its inaugural class of 30 India, Deepanshu Taumar, senior correspondent, ET

72 VIDURA July-September 2020 OTHER NEWS

Auto, and Vasudevan Mukunth, science editor, The Warren Fernandez, President of the World Editors Wire, have enrolled. Forum, said: “We are deeply concerned about the rise in jailings of journalists. We stand with editors on the (Courtesy: WAN-IFRA) continent in calling for the release of Mr Chin’ono and urge regional powers to put pressure on the Zimba- Concern over arrest of bwean government to stop criminalising critical journalism. We also believe that Mr Hussein should be Apple Daily’s publisher released, particularly in light of the worsening health conditions in Egypt’s jails.” WAN-IFRA, the World Association of News Publish- Last month veteran Egyptian journalist Mohamed ers and the World Editors Forum, have expressed Monir, who contracted COVID-19 while in pre-trial grave concern over the arrest in Hong Kong on Mon- detention, died in hospital. day of Jimmy Lai, the founder and publisher of Apple Daily, the continued detention of Hopewell Chin’ono, (Courtesy: WAN-IFRA) a Zimbabwean journalist and 2010 Nieman Fellow and the increased jail time for Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein in Egypt. New MIB guidelines in place Lai, his two sons, and six executives of Apple Daily’s for print ad eligibility parent company, Next Digital, were arrested under new National Security Laws early on Monday and The MIB Bureau of Outreach and Communication some 200 policemen raided the Apple Daily offices. (BOC) has come up with a print media advertise- The laws, which were adopted by China for the city ment policy that will be effective from August 1. The at the end of June, criminalise secession, subversion, guidelines state that all ministries or departments of and collusion with foreign forces - the charge levied the Government of India, public sector undertakings, against Mr Lai. autonomous bodies and societies, central universities, Apple Daily, a tabloid, is Hong Kong’s widest-read educational institutions of Government of India shall publication, both in print and online. route their display advertisements, through BOC. WAN-IFRA President, Fernando De Yarza Lopez- However, they may issue classified advertisements Madrazo said the arrests and raid confirmed fears that (tender notices, auction notices, recruitment advertise- the new law would be used to silence pro-democracy ments, etc) directly to the BOC empanelled publica- voices and the press. “It is a dark day for journalism tions at BOC rates and may publish their recruitment and press freedom in Hong Kong. We strongly con- advertisements directly in the Employment News at demn the actions of Hong Kong’s National Security BOC rates. It further states that there shall be a Panel Department police on Monday as an assault on its citi- Advisory Committee (PAC) for considering applica- zens’ freedoms. It will unnerve not just the millions of tions of publications for empanelment for receiving inhabitants who were out on the streets for months government advertisements. on end, in a bid to uphold democracy, but journal- The guidelines state certain eligibility criteria for a ists and human rights’ advocates worldwide. It risks publication. Some of them being: The publication must increasing self-censorship in the city and stifling criti- have been uninterruptedly and regularly under pub- cal journalism.” lication for a period of not less than 36 months. House The world’s press is also increasingly concerned periodicals, souvenirs, annual periodicals, bi-month- about the fate of jailed journalists, Zimbabwean lies, quarterlies and second edition of any periodical Hopewell Chin’ono and Egyptian Mahmoud Hus- will not be empanelled. The compulsory uninter- sein. Last week, the Zimbabwean courts denied bail rupted and regular publication period of 36 months to Chin’ono, a 2010 Nieman Fellow, accusing him of may be relaxed to 6 months for some categories. stoking violence ahead of planned anti-government The publication also needs to maintain a reasonable protests. Chin’ono has been actively exposing corrup- standard. tion in Zimbabwe. Fresh applications for empanelment may be made On Sunday, the Egyptian authorities extended the twice a year, once during February and during August. detention of Al Jazeera journalist, Hussein, for another These applications will be considered by the Panel 45 days. He has been in jail since December 2016, sur- Advisory Committee (PAC), the meetings of which passing the legal limit of detention without trial. Egypt shall be held twice a year. has ignored calls by the UN for it to end the arbitrary The rate structure for advertisements against adver- detention. tisements released by BOC will be worked out as per

July-September 2020 VIDURA 73 OTHER NEWS

recommendations of the rate structure committee. The “Not just the 98 companies that submitted for the rates will be related to certified circulation of a publica- COVID-19 category, but to all who are digging deep tion. The rates for advertisements by Maharatna and to project the power, the passion, and the soul of news Navratna Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) will be brands — especially when it matters the most,” Reid 1.5 times the normal BOC rates. The rates will be valid added. “To those who are elevating their journalism and for 3 years from the date of revision. differentiating themselves from what seems at times like The guidelines also state: In order to incentivise news- the bottomless pit of fake news. This year’s global Best in papers which get their circulation verified by ABC/ RNI Show goes out to each of you — and your teams that are and those who have better professional standing and changing the game for news media in 2020.” to bring transparency and accountability in the release INMA has rewarded excellence in news media since of advertisements, BOC shall follow a marking system 1937. This year across 16 categories, the Global Media based on objective criteria and release advertisements to Awards competition rewards innovation in building the medium and big category newspapers on the basis of news brands, platform excellence, audience develop- marks obtained by each newspaper. ment, advertising sales, and nurturing corporate culture. Entries also are divided into two groups: global/ (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) national brands and regional/local brands. Some 42 media experts from 20 countries judged INMA unveils Global Media the competition in February and April, focusing on breakthrough results, unique concepts, strong cre- Awards winners ativity, innovative thinking, and winning synergies across media platforms. INMA added a just-in-time INMA has announced first-place winners in the category to its Global Media Awards to reward ini- 2020 Global Media Awards competition, with the tiatives in response to the COVID crisis. A total of 98 grand prize presented to the collective work of news news media companies entered, of which 12 made the media companies in their inspirational response to list of finalists. the COVID-19 crisis. The announcement was broad- Ten regional Best of Show winners, selected by cast globally on multiple channels. Jamaican TV host judges from first-place recipients, were: Terri-Karelle Reid emceed the awards announcement, with commentary from Chrissy Towle of the Google • Best in Africa: Volt Africa for Volt Africa News Initiative and Earl Wilkinson of INMA. • Best in Asia/ Pacific, Regional/ Local Brands: The The INMA Global Media Awards competition Press/Stuff for Christchurch Mosque Shooting rewards innovation and excellence in growing audi- Coverage ence, brand, and revenue. From the competition’s 922 • Best in Asia/ Pacific, Global/ National Brands: entries from 262 news brands in 44 countries, Global NZME for The People Programme Media Awards were announced for news media com- • Best in Europe, Regional/ Local Brands: Amedia panies from five continents — with the most emotional in Norway for Converting Existing Print Subscrib- moments coming from the responses to the coronavi- ers and Gaining New Customers rus and its economic impacts. From 185 finalists, 32 • Best in Europe, Global/ National Brands: Expres- were selected first-place recipients. sen in Sweden for Ready, Set, 70,000! How Expres- Due to the “trust, innovation, and agility” demon- sen Went from 0 to 70000 Subscribers in a Year strated by the news media industry in the unprecedented • Best in Latin America: Grupo Semana in Colom- response to COVID-19, INMA chose to honour the col- bia for DC La Vuelta por Bogotá lective outreach of media companies than any one com- • Best in North America, Regional/ Local Brands: pany or campaign. While the competition deadline was Newsday Media Group for Long Island Divided late January, INMA re-opened the competition with a • Best in North America, Global/ National Brands: bonus pandemic response category in April. The New York Times for Women in Congress In making an honourary aggregate selection for • Best in South Asia, Regional/ Local Brands: ABP the global Best in Show, Reid said: “In a first in the in India for Changing the Prayer and Praying For 83-year history of the INMA awards, no single entry Change has been judged the global Best in Show. Instead, in • Best in South Asia, Global/ National Brands: Jag- honour of the courageous work done by media com- ran Prakashan for The Generation That Could panies worldwide during the COVID-19 crisis, INMA Save Us awards the global Best in Show to all news brands who are “leaning in” to this unprecedented moment.

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