A Journal of the press Institute of India ISSN 0042-5303 April-June 2017 JOURNALISM UNDER SIEGE Volume 9 Issue 2 Rs 50 Threatening and CONTENTS • All fawning admiration, no critical look / Ranjona Banerji tarring the watchdogs • Demonetisation – coverage by print could have been better / Bharat Dogra The press used to be known once upon a time as the Fourth Estate • A president’s unmasked (the legislature, the executive and the judiciary being the three dislike of the media / main wings of national vigilance). Freedom of expression is also Yogesh Vajpeyi enshrined in our Constitution. However, today, increasingly, the • The new Disability Act media seems to be vilified and constitutional guarantees tossed and the role of the media / aside by authoritarian diktats, in the name of ‘ensuring national Santosh Kumar Biswal • A 'travelling diary' highlights security’ and safeguarding law and order. Journalists who report woes faced by rural women on malpractices are being threatened. Sakuntala Narasimhan / Sakuntala Narasimhan provides the perspective • Treating waste on-site best way to keep Bharat n the third week of March this year, the Network of Women in Media, swachh? / Rina Mukherjee India (NWMI), a forum for women media professionals (including print, • Sustainable use of water radio and television) put out a statement condemning the intimidation never taken serously, says I expert / Ranjita Biswas unleashed against a woman journalist who published a series of articles exposing corruption and massive malpractices by India’s largest miner and • Getting the message across exporter of rare earth minerals, S. Vaikundarajan of Tamil Nadu, with details to a tribal population is of politicians’ collusion in the illegal operation and looting of national assets never easy / Ritesh Kumar (sand and minerals). Sisu Following a series of four articles on the operation published in The Wire • 'It's digital we have to be in January (https://thewire.in/tag/beach-sand-mining/) the writer, Chennai- focussed on, it's our future' based Sandhya Ravishankar, received a flood of abusive calls, even threats of / Yogesh Vajpeyi violence and dire consequences, via Twitter and Facebook, from supporters • A bold school student of Vaikundarajan, according to her complaint to the Press Council. Blogs stands up for music / Nava in English and Tamil targeted her too. She was also threatened with legal Thakuria action for defamation, although her report is based on factual information that • The best Bengali films of Vaikundarajan has not denied. 2016 constitute a mixed bag The threats have come on the letterhead of the mining company (VV Minerals), / Shoma A. Chatterji of which Vaikundarajan is founder-chairman. Two hundred criminal cases are • He was a teacher, reportedly pending against him. NWMI’s statement is being sent to the police reformer and writer / Mrinal demanding action against such intimidation, pointing out that this “does not Chatterjee bode well for freedom of the press and truth-telling in the public interest”. • A journalist fondly recalls Only when the authorities (including the police and the cyber wing) ensure four men who shaped his that journalists can fulfil their duty to inform the public unhindered by threats careeer / Partab Ramchand and pressure, can we hope to create an atmosphere of genuine freedom of • Remembering expression, NWMI’s statement adds. Gita Sen / Narendranath Mitra / Kishori Amonkar / Kalikaprasad / Ashokamitran (Continued on page 3) / Nirmal Shekar

April-June 2017 VIDURA 1 From the Editor As freedom shrinks, it's hard times for investigative journalism

In October last year, a young data with The Hoot shows that law- presumed dead. Last year, 11 journalist came to meet me makers and law-enforcers are the Mexican journalists were killed, the when I was in New Delhi for prime culprits in the attacks and country’s highest tally this century. the presentation of the annual threats on the media,” Seshu points Ahmed writes that after nearly a PII-ICRC Awards. She was a out. Overall, the situation seems decade of growing violence against former winner of the award, an quite frightening. And not only in the media, the press has adapted outstanding journalist. For a India. by severely cutting back on what series of stories she had done for a Agence France-Presse reports that it reports and that self-censorship national magazine, focusing on the press freedom has hit the lowest is not only common, it is often the trafficking of children from Assam point in 13 years, threatened by US standard. to Gujarat and Punjab to ‘Hinduise’ President Donald Trump's media Protecting Journalism Sources them as it were, she was vilified, bashing and restrictions pursued by in the Digital Age is a new global threatened and mercilessly trolled. both democratic and authoritarian study produced by WAN-IFRA Her character was questioned, governments. The report cites US- for UNESCO that examines obscene pictures sent every day to based Freedom House, a human the growing risks confronting her email account, and a case filed rights organisation, as saying forms of journalism dependent against her in Guwahati for inciting that only 13 per cent of people upon confidential sources and communal hatred. She had covered worldwide enjoy a ‘free press’. The whistleblowers. It finds that the child trafficking for ten years; her Freedom House survey highlights legal frameworks that support stories had the desired impact with growing concerns over efforts by protection of journalistic sources many children benefiting. governments around the world to at international, regional and In this case, she had spoken to clamp down on media and dissent. country levels are under significant all ‘stakeholders’ connected with “Political leaders and other strain – a development that is seen the story. Instead of countering partisan forces in many democracies to represent a direct challenge to her reports with fact and reason, -- including the United States, the established universal human those in the dock resorted to the Poland, the Philippines, and South rights of freedom of expression use of force, threats and other vile Africa -- attacked the credibility and privacy, and one that means. Several other journalists in of independent media and fact- especially constitutes a threat to India are facing similar ire from based journalism, rejecting the the sustainability of investigative groups and outfits who fancy traditional watchdog role of the journalism. themselves as custodians of our press in free societies,” says Jennifer The study, authored by former nationhood and national pride and Dunham, who headed the research. World Editors Forum/ WAN-IFRA consider dissent of any sort as akin Significantly, the report mentions Research fellow Julie Posetti, covers to sedition. Do violence and such press rights are being eroded by the 121 UNESCO Member States and loutish behaviour have a place in efforts of politicians in democratic represents a global benchmarking the practice of Hinduism? states to shape news coverage and of journalistic source protection in A study commissioned by The delegitimise media outlets. the Digital Age. It will be launched Hoot finds that there have been 54 However, many countries fare far on World Press Freedom Day (May attacks on journalists and 25 cases better than Mexico. Azam Ahmed 3rd) in Jakarta. of threatening them in the past 16 reporting from Mexico’s Tierra months. Seven journalists were Blanca for the New York Times, says Sashi Nair killed, but “reasonable evidence of Mexico is one of the worst countries [email protected] their journalism being the motive for in the world to be a journalist the murder is available only in one today, Afghanisatna and Somalia case”, says Geetha Seshu writing being the other two. At least 104 about the ‘silencing of journalists’ journalists have been murdered for the website. The attacks are not in Mexico since 2000, while 25 just from vigilante groups. “The others have disappeared and are

2 VIDURA April-June 2017 (Continued from page 1) Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:

Sandhya is not the first journalist 23 March); cutting across party or ‘buddy’ system. She was who has been threatened by those divisions, legislators charged the accused of “violating the Official who control sand-mining, one of media with “blackmail, extort- Secrets Act” and endangering the the most powerful lobbies in the ion, character assassination, and security of the nation. Lance Naik state -- Tamil magazine Vikatan misleading society”. (Interestingly, Mathew, who spoke to Poonam, and others have also been at the the assembly devoted “over four subsequently committed suicide receiving end of the miner’s ire and hours” to the topic, under a rule (presumably fearing action by his false defamatory claim when they that allows only a “brief discussion superiors) and Poonam has also refer to the subject of illegal beach of public importance”, setting been accused of “abetment” in his sand mining. Many mainstream aside more important issues suicide. This kind of intimidation newspapers and publications are such as distress caused by state- is unacceptable if information that afraid to write on the subject, fearing wide drought, and agitation by has a legitimate place in the public exactly such harassment and legal disgruntled anganwadi (nursery) domain (about unethical treatment issues. The International Federation employees. As for “misleading of jawans) is seen as “endangering of Journalists (IFJ) includes on society”, the very next day, the the security of the nation”. its website other examples of same paper carried an item titled, As I said, criticism of any women journalists being vilified ‘CM misleads the house regarding kind, even legitimate, generates for exposing malpractices. Another anganwadi remunerations’. hostility among VIPs and in award-winning Indian journalist More recently, on March 29, the corridors of power, which (Neha Dixit) who wrote about child the NWMI sent another protest negates the spirit of democracy. trafficking inOutlook magazine was letter to Union Home Minister If media persons have been found similarly vilified as “depraved”. Rajnath Singh, Home Secretary wanting in terms of ethics-morals- Around the time that NWMI was Rajiv Mehrishi, and the director honesty etc, examples are not putting out its statement condem- general of Police for Maharashtra, wanting for slapping the same ning intimidation of journalists condemning the decision to slap accusations on law makers – not reporting on malpractices, the a case against journalist Poonam a day passes without the papers Karnataka Assembly announced Aggrawal, for writing for Quint carrying some expose or the other, the setting up of a panel to “gag about the use of jawans for menial about politicians’ misdeeds (I the media” (as one news report jobs by higher level officials, and have a list of legislators and VIP in the Deccan Herald put it on exploiting them under the sahayak politicians who have criminal cases

April-June 2017 VIDURA 3 pending against them, or have them “among the most dishonest who have been harassed and been implicated in misdeeds but human beings on earth”. One of intimidated by those in power”, continue to be ‘VIPs’). his earliest complaints after his says the statement put out by the In July 2015 the Ministry of Home installation as president was that the network. It is not just NWMB, the Affairs instructed its officials not to media described the turnout at his wider public – the consumers of entertain journalists without prior inauguration as “smaller than that news who have a right to know – appointment, “to prevent leaks”. at Obama’s inauguration”. Not true, need to stand in solidarity too, with In a democracy, ministries work Trump fumed. Photographs taken those who undertake the task of ‘for the people’; besides, ‘leaks’ at the inauguration, juxtaposed vigilance, often at great risk to their occur only with the collusion of with those taken at Obama’s, show life, limb and reputation (remember officials with access to information; clearly that the numbers at the journalist Jagendra Singh who was journalists do not, and cannot, Trump inauguration were indeed set on fire and killed for exposing riffle through stacks of files onan less. It was just a statement of fact. corruption among politicians last official’s table (with or without prior Nevertheless, the president banned year?) That way, we can also ensure appointment). The same ministers media from covering meetings at that mainstream media will not will, however, be only too pleased the White House like they used to be hesitant to play its part as the to spare time and talk if journalists previously. Fourth Estate. promise ‘good coverage’, especially India and the US are both Therein lies true democracy. when elections are in the offing (I “leading democracies of the world”. Merely casting one’s vote is only know, from personal experience). The people have a right to know. one small part of the process. Chastising hurts, right? Even if (otherwise it is not democracy). If safeguarding geographical the public has a right to know what During the British rule in India, borders is vitally important, no goes on in the corridors of power. colonial prohibitions ensured that less important is safeguarding Not that all journalists are angels or even iconic Hindi writer Premchand cleanliness and probity in public paragons of virtue, either – some was pulled up for ‘sedition’ after life – by exposing wrong doing. coverage, especially on television, publishing articles in favour of Who can do that, except the media? when sensationalising an issue, nationalistic pride. But that was If there are aberrations (biased sweeps reporters off their feet; but colonial rule, and we were at the reportage, exaggerations or profit- that does not condone curtailing the time ‘subjects’ owing allegiance to driven coverage) we need to tackle media’s right to expose misdeeds, the British king. that, rather than tarring the entire by representatives of the people Ah, sedition! That brings to mind community of purveyors of news. who govern and make laws ‘for a gamut of other kinds of ‘muzzling’ “These are times of danger the people’. If that right (to inform) – cancelling lectures by those and turmoil for independent was not central to democratic ethics, known for ‘independent thought’, media,” says crowd-funded New what was the whole idea of protests arresting or beating up students Internationalist of UK in a recent against censorship imposed on the for organising free discussions and comment, suggesting a five-point media during the Emergency? Does debates, meddling with text books plan to tackle this. One of them is ‘freedom’ become important only to alter content about history and for transferring ownership (of the when it is threatened? If the media political evolution, dismissing media) to readers (to democratise cannot help promote vigilance and administrators who speak up content). The trend however, act as watchdogs, who can? against orders they consider unjust, is for mainstream media to be Veteran journalist Sucheta Dalal and appointing others willing to tow increasingly under not merely on her Money Life site, points out a certain political line and ideology. corporate ownership but cartels.

that SEBI (Securities and Exchange All of which has been reported in Perhaps, then, the ball is now in Board of India) has recently gagged the press, with eloquent pictures readers' courts? < its staff and forbidden them to talk of policemen using brute force to to the media. “Fear and distrust of break up gatherings of protestors. (The writer, based in Bengaluru, the media now extends to regulators Dissent is an essential ingredient of is herself a recipient of the Media (like SEBI) as well; this goes against democratic governance, to ensure Foundation’s Chameli Devi Award for the spirit of transparency promised that both sides of an argument get a Outstanding Woman Journalist 1983. by Prime Minister Modi.” When legitimate hearing. Throttling dissent Her fortnightly columns on gender Money Life wrote to the head of amounts to decapitating democracy, issues and consumer rights ran in SEBI, he did not respond. as several legal luminaries and social the Deccan Herald for 27 years. She Elsewhere, US President Donald experts have pointed out. had earlier worked for The Times of Trump called the media “most “The NWMI (http://www. India in Mumbai.) dishonest” and unleashed a nwmindia.org/) stands by Sandhya bitter attack on journalists, calling Ravishankar and all journalists

4 VIDURA April-June 2017 All fawning admiration, no critical look The most eye-opening media event in the past five months has been the victory of Donald Trump as the president of the United States. Unlike the complete prostration of the Indian television media in front of the greater glory of Narendra Modi when he became prime minister of India in 2014, much of the American non-rightwing and respectable mainstream media has remained confrontational and indeed, in some cases, become ever more critical, says Ranjona Banerji

he fact that both Donald adviser to the revelation of various more. That he has been arrested Trump and his right-hand- links with Russia to the repeal of the more than once. That several riots Tman Steve Bannon, editor-in- Obama administration’s healthcare have broken out as a result of the chief of the alt-right Breitbart News, policy have been excoriated by the actions of his group and his words. have called the American media media as they have variously failed That he invented “love jihad” lies “the enemy of the people” and or been exposed. Trump’s speech to foster Hindu-Muslim hatred. accused mainstream newspapers to the joint houses of Congress was Instead, we are told Adityanath is and TV channels like the New well-received and therefore was a “firebrand leader”, which basically York Times and CNN publishing reported as such. But for the rest, the means he is passionate about and airing “fake news” shows American media has decided that something. In his case, specifically, how deep the divide is. But what its job is to examine the president’s the passion is for Hindu supremacy we also see is that the American actions and words on a case by and submission of those belonging media cannot be bullied or made case basis. Where is the universal to other religions. This is essentially to cow down. Instead, Trump and fawning that we have become used being a firebrand against the his administration are constantly to here? Constitution of India and the laws being held to scrutiny. Forget Modi. Let’s look at how of the land. It is also a neat media Trump’s exaggeration of television treated the appointment obfuscation of Adityanath’s past – the number of people at his of Yogi Adityanath as chief minister that he is a leader of a violent group inauguration was repeatedly called of Uttar Pradesh. We had gushing which is known for its regressive out for being a lie. Sean Spicer’s anchors and reporters telling us attitudes and provocative acts defence of Trump’s lies and his everything about the Yogi’s life – and statements. Calling him a selective targeting of journalists including an interview with his “firebrand” is like calling Adolf at White House press briefings barber to reveal the secret of the Hitler a “braveheart for the Aryan have made the White House press new chief minister’s bald pate. cause”. secretary an international laughing A very senior TV journalist was That such a person could be made stock, especially after Hollywood almost overcome with excitement chief minister of India’s biggest star Melissa McCarthy’s im- on Twitter as he informed us that state, by a ruling dispensation personation of him on Saturday calves rushed to meet Adityanath which keeps claiming that it is Night Life. On the same show, Alec when he visited Gorakhnath Temple going to provide development for Baldwin’s Trump is now as they where he was head priest. We were all, needs to be scrutinised better say “legendary”. In some ways, told how many hours he sleeps by the media. The crux of the issue American comedians and actors every night, how he is a workaholic is that whether other journalists have more courage than many and more in breathless exuberance. like it or not, television sets the Indian journalists. Few news channels – if any – agenda. And when television turns In India, the ‘honeymoon’ focused on the other aspect of into a 24/7 cheerleader, then that is with Modi is not yet quite over, Adityanath. That he is the founder how the people of India view the almost three years into his party’s of what is known to be a violent government. rule at the Centre and limited extremist group, the Hindu Yuva Just as a contrast, watch how achievements. Poor Trump has had Vahini. That he has multiple first television treats chief minister almost no honeymoon at all. All his information reports (FIRs) and of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal and decisions from his travel ban to the cases against him for violence, for Congress vice-president Rahul appointment of a national security hate speech, for rabble-rousing and Gandhi. Kejriwal and the Aam

April-June 2017 VIDURA 5 Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:

Aadmi Party are questioned for channels make a quick segue to Uttarakhand. every decision they make, good anything that will distract people, Back in the USA, Trump is not or bad. There is nothing wrong usually Pakistan. The passage of being let off the hook for anything with that at all. But the same the Finance Bill 2017 as a money bill and nor is his administration. His simple journalistic principles to circumvent the Rajya Sabha, the threat to deny mainstream media are not applied to the BJP at the various questions being raised over access to his administration has Centre or to the prime minister. the Aadhaar system and its legality, only led them to practise a more This new ideology appears to be the functioning of electronic voting stringent form of investigative confrontation with whoever is an machines were given short shrift by journalism. Try and think back opponent of the Centre. Rahul television. Instead, the behaviour of to how many investigations have Gandhi is treated much worse than one MP of the Shiv Sena, no matter been done into the functioning of Kejriwal – he is consistently mocked how despicable, consumed prime Modi administration since 2014 and humiliated. The nickname time. despite several Delhi journalists Pappu, which means a little boy The only time that there was complaining about lack of access.

and by extension an ignorant some semblance of journalism In fact, when granted some access, bumbler, flashes across TV screens was after the announcement of most of them took selfies with the< when he is in the news. This same the demonetisation of 86 per cent PM and his ministers. service of high quality journalism of Indian currency by the prime by mainstream news channels is minister on November 8 last year. (The writer comments on media, not offered to anyone in the BJP. Although many star news anchors political and social affairs. She has The dangerous way in which the tried to persuade us that the been deputy editor of Mid-Day, narrative is being handled by some government was perfect, several deputy resident editor of The TV journalists should be a matter of reporters on the ground provided Times of India, Ahmedabad, and concern to the rest of us. It is obvious different stories from across India. senior editor, edit page, with DNA, that when there is a government- All that was forgotten after the BJP’s Mumbai. She lives in Dehradun.) Constitution conflict, several news landslide wins in Uttar Pradesh and

6 VIDURA April-June 2017 Demonetisation – coverage by print could have been better

The government has sought to focus on the benefits of demonetisation. Does the print media have a responsibility to highlight the negative impact of the move as well? And how has it scored in this respect? Bharat Dogra shares his views after talking to some vulnerable sections of society

ollowing the announcement of expenses into banks, and, to make the city’s shoe industry and petha demonetisation on November matters worse, they have had to sweet industry. In another report, F8 last year, the subject has face abuse for having concealed the it provided statistics on the impact occupied a lot of space in the print money from their men folk. The of demonetisation on pro-poor media – English as well as Hindi. overall increase in stress upped programmes such as MGNREGA, One of the most important aspects domestic violence, too. Many while yet another report threw of the issue is obviously its impact children from the weaker sections light on the struggles faced by on workers and farmers. Several in both urban and rural areas had to anganwadis (government-sponsored reports which emphasise the cope with humiliation because their day-care centres or shelters) to many-sided problems and acute parents could not pay their fees on provide meals to children under distress suffered by these sections time. their care, and the consequent have been published in English and Urgent medical facilities could effect on nutrition profiles. Hindi newspapers and magazines, also not be availed of due to the The Hindu reported on November and helped to present before cash crunch, particularly in rural 23 from Meerut that production people the reality of the impact of areas. In a single village, Patni, in in the city’s famous sports goods demonetisation. However, in the Sarsawa Block, villagers revealed industry had come down by as context of the magnitude of the that five deaths had taken place in much as 50 per cent, resulting in problems suffered by vulnerable one month after demonetisation widespread unemployment. The sections, the coverage has not been due to lack of ready cash. Tenants Business Standard carried a series adequate and some important and contract farmers feared that of reports about the impact of dimensions of the issues have not existing arrangements would break notebandi on workers and farmers. been captured in detail. down because they could not make The cover story of the December On a recent visit to Saharanpur necessary cash payments. Almost 23 issue of Frontline was about the (in Western Uttar Pradesh) to study all workers and small entrepreneurs disruptive and harmful impact the impact of demonetisation on and several farmers told this of demonetisation on the lives of workers and artisans, this writer writer that they feared long-term construction workers, vendors, found that the livelihoods of many depression in the aftermath of the migrant workers etc. people were on the verge of collapse. strictures brought on by notebandi. Down, Yet Vaguely Happy was Several workers reported that The importance of the media the title of an article in Outlook hunger, under-nourishment and in this context is accentuated dated December 5, describing the worsening malnutrition had been by the fact that the government problems faced by farmers and experienced in just one month of has been trying to push a highly other vulnerable sections due to the notebandi. Many families were able exaggerated view of the supposed cash crunch. Taken together, these to serve only one meal a day and, benefits of demonetisation. While reports give a clear indication of even in that, vegetables and meat the print media did report on some the increasing distress in farms and were being replaced by chutneys. of the negative aspects, detailed villages in the post-demonetization Women are likely to be the worst coverage was lacking, and so was period. affected by the situation. Many follow-up reports on large-scale Among Hindi newspapers Amar women from weaker sections are unemployment and distress. Ujala made a special effort to facing depression because they The Times of India reported on publish a full-page collection of have had to put the money they had November 24, 2016, from Agra, news items on various impacts of squirreled away from household about large-scale unemployment in demonetisation. Hindustan scored

April-June 2017 VIDURA 7 well with its centre-spread on more useful if they had been more would have proved more effective December 8, which summarised the detailed. in drawing attention to the adverse effects of notebandi a month after it There was some coverage of impacts of notebandi on weaker took effect. Navbharat Times took cases of extreme distress. For sections. the lead as far as edit page articles example, on November 21, 2016, Coverage of the distress on impacts of demonetisation go. the national edition of Dainik Jagran experienced by women and The Hindi India Today story on published a report about Razia, children was clearly not adequate. demonetisation, which attracted wife of a lock factory worker, who The impact as seen in terms of the most attention, was published had been standing in queues for increased hunger and malnutrition, in its issue dated December 28. several days without succeeding in as also more difficulties in accessing Titled Ab Jaan Par Aaa Bani, this exchanging notes. When she could urgent medical care, should have story comprised photographs and no longer bear to see the hunger of received more attention. Sufficient profiles of those who had lost their her children, she tried to commit focus was also not given to long- lives in notebandi-related incidents, suicide. There was another news term implications. As this is an

and of their kin as well. The trauma item about an elderly person who on-going issue, some of these experienced by these families came was injured in a stampede while inadequacies can be remedied even < out very vividly in the report. standing in a bank queue and died at this stage. All this has been useful to some before he could get treatment in a extent in drawing attention to hospital. (The writer is a veteran freelance demonetisation-related distress, However, these were small journalist based in Delhi.) but follow-up reporting was not reports, not prominently positi- done, and the reports in Hindi oned. More visible display of such newspapers would have been reports with some follow-up work

The Hindu now has ‘contemporary design’ The Hindu newspaper was recently relaunched with a “contemporary design, sharper packaging and reinvigorated content”. The transformation underlines the organisation’s commitment to distinctive journalism and serving genuine readers, while upholding the core values of credible and accurate reportage that both shape and reflect public opinion, read the announcement in the paper. With the reader placed at the epicentre of all content changes, there will be more news and stories related to cinema, business, international, sports and lifestyle through the week. A single, comprehensive, all-India edition of The Hindu will be circulated in the north of the Vindhyas, coupled with supplements, Mumbai Local and Delhi Metro, carrying relevant local content in Mumbai and Delhi, respectively. In the southern cities of Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad, the MetroPlus will carry a theme every day, Monday through Friday, along with cinema content published daily. The themes will cater to interests such as wellness, technology, automobile, travel, food and fashion. Other sub-brands such as Friday Review, EducationPlus (rebranded as Edge), and DownTown will also undergo changes in design and content. For sports enthusiasts, the Saturday edition will carry two additional pages of sports news, highlighting the best sporting events to watch out for during

weekends. The Hindu on Sunday will provide readers a substantive, relaxed, and informative read through multiple sections of the newspaper. < The Hindu’s new look has been created by Aurobind Patel, one of the country’s finest designers. (Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

Sudha Natrajan joins TOI as Response head Sudha Natrajan joins Times of India as director, Response. Her last stint was with Hindustan Times as Revenue

head - One India Alliance and head of Business Development and Revenue. Natrajan leverages more than two decades in the media industry, she stepped down as CEO of Lintas Initiative Media in June 2012, to start TMC (The < Media Café ) with Raghav Subramanian, then COO Lintas Initiative Media. (Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

8 VIDURA April-June 2017 A president’s unmasked dislike of the media The man who was in a league with John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan when it came to skilfully using the media of his day to get elected has now turned out looking worse than Jimmy Carter and Jerry Ford in using them to govern. He has already crossed the limits by dubbing America’s mainstream press “the enemy of American people” and using invectives such as “failing New York Times”. Now he is fumbling with the new media tools he has inherited with the bully pulpit of the presidency. Yogesh Vajpeyi describes the US President’s unsavoury relationship with the media

uring his visit to India last press “the enemy of American wield considerable control over month, New York Times people” and using invectives such the national agenda. But during D(NYT) Vice Chairman as “failing New York Times”. Trump’s presidency, these have Michael Golden had described Now he is fumbling with the new been reduced to a nightmare US President Donald Trump as media tools he has inherited with ritual. an “an antithesis” of all that the the bully pulpit of the presidency. The fact is that the Trump White United States of America stands His tweets for, instance, do not House does not seem to care about for — democracy, free media answer unpleasant facts about his having a good relationship with and independent judiciary. “He presidency brought to light by NYT the media. Pounded by questions disregards facts, has no respect and other reputed outlets of the he can’t handle, his press secretary for the rule of law, and does mainstream media. Sean Spicer’s reaction is, sometimes, not believe in independence of For all its power as a political blatantly offensive. judiciary and freedom of the press campaign tool, Twitter is not the A White House correspondent and democratic values. Moreover, greatest platform for governing for Politico, Tara Palmeri, who he does not counter those who or incumbency. Its DNA is ferreted out some information oppose him —journalists, judges disruptive, oppositional, hectoring that Spicer found disagreeable or political opponents — by truth and questioning. Its tone is slash, was dubbed “an idiot with no real and reason but by launching trash and burn. It may work well sources”. Another, April Ryan, was personal offensives,” Golden said, for protest movements — or for told to quit shaking her head as on the sidelines of Digital Media a populist presidential candidate he answered a question from her. India meet in New Delhi in March. trying to distinguish himself from Within hours, Hillary Clinton was Asked what would be the media’s others in the primaries, but not telling a group in San Francisco that response to Trump’s tirades against when you are the president of the Ryan's treatment at the hands of the it, Golden’s unflinching answer United States. Trump administration highlighted was: “We will continue to do what Trump’s tweet against Obama the "indignities" faced by women we are doing more vigorously: underlines this irony. Recently, "simply doing their jobs." Bringing out the truth without fear CNN convened a focus group So acrimonious are the Trump and defend the values enshrined in of Trump voters to talk about White House’s relations with the US Constitution.” presidential tweets. The headline in the media that not only Trump Two months into his presidency, its report is telling: ‘Trump voters but all the white House staff too Trump has lived up to the NYT to president: Stop Twitter rants.’ have announced that they would senior executive’s prediction. The Several members of the group skip the annual White House man who was in a league with criticised the tweet about Obama Correspondents' Association dinner John F. Kennedy and Ronald and alleged wire taps. They said it scheduled for April 29 this year. Reagan when it came to skilfully showed Trump going off without Sitting presidents have attended using the media of his day to get all the facts. every year since 1981. The only elected has now turned out looking Another unpleased outcome exception was Ronald Reagan who worse than Jimmy Carter and Jerry of Trump’s unmasked dislike of had a pretty good excuse as he was Ford in using them to govern. He the media is the White House recovering from a gunshot wound. has already crossed the limits by press briefings. These allow even He still managed to offer his excuse dubbing America’s mainstream a semi-skilled administration to to the press corps by phone.

April-June 2017 VIDURA 9 and threatened to expel news outlets that don’t follow Phnom Penh’s orders. Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website launched a page featuring foreign media reporting that it claims contains false information, decorating each

article – which come from outlets including The New York Times – < with the word ‘fake’.

(The writer is a senior journalist based in New Delhi with more than 40 years of experience in national dailies, including The Time of India, The Indian Express, The Telegraph and The New Indian Express. He is currently a freelance journalist and media consultant.)

Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration: P.M. Balakrishna joins The Hindu Group A recent opinion poll conducted there are many instances of the by the Monmouth University shows media not living up to the highest P.M. Balakrishna has joined that Americans think the relation standards of journalism. But the The Hindu Group (Kasturi & Sons) between the US President and the head of a nation that guaranteed as Business head – National US Media is at a nadir. Eight in total freedom of the press through Accounts. He will assume the ten Americans believe President in the first amendment to its overall responsibility of managing Donald Trump has a worse Constitution is supposed to govern the business from national clients, relationship with the media than the world’s oldest democracy with to whom the full breadth of the his predecessors, and most say it restraints and a sense of historical Group’s capabilities will be hurts both his image and the press's responsibility because what he does brought to bear. PMB or Bala, as image. “It is an understatement or says impacts beyond the territory he’s known amongst friends and to say the new administration's of the United States. in industry circles, will be based relationship with the Fourth Estate As Rob Mahoney, deputy out of the Mumbai office, and cannot be characterised as friendly executive director of the Committee will be part of The Hindu Group’s or even respectful,” said Patrick to Protect Journalists (CPJ) ) put it, executive management council. The Murray, director of the Monmouth “The Trump administration should appointment is in line with The Hindu University Polling Institute. “This act as a champion of press freedom Group’s Vision 2020 to establish ugliness has hurt each side's rather than prosecute a war with the organisation as a leading reputation.’ mainstream US media that could media marketing communications “If the people of our great send a signal to other countries that solutions network, with the ability country could only see how it is OK to verbally abuse journalists to provide customised, integrated viciously and inaccurately my and undermine their credibility.” solutions for clients across the administration is covered by Unfortunately, despotic govern- board at a pan-India level. certain media!” Trump has ments have already started acting Balakrishna has more than two- recently tweeted in a desperate bid on the cue from Donald Trump. and-a-half decades of experience to portray himself as a victim being In mid-February, Venezuela in the media industry covering hounded by the ‘fake news’ media. booted CNN En Espanol from the Advertising Sales, Strategy &

In some ways, fake news is nothing airwaves, using Trump’s language, Business Development; his exposure new. Politicians, governments, that CNN’s reports “defame and cuts across TV, print, internet, < celebrities and anyone else with distort the truth”. Cambodia cited digital and 360-media. a public profile have long tried the US President’s exclusion of to promote their own version some media channels from White (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) of the truth. It is also true that House briefings as an inspiration

10 VIDURA April-June 2017 ‘We don’t need to look like the USA. We can enjoy India’

Crowded, dirty, public spaces, the constant negotiations with people during the day, the heavy duty of family expectations; these things have come to characterise life in India for me. The visiting friends who now live in the USA point out the un-hygienic restaurants and the polluted air of the cities here. It is easy to see life here as a survival battle in a poor country, says Samatha Sharma. But she believes we can learn to enjoy India and make our life better

hat with the local it is not difficult for the foreign- with pride about the Hindu dharma newspapers talking (at travelled Indian to judge that much (duty) as well as the penance of Wthe time of writing this) of the country is a century behind in demonetisation. It talks with equal about molested women and bull- social progress and modernity. The fervour about capitalist growth fighting as the cultural bulwark, mainstream nationalist voice talks and escalating militarisation. This Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:

April-June 2017 VIDURA 11 clash of values around desire is not Indian Railways is much subsidised classes mix equally there. The rich noticed in the collective national in comparison to the redoubtable have not demanded private roads need to finally matter in the world. USA. for cars only. Not just is there India has been colonised for too Another economic advantage at space on the roads for the variously long and been poor for too long. It having all sorts of economic classes speeding vehicles, none of them is time to clean our streets and be living together here are the price harm the slow meandering cow. seen as rich. points. I can buy coffee for 200 With a good pair of ear-plugs or I question the idea of being rich. rupees or for eight rupees. I can some nice music on the radio, one Is being rich having money in buy clothes for 300 rupees, or for can enjoy this miracle of the Indian the bank? Is it being able to have 5000 rupees, or I am lead to believe roads while negotiating traffic to extra cash to spend on leisure and from magazines, one lakh rupees. If get to work. pleasure? Is being rich a feeling of by some drastic change of fortune The idea that we need mono- abundance that I can share food my circumstances are reduced to traffic and large roads with fast and space with other people and a meagre income, I can still live vehicles is an alien concept to our animals and still have enough for with some basic dignity and afford country. We don't need to look like my needs? food and stay. We feel ashamed of the USA. We can learn to enjoy Leaving philosophy aside and poverty but do we realise that the India and make our life better in looking at richness from a purely poor have gifted us so much choice ways that makes sense to those of economic perspective, the poor and empowerment. us living here. is the smallest segment of the Not just economically, but also I agree that living in India is not population in India, just around socially and psychologically. Living for the mild-hearted. I often feel 27.5 per cent, according to a with a politically active poor has like my karma wheel is spinning Planning Commission estimate made us a more tolerant society. In in full force here. Circumstances a decade ago. That is about 300 the ability to give food to a street demand of me a certain maturity million people. That pegs the dog or a few rupees to a beggar, I with stiff punishments for bad middle and upper classes at one feel like I have much. Even though choices. However, I am sure that the billion people. India is by no means a bank loan may be grinding us modern Indian’s place in the world a poor country. It is a country where down, by looking at people with is to first acknowledge the gold pile there live a large number of people more disadvantages than us we that we are already living on. Then,

who are economically poor. There learn to be more content with our to take the ethics of tolerance to the is a big difference between the two lives. larger world struggling with fear of < perspectives. To understand social tolerance let each other. The successive governments since us take the example of the crowded Independence have thankfully roads. Foreigners remark about the (The writer is an artist and largely targeted improving the chaos of the roads and make fun of alternative therapist based in Chennai. lives of the poor. This has given the cows on it. However, another Some of her topics of interest are the other classes some unexpected way of looking at the roads is to traditional culture and wild habitats.) advantages. For example, the wonder at how the different social

Financial journalism programme launched at ACJ Bloomberg News and the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) have launched India’s first co-branded financial journalism post-graduate programme, designed to equip students with new, essential skills needed in a modern global newsroom. The ACJ-Bloomberg Postgraduate Programme will teach students the latest journalism skills related to writing and editing, digital and multimedia reporting, ethics, investigative reporting, fundamentals of finance and government reporting. Supported by leading financial press such as Mint and The Hindu Business Line, some courses will be led by some of the country’s renowned financial journalists and business leaders. John Micklethwait, editor-in-chief of Bloomberg, remarked, “We are very excited to be launching this wonderful program with India’s most renowned journalism college. With the combined network of Bloomberg News and ACJ, we developed a curriculum with some of the best minds in journalism, business and finance.”

Applications would be available online from April 19. The last date of submission of filled in applications is May 17. Forms can also be downloaded from the ACJ website and submitted through post or courier. < (Courtesy: The Hindu)

12 VIDURA April-June 2017 The new Disability Act and the role of the media As the fraternity of the disabled, disability rights activists and civil society engages in a debate about the merits of the new People with Disabilities Act, the media has a role to play in catalysing the shift from a medical model to a rights one, says Santosh Kumar Biswal, who recently attended the first international conference in India on disability communication

he first international been running a Post Graduate In this context, the role of the conference in India on Diploma in Media & Disability media is of utmost importance. Tdisability communication Communication (PGDMDC). It The news and entertainment titled, Dis/Ability Communication: plans to start a Master’s programme media are playing a better role Perspectives & Challenges of 21st in disability communication – a now in addressing the issues of Century, organised recently by the significant endeavour. However, the disabled in India. Newspapers, Department of Communication & in general, disability as a part of television and digital media are Journalism, University of Mumbai, the content of teaching modules paying attention to the rights was considered a trailblazer. It in media and communication model of disability. Workshops brought the disabled, disabled courses is almost and conferences and research rights activists, academicians n o n - e x i s t e n t . on the subject are drawing the and media persons from India The issues of the attention of the journalists. There is and abroad together to disabled are not more editorial space devoted to the deliberate on various treated as seriously topic now too. The language used issues. as those of women in connection with the disabled The Department and children. and disability is more sensitive, of Communication definitely a good sign. & Journalism has Gone are the days when disabled characters were stereotyped by the Bollywood film industry. With the release of films like Barfi and Margarita with a Straw, the industry has endorsed the rights model of disability in India. However, the progress is slow. Event-based and heroic or charity-based stories are still those that find place in regional news media. The situation is not as good in other developing countries. Khandkar Kohinur Akter, an academician from Bangladesh, feels that the Disability Act which came into effect in 2013 in Bangladesh is not satisfactory. The nature of discourse on the subject in the mainstream media and social media is not critical as of now, he says, adding, “We are waiting for a paradigm shift from a medical model to rights model,” Naushad Jamil, a journalist from Bangladesh says that coverage of disability- Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration: related subjects is gaining in news

April-June 2017 VIDURA 13 media, but adds that the progress The Accessible India Campaign, Disability Studies, New Delhi and is not noteworthy. Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, was the Centre for Disability Studies, The People with Disabilities Act launched in December 2015, aiming English and Foreign Languages (PWD), which was passed at the end to make the infrastructure of at least University (EFLU), Hyderabad, are of last year, has given some reason 50 per cent of government buildings among the institutions undertaking

for the fraternity of the disabled, in each state capital disabled- such studies. disability rights activists and civil friendly by July 2018. Reservation < society to rejoice despite the debate for the disabled has been increased [The writer is assistant professor it has triggered on whether it can in from 3 to 4 per cent and violations with the Symbiosis Institute of Media fact bring justice to the disabled. now attract stricter penalty. and Communication, Symbiosis Some hail the long-awaited Act, In this context, Sharmila Divatia, International University, Pune. He saying it will spur the shift from a disability rights activist who has a doctorate on media and disability a medical model to a social and is herself disabled, says: “The issues in India.] rights model of disability care. Its revised Bill passed by Parliament provisions are expected to comply in December 2016 has a lot of with the stipulations made at changes as far as accessibility is the UN Convention on Rights of concerned. When implemented, it Persons with Disabilities. will impact all current and future Indian Prime Minister Narendra building norms as well as the digital Raj Chengappa re- Modi in his Man Ki Baat address space – learning and teaching and praised the passing of the Bill. working – with computers for elected president, However, his referring to the everyone. Inclusive education will disabled as divyang (persons with be the norm rather than exception. Editors Guild ‘divine ability’) instead of viklaang There is transport to consider too, Raj Chengappa has been re- (disabled) drew sharp criticism and this has been covered in the elected the president of the Editors from several sections of civil Act. Railways and buses need to Guild of India. At the annual society. be accessible. Platforms need to general meeting of the Guild, The Registrar General & Census be at the train level – no steps to Chengappa was unanimously thus Commissioner says there are climb – and these are going to be re-elected. Prakash Dubey was around 26.8 million disabled people infrastructural changes. Education named the general secretary. The in India (as of 2013). Their socio- and its infrastructure, digital and Guild elected Kalyani Shankar as economic and political participation classroom teaching/ learning, will its treasurer. At the meeting, the remains dismal. Further, a disabled be impacted heavily. We are looking Guild decided to take a fresh look woman and a disabled person in a at virtual classrooms and we ought at the criminal defamation law in rural area are doubly discriminated to be prepared for that now.” India and explore legal options for against. There are no spaces in social However, some quarters are seeking its abrogation. A veteran spheres favourable to women with dissatisfied with the new Act. They in journalism with over 30 years of disabilities. Their right to sex and say proper attention has not been experience, Chengappa is currently

reproduction is flouted. Moreover, given to women and children with the group editorial director, India they are treated as asexual. Also, disabilities. They are upset that their Today (Publishing). < the state of women with mental demand for 5 per cent reservation disabilities is worse than that of was not met, and feel the Act has (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) men with mental disabilities. enough loopholes to allow offenders A comparison of the PWD Act, to escape. 1995, and the new one shows that Following changes in the approach the present legislation covers 21 to disability, the focus of studies on conditions of disability, as opposed disability has changed from a medical to the seven included in the perspective to a rights model. The earlier Act. From transportation to Centre for Disability Studies and Internet access to electronic goods, Action, Tata Institute of Social the law makes accessibility for the Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, Centre disabled compulsory across the for Disability Studies under the LBS board. Under the new provisions, Centre for Science and Technology, it is compulsory even for private Thiruvananthapuram, Centre establishments to be disabled- for Disability Studies, NALSAR friendly, and a timeframe has been University of Law, Hyderabad, specified to implement changes. NAB Center for Blind Women &

14 VIDURA April-June 2017 An expert view on basic income and mental health gains

Innovative interventions such as unconditional cash transfers could work wonders for millions. The bi-directional influence between mental ill health and poverty is clear as is the need to make meaningful investments and pursue inclusive development, says Vandana Gopikumar

National Mental Health when unwell and the first to play Taking into cognisance health and Survey conducted by caregiver, girls are married off non-health pathways to achieve Athe National Institute of before the legal age even today, often mental health gains, what if we Mental Health and Neurosciences subject to brutality perpetrated by a applied unorthodox and creative (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, estimated patriarchal society, ills of dowry and options, such as unconditional that approximately 150 million intimate partner violence. cash transfers (UCTs), as a stress- people in India experience one or We fare poorly (130/150) on the reducing, equity-promoting the other mental health condition. gender inequality index, measured intervention for those among the Typically, care access points are by indicators including workforce 150 million in need of financial limited to clinics, psychiatrists or participation, access to secondary recourse? therapists, all serving essential education and control over re- Evidence from a rigorous and distinct purposes. However, productive rights. In this context, randomised control trial conducted concerted attacks on inequality it is no surprise that depression in Kenya by social scientists through innovative social and anxiety are twice as prevalent Johannes Haushofer and Jeremy interventions that build social capi- among women than men, and Shapiro from Princeton University tal and decrease the experience of inordinately high among the poor. indicates that UCTs resulted in relative poverty and discrimination This cannot be viewed exclusively in an increase in earnings and other could influence trajectories of medically hegemonic frameworks of assets, greater nutritional spend, well-being and mental ill health, a depressive illness. Sociological and decrease in domestic violence and especially among families living philosophical attributes reflective increase in mental health gains, in poverty (India is home to 30 per of one’s disempowered status and qualified by an increase in levels of cent of all poor children globally). impoverished internal locus of happiness and life satisfaction, and These, in conjunction with effective control are just as relevant. reduction in stress and depression. health systems, marked by early There was no adverse impact on identification and appropriate Poor budgetary allocations alcohol or tobacco spend, crime or care paradigms, could yield ideal Yet, in the 2017 Union Budget, inflation. results. growth in health and disability Economist Esther Duflo in another budgets remains marginal. Parti- study observed that the gains were A challenging nexus cularly disappointing is the not unitary — i.e. the person who The gender-poverty-caste nex- negligible focus on mental health, received the transfer also seemed us opens up a Pandora’s Box especially considering India’s to influence outcomes, so if the in an unquiet ecosystem that suicide rates rank among the highest woman received the transfer, better underestimates the impact of globally. Unimaginative allo- outcomes for girl children seemed structural barriers on mental ill cations primarily assigned towards possible. Closer home, a survey health. Poverty is feminised in an upgrading of premium institutes of the Banyan’s service users’ uninterrupted, ceaseless cycle; leave scarce resources to address disability allowance of 3600 per characterised by malnourished challenges in mental hospitals, annum for over 11 years again women and girl children who drop leave alone grappling with issues indicated enhanced social mobility out of school to care for their male around long-term care in inclusive and sustained engagement with the siblings or because they are unable community spaces or constructing mental health system. to manage their menstruation in a robust social care component It is time to discern whether our schools without toilets or water. within the District Mental Health fiscal climate would allow this. The last to access health care Programme. Professor Pranab Bardhan from the

April-June 2017 VIDURA 15 University of California, Berkeley, of, or as a substitute for public (Courtesy: The Hindu. The writer seems to think it could, especially goods, namely health and education. is co-founder, Banyan and BALM, since direct bank transfers would Experience of autonomy, one’s and professor, School of Social Work,

eliminate middlemen, corruption, agency and choice — the allied, TISS, Mumbai.) subsidy leakages and related yet pivotal benefits of UCTs — are < administrative costs. However, imperative to social change. UCTs cannot operate independent

Pictorial warnings urging smokers to quit Tamil Nadu Tobacco Survey (TNTS) 2015 - 2016 FACT SHEET Tamil Nadu Tobacco Survey (TNTS) 2015 - 2016 FACT SHEET TAMIL NADU TOBACCO SURVEY (TNTS) 2015-2016 CONTRIBUTORS FACT SHEET Tobacco use in Tamil Nadu Organizations involved in TNTS field work have some effectTobacco Use by Age, Gender and Residence (Percentage of adults age 15 and above) Organizations Districts Organizations Districts Tamil Nadu Tiruvallur Annamalai University Cuddalore Sethu Institute of Technology Virudhunagar Chennai Tobacco users Non - tobacco users Vellore Barathiyar University Shanthi Seva Trust Dindigul Kanchipuram Arts and Science College The Nilgiris Krishnagiri Sree Renga Hospital Kancheepuram The anti-tobacco campaign in India, which has been experimentingTiruvannamalai with various Age Bharathidasan University Constituent College Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur Tagore Institute of Engineering Dharmapuri and Technology Salem 15 - 2415 24 1.4 98.6 Viluppuram Cancer Institute (WIA) Ariyalur, Krishnagiri, Perambalur Tiruvallur Theni and Tiruppur Tirumagal Mills 24 - 44 5.0 95.0 Salem Government Arts College Vellore Chennai Erode Cuddalore approaches, has returned mixed results. According to Nilgiristhe Tamil NaduGovernment Arts College Tobacco Karur Survey Namakkal Ultra’s Best Dental College Madurai Vellore 45 - 64 7.9 92.1 Perambalur Ariyalur Nagapattinam Government Arts College Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai Venkateshwara Arts and Coimbatore Tiruchirappalli Tirupur Karur Kanchipuram 8.1 91.9 Rajah Serfoji Government College Thanjavur Science College Dharmapuri 65 + Thanjavur Krishnagiri Tiruvarur Government Arts College Tiruvannamalai Coimbatore Cancer Tiruvannamalai Dindigul (TNTS) 2015-16, as many as 91.9 per Gendercent of the respondentsPudukkottai said they hadFoundation (CCF)noticed in Arignar Anna Government association with Department 8.6 91.4 Arts College Villupuram Male Madurai Sivaganga of Social work, PSG College of Theni Dharmapuri Jamal Mohammed College Arts and Science Coimbatore Female 1.9 98.1 of Arts and Science Trichy Viluppuram Virudhunagar

Ramanathapuram anti-tobacco messages in the one month prior to the survey. TheseK.S.Rangasamy included College of messagesChennai Residence Technology, Namakkal Salem Tuticorin Cancer Institute (WIA) Alandur, Perungudi, 4.9 95.1 Manonmaniam Sundaranar Erode Cuddalore Urban Tirunelveli Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Nilgiris Percentage University Tirunelveli Madhavaram, Tondiarpet, TAMIL NADU Rural 5.6 94.4 < 5.0 Royapuram, Namakkal Kanyakumari Mary Anne Charitable Perambalur on television, newspapers, films, and at movie theatres. On5.1 - 10.0 the Trustother (MACT) Pudhukottaihand, 78.4Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar,per Ariyalur Nagapattinam Percentage Ambattur and Anna Nagar. 10.1 and above National Engineering College Tuticorin Coimbatore Tiruchirappalli Mary Anne Charitable Karur Nazareth College of Arts Tirupur Trust Kodambakkam Thanjavur and Science Thiruvallur Tiruvarur Meenakshi Dental College Valasaravakkam cent of the respondents noticed tobacco advertisement or promotionalSarada Krishna Homoeopathic messages over Medical College Kanyakumari Sathyabama Dental College Shollinganallur Tobacco Smoking in Tamil Nadu Smokeless Tobacco use in Tamil Nadu Dindigul Tagore Dental College Teynampet and Adyar Pudukkottai (Percentage of adults age 15 and above) (Percentage of adults age 15 and above) Sengunthar College of Engineering Erode

Madurai Sivaganga different media during the same period, giving Tiruvallurrise to questionsTiruvallur about the efficacy of Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu Theni Chennai Chennai Vellore Vellore Study Group Telephone Interview & Quality Check

Kanchipuram Kanchipuram Krishnagiri Krishnagiri Tiruvannamalai Tiruvannamalai Cancer Institute (WIA) Ms. A. Usha Rani, Ms. S Rajeswari, Virudhunagar Mr. A Sharfudeen, Cancer Institute (WIA) the propaganda system. Dr. E. Vidhubala Ramanathapuram Dharmapuri Dharmapuri Students of Thiyagaraya College of Arts and Science Viluppuram Viluppuram Mr. Divyaraj Prabhakar College & Alagappa College of Technology Salem Salem Dr. C. Sundaramoorthy Erode Cuddalore Erode Cuddalore Nilgiris Nilgiris Dr. R. Swaminathan Thoothukudi Namakkal Namakkal Perambalur Perambalur Data Entry: Data Dots Solutions, Kumarakoil, The survey showed that tobacco use in Tamil AriyalurNadu Nagapattinam has comeAriyalur Nagapattinam downDr. E. Hemanth Rajfrom 16 per cent Tirunelveli Coimbatore Tiruchirappalli Coimbatore Tiruchirappalli Kanyakumari District. Tirupur Karur Tirupur Karur Dr. V. Surendran Thanjavur Thanjavur Tiruvarur Tiruvarur International Union against Dindigul Dindigul Special Thanks Pudukkottai Pudukkottai Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Kanyakumari Training Orientation and Research Centre (TORC), in 2009-10 (Global Adult Tobacco Survey) toMadurai 5.2Sivaganga per centMadurai inSivaganga 2015-16,Dr. Hemant Schewade but an alarming Theni Theni Mr. Pranay Lal National Service Scheme, Madras of Social Work,

Virudhunagar Virudhunagar Egmore, Chennai. Ramanathapuram Ramanathapuram Organizations involved in pre-test: Dr. Aswath Narayanan, Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry. 2864400 people aged 15 years and above Tuticorinare still estimatedTuticorin to beMadras Schoolusing of Social Work, Egmore, Chennaithe addictive Tirunelveli Tirunelveli Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai 0 Percentage Percentage GVN Multispeciality Hospital (Oncology unit), Trichy Funding Kanyakumari Kanyakumari RESOURCE CENTRE FOR TOBACCO CONTROL (RCTC) < 5.0 < 5.0 substance in one form or the other. 5.1 - 10.0 5.1 - 10.0 District Co-ordinators Birla Sun Life Asset Management Company CANCER INSTITUTE (WIA), ADYAR, CHENNAI - 600 036. K. Murali, R. Sathish, D. Dinesh Limited Cancer Institute (WIA) Photo: Cancer Institute The success of the latest thrust of the anti-tobacco campaign – graphic pictorial warnings on the product packaging about the harm caused by nicotine – was testified to The front cover of the survey report. by the fact that 67.3 per cent of the current tobacco users reported noticing the warning images in the one month preceding the survey. These included smokers (both cigarettes and bidis), SLT users and dual users. Of those who noticed the pictorial warnings, 61.3 per cent said they were motivated to quit. A total of 17.2 per cent of the current users reported that they were thinking of quitting in the month coming after the survey. As many as 38.9 per cent of the current users had made efforts to quit tobacco use over the 12-month period preceding the survey. Counselling, medication and self-motivation were the preferred methods used by them. On the flip side, 95 per cent of the respondents were aware that tobacco caused serious illness and 54 per cent of the current users were concerned about their tobacco use, the survey showed. They linked it with cancer, heart attack and infertility. Further, 70.6 per cent of the respondents believed exposure to tobacco smoke caused serious illness among non-smokers, too. Worryingly, 90.3 per cent of the current smokeless tobacco (SLT) users said they had no difficulty in procuring the banned gutkha (an SLT, a mild stimulant, that is chewed and sucked) products in the state, and paid double the earlier rate to buy the proscribed substance, according to the TNTS highlights, made available by the ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Resource Center for Tobacco Control, Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar, Chennai. While 96.6 per cent of the respondents reported that smoking was not permitted at their homes, 15 per cent of the households surveyed had people smoking at home, daily. On the other hand, 15.7 per cent of the respondents reported that their workplaces did not have a smoke-free policy in place, and in 5.7 per cent of the workplaces, there was no bar on smoking anywhere. Heartening to note, 29 per cent of the respondents aged below 18 years said shopkeepers refused to sell them tobacco as they were underage. The survey also revealed that:  Tobacco use among males was higher (4.3 pc) compared to females (0.9 pc)  Highest prevalence rate observed in Pudukottai District (19.9 pc) and the lowest in Thanjavur District (0.9 pc)  No differences in tobacco use between urban (2.5 pc) and rural areas (2.6 pc) of Tamil Nadu

 Average age at initiation of tobacco use was 24.7 pc years; 25.7 pc of the respondents initiated the use before the age of 18 years. <  37.7 pc of the current users were advised by a health care provider to quit tobacco

(The Resource Centre for Tobacco Control is funded by Birla Sun Life Asset Management Company Limited and Cancer Institute, WIA.)

16 VIDURA April-June 2017 children and mental disability A sensitisation campaign is a success story

A campaign by Malayala Manorama with UNICEF support sensitising people on the plight of children with mental disorders in Kerala has made a tremendous impact. The state government has announced a Rs100-crore welfare project and society is sitting up and taking notice. The campaign was a fallout of a six-part article series run by the Malayalam daily. Mahesh Gupthan of Manorama sent us this report

rdrakeralam (Compassionate challenged member fall below the Kerala), a sensitisation poverty line. Many of the children Acampaign led by Malayala are confined to the four walls of Manorama on the struggle of child- their homes as their parents cannot ren with neuro-disabilities in Kerala, afford to send them to school or aimed at building social support provide them proper medical care. for the often unacknowledged Both government and society often section, has made a satisfying turn a blind eye to these children. impact on society and bureaucracy. To highlight the plight of the According to a census conducted children and their families, Malayala by the Government of Kerala in Manorama carried a series of articles 2015, nearly 100000 children in the titled Arumakalanu Avarum (They state suffer from neuro-disabilities are beloved too). The six-part series, such as autism, cerebral palsy published between June 21 and and mental retardation. Many are 26 last year, included statistics victims of multiple disabilities. and case studies, and highlighted

Over 52 per cent of families various issues such as ineffective Photos: MG/MM who have to cope with a mentally implementation of government programmes, lack of treatment facilities, need for scientific training The booklet published by Malayala for caregivers and scope of social Manorama. support. It also showcased some successful models within and in all districts and copies were outside India. distributed. Spurred by the series, UNICEF A state-level brainstorming came forward to support workshop was conducted to frame Ardrakeralam, an awareness program a welfare scheme for children for parents, school teachers and with neuro-disabilities. Experts people’s representatives from local and policy makers, including the bodies. Training programmes were minister for Health and Social conducted in all 14 districts for Justice, K K Sailaja, participated. 2749 teachers, 2450 parents and Malayala Manorama prepared a 833 LSG members. Grievances and vision document based on the suggestions were collected from discussions and submitted it to parents. Handbooks describing Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi scientific ways of caring for these Vijayan. children, and giving details of As a result of the sensitisation various government schemes, campaign, the state government success models, treatment facilities announced a welfare project for etc were distributed free of cost the mentally disabled, named to all participants. A short film Anuyathra (Journey with them) highlighting the need of building with a budget of Rs 100 crore. Clippings of the stories that appeared. social support was screened Almost all the suggestions

April-June 2017 VIDURA 17 A parent expresses a view at a meeting conducted by UNICEF and Manorama for parents, teachers and local administrators.

made by Malayala Manorama Highlights of the six-part series were included in the project. Kerala has 7.93 lakh differently-abled people, according to a state Provisions include: government census. Of these, 100983 suffer from mental disorders • Early intervention centres in 14 and 68934 are mentally challenged; as many as 3135 are affected by districts autism and 6385 by cerebral palsy. About 1.37 lakh people suffer from • A health insurance scheme for multiple disabilities. all The lack of institutions that can ensure proper treatment for disabled • 25 mobile intervention units children is a major problem. The experts and infrastructure available are for homecare of bedridden no match for the increasing number of children who are in need of care. children Availing of government benefits is a complex procedure. Many parents • Autism centres in five medical are not even aware of the possibility of benefits. colleges Kasinath is a five-year-old whose parents committed suicide because • Setting up of rehabilitation of his autism. He is now being brought up by his aged grandparents, centres who spend their meagre savings to give him a life. “We do not know • Mobile intervention units how long we can survive like this,” sobs Saraswati Amma as she holds Already, a positive change her grandson tightly. “We do not know what will happen to him after in society’s approach towards our lifetime. Who will we entrust him to?” children with mental disabilities The parents of Jibin from Vatakara, Ganga from Thiruvananthapuram is evident. Schools, NGOs and and many more children with autism, also took their own lives, unable political parties have come forward to cope with the reality of their children’s condition. Tens of thousands to support the children across the of children with mental disabilities are confined to a single room in their state. Almost 500 schools celebrated

homes because their parents cannot afford to send them to school or Christmas and New Year with ensure proper medical care for them. special children. The Ardrakeralam< There are success stories too, like that of Shyam Prasad. He fought project is an ongoing initiative. autism and cerebral palsy to pursue an academic career that eventually led him to the post of assistant professor at the Central University of Kerala in Kasaragod. He had the full support of his parents, A.P. Prabhakaran and K. Usha. The Kerala Government started a special project in 2013 to prevent the occurrence of disability, diagnose diseases at an early stage, and to ensure education, unemployment and rehabilitation of differently able people. The State Initiative on Disability was the first such project in India. M.G

18 VIDURA April-June 2017 A ‘travelling diary’ highlights woes faced by rural women

Why do we think of women only in terms of the binary of urban-educated/ rural-illiterate? There are several in- between categories too – and their contributions and concerns do not get adequate attention. ‘Empowering rural women’ is construed mostly as making them literate, ‘teaching them’ from an elitist, urban perspective, instead of acknowledging that rural women too – even if unlettered – possess a rich heritage of traditional knowledge that can enrich others through a sharing of perspectives, says Sakuntala Narasimhan

collection of narratives, by them in turn with other indigent of national differences, are major groups of rural women, in rural women of her community. food producers and contribute Atheir own words written in Hailing from regions as diverse as significantly to feeding the the form of a travelling diary, drives Uttarakhand, Tehri Garwal and family (especially in Asia and home the point about how they Bihar, the women have lent their Africa). And yet, as the journal see their problems and prospects, voices to highlight a variety of entries point out, women are not instead of having them decided problems that women face, apart recognised as ‘farmers’ and often and spelt out by outsiders (‘experts’ from poverty. do not qualify for assistance from from the urban milieu). Fifty rural The group from Pakistan included their governments, because only women, most of them landless, Aisha who, though poor, had even male heads of households can be drawn from six countries of the lobbied before the Human Rights eligible. These are socio-cultural Asia-Pacific Region (India, Nepal, Commission of her country, and anomalies specific to the Asian Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia went on to get a primary school for milieu. Undaunted, women like and the Philippines), contributed girls opened in her rural community. Geeta (from Tehri Garwal) learned to the narrative, to give voice to Jethi Bheel, with a crippled right new rice planting techniques, and the issues that dominate their day- foot, picks cotton to eke out a living formed a women’s self help group. to-day preoccupations. Most of the instead of being resigned to a life of If climate change in the hills issues they raise, seem common to dependence. Again, the message is: affected her farm produce due to the countries despite geographical It can be done. “Even those who are unreliable rain patterns, Shanti’s divisions and differences, which seen as vulnerable or weak, hold the problem was the opposite – too leads us to the conclusion that power to change the course of their much rain, again caused by climate there is much to be said for regional lives, and thereby, history,” as the change. She coped by earning about cooperation rather than turning to comment introducing the narratives ‘poly tents’ to protect her saplings. the Western expert for solutions in says. These are personal stories of grit the pursuit of development. In Nepal, the women left behind and indomitable spirit, despite Shakunti from Bihar who was by the family’s males who migrate being labeled ‘rural’ (and therefore part of this ‘travelling diary’ had (to India in search of jobs) have to illiterate/uneducated/dependent). never stepped out of her home till somehow learn to survive; they Aleya Begum of Bangladesh her husband died. But she dared acquire not only skills but also speaks about having to feed a community censure to take charge leadership qualities in the process. family of five, including a husband of her life – even if marked by The women from Indonesia talk with a disability; as state assistance struggle for survival – and show that about being uprooted from their was sanctioned only for males, she it can be done. Sharing a personal land to make way for a housing bought herself a fishing boat and story like hers can mean planting estate. Sounds familiar? Thousands net, to eke out a living. Likewise, the seeds of hope in other women of tribal women in Central India’s Sahera Begum, a widow, feeds a facing similar circumstances. forest belt will realise that other family of nine singlehandedly. With the help of NGOs like Ekta women, elsewhere, too, face the Don’t these women’s stories need Parishad, Seema, one of the 50 same trauma, and have banded to be heard? Whether it is land and women participants contributing to together to find solutions. resource grabbing (by powerful the ‘travelling journal’ now works Food security was the overarching private vested interests, or even by on a community farm, learning theme for the participants. the government who evict them in skills in the process and sharing Women everywhere, regardless the name of ‘development projects’)

April-June 2017 VIDURA 19 Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration: or middlemen taking advantage of Rome, at the 30th session of FAO’s Action Network, Asia Pacific the women’s restricted options, the (Food and Agriculture Organisation) Region) in collaboration with the women have faced it all and des- Committee on World Food Security. Asian Rural Women’s Coalition pite their social-cultural-economic How many Indians even know that and Oxfam’s GROW campaign in marginalisation, found survival an Asian Rural Women’s Coalition Asia. The evocative photographs techniques. (www.asianruralwomen.net) was of the women, and reproductions Environmental plunder affects founded in Tamil Nadu, in 2008? of the actual handwritten journal,

women harder than it does males. The personal narratives have been add a humanising touch to the Hunger likewise, targets women put together in the form of a slim, narratives. < first, because they are often cul- 56-page booklet titled Our Stories, turally constrained to eat last after One Journey, by PANAP (Pesticide feeding the husband and children. The first to suffer, they are the last to receive necessary interventions, Dainik Bhaskar launches Surat edition as the journal observes. By networking and sharing personal DB Corp has announced the launch of Dainik Bhaskar’s new edition from stories, such rural women try to Surat, Gujarat. With the launch, DB Corp now publishes seven newspapers break free collectively, spreading with 63 editions across 14 states in India. While Surat is a highly competitive hope among others. market with formidable print media companies catering to a large Gujarati An earlier ‘travelling journal’ readership base, it has significant untapped potential within a very large

non-Gujarati speaking readership, which is an important target audience produced in 2013 (covering 17 < women and 14 countries) was even for Dainik Bhaskar. placed before policy makers in

20 VIDURA April-June 2017 HYGIENE, SANITATION, WATER Treating waste on-site best way to keep Bharat swachh?

As the Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan gets underway, ironically, the risk of pollution of water bodies increases manifold, says Rina Mukherjee. More than the convenience and hygiene provided, on- site designs are cheap and easily executed, as compared to the expense involved in laying city sewerage lines, a significant plus-point, she points out

aste water and solid rivers flowing across the length and from sludge drying beds. waste management is a breadth of India. Besides, laying of sewerage Wproblem of gargantuan systems poses a huge problem proportions in India. More so since Limitations of sewerage systems financially and logistically, the overdrive to build toilets in In the absence of adequate especially with most urban centres every town and village under the sewerage systems, toilets spell growing at a frenetic pace. Even Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan (a campaign disaster for rivers and drains and, when sewage treatment plants by the Government of India to clean in the event of their contamination, (STPs) are set up, inadequate the streets, roads and infrastructure public health. What is more, most pipelines to transport the waste in India’s cities and towns and to toilets and septic tanks installed results in STPs not working at full focus on sanitation). By 2019, with under the Swachh Bharat Mission capacity. Consequently, the very the successful implementation do not follow BIS standards mainly purpose of setting up such a plant of the Mission, 30 million septic because they are installed by local is defeated. tanks and pits would have been masons unaware of the standards. When municipal solid waste is provided along the Ganga Basin. The level of contamination of dumped untreated in landfill sites, This, according to the Centre for water resources in small towns and it can also result in severe pollution Science & Environment (CSE), will municipalities is therefore of a high of groundwater, as has been the case generate 180 million litres of faecal order. in many parts of Madhya Pradesh sludge. A study conducted by CSE using and Rajasthan, where complaints Since the toilets that have come sewage flow diagrams for 71 Indian have had to be dealt with by the up in most towns and villages cities found that in most cases, 42- National Green Tribunal, and are twin-pit types, the pits need 78 per cent of the waste generated is the Central Groundwater Board to be emptied when they are full. disposed of by unsafe means. Even (CGWB). With very few cities equipped in municipalities like Bansberia in with adequate sewerage systems, West Bengal, which has a treatment Alternatives to STPs the human waste ends up being plant to receive the sewage generated Mention must be made of a emptied into drains and rivers. within the municipality and from centuries-old system that continues Thus, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan outside, and runs a joint venture to operate in Kolkata for the is at cross-purposes with Namami project to convert faecal and poultry treatment of waste water, minus Gange, which seeks to clean up waste into bio-compost, there is still STPs. At the turn of the previous the Ganga under a time-bound some faecal sludge that remains century, the British had got in touch plan. What is true of the Ganga untreated, with some liquid waste with a zamindar, Bhabanath Sen, is just as true of the hundreds of seeping out into the Hugli River who had been growing vegetables on garbage near Patna and Bankipur. In 1879, Bhabanath Sen was allotted a 20-year lease on the Dhapa square mile on the outskirts of Kolkata, which was freed of taxes for perpetuity through a Crown Grant. This saw Sen grow vegetables and cultivate fish using

Photos: RM sunlight and human labour to A view of the anaerobic baffle reactors and plant filter beds at Kangeri. clean waste water and garbage and,

April-June 2017 VIDURA 21 Baffle reactors and gravel filter with A typical CAMUS-SBT wastewater The three million litres per plants outside Bangalore MG. treatment system. The water is settled day CAMUS-SBT system in in a tank and then circulated in the use to treat wastewater at the bioreactor where the surface is lined Brihanmumbai Municipal in turn, set up the world’s largest with plants. The wastewater is acted Corporation complex at Worli , upon using natural processes and is natural urban waste recycling Mumbai. system. cleaned up. The Kolkata Municipal Cor- poration area generates roughly today, with realtors converting Kengeri, the biogas generated is 750 million litres per day of sewage large tracts of this invaluable used as fuel to serve the cooking and waste water and more than 2500 site. Lack of enough sewage and needs of the local anganwadi. tonnes of garbage (1997 figures). The inclement weather have also been The CAMUS SBT (Continuous waste water is led by underground threatening the natural processes Aerobic Multistage Unsaturated sewers to pumping stations, and used here. This is where on-site System - Soil Bio Technology) then pumped into open channels decentralised systems can make a model is similar to the DEWATS (called dry weather flow channels) huge difference. system, but does not yield any of the drainage outfall system. biogas. The wastewater is first sent Thereafter, it is drawn into the On-site waste recycling systems to a settling tank, where flocculent bheris, or water-bodies, meant for The decentralised waste water is added. This causes the suspended pisciculture (fish farming). Here, treatment system or DEWATS and dissolved solids to settle the water is held for a few days, technology being implemented down. If the waste water contains and the organic compounds get in many parts of Bangalore a large amount of organic matter, biologically degraded. A network and Southern India by the anaerobic digesters may be used. of channels is used to supply the Bremen Overseas Research and The waste water is then treated in untreated sewage and to drain out Development Association and stages, and the final treated water is the spent water. the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing collected in tanks. The suspended This method reduces biological Corporation which run the Centre and dissolved solids in the settling oxygen demand (BOD) by 80 for Advanced Sanitation Solutions tank and anaerobic digesters are per cent and coliform bacteria (CASS) is one such on-site recycling then sent through a thickener to be by 99.99 per cent. Sunshine and system. A DEWATS system can converted into compost. photosynthesis play an important bring down the BOD and chemical This simple model can bring role in cleaning the waste water, oxygen demand (COD) of waste down the BOD and COD by as with solar energy being tapped water by 70-90 per cent; besides, the much as 99 per cent, cleaning the by the dense plankton population planted gravel filter which is used water to near-potable levels. in the waters. The plankton, in to clean the waste water is always Currently, CAMUS SBT is being turn, becomes food for the fish an aesthete’s delight. used to treat the waste water

which thrive here. The system is so The DEWATS model can be used generated by Lucknow’s Chaudhary efficient that a study by the Central for underserved communities Charan Singh International Airport,< Pollution Control Board (CGWB) within urban centres, such as city among other projects. found it to reduce faecal coliform slums, or for communities outside by 99.7 per cent as compared to a city limits, such as is being done (The writer is a senior Kolkata- conventional STP which reduces it in the Beedi Workers Colony based journalist who specialises by 60 per cent, using the activated in Kengeri on the outskirts of in developmental issues. She is sludge process. Bangalore. Housing societies not the recipient of several national Dhapa also continues the old served by the municipal sewerage and international fellowships, practice of growing vegetables on system too can use it to recycle besides India's first-ever Laadli garbage in a modified form, using water for flushing and gardening Extraordinaire Award (2012-13) for irrigation with naturally treated purposes. Since the waste water relentlessly fighting gender injustice.) waste water from the fisheries can also generate biogas, it can segment. However, this huge help meet the energy needs of ecological resource is under threat communities. For instance, in

22 VIDURA April-June 2017 HYGIENE, SANITATION, WATER Sustainable use of water never taken seriously, says expert

Availability of water for drinking, agriculture and sanitation is a worldwide problem today and some experts say it could be the cause of the next war as regions fight with each other due to its depleting supply, unless plans are made with a long view. Ranjita Biswas sent us this piece after talking to Gourisankar Ghosh who has had long years of experience working in the field of water, sanitation and hygiene in India and abroad

he Government of India use of water has not been taken declared last year that April up by policy-makers with due T14, the birth anniversary of seriousness or in-depth analysis. B.R. Ambedkar, the father of the He feels that the lessons learned Indian Constitution, would be over the years have never been observed as Water Day, recognising taken into consideration to design the importance of the vital area new programmes and projects and in national life. Ambedkar is same mistakes have been repeated regarded as a pioneer in the field of again and again over the years. developing multi-purpose projects Here is his response to some of the in independent India. Sadly, in a questions I asked him: list of 122 countries rated on the quality of potable water, India Availability of water and its stands second last at 120. sustainability can be an area of Photo: RB Gourisankar Ghosh. Gourisankar Ghosh is currently conflict, isn’t it? chairman of Water Life, an Yes, different organisations fight organisation that provides tech- over the same area. They play what and demand supply management nical and community solutions on can better be termed ‘hydropolitics’. mechanism installed in each river treatment of water for drinking. There’s a lack of coordination and basin which is nonexistent today in Earlier, he gave lead to the Water lack of vision to achieve the goal. India. Technology Mission in 1986, now called the Rajiv Gandhi National In India, there’s a proposal from Can global warming add to the Drinking Water Mission. He also some quarters to introduce a river problem of water availability in launched the WASH campaign in grid system to supply water from India? the United Nations in 2000 when surplus areas to deficit areas. The glaciers in upper Himalayas he was the executive director That’ll be disastrous. River is a are shrinking due to global of Water Supply and Sanitation dynamic entity. You can’t just plan warming. They are the main source Collaborative Council in Geneva, to draw water from one source to of our rivers. There’s an urgent Switzerland. Yet, at the recent Tenth another, as if pouring water from need to plan ahead on water use. Annual Global Water Alliance one bucket to another. It can be an We have a billion-plus population Conference held in Kolkata, he said area of conflict between regions and indiscriminate urbanisation, half-jokingly in his keynote address or in states in India. Look at the especially in vulnerable areas like on ‘In search of sustainability: In Cauvery water dispute. Even some hills and arid zones, is escalating water management and sanitation’ dams already built, like the Farakka use of water in sanitation, home use, that he was “still looking for an Dam, for example, have been a bone etc. Without long planning, it can answer in the last 35 years on the of contention between India and aggravate even further the already subject.” Bangladesh. Instead one should existing water shortage problems in Which, in a way, might not have study the river basin, its character, the country. been said light-heartedly. For, and plan water use accordingly. water, sanitation and hygiene are I am not totally overruling the Why do you say present serious issues and Ghosh believes surplus water transfer but for that communication about sanitation is measures to make sustainable we need very close monitoring a mismatched message?

April-June 2017 VIDURA 23 If you want to reach out to the only with continued efforts by as more and more functionaries in common man on sanitation, it must experts working on water and rural administrations are becoming be designed to reach out with a sanitation that it was included in contractors. message that affects him or her Sustainable Development Goals. at the personal level. Otherwise, Late Mandela immediately under- Why do you say that sanitation behavioural change won’t happen. stood the importance of WASH and can be good business? Merely talking about a need about called it the “holy trinity” while It has the potential to become a Swachch Bharat may remain inaugurating the 2002 conference. huge field for economic activities a campaign unless he or she After Africa, Bangladesh was the in rural areas in a country like understands how it affects them pioneer in South Asia and agreed to ours. I feel it’s the solution, a personally. host the South Asia Conference on public-private partnership, to fill Sanitation and it started the chain the gap in the shortcomings in the And it should be region of SACOSAN in all the countries of sanitation programme. Train the specific? SAARC. local youth on manufacturing the Absolutely. What works in Africa toilet with part subsidy and cheap or Latin America may not work in You say hygiene was the capital to start the business of toilet Asia. Even within India, the message neglected element in the Trinity? components instead of giving should be region-, behaviour- and True. Hygiene was always the subsidy directly to the beneficiary, culture-specific. For example, in neglected but most vital component a term I dislike. This will be an Rajasthan, a toilet used by men folk of the Trinity. The sequence is incentive, generate income for the in an extended family where elderly around hygiene education first, unemployed and people will get male relatives also live, the women followed by sanitation and water the equipment nearer home. And may not use. It’s a socio-cultural afterwards. Here in the Indian why not encourage the youths to

issue. Hence, the message for campaign, there is the same sell the product in, say the local sanitation and the project proposal mad rush to construct toilets or haat, and promote and market the < have to be designed accordingly. hardware first and then to forget concept? We hear that many toilets built in about the same. No revisit of rural areas in India remain unused. the project takes place to see the (The writer is a senior journalist The Swachch Bharat Mission is a impact and usage of the toilets. It based in Kolkata.) basically unilateral toilet building is just promoting more corruption campaign but we see only the VIP with a long broom or the spectacle symbol of Gandhiji. How these are interconnected? In Zimbabwe, we saw that toilets 'Education for all' built on designs conceived in a Western country, though well- intentioned, didn’t work because it is still a distant dream! was not in tandem with local culture and need. Later it was modified into Annual Subscription Rs.180 what’s called Modified Improved Pit Latrine, and it worked. Get to know the real face of India. Subscribe today! Water, sanitation and hygiene, in short WASH, is called the Holy Trinity in the health sector... Actually, the term was used by Nelson Mandela at the 2002 at the instance of minister Ronnie Kasrils of South Africa, who was the pioneer of WASH campaign glo- bally and in the WSSD conference in Johannesburg. Initially, the UN’s Millennium Development Goals which focused on five key RIND Premises Second Main Road. Taramani CPT Campus, Chennai 600 113 areas didn’t even include this Ph: 044 2254 2344 Fax: 044 2254 2323 www.pressinstitute.in crucial area of sanitation. It was

24 VIDURA April-June 2017 HYGIENE, SANITATION, WATER Desalination is not the answer, recycling used water is

Desalination is considered a solution to increasing water shortage in the world. A few functional desalination plants in Tamil Nadu, however, show a different picture. Options such as sewage and grey-water recycling should be taken up in earnest to ease civic bodies’ water supply burden, says Seetha Gopalakrishnan. Increased focus should be laid on caring for water bodies; cascading tanks should be desilted and rejuvenated on a priority basis to save every drop of water before spending precious time and resources in extravagant options such as desalination, she adds

opulation growth estimates suggest that India will be Psupporting over 1.5 billion inhabitants by 2050 if the present growth rate of 1.9 per cent per year continues. From 710 billion cubic metres (BCM) in 2010, the demand for water is expected to surge ahead to 1180 BCM in 2050 as the Planning Commission has predicted a 2.5-time increase in domestic and industrial consumption. With conventional surface water

sources drying up or disappearing Photo: Business Today over time and bore-wells getting A view of the Nemmeli desalination plant in Chennai. deeper by the year, sourcing and supplying water have become uphill tasks for corporations and (RO) does the opposite. water. Chlorine-based disinfection panchayats across urban and rural RO is essentially a pressure-driven is usually carried out to remove areas. It is at such a time that seawater process where a semi-permeable micro-organisms before supplying desalination is diligently emerging membrane is used to separate to consumers. as one of the top alternatives. But suspended and dissolved solids According to the International the most important question is, is it from water. In SWRO, seawater Desalination Association (IDA), a viable one? is forced through the membranes there are around 18426 desalination under high pressure so as to enable plants spread across 150 countries, Brand new technology the movement of water (minus the benefitting as many as 300 million Desalination technology has suspended and dissolved solids) people. Nearly half of Israel’s grown and matured by leaps to one side while the pressurised water is manufactured and many and bounds over the years. side retains the salts and ions. countries, especially in the arid Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) Prior to subjecting seawater to RO, regions of Northern Africa and the technology, developed by US the incoming water is treated to Middle East, find desalination a scientists in the 1950s was a game decrease turbidity by removing the relatively cheaper option compared changer of sorts. Osmosis is a suspended solids. to other alternatives. naturally occurring phenomenon Highly saline seawater with a Among the early adopters of the where the solvent (the substance concentration of total dissolved ambitious technology, Tamil Nadu in which other materials remain solids (TDS) close to 35000 ppm currently boasts of two functional dissolved) moves from a region (parts per million) is converted into desalination plants churning out of lower concentration to that of the potable quality water with a 200 million litres of water per a higher concentration through TDS of 200-500 ppm. As the process day (MLD) to quench its capital’s a semi-permeable membrane to strips the water of all its hardness thirst. Chennai is almost entirely equalise the solution’s overall and alkalinity, carbon dioxide dependent on the monsoon for its concentration. Reverse osmosis and lime are added to stabilise the water supply, the failure of which

April-June 2017 VIDURA 25 countries, like those in the West Asia. Chennai’s average annual rainfall is well over 1200 mm. Where is the need to go in for such an environmentally damaging and costly exercise? It should ideally be the absolute last resort, which in this case, is not,” he says.

Regulations, violations, vicissitude For every 100 MLD of potable water generated by the desalination plant in Minjur, the treatment unit draws in 237 MLD of seawater.

Photo: Water Technology Photo: Water Post-treatment, the briny reject A view of the Minjur desalination plant. is let out into the sea, around 650 m away from the shore. While documents suggest that a similar puts the city in a tight spot. The oraipakkam, Thiruvanmiyur, Vela- reject-discharge arrangement is in state government, back in 2003-04, chery, Taramani, Adyar and Besant place at Nemmeli, reality appears decided to go in for desalination to Nagar. otherwise. augment municipal water supply. While the water demand for Back in 2013, a fact-finding The two 100 MLD plants, one in the Chennai city and its urban team looked into allegations of Minjur and the other in Nemmeli, agglomeration is projected at 1560 environment and human rights now contribute close to one-third of MLD for 2019, the actual water violations arising out of the the city’s total water supply. supply hovers around 840 MLD, construction and operation of Sustained governmental sup- leaving a supply-demand gap of 720 the Nemmeli plant. The report port has enabled Tamil Nadu to MLD. To fill the void, the Chennai recorded villagers’ accusations of contribute 24 per cent of the total Metropolitan Water Supply and the desalination plant eroding the desalinated water capacity in Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has coastline and endangering their India, making it the second best in proposed the setting up of additi- livelihoods in addition to turning the country after Gujarat. Despite onal units of 150 MLD and 400 MLD the groundwater salty. technological improvements and as part of its phased expansion in From the time the plant relative reduction in production Nemmeli. Both the plans will come commenced operations in 2013, costs, is it appropriate to compare up at Perur in Nemmeli Village, very villagers complained of brine a city like Chennai which receives close to the existing facility. reject from the plant being let out almost three times as much rain in A staunch opponent of de- directly onto the beach and not 650 a year as that of Tel Aviv? salination, especially in a rain-rich m into the sea as mentioned in the location like Chennai, professor S. environmental clearance granted Chennai’s tryst with desalination Janakarajan of the Madras Institute by the Ministry of Environment, The Minjur Desalination Plant, of Development Studies terms Forests and Climate Change India’s largest, was set up in the desalination as an utterly “lazy (MoEFCC). village of Kattupalli along the option”. “Seawater desalination was Pipelines carrying the reject northern fringes of Chennai in conceived as an option for providing water were later buried under the 2010. Ever since, the plant has potable water in rain-starved sand but poor maintenance led to been supplying 100 MLD water to clogging, as a result of which pools households in the northern suburbs of brine reject got stagnated along of Ennore, Manali, Tiruvottiyur, the beach stretch. Even as recently Tondiarpet and Madhavaram. The as December 2016, Chennai- second desalination plant came up based Coastal Resource Centre has at Nemmeli, about 35 km south of documented evidences of hyper- Chennai city along the East Coast saline reject being dumped right Road. Functional since 2013, the on the beach. The situation has not plant supplies 100 million litres of changed since; concentrated brine drinking water per day mainly to the Photo: Coastal Resource Centre reject continues to be let out on the city’s southern suburbs including The brine from the Nemmeli plant beach till date. Sholinganallur, Neelangarai, Th- let out on the beach.

26 VIDURA April-June 2017 to irreparably damaging the beach front. “Shallow hand-pumps in our villages used to yield sweet drinking water. It has all turned salty now. Panchayat water supply can be very erratic and most of us purchase drinking water for daily use. Our land and livelihoods have been compromised so that people in the city don’t go without water. But we don’t get a drop of drinking water from the plant,” complains Santhosh. Photo: Coastal Resource Centre The eroded coast along Sulerikattukuppam. The road ahead MoEFCC’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), which met in Ecologist Sultan Ismail explains Loss of income and marine January this year, questioned the that the brine reject tends to create resources cannot be discounted as need for setting up two additional a sort of niche microhabitat with fishermen in and around Nemmeli desalination plants within a higher levels of salinity around have observed it firsthand. distance of 600 metres in addition areas where they are let out. This Santhosh, a fisherman from to bringing up the significant issue microhabitat creates a localised Sulerikattu Kuppam recalls the ease of beach erosion which has plagued imbalance as it may not house with which they were able to fish Nemmeli since the first plant was organisms which are otherwise in the sea about six or seven years inaugurated in 2013. The EAC has found in the adjoining waters, back. “Fishing was lucrative almost deferred the project for want of resulting in a lower organism throughout the year. Prawns and information and has called for fresh diversity in the area. Government fish were abundant and we didn’t studies to understand the impact bodies set out to study such have to venture very far. But that of shoreline change in the area. It imbalances claim that the ocean is is not the case today. Near-shore has also sought recommendations too big for such a small niche to navigation and the use of periya of the Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone actually be a troublesome entity. valai or shore seines have become Management Authority (TNCZMA) However, the impact on marine problematic ever since boulders in connection with certain relevant life can be better understood by were dumped into the sea for laying provisions of the CRZ notification identifying where the reject water the plant’s pipelines,” Sathosh 2011. is being let out. “There are some adds. Despite the heavy reliance on species of fish which feed, breed In addition to wrecking local desalination, countries like Israel and spend most part of their early livelihoods, the plant has depleted have invested heavily in securing life along the coast. If the hyper- the area’s freshwater sources. their water sources and recycling saline reject is let out close to the During the plant’s construction used water. For example, Israel coast, the probability of these phase, groundwater was pumped treats close to 85 per cent of its organisms being affected is rather out continuously to sink deep wastewater which it then uses for prominent. Fish species such as foundations. This resulted in irrigation, gardening and industrial sardines, mackerels and anchovies rapid depletion of the available purposes. Another crucial element feed on planktons along the coast. underground sweet water, which is strengthening water supply When the plankton population eventually got replaced with infrastructure to prevent losses decreases due to hyper-salinity, it intruding salt water from the sea. arising from transit leakages. affects the health of fishes up the A plant designed to produce fresh Even officials at the Israeli Water food chain which in turn affects fish water from the sea had, in reality, Authority recognise that efforts diversity as well as density,” adds abetted the conversion of the at strengthening infrastructure

Ismail. In addition, high-pressure

existing fresh water in the region and recycling wastewater should motors used to draw in water < into unpalatable salty water. The precede desalination. also brings in marine life forms of fact-finding team had noted that varying sizes despite nets placed to the CMWSSB violated coastal (Courtesy: India Water Portal) avoid relatively larger organisms. regulation zone notifications of Fish, fry and crabs get crushed and 1991 and 2011 by pumping out fresh killed in the process. water from a CRZ area in addition

April-June 2017 VIDURA 27 Getting the message across to a tribal population is never easy

In Odisha, which has a sizeable population of tribes, a concerted effort is being made to improve health-seeking behaviour and demand-generation. Ritesh Kumar Sisu has more on the successes and challenges of the initiative

ccording to the 2011 Census, Odisha has a tribal Apopulation of 22.8 per cent. Eight of its 30 districts have more than 50 per cent Scheduled Tribes (STs); in six others, STs account for between 25 and 50 per cent of the total population. Providing basic needs to the tribes and strengthening the education and health infrastructure in tribe- dominated areas is a challenge for Photos: RKS the government. A rally in a village in Odisha as a part of a child health campaign. The state has chosen a holistic communication approach to create Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular habits and lifestyle, is evident platforms for behaviour change Diseases & Stroke, National Vector from the State Integrated Disease communication (BCC) in order to Borne Disease Control Programme, Surveillance data which shows improve the tribes’ health-seeking Revised National Tuberculosis that deaths due to diarrhoea came behaviour and demand-generation. Control Programme and Intensified down drastically to just 11 in 2015 As a part of the initiative, the State Diarrhoea Control Fortnight. The from the 186 in 2010, while deaths Institute of Health & Family Welfare Departments for Women & Child due to malaria declined to 88 in (SIH & FW) was declared a Centre Development, Rural Development, 2015 as compared to 247 in 2010. of Excellence for Communication Panchayati Raj, Scheduled Caste There were only two deaths due in 2011 and the programme is being & Scheduled Tribe, and Education to dengue in 2015 while 33 persons supported both technically and contribute to the effort. SIH & FW lost their lives to the disease in financially by the National Health espouses a 360-degree mixed media 2011. Focused-evidence based Mission, Odisha. approach, a blend of mass media, BCC interventions on Maternal SIH & FW has taken major mid media and inter-personal & Child Health have also shown steps for need assessment, communication (IPC) activities to encouraging results. The data strategy formulation, capacity reach out to the maximum number generated by a comparative study building, implementation and of people in the target group. in 2015-16 shows a 25 point decline monitoring and evaluation of BCC Despite various odds, timely in Infant Mortality Rate, a 42 point interventions across Odisha. There interventions have resulted in decline in under-five child mortality, has been integrated BCC planning encouraging success in some areas, 49.8 point increase in institutional and implementation of various including a fall in morbidity and delivery, 26.8 point increase in full programmes. mortality due to dengue, malaria immunisation coverage, 25.1 point These include Reproductive and diarrhoea in Odisha over a increase in mothers who have had Maternal Neonatal Child period of time, because of the impact at least four antenatal checkups & Adolescent Health Plus, of the Diarrhoea, Malaria and and a 20.5 point decline in anaemia Communicable Disease & Non- Dengue (MDD) Campaign started in pregnant women. communicable Disease progra- in 2011. The impact of the campaign, Ultimately, focused BCC inter- mmes such as National Programme which uses a popular mascot named ventions have been contributing a for Prevention and Control of Nidhi Uncle to popularise healthy lot along with other interventions

28 VIDURA April-June 2017 in bringing about such a positive change in health-seeking behaviour of the targeted population. However, it has to be said that a lot remains to be achieved in the matter of improving overall health- seeking behaviour uniformly across the state. It has been observed that despite strategic, evidence-based and focused BCC interventions in tribe-dominated areas, there is slow progress in terms of change towards positive health-seeking behaviour and uptake of services through Folk shows in tribal villages have proved to be an effective means of increased demand generation. communication. The underlying issue is communi- cation. Illiteracy, poor exposure to found in Odisha and almost all are and Swasthya Kantha. Surprisingly, modernisation, poverty, language, oral languages, without a script. radio has limited scope as a source Maoism, lack of infrastructure, Most of the population are unable to of information, the study points poor educational facilities, strong read and understand even Odiya. out. It also shows that a large chunk traditional cultural beliefs, myths It is hard to create an effective of the population (80 per cent) is and misconceptions, dogmas, health communication environment dependent on ASHAs (accredited superstitions and scattered using conventional media. In terms social health activists) and ANMs inhabitation of tribal communities of media penetration in tribal (auxiliary nurse midwives) to in hard-to-reach and difficult areas, as per the statistical profile get health-related information terrain are some of the factors of Scheduled Tribes in India 2013, through IPC. In such a scenario, that make it difficult to establish Odisha has the lowest number of the availability of quality health effective communication with the ST households with TV sets (7.6 communication providers is vital. tribal population. The reach of per cent) and the second lowest It is evident that health conventional media is almost nil in number of households possessing communication alone cannot bring tribe-dominated areas. mobile phones (16.1 per cent). in a rapid change in lifestyle and SIH & FW has adopted various A recent study conducted by the behaviour in the tribal population. strategies to breach these barriers. Indian Institute of Public Health, Rather, a collaborative effort to They include use of local folk media, Bhubaneswar on behalf of SIH uplift the overall social, economic, video shows and IPC tools such as & FW shows that in tribal areas infrastructural and education mobile kunji, flip books, etc. These the preferred media are IPC, folk status of these areas can bring strategies are designed to overcome media, Swasthya Kantha (The about a supportive environment the illiteracy barrier but are not able Health Wall) and Village Health for effective health communication to overcome the language barrier. Nutrition Day (VHND) platforms, interventions. In such a scenario, There are over 40 tribal languages whereas in non-tribal areas the more resources are called for, to spoken by the 61 different tribes preferred media are TV, newspaper build capacity and strengthen frontline workers, particularly in respect to health communication.

Though it could prove expensive, IPC should be the preferred cha- < nnel of communication.

(The writer works as State Communication manager at the Centre of Excellence, Directorate of State Institute of Health & Family Welfare, Odisha, and has been associated with development communication for more than a decade.) A volunter demonstrates how to wash hands with soap, to tribal children in a school.

April-June 2017 VIDURA 29 ‘It’s digital we have to be focused on, it’s our future’ Print media must transform to meet the needs of an audience that is fast turning to digital platforms. The process has already changed the contours of the print media in the United States and Western Europe and has started slowly but steadily in India. This was the consensus that seemed to emerge after brainstorming presentations and discussions at the two-day conference of international and national media experts organised by WAN-IFRA in February. Yogesh Vajpeyi sent us this report

he tone and tenor of the Digital digital subscribers, the highest since Jacob, chief operating officer, WAN- Media India Conference was it launched the plan in 2011. In the IFRA, Germany, is to adjust and Tset by the vice-chairman of the 4th quarter – October to December – respond to the fast pace of change. New York Times (NYT), Michael that number had swelled to 257000 Presiding over the concluding Golden, during his keynote address net digital subscribers. “In times of session he pointed out that the at the outset: “Print is critically uncertainty people go to the sources media scene the world over important to us, and I believe we they trust to find out what’s going had witnessed seven dramatic will be printing newspapers for in the world. We saw this happen changes—from print to online, from maybe two more generations. But during 9/11 and we saw this text and photos to multimedia, from our media is facing a day when it happen during the last Presidential search to social media, from linear will be 100 per cent digital and we elections,” Golden explained. TV screening to streaming videos are trying our best to move from In India, digital is expected to be on demand, from traditional ad a newspaper that has a website the fastest growing medium with sales to programmatic and native to a digital company that has a a compound annual growth rate of and from anonymous internet newspaper." 30.8 per cent for the five years from to identified internet. Six of the Golden was the right person to 2016 to 2021. In contrast, the print changes happened during the last set out the agenda as he has been media is growing at a much slower six years. at the helm of one of the world’s rate of 7.3 per cent, though on a Digital media in India is still most influential newspapers much larger base. in the age of infancy. India’s during its fast-track journey from At a time when print media is in vast network of newspapers print to digital. Ten years ago, 70 decline, this might appear anomalous. and online outlets provides an per cent of the NYT’s revenue was However, as Magdoom Mohamed, incredible means of informing from advertising and 30 per cent managing director, WAN-IFRA and entertaining people across the from subscriptions. As a result South Asia, pointed out, this was country. As the country enters a of fast digitalisation, 60 per cent due to the spurt in literacy. “When new era of mobile, digital media of its income today comes from someone is literate, the first thing he consumption, the nature of news subscriptions and 40 per cent from or she wants to do is to be able to stories and the ways of telling advertising. read a newspaper and showcase his them are bound to change. The The NYT senior executive is quick or her new skills.” Moreover, a lot rapid growth in mobi-le internet to underline that digitalisation is of the media growth seen in India use in India in recent years has not at the cost of print. “We make is coming from areas where Internet been accompanied by a boom in sure that the print newspaper we connectivity is low, and where news new digital journalism start-ups. put out is excellent. We continue to media is just starting to penetrate. With sites like the Quint, Scroll, the invest in it where that makes sense, As connectivity improves through Wire and many others across the and we continue to market it, sell the government’s new digitalisation country, there are more new and it and build new subscriptions. schemes such as the Bharat Net interesting experiments in Indian But it's the digital that we have to Initiative, the situation is likely to digital journalism than in most be focused on, because that's our change fast. other countries in the world. future." Attracting advertisers and The opportunity ahead is The group is adding 50000 digital subscribers no doubt remains enormous, and some of these subscribers every quarter. In the for digital media in India. But digital journalism start-ups are third quarter of the last year – July the biggest challenge for media bound to succeed. But the market to September – NYT had net 116000 companies, according to Thomas they operate in is also challenging.

30 VIDURA April-June 2017 India still generates comparatively are likely to surpass traditional poised. A New York-based market low average revenue per user in ones by 2021-22, when smartphone research company that provides terms of digital advertising. and broadband penetration in- insights and trends related to digital The reference price for news creases in the country. EY estimates marketing, eMarketer, pointed and media content in India is very show that smartphone penetration out that television will remain the low, with low cover prices for is expected to be up to 59 per most popular medium in India for print newspapers and cheap pay cent by 2020 from 31 per cent in advertising in 2017. However, the

television packages, suggesting that 2015. Digital advertising is also mobile ad spending in India is set pay models for digital news may be slated to be Rs 18500 crore by 2020, to grow by 85 per cent, the company < even harder to pull off in India than constituting a larger pie of the added. in high-income democracies. overall media spends. According to EY India media Traditional media ad spending and entertainment advisory leader versus the online ad spending in Ashish Pherwani, digital mediums India still remains precariously

A seminar with China under the lens Photo: NS/PII-RIND Experts, journalists and young researchers pictured at the inaugural session.

The Press Institute of India in association with the Chennai Centre for China Studies conducted a seminar on April 20-21 at PII for journalists, journalism students and researchers, to try and analyse ongoing developments in relation to China, India and their neighbours and provide a better understanding of the picture. Commodore R. Seshadri Vasan (Indian Navy, Retd), director, Chennai Centre for China Studies, head, Strategy and Security Studies, Centre for Asia Studies (CAS), and regional director, National Maritime Foundation, Chennai Chapter, set the ball rolling with a broad sweep of the political and geo-political complexities in the region. In his keynote address, Nitin Gokhale, national security analyst, media trainer, founder, BharatShakti.in, and former Security and Strategic Affairs Editor, NDTV, spoke about how the centre of gravity of the world had shifted to the Asia Pacific. From a bit player in South-East Asia, India now had an important role in the region, he said, adding that the rise of the PLA Navy is the story of the decade, and was China ventures into the Indian Ocean Region, strengthening the Indian Navy had become a priority. Language was a barrier to Indian media personnel, Gokhale pointed out. “It hampers good reportage. Our people should make an effort to learn Mandarin.” Pratap Heblikar, director, Asia Dialogue Society, Singapore, and former special secretary, Government of India, dwelt on the dynamics of security issues in the neighbourhood. C. Joshua Thomas, deputy director, Indian Council of Social Science Research, North Eastern Regional Centre, Shillong, spoke about the developments in ASEAN-China relations and their implications for regional stability. Colonel Hariharan, VSM, retired officer of Intelligence Corps, India, and member, Chennai Centre for China Studies, made a presentation on the challenges in the East China Sea and South China Sea from an Indian perspective. India in Chinese Media’s Eyes – Illuminating the Picture, was the subject of Asma Masood’s talk. She is a research officer with the Chennai Centre for China Studies. Sanjay Pulipaka, fellow and consultant, Strategic Studies Chair, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, New Delhi, brought a lot of perspective to his presentation focused on China in the Indian Ocean Region, with specific reference to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the One Belt One Road initiative and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar corridor. Jacob A. Bonofer, assistant professor, Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, and research

fellow at the Centre for Asia Studies, supplemented that with his take on the challenges in India’s immediate maritime neighbourhood. < Sashi Nair, director, Press Institute of India, coordinated the proceedings.

April-June 2017 VIDURA 31 VIEW FROM THE NORTHEAST A bold school student stands up for music

The courage of a teenager in going ahead with her scheduled music performance despite a diktat against the event by a handful of Muslim clerics has caught the imagination of the nation. Nava Thakuria on some of the developments in the region

oung Nahid Afrin’s per- The argument, endorsed by 46 achievements, saying she (Nahid) formance on March 25 this year representatives of a number of had wowed music lovers cutting Yat a cultural event in Assam did state-based Islamic organisations, across religions with her out- more than enthrall her audience – it was that the selected venue was standing talent. Various media was a stand against the diktat of a surrounded by mosques, madrasas, organisations also published few Islamic clerics, accusing her eidgahs (an open-air gathering articles condemning the clerics. of flouting Sharia, the Islamic rules to perform Eid prayers) and The National Commission for and ways of living. The young graveyards, and holding a cultural Protection of Child Rights has Assamese girl, the first runner-up at function there would affect the taken serious note of the matter Indian Idol (Junior) 2015, a popular younger generation and invite and directed the administration television reality show, sang at the the wrath of Allah. This was the to ensure Nahid’s security and Cultural Nite till midnight, despite first time such a diktat was being that she is given all help to stage the clerics’ directive. issued in Assam, known for social performances. The state police On March 14, leaflets were harmony, religious tolerance and deployed two armed personal distributed in the Muslim- pluralism. It is the land of the security guards for Nahid. dominated Hojai and Nagaon great Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Police sources said they suspect localities of Central Assam, saying Sankardev, who spread the that Nahid might have been the proposed cultural show at the message of love and brotherhood targeted as she performed some Udali Sonai Bibi College ground among all communities, castes and music pieces which carried an at Lanka Town of Hojai District creeds centuries ago. anti-terror (more precisely, anti- should be discouraged. Even Intellectuals, writers, journalists, Islamist) message. She had also though the leaflets did not mention politicians, cultural personalities sung a few songs based on Hindu Nahid by name, the clerics were and even separatist forces mythology. Assam police chief clearly referring to the teenager. unanimously raised their voices Mukesh Sahay says the matter against the diktat. They objected is under investigation. He gave to the clerics’ stand that music, an assurance that the democratic theatre, magic shows and the like rights of every citizen would be are anti-Islamic. Exiled Bangladeshi protected. author Taslima Nasreen, a Meanwhile, Chief Minister victim of religious fanatics Sarbananda Sonowal criticised in her own country, tweeted, the diktat. He telephoned Nahid appreciating Nahid for her brave and assured her of all possible help. statement that she would go Describing Nahid as “the pride of against the Mullahs. She demanded Assam”, the chief minister said she stringent punishment for the clerics was free to perform anywhere in who were signatories to the diktat, the state and could do so without arguing that “they don’t believe in fearing anybody. Facing the heat, human rights, women’s rights”. the Assam State Jamiat Ulama tried The Mumbai-based Indian to clarify that that it was not a fatwa Muslims for Secular Democracy, against Nahid. It blamed the media

Photos: NT including Suhana Sayed from for spreading what it termed as Karnataka, came out with a misinformation. Nahid Afrin. statement applauding Nahid’s Meanwhile, amidst all the hue

32 VIDURA April-June 2017 Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage (centre) with the members of the Guwahati Press Club. and cry, Nahid has firmly declared other Indian film makers, as well (including Sinhalese films) with that she will continue singing. The as to Bhupen Hazarika. He said he multiple sub-titles through various student of Standard X, who made had been particularly influenced alternate media outlets would her Bollywood singing debut in by Jahnu Barua’s award-winning help the industry to have a better the Sonakshi Sinha starrer Akira Assamese movie Halodhiya future. recently, pointed out that her voice Choraye Baodhan Khay (The Expressing the opinion that Sri is a fabulous the gift from Allah Catastrophe) in his creative journey. Lankan society remained ethnically and she would definitely utilise it The inner conflicts of ordinary divided even after the end of the with the support of the people of people and their journey towards Tamil uprising in the northern parts Assam and of India as a whole. personal freedom are the focus of of the island nation, Vithanage most of Vithanage’s films. His Sisila noted that Indians were united Lankan filmmaker conferred Gini Gani (Ice of Fire), Anantha as a nation despite the diversity prestigious award Rathriya (The Dark Night of the of ethnic and other groups in this Acclaimed Sri Lankan filmmaker Soul), Akasa Kusum (Flowers of the country. Prasanna Vithanage was conferred Sky), Pura Handa Kaluwara (Death The biannual Biswaratna Dr the third Biswaratna Dr Bhupen on a Full Moon Day), Ira Madiyama Bhupen Hazarika International Hazarika International Solidarity (August Sun), Oba Nathuwa Oba Solidarity Award, introduced Award in Guwahati recently. Ekka (With You, Without You) in 2013 by the Asom Sahitya Accepting the honour, Vithanage, and Usawiya Nihandai (Silence Sabha (ASS), the state’s highest whose movies have been screened in the Courts) are among his literary forum, with support from at various international film festi- internationally acclaimed films. Numaligarh Refinery, in memory vals, said the celluloid industry in Later, at an interactive session of Bhupen Hazarika, carries a Sri Lanka faced similar constraints at the Guwahati Press Club, the trophy, a cash prize, and a citation as those plaguing India’s regional overseas visitor expressed concern among other things. Bangladeshi film-makers. Bollywood films enjoy over the crisis facing small-time scholar and dance exponent Lubna

a significant market-share in Sri filmmakers in various parts of Marium and eminent Malayalam Lanka, too. However, he pointed the world. Admitting that the filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan< out, there was still a sizable number present scenario of the Sri Lankan were the earlier recipients. of serious film-goers in his country film industry was bleak, he was who supported alternate films. nevertheless optimistic that (The writer is a senior journalist Vithanage paid tributes to Satyajit new technology could be used based in Guwahati.) Ray, Mrinal Sen, Guru Dutt, Adoor for its sustained growth. He also Gopalakrishnan, Jahnu Barua and felt screening of regional movies

April-June 2017 VIDURA 33 The best Bengali films of 2016 constitute a mixed bag

The West Bengal Film Journalists Association Awards were given in 18 categories of excellence on the creative side and eight technical categories, for films released in 2016.Shoma A. Chatterji says one question arises – how ethical is it for film journalists to bestow awards on films and filmmakers they routinely make mincemeat of in their professional capacity? What was missing at the awards ceremony were written citations and awards for the fraternity of film journalists, she points out

he West Bengal Film the fall of single-screen theatres in Journalists Association West Bengal and a lament for the T(WBFJA), founded three hundreds of people who worked in years ago after the well-known the single-screen theatre industry Bengal Film Journalists Association who lost their jobs, as well as the and which became dysfunctional dozens of projectors lying forgotten for all practical purposes, has in this age of digitisation. recognised and awarded the best The story is narrated by an old of the 106 Bengali films released single-screen exhibitor who refuses last year. WBFJA, which as of now to adapt to change and sticks to has a rather slender membership his dilapidated theatre house with list, chose the winners from his old projection man till the nominations made by the members. end. Kaushik Ganguly bagged the Awards were presented at the Priya Hiralal Sen Memorial Award as Best Theatre in Kolkata in 18 categories Director for the film. Sohini Sarkar of excellence on the creative side won the Most Promising Actor and eight technical categories. The (Female) Award for a character role short-list was really short and the she portrayed. Kaushik Ganguly nominations predictable. also bagged the Best Screenplay Cinemavala focused on the demise of The Lifetime Achievement Award Award, but for a different film, single-screen theatres and the people went to Madhabi Mukherjee for her Bastu Shaap. who worked in them. rich contribution to cinema and Veteran actor Paran Bando- the commemorative plaque was padhyay, who is one of the most presented to her by veteran director outstanding actors in Bengali awards -- for Best Editor (Subhajit Tarun Majumdar. The award cinema, bagged the Best Actor Singha), and Best Sound Design for the Best Film went to Shree Award for his role of the exhibitor (Anirban Sengupta). Venkatesh Films for Cinemavala, in the film. However, the impact of Praktan, a manipulative and a powerful and touching tribute to the award was rather diluted in this unabashed come-back venture of writer’s opinion, since he shared it the erstwhile hit-pair Prosenjit and with top hero Prosenjit, recognised Rituparna Sengupta, directed jointly for his role in Khwato directed by by Shiboprosad Mukherjee and Kamaleshwar Mukherjee. Nandita Roy, the biggest box office Paran Bandopadhyay has never hit of the year, bagged the largest won a Best Actor Award earlier number of awards. Mukherjee and because he does not belong to the Roy over the years have got the feel stereotypical ‘hero’ category. On of the audience pulse so well that the other hand, Prosenjit has won so with every film, they trigger people many awards that he has probably to make a beeline for the ticket lost count. Also, in this writer’s counters as well as come again for view, Prosenjit’s performance in repeat viewing.

Photos: SC Khwato clearly could have been Praktan is a contemporary take Madhabi Mukherjee, a veteran of better. Cinemavala won other on the institution of marriage, Bengali cinema.

34 VIDURA April-June 2017 where the ideology smacks of open artificial train for an entire film was patriarchy. A divorced woman already achieved to great effect by accepts responsibility for the failure Dulal Dutta more than 50 years ago of her marriage, even when it is not for Satyajit Ray’s Nayak. So this her fault, and she is made aware of was nothing new or innovative. For the mistake by none other than the a man who has won three national current wife of her ex-husband. awards and one Filmfare Award Rituparna Sengupta won the Best for his production design, Praktan Actress Award for her role as the is kindergarten stuff that does not divorced woman. But, perhaps, the really add to his CV. National Award winner has given Film critic-cum-filmmaker Pratim far better performances in other D. Gupta was chosen for the Most films, her weird hairstyles drawing Promising Director Award for more attention than her acting Shaheb Bibi Golam. The film first in this one. Swastika Chatterjee’s drew the attention of the Central multi-layered performance as the Board for Film Cerification for housewife-prostitute in Shaheb its so-called ‘adult’ theme of a Bibi Golam was more deserving of housewife clandestinely earning the recognition. money as a prostitute and enjoying Aparajita Addhya won the Best it too. It also fetched for the versatile Supporting Actor (Female) Award Ritwick Chakraborty the Best Zulfiqar bombed at the box-office, yet for her role as the garrulous and Supporting Actor (Male) for his role won awards. ever-smiling current wife in of the cabbie in the film. Sulagna starrer that did not quite make the Praktan, while Biswanath Bose Chaudhuri and Ajopa Mukherjee grade. bagged the award for the Best jointly won the award for the Best Rana Dasgupta got the award Comic Actor for the same film. Costume Design. for Best Cinematographer for Praktan also won the Best Music Srijit Mukhejee’s Zulfiqar, a his outstanding work for Bappa Director’s award. It went jointly to mind-boggling cinematic ‘blend’ Bandopadhyay’s last film Sohra Anindyo Chatterjee and Anupam of Julius Caesar and Antony and Bridge. A long-overdue award Roy for the lovely songs in the film. Cleopatra, bombed at the box went to the magical music master Iman Chakraborty won the Best office and was trounced by critics. Bickram Ghose for the background Playback Singer (Female) for her Yet, WBFJA nominations fetched score of Arindam Sil’s detective rendering of tumi jaake bhalobasho Deepak Adhikari the Most Popular thriller Eagoler Chokh, which also in the film while Anupam Roy won Actor Award for his work in the fetched Anirban Bhattacharya the Best Lyricist Prize for it. film in which he has no dialogue to the award for the Best Promising

The award for Best Art Direction deliver. Jisshu Sengupta bagged the Actor (Male) for his wonderful went to Nitish Roy for his work in Best Actor in a Negative Role award performance as a psychologically < the film. One wonders at the choice. while Nachiketa Chakraborty won confused character in the film. Because Praktan’s art direction the Best Playback Singer (Male) is limited to the creation of the Award for his song purano ei (The writer is a senior journalist interiors of a moving train after mosjidey in the film and Somnath and film historian based in Kolkata. interior shots of Prosenjit’s ancestral Kundu got the Best Make-up Artist She has won the National Award for home in the film and some location award for his brilliant make-up for Best Writing on Cinema twice, the shots of Kolkata. The creation of an every character in this big multi- Bengal Film Journalists Association Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Laadly-UNFPA.)

Log on to www.pressinstitute.in to read more such Photo: WBFJA West Bengal Film Journalists Association Awardees on stage. articles

April-June 2017 VIDURA 35 NOSTALGIA Recalling that inimitable ‘Woodies’ ambience

Woodlands Drive-In restaurant was a well known landmark in Chennai that was Madras. Old-timers miss it badly to this day. Partab Ramchand goes off on a trip down memory lane and recalls his memories of a place that suddenly disappeared one day

am sure I echo the sentiments of The place was frequented by even there was also a lawn service. thousands of people in Chennai prominent citizens of the city. I well But best of all was the service in Ithat was Madras when I say remember that well-known singer the car itself. You could drive in, that I miss Woodlands Drive-In P.B. Srinivas was a regular visitor. park your car and order the food Restaurant badly. For decades, He would sit by himself in a corner of your choice. And while you it was both the eating place and table in the self-service section and sat in the vehicle discussing the the meeting place for just about keep writing what were obviously weather or the latest cricket match, everyone – boys and girls, young the words for his next melody. the waiter would arrive with your and old, office-goers and, most of all, In that vast open space dotted food served piping hot in the tray for the family it was an opportunity with trees and plants, various kinds making for a pretty good balancing for an outing. The ambience was of service were provided. The act. The balancing act was even casual, the fare served varied and traditionally minded preferred the more pronounced in wet weather sumptuous and the waiters friendly regular service while those opting for he also had to carry an umbrella and courteous. It was a place where for a quick bite could proceed to the to keep the rain from falling in the everyone was comfortable – from self-service section. Those having food. the wealthy driving their imported time on their hands preferred to beat The restaurant was open roughly cars to the lower middle-class the heat and enjoy the tasty snacks from 6 am to 9 pm and everything families arriving on two-wheelers. in air-conditioned comfort while was nicely divided. So, in the morning, it was time to tuck into idlis, vadas, pongal (a sweetened dish of rice boiled with lentils) and dosas and in the afternoon one could have the traditional rice items along with tandoori items and North Indian dishes. The evenings saw the bondas, bajjis (South Indian snacks that have sweet and spicy versions of it in different regions) and chaat (savoury snack) items make an appearance while in the night it was time again for idlis and dosas while the rice items remained more or less constant. Even for those foodies wanting something to munch at odd hours there were items like bread peas masala, khichdi (preparation made from rice and lentils), special vada, curd vada and so on. On Sundays and public holidays the place wore a festive look. Parking space was at a premium and all sections were occupied. It Illustration: Arun Ramkumar Illustration:

36 VIDURA April-June 2017 was difficult to find a table but the quiet smoke and then jump on our As the cliché goes, all good things old faithful would wait patiently. two-wheelers and be on our way. have to come to an end (I don’t know I well remember that on Sunday There was also a paan-beeda shop why though!). A few years ago, the mornings the regular and self on the premises, an ice cream and government took over the premises service sections would be full with cool drink stall and a playground to build a garden which I believe families arriving for breakfast after for children while parents could is quite pretty though I have never morning mass at the nearby St sit down on the benches and keep been there myself. All the same,

George’s Cathedral. an eye on them. I well remember every time I pass by Cathedral Road I have spent many enjoyable how my friends who had lived in I look askance at the place and take < hours at Woodlands Drive-In or Madras and had gone abroad for off on a trip down memory lane. Woodies as it was popularly called studies or professional duty would and I am sure I speak for several always say, “let’s meet at Woodies” (The writer is a senior journalist of the city folk. I remember there whenever they returned. It had who had covered sport and cinema for was a tree near the inside entrance emerged as the third most well- The Indian Express for many years. and many of us would just sit known landmark in the city after He is based in Chennai.) down after our meal to have a Marina Beach and Mount Road.

Laadli Media Awards bring important narratives to the fore

education. Pookkunnyil commented on her award, “Kamlesh Kaimri’s story is the story of a large number of women and men in Haryana who have spent their lives working in the community and fighting odds. It’s the story of all those whose work has been negated because they did not have access to formal education. And I’m humbled that Laadli has chosen to hear these stories, of people who find themselves outside the radar.” Ila Anasuya was awarded for her report in BusinessLine titled Suzette Jordan's Victory. Her story in The Wire, In a Democracy Education Certificates Shouldn't Matter. So Why

Photo: Ramesh Sharma is No One Talking About Norti Bai?, won her an award in Anima Pookkunnyil of BusinessLine (extreme the web-features category. The piece titled Suzette Jordan’s right) receiving the award in New Delhi. victory, outlined the many ways in which we had failed the fierce Kolkata resident whose unfortunate gang-rape shot to The 8th Laadli Media Awards for Gender infamy. The piece details how this was the beginning of many Sensitivity 2016 (Northern and Eastern Region) injustices done to her, including the chief minister’s remark were announced at the Chinmaya Mission in calling her a liar, and accusing her of defamation. In her story, Delhi recently. Anima Pookkunnyil, assistant editor Ila Anasuya outlined the irony of the fact that the Salman Khan with BusinessLine, and Shreya Ila Anasuya, a Delhi- judgment clearing him of all charges in the hit-and-run case, based freelance journalist, were awarded this year and the judgment convicting the accused in the Jordan case for their critical gender-sensitive reportage. came out on the same day. Pookkunnyil’s story in BLink was about Kamlesh The awards brought forward some important narratives to Kairi’s petition to the Supreme Court against the the fore. Chitrangada Choudhary was awarded the best prize unjust laws barring women without a minimum in investigative journalism for her reportage on violence by educational qualification from fighting panchayat security forces in Bastar in the Caravan magazine. Tazeen elections. Kairi, a Dalit woman attached to the Akhil Qureshy of Ndtv.com won the best electronic report award

Bharatiya Janwadi Mahila Samiti, had appealed for her story on the conservation efforts by tribal women in an < to the apex court against the State of Haryana. Odisha village. The report voiced Kairi’s discontent with the rule (Courtesy: The Hindu BusinessLine) that alienated a lot of disadvantaged women, and dismissed their engagement with the grassroots, a contribution more important than a lack of

April-June 2017 VIDURA 37 TRAVEL A land of bewitching beauty and mysticism

To travel is to escape the ordinary, says Preethi Amaresh whose trip to Leh Ladakh just happened. It turned out to be an awe-inspiring experience. In the midst of ice-capped mountains and cold weather, she was greeted by government officials when she reached the airport at Leh. She writes about her trip to a completely different world

Indus Valley. third highest motorable mountain The monastery consists of Budd- pass in the world. On my way hist artefacts, stupas and thangkas to Pangong Lake, I saw the most (TIbertan Buddhist paintings). scenic half-melted snow-capped Maitrya Buddha is two storeys tall, mountains. I also spotted a tea shop erected to commemorate the visit on the stop over where the Indian of the 14th Dalai Lama in 1970. army served tea. The other monasteries in Ladakh Along the Chang La pass, the include Hemis, Diskit, Spituk, Stok snow usually tends to melt in June and Likir. and I couldn't stop getting out of Both the rivers, Indus and the car to walk over the melting Zanskar, originate from the snow.. During winter, the pass is Himalayas. It was breathtaking to considered risky for travel due to see the confluence of the rivers in unexpected avalanches and many Nimmu Valley. I managed to click Indian soldiers have died here. some beautiful pictures. Indus The ride to the Pangong Lake, a The Maitrya Buddha erected to originates in the Changthang Cold salt freshwater lake, also known commemorate the visit of the Dalai Desert and Zanskar originates as the Lake of Great Hollow, was Lama in 1970. in the Zanskar ranges. Zanskar, a lifetime experience. All I said to being a fast mountain river, tends myself was why talk about heaven verything in this place has to slow down and freeze and the when it is right down here? The its beauty but not everyone Indus moves relatively fast. One crystal clear lake is situated in the Esees it. With the mesmerising can also go on river-rafting and northeast of Leh and is the largest beauty of the cold desert filled with this is considered to be a dream lake in Asia. The water has shades greenery in patches, one can only destination for trekkers. I spent of blue depending on the depth of imagine how it feels to be there. almost an hour; the place was the water. Leh-Ladakh is for typical nature tranquil. The lake is believed to be really wanderers waiting to get away I cannot forget the piercing cold deep and is considered to be from the monotony of city life. The and numbing encounter with the salty due to the limestones in the perfect time to visit the place: June to October. Ladakh has some of the truly splendid and impressive monasteries. Buddha says peace comes from within. Admiring the Buddhist way of life, I felt the instant connection when I visited the Thiksey Monastery, which is part of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery has been compared to the Potala Palace in Tibet and is Pangong Lake — heaven on earth, the located nearly 12000 ft high in the writer says. An aerial shot of the last village of Leh.

38 VIDURA April-June 2017 through the lake; a fourth of the lake is part of India. According to the natives, the place caught the attention of the worldthanks to the Aamir Khan starrer, 3 Idiots. There is an open restaurant named 3 Idiots where one the way back I had the famous thupka, a Tibetan noodle soup. I caught a glimpse of Turtuk, considered as the last village in Leh, while I was on my way to Pangong Tso Lake. It is one of the gateways to the Siachen Glacier and is considered to be the last outpost in India after which the Pakistan controlled Gilgit-Baltistan begins. While crossing over, I made an unexpected trip to the holy fish pond which overlooks the Shey Monastry. The holy pond consists of some of the biggest salmon

Photos: PA one will ever see. These fish are The holy fish pond close to the Indo-Pak border is home to some of the considered to be very sacred. I was

biggest salmon. asked to feed bread crumbles to < them. mountain ranges of Pangong from Ramsar Convention or Convention which the water flows. During the on Wetlands of International (The writer is a student of winter, the lake is completely frozen. Importance. The India-China Line International Relations and a Pangong Lake finds mention in the of Actual Control (LAC) passes frequent traveller.)

World press asks Donald Trump to stop targeting media International media leaders have signalled their deep concern with the US administration’s persistent attacks on the press by calling on US President Donald Trump to halt his ‘fake news’ accusations and to ensure White House briefings remain accessible to all media. A letter, sent to the US administration, firmly rejects President Trump’s repeated accusation that media is the ‘enemy of the American People’, and calls on his administration to build a better professional relationship with the media. More than 40 editors-in-chiefs, CEOs and publishers representing media from around the world have signed a letter addressed to President Trump outlining how his regular labelling of mainstream news outlets as ‘fake news’ as well as the exclusion of critical media outlets from a recent White House press briefing signalled a worrying decline in accountability for his administration. “We fear that the overall climate for media freedom currently being fostered by your presidency seriously jeopardises the on-going ability of a free press to hold power to account in the United States,” the letter to President Trump said. The letter, sent to the US administration on behalf of the executive committee, World Editors Forum and Media Freedom Boards of the Paris-based World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), highlighted the damage the president’s comments – regularly made using the social media platform Twitter – are having on an industry attempting to respond to the phenomenon of disinformation and ‘fake news’. Signalling growing concern from among the international press community, the letter highlighted the United States’ historic relationship with a free press to underline how the president’s actions since coming to office risk inspiring leaders in countries with weaker press freedom safeguards to repress or stifle essential freedoms. The letter also firmly rejected President Trump’s repeated accusation that media is the ‘enemy of the American People’.

WAN-IFRA urged the president to “welcome and encourage the kind of rigorous self-criticism a free media upholds as a means of ensuring the highest attainable standards of governance,” calling for a meeting between his < administration and representatives from the global media to discuss rebuilding a better relationship.

April-June 2017 VIDURA 39 TRAVEL A community now cares for Ladakh’s ‘grey ghost’

The Snow Leopard, a magnificent animal found in high altitudes was feared, hated and attacked by communities living in Ladakh. The reason was obvious. The predator in search of prey would attack and kill cattle such as goat, sheep and dzo, a yak-cow breed –all which are a major source of livelihood for the mountain communities. How such an embittered relationship between human beings and wildlife was transformed is indeed a heart-warming tale of co-existence and conservation. Sujata Raghavan highlights a special approach adopted by the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust that works primarily to conserve the animal, referred to as the ‘grey ghost'

ramed by world's highest in the region where a significant mountain ranges, the majest- population lives by cattle-breeding. Fic Himalayas and the Kara- The yak, sheep and goat are reared koram, Ladakh is easily one of the for their wool, milk and meat. most strikingly beautiful regions These animals are vulnerable to in India. In the upper reaches, the attacks by the leopard. Sadly, this white dazzling sheet of snow lies sets into motion a chain of counter- over its rugged landscape, giving killings and becomes a trigger for it sheen. It is here in these pristine, revenge by the community. snowy environs that a magnificent Country-made traps are used to animal, – the snow leopard, lives. capture the animal that meets its It is often called the ‘grey ghost’ ghastly end, often by being stoned because it comes and goes and to death."Honestly, I used to hate The elusive 'grey ghost'. yet nobody really knows that it is snow leopards," says Norboo, there. With its smoky, speckled "They would often hunt and kill its entire eco-system that includes fur of different hues of yellow and our animals. My family and I didn't its natural prey. This would make gray, the animal literally merges have much choice but to hunt them it unnecessary for the leopard to into the landscape of dark boulders back. It was them or us." venture beyond its natural habitat and sheets of snow. It is this point of confrontation, into human territory to hunt for The snow leopard is an elusive this age-old conflict between man food. This understanding has being, rarely seen. Even so, it and wildlife, that the Snow Leopard shaped SLC-IT’s approach. It is faces danger. Locals like Tsewang Conservancy, India Trust (SLC-IT) involved in research as well as Norboo, a cattle herder in Ulley has sought to resolve. Registered promotion of sustainable practices in the Sham Valley, shudder to in India in 2003, the organisation is aimed at conserving the entire ‘food remember encounters with the dedicated to promoting innovative chain’ in which the snow leopard is animal. “Shan (snow leopard community-based ownership to the ‘apex’ predator. in Ladakhi) killed my three-year conserve the snow leopard, its The attacks on livestock being the year old dzo,” he recalls. Dzo is a prey and habitat. The approach is flash-point for retributive action yak-cow breed found extensively to transform the conflict between by the community and indeed for human beings and the leopard their deep resentment of the Snow by emphasising co-existence for Leopard, it was important to protect mutual benefit. the different cattle breeds in the In its own habitat, the snow region. The practice was to keep leopard hunts and feeds on various sheep and goat at night in open-air species such as the Himalayan pens that the leopard could easily Marmot, and the bharal or ‘blue enter. With community help, SLC- sheep’ –its natural prey. Only when IT constructed enclosures with a this runs short, the animal is forced roof that would block this easy entry to venture into human habitation at making it ‘predator proof’. Horses Photos: SR lower heights. In order to conserve too would fall prey as they tend to Predator proofing by SLC-IT. the leopard, it is critical to conserve graze beyond the watchful eyes of

40 VIDURA April-June 2017 Conservancy. She picked up the story after interacting with the director there and other members of the team.)

NDTV to consider sale of assets The board of directors at NDTV will consider the “potential sale of certain strategic assets by certain material subsidiary(ies)”, the company has informed the A shot of the magnificent snow leopard in its habitat. National Stock Exchange. NDTV’s trading window shall remain their herders. The SLC team took wildlife in the region, they are an shut for some time. However, the steps to tighten vigil by inculcating invaluable resource for tourists. broadcaster provided no clarity better herding practices. Says Tsewang Namgail, director on what assets might be up for It was crucial that the community SLC. “The experience of local life sale. Recognised as the foremost saw the conservation of the snow and cultural patterns in our home- news broadcaster in the country at leopard and its prey – not merely stays fosters an appreciation of one point in time, NDTV has been as a concept but as a core aspect nature and wildlife. They benefit going through a period of financial of their own lives and livelihoods. from tourists coming from across turmoil of late. Besides operating With support from The Mountain the world to the region. To cherish in the broadcasting domain, NDTV Institute and UNESCO, the and protect the snow leopard, its also has interests in the digital and Himalayan Home-stays Programme prey and its habitat then comes e-commerce space. However, the was launched in 2002. Tourists naturally to the community.” digital business of the company could live in traditional Ladakhi In early 2015, in Temisgam Village, is the only silver lining given that homes, mingle with the family, eat Sham Valley, a snow leopard had the other two segments are in deep and live the way a Ladakhi does. entered a night-time enclosure losses. The programme is a big draw and for animals. It killed some goats. Last year, when KVL Narayan today there are home-stays in more Normally, this would have set Rao took over as the CEO of the than 40 villages across regions alarm bells ringing, whipped up company, he promised “the financial including Sham Valley, Rong Valley anger amongst the community, had turnaround of the company” by and remote Zanskar. them baying for the blood of the delivering both in terms of top line For the family providing the home- predator. Instead what happened and bottom line growth. However, stay, trained and hand-held by the was extraordinary. Taking a lead, in the fiscal year 2016-17, NDTV’s SLC-IT team in hospitality and the youth in the village called revenues dropped from Rs 396.03 hygiene, it was an opportunity to the J&K Wildlife Department to crore to Rs 368.32 crore during earn from a home-based enterprise. rescue the animal. Word spread; the first three quarters. After the jolt The households had to agree to several people, mainly youngsters of demonetisation, the company stop killing the snow leopard even from nearby villages, gathered had pinned its hopes on lucrative

sponsorship deals to make up for the if their livestock was attacked by to support the department in the < the predator. Ten per cent of the rescue efforts. fall in revenues from advertising. income generated by the home-stay Says Namgail with a sense of quiet was deposited in a fund for general satisfaction, “Fifteen years ago, this (Courtesy: exchange4media. environmental protection. Many would not have been possible.” com)

villagers have been taught to make Indeed, from being a foe of the traditional clothing and handicraft snow leopard, the community has < items to be sold as souvenirs. now become its ally. Local youth are trained to be nature guides and trackers for the (Courtesy: Charkha Features. The guests at the Homestays. With writer had conducted a writing skill their insights into the nature and workshop at Leh, at the Snow Leopard

April-June 2017 VIDURA 41 Book fairs, lit fests a big hit with youngsters

Shooting down the postulation that the reading habit is dying out, book fairs and literary festivals are seeing an encouragingly high percentage of youth, says R.V. Rajan. And what does it matter if they read books on their mobiles or tablets, he wonders

news item in a daily quoted sales of lakhs of copies for each of boy. I was also happy to note that the president of the South their books. 80 per cent of the audience at the AIndia Publishers Association Interestingly, all the famous authors function consisted of youngsters as saying that 80 per cent of the of today had their first manuscripts who were keen to participate in visitors to a recent book fair held in rejected by several publishers and such workshops. Chennai were youth. According to had to resort to self-publishing their Book fairs, literary festivals and the report, 60 per cent of the annual first book and marketing them using book-authoring workshops are sales of small publishers come from innovative strategies. Listening to certainly encouraging youngsters such fairs. No wonder then that many of the successful authors at to take to reading and writing

these fairs are becoming popular literary festivals, it is clear that if an seriously. What does it matter if even in smaller towns in India. author wants to be on the bestseller they read books on their mobiles < In the past few months I attended list he or she has to market the book or tablets? literary festivals in Bangalore and ‘shamelessly’. It is imperative that Chennai. I was pleasantly surprised such authors must be active on (The writer, former chairman, to see the huge turnout of visitors, social media. Self-publishing and Anugrah Madison and managing mainly youngsters in the age group print–on-demand have brought director of WAN-IFRA India, has 18-35. A large number of them about a sea change in the publishing donned several hats. He is better attended the three parallel sessions industry. known though as a rural marketing being held at the fairs. During the Another reason for the huge sale guru and now in retirement finds breaks there were long queues of of books is the facility to order them time and space to write and share his youngsters waiting to get their online and have them delivered at the thoughts and ideas.) favourite authors to sign copies of doorstep, very often at a discounted books. price. Amazon and Flipkart have I wondered what had triggered been hugely responsible for the such great enthusiasm among the phenomenon and are very popular youth for books, disproving the with the young generation. postulation that the reading habit Little wonder that the number of Journals is declining among the younger Indian authors is growing by leaps generation. I am inclined to give and bounds. People from diverse credit for this to the success of fields, including school students, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series are trying their hand at writing. and the works of our own banker- Recently, I attended a function turned author, Chetan Bhagat. organised by The New Indian Express Bhagat has literally re-written the in Chennai at which books of nine way the publishing industry has first-time authors were released. been functioning in India. For a They had participated in a book long time, a book was considered a authoring workshop conducted by big success if it sold 5000 to 10000 Kirubha Shanker, well known as copies. someone savvy with social media. But today, new-age authors like The nine, who accepted Shanker’s Bagat, Amish Tripathy, Ashwin 100-day challenge, included an Sanghi and others are claiming eight-year-old girl and a 12-year-old

42 VIDURA April-June 2017 GREAT INDIAN EDITORS He was a teacher, reformer and writer

Ganga Kishore Bhattacharya started the second regional language newspaper in India, the first by an Indian. He was the publisher and editor of a paper titled Bengal Gazetti. He was also one of the pioneers of the printing and publishing industry, writing and publishing several books in Bengali language at a time when there were few available. Mrinal Chatterjee profiles the editor

anga Kishore Bhattacharya 1818, with the help of Pandit Hara diffusion of general knowledge and was born in Bahara Village, Chandra Roy, he started editing information amongst the natives Gnear Serampore, about 20 and publishing a weekly Bengali must lead to... communication km north of Calcutta. Not much newspaper, the Bengal Gazetti. It between the natives and the is known about his early life. He was printed in his Bengal Gazette European residents.” started his career as a compositor Press. Though the exact date of Ganga Kishore was a multi- in the Baptist Mission Press, its publication is not known, the talented person and prolific writer. Serampore. Later on, he shifted commencement of the publication He wrote several books to fulfil to Calcutta. As Mohamed Taher of the newspaper was announced the needs of people, as there were writes in his book, Libraries in India’s in two successive advertisements hardly any books at that time. He National Development Perspective: A published in the Government wrote A Grammar in English and Saga of Fifty Years Since Independence, Gazette of 14 May 1818 and 11 July Bengalee Language (1816). Published Ganga Kishore opened a Bengali 1818. by the Ferris and Co Press, it was book shop as early as 1815. He also However, Samachar Darpan basically English grammar in the started writing books. In 1816, he (published by Serampore Mission Bengali language. It was written in edited the earliest illustrated book Press on May 23, 1818) started simple language for the benefit of published in Bengali language, publishing a week or so before the students. the Annadamangala, printed at Bengal Gazetti was published. Ganga Kishore wrote several the Ferris and Company Press in Therefore, Bengal Gazetti became the books in Bengali on business and Calcutta. second Bengali newspaper or, for economics (Byabasha Darpan), There were few printing presses that matter any regional language on medicine (Chikitsarnab, 1820) in Calcutta (for that matter in newspaper, to have been published and on chemistry (Drabyagun, entire Eastern India) then, which in India, and the first by an Indian. 1828). He also wrote and edited could print in regional languages. Bengal Gazetti, though, was short works of fiction. Among his Though the first printing press, lived; it survived barely a year. edited works were Bhagbadgita which printed in Devanagari But it left an illustrious legacy as a (1820), an abridged version of the was set up in 1806-7 in Khidirpur progressive and pro-reform paper. original Sanskrit text, and Annada (Kidderpore) by Baburam (later It re-printed the works of Ram Mangal (1816), a quasi-historical known as Sanskrit Press), by 1815 Mohan Roy on the sati system and tale of Biddyah and Sunder. Printed there were a handful of printing advocated its abolition. Besides local from the Press of Ferris and Co in presses. Among them, besides news, it used to publish government Calcutta, it was the first known the Sanskrit Press under a new advertisements, employment news illustrated work in printing. It was management, were Ferris and Co and law-related issues in simple embellished with line-engraving Press, Hindoostani Press, Bengali Bengali. and had six pictures. The blocks Press andm Serampore Mission Bengal Gazetti as a newspaper used to make the pictures were Press. Ganga Kishore ventured was noticed and its early demise prepared by Ramchand Roy, in establishing a Bengali printing mourned. On 16 May 1818, who was probably related to press in 1818 known as the Bengal the Oriental Star, an influential Harachandra Roy. Gazette Press. newspaper of the time had this to Ganga Kishore Bhatttacharya After installing the press, Ganga say: “Amongst the improvements rose from a very humble Kishore thought of publishing which are taking place in Calcutta... background, worked his way a newspaper – in Bengali, as at publication of a Bengalee news- that time there were none. In paper has been commenced. The (Continued on page 53)

April-June 2017 VIDURA 43 Book Review

Portrayal of an ‘industrialist’, warts and all

Vasu’s courtship of Stina and their marriage have been adroitly documented in some detail and makes for fascinating reading. A union between a Tamil boy and a Swedish girl in the early 1960s was almost unheard of and Muthiah writes with candour as to how the two had to make adjustments. It was,. of course, more so in the case of Stina and this aspect is admirably dealt with. In fact, it was Stina and Vasu’s second son Arun who approached Muthiah to write a book about Vasu and while accepting the offer the author said, “let us be frank and tell it all as it was”, a suggestion readily agreed to by both. And so, while we have accounts of Vasu’s philanthropic work, there are also notes about Vasu’s failures in business. How he could “indulge in the language of the gutter” and yet be most helpful to everyone, big and small. Overall, Vasu, gregarious by nature, exuded a lot of charm and, mainly because of his imposing personality, he was so much a natural PR person. He was an instantly recognisable figure even in a crowd, besides being the ultimate ‘people’s person’. Not unexpectedly, the book starts off with details about T.T. Krishnamachari and his family. TTK, as he was better known universally, was a popular figure in TT VASU: THE MAN WHO COULD NEVER SAY NO New Delhi political circles in the years immediately Author: S. Muthiah after Independence. He held various portfolios in Publisher: Ranpar Publishers Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinets, including that of Finance Pages: 253 minister twice. As Muthiah relates in the book, TTK’s Price: Rs 800 four sons (Vasu was the youngest) did not benefit in any way from the various influential positions TTK As I finished going through Muthiah’s book, the held. overriding feeling in me was regret that I had never Predictably, Muthiah chronicles in detail the various met T.T. Vasu; so vividly does Muthiah portray the business ventures Vasu was associated with. From various facets of Vasu’s life and work. Muthiah does cosmetics to condoms, from printing to the hospitality not deify him but catches the man with all his positive industry, and from real estate to the printing business, and negative aspects. To that extent, it is a balanced he had a hand in several projects that the TTK Group work and it is something that has to be applauded, started or invested in. Not all were successful and for how often these days does one see a balanced indeed some ran into bankruptcy. One would expect approach to writing? One is almost tempted to use the son of a successful businessman and a Union the words that have earlier described General George Commerce and Finance minister at that to be as Patton, for Vasu: “Deeply religious and violently successful. profane, easily moved to anger, easily moved to tears, But as Stina put it, “He had absolutely no idea how a strange combination of fire and ice.” to handle money, how to do business. It was his ego Muthiah knew Vasu well, having worked him for that got him into trouble. A big man in everyone’s several years while at TT Maps & Atlases and later as eyes, if he was asked for money he felt he could not head of the TTK Group’s corporate communications say no, so he borrowed to meet request after request.” function. He also knew members of the TTK family To some extent this was also due to his trusting and well and this proximity gives him the room and space generous nature. In any case, Vasu was the face of the to write with felicity about Vasu’s ties with various TTK Group and thanks to his close association with the members of the extended family. group’s business, he was referred to as ‘industrialist’

44 VIDURA April-June 2017 Book Review

by many, especially the media. A dynamic and colourful personality like Vasu had Memories of a Chipko to be associated closely and for long with various activist activities outside his business ventures and there are various chapters dealing with this aspect of his life. For example, Vasu was very religious, had faith in astrology and was quite superstitious. Part of his daily routine was worshipping at the temple at his home where he regularly conducted pujas. He was closely associated with public health care and the Bala Mandir. And as a youth very interested in Hollywood films and Western music, he had started the Errol Flynn Fans Club and a monthly magazine called U and the Movies. However, it is the Music Academy with which Vasu’s name is indissolubly linked. He served the prestigious institution as president for 20 years and during his tenure there were a lot of changes, most for the better. Awards were instituted, renovations were made to house books and audios and videos, and young talent was encouraged like never before. He also brought in more revenue through sponsors and MITTI, PANI AUR BYAAR / Soil, Water and Pure Air donors bringing financial stability to the Academy. Author: Dhum Singh Negi Punctuality became a fetish with Vasu and the Publisher: Yugvani Prakashan, Dehradun one thing that mattered to him was that the events Pages: 128 and, particularly the December season, should be Price: Rs 150 conducted meticulously. To that extent, he was prepared to carry the musical instruments or even Dhum Singh Negi is one of the senior-most activists stand at the ticket counter if required. As N. Sankar, of the Chipko Movement, Save-the-seeds Movement chairman, Sanmar Group, puts it: “Vasu was a one- and several other social and ecological movements in man show. He brought stability to the institution but the Himalayan Region. Some other senior activists of perhaps he stayed on for a little too long.” the movement like Kunwar Prasun and Vijay Jardhari Unfortunately, Vasu’s long tenure ended sadly as always called him Guruji. The reason is that Dhum the institution got embroiled in a well-known court Singh started out as headmaster of a junior high case which dragged on till the early years of the New school and several students of the school later became Millennium. This is dealt with in detail by the author famous as leading activists (Prasun and Jardhari but as he asserts there were no financial irregularities, among them). only procedural flaws for which his committee In recent days, Dhum Singh has been recovering members were as responsible as Vasu. from a severe heart attack. During the time, however, By now, there was a serious setback to Vasu’s health he thought out about bringing together several of his and he could not fulfil his wish to die in harness as articles about various social issues and movements. He president of his beloved academy. In 2004, his family was encouraged to do this by Yugvani Publication of members convinced him to resign. Vasu passed away Dehradun and the result is this precious book in Hindi the following year at the age of 76. titled Mitti, Pani Aur Byaar (Soil, Water and Pure Air). A major highlight of the book is the number of The book is full of inspiring and informative photographs, many of them rare. And of further interest experiences and anecdotes relating to various social is ‘Vasuspeak’, small snippets on several pages which movements and activists. Dhum Singh gets particularly deal with excerpts from some of his many speeches sentimental while remembering his student and later- he made at various meetings and organisations. day activist Kunwar Prasun. Dhum Singh's memories

There are also about ten pages of Vasuspeak at the of accompanying Sunderlal Bahuguna during the

famous Kashmir-Kohima Himalayan foot march are < end of the book which contain numerous meaningful < observations on a variety of subjects. as interesting as they are inspiring.

(Reviewed by Partab Ramchand.) (Reviewed by Bharat Dogra.)

April-June 2017 VIDURA 45 NOSTALGIA A journalist fondly recalls four men who shaped his career

Looking back on almost half a century of his journalistic career, Partab Ramchand remembers four special senior colleagues who not only touched his life but enriched it in various ways

just can’t believe that in June who stood by you when you went He was the life of any party with next year it will be 50 years through bad times. And among all his jokes and songs, his extrovert Isince I made my foray into the many such people, one name nature. He enjoyed his social drink. journalism. I walked to the Indian will always stand out in my memory I can categorically state that outside Express building in Express Estates and that would be T. Govindrajan, my immediate family no one on Club House Road in Madras. known universally as TG to young touched my life more than TG. His Express Estates now of course is and old. Hardly anyone called him death in 1998 in a road accident at better known as Express Avenue, Mr Govindrajan. the age of 72, some ten years after the ultra modern shopping mall TG was the football and tennis he retired from The Hindu, left me and cineplex. I was sent to the writer for The Hindu and came into numb with shock. Express, on the recommendation my life during my early days in Another person of whom I have of P.N. Sundaresan, then cricket the profession. He was more than fond memories is P.N. Sundaresan. correspondent of The Hindu, to 20 years my senior but was able to Indeed, he will always have a meet N.S. Ramaswami, assistant bridge the gap so admirably that we special place in memory as the editor in charge of sports, for a got along as old school buddies. Of person who inducted me into the place on the sports desk. It was as course, the age difference showed in profession. In 1968, I was a rather a nervous 19-year-old rookie that our tastes for music, so he opened frustrated and unhappy youth I entered the archaic four-storey the window for me to Bing Crosby undecided about my future. As a building and as luck would have it and Frank Sinatra, and I told him cricket-mad youngster who had was almost straightaway recruited. about Jim Reeves and Elvis Presley. dabbled in writing while at school, It’s been more than a decade since We spent many evenings singing I thought I would try my luck at I retired from active service even away but I was no match for his this as a profession. In desperation, though I continue to write on a rich baritone. Whether it was White I wrote to Sundaresan – whom I freelance basis. But then, as only to Christmas and Begin the Beguine had never met and had known be expected at my age, I frequently or Guilty and Are You Lonesome only through his newspaper take a trip down nostalgia lane and Tonight, we made the period from columns – expressing my desire. recall the times, good and bad, of the Thirties to the Sixties our own. Within a few days I got a letter full the 35 years in the profession As However, it was as a writer of warmth and encouragement that Celeste Holm says in All About Eve, that TG influenced me the most. I still have with me. It reads: “My the 1950 classic film, “It’s funny, Especially for a rookie journalist, dear friend, thanks very much for the things you remember and the his copy was a must-read. His your letter. I am put up within a things you don’t.” Likewise, there style was inimitable, his English mile of your place. You can meet are innumerable memories that impeccable and his knowledge of me conveniently in my house any you can never ever forget while at every sport immense. Whether it morning. Do give me a ring and fix the same time there are some you was a description of a match or a up a time so that I can be at home. I just cannot remember or would comment piece, TG’s copies were am eager to meet such an enthusiast want to forget in a hurry. eminently readable. But he was of cricket as you are.” Yes, you of course remember the a bit casual in his approach and Within a couple of days, I was memorable events that you wrote knowing how I hero-worshipped discussing cricket with Sundaresan about and the major sporting heroes him, he used to tell me, “Take me as in his house. Noting my enthusiasm you came across in the days as a a warning, not as an example.” That to join the fraternity of sports sports reporter. But, above all, you did not stop me from trying my best writers he spoke immediately to tend to remember the people who to imitate his writing style, but with N.S. Ramaswami and put in a word. touched your life, who enriched little success I am afraid. He then asked me to go and meet it by thoughtful gestures and As a person, TG was gregarious. Ramaswami. The historical scholar

46 VIDURA April-June 2017 closely examined my writing for a went to pay my respects and was known as Master, for he had been week after which I was inducted into pleasantly surprised to see that a teacher to young Bhagwandas the newspaper’s sports department many from the cricketing fraternity – (Ramnath Geonka’s son) in the as an apprentice reporter. I was players, administrators, journalists, Goenka household in the Thirties. – and remain – deeply grateful to past and present – were there. Even As an editor, Master was second to Sundaresan for providing me an M.J. Gopalan, then well into his 80s, none in his balanced judgment and opening at a critical juncture in my came with the aid of a walking stick news sense. He was a workaholic life. Over the years, we maintained to pay his respects to an old friend. being at the office from about 1 pm a close personal and professional After all, while cricket was his first to 2 am when the newspaper went relationship and he took a lot of love, PNS also wrote with equal to bed. He was much older than interest in my work, guiding me felicity on hockey and tennis. all of us in the editorial team but and pointing out grammatical Two other people who I worked he was able to bridge the gap and errors in my reports and suggesting with deserve a special tribute. regaled us with delightful stories how I could improve my copy. He One was N.S. Ramaswami whose of the old days in between editions. was also full of praise when I wrote writing I greatly admired. Not for He found an eager audience in us, what he considered to be a good nothing was he known as India’s so admirable was his storytelling report. Neville Cardus and for once there style interspersed with jokes. On a personal level, we kept in was no exaggeration, for he based Fortunately, he was very interested touch by my visits to his house. his writing on Cardus’s style and in and knowledgeable about Whenever I took up a new job, I used the similarity was striking. As my cricket – his contemporary was to go to him to seek his blessings. boss, he always encouraged me and Lala Amarnath – and so we sports By 1993, his health had deteriorated was instrumental in sending me on reporters got along famously with but he always welcomed me with my first outstation assignment even him. < a smile and we talked cricket and as a junior and this served as a major other topics for some time. When encouragement for a youngster. The he passed away in March 1994, I other was C.P. Seshadri, popularly

The Statesman begins expansion to north The Statesman, one of the oldest English-language dailies in India, founded in 1875, has set to undertake an ambitious expansion exercise with the specific task of making its presence felt in northern India. It will begin publishing an ‘early edition’ from New Delhi focussing on states such as Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Simultaneously, it will also aim to provide wholesome news coverage of the states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand through this edition. The newspaper has been bringing out separate editions for Delhi, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar and Siliguri. Exchange4media has learnt that the organisation has pencilled segment-wise targets hoping to sell 30000-40000

copies of its latest product. Gujarat and Rajasthan have been identified as markets to be covered in the next phase of the project. The Statesman is optimistic that its efforts will enable the newspaper to garner more advertisement< revenues. (Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

HT media cuts employee costs At HT Media, the previous year ended with the beginning of a cost-cutting exercise, even as the company went about strengthening its core editions in the cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Lucknow and Patna. Industry insiders confirm that Sharad Saxena, executive director – Operations & HR, had informed employees in early January that HT Media was going to shut down four editions besides ceasing operations in another three cities. The decision became effective from January 10. Meanwhile, according to reports, the business bureau of Hindustan Times in the cities of New Delhi and Mumbai also halted operations as did editions and products in Allahabad, Bhopal, Indore, Kanpur, Kolkata, Ranchi and Varanasi. Hindustan Media Ventures’ expenditure on employees during the third quarter came down by almost 80

per cent. Recently, Shamit Bhartia, son of HT chairperson Shobhana Bhartia, took over as the managing director of HMV for a period of five years from February 4 onwards. < (Courtesy: exchange4media.com)

April-June 2017 VIDURA 47 REMEMBERING GITA SEN (1930-2017) An actress who always put family before self

Gita Sen passed away in February this year after a long illness at her Kolkata residence. Many knew her simply as Mrinal Sen’s wife, a woman who had acted in some films directed by her husband and who then stepped away from the limelight. This happens to many Indian women whose talents and achievements are veiled by the celebrity status of their husbands. Shoma A. Chatterji tells us how Gita Sena was an actress in her own right

ijoya Ray, Satyajit Ray’s wife, (without salary) a young girl in Nagarik (1952). She played Shefali, was a very talented singer the lines she was to deliver for a the sister of Uma, the love interest Bfrom a family of musically role in a film that never got made. of the protagonist Ramu. Placed talented people. But once her The love match was not welcomed in historical context, Shefali is one husband became 'The Ray,' she by either family, because it was an of the first victims of the extreme became his support system and inter-caste marriage and therefore poverty that came in the wake of passed away unheard and unsung. not the ‘done’ thing at the time and, Independence. Unable to cope, she Gita Sen was an actress in her own secondly, because Mrinal Sen was walks away silently with a man. right. She was forced into theatre jobless while Gita was employed, A rare appearance she made in a at the age of 15 when her father, unthinkable in middle-class Bengali film not directed by Mrinal Sen was a freedom fighter, was dying. She circles then. Shyam Benegal’s Aarohan (1982) was then Gita Shome. Theatre was Kunal, the Sen’s only child, in Hindi. Gita played Kalidashi, one of the several jobs she took now settled in Chicago as chief the distant, widowed aunt of Hari up as the sole breadwinner of the technical development officer for Mondal, the poor farmer portrayed family. Theatre and then cinema Encyclopaedia Britannica, was born by Om Puri. Kalidashi is forced to brought her some notice and a little a year after the marriage. work as a maid when she migrates money. As a young woman, Gita was slim with her growing daughter Paanchi Mrinal Sen, a young expatriate and pretty with long, black hair; to Calcutta. Her suffering when she from East Pakistan, who was then one wonders what kept filmmakers learns of her daughter Paanchi’s shifting from one odd job to another, from casting her as the female lead. suffering is poignantly portrayed. from medical representative to Few are aware that Gita, before her She believed in playing it with freelance journalist and so on, met marriage, did an important role in restraint. her when he was asked to assist Ritwik Ghatak’s all-time classic Gita began to work in plays produced by Utpal Dutt’s Little Theatre Group when Kunal was around 12 years old. She played Inge, the fiancée of the son of Professor Mamlock in Friedrich Wolf’s Professor Mamlock, with Utpal Dutt in the title role. Gita Sen made a mark in several films directed by Mrinal Sen. Among them are Calcutta 71, Chorus (1974), Ekdin Pratidin (1979), Aakaler Sandhaney (1980), Chaalchitra (1981), Kharij (1982) and Khandahar (1983) – all roles that were challenging because she had to take into account that her husband, an internationally

Photo: Kunal Sen recognised filmmaker, was Gita with her husband and well-known director, Mrinal Sen. Theirs was an directing her. Those who were not example of a wonderfully balanced marriage. aware of her background as an

48 VIDURA April-June 2017 actress to reckon with would often it was a conscious thought. Since have seen much more of her talent think that he had cast her because then he tried to use her at every on screen if she was more selfish she happened to be his wife. opportunity, whenever there was and less committed to offering solid After these films, Gita stepped a suitable role. She got offers from support to my father and me and back from acting and nothing could almost all the major film directors all the people we were associated bring her back to the screen or even of that period, and she would either with. But it is equally difficult stage. She was content living in the reject it, or agree, only to finally to imagine how this could have growing shadow of her husband’s back out at the last moment. I do impacted our family life and on rise to fame, happy journeying with not have any good explanation of my father’s career as filmmaker.” him everywhere from Venice to this behaviour. It was certainly not The Mrinal-Gita Sen couple Tiananmen Square. She must have due to any lack of encouragement is a rare example of a balanced rejoiced when he was bestowed the from me or my father. But that was marriage that sustained for more Dadasaheb Phalke Award. also the peak of my father's career, than six decades. It is difficult to “It remains a mystery to me why and he was extremely busy, so even imagine how Mrinal Sen, who my father didn't think of using her maybe Ma thought it would upset will be 94 this May, will cope with until Calcutta 71,” says Kunal. “For the delicate balance of keeping the this enormous gap in his home and some reason he never thought of her household running if she stepped in his heart. < as a film actress, but I don't think out of the house. We could perhaps

PII-UNICEF Fellowship certificates presented Nine of the 14 journalists from Kerala and Tamil Nadu selected for the PII-UNICEF Fellowships for 2016 were presented completion certificates on February 25, at the Press Institute of India by Job Zachariah, head of Field Office for UNICEF (Tamil Nadu & Kerala). The five others selected could not make it to the event. The fellowship programme helped the journalists produce 72 stories, all focused on high-priority issues related to children and child rights – for example, drug abuse among schoolchildren, education and health, child substance abuse, violence against children, open defecation, mentally challenged children facing discrimination, child labour, malnutrition and anaemia, infant deaths, child welfare, tribal children and their hopes, and the plight of the children of migrant labourers. Each of the journalists present spoke about their experiences while working on the stories and some of them pointed to the impact the stories had created, with the concerned state government taking necessary measures to make the lives of children better. The journalists present were Cissy Jacob (Mathrubhumi), Jerin Joy (Malayala Manorama), Johnson Poovanthuruth (Deepika), Laxmi Prasanna (The Times of India), Mahesh Gupthan (Malayala Manorama), K. Nagappan (The Hindu Tamil), K.H. Remya (Mathrubhumi), Reji Joseph (Rashtra Deepika), and K.S. Sugitha (Kalaignar TV). Lavanya (News 7 TV), P.K. Navya (India Together), Renjith John (Deepika), Ranjith Chathoth (Mathrubhumi) and Sukanya Satyam (The Times of India) were unable to attend. The 2016 PII-UNICEF Fellowships programme ran for a little more than four months. The objective of the programme was to encourage mid-career journalists to analyse and report on the different dimensions related to the implementation of child rights in Tamil Nadu and Kerala – the right to survival, the right to development and the right to participate, and also to encourage journalists who can act as one voice for children against violation of their rights and for their overall betterment. The aim was also to bring various issues affecting children into the realm of media discourse to influence decision- makers; create greater awareness in the media about child rights, its implementation and violation; strengthen public opinion in building an enabling environment for positive measures to be taken; promote effective communication that draws attention to children’s issues; and facilitate informed dialogue among key stakeholders on children’s issues. Present at the event were Sashi Nair, director-editor,

Photo: NS/PII-RIND Press institute of India, and Sugata Roy, Communications Mahesh Gupthan of Malayala Manorama making specialist, UNICEF (TN & Kerala). < a point.

April-June 2017 VIDURA 49 REMEMBERING NARENDRANATH MITRA (1916-1975) A master storyteller who deftly portrayed relationships

In her brilliantly researched chapter on the Bengali novel in The Growth of the Novel in Indian Literature (1950-1980), Lila Ray, an American researcher and writer who lived in Santiniketan and was married to the late Annada Sankar Ray, placed noted writer Narendranath Mitra among the group of writers who were influenced by the changes that were happening in the city as people from the village began to move into towns. Shoma A. Chatterji portrays the master of the short story form of writing

he influence of the Century, the Bengali short story later social realism reached awesome heights. Mitra “Tof writers like Manik was one of the architects of the Bandopadhyay is visibly at work achievement. His writing began in in the writings of Samaresh Bose, the decade before Partition. He was Bimal Kar, Jyotirindranath Nandy, influenced deeply by the times he Narendranath Mitra and Santosh lived in but did not remain limited Ghosh,” writes Lila Ray in the by it. His first collection of stories, book, The growth of the Novel in Asamatal (Uneven), was about the Indian Literature, edited by P.K. lower strata of society. Published in Rajan and published by Abhinav 1945, the stories were set in wartime Publications (1989). Calcutta and featured marginal Narendranath Mitra was born characters such as pickpockets, in Sadardi, a village in Faridpur prostitutes, slum-dwellers and District in pre-Partition Bengal. goons. His second collection, Halde After completing his schooling Bari (The Yellow House), was and intermediate course in what concerned with the world of the

is now Bangladesh, he obtained a Bengali middle-class. Photo: Internet BA Degree from Bangabasi College Social life in Bengal was changing Narendranath Mitra. in Calcutta. His literary journey rapidly during the Partition. Hindu- began in 1936 with the publication Muslim riots and the Partition of it still reflects the changing social of the poem Mook (Mute) in Desh, Bengal had devastated the social realities of the time. Mitra’s novels which also published his story fabric. Interestingly, the bloody and short stories reflect the impact Mrityu O Jiban (Death and Life) the killings, widespread destruction of the fragmentation of traditional same year. and political unrest did not have life patterns in urban spaces where Initially, after coming to Calcutta, any bearing on his writings. A rare circumstances forced a breakdown Mitra found employment at the psychological insight marked Chena in large families, marking the Dum Dum Ordnance Factory Mahal (The Familiar World, 1953), beginnings of nuclear families during the Second World War. Deha Mon (Body and Mind, 1952) as they exist today. Small flats After that, he joined the Calcutta and Teen Din Teen Ratri (Three Days and economic pressures made it National Bank. As journalist and and Three Nights, 1960.) These necessary for husband and wife to editor, he worked for Krishok, writings reflect the individual’s earn, limited the number of children Swaraj and Satyajug till he joined search for completeness and in each young family and fostered Ananda Bazar Patrika where he fulfillment, which is a person’s co-existence with neighbours worked till his death in 1975. In main concern everywhere who came from diverse and, often a writing career spanning four One of his novelettes (short conflicting, backgrounds. His decades, Narendranath wrote novels), Abataranika, was adapted Abataranika is a classic example of nearly 500 short stories and 35 by Satyajit Ray as Mahanagar. The a young couple with a small child, novels, including masterpieces like film is considered a turning point where both parents are forced to go Chena Mahal, Doorabhashini and in the history of Indian cinema. out to work, changing the power Suryasakshi. Ray took considerable cinematic equations among family members Towards the middle of the 20th liberties with the original story but across three generations.

50 VIDURA April-June 2017 by Sudhendu Roy (1973) starring rare ability to demonstrate the Amitabh Bachchan and Nutan, multi-layered features that define Phera (1988) adapted by Buddhadev changing relationships between Dasgupta, and, recently, the and among individuals contributed Bangladeshi film Poush Masher to his extraordinary skills as a Pireet by Nargis Akhtar starring writer of short stories. Ahmed Rubel and Sarika Parven There are two factors that set apart Popy. It is surprising that such few Mitra's works from those of his filmmakers in Bengal and in Indian peers. One, he had the remarkable cinema have ventured to make ability to narrate a story in an easy films based on his stories. manner, without complicating As a writer, Mitra tried his hand language and form. Two, the Satyajit Ray's Mahanagar (The first at poetry and published a ambience and characters in his Metropolis, 1963), based on a short book of poems, Jonaki (Firefly), stories were familiar to his readers. story by Narendranath Mitra, is a with Bishnupada Bhattacharya The fact that the Mitra’s stories fascinating and original work of art. and Narayan Gangopadhyay. His were easy to relate to made them literary works were included in the identifiable with and appealing to Other films based on his novels curriculum of school and college all types of readers. < are Bilambita Loy (1970), Ras, a levels in Bangladesh. Mitra's deep rural story with Muslim characters, insight, eye for detail, sympathetic made into a Hindi film, Saudagar, detachment, lucid prose and the

Vijay Joshi is editor-in-chief, PTI The Press Trust of India (PTI) has named veteran journalist Vijay Joshi, who has spent three decades covering Asia and West Asiat, as the news agency's editor-in-chief. Joshi, 54, replaces M.K. Razdan, who retired as editor-in-chief in September. Joshi, who took charge on February 10, previously worked at PTI in the 1980s and had spent a large part of his career at the Associated Press (AP), where he served in various roles in India, Singapore, Egypt, Malaysia and Thailand. He was until recently the AP’s director of news for Southeast Asia, overseeing text, video and photo operations. He previously oversaw AP’s Asia text report for four years. As PTI’s editor-in chief, Joshi will oversee the work of some 900 reporters, editors and part-time journalists across India and in bureaus in major world capitals. "It will be an honour to work with such a talented and gifted group of journalists, who work behind the anonymity of a wire service to inform the nation of every significant development in the country," said Joshi. "It is an incredibly exciting time to be returning to India," he said. "The country is going through monumental changes in politics, economy, science, lifestyle and in the media. It will be a privilege to lead India s premier news organisation as it continues to do what it does best report the news fairly, quickly and impartially." Joshi began his career as a sub-editor at the Indian Express in Hyderabad in 1985, before moving to PTI in December 1986. After more than two years at PTI, where he was copy editor and reporter, Joshi joined the AP in New Delhi, helping cover South Asia s politics, insurgencies, wars, tragedies and sports. He was promoted as news editor of AP’s Singapore bureau in 1994, and three years later was sent to Cairo to be part of a large team of journalists covering West Asia. During his three-year stint in Egypt he was also deployed to Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Libya. Joshi subsequently served as news editor of the AP’s Thailand operations in the 2000s and as the chief of bureau for Malaysia and Singapore. He was named assistant Asia-Pacific editor in January 2011, and subsequently Southeast Asia news director.

Joshi s deep interest in science led him to a bachelor’s degree in Geology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a master’s degree in Marine Geology from Andhra University in Waltair. But a career in geology was cut short < by his interest in journalism, which he pursued by obtaining a Journalism degree from Osmania. (Courtesy: PTI)

April-June 2017 VIDURA 51 REMEMBERING KISHORI AMONKAR (1932-2017) Rooted in tradition, yet creating a distinctive style

Among the few of the older generation who have strived to keep the flag of Hindustani classical music, or maarga sangeet, flying was Kishori Amonkar. With her passing away, perhaps the final traces of vocal Hindustani classical music will begin to fade away from the map of Indian music, says Shoma A. Chatterji. Amonkar’s death was marked by front-page coverage in several national and regional print media across the country, which reinforces her contribution to reviving and sustaining audience interest in classical school of music in general and vocal music in particular

he numerous titles and awards bestowed on Kishori TAmonkar in her lifetime hardly spell out the mesmerising quality of her music because it was enriched through her deep internalisation of every single taan of every raga she rendered, be it a bhajan (devotional song), a ghazal or a pure classical piece based on any raga. The Pat-bihag recording of her famous number Dhan dhan mangal gawo underwrites how harmoniously and lyrically she could establish and reinforce her own voice even while remaining bound to the gharana (where the musical ideology originated or a community of musicians sharing a distinctive musical style) to which she belonged. Kishori Amonkar. Her music was an amalgam of multiple influences. Kunal Ray in his beautiful tribute in The Hindu quotes poet and music gharanas and that, in my opinion, girl got it right. The beginning was writer Yatindra Mishra who said, classifies music into specific castes. made by repeating the musical “She was a gharana unto herself. One should not teach the students phrases her mother belted out Her music is an amalgamation of the limits of this art because there and she also learnt through her multiple influences. While listening are none. But one has to understand journeys with her mother to the to her you wonder if it is just Jaipur the grammar and this is why one is latter’s recitals and performances Atrauli or something else. With taught the alankaar, the ragas.” as she accompanied her mother on every rendition, she has recreated Amonkar is considered to have the tanpura. Listening and playing the structure of her gharana style. been one of the foremost singers in with her mother became a part of Listen to her Jaunpuri, Shuddh the Hindustani tradition and is an her training in music, which was Malkauns, for example. She is just innovator of the Jaipur gharana. Her smooth, natural and almost a reflex not a disciple of her gharana but elementary training began under action which she worked upon later an intellectual who is constantly the guidance and supervision of her at great depth. reframing the aesthetics.” mother, the great classical vocalist While learning the finer This statement is with reference Mogubai Kurdikar, and she has points and techniques of the to Amonkar’s famous statement gone on record to say repeatedly that Jaipur gharana from her mother, where she said, “There is nothing her mother was a very strict teacher Amonkar also developed her own called a gharana. There is only music. who exacted from her daughter personal style, which reflects the Music has been bound within these precisely what she wanted till the influence of other gharanas and

52 VIDURA April-June 2017 has generally been regarded as an Amonkar’s disciples have quoted Bhushan (1987) and Padma individual variant of the Jaipur her as often saying, "Notes are Vibhushan (2002). In 2010, she tradition. Amonkar cultivated a my language. Words are sahitya, became a fellow of the Sangeet deep understanding of her art, notes are what make music. They Natak Akademi. As a teacher largely through extensive study are the manifestations of various herself, she was a complete believer of the ancient texts on music, feelings. I belong to the world of in the guru-shishya parampara and her repertoire was grand swaras. Every note is my mother (teacher-student tradition) and in its sweep, although she was and a personification of God the expected the same of her pupils. known primarily for her skilful Almighty. Likewise, every raga is She was not very happy with singing of classical khayal set in a sublime feeling. Even today I am music taught in institutions the traditional ragas (melodic fascinated by the mysterious in which she felt made space for frameworks) of Hindustani music. music. By mysterious I mean which compromises of all kinds. Theory She also performed the lighter one cannot comprehend. Even today of music taught through books classical thumri repertoire, bhajans, this fascination has brought me to and verified through examinations and film music. Regardless of the the stage." was something she did not believe musical genre, her performances Aficionados of her music will in. “By touching a guru's feet, his were marked by vitality and grace. never forget her renderings of vibrations travel to your body. Is However, Amonkar was at the Raaga Bhoop, Raga Jeevanouri, Raga this taught in institutions? In my receiving end of bouquets and Hamsadhwani, her beautiful bhajans opinion, institutions are a sheer brickbats because she did not from the numerous bhajan albums waste of time and money and the play by the strict rules of music that include mharo pranaan and outcome is nothing," she had said. set out in the Jaipur gharana. She ghat ghat panchi bolta among many < sometimes distanced herself others. Among the several gurus she Continued from page 43 from the gharana’s conventions learned from apart from her mother of rhythm, ornamentation, and were Anwar Hussein Khan of the broader musical structure because Agra Gharana, Anjanibai Malpekar He was a teacher... she gave greater importance to of the Bhendi Bazar Gharana, up, made a name for himself as a the expression of emotion in Sharadchandra Arolkar of the learned man, did his bit to reform music. She felt without emotion Gwalior Gharana and Balkrishna the society, tried to educate the and only by sticking strictly to Parwalkar. masses and students. As an editor the grammar of a gharana, music As Amonkar was brought up in he attempted to utilise the press lost out on its emotional appeal. poverty, by the time she grew up for social reform, without being She created a beautiful fusion she understood the importance of concerned about the pressure from between the emotional appeal of relative affluence in a career steeped the puritans. He died in 1831. more popular styles of music and in music which she felt was also < the comparatively rigid classical associated with the dignity of the (Note: We could find no picture of Ganga Indian styles which brought artist and the perpetuation of her Kishore Bhattacharya. If any reader can find one, do send it to us. We'd be happy to forth a distinctive style that was commitment to music. By the time publish it.) entirely her own. She was rooted she became an established singer, in tradition yet she created her own she was insistent in demanding (The author, a journalist-turned- alapchari style which emphasised the best of the organisers who media academician, presently heads on the swaras. approached her for programmes the Eastern India campus of the Indian Says Shubha Mudgal: “I have seen and recitals. So, she demanded the Institute of Mass Communication her presenting a most charming, best hotels, the best honorarium, located in Dhenkanal, Odisha. This is maternal side to some youngsters the best travel facilities and so on the first in a series of profiles of great and also ranting at people who had and was neither embarrassed nor Indian newspaper editors who have, in her opinion irritated her. And arrogant about it because she felt through the course of their work and these very different sides of her that that was the minimum an artist career, made a signal contribution to personality actually point to the fact deserved. She did not like bright India's Freedom Movement, to the that despite her legendary ability as lights while performing and hated development of society and also to a musician she was a human being. to give interviews to the media. She the development of journalism as a For me this is inspiring – to know had her share of tantrums and moods profession.) that someone who is very human, off and on but all this invested her gets angry like hell, decimates an personality with a dignity that was organiser with a tongue-lashing, distinctly her own. feels vulnerable like others do, is In recognition of her contribution also capable of such excellence in to the arts, Amonkar received music.” many awards, including the Padma

April-June 2017 VIDURA 53 REMEMBERING KALIKAPRASAD (1960-2017) A rare devotion to rustic songs that brought people together

Kalikaprasad Bhattacharya was an icon of the folk music of Northern and Eastern Bengal. But his journey into the revival and mainstreaming of folk songs and folk music came to an abrupt and tragic end with his passing away in an accident on March 7 while travelling with his band, Dohar. Writing a tribute to the great artiste was a challenge, says Shoma A. Chatterji, because, despite his fame, he was a very low-profile and unassuming person. She hopes the band will cope with his loss and move on

alikaprasad’s love for music Ananta’s songs. He found this stemmed from his family was almost impossible to achieve Kbackground. He grew up in because musicians and singers of Silchar, a small town in Assam. His folk songs were hard to come by. father’s older brother trained under He began to scout for accompanists. Acharya Baba Allaudin Khan Sahib Jogen Das, a dhaki, agreed to play the at Maihar and also learnt from Girija dhol (double-sized barrel drum). A Shankar Chakraborty in Kolkata. street chaat seller called Sudarshan One of his father’s sisters was a played the dotara beautifully and classical musician. His father’s was roped in. Then he remembered younger brother was founder- a man named Sudarshan he saw professor of the Department of everyday in a local train who would Folk Dance in Bhatkhande Music sit quietly and play on the sarinda, a Photo: Internet Institute University, Lucknow. rare instrument. Kalikaprasad, always smiling. Another uncle founded the Silchar The group got together to Sangeet Vidyalaya that is now perform. One of their teachers, Avik recognised as the oldest music Majumdar, struck on the name Dohar the band explains its credo on its school in North-East India. and a band was born. A university website. Though he was passionate friend designed T-shirts for them to It took a lot of hard work, a about music, Kalikaprasad chose wear for the programme and it was tremendous amount of travelling to acquire a post-graduate degree a big hit. Dohar is a Bengali word, through villages and small towns of in Comparative Literature. But which means Chorus, following a Bengal, sometimes in Bangladesh once his Bangla band, Dohar, took solo lead voice. It captures the basic and also in the Northeast, to pick birth in 1999, there was just no spirit with which this singing group up folk music of every kind. The looking back. The special affinity was formed. band also sang Rabindra Sangeet for folk music was instilled in him Kalikaprasad was the lead singer and often created a fusion between by his youngest uncle, Ananta of Dohar. He and his band were a Lalan Fakir Baul number and a Bhattacharya. He formed a folk totally committed to the cause Tagore song. music group called Loko Bichitra, of rescuing some of the fading The Tagore numbers they sang and the young Kalikaprasad folk forms of music, including always had a distinct folk twist became a member. Kalikaprasad songs, lyrics, music and musical both in the rendition and in the was fascinated with the lifestyle, instruments, and bringing them into music and rhythm that set them the costumes, the beards and the mainstream. “Our mission is to apart from routine Rabindra piled-up hair of the Baul (mystic bring the rustic songs of the soil to Sangeet performances and yet did minstrels from Bengal) singers and the urban and rural masses in their not move away from the spirit or gravitated towards all kinds of folk original form and flavour. We are the lyrics. music with time. thus the chorus of those illustrious Other folk songs Kalikaprasad When his uncle passed away Bauls and fakirs of greater Bengal and his band usually performed in 1998, Kalikaprasad saw the and the northeast. We are also with great success were – Saarigaan group disintegrate. He wished involved in an endeavour to form (songs of boat racing, harvesting, to pay tribute to his late uncle an archive of this treasure trove of etc) Jaari gaan (songs in memory of by organising a programme of tunes and philosophy.” This is how kaarvala, songs of boat-racing sung

54 VIDURA April-June 2017 in the Muharram month of the like the flute, the conch shell, At his television shows, which Muslim calendar), Gaajan/ Charak string instruments like the dotara are far too many to count, he (songs of a carnival of Shiva in and ektara, and around a dozen would very patiently explain the the last day of the Bengali year), percussion instruments. rudiments and the history of the Dhamail-geet (songs of different Kalikaprasad lent his voice to two kind of song before each piece festivals), patriotic folk songs, musical films - Jaatiswar and Moner was sung. This added an extra and Bihu-Kamrupi (the songs of Manush - and had just finished dimension to the song because Assam). composing the music for the yet-to- the listener knew its history and In a brief interview, Kalikaprasad be-released Bhuban Majhi, an Indo- meaning in advance. had said that his band demonstrated, Bangladesh co-production. He did Kalikaprasad did not believe in represented, produced and worked not have a bass voice, but he seemed fame or money or interviews or on 35 folk forms, specially from to be in direct communication with capturing space in the media, but the Northeastern parts of India, his listeners, because his singing was devoted to music that rose West Bengal and Bangladesh, was filled with emotion and feeling. beyond distinctions of caste, class, using more than 25 different kind His smiling face, his mop of curly community and faith because its of ethnic/ folk instruments. These hair, the colourful ethnic costumes language was of the universe. His are reed instruments such as the he wore, added to the richness of contribution to music reaches far harmonium, wind instruments the performance. beyond performance. <

REMEMBERING ASHOKAMITRAN (1931-2017) An extraordinary storyteller who was humble and simple

It was in 1968 that Charukesi first met Ashokamitran, along with his writer-friend Vadhoolan, in his Damodara Reddy Street residence in Thyagaraya Nagar, Chennai. Charukesi relives some of the memories of all those years thereafter, of an extraordinarily simple man who touched many a heart

was back from Ahmedabad When Kalki Rajendran asked us on transfer to Chennai, when to gather material for a Readers’ ISwadesamitran Deepavali Malar Special issue, we submitted a had carried a short story of roadmap for the entire issue, in Ashokamitran, titled Prayaanam. which contributions from readers It was set in a hilly surrounding, would only be given space. He where four disciples of a guru drag suggested that the writers who were him in a small cart. The wolves chosen to contribute short stories be attack them and they leave their given a clue of three words, around

guru in desperation. We wondered which the story should be woven Photo: Internet whether a short story can be so around. Ashokamitran, who always reflected dramatically written without a One of the writers chosen was slices of life in his writings. hero or heroine! Ashokamitran and we gave five sets The first question Ashokamitran of postcards of readers, suggesting It was a poignant short story that asked us was, “What is your age?” three words each. Although the Ashokamitran gave us. We said, “We are thirty,” to which writer initially said that there In the following year, when he quickly replied, “That is why should be no choice in the world, Kalki was preparing for the you have rushed to see me. If only as choices confuse a human being December Music Special, as per you had crossed forty, you would in taking one firm decision, he normal practice, we had to carry not have come here!” That was picked up the postcard of a reader a short story based on music. As typical of Ashokamitran. suggesting Ganga, Boat, Mother. freelancers, we suggested to the

April-June 2017 VIDURA 55 editor several names of writers. He For Ashokamitran, an essay must but strict. He said, “Do not add approved none of them. He said, also be written in the format of a a single word to what I have said. “Ask Ashokamitran to give us a short story. It should have a definite Readers may think I am bragging.” story.” beginning, a convincing middle I promised him I would not do it. It was the norm practiced by the and a kind of twist in the end. His His answers to my queries were weekly that if an author was given obit on the demise of the great simple and straightforward. He a chance to write in a special issue Tamil writer Thi Janakiraman is one did not want to trumpet his own or Deepavali Malar, he would not be example. All his articles serialised achievements as a writer/novelist, chosen the succeeding year. in the Tamil weekly, Kungumam, but whenever I mention his We were, therefore, surprised were full of nuggets, anecdotes and short stories I enjoyed much like when he said in a firm voice, “No, I information and have come out in Ammavukkaga Oru Naal and several make an exception this time. I was book form titled Nadai Veli Payanam. other stories, there was a glow in touched by his Readers’ Issue short These are slices of life and each one his face, approving of my taste. story and read it with moist eyes is interesting. When I met him a few Since he could not lay his hands on throughout.” We were only too weeks before his death, he said, “I the book he had promised earlier, happy to approach Ashokamitran have a copy reserved for you. When he gave me, Mounathin Punnagai, a again, for a story for the music you meet me next, you can pick it collection of essays that appeared season special. That was the story up.” in The Hindu, Tamil. behind the story of Indiravukku Once when his book on Madras The last I met him was in a Veenai Katrukkolla Vendum that was reviewed by his friend K.S. wedding function in his family. He appeared in the December special Subramanian in a Madras Book Club was in a happy and joyous mood. issue on music. event, S. Muthiah, ‘ordered’ that I Did I say, last? No, I saw him last Many do not know that should propose a vote of thanks. I on the morning of Friday, the 24th Ashokamitran is also connoisseur was taken aback but then mumbled March. He was lying in a closed of Carnatic music, besides old a few words about Ashokamitran’s freezer box eyes closed, but with Bollywood melodies of Lata, writings as an ardent fan. I was a kind of smile on his lips, as if Rafi, Mukesh and Talat. He has afraid of facing Ashokamitran. “You revealing his subtle humour. Was written several articles on spoke naturally. That is enough,” it Mounathin Punnagai? Smile in the latter subject in different he said, when we descended from Silence? I guess so. < magazines. When Narada Gana the stage. Sabha, Chennai, honoured The morning I met him for an (Courtesy: Madras Musings. The Carnatic vocalist Ananthalakshmi interview for The Hindu’s Friday writer is a senior freelance journalist Satagopan (mother of Sujatha Review page in March this year, and translator based in Chennai.) Vijayaraghavan) in the December Ashokamitran was very cordial, Season, with a Senior Musician Award, he volunteered to give me an article on her music for the sabha’s souvenir that year which I was editing. Barkha Dutt is contributing editor, Although he said that he did not like Thanneer, one of his novels, The Week it was a brilliant portrayal of the In yet another role, Barkha Dutt will now don the mantle of contributing editor water crisis in the city. Among at Malayala Manorama’s weekly English magazine, The Week. Following his novellas, the best is Innum Sila her departure from NDTV in mid-January, Dutt signed up with Quintillion Naatkal, Viduthalai and Manal. The Media to cover the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. The previous year best of his novels is, of course, was quite an eventful one for the popular journalist who gained acclaim Pathinettavadu Atchak Kodu. When following her coverage of the Kargil war in 1999. Not only did she move a short version of the novel was on from NDTV after having spent 21 years with the broadcaster but also released as a supplement with co-founded The Print, a news media start-up alongside Shekhar Gupta. In a Deepavali special issue of October, she joined Washington’s Post's elite line-up of opinion writers as a Kumudam, Ra Ki Rangarajan, the contributing columnist to the Global Opinions section. A founding member associate editor, another equally of the think tank Ideas Collective, Dutt’s forays into digital come after she brilliant writer, who was assigned turned author with the publication of This Unquiet Land: Stories from India’s to do the job, lamented, “How can Fault Lines. < I condense this wonderful piece of (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) writing in 20-30 pages. It is such a fascinating work.”

56 VIDURA April-June 2017 REMEMBERING NIRMAL SHEKAR (1956-2017) He brought a life’s perspective while covering sport

Nirmal Shekar died relatively young – sixty years isn’t really a full life by today’s standards of longevity. Partab Ramchand had met Shekar over dinner 48 hours before the news broke out. They were friends for 36 years and, here, Ramchand rolls the tape back to the first time they met Photo: The Hindu Nirmal Shekar. here is this first meeting with newspaper like The Hindu gave him about philosophy, literature or Nirmal Shekar of which I still the big breaks early and in 1986 economics. Now and then, he would Thave vivid recollections. And Nirmal covered his first Wimbledon quote from these books to drive then there is this last meeting with – a trip to the Mecca of Tennis that home a sporting point when it came him which will also live in memory he was to make more than 25 years to writing about the greatness of Ali for long. We first met at the old in a row. and Pele, Federer and Bradman. His indoor stadium near the Nehru In 2003, Nirmal became the sports approach to writing was spelt out in Stadium in 1980 shortly after he editor of The Hindu and questions an interview some years ago when had joined The Hindu as a sports were raised as to his ability to be in he said, “I don’t restrict myself to reporter. I was with the Indian charge of a high-profile department, sports but try and bring in a life’s Express and it was a local table-tennis fulfil his manifold administrative perspective, try understanding the tournament. One of the players R. duties and still churn out readable psychology of sports and fit sports Ramachandran came up to me and copy. He did manage the dual role into the wider context rather than asked, “Have you seen the new but at heart he was first and foremost stick to the backhands and the reporter from The Hindu?” I said I a writer. His new duties meant that cover drives alone.” hadn’t. Ramachandran excitedly that his columns became fewer Nirmal retired from The Hindu said, “He is very tall and has a lot though readers still looked forward in September 2015 but retained of hair on his head and so he stands to his reports from Wimbledon. his ties with the newspaper as a out in a crowd.” Minutes later, I Of course, he regularly covered columnist besides being part of the was introduced to the reporter and the Davis Cup matches and could visiting faculty at the Asian College thus started a friendship that was to give full rein to his colourful and of Journalism in Chennai. I had in last 36 years. knowledgeable writing. India the meanwhile retired from the By the mid 1980s, Nirmal had was then in the prestigious World profession but we remained in touch succeeded T. Govindarajan, popu- Group and Nirmal described in through phone and the occasional larly known as TG, as football and glowing terms the performances of get together at the Madras Cricket tennis writer for The Hindu. This Vijay Amritraj, Ramesh Krishnan Club. The conversations were not was no easy task, for TG was one and Leander Paes, notably the 1987 always about sport since Nirmal of the finest sportswriters of his semi-final against Australia from was knowledgeable enough to time. A guru to many youngsters, Sydney; the final the same year discuss various subjects. including this writer, TG, on against Sweden, from Goteborg; And yes, now to the last meeting the verge of retirement, was at and the sensational upset registered though at the time how could I first unsure whether the “young by India against France, from Frejus, know that it would be the last? It upstart” was up to the task, a view in 1993. was at the KS Narayanan Oration shared by many in the profession. Nirmal had his detractors who event at the Taj Coromandel on But Nirmal worked his way up described his language as “too January 30 and we were meeting through the age old qualities of flowery” and “playing with words”. after a long time. Naturally, the hard work, natural talent and being There were also times when he talk was mostly about the Federer- a voracious reader. seemed to have hit a plateau and Nadal duel at the Australian Open By the time TG retired in the some of his phrases were repetitive. the previous day. At 60, he had late 1980s, Nirmal had firmly But there is no denying the fact that lost none of his enthusiasm for established himself as one of the he touched a chord with his readers, the sport which was his favourite. leading young sportswriters with particularly the young, and was Forty-eight hours later Nirmal was his aptitude to write fluently and one of the most widely followed no more and that is the main reason with an easy prose on almost every sportswriters in the country. why that last meeting will live in sport, though tennis was always This was also because Nirmal was memory for as long as I live. < his first love. Recognising his talent well read. Quite often, he would and ability, even a conservative be seen seriously reading material (Courtesy: Madras Musings.)

April-June 2017 VIDURA 57 OTHER NEWS

and newspapers. Ashokamitran also wrote with Ramesh Chandra Agrawal authority on films. His novel Karaindha Nizhalgal was passes away an insider's fictionalisation of the Tamil film world. Ramesh Chandra Agrawal, He gained intimate knowledge of the film work and chairman of the Dainik Bhaskar the making of films during his stint as an employee in Group, died recently following a the Public Relations Department of Gemini Studios. heart attack. He was 73. Agrawal is Later, he wrote on his association with S.S. Vasan of survived by sons Sudhir, Girish and Gemini Studios, My Years with Boss. Pawan and daughter Bhavna. His Ashokamitran also wrote about classical music. It R.C. Agrawal. wife, Sharda Agrawal, died in 2006 . was a strange coincidence that he spent his childhood Born on November 30, 1944 in days in Polagam, a small village in Thanjavur where Jhansi, Agrawal came to Bhopal with his father, Papanasam Sivan lived. Ananda Vikatan Dwarka Prasad Agrawal, and laid the foundation of His father was an agent of and other the Dainik Bhaskar newspaper in 1958. The journey magazines in Secunderabad where Ashokamitran that started from a small two-storeyed building in lived till he was 20. One of his sons, T. Ramakrishnan, The Hindu. Chowk in Old Bhopal went on to become one of the is an associate editor with (Courtesy: / B. Kolappan) leading media groups in the country. In 1983, he laid The Hindu the foundation of Dainik Bhaskar Hindi in Indore and in 1996 Bhaskar was published for the first time out Ayaz Memon is editorial of Madhya Pradesh — in Rajasthan. Agrawal was also chairman of the Federation of Indian Chambers advisor – Sports, Lokmat of Commerce and Industry in MP and the Agrawal Lokmat newspaper has roped in Ayaz Memon as Mahasabha. editorial advisor - Sports to bring in high quality latest According to Dainik Bhaskar’s website, under sports analysis, updated coverage, and sports opinion Ramesh Agrawal’s leadership, the group succeeded columns, all contributing to its vision of providing in publishing 62 editions from 14 states and is the best sports coverage to readers from a regional the world’s fourth largest newspaper in terms of perspective. Memon is one of India’s finest sports circulation. Besides the Hindi newspaper, the group writers and a keen cricket enthusiast. Having spent also publishes Divya Bhaskar in Gujarati, English over 38 years in the arena of sports journalism serving newspaper DNA, Marathi newspaper Divya Marathi, as editor of TOI, DNA and Sportsweek, Memon is an along with running FM Radio My FM and DB Indian sports writer, journalist, columnist, author, Digital. and lawyer. (Courtesy: The Hindu / The Times of India) (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) Tamil writer Ashokamitran Dwaipayan Bose joins DNA as dead editor-in-chief Satire, subtle humour the trademark of prominent Tamil writer Dwaipayan Bose has join DNA as editor-in-chief. He and Sahitya Akademi Award winner will be responsible for the overall editorial operations Ashokamitran, who powerfully – print and digital – and will be based in Delhi. Bose portrayed the lives and struggles of joins from Times of India, where he was resident editor the urban middle-class in his literary in charge of Bhopal, Indore and Raipur editions. With a career spanning over 19 years, Bose has Ashokamitran. works. Ashokamitran died recently, aged 86. He is survived by his wife worked with HT Media, Dainik Bhaskar, Network and three sons. 18 and The India Today Group. He has also been Born Thyagarajan, he assumed the pen name integral to the launch of DNA Jaipur and DNA Indore Ashokamitran. He was one of the few writers who editions. Bose will reporting to Jagdish Chandra, wrote fluently in both Tamil and English, and was also CEO, DNA. Chandra is also executive director and known outside Tamil Nadu as most of his works were CEO of Zee News Regionals. translated into English and other Indian languages. (Courtesy: exchange4media.com) He took to writing as a full-time profession at a time when it was ‘unviable’. Satire and, sometimes, subtle humour were the trademark of his writings. As the editor of Tamil literary magazine Kanaiyazhi for almost 25 years, Ashokamitran always maintained close links with the mainstream media. His works were published in all the leading journals

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