Is Freedom of speech a mere prescribed constitutional ethics or ought to be acted upon as well?

Journalists in Pakistan have faced the twin challenges of military dictatorships and religious fundamentalism. A few days ago news, the Taliban blew up a press club in the Swat valley and killed a TV journalist as a warning to the media. At least 10 journalists have been killed in Sri Lanka since 2006. Media is a powerful medium in communication theory. There are dual pressures for the journalists. They have to abide by the rules of their work holdings and also by the expression of their professional ethics. Either of them cannot be ignored else his life is in danger. And that leads to his choice to reporting the safe report than making a challenging effort or playing with risk factors.

Freedom of the Press was one of the constitutional guarantees persistently demanded by India's freedom fighters during British colonial rule. But recently a reporter of a leading newspaper was recently threatened for publication of some facts. The right to free speech is an integral norm in democracy. But the reporter was threatened by a lawyer in the Punjab and Haryana high court for putting out a series of reports about the indiscriminate mining in the Aravalis. Press is for the people and publishing something factual is an eye opener to safeguard and protect the concerned. 

Today media is looked upon as a medium to generate money. Money power drives them therefore they go after what is profitable rather than the truth as such. Media and press are for the people. They should work in favour of truth and justice. But the fact is that in a country like India where democracy has flourished, democratic values, which include freedom of speech and expression, are not shared uniformly. Media is supposed to be the voice that seeks to protect the democratic rights of citizens. Through this medium there can be brought great changes to the rule and system of functioning of the constitution. It is the voice of the voiceless. 

A lawyer stands for in the constitutional judiciary in favour of the truth. He is sworn by oath to protect the rule of law. But he allegedly chose to attack the media when he should have been concerned about the charges that mining firms were flouting directives of the Supreme Court. The water bodies like Delhi Badkhal Lake, Surajkund and Damdama Lake, around the place Aravali have become stone dry. This is destroying of the nature and building up of farmhouses on its dry bed. This kind of sheer nuisance of violation of the laws. And instead of standing for the truth, it is acting against the truth, which is a crime. 

It is the right of the media to keep the people informed. It is the tool to disseminate news then why is it suppressed in the hands of the few in power? If the only means to showcase the truth is concealed, how can one think of fair and acute reporting! 

But who is bothered…? Unfortunately, public institutions expected to safeguard the freedom of expression have preferred to bow to the dictates of liberal groups, rather than stand by the media. Corruption has reached such an extent that with money everything that one desires can be bought. And thus can be said that for the accused everything goes on well. But what if the accused is not guilty but does not even have any help to claim his sincerity. Here lies the weakness and ultimately money wins. 

The primary reason for attacks on the media is that, it is an institution that has consistently upheld democratic values in the trying times. It even substitutes for the official political opposition in some countries and also has resisted authoritarian tendencies in politics and society. But to a certain extent it is facing a great danger in modern times where there is a big control by the corrupted ideologies and huge market force driving it out to unexpected track.

Today Media is in danger. It is misused. The fact is that media is driven by the market forces eventually leading the credible reporting and dissemination of news to an absurd i.e. mainly concerning to definite category of people’s choices instead of standing by the right and truthful broadcasting media houses who don't toe to the line of unbiased behaviour.

There should be an earnest effort by the media channels to be aware of the menace they are causing by such kind of political bent and ideologically devoted news dissemination. And moreover to bring out the truth and fair report the channels have to be independent to stand by their objectives in fair reporting. Then only the media can establish themselves with the standard of a successful industry.

Valentine’s Day Special - Pink chaddis and the moral policing

Valentine’s Day is celebrated as the day for the lovers. But in recent years this beautiful day has been turned to a commercial practice and now it has turned to celebration of hooliganism and moral policing in the name of "culture”. Every year it is becoming awkward to let arise the adverse policies of the cultural guardians whose main purpose in life and politics is to impose their peculiarly narrow mindedness on people. This is actually what was seen after the recent attacks in Mangalore. 

The self-appointed guardians of Indian culture and of the morality of women claim themselves to be the particulars of moral policing. But the truth is that without these so called guardians the Indian culture and Indian Women will have opportunity to progress. Along with the narrow mindedness, lack of proper education, conservative mindsets and moreover the indulgence of political motives make these certain abstract intellects create all fuss. Who will make them realise their mistakes?  

This Valentine’s Day celebrators are on high spirits and it is meant to leave Pramod Mutalik the chief of the Shri Ram Sena and his ilk red-faced, a campaign is being led to gift him cartons loaded with pink chaddis, revenge of the urban woman, ‘pink undergarment’ as her symbol of annoyance. The Pub attack has led to a great controversy. Women were assaulted saying their mere presence was against the women culture and should not have happened. 

Nobody has the right to interfere in one’s liberty. It is ones own wish what they want to do. And on the Valentine’s Day itself, Muthalik said that if dating couples are seen they would be forced to tie the knot. This statement highly enraged the people. With much anger and thrust the ‘Pink Chaddi Campaign’ was kicked off on February 5 to protest the Sena’s warning against celebrating Valentine’s Day and the attacks on women in Mangalore. Though it started off in the e-world among members of a social networking group Facebook, it took a life of its own and is out on the streets. People have signed up to drop chaddis at collection points in their cities, which will be sent to Bangalore. Those who have signed up also plan to go to pubs with their partners or friends on V-Day. Most of the members don’t drink and some haven’t ever visited a pub, but the spirit is to band together against moral policing and curbs on women’s freedom.

Attack on freedom is a height of extremism. This cannot be termed as to safeguarding and guarding of people’s culture and traditions by snatching away their rights and freedom. Every human being is free to live his life according to their wish regardless they do not violate the constitutional laws. 

A question arises…Who decides what is Indian culture? Culture does not only mean the rights and duties towards a particular religion. Culture also means day-to-day activities. Attacks in the name of culture have become very disturbing. Very often we find remarks being made on holding hands in public or showing any such affection in public places. This should bother none. People are free, they can do anything they like. Why go after unnecessary things. There are lot more other things like poverty, cleanliness, unemployment etc. in this country that needs foremost attention. Therefore these unruly exploitations should be barred and instead initiatives should be taken to look for the matters which require attention to really make this country culturally beautiful.

Protectors or exploiters of law? Is it truly to protect the culture of country’s women

The pub attack in Mangalore by the Shri Ram Sena activists who assaulted and molested the girls attending the party saying that they were having drinks and also taking drugs is truly unjust approach. In the name of God they are carrying out stupid acts so as to protect the culture of this country’s women as they claim it to be. It was a violation of freedom when the Shri Ram Sena men forcibly entered the pub claiming unethical activities were going on inside where nothing of such was going on.

In Hindu religion women are respected and worshiped as goddesses but in today’s world the value of women has deteriorated. They are considered as mere commodities. Even though women have made their mark in almost all the areas like men, they are still looked down upon as weak and merely as commodities. This is only for some sections of people who think they are absolutely powerful being born as men. They are unaware of the fact that world has changed and now no longer differentiation could be made in terms of gender.

People have turned into fanaticism and act as if they are unaware of the changes happening in the society. If the problem is truly that of protecting the culture, why don’t they stop western market and western ideologies to stop flowing in. The mall culture, consumption of soft drinks, clothing styles, fast foods, viewing of western movies and music etc. everything is so attached to human life that it’s tough to distinguish in terms of certain aspects. Neither can the blitz of malls be washed off nor can the people accept the orders to give up such fascinating hang out places. Else why do these people have to create such chaos? May be unconsciously they too are influenced by the western culture. 

Incidents of barbarism and violence are being carried out with various such parties in the name of their own ideologies and its directly hitting the cultural ethics and morality. Can we term partying in a pub to be an indecent way of enjoying life? It is present among us from the very past and it has become a trend. Are these activities carried out for the sake of bringing changes or there are particular motives behind such unexpected attacks is still indefinite.  

This Hindutva ideology itself is questionable. They have claimed themselves as the saviours but instead they are trying out to be the rulers. It is even more astonishing that the leaders themselves have commented upon the activity as a perfect way of stopping illegal happenings. But instead of indulging in these egotistical activities they should rather take up other serious issues and intolerable activities, than indulging themselves on unnecessary tactics. 

There are laws to protect human culture. But until and unless the laws are strictly made mandatory, such disturbing incidents will continue to tarnish the society. People will take up laws into their own hands. We have the freedom to live and lead our own lives. Now the people are more broad-minded. They are free thinkers not conservatives. People should accept modernity as far as that does not harm the sentiments and go beyond limits of exploitation but instead are free to act under the law. People should in the true sense understand the law prior to taking an action. 

Dynastic rule - a hope to establish trusty ruler ship

It is now the high time for the election of new blood in serving the general public. New faces like Rahul Gandhi, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jatin Prasad, Sachin Pilot, Priya Dutt are the young leaders who in future can change to running the state machinery effectively with corrupt free ideologies and keep away the evils and safeguard the democracy should be the ideal motto. The basics of politics lies on tackling the crucial political considerations. This only will lead India to really a strong nation. 

The political scenario of the country has taken into force with the trend of dynastic rule ahead. It is time to take up initiatives in transforming the old sluggish system of corrupt governance into a new dimension. Young candidates can take the system that needs a complete overhaul to see a changed India.

India is shining… but how... When there are so many endless problems. Along with some few to be noted improvements no doubt the rest is purely fake. Everyone is busy in what can be called as dirty politics. Unless we have sudden terror attacks and such calamities the leaders move on as happy-go-lucky. And to show that they are concerned to garb the attention declare certain remunerations which at times doesn’t actually reach the deserved, are all part of the political catastrophe. 

Recently Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi without directly naming the Gandhi-Nehru family said that (Conspiracy to promote one family’s past is posing danger for the future of the country) is quite obvious. He allegedly mentioned that a conspiracy has been hatched to promote the family posing a danger to the future of the country. 

But the Congress’s new icon Rahul Gandhi has created hopes for the Congress, not only because of his dynastic credentials but also because of his ambition to become a new visionary for the progress of the country. There should be no such doubtful questions put forth on the sincerity of their authorised power and that the leadership qualities lie unto the dynastic lineage. Instead they are ought to be encouraged to do what others could not.

There has to be a change in the political field and that can be the only priority to strengthen our functional demands. The change led to in US by the Obama presidency from Bush’s and Clinton’s family presidential authority will definitely yield to changes. The same awareness in the masses should be created which might help in strengthing the so called corrupted politburo. 

Vote politics is all that attracts the concerned politicians rather than power on merit basis. Everything is done with regards to the compromising attitudes. Every minister appoints their own loyal ministers into their own ministry. How can anyone say we can strive for something better if there is so much of corruption? There always needs a revival but whenever a ‘Good Samaritan’ comes up for a betterment he is either put to numb, penalized or transferred. How can anyone expect to come up to do something really good? Today, the politician in India is not known by the number of promises he fulfils, but by the number of criminal cases filed against him.

Our country deserves young politicians. The strong hope is that these young politicians are full of desire to work which the present day politicians truly lack. People expect them to have that very feeling of nationalism and make the country a better place. 

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam once said, “If India is to become developed by 2020, it will do so only by riding on the shoulders of the young”. The youth are the future of India. They can divide India or place India at a position which even USA may envy.

Those political parties successful in connecting with the youth will reap the electoral rewards. Merely showcasing tired voices of the past again will not be enough to win their votes. The young power should tend to serve the wider national interest. Hope of a change, seeking in the young blood has made them accept the challenges in pursuit of maintaining them effectively and lead India to a shining position.

Was Slumdog Millionaire…a Pride or a Shame..!!

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE generated big debate for being a movie that romanticises poverty. The movie is primarily Indian. It has an Indian setting, Indian characters and Indian music. The story is based on an Indian novel movie Q & A written by an Indian Vikas Swarup, but directed by a foreigner Danny Boyle. The movie depicts rags-to-riches saga and ultimately achieving the dream honour in total “8 Oscars”. Shot in Dharavi, Asia’s biggest slum. The film is all about the ordinary people in ordinary settings and their day to day life struggles. Indians who survive to live in a so called developing country.  

But the film generated a controversy. Some state that it had shown too much of filth and squalor depicting stereotyped Mumbai which in any case is true. Since people always have objections regarding a thing or the other in this world. The film caught up into a problem as such where on one side it is highly appreciated to bagging up the Oscars and on the other hand, as it is directed by a foreigner, it is said, India should not take pride in the run.

When we generalise the views and attitudes of the Indian folks, majority have to say on the negative aspect of the film. How can a film showing out all kinds of poverty ridden activities going on in India, be nominated for an Oscars. What is the criteria…What are the tastes… and What people actually want…?? Hardly one can make out. All the so called great movies like Lagaan (2001), Mother India (1957), Salaam Mumbai (1988) have been made on the weakness and meekness. Achieving international recognition does not make any sense when it is a derogatory remark put to action. The name of the film “Slumdog Millionaire” itself expresses a callous ideology. A person living in a slum will never like to be called as a dog. Everyone has one’s own identity. 

And when it comes to winning, none will like the idea of bagging awards with others help. Indians have their own potentials and calibre to build up an acclaimed project on its own. There is no point on should we rely on others for the credit and wait for a recognition as such. India is a rich country with much creativity. It has always been an attraction with regards to many subjects whether that be sports, culture and tradition, delicacies, cuisine, attire etc. Almost everything is much appreciated. Then why beg for certain identifications. Instead, as we have a look on the country’s left out tactics like strengthening the educational policies, poverty and such undeniable problems, there should be immediate actions to stand for the changes. 

The movie by a western director grabbed so much attention hope and reputation for the co-stars. The actors including nine-year-old Rubina Ali and 10-year-old Mohammed Azharuddin happen to be the real slum dwellers of Mumbai. Their sudden rise to such reputed award as “Oscars” was like a dream. They were the chief attraction in the award ceremony. But in reality is their fame going to remain constant..! After a while people will forget them, and will be back to their life in gutters, as it happens always.. 

The film story says about the magic of thinking big. The story of Jamal, a poor Muslim boy from Dharavi who thinks big and dreams big, can be anybody’s story. This is what makes Slumdog Millionaire so successful — cinematically and aesthetically. But another unpleasant turn in criticising the movie is the name ‘Slumdog’ itself. As to why there is the term usage of ‘dog’. The word ‘dog’ is one of the most offending words in Hindi. It is seen by many as an insult. But according to screenwriter Simon Beaufoy’s statement, he did not mean to offend anybody, he just liked the idea and made up the word. And that’s how the film got a name and along with that unbelievable win win news too. 

India has one of the oldest and largest film industries in the world. Cinema has a special place in the heart of the Indian audience. Forever will the industry flourish in the making of films which will sometimes bring great fame and sometimes hidden truth. But in reality the sincerity and tactfulness can always be appreciated when there are good films without any kind of discrimination and does not provoke insulting thoughts.

The Women in power will change the country’s scenario, don’t u think so!

Fighting against all odds and with audacity of hope women is changing the world. The views regarding the women thoughts are gradually changing. They are emerging as the powerful inception to all issues relating to change and renunciation. 

Indians have always bowed down before women power. The Goddesses Durga, Kali, Saraswati personifies strength and determination and devotion. They are worshipped and believed to conquer the evil forces, so the growth of women power can be felt in this modern day as well.

Centuries have passed by since then. And as the time moved on the participation by the womenfolk also came into the scene emerging from the age old tradition. The tradition that was prevalent of keeping them aside and binding them with only household chores. Sixty years after Independence women now are economically independent, their thoughts have been transformed, they are now more educated and have come forward accepting challenging careers. 

Compared to their male counterpart they can be even tougher and effective decision makers. We had great women leaders like Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher, Srimavo Bandernaike, Benazir Bhutto. Each of them has left her mark of authority in all her dealings. At present as well we have a large group of women leaders like Pratibha Patel, Sonia Gandhi, Sheikh Hasina Wazed, Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed, Jayalalithaa Jayaram, Mayawati who are the strong pillars in the matters of exerting the democratic power. 

Women are the icons of power and change. In the field of art and culture as well women have an extraordinary input. Lata Mangeshkar is lovingly called on as the nightingale of India for her contribution to Indian vocal. Astronauts Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams. Meera Nair, Aparna Sen, Shabana Azmi, Aishwairya Rai, Sushmita Sen and so many of them who succesfully have acclaimed international recognition in the field of cinema. Jhumpa Lahiri, Arundhati Roy grabbed awards for their excellency in English literature. Medha Patkar and Mahashweta Devi fought against BJP in Gujarat, against CPM in Nandigram issue. Women from the times immemorial have greatly devoted themselves to claim a niche for themselves. 

Both men and women are equal citizens in the eyes of the law. But this is far from the reality. India ranks 115th of 162 countries in terms of gender development. There exists discrimination in the parliamentary positions where only 45 members of the Lok Sabha's 542 seats are women and in the Rajya Sabha only 28 of 242 seats are held by women. Parliament has repeatedly witnessed ugly political exchanges and male power battles over the Women's Reservation Bill, proposing 33.3% reservation for women. If the bill is enacted the existing 545 seats in the Lok Sabha will increase to 900. Planning has been repeatedly done but never has the solution actually being put forth and has never arrived at a consensus. There are certain such major issues like inequality in wage structure in work places where gender injustice can be seen. Problems are many and have to be sorted out with determined motive of attaining equal justice about the concerned areas.  

As per human development indices countries like Sweden Norway Finland and Denmark have the highest representation of women in Parliament with 45%, 38%, 37%, 36% respectively. Whereas India is still reluctant to accept the fact that women when in power can be of great help. In the Parliamentary dealings it’s a new start like including the women candidates. Brinda Karat, became the first woman member of the CPI(M) Politburo. New faces like Priya Dutt, Supriya Sule, Priyanka Gandhi have emerged in new form of strength. 

This active participation and performance shows that woman have come out successfully conquering up the odds and presenting herself unto a new dawn. Women politicos are heading the states and raising issues in the opposition. They successfully have changed public agendas, reduced corruption and improved the governance turning it to an egalitarian state of ruling. The greater representation of women in Parliament could certainly make a world of difference. 

When women can head banks and corporations, why not let them give rights to run important ministries such as Defence, Home, Finance, and Commerce. Today the country needs a change. It needs a strong and faithful leader to emerge from the gloomy tactics of Indian politics, trample all those evil and tricky forces, and take the country to a path of glory… An approach where first priority lies on the policy of redefining the public requisites. And not the one who forgets his rights once the ballot has been cast…!! 

Indian Premier League (IPL) Back On Track

IPL league is the new milestone in the field of sports. After the grand success of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2008 last year, all in a new set of actions IPL 2009 is back again with new thrill and excitement.. Cricket, Cricket and only Cricket has dynamically changed the whole of sports arena and is the only factor that is driving the nation. It is not only a sport anymore, it is beyond that. People go crazy with it, it is entertainment, it is business and the most discussed topic..! A whole lot of marketing takes place around cricket.

It is a game of much dazzle and shine where the ownership is taken over by the infrastructure and private equity firms to film stars. The eight teams are sold in an amount beyond one’s imagination. In fact this game carries our country’s pride. The success itself is remarkable for the players. Of course there are players from all the countries who are brought in by our Corporate Giants.

Especially when we talk about our Indian players a whole package of perks and glamour is showered on the players considering them as national heroes. Someone is receiving Rs.1 Crore and a Porsche car, the other is getting a Mercedes Benz & Rs.50 lakhs. Players are gifted with apartments in the city of their choices. Various endorsements pour in like rain, free travel for all the players for the next 5 years and what not as their prizes and gifts !

With such craze the whole media economy booms up. With 90% television revenue the profits reaches its heights within a period of time. Initiatives are taken for television rights and franchise ownership because of the majority viewership during the matches. Big money is being spent to buy IPL players. Where on the on the other side, the same money have been the salaries of the hundreds and thousands of people who were fired because of recession. At the time when the economy is under pressure there is still the zeal for the Cricket obsessed fans.

The recent attack on Sri Lankan cricketers defies a hidden agenda if seen politically and logically. Nothing can be granted for an accident. So therefore because of the violent attack which left many of the cricketers injured the security budget has increased to up to ten times more that the usual. 

Sideways, the IPL is clashing with the Lok Sabha election that is approaching in haste. Both the big games is colliding with one another. Observing the current scenario of crash of economy the IPL craze people should think practically and act rationally. IPL is significant but more than this game of entertainment, to contest a free and fair general election is much more important and crucial. 

The immediate need is that we want able, honest and committed leaders. More than watching and enjoying hours of cricketing entertainment the election’s outcome will make us through this global recession and act against internal and external security threat. And in this case it is not wise to put much force on the cricket. The country will be a safe place to live in only if we are secured economically, politically and socially. The entertainment mood is temporary, remains for sometime and is forgotten after a while. 

But the strange thing that can be noticed is that why in sports only Cricket is the King. There are other sports and sports players who have equally contributed to the glory of the ‘Country India’. The Indian hockey team won the Asian Cup defeating Pakistan in 2008. Nobody seems to be bothered for the hockey team and unlike Cricket fame they go unnoticed. Each game has its own stand and should be encouraged. 

Nothing can stop the country to sway in with the coming IPL. The short format, Twenty20 version of Cricket has grabbed so much prominence that it is on the verge of making it’s way into the Olympics. There are two things that Indians are passionate for, Bollywood and Cricket. The game is on its heights. This tournament is the latest mania that has hit the country, and has left people bedazzled with illusion of what will be experienced over seven weeks of dance, music, and sport and sheer excitement.