Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Jai Ho ...Utkal
Twenties years back Utkal University holds a Dubious Record being one of the Biggest University in term of number college affiliated under him. With a great alumni and always having a larger than life educational institution for every average student like me. I don’t know weather that a record is still there or not. Between 1990 to till date my relationship with university some time academic then professional. Last three years the lifeline, which connects my colony and rest of Bhubaneswar, passes through Utkal University. Whenever I drive through the road it always come to my mind nothing has been change in last two decade. Bumpy roads and walls are not been colored for many years, Vast stretch of unused land been populated with wild weed and bushes which is a safe home for reptile and snake, two of the hostel inmate died of snakebite. …And it’s very difficult to find out the main gate because it’s all illegal encroachments… At time when Bhubaeswar been an educational in hub in Eastern India, some the finest educational institution been come to exist which is most unfortunate part of our university education institutions are in Orissa.Last 20 years university is head by many fine teachers of our time. But unfortunately one body has thing or dream of making this university a place where student can fell proud of its environments
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Not much Great about it
All Great achiever in their respective field are not great human being, most success full people are regarded as Great in respective field …great human being are those who can really appreciates other achievements…Great Amitav Bachchan’s off –the cuff remarks slamming Slumdog Millionaire for exposing India’s “”dirty underbelly”. Unfortunately this film personality always said film has got not language its universal or like good cinema or bad cinema…for common man its always matter the language, foreign or India. Slugdog is good cinema…. Because it has got great drama, which hardly seen in recent days Hindi movie. Amitav Bachchan is great student of cinema should appreciate the good thing about the cinema then he has got every right to criticize Slumdog how its expose the poverty. It put serious question mark on our Great actor not been generous…
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Budhia can't outrun poverty, returns to slum
Child prodigy Budhia Singh became a marathon runner to escape from poverty but he couldn’t outrun destiny.
Budhia, 5, has returned to the slum where he was born and where his mother sold him to a coach for Rs 800. Budhia made international headlines when two years ago he began running record distances but now once again he is just another kid in the slums.
His mother, Sukanti Singh, washes utensils for a living and can barely feed Budhia and his siblings. “Where will Budhia stay? Where will he study and practise? The government needs to give Budhia a house and coach for him to become a champion. Budhia isn’t just mine, he's everybody’s child,” says Sukanti.
The Orissa State Judo Centre, where Budhia used to practise, has been deserted for the last week and Budhia's coach Biranchi Das is in jail for allegedly torturing him.
Fame had changed Budhia’s life: he got a regular and balanced diet, training and even massages in the morning. All that has changed now: the boy once touted as India’s Olympic hope does now plays with other children in the slum. But for all that, his dreams are still very much alive.
“I can't go to school because it's too far. If I get a new coach I will start running again,” he says. The Orissa government has promised to take over Budhia's education and training.
“The government is ready to take full responsibility for Budhia's studies and sports. We want to see him become a champion," says Pramilla Mallick, Minister for Women and Child Welfare.
Budhia has yet to see those promises fulfilled though and all he can hope for is that once again he will run.
Budhia, 5, has returned to the slum where he was born and where his mother sold him to a coach for Rs 800. Budhia made international headlines when two years ago he began running record distances but now once again he is just another kid in the slums.
His mother, Sukanti Singh, washes utensils for a living and can barely feed Budhia and his siblings. “Where will Budhia stay? Where will he study and practise? The government needs to give Budhia a house and coach for him to become a champion. Budhia isn’t just mine, he's everybody’s child,” says Sukanti.
The Orissa State Judo Centre, where Budhia used to practise, has been deserted for the last week and Budhia's coach Biranchi Das is in jail for allegedly torturing him.
Fame had changed Budhia’s life: he got a regular and balanced diet, training and even massages in the morning. All that has changed now: the boy once touted as India’s Olympic hope does now plays with other children in the slum. But for all that, his dreams are still very much alive.
“I can't go to school because it's too far. If I get a new coach I will start running again,” he says. The Orissa government has promised to take over Budhia's education and training.
“The government is ready to take full responsibility for Budhia's studies and sports. We want to see him become a champion," says Pramilla Mallick, Minister for Women and Child Welfare.
Budhia has yet to see those promises fulfilled though and all he can hope for is that once again he will run.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Budhia
Budhia has led an eventful life. He was born in a slum in Bhubaneswar.his father was an alcoholic who drank all the money his mother earned. So hopeless widow mothers sold her son to a door-to-door peddlar for 800 rupees.
One day, Budhia retaliated by hurling stones at him, and then ran away. Living on the streets, he was picked up by a local judo couch named Biranchi Das who use to be great sports motivator and mentor of poor children, who put him in the judo school and for his formal education he get admitted Bhudhia in local English medium school.
Budhia thought he had escaped from misery and exploitation, it seems Biranchi's duty of care to the children. On one occasion, he punished the boy for swearing by making him run round the school courtyard. However, he forgot to tell the kid when to stop, disappeared for the day and appeared back six hours later to find him still running. Amazing running talent, Biranchi come to know about budhia.
From then on the Budhia was sent on daily 10 km training runs with an eye to his becoming a future Olympic marathon champion. His first competitive half marathon caused a near riot as well wishers and media crowded round the tiny figure. Judging by the panicky look in his eyes, he was having about as much fun.
Meanwhile, Budhia's coach remained stubbornly defiant of conventional sports science. He pooh-poohed the idea the boy might, for instance, drink water during his runs. No liquid will pass his lips, Biranchi insisted; it would stunt his growth.
While Budhia attracted media glare, Das aimed at a Guinness record. He took the boy under But Biranchi hardly reinforced his case that the boy was in better hands when he subsequently made Budhia run a world record 65 km non-stop in 7 hours time run from puri to Bhubaneswar in heat.
Budhia's fame increased, so did the number of those seeking to use him as a platform for publicity, state government asks question about had Biranchi for child exploitation. The coach asked where the politicians had been when Budhia was being beaten up by a drunken peddlar.
The coach of the four year old budhia who ran a remarkable 65km has denied abuse allegations as human rights groups called for action against officials they say endangered his life.
Biranchi said he was seeking medical advice to study the phenomenonal achievements of Budhia rather than his health concern. This is pushing the child limit, a growing body is not meant for so much wear and tear say some doctor. Other said strenuous running at such a young age could damage bones permanently, causing stunning and even deformity. Television cameras follow Budhia - they do so virtually everywhere he goes. Television journalists from different parts of the country and abroad want him there for their shoots.
If Budhia does not run, he wont know what to do, biranchi said, he wants to make Budhia an Olympic champion. "If Budhia dies during a race he will be a martyr," he said, in answer to a gathering band of critics. "And Orissa needs martyrs.
Budhia was a headline in all national and local news paper and television Channel and debate, opinion was Dived weather Bhudhia should Run long distance or not majority of sports traininer and sportsman he should not now, Budhia need proper training and health counseling to full fill the dream of biranchi which Judo couch incapable .
The national Human Right commission initiated an inquiry. District child welfare committee which a quasi judicial body given a order Bhudhai health should checked by team of Doctor and Scientific officer from sports authority of India, doctor indicate boy was undernourished and anaemic, his blood pressure was high, if he continues to run long distance it may aggravate the condition, and may even result in renal failure. The doctors have also indicated that a Karyo typing would help know if Budhia had a genetic specialty that make him an unusual runner. Sports scienceist we are proud of Budhia. But he should not run at this rate before he is 15. No one under 6 could run long distance at the international level.
In the mean time bhudhia use gets lots offer from different quarters its include financial help, film and documentary offer from abroad some of them are there when Budhia ran that famous record breaking one and training facilities, the idea of sending budhia to a different place for training was not acceptable to Birachi.
The Child Welfare Committee had requested the government to ensure that long-distance running by the child is not organized again, while warning that Das may face arrest if he makes Budhia run long distances. "Making Budhia run long distances might constitute an offence of cruelty to the child which was punishable under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000
They blamed Das for pushing the child too far at the cost of his health. Surprisingly, people on both sides of the divide were not ready to accept the fact that they all wanted Budhia to excel as a marathoner.
After one-year Budhia couch Biranchi das plan 10 days 500 kilometers walk starting from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata after the child been ban long distance running. With motive of inspiring other young sports man to take up athletes there career. Where 12 lakh rupees will spent on that walk which is arrange by the couch from different sponsored. Aim is to make our children all over the world that if they start that now they can qualify for the 2016 Olympics.
On the strength of a ban order imposed by the child welfare committee of Khurda district, on 6 June orissa police stop child marathoner Budhai Singh from starting a 500 –km walkathon. "The child, Budhia, shall not be subjected to walking by anybody in any manner in the scheduled long distance walking event from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata starting from June 6." The committee said anybody having custody or control over the child exposing him to such cruelty or harassment would amount to an offence under Section 23 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
A petition had been filed before the District and Sessions Judge, Khurda, on behalf Budhia, terming the CWC's ban order arbitrary.
In all this court battle which is going on for last one year whether budhia Singh run or walk long distance there many unanswered question to no answered by Biracnchi Das, CWC and Media.
1 – Biranchi das Dream is to Budhia in 2016 Olympic, then why he is running after this road show in courtroom does it there in Olympic preparation menu ?
2 – Last one year Biranchi is repeatedly saying he has running Judo center in acute financial problem where budhia and two sister stay with other children, then why he is ready to spent 12 lakh rupees on this walkathon, which he has collected from sponsor ?
3-foregine and Indian Media Company who has already done a documentary and sold the film to various channel, also her for that walkathon shoot, where they need more controversy in Bhudhia saga where they have a good bite and Big money ?
4-One year back Doctor from various quarter has said Budhia should have through medical check up in super specialty hospital which not yet been done ?
One day, Budhia retaliated by hurling stones at him, and then ran away. Living on the streets, he was picked up by a local judo couch named Biranchi Das who use to be great sports motivator and mentor of poor children, who put him in the judo school and for his formal education he get admitted Bhudhia in local English medium school.
Budhia thought he had escaped from misery and exploitation, it seems Biranchi's duty of care to the children. On one occasion, he punished the boy for swearing by making him run round the school courtyard. However, he forgot to tell the kid when to stop, disappeared for the day and appeared back six hours later to find him still running. Amazing running talent, Biranchi come to know about budhia.
From then on the Budhia was sent on daily 10 km training runs with an eye to his becoming a future Olympic marathon champion. His first competitive half marathon caused a near riot as well wishers and media crowded round the tiny figure. Judging by the panicky look in his eyes, he was having about as much fun.
Meanwhile, Budhia's coach remained stubbornly defiant of conventional sports science. He pooh-poohed the idea the boy might, for instance, drink water during his runs. No liquid will pass his lips, Biranchi insisted; it would stunt his growth.
While Budhia attracted media glare, Das aimed at a Guinness record. He took the boy under But Biranchi hardly reinforced his case that the boy was in better hands when he subsequently made Budhia run a world record 65 km non-stop in 7 hours time run from puri to Bhubaneswar in heat.
Budhia's fame increased, so did the number of those seeking to use him as a platform for publicity, state government asks question about had Biranchi for child exploitation. The coach asked where the politicians had been when Budhia was being beaten up by a drunken peddlar.
The coach of the four year old budhia who ran a remarkable 65km has denied abuse allegations as human rights groups called for action against officials they say endangered his life.
Biranchi said he was seeking medical advice to study the phenomenonal achievements of Budhia rather than his health concern. This is pushing the child limit, a growing body is not meant for so much wear and tear say some doctor. Other said strenuous running at such a young age could damage bones permanently, causing stunning and even deformity. Television cameras follow Budhia - they do so virtually everywhere he goes. Television journalists from different parts of the country and abroad want him there for their shoots.
If Budhia does not run, he wont know what to do, biranchi said, he wants to make Budhia an Olympic champion. "If Budhia dies during a race he will be a martyr," he said, in answer to a gathering band of critics. "And Orissa needs martyrs.
Budhia was a headline in all national and local news paper and television Channel and debate, opinion was Dived weather Bhudhia should Run long distance or not majority of sports traininer and sportsman he should not now, Budhia need proper training and health counseling to full fill the dream of biranchi which Judo couch incapable .
The national Human Right commission initiated an inquiry. District child welfare committee which a quasi judicial body given a order Bhudhai health should checked by team of Doctor and Scientific officer from sports authority of India, doctor indicate boy was undernourished and anaemic, his blood pressure was high, if he continues to run long distance it may aggravate the condition, and may even result in renal failure. The doctors have also indicated that a Karyo typing would help know if Budhia had a genetic specialty that make him an unusual runner. Sports scienceist we are proud of Budhia. But he should not run at this rate before he is 15. No one under 6 could run long distance at the international level.
In the mean time bhudhia use gets lots offer from different quarters its include financial help, film and documentary offer from abroad some of them are there when Budhia ran that famous record breaking one and training facilities, the idea of sending budhia to a different place for training was not acceptable to Birachi.
The Child Welfare Committee had requested the government to ensure that long-distance running by the child is not organized again, while warning that Das may face arrest if he makes Budhia run long distances. "Making Budhia run long distances might constitute an offence of cruelty to the child which was punishable under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000
They blamed Das for pushing the child too far at the cost of his health. Surprisingly, people on both sides of the divide were not ready to accept the fact that they all wanted Budhia to excel as a marathoner.
After one-year Budhia couch Biranchi das plan 10 days 500 kilometers walk starting from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata after the child been ban long distance running. With motive of inspiring other young sports man to take up athletes there career. Where 12 lakh rupees will spent on that walk which is arrange by the couch from different sponsored. Aim is to make our children all over the world that if they start that now they can qualify for the 2016 Olympics.
On the strength of a ban order imposed by the child welfare committee of Khurda district, on 6 June orissa police stop child marathoner Budhai Singh from starting a 500 –km walkathon. "The child, Budhia, shall not be subjected to walking by anybody in any manner in the scheduled long distance walking event from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata starting from June 6." The committee said anybody having custody or control over the child exposing him to such cruelty or harassment would amount to an offence under Section 23 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
A petition had been filed before the District and Sessions Judge, Khurda, on behalf Budhia, terming the CWC's ban order arbitrary.
In all this court battle which is going on for last one year whether budhia Singh run or walk long distance there many unanswered question to no answered by Biracnchi Das, CWC and Media.
1 – Biranchi das Dream is to Budhia in 2016 Olympic, then why he is running after this road show in courtroom does it there in Olympic preparation menu ?
2 – Last one year Biranchi is repeatedly saying he has running Judo center in acute financial problem where budhia and two sister stay with other children, then why he is ready to spent 12 lakh rupees on this walkathon, which he has collected from sponsor ?
3-foregine and Indian Media Company who has already done a documentary and sold the film to various channel, also her for that walkathon shoot, where they need more controversy in Bhudhia saga where they have a good bite and Big money ?
4-One year back Doctor from various quarter has said Budhia should have through medical check up in super specialty hospital which not yet been done ?
Thursday, March 8, 2007
shame on indian media
gurumurty
By the time u guys read this news, the body of Major Manish Pitambare, who was shot dead at Anantnag, would have been cremated with fullmilitary honors. On Tuesday, this news swept across all the news channels 'Sanjay Duttrelieved by court'. 'Sirf Munna not a bhai' '13 saal ka vanvaas khatam' 'although found guilty for possession of armory, Sanjay can breath sigh of relief as all the TADA charges against him arewithdrawn' Then many personalities like Salman Khan said 'He is a good person. We knew he will come out clean'. Mr Big B said "Dutt's family and our family have relations for years he's a good kid. He is likeelder brother to Abhishek". His sister Priya Dutt said "we can sleep well tonight.It's a great relief" In other news, Parliament was mad at Indian team for performing bad; Greg Chappell said something; Shah Rukh Khanreplaces Amitabh in KBC and other such stuff. But most of the emphasis was given on Sanjay Dutt's "phoenix like" comeback from the ashes of terrorist charges.Surfing through the channels, one news on BBC startled me. It read"Hisbul Mujahidin's most wanted terrorist 'Sohel Faisal' killed in Anantnag , India . Indian Major leading the operation lost his life in the process. Four others are injured. It was past midnight, I startedvisiting the stupid Indian channels, but Sanjay Dutt was still ruling. They were telling how Sanjay pleaded to the court saying 'I'm the sole bread earner for my family', 'I have a daughter who is studying in US'and so on. Then they showed how Sanjay was not wearing his lucky blue shirt while he was hearing the verdict and also how he went to every
temple and prayed for the last few months. A suspect in Mumbai bombblasts, convicted under armory act...was being transformed into ahero.Sure Sanjay Dutt has a daughter; Sure he did not do any terroristactivity. Possessing an AK47 is considered too elementary in terroristcommunity and also one who possesses an AK47 has a right to possess apistol so that again is not such a big crime; Sure Sanjay Dutt went to nall the temples; Sure he did a lot of Gandhigiri but then...........Major Manish H Pitambare got the information from his sources aboutthe terrorists' whereabouts. Wasting no time he attacked the camp,killed Hisbul Mujahidin's supremo and in the process lost his life to the bullets fired from an AK47. He is survived by a wife and daughter(just like Sanjay Dutt) who's only 18 months old. Major Manish never said 'I have a daughter' before he took the decision to attack the terrorists in the darkest of nights. He never thought about having afamily and he being the bread earner. No news channel covered this since they were too busy hyping a former drug addict, a suspect who'slinked to bomb blasts which killed hundreds. Their aim was to show howhe defied the TADA charges and they were so successful that his nconviction in possession of armory had no meaning. They also concludedthat his parents in heaven must be happy and proud of him. Parents of Major Manish are still living and they have to live rest oftheir lives without their beloved son. His daughter won't ever see herdaddy again. Finally Major Manish, to my generation is a greater hero, someone who laid his life in the name of this great nation.So guys, please forward this message around so that the media knowswhich news to give importance, as it is a shame for us since this Army Major's death news was given by a foreign TV channel!!!
temple and prayed for the last few months. A suspect in Mumbai bombblasts, convicted under armory act...was being transformed into ahero. Sure Sanjay Dutt has a daughter; Sure he did not do any terroristactivity. Possessing an AK47 is considered too elementary in terroristcommunity and also one who possesses an AK47 has a right to possess apistol so that again is not such a big crime; Sure Sanjay Dutt went to all the temples; Sure he did a lot of Gandhigiri but then...........Major Manish H Pitambare got the information from his sources aboutthe terrorists' whereabouts. Wasting no time he attacked the camp,killed Hisbul Mujahidin's supremo and in the process lost his life to the bullets fired from an AK47. He is survived by a wife and daughter(just like Sanjay Dutt) who's only 18 months old. Major Manish never said 'I have a daughter' before he took the decision to attack the terrorists in the darkest of nights. He never thought about having afamily and he being the bread earner. No news channel covered this since they were too busy hyping a former drug addict, a suspect who'slinked to bomb blasts which killed hundreds. Their aim was to show howhe defied the TADA charges and they were so successful that hisconviction in possession of armory had no meaning. They also concludedthat his parents in heaven must be happy and proud of him. Parents of Major Manish are still living and they have to live rest oftheir lives without their beloved son. His daughter won't ever see her daddy again. Finally Major Manish, to my generation is a greater hero, someone who laid his life in the name of this great nation.So guys, please forward this message around so that the media knowswhich news to give importance, as it is a shame for us since this Army Major's death news was given by a foreign TV channel!!!
By the time u guys read this news, the body of Major Manish Pitambare, who was shot dead at Anantnag, would have been cremated with fullmilitary honors. On Tuesday, this news swept across all the news channels 'Sanjay Duttrelieved by court'. 'Sirf Munna not a bhai' '13 saal ka vanvaas khatam' 'although found guilty for possession of armory, Sanjay can breath sigh of relief as all the TADA charges against him arewithdrawn' Then many personalities like Salman Khan said 'He is a good person. We knew he will come out clean'. Mr Big B said "Dutt's family and our family have relations for years he's a good kid. He is likeelder brother to Abhishek". His sister Priya Dutt said "we can sleep well tonight.It's a great relief" In other news, Parliament was mad at Indian team for performing bad; Greg Chappell said something; Shah Rukh Khanreplaces Amitabh in KBC and other such stuff. But most of the emphasis was given on Sanjay Dutt's "phoenix like" comeback from the ashes of terrorist charges.Surfing through the channels, one news on BBC startled me. It read"Hisbul Mujahidin's most wanted terrorist 'Sohel Faisal' killed in Anantnag , India . Indian Major leading the operation lost his life in the process. Four others are injured. It was past midnight, I startedvisiting the stupid Indian channels, but Sanjay Dutt was still ruling. They were telling how Sanjay pleaded to the court saying 'I'm the sole bread earner for my family', 'I have a daughter who is studying in US'and so on. Then they showed how Sanjay was not wearing his lucky blue shirt while he was hearing the verdict and also how he went to every
temple and prayed for the last few months. A suspect in Mumbai bombblasts, convicted under armory act...was being transformed into ahero.Sure Sanjay Dutt has a daughter; Sure he did not do any terroristactivity. Possessing an AK47 is considered too elementary in terroristcommunity and also one who possesses an AK47 has a right to possess apistol so that again is not such a big crime; Sure Sanjay Dutt went to nall the temples; Sure he did a lot of Gandhigiri but then...........Major Manish H Pitambare got the information from his sources aboutthe terrorists' whereabouts. Wasting no time he attacked the camp,killed Hisbul Mujahidin's supremo and in the process lost his life to the bullets fired from an AK47. He is survived by a wife and daughter(just like Sanjay Dutt) who's only 18 months old. Major Manish never said 'I have a daughter' before he took the decision to attack the terrorists in the darkest of nights. He never thought about having afamily and he being the bread earner. No news channel covered this since they were too busy hyping a former drug addict, a suspect who'slinked to bomb blasts which killed hundreds. Their aim was to show howhe defied the TADA charges and they were so successful that his nconviction in possession of armory had no meaning. They also concludedthat his parents in heaven must be happy and proud of him. Parents of Major Manish are still living and they have to live rest oftheir lives without their beloved son. His daughter won't ever see herdaddy again. Finally Major Manish, to my generation is a greater hero, someone who laid his life in the name of this great nation.So guys, please forward this message around so that the media knowswhich news to give importance, as it is a shame for us since this Army Major's death news was given by a foreign TV channel!!!
temple and prayed for the last few months. A suspect in Mumbai bombblasts, convicted under armory act...was being transformed into ahero. Sure Sanjay Dutt has a daughter; Sure he did not do any terroristactivity. Possessing an AK47 is considered too elementary in terroristcommunity and also one who possesses an AK47 has a right to possess apistol so that again is not such a big crime; Sure Sanjay Dutt went to all the temples; Sure he did a lot of Gandhigiri but then...........Major Manish H Pitambare got the information from his sources aboutthe terrorists' whereabouts. Wasting no time he attacked the camp,killed Hisbul Mujahidin's supremo and in the process lost his life to the bullets fired from an AK47. He is survived by a wife and daughter(just like Sanjay Dutt) who's only 18 months old. Major Manish never said 'I have a daughter' before he took the decision to attack the terrorists in the darkest of nights. He never thought about having afamily and he being the bread earner. No news channel covered this since they were too busy hyping a former drug addict, a suspect who'slinked to bomb blasts which killed hundreds. Their aim was to show howhe defied the TADA charges and they were so successful that hisconviction in possession of armory had no meaning. They also concludedthat his parents in heaven must be happy and proud of him. Parents of Major Manish are still living and they have to live rest oftheir lives without their beloved son. His daughter won't ever see her daddy again. Finally Major Manish, to my generation is a greater hero, someone who laid his life in the name of this great nation.So guys, please forward this message around so that the media knowswhich news to give importance, as it is a shame for us since this Army Major's death news was given by a foreign TV channel!!!
Television journalism: is it on the right Track
By Amiya Pani
India is no longer a backward country with regard to development in the fields of communication and technology. Indians are now creating news across the world in the fields of software development as well as media. The person editing the world's most prestigious news magazine 'Newsweek' at present is Indian born. Indian television is equally developing with a great speed. Our channels have now started having tie-ups with world's biggest names in journalism.
But we have a big query facing us. Is our television moving on the right track? My answer to this query is simple. Yes. To a great extent, our television channels are on the right path. But there is a lot of room for change and improvement.
Since the revolutionary growth of technology took place in the wake of economic liberalisation, the fourth pillar of our democracy has been keeping with the speed in comparison with other wings of media. Be it print media, book world or cinema, Indian television has successfully lived up to the expectations of the Indian audience by covering the complexities of life touching the nation's conscience.
In the past one-and-a-half decade, television, the younger organ of modern Indian journalism, has proved that it has the capacity to turn the coin in anyone's favour. Till the introduction of colour television, Doordarshan was the only major player in the national sphere and later on Zee TV scripted history by becoming the first private broadcaster in the country. One significant fact is that during the last one decade, there has been an increase over 15 per cent in the television viewers.
Meanwhile, around 40 news channels are operating in the country in Hindi, English and other regional languages. In fact, Indian media as whole is acquiring growth at a fast pace in the recent years. Journalism, particularly in its audio-visual wing, is attracting a lot of young and trained talents.
Although the future looks bright, some media critics are of the view that television journalism in India is yet to get a strong foothold. A majority of television journalists seem to lack understanding of the major issues that they are handling from time to time.
In the context of content development, our television journalists should give emphasis to research on the issues they are handling than going ahead with analysing critical issues – be it the militancy problem in Jammu and Kashmir or the controversy surrounding the 'office of profit' question.
Even though television journalism is my passion, I also feel that issues being covered by our channels should be given proper treatment as per their importance. We must refrain from sensationalizing things in the name of getting a better recording in the TRP (television rating point) machines.
An analysis of various news-based programmes being beamed by our television channels shows that even cricket matches and celebrity wedding getting priority over the reports of hunger deaths or deaths due to malnutrition. Most of the channels seem to be too much metro-centric.
Few years ago, Doordarshan's was the only channel to telecast news bulletins covering almost all the news under the Sun. When Doordarshan used to swap its news time to show cricket matches live, cricket lovers loved it to the hilt although the general viewers did not appreciate the change in the timing of the news bulletins. Those who did not like cricket were critical of Doordarshan. But time seems to have undergone a sea change.
Now we have as many as five dedicated sports channels that are broadcasting live sports for 24 hours. Despite these sports channels being in operation, when India plays cricket against any other country most of our general news channels are still continuing to allot prime space to sports news, particularly cricket, in their major prime time bulletins.
In we go by the prevailing international norms, sports news is mostly limited to the dedicated sports bulletins. But in our channels sports news coverage looks funny to me not only as a media person but also as an ardent television viewers. I will cite a few examples. In general sports news features Indian channels give sports items only when India is playing cricket against another country or Sania Mirza is playing tennis. News about other sports are hardly taken in these bulletins.
When India is playing a test or a one day match most of the channels are having 2/3 hours discussion and analysis in prime time despite there being dedicated sports channels. If the venue of the match happens to be inside India, our general news channels go overboard in giving more time to cricket. For example few months back when Sri Lanka cricket team was in India for a one day series that was a one-sided affair for India and India own the series 6-1, the last match was covered extensively by the news channel, virtually ignoring a test match between Australia and South Africa that was played the same day in Sydney. Australia were one up in the series and South Africa captain took a brave decision in the last day declaring the innings. But Australia won that exciting match in which Ricky Ponting was able to score centuries in both the innings.
Having a target of 260 odds run to chase in 60 overs, Australia did chase the required runs in style. But not a single news channel in India gave details of that match till late evening. So if these channels are covering sports in a big way, one feels that they should cover all big happenings in cricket like the national dailies, but not just Indian cricket.
Moreover, what is found in Indian channels is a growing trend to ignore news that is of use to the common man. News seems to have been losing importance and entertainment gets priority. This was evident when most of out channels devoted excess timing to cover the second marriage of Aamir Khan with Kiran Rao. The television correspondents, though uninvited, were present in the marriage venue in full strength. This irritated the actor and resulted in his security personnel beating up the journalists.
The news on Aamir Khan's marriage was beamed through the day. But the news about 13 fishermen who had gone missing in the Bay of Bengal due to a cyclonic storm got little space in the bulletins of our main news channels. Eventually six of those fishermen died and seven were rescued by the people manning the ship of a private company. No channel virtually touched the incident although there was scope of raising the issue of disaster preparedness of the Orissa government particularly after '99 super-cyclone.
These two incidents are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many instances when Indian news channel remain blissfully ignorant of many events that was of interest to the common people. There coverage of news needs to be wholesome, but not lifestyle-oriented or that revolves around sex or crimes.
(EOM)
India is no longer a backward country with regard to development in the fields of communication and technology. Indians are now creating news across the world in the fields of software development as well as media. The person editing the world's most prestigious news magazine 'Newsweek' at present is Indian born. Indian television is equally developing with a great speed. Our channels have now started having tie-ups with world's biggest names in journalism.
But we have a big query facing us. Is our television moving on the right track? My answer to this query is simple. Yes. To a great extent, our television channels are on the right path. But there is a lot of room for change and improvement.
Since the revolutionary growth of technology took place in the wake of economic liberalisation, the fourth pillar of our democracy has been keeping with the speed in comparison with other wings of media. Be it print media, book world or cinema, Indian television has successfully lived up to the expectations of the Indian audience by covering the complexities of life touching the nation's conscience.
In the past one-and-a-half decade, television, the younger organ of modern Indian journalism, has proved that it has the capacity to turn the coin in anyone's favour. Till the introduction of colour television, Doordarshan was the only major player in the national sphere and later on Zee TV scripted history by becoming the first private broadcaster in the country. One significant fact is that during the last one decade, there has been an increase over 15 per cent in the television viewers.
Meanwhile, around 40 news channels are operating in the country in Hindi, English and other regional languages. In fact, Indian media as whole is acquiring growth at a fast pace in the recent years. Journalism, particularly in its audio-visual wing, is attracting a lot of young and trained talents.
Although the future looks bright, some media critics are of the view that television journalism in India is yet to get a strong foothold. A majority of television journalists seem to lack understanding of the major issues that they are handling from time to time.
In the context of content development, our television journalists should give emphasis to research on the issues they are handling than going ahead with analysing critical issues – be it the militancy problem in Jammu and Kashmir or the controversy surrounding the 'office of profit' question.
Even though television journalism is my passion, I also feel that issues being covered by our channels should be given proper treatment as per their importance. We must refrain from sensationalizing things in the name of getting a better recording in the TRP (television rating point) machines.
An analysis of various news-based programmes being beamed by our television channels shows that even cricket matches and celebrity wedding getting priority over the reports of hunger deaths or deaths due to malnutrition. Most of the channels seem to be too much metro-centric.
Few years ago, Doordarshan's was the only channel to telecast news bulletins covering almost all the news under the Sun. When Doordarshan used to swap its news time to show cricket matches live, cricket lovers loved it to the hilt although the general viewers did not appreciate the change in the timing of the news bulletins. Those who did not like cricket were critical of Doordarshan. But time seems to have undergone a sea change.
Now we have as many as five dedicated sports channels that are broadcasting live sports for 24 hours. Despite these sports channels being in operation, when India plays cricket against any other country most of our general news channels are still continuing to allot prime space to sports news, particularly cricket, in their major prime time bulletins.
In we go by the prevailing international norms, sports news is mostly limited to the dedicated sports bulletins. But in our channels sports news coverage looks funny to me not only as a media person but also as an ardent television viewers. I will cite a few examples. In general sports news features Indian channels give sports items only when India is playing cricket against another country or Sania Mirza is playing tennis. News about other sports are hardly taken in these bulletins.
When India is playing a test or a one day match most of the channels are having 2/3 hours discussion and analysis in prime time despite there being dedicated sports channels. If the venue of the match happens to be inside India, our general news channels go overboard in giving more time to cricket. For example few months back when Sri Lanka cricket team was in India for a one day series that was a one-sided affair for India and India own the series 6-1, the last match was covered extensively by the news channel, virtually ignoring a test match between Australia and South Africa that was played the same day in Sydney. Australia were one up in the series and South Africa captain took a brave decision in the last day declaring the innings. But Australia won that exciting match in which Ricky Ponting was able to score centuries in both the innings.
Having a target of 260 odds run to chase in 60 overs, Australia did chase the required runs in style. But not a single news channel in India gave details of that match till late evening. So if these channels are covering sports in a big way, one feels that they should cover all big happenings in cricket like the national dailies, but not just Indian cricket.
Moreover, what is found in Indian channels is a growing trend to ignore news that is of use to the common man. News seems to have been losing importance and entertainment gets priority. This was evident when most of out channels devoted excess timing to cover the second marriage of Aamir Khan with Kiran Rao. The television correspondents, though uninvited, were present in the marriage venue in full strength. This irritated the actor and resulted in his security personnel beating up the journalists.
The news on Aamir Khan's marriage was beamed through the day. But the news about 13 fishermen who had gone missing in the Bay of Bengal due to a cyclonic storm got little space in the bulletins of our main news channels. Eventually six of those fishermen died and seven were rescued by the people manning the ship of a private company. No channel virtually touched the incident although there was scope of raising the issue of disaster preparedness of the Orissa government particularly after '99 super-cyclone.
These two incidents are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many instances when Indian news channel remain blissfully ignorant of many events that was of interest to the common people. There coverage of news needs to be wholesome, but not lifestyle-oriented or that revolves around sex or crimes.
(EOM)
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