WILL HE OR WILL HE NOT? (31/10/2017)

Delhi observed two events today- celebration of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel’s birth anniversary and remembrance of Smt. Indira Gandhi on her 34^th Martyrdom. While the celebration was a government event the martyrdom was a party’s affair. The Patel Chowk Square was heavily decorated. This was the venue of the “Run for Unity” held today. 

The 21^st Century India stands fragmented on the lines of caste, creed and religion as never before and now we watch division of leaders of yesteryear by its political masters to suit their political compulsions. It reminds me of what Sardar Patel had to say for such division and I quote "... Every Indian should forget that he is a Rajput, a Sikh or a Jat. He must remember that he is an Indian and he has every right in this country but with certain duties." We need to ponder on whether we strive to achieve the ideals laid down by Sardar. The “Run for Unity” aimed to achieve this objective symbolically if not comprehensively. 

Two news items in today's news paper drew attention today- the first was a newspaper advertisement inserted by Congress, and not by the nation, reminding the nation of Smt. Indira Gandhi’s martyrdom. The second piece of news was directed towards Mr. Rahul Gandhi with the caption “Why aren’t you taking charge?”- A fit case of pygmies seeking support of another pygmy. A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. (JOHN MAXWELL) Unfortunately, Mr. Rahul Gandhi lacks on all these front and this is the greatest tragedy of Congress (I) which claims to be the oldest political party of India- though many may contest the claim since Congress (I) is certainly not the Congress that was founded in 1885 and was presided over by Womesh Chandra Banerji as its first President- A party where there was no dearth of leaders unlike the Congress (I) of the present times which, I believe, is not even a pale shadow of the gigantic organization which was once steered by the Mahatma.

THE CRUMBLING FOURTH PILLAR OF DEMOCRACY (18/10/2017)

I was drawn towards a discussion among a group of young college students who boarded the metro at Rajiv Chowk for G.T.B. Nagar near Vishwavidyalaya. They were discussing the state of democracy, particularly the role of media in present times. The debate drew my interest for even though I read newspaper daily, the manner these students were analyzing newspaper reports left me amazed at the level of their maturity. They were unanimous in their opinion that the media has lost its credibility in present times. To prove his point one of them drew attention of his fellow colleagues towards a news item in a leading national daily “THE TIMES OF INDIA”. To cut matter short I decided to verify the facts my self when I reached home. The particular news item had missed my attention. The Times of India, which prides itself as the most circulated newspaper in NCR had published a news item on 15^th October 2017, giving it the prime of the place in the newspaper in bold, titled “NTPC jobs for Akhlaq Lynching Accused”. This piece of news, one will agree, had the potential of flaring up the tempers in a fractured society in these volatile times. The Times of India did not bother to cross check the correctness of the report. 

 

The Times of India, October 15th, 2017

On the very next day it published the denial from the NTPC with the caption “No jobs for Akhlaq Accused: NTPC”. But while doing so it conveniently tucked away this piece of news item in a corner without offering to apologize for publishing a news item without verifying the facts. This can be termed as the height of irresponsible journalism. It is unfortunate that nothing happens and no one punishes media for such failures. 

 

The times of India, October 16th, 2017

The parting words from one of the student struck me. “It is pathetic that the fourth pillar of democracy is crumbling faster than the other three. God save the country”.