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Nakul in the public sphere
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Sites to visit ZNet - Z Magazine | Poynter Online | Truth Out | Alter Net | Independent Media Center | John Pilger | Michael Moore | Illuminations: The Critical Theory Website | James Randi Educational Foundation | Communication, Cultural, & Media Studies | In The Fray | Deconstructions - The eGroup | |
April 2009
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For a brief moment I had the following as my GTalk status message: Wanted! For the Indian Government: A backbone and a soul... Then a close friend pointed out with understandable anguish that the members of the police, fire, and security forces were also the government; the various brave people from the public administration who were involved in solving the latest terror crisis were also the government. Trying to make a case that my reference was to the ruling party (forming the government) was a battle lost even before it could be started. And understandably so. So let me try a different approach. This recent spate of at least 10 different terrorist strikes all across the country in the last one year is slowly but surely poking holes in the internal security set-up of the country. Many questions are being raised to the Indian government which seems to have failed to undertake effective measures to check terrorism on Indian soil. Among others, the Deccan Mujahideen -- virtually an unheard of organisation until a few months back -- is surely ruling the roost in terms of carrying mass and large-scale terror attacks across the Indian Nation. Or at least being quick and first to claiming the credit for most of these inhuman and evil highly coordinated attacks. That the top three police officials - who were consistently a pain to the terrorist and criminal organisations - were killed in the initial part of the attacks, points to the intensity with which the terror operations were planned. A news report communicated the shock of the police force when their top officials were martyred, with a sub-inspector recounted the incident amidst shock and sobs. Checking up with family, friends and acquaintances in Mumbai, brought to light many who had a close call during the terror attack, but had been decidedly fortunate than the hundred dead and two hundred injured. While the legendary resolve of the Mumbaikars came through in their statements, the uncertainty caused by the grim situation also crept through in their statements. "All well and safe. So far." "Indeed it's horrific! I'm in Pune and praying for the people of Mumbai." "Horrendous situation. Still quite chaotic." "Everything's fine here. At home today. Truly terrifying." "Was out when the open firing happened. We actually heard the firing and saw police vans everywhere. But luckily we managed to find a cab home immediately. We are safe now." "We are alive and well, for the time being. And will remain so if Patil permits." "Situation is very bad out here. We are fine." In a day or two the media and the rest of us will be talking and heralding the resolve of the Mumbaikars, who will not let anything stop them. But seriously, taking nothing away from their iron-strong resolve, what can a Mumbaikar do? For that matter what can anybody do? Terror attacks or not, the people (read "the common man") do have to return to work, to continue earning their livelihoods, to carry on whatever it is that they do daily in their lives. This is a fact of life for most, if not all, of us! At this moment, I can't help but think to how any other city would cope with such a tragedy. Given the sad state of affairs with regard to the security infrastructure, I can only fear a mayhem. As the questions that need to be brought up are being raised on the inaction of the Home Minister on the myriad terror attacks, which seem to be continuing unchecked, we also need to remember to pay our gratitude to the numerous under-paid under-equipped under-appreciated security forces who are fighting a daily battle to save our souls. I do hope the politicians at the helm of the country pull their acts together, better today than tomorrow. For once they can stop bringing in politics into everything. This is not a time to talk of political ideologies, nor of bringing in religion, nor of breaking the country and its people into castes and sub-castes, and playing vote-bank politics. This is a time for the Raj Thackerays and Narendra Modis and Omar Abdullahs and Rahul Gandhis of the country to come together to fight for and save our Motherland. This moment of terror, grief and tragedy is as right a time as any for all Indians to come together as one and resolve to do everything in our power and beyond to fight the enemy that is increasingly affecting our daily lives. Tags: india, mumbai, politics, terror attacks Current Location: Bangalore Current Mood: determined Current Music: Bharat humko jaan se pyaara hain |
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A friend forwarded me the following email with the words "What say?": This is interesting...... OKAY! You know what follows! This email forward has been doing rounds for quite a bit now, and keeps cropping up in our inbox every once in a while... So I thought I would just re-post what I wrote on the Jana Gana Mana controversy way back in November 2004: Of Songs, Anthem, and controversies... I hope it will catch the attention of some of my friends who missed it earlier, and give them a thought before they encourage this misinformation campaign with another forward! Nakul Tags: email forwards, india, jana gana mana, national anthem Current Location: Bangalore Current Mood:  optimisticCurrent Music: Maa Tujhe Salaam...
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This was posted as a reply to my friend Bijoy's blog post A bridge to burn at CNN-IBN Blogs. I post a copy-paste of my post to solicit your thoughts... --- Dear Bijoy, "Why the Saffron-bashing?" - That's all I have to ask. You talk of traffic snarls, and being a co-inhabitant of Bangalore, I can concur with that thought. But ain't every political party and so-called VVIPs to blame here: They hold up traffic to ensure 'important' people can catch their flight, and the rest of us can miss ours. Traffic cops get sacked because HDD's cavalcade has to wait 5 minutes. So why single out this one stoppage organised by the so-called "saffron brigade"? This could have just remained the immediate trigger for your write-up, but alas, that was not what it is. I find the constant brandishing of the anti-saffron flag by most sections of the media - and now on blogs too - rather disturbing. We in the writing and media circles seem to take pride in criticising anything that has any inkling to ancient India and what was ancient Indian culture. We have now stooped to questioning the basic texts that define modern Hinduism - the Ramayana & the Mahabharatha - and questioning the faith of millions that are associated with the same. And if anybody dare ask a question to this - they are termed saffron and non-social. Well understanding the danger that a lot of readers (other than you!) are going to term me just that, I can't help but ask if ANY such behaviour would be found acceptable if we started questioning events from the Bible, Kuran, and other religious texts. I respect the other religions, what they preach, and what the respective followers practice. All I ask is let me practice my faith, in peace. I do not infringe on other's beliefs. Please do not infringe on mine. Is that a fair thing to ask? Nakul PS: Two points on the DMK-related incident: It is utterly sad and unfortunate that two people had to lose their lives, for what is clearly a political issue. My heartfelt condolence goes to the families and friends of these hapless souls. I pray to God that justice be done, and that the criminals be brought to justice. Tags: bangalore, india, politics, saffron brigade Current Location: Bangalore Current Mood: surprised |
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There have been many events in the recent and not-so-recent past that prepped me to touch pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard); The execution of Saddam Hussein, the attack on the art student for an 'objectionable' painting, the election(?) of the President of India, the NICE corridor fiasco, numerous terrorist attacks in India, the foiled terror attack in London, the Haneef episode,... the list is large. It was only my complete mastery at procrastination (I am the best procrastinator there is!), that enabled me to avoid a return to the blogosphere. And of course, there was this statement by one of our learned cabinet ministers, who sniggered at the people's campaign (mostly online) to bring back APJ Abdul Kalam for a second term as the President of India, as a insignificant minority who live in a deluded world of computers and virtual reality. All this and more, could not prepare me to what I saw on the idiot box early yesterday morning. A group of 30-odd people (mostly men) attacking a lady, ostensibly to teach her a lesson for crossing pen with the sword of religion. This was too much to take and here I am typing away at my keyboard. The scary fact remains that these so-called leaders carried out this horrendous attack inside a Press Club of India premise, right under the glare of numerous journalists, unmindful of the fact that they were on camera - both photo and camera! Or perhaps that was exactly the point -- that they were on camera; That this was a quick way to be 'known' across the state and country, arguably boosting their chances at the next elections. And what has the new Lady President of our country got to say about this barbaric attack on an author - a lady author at that? Silence. Sorry! Did we miss something? We did not even hear a peep from the Rashtrapathi Bhavan. What has the most powerful lady in the country got to say about this shameful episode? Sorry, but we did not hear any "tch tch" noises emanating from Madam's 10 Janpath either. As for our new Vice President, all he had to say is people should not take law in their own hands. Asked a point blank question on what he feels about this uncivil incident, the learned intellect chose neither to condemn the incident nor state it as deplorable. One should not find this too surprising as the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM)--the party to which these three legislators belong--is one of the partners of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the center. I only wonder if we should treat this as a government-sponsored attack on democratic rights and secularism -- especially since secularism is a topic that the UPA heralds as its own? As my mind revisits this inhuman incident, I can't help but wonder what would have happened to Taslima Nasreen had some journalists and morally-guided co-invitees NOT come to her rescue. The newreel showed this motly group led by three legislators repeatedly attacking the exiled Bangladeshi writer with everything they could lay their hands on: chairs, flowerpots, bouquets. I can't help but wonder if these three elected representatives of a democracy called India would have perhaps physically assaulted Ms Nasreen if they could reach her? Would they have gone to the extent of killing her if the others had not kept them at bay? Based on what the perpetrators stated on new cameras -- "We will behead her if she sets foot in Hyderabad" -- I have to say yes. Although deep inside I still think this was all an act linked to polity and to please that incomprehensible and inexplicable "vote-bank". And in that moment of time, I really can't help but think: What right-minded individual would elect these characters? A country once respected the world-over for its philosophies of non-violence and non-cooperation, has turned into a modern Wild Wild West (except this is the Mystical East) -- where lathi-wielding and gun-toting people roam the streets, beating the shit out of anybody who does not agree with their ideals and ideology. As my motherland reaches the independent age of 60, I can't help but state - I am proud of my country, and shameful of my countrymen. We seem to have lost the spine and the morals that gained us independence and freedom. A basic question come to mind: Do we deserve a democracy? (if what we are living in now is indeed a democracy). If Mahatma Gandhi were amongst us today, would he have led us on another freedom struggle -- For independence from the nincompoops who govern us? Nakul Tags: india, politics Current Location: Bangalore Current Mood:  annoyedCurrent Music: We don't need no education (another brink in the wall) |
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January 26, 2007: 57th Anniversary of the Indian Republic Day 57 years on, let us remember the sacrifice of the innumerable freedom fighters and martyrs who enabled us to enjoy our independence; to have our own constitution and government. I hope you too join me in my humble salute to the Nation and its heroes. Vande Maataram! Nakul NOTE: Corrected the heading to 57th from 56th Tags: india, republic Current Location: Bangalore Current Mood:  PatrioticCurrent Music: Bharat humko jaan se pyaara hain |
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My National Song:
Glory of moonlight dreams, Tags: india, national song, politics Current Mood: optimisticCurrent Music: yeh desh hai veer jawanon ka
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The media in India seems to be taking an interesting turn; a not-so-pleasant turn. Especially when it comes to television news, but the print media is not too behind either. The media seem to be reporting news, but never taking a stand; Almost like they are too scared to take a stand. Recently there have been many political/social developments where the media only reported it. Whatever further action was taken, if any, was through the talk-shows where citizens come to the fore and pour out their hearts. This is convenient for the media, as what's said then becomes a viewpoint of the guest... and the media get to claim the rewards if things fall in place, and raise a 'we-never-said-that!' flag if things fall out! An total win-win situation. The media seem to have forgotten that they are the watchdog of the democracy, and the watchdog needs to have teeth to bite. But here, they seem to have even forgot to growl. Take the instance of what happened when the goverment imposed a blanket ban on "blogs". Or for that matter with the recently proposed changes to the Right to Information Act. Or the forthcoming law that seeks to curb the powers of free speech of the media when it comes to political stories! Even though each of these real-life developments may be interpreted as serious issues that may impact the freedom of speech and expression of the people and also the press... the Press itself does not seem to mind. Watch the journalists present the "stories" and you will see that they are taking a neutral stand in each case: Pointing out the issues and dangers at hand, but then softening the attack and stating in as many words - "we have to wait and see how this develops". A media that once was renowned to fight for the right cause and justice and people's rights... seems to be focused only on the commercial success, and losing out on its courage to take on the establishment. Sad. Indian journalism seems to have lost the courage, it once stood for. A fresh set of dentures will surely help the watchdog... the question is how and where do we get it? Nakul Tags: india, media, press freedom Current Location: Bangalore Current Mood:  anxious |
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It happens once again! A fingernail grew too long, and the government decided to chop off the hand! And this is not the first time the Government of India has acted in an ill-informed knee-jerk manner. In 2003, we made international news, when we blocked Yahoo Groups because it hosted an anti-national separatist eGroup... so what if there were thousands of other groups that were pro-India and pro-democracy? (related posts written in 2003 can be found here and here) And now, after the rather unfortunate and shocking terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the Indian government proved yet again that it does not understand modern technology - specifically the Internet medium. The ISP blanket-blockade of most popular blog sites (including Blogger & Typepad) could be put in better perspective with the following hypothetical examples... * All cable networks are banned because one obscure television channel telecasted an anti-national programme; * All print publications are banned because one magazine publishes some questionable articles; * Electricity is cut-off for the entire region, because a psychopath kills his victims by electrocuting them; * And my favourite: Automobile traffic is banned across the country because a car was used by a murderer to kill his victim... (well, at least it will help return Bangalore to the pedestrians!) While typing in these far-fetched and hilarious (?) examples, I cannot help but wonder if the mantra of the Indian government is indeed na bachega baans, na bajegi baansuri; an age-old proverb that says - "if there is no bamboo left, no flute shall play (and this would stop the menace of snakes!)" Some of the bloggers are considering PILs, and I fully support this initiative - if we do go ahead with the filing. For although the government has since withdrawn the blanket ban, there is an avid need to educate the legislators and the bureaucracy about the Internet per se. And the judiciary would be the perfect medium to initiate this action. It is heartening to see that some of the local police departments are putting in commendable effort in starting their own blogs - to communicate to the media and the people (See yodha's post - Police Blogging). This is a welcome start, for ONLY when more people from the government/bureaucracy start using the Internet in its various forms, will they understand the medium per se... And prevent repeating such shameful uninformed acts - especially for a country that projects itself as a IT Superpower!Nakul Tags: freedom of speech, india, internet, politics Current Location: Bangalore Current Mood: optimistic |
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Sania gets a superstar welcome Is the above intended to be a joke? Tags: india, media, sensationalism Current Mood: annoyed
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‘US plans to bomb Iran nuke sites’ Many have said this many a time... And I repeat the zillion Dollar questions: * What gives the government of USA the right to dictate terms to the rest of the world? * Does the office of the President of USA enjoy jurisdictory rights over the rest of the world? * Are the other countries answerable to the diktats of the US government? Such an action is to be expected, if expected at all, from world regulatory (?) organisations like the UNO, who have the "power" to advise their member countries what to do and what not to do. But the fact that the USA is able to hold the UN to ransom is basically resulting in making a mockery of an otherwise well-meaning organisation. The end result: the UN has lost the face, the teeth, and the ground to make any policy decisions... or ever hope to regain its status as a world governing body... if it was ever meant to be one. Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq ... And now Iran. Who next? What if India had NOT said a timid "okay" to the recent demands of the US government? What if India had NOT kneeled under the pressure to separate out its military and civilian nuclear sites? What if India had NOT provided the list of nuclear sitesin the guise of getting technological know-how and support from the US? Would India have been threatened too? For that matter, is it so dificult to imagine the day when a US government would indeed issue an official warning to India? Who do we expect to stand by us? Or do we really believe that the myriad operations of the US MNCs in India is an indestructable vajhra-kavach (diamond shield); the most effective deterrent against a US attack? Only time holds the answer. In the meantime, I hope the US government is heeding to the REAL needs of its citizens. Nakul Tags: india, iran, nuclear, un, usa Current Mood: anxious |
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yodha in Readers' Editor writes: Taking inspiration from The Guardian, The Hindu has appointed a readers' editor (formally known as a news ombudsman). It states that this is a first in Indian journalism. It hopes that this will help maintain journalistic integrity and increase reader feedback. [...] That's a nice gesture from the side of the newspapers to maintain credibity, and address the reader's woes. Is this Reader's Editor (or the News Ombudsman) going to be as effective as the Banking Ombudsman? I guess we have to wait and see the effectiveness of this post, especially in the Indian context. The difference may well be in that the Banking Ombudsman occupies an regulatory office in the Reserve Bank of India. Thus it might be a good thing for the Government of India to set up a Media Ombudsman through the Prasar Bharati, giving the office regulatory rights over the media. (If there is such a post already, I m not aware of it) Otherwise, the ombudsman in each newspaper house may just be a fancy name for a Public Relations Officer, a post that already exists in most. Especially in this world where the Advertorials take precedence over the Editorial. Nakul Tags: big brother, india, media Current Mood: optimistic |
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