The Radia tapes in the public domain are just a tip of the iceberg, says Home Secretary G K Pillai while adding that the leaked conversations have nothing to with the 2G scam. When will the real tapes on the 2G scam made public, the bureaucrat said nothing about it.
It brings up a very important point – why is the Government not acting and also not telling the country who are the real culprits. By not taking action, the government seems to be shielding the guilty. Just conducting CBI raids is not enough. It is too late in the day. Anybody can hide file and make relevant changes to the records in record time. Here we are talking about the inaction of (Sonia Gandhi) PM and the system. Should the systematic loot of the country be allowed to go unchecked, is the moot question.
But while the 5,000 tapes are still in government files, what has come out is itself damning. The so-far-released tapes have showed how corporate lobbyist Nira Radia was hobnobbing with top industrialists, politicians and journalists to ensure that cabinet berths are allocated to her briefs and dictating how journalists should write the stories.
Now there is a concerted effort to justify the ugly conversations. Journalists Rajdeep Sardesai jumped in the fray and defended members of the clan - Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi. Why Rajdeep took the task of defending them should be clear as he also figures somewhere on the tapes. The CNN-IBN and NDTV are showing promos of another magazine justifying the lobbying by journalists and claiming that the journalists mentioned in the tapes were the top shots of Indian journalism. What is wrong in lobbying, is the question.
No one has mentioned anything regarding the gifts or free junkets that the journalists get. Please do not look at the bargain and neat barter that has not been revealed. Let the same editors come clean on the freebees they got, or the gifts they received from Radia. Rajdeep argues that the magazines (that carried Radia transcripts) violated principles of journalism by publishing raw data. The journalists concerned were guilty of "professional misjudgement" rather than "professional misconduct", he clarified. So we now have to learn journalism ethics from the Editors' Guild president. It seems that the ones involved are now digging in to teach the world what journalists should do or not do and how they should conduct their business. Great!
Is it alright to let the public relations companies not only dictate stories to journalists but ask them to act as dalals? It is amazing how corruption is now being legitimatized. The ball is now in the court of the people. You, the readers, decide. Please be the judge.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Inter-linking of rivers
Just wondering what has happened to inter-linking of river project...
Date of Publication April 24, 2006 Mid Day
After 3000 kilometers of walking, Bangalore bank manager should be a tired man. But Devaraj, 50, after seven months of walking for the cause of inter-linking of rivers is a contented and happy man.
He wants to rest only after meeting the President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. "I have walked from Kanyakumari to New Delhi to spread the message of importance of inter-linking of river. I am glad that people have given me such tremendous response. Now I want to meet the President and PM," Devaraja said in New Delhi after meeting Sena leader Suresh Prabhu.
Having already given his memorandum to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Opposition leader L K Advani, Devaraja now hopes to meet Kalam and submit a memorandum giving the response of around 650 schools and colleges including public meetings.
The State Bank of Mysore manager, Devaraja started his ‘padayatra’ on January 12 and reached New Delhi on the eve of Independence day.
Devaraja was joined by Narsimha Setty and Anand in Bangalore but from Kanyakumari he started alone. "All along, people would join me for short duration, but these two have been with me from Bangalore. It has given me a lot of strength," he added.
Devaraja’s is anxiously waiting to see his wife Malathi and son Pritam Dev who is studying to be a doctor. But family reunion has wait till he gets appointment from the PM and even former PM A B Vajpayee.
Covering nine states and 38 districts, Devaraja is filled with emotions when you talk about his experience about the hospitality of the people. "I got rejected also by a few people but most of the people welcomed me with open heart. And most important is that people listened to me," Devaraja said.
Recalling his experience in MP when he was crossing a CRPF unit, Deveraja said he felting talking to the jawans. "I wanted to go in and the sentry told me to stand away. I stood for 10 minutes, he kept looking at me. Then he called us near. Then, he inspected my bag."
The CRPF sentry then sent Deveraja’s pamphlet to his senior officer, who got so impressed that the whole day the dreamer and zealous bank manager was let off.
Spending nearly Rs 50,000, Deveraja has been on leave from SBM. "For the cause of Inter-linking of rivers, I had to do it," he said with emotive eyes.
Braving rain, heat and dust, on an average, Deveraja walked around 15-20 kilometer, seeing the good and tired side of life. Each day, Devaraja would start around 4 am and then would camp by 10-11 am at any village or town. "Then I would rest and recoup and start meeting people of the locality."
Food and shelter were not a problem. "That was not a concern but people were nice."
Date of Publication April 24, 2006 Mid Day
After 3000 kilometers of walking, Bangalore bank manager should be a tired man. But Devaraj, 50, after seven months of walking for the cause of inter-linking of rivers is a contented and happy man.
He wants to rest only after meeting the President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. "I have walked from Kanyakumari to New Delhi to spread the message of importance of inter-linking of river. I am glad that people have given me such tremendous response. Now I want to meet the President and PM," Devaraja said in New Delhi after meeting Sena leader Suresh Prabhu.
Having already given his memorandum to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Opposition leader L K Advani, Devaraja now hopes to meet Kalam and submit a memorandum giving the response of around 650 schools and colleges including public meetings.
The State Bank of Mysore manager, Devaraja started his ‘padayatra’ on January 12 and reached New Delhi on the eve of Independence day.
Devaraja was joined by Narsimha Setty and Anand in Bangalore but from Kanyakumari he started alone. "All along, people would join me for short duration, but these two have been with me from Bangalore. It has given me a lot of strength," he added.
Devaraja’s is anxiously waiting to see his wife Malathi and son Pritam Dev who is studying to be a doctor. But family reunion has wait till he gets appointment from the PM and even former PM A B Vajpayee.
Covering nine states and 38 districts, Devaraja is filled with emotions when you talk about his experience about the hospitality of the people. "I got rejected also by a few people but most of the people welcomed me with open heart. And most important is that people listened to me," Devaraja said.
Recalling his experience in MP when he was crossing a CRPF unit, Deveraja said he felting talking to the jawans. "I wanted to go in and the sentry told me to stand away. I stood for 10 minutes, he kept looking at me. Then he called us near. Then, he inspected my bag."
The CRPF sentry then sent Deveraja’s pamphlet to his senior officer, who got so impressed that the whole day the dreamer and zealous bank manager was let off.
Spending nearly Rs 50,000, Deveraja has been on leave from SBM. "For the cause of Inter-linking of rivers, I had to do it," he said with emotive eyes.
Braving rain, heat and dust, on an average, Deveraja walked around 15-20 kilometer, seeing the good and tired side of life. Each day, Devaraja would start around 4 am and then would camp by 10-11 am at any village or town. "Then I would rest and recoup and start meeting people of the locality."
Food and shelter were not a problem. "That was not a concern but people were nice."
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Gay or pop corn! What’s your choice!
Have you ever thought that in this world of free speech-modern world with Internet, what choices do you have? No choice at all, I can argue. Let me explain.
Do you want to read news but you get what the newspaper gives you and what the reporter gives to the news editor. So you get half baked and half cooked stuff. (Depends what you are eating or reading.) Heard about David Coleman Hadley lately! The evil spy-cum-terrorist, since the National Investigative Agency, got “access” to interrogate the LeT operative in June, became terrorist-cum-spy and finally, just a terrorist.
Firstly, the Indian sleuths landed in the US to quiz this guy who had friends in Bollywood. The Americans just told them, NO. Indian Home Ministry was flabbergasted. Indian diplomacy was on its knees begging Americans to let them talk to this double agent or was it triple agent.
And since then we have been regularly getting ‘news’ that has done so much but his intentions were even more deadlier than his actions. He went to this restaurant and that tourist place and planned to bomb this and that defence establishment. The NIA has systematically been planting news and we have to endure the hot news. Nobody is asking what our RAW and IB were doing when Hadley was roaming around the country or even when he left. They had bloody no idea at all what was happening in the country. But forget all that and think why do we have to face the music every time. We end up reading such good for nothing plants? It is because we don’t have choices and we are forced to read the news or see TV. Changing the newspaper is no choice. The next one is even worse and besides you have got used to reading that crappy paper for far too long.
We have no choice at all. Look at the Common Wealth Games. Ask yourself this question, why were you forced to leave your vehicles at home and hop into car-pools or metro. You were forced to drive in the lane that was too on the damn left side. You looked at the lane in which probably few vehicles would be plying for entire day. And why, because the city police commissioner says you need to take a break, you should.
And look at Metro. You have no choice but to stand in the crowded compartment. You have no choice but to hang in there. If want to exercise your choice or opting for the next train, it will be equally crowded. So no choice but to stand and travel. And if you want to pee. Sorry, they still have not made any arrangements despite the court taking cognizance of the issue. So no choice but to finish your nature business before taking the Metro ride. Even during the journey, you have no choice but to listen to that computer-controlled voice. This is the Yellow line. Don’t cross it. Don’t lean against the door. Give seats to ladies. Listen to Metro orders.
What choice did you have to select the Prime Minister. Nothing, except for a vote and that was not even considered by anyone (read Sonia Gandhi). She just let him continue. There was Rahul Gandhi, if no body else. But sorry, that is not your game. So you use your choice in other country.
Then again, you have no choice when you enter the favourite city mall to see a movie. To start with it, you have no choice but to buy the costly popcorn inside the movie hall. Not only that, the problem is when you enter the mall. The security guy, who hangs around with a blue dress, generously pours his hands over you and you have no choice but to let him ‘feel’ you. There is always a lurking suspicion that the security guys are employing gays. They do their job with such interest that you cannot imagine anything else. Imagine a gay going inside a mall. “Oh man, yes, yes, feel me! Wow. Let me exit and enter again.” This lot must be in love entering anything… No wonder that malls are full. Don’t get disheartened, I give you a choice, pal. If you enter a mall either you must be a gay or love popcorn. What do you pick?
Do you want to read news but you get what the newspaper gives you and what the reporter gives to the news editor. So you get half baked and half cooked stuff. (Depends what you are eating or reading.) Heard about David Coleman Hadley lately! The evil spy-cum-terrorist, since the National Investigative Agency, got “access” to interrogate the LeT operative in June, became terrorist-cum-spy and finally, just a terrorist.
Firstly, the Indian sleuths landed in the US to quiz this guy who had friends in Bollywood. The Americans just told them, NO. Indian Home Ministry was flabbergasted. Indian diplomacy was on its knees begging Americans to let them talk to this double agent or was it triple agent.
And since then we have been regularly getting ‘news’ that has done so much but his intentions were even more deadlier than his actions. He went to this restaurant and that tourist place and planned to bomb this and that defence establishment. The NIA has systematically been planting news and we have to endure the hot news. Nobody is asking what our RAW and IB were doing when Hadley was roaming around the country or even when he left. They had bloody no idea at all what was happening in the country. But forget all that and think why do we have to face the music every time. We end up reading such good for nothing plants? It is because we don’t have choices and we are forced to read the news or see TV. Changing the newspaper is no choice. The next one is even worse and besides you have got used to reading that crappy paper for far too long.
We have no choice at all. Look at the Common Wealth Games. Ask yourself this question, why were you forced to leave your vehicles at home and hop into car-pools or metro. You were forced to drive in the lane that was too on the damn left side. You looked at the lane in which probably few vehicles would be plying for entire day. And why, because the city police commissioner says you need to take a break, you should.
And look at Metro. You have no choice but to stand in the crowded compartment. You have no choice but to hang in there. If want to exercise your choice or opting for the next train, it will be equally crowded. So no choice but to stand and travel. And if you want to pee. Sorry, they still have not made any arrangements despite the court taking cognizance of the issue. So no choice but to finish your nature business before taking the Metro ride. Even during the journey, you have no choice but to listen to that computer-controlled voice. This is the Yellow line. Don’t cross it. Don’t lean against the door. Give seats to ladies. Listen to Metro orders.
What choice did you have to select the Prime Minister. Nothing, except for a vote and that was not even considered by anyone (read Sonia Gandhi). She just let him continue. There was Rahul Gandhi, if no body else. But sorry, that is not your game. So you use your choice in other country.
Then again, you have no choice when you enter the favourite city mall to see a movie. To start with it, you have no choice but to buy the costly popcorn inside the movie hall. Not only that, the problem is when you enter the mall. The security guy, who hangs around with a blue dress, generously pours his hands over you and you have no choice but to let him ‘feel’ you. There is always a lurking suspicion that the security guys are employing gays. They do their job with such interest that you cannot imagine anything else. Imagine a gay going inside a mall. “Oh man, yes, yes, feel me! Wow. Let me exit and enter again.” This lot must be in love entering anything… No wonder that malls are full. Don’t get disheartened, I give you a choice, pal. If you enter a mall either you must be a gay or love popcorn. What do you pick?
Showing the middle finger to the tapes
It sure rained in November. On a rainy day, a lot happened: Fate of three chief ministers was decided on one single day in November. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar got a thumping majority surpassing the poll pundits and news channels expectations. Andhra Pradesh too got a new Kiran who readily took oath. Karanataka got Urappa batting for more. While of political developments are taking place that require national attention, we get bogged down by the middle finger of actress Rani Mukherjee and no one was playing the talks of Nira Radia with the likes of Barka Dutt and Vir Sanghvi. Ever wondered why!
Because no one wants to tell the truth, is it? While the real stuff is now slowly coming out in the ‘open’, we are still bothered about the middle finger of Rani in a promo of a movie based on the Jessica Lal murder case. It does not require the actress to show her middle finger to attract your attention but nevertheless it will. The film industry gets its say even when it is extremely hot in Delhi in November.
If you observe last couple of movies that made it big on the block buster chart, biggest hits got massive publicity by stirring controversy - getting huge media attention and ending up running to packed houses , for instance, My Name is Khan or 3 Idiots. Actor Shah Rukh Khan tried the name stunt in the US by deliberately using his family name; drawing suspicion of the immigration officials, who asked him a few extra questions. It made news in India. Next came a bigger publicity stunt – he put Pakistan and cricket together, a perfect recipe for controversy. The actor went on to say that Pakistani members were not bought to play in the IPL. Big deal! For the Shiv Sena, it sure was a big deal. They demonstrated in public. The Sena even threatened cinema owners. Before the release, Khan just went to touch the feet of Mumbai show stopper Bal Thackeray, who objects to anything Pakistani or Muslim. The film was released to a big draw. Khan made over Rs 150 crore for uttering two sentences in the right places.
On the other hands, 3 Idiots was plain simple marketing strategy. Aamir Khan made Rs 300 crore. And now the movie on Jessica is hitting headlines for its provocative trailers. The film industry thrives on creating unnecessary controversies. To make money they will do anything, even if it involves showing the middle finger.
As far as the media is concerned, where the real interesting controversies are brewing, you get silence. The Nira Radia-Barka Dutt-Vir Sanghvi-Rajdeep Sardesai tapes have enough masala but you still not get to watch it.
You are still reading the same newspaper or watching the same channel that carries the middle finger story while the editors make away with driving swanky cars gifted by the power brokers - out right corrupt and shameless guys. There was just banter at the Press Club of India that you have not arrived if you don’t show the middle finger or have your tape on the You Tube.
Because no one wants to tell the truth, is it? While the real stuff is now slowly coming out in the ‘open’, we are still bothered about the middle finger of Rani in a promo of a movie based on the Jessica Lal murder case. It does not require the actress to show her middle finger to attract your attention but nevertheless it will. The film industry gets its say even when it is extremely hot in Delhi in November.
If you observe last couple of movies that made it big on the block buster chart, biggest hits got massive publicity by stirring controversy - getting huge media attention and ending up running to packed houses , for instance, My Name is Khan or 3 Idiots. Actor Shah Rukh Khan tried the name stunt in the US by deliberately using his family name; drawing suspicion of the immigration officials, who asked him a few extra questions. It made news in India. Next came a bigger publicity stunt – he put Pakistan and cricket together, a perfect recipe for controversy. The actor went on to say that Pakistani members were not bought to play in the IPL. Big deal! For the Shiv Sena, it sure was a big deal. They demonstrated in public. The Sena even threatened cinema owners. Before the release, Khan just went to touch the feet of Mumbai show stopper Bal Thackeray, who objects to anything Pakistani or Muslim. The film was released to a big draw. Khan made over Rs 150 crore for uttering two sentences in the right places.
On the other hands, 3 Idiots was plain simple marketing strategy. Aamir Khan made Rs 300 crore. And now the movie on Jessica is hitting headlines for its provocative trailers. The film industry thrives on creating unnecessary controversies. To make money they will do anything, even if it involves showing the middle finger.
As far as the media is concerned, where the real interesting controversies are brewing, you get silence. The Nira Radia-Barka Dutt-Vir Sanghvi-Rajdeep Sardesai tapes have enough masala but you still not get to watch it.
You are still reading the same newspaper or watching the same channel that carries the middle finger story while the editors make away with driving swanky cars gifted by the power brokers - out right corrupt and shameless guys. There was just banter at the Press Club of India that you have not arrived if you don’t show the middle finger or have your tape on the You Tube.
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