Sunday 16 March 2008

They Should Be Charged with Mass Muder

There are so many personalities in the society, who think that the life is not only to earn money and to work only for oneself. Lalit Shashtri is also one of them. He follows some ethics, some rules made by himself and some responsibilities towards the society. Although by profession he is a Journalist but apart from a reporter in essence he is an environmentalist, a conservator, a lover of wildlife, an author, a Historian and above all a man with a vision. Presently Lalit Shashtri is working as the Principal Correspondent (Bhopal), The Hindu. He is in the field of journalism for more than two decades. He is associated with The Hindu for last 17 years. It is a record in Madhya Pradesh. No one has served so long like him with such a long period in the State. To know about this iconic man, Siddharth Kumar talked with him on various issues. He also talked about the personal life of Lalit Shashtri. Here is the excerpt of interview:

How do you see your two decades in Journalism?
I have witnessed so many changes in family, society, state and in journalism. So many issues have been raised and a lot of efforts are in pending.
Sir, how do you see your journey with The Hindu?
One thing I would like to share with you that I am a great aficionado of The Hindu since my education period. The Hindu was (is) a paper with difference and it attracted me towards itself. It was a matter of proud for me to work in an organization like The Hindu, which is your source of admiration. And this is the reason that is why I have never thought to leave The Hindu.
You are in The Hindu with a so long period. In your opinion what is one best policy of The Hindu, which retained you for so long?
The hundred percent liberty of expression and justice on job.
Tell me about your early days. How were you inclined towards journalism?
After completing my M. A. in Ancient History from JNU, New Delhi, getting a job was my first priority. Meanwhile, I received an invitation from Kelvinator to join the company as a Branch Manager and I joined. Serving in The Tata Group was my second and last job in corporate world.

Why you left the corporate job despite earning a handsome salary?
It was not like the Buddha’s incarnation. In fact, it was a whole process. I worked a lot. But I was not satisfied with performance. There was a feeling of frustration in me. Actually, I was willing to do something for the society.
And it lead you towards journalism?
Earlier I was passionate to make my carrier either in the field of Journalism or in Administration. These are the positions from where you do something revolutionary work for the society.
I am telling you an interesting story. I was preparing for IAS exams. I filled the form. Meanwhile, the exam was postponed for one month due to the infamous Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
It was the turning point. I felt strongly that all these happened only due to the negligence of the administration and finally I decided not to join this corrupt system. And lastly, I joined Journalism.
I was totally shocked with the BGT (Bhopal Gas Tragedy). I started my own investigation. I was finding the reasons, affected people and the culprits of BGT.
And are you satisfied with your performance, which you have served in last two decades?
See, one individual can’t change everything but what is satisfactory for me is that I have given my contribution to the society by raising the issues of corruption, infrastructure, health, poverty, etc. But there are so many issues that should be addressed by our system.
What is the essence of your investigation on BGT?
In my book (The Bhopal Disaster, Account of an Eyewitness) I found that it was a Gross Negligence of Administration. The Union Carbide along with the Government of India and the Government of Madhya Pradesh were totally responsible for the accident.
Can you please elaborate it?
During my investigation, I revealed that there was a dual policy of Union Carbide regarding the stocking of hazardous chemicals in huge amount at one place. It was following certain different norms for its West Virginia (USA) plant. Despite knowing this fact our local Govt. approved the license to the company and provided a plot in Bhopal, where a large number of people were living.
But ultimately it was the Govt. who initiated the rescue operation and later financial assistance.
More painful was the attitude of these culprits of mass murder. Everyone was talking about the number of affected people. The Operation Faith was only a tactics. No one was caring and the fact is that still affected people have not got justice. Still the condition of affected people (especially poor) is not satisfactory; they are struggling because they are not vote bank.
Has the government and the system taken any lesson from this tragedy?
It was more and more awareness level about these hazardous plants among the common men and attention paid by different institutions (including media) and organizations that no other similar accident happened after the BGT.
You have written two books. Any new book in near future?
Now-a-day, I am paying my attention on making a documentary film on Environmental and Wildlife issues. The theme of film is Central Indian highland as the best habitat for Tigers in the world but how it has been destroyed.
What about your inclination towards the environmental issues?
I was not so passionate about wildlife and environmental issues. But in the year of 1992, I took a long tour of Madhya Pradesh to study about the situation of ground water level all over the State. During my tour I found that there are so many issues of environment and wildlife like poaching, mining, threats for biotic system, which should be raised otherwise there would be some certain wrong repercussions in near future. So I took up my social responsibility and started to raise the issue.
You are doing a lot on the conservation of Bhopal Birds. How is your experience?
It is due to my wife Rajshri. She has a great knowledge about the bird community. In fact, she taught me everything about the birds. She gifted me camera and it was the beginning of a new journey with electronic media.
You are a reporter in essence. Have you never thought to join the commanding post?
I have worked as the in’ charge of Central Chronicle (then MP Chronicle) for 5 years and interestingly, in my early periods of journalism. I wrote each and every word of editorial published in the newspaper for a period of one and a half years, which, I think, is a world record in itself.
Interesting, how was those days?
I countered the English publication of Dainik Bhaskar twice. Firstly, it was English Bhaskar and the last was National Mail. Both were closed after a short span of launch.
In your opinion what is your best ever story/report?
I consider the Exposure of corruption of fertilizer subsidy is my best ever story. There were long impacts of this exposure. Another story was of Bhopal Riots, which out broke in the city after the incident of Babri Masjid demolition. It ultimately exposed the inability of system. A story on mining conditions in the Sate was another storming reporting.
What is your pet beat in reporting?
Accountability is my beloved beat in reporting and I think it is the basic of journalism.
Do you favour sting operations to expose corruption?
No, not et al. I think it is an unethical way to expose corruption. I support trapping for the desired result instead of making a drama like situation.
You are a permanent resident of this beautiful city. How much change you have witnessed in the city of Bhopal?
Everyone, who was in the position to take decisions, captured some plots in the city. There was a Zamin Harpo Movement like situation. No one is talking about the problems.
Something about your family?
My father was a freedom fighter. After independence, he served in different departments of the Government of India, Govt of MP, and other autonomous bodies with different posts.
Anything special would you like to share with me (readers)?
I am a lover of Music of all kinds.
Something which others don’t know about you?
To become a Pilot was my dream. Although, today I know to fly the plane but it was my dream to become a professional pilot in my young age.
Thank You Very Much Sir.

Published in

mynews.in

March 16, 2008

Monday 3 March 2008

युवा पत्रकारों का नजरिया पुराने पत्रकारों से अलग...पी.पी.सिंह


देश को कई युवा पत्रकार के साथ अच्‍छे इंसान देने वाले पुष्पेंद्र पाल सिंह किसी पहचान के मोहताज नहीं हैं। शिक्षा व मीडिया जगत में पीपी सिंह के नाम से मशहूर श्री सिंह वर्त्तमान में माखनलाल चतुर्वेदी राष्ट्रीय पत्रकारिता एवं संचार विश्वविद्यालय, भोपाल के पत्रकारिता विभाग के अध्यक्ष हैं। परिवर्तन में रूचि रखने वाले श्री सिंह का मानना है कि बदलाव समय की मांग होती है। श्री सिंह मानते हैं कि नए कौशल, नए ट्रेंड्स, प्रस्तुतीकरण का स्टाइल और बाज़ार की ओर देखने का युवा पत्रकारों का नजरिया पुराने पत्रकारों से अलग होने के कारण युवा पत्रकारों ने पुराने लोगों को काफी पीछे छोड़ दिया है। मीडिया से ऐसी जुड़ी कई बातों पर सिद्वार्थ भारद्वाज ने उनसे विशेष चर्चा की। प्रस्तुत है चर्चा के प्रमुख अंश :


अक्सर यह देखा जाता है कि पत्रकारिता संस्‍थानों में पढ़ाई करने के दौरान छात्र काफी उत्साही होते हैं। परन्तु जब वो किसी मीडिया संस्थान में आते हैं तो उन्हें निराशा हाथ लगती है। कौन जिम्मेदार है इसके लिए ?


इसमें दोनों पक्ष हैं। सारे संस्थान भी अच्छे नही हैं। सभी जगह सभी संसाधन उपलब्ध नहीं हैं। बहुत सारे संस्थान बहुत ही पुराने ढर्रे पर अभी भी चल रहे हैं। लेकिन महत्वपूर्ण है की ख़ुद का विश्लेषण ईमानदारी से करें। तुलना करने का प्रयास न करें। यदि करें तो अन्तर जाने। मीडिया संस्थानों में कौशल मायने रखता है इसलिए इसमे बहुत सारी बाते है जो किसी छात्र को एक सफल पत्रकार बनाता है। आवश्यक कौशल से लैस आदमी को कहीं कोई दिक्कत नही होती। समाचार की अच्छी समझ, भाषा का ज्ञान, सामान्य अध्ययन पर पकड़, तकनीकी रुप से सक्षम और बेहतर प्रस्तुतीकरण के गुण- जिनके पास यह सब है उन्हें कोई दिक्कत नही है।

पत्रकारिता में जेनेरेशन गैप के बारे में बहुत कुछ बोला जाता है। इस बारे में आप क्या सोचते हैं ?


पत्रकारिता में जेनेरेशन गैप के बारे में आमतौर पर केवल वैचारिक भिन्नता की बात की जाती है। पर इसके साथ साथ और भी बिन्दु हैं जैसे नए कौशल (खास तौर पर कंप्यूटर पर पकड़), नए ट्रेंड्स, प्रस्तुतीकरण का स्टाइल और बाज़ार की ओर देखने का दोनों का अलग अलग नजरिया। इन सब कारकों ने पुराने लोगों को काफी पीछे छोड़ दिया है यही वास्तविकता है। एक महत्वपूर्ण बात जो इसी से जुड़ी है वो यह की इन सभी कारको ने अनुभव की महत्ता को भी दरकिनार कर दिया है।
युवाओं की अति महत्वाकांक्षा को आप किस रूप में देखते हैं ?


देखिए वैश्वीकरण का प्रभाव सभी क्षेत्रों में पड़ा है और पत्रकारिता इससे अछूती नहीं है। समय से पहले ज्यादा पाने की ललक इसी का का नतीजा है। युवाओं में नए प्रयोग करने की क्षमता ज्यादा होती है जिसकी आज मांग है। यह भी उनके आगे आने का एक सफल पक्ष है।
ऐसा देखा जाता है की आज के युवा पत्रकार बहुत जल्दी जल्दी अपने संगठनो को बदलते हैं। शुरूआती स्तर पर भी। इसके कई कारण हो सकते हैं पर क्या यह भी महत्‍वाकांक्षा की पराकाष्ठा की श्रेणी में नही आता ?


महत्वपूर्ण यह है की जीवन का लक्ष्य क्या है- पत्रकार बनना या पैसा कमाना। जहाँ तक संगठन छोड़ने की बात है तो मेरा मानना है की यह कई कारकों पर निर्भर होता है। इसे केवल एक दृष्टिकोण से नही देखा जा सकता है।
हिन्दी पत्रकारिता में आजकल बूम जैसी स्थिति दिख रही है। क्या भविष्य देखते हैं आने वाले समय की पत्रकारिता की ?


बेशक हिन्दी पत्रकारिता बढ़ी है और मेरे हिसाब से अभी यह विकास आने वाले कुछ समय तक बना रहेगा। यह बूम बाज़ार में प्रतियोगिता को भी बढ़ा रहा है जो पाठकों के में हित में ही है।
आप तो लगभग दस वर्षों से पत्रकारिता से जुड़े हुए हैं। कैसे देखते हैं इस सफर को ?


मैं जिस दौर में पत्रकारिता के क्षेत्र में आया वो निश्चितत तौर पर बदलाव का एक युग था। देश में नब्बे के दशक के बाद एक नया माहौल अग्रसर था। ऐसे में नई चुनौतियों के साथ सफर करना अपने आप एक अच्छा अनुभव रहा है।
समय के साथ बदलना कितना मुश्किल और कितना आसान रहा ?


बदलाव समय की मांग होती है। जहाँ तक मेरा सवाल है तो मैं परिवर्तन में रूचि रखता हूँ। एक बात जो मेरे दौर के लिए और मेरे पेशे के लिए महत्वपूर्ण थी वो यह की यहाँ सिर्फ़ नोलेज की ही बात नही थी बल्कि स्किल, विजन, विकास और भविष्य के साथ सामंजस्य भी समय की मांग थी। मेरे लिए यह सब चुनौती से ज्यादा रुचिकर रहा। सही कहूं तो बदलाव उतना मुश्किल नहीं है बशर्ते आप इसे रोजमर्रा की जिंदगी से अलग जीना चाहते हों। दिक्कत तभी आती है जब आप परिवर्तन के शौकीन न हों।
हाल में दो हिन्दी बिजनेस अख़बार बाज़ार में आए हैं। इस पर आप क्‍या कहेंगे ?


यह बाज़ार की मांग है और एक बढ़िया कदम उठा है। मेरे विचार में यह सफल रहेगा और आने वाले समय में प्रतियोगिता बढेगी।

हाल में सरकार द्वारा पत्रकारों को नागरिक सम्मान से नवाजे जाने पर यह बात सामने आई की कि ऐसा नही होना चाहिए। क्या मानना है आपका ?


यदि कोई व्यक्ति उल्लेखनीय कार्य करता है तो उसे सम्मान देने में मेरे ख्याल से कोई बुराई नही है। हाँ ऐसे मुद्दों पर निष्पक्षता बरती जानी चाहिए बस। इस बार जिन्हें भी सम्मान दिया गया है वो सभी निर्विवाद हैं।
Published on

bolhalla.blogspot.com

March 03, 2008

Saturday 16 February 2008

जनसंचार का एक सशक्त माध्यम है विज्ञापन

लोकतंत्र में मीडिया की भूमिका काफी अहम मानी जाती है। प्रेस को लोकतंत्र के तीन स्तंभों- विधायिका, कार्यपालिका और न्यायपालिका के अलावा एक चौथे स्तंभ के रूप में माना जाता है। भारत जैसे विकासशील देश में प्रेस की भूमिका तब और बढ़ जाती है, जब यहाँ की एक बड़ी आबादी आज भी राष्ट्रीय मीडिया से अपनी पहचान नही बना पायी है। दूसरे शब्दों में मीडिया यहाँ अभी तक पूर्ण रूप से विकसित नहीं हो पाई है।

मीडिया का मुख्य कार्य है समाज से जुडे विभिन्न मुद्दों को लोगों के सामने रखना। साथ ही मीडिया स्वयं में इतना बड़ा विषय है कि इस पर काफी कुछ लिखा जाता रहा है। विशेषज्ञता के इस युग मीडिया और जनसंचार एक अलग एवं स्वतंत्र विधा है। पत्रकारिता और जनसंचार से जुडी कुछ आधारभूत बातों को समेटते हुए तरुण प्रकाशन द्वारा प्रकाशित नयी पुस्तक "जनसंचार एवं पत्रकारिता" इस कड़ी में एक नया अध्याय है।

प्रस्तुत पुस्तक में जनसंचार के चार प्रमुख माध्यमो- प्रिंट, रेडियो, टीवी और इंटरनेट की विस्तारपूर्वक चर्चा की गयी है. इन प्रत्येक माध्यमों पर विस्तार से चर्चा के लिए एक-एक अध्याय एक-एक माध्यमों पर केंद्रित हैं. इस अध्यायपूर्वक चर्चा में विज्ञापन को भी एक ताक़तवर जनसंचार का माध्यम मानते हुए लेखक ने अलग से एक अध्याय में इसकी व्याख्या की है. वैसे सबसे विस्तार से टीवी पर लिखा गया है।

विज्ञापन का व्यापक प्रभाव समझाते हुए लेखक प्रभात रंजन कहते हैं की "अगर विज्ञापन की विधा का सकारात्मक उपयोग किया जाय तो निश्चित रूप से आशातित परिणाम देखे जा सकते हैं"।

हालांकि प्रभात रंजन पत्रकारिता के क्षेत्र में मात्र दस साल पुराने हैं. परन्तु इतने कम समय में इन्होने कई पुस्तकों का लेखन कार्य किया है। वर्त्तमान पुस्तक "जनसंचार एवं पत्रकारिता" के अलावा उनकी अन्य उल्लेखनीय पुस्तकें हैं- ब्रेकिंग न्यूज़ (पुण्य प्रशून वाजपेयी के साथ बातचीत पर आधारित), एंकर रिपोर्टर (सहलेखन) और टेलीविजन लेखन (सहलेखन)।

इस पुस्तक में वर्त्तमान में चल रहे कुछ महत्वपूर्ण मुद्दों- जैसे की इंटरनेट का बढ़ता प्रभाव और इसका भविष्य तथा स्टिंग ऑपरेशन की समाज में भूमिका को भी पाठकों को समझाने की कोशिश की गयी है. स्टिंग ऑपरेशन और मीडिया की नैतिकता को भी छुआ गया है। साथ ही आचार संहिता को लेकर भारत सरकार की प्रस्तावित प्रसारण विनियमन विधेयक पर भी संक्षिप्त में चर्चा की गई है।

जनसंचार और पत्रकारिता से जुड़े समस्त पहलुओं की जानकारी उपलब्ध करवाने के उद्देश्य से लिखी इस पुस्तक में पारंपरिक पहलुओं के साथ-साथ नए माध्यमों की बखूबी चर्चा की गयी है। इस विषय के विभिन्न पाठ्यक्रमों से जुडी बारीक़ से बारीक़ बात को समझने के लिए यह किताब काफी उपयोगी सिद्ध होगा।

नौ अध्यायों में बटी 144 पृष्ठों वाली यह किताब विशेषकर जनसंचार एवं पत्रकारिता की पढ़ाई कर रहे विद्यार्थियों के लिए लिखा गया है. लेकिन मीडिया के क्षेत्र में रूचि रखने वाले किसी भी पाठक के लिए यह उपयोगी सिद्ध होगी। किताब बहुत ही सरल भाषा में है. साथ ही स्पष्ट और छोटे वाक्यों में लिखा होने के कारण पाठक में रूचि बनाये रखता है।
पुस्तक समीक्षा


पुस्तक - जनसंचार एवं पत्रकारिता
लेखक - प्रभात रंजन
प्रकाशन - तरुण प्रकाशन, गाजियाबाद
मूल्य -300 रूपये
कुल पृष्ठ संख्या - 144

Published in

Navbharat, Bhopal

(Ravivari)

February 17, 2008

& Also on:

Merikhabar.com

February 15, 2008

Saturday 9 February 2008

Reporting News;Media should avoid loaded language:Coughlin

Bhopal: Mainstream journalists play a major role in the protection and maintenance of communal harmony in a multicultural society. Media should avoid the culturally loaded language, opines Kathryn M Coughlin (pictured in thumb), President, Global Research Group, a US-based think-tank on the Islamic World.

Generally, media don’t give proper coverage for peaceful news. Instead it gives more coverage to the news related with violence and communal disharmony”, Kathryn said while delivering a lecture on “Mutual Sharing in Multicultural Democracy” on Friday in the city. The lecture was organized by Department of Journalism, Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism & Communication, Bhopal.

Citing the examples of Danish Cartoon controversy and Macedonian election coverage in the media, Coughlin said that media didn’t followed ethical values while reporting these happenings.

“The election coverage of Macedonia by media was just like a civil war reporting and amazingly peace march of Baghdad on prophet cartoon controversy was not news worthy for The New York Times or The Washington Post”, she mentioned.

Meanwhile, emphasizing the religious dissonance in the contemporary society, the US citizen mentioned that “politicians are also responsible for communal division of the society at some extent”.

“They merely talk about communal division because it is hard for them to talk on bigger issues like development, health and education”, she added.

Warning the people regarding the role played by media, Coughlin further said that media can even misguide people on some wider issues.

The American Center Mumbai cultural affairs specialist Tasneem Kalsekar was also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Pushpendra Pal Singh, Head, Department of Journalism, Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism & Communication, Bhopal welcomed the guests. A large number of students were present in the function and they were asking some relevant questions to Coughlin.

Published in
MyNews.in

Saturday 2 February 2008

Writing News: Film City in MP

Indore: The ambitious project to establish a Film City in the State of Madhya Pradesh may become a reality very soon. The State government is interested in the development of such a project. The statement regarding this came in public on Friday morning by Shatrughan Sinha, Member of Parliament.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the International Film Festival on Tribal Art and Culture (IFFTAC-2008) at the famous Gandhi Hall of Indore City noted film actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha announced about his ambitious project to establish a film city in the State.

This is the first time that Sinha has made public announcement regarding his project.

“I have talked to the honorable Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today in morning and I am glad to announce it officially that soon there would a film city in the State”, Sinha said.

“It would be the first ever Film City of Madhya Pradesh,” he added.

Regarding the location of project Shotgun said that probably it would be developed at the outskirts of Bhopal or at any nearby place. He further thanked Chouhan for his interest in the ambitious project.

Emphasizing on the importance of Tribal arts and culture cine star said that Tribal themes will get adequate attention while developing a film in the coming Film City.

It is a well known fact that Sinha is much interested to establish a Film City in Madhya Pradesh and a detailed plan regarding this project has been submitted before the government for consideration.

Kunwar Vijay Shah, Minister, Tribal Wefare and Kailash Vijayvargiya, Minister, Information Technology apart from cine star Randhir Kapoor were also present on the occasion।

Published in

MyNews.in
Feb 02, 2008

Thursday 24 January 2008

The Great Indian Visit

The ongoing Australian tour of Indian cricket team would be remembered in the history of Indian sports forever. Exactly, not only for the India’s victory over the World Champion Australia and for controversy arose between the BCCI and Cricket Australia on the issue of alleged racial comment by Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh. But certainly there are some other memorable events and happening of Australia, which have been registered in the history of game. These would be remembered by all fans of sport everlastingly.

There is no doubt that the current tour of Team India would be remembered evermore by all that the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the removal of Steve Buckner from the Test series. Buckner, who holds a strong position in the elite panel of Umpires of ICC, was excluded from the Perth Test match. Certainly it happened due to strong confrontation by the Indian cricket management. It is considered that there was heavy pressure put up by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which propelled the ICC to reach at this decision.

The Indian media and foreign media both said strong capital holding of BCCI was the main reason behind this decision. Certainly, India holds 70 percent of the total revenue generated from the game of Cricket all over the world. So, it’s quit natural that by giving a threat to withdraw the ongoing tour of Team India to the world’s smallest continent made a headache for the ICC.

This tour would be remembered for another reason. The Indian management withdrew a case against the Australian player Hogg. It was earlier filed by the management in a strong reaction of a petition filed by the Cricket Australia for a racial comment by Harbhajan Singh to Andrew Symonds. India’s stand to withdraw the case has been highly appreciated by the international community. It sent a message that how bigger India’s heart is. Really it was a major decision for India and consequently it showed its greatness. This initiative also showed that India has a sport spirit.

Of course, India made a history by winning the Perth Test. This victory is being considered as a landmark in the Indian cricket history. “It is one of the best victory of my life”, said Indian skipper Anil Kumble after Indian victory.

Perth’s pitch is regarded as the fastest pitch of the world. Additionally, this ground is also considered as the safest fort for Australian team. But India proved that it can challenge the three times World Champion at its own ground.

By this victory India just stopped Australia to make a history of 17th consecutive win once again. Earlier, it was the pitch of Eden Garden Stadium of Kolkata in the year of 2002, when India ruined the Australian dream to become the first Team in the World to make a history of seventeen consecutive win.

Another sweet memory of the ongoing tour is the achievement of Kumble. The Great Indian Spinner became the first Indian to take six hundred wickets in the Test cricket.

An extra point of sweet memory with this tour is related with master blaster Sachin Tendulakar. After such a long time Sachin made a century at the ground of Australia. Actually, he was suffering from a series of nervous ninety for a long time. But Australia became lucky for Sachin and he played a fine game.

For the first time, Australian team is facing so much criticism from domestic media. Many experts have clearly commented that Australia has no more supremacy over the game.

At last it may be said that it does not matter that whether India wins the series in Australia or not. What matters is that there are so many memories associated with this tour, which will remain with us without end.

First Published at
MSN India
January 23, 2008

MSN India - Contribute

Wednesday 23 January 2008

Opinion in TIMES ONLINE

TIMES ONLINE

From The Times

January 19, 2008

Australia fall short of historic victory
Times Online and Agencies

Have your say

Is it only the Team India, who can challange the World Champion? The Perth Test victory proves yes. Now the English Team should take a lesson and more importantly should learn from India how to beat Australian Team.

Siddharth Kumar, Bhopal, India

We Are Pluralists !

The recent controversy over the issue of stay of famous laureate Salman Rushdie at the residence of Godrej family in Mumbai can not be termed as a characteristic of a plural society like India. The world class writer is now facing a new controversy. Although controversy and Rushdie have a good relations always but this time it is not due to his writing or girlfriend but for staying at the house of his friend in Mumbai.

The All India Ulema Council has warned the Mumbai based top industrialist Adi Godrej to apologize for hosting the controversial writer. Maulana Mehmood Daryabadi, general secretary of Council has made a statement openly that Muslim community should boycott all the products of Godrej Company if Godrej fails to apologize on the issue. According to Daryabadi, the businessman has not cared about the sentiments of the Muslim community living in the country.

It is known to all that in the year of 1989 Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the then supreme religious leader of Iran pronounced a fatwa (religious edict) against Rushdie, which called on Muslims to kill him for his novel “The Satanic Verses”.

It was the blessings of Queen Elizabeth and her government that the writer got a safe place to live in the United Kingdom. Again Rushdie became controversial, when he was awarded for a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth. This again angered the Iran and Pakistan.

Apart from Rushdie there is another controversial Muslim writer, who was also in the mainline media recently. This is none other that famous Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen. The presence of exiled writer in India has sparked riots by Muslims offended by her books and controversial statements. She has been forced to live in a secret security facility in New Delhi. Earlier, she was living in Kolkata. It is a fact that wherever she goes for her speeches or readings of her poems or novel, Muslims have protested. Be it Bhopal or Hyderabad.

The basic issue is how much we are tolerable? These happenings ask that is it the real characteristic of a plural Indian society?

We have a culture of “Atithi Devo Bhava” for a long time. The Indian society has always given due respect to its all guests. Why not in current time? Why people are going to issue such a warning against our own people.

More importantly, Rushdie was born in Mumbai and he has spent his earlier days in the city. Likewise, many Bangladeshi migrants are living in India with full citizenship status then why people think in some other ways for these intellectuals.

One point, which is worth to mention here is the issue of Muslims of different countries. The question is whether the Muslims of Britain different from the Muslims living in India, Pakistan or Iran are different. After all they all are Muslims and follow the similar teachings of Prophet Muhammad and also the same Allah and Quoran.

And if the Muslim community along with others in the United Kingdom can live together with such a controversial writer then why not the Muslims of India, Pakistan, Iran or any other nation. After all, we have a long culture of pluralistic society.


Published in
The Central Chronicle, Bhopal
January 21, 2008

And The Bharat Ratna Goes To...

The current controversy among the different political parties of India on the issue of Bharat Ratna shows that how much our political leaders are aware about the image of the highest civilian award of the nation. Firstly, the letter of Lal Krishna Advani, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, to recommend the name of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the Bharat Ratna was an unusual way of recommendation.

According to the norms a high level committee decides that who should be conferred with the highest civilian award of the nation. This high level committee comprises the leader of opposition as a member with other members. So, the recommendation of A B Vajpayee by L K Advani is not an explicable step.

If a member of selection committee recommends a person and more importantly before the national media the trustworthiness of the selection committee itself comes under the suspicion. Generally, the names for the Bharat Ratna are announced on the eve of the Republic Day. For the last six years this award has been not conferred to any one. Noted playback singer Lata Mangeshkar and Shahnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan were the last persons, who were conferred with this highly prestigious award in the year of 2001.

It is expected that Advani’s remark that Vajpayee has a great contribution in the politics of the nation and that he has successfully handled a coalition government of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) was aimed to get the favour of the highest regarded leader of the party. Moreover, it will also strengthen the candidature of Advani as the Prime Minister among the party workers by winning the hearts of the soft-liner of the organization.

On the other hand, apart from BJP all other political parties started to suggest a name for the award. Some leaders like Rambilas Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) have suggested three names- Jotiba Phule, Jagjivanram and famous singer Mohammad Rafi. Similarly, former Bihar Chief Minister and the Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav has also suggested the name of former Bihar Chief Minister Karpuri Thakur. Earlier he has given his consent on the name of veteran left leader Jyoti Basu for the same.

The campaign for name suggestion does not end here. Ajit Singh of Rashtriya Lok Dal demanded Bharat Ratna for his father and former Prime Minister Devi Lal. Chandrashekhar’s name is also in the race. Further Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Ms Mayawati has also demanded the Ratna for Kanshiram, founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and a great dalit thinker. Southern leader M. Karunanidhi’s name is also in the wish list.

It has been alleged by the different political parties that only congress leaders are not entitled to receive the prestigious award. In the past, many national leaders, who hail from the Congress Party, have been awarded with Ratna. In history, there are two Prime Ministers namely Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, who were conferred with the Bharat Ratna by their own signature.

Meanwhile, against the backdrop of various names being suggested for Bharat Ratna, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said there is still time to take a decision on the issue. Now the time will tell us who will be conferred with the highest civilian award of the nation. But one thing is very clear here that politicization of such issue makes no sense and importantly the dignity and credibility of the award looses among the common people.

Thank God, till now our political leaders are not interested at the global level regarding the conferment of awards. But, no one knows the political parties of India may begin lobbying for the Nobel Prize for their leaders.

Published
MSN India
January 19, 2008

Monday 21 January 2008

Reporting the News

The biggest users of RTI are Government employees: Kejariwal

Bhopal: The Government officials file the majority of applications received by the Central Information Commission (CIC) under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. The cases of promotion, salary, transfer and related matters come in huge number before the Commission for hearing. These facts have been made public by O. P. Kejiriwal, member, Central Information Commission, New Delhi.

"Eighty per cent of applications filed before the CIC are from Government officials, either serving or retired", said the Central Information Commissioner.

Kejiriwal emphasized that the RTI Act, passed by the Parliament of India in the year 2005, overrides all the existing Acts of the land, even the Officials Secrets Act, 1923.

"The applicants should file in very short and crispy application instead of detailed description in order to save the time of Commission and the applicant himself/herself", Kejiriwal appealed.

The Information Commissioner was speaking at a Media Workshop organized on Right to Information at the Academy of Administration, Bhopal on Saturday. It was organized by Department of Journalism, Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism & Communication, Bhopal.

Speaking on the occasion Chief Information Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh State Information Commission, P. P. Tiwari said that there is a greater need of awareness among the people regarding this right.

“In coming days the facility to file an application through telephone under the RTI would be possible through out the country”, he said.

Although the Act has empowered the people at great extent but still there are so many hindrances in this regard, Tiwari added.

Comparing the functions of Central Information Commission with the Press Council of India, another major institution established by the act of Parliament, Achyutanand Mishra, a veteran Journalist and the Vice-Chancellor of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism & Communication said, “Unlike the PCI, the CIC is empowered with the penalty chagrining authority”.


Published in

MyNews.in

January 21, 2008

Tuesday 15 January 2008

'कागजी शेर' नहीं है बीसीसीआई

भारत और ऑस्ट्रेलिया के बीच चल रहे वर्तमान टेस्ट क्रिकेट श्रृंखला से अंपायर स्टीव बकनर का हटाया जाना क्रिकेट की दुनिया का एक बहुत ही अहम और दूरगामी फैसला है। दरअसल, अंतर्राष्ट्रीय क्रिकेट परिषद (आईसीसी) ने यह फैसला दबाव में लिया है। परिषद पर भारतीय क्रिकेट कंट्रोल बोर्ड (बीसीसीआई) की तरफ से काफी दबाव था और इस फैसले के अलावा शायद परिषद के पास और कोई चारा भी नहीं था, जिससे वह क्रिकेट की अपनी सर्वोच्च संस्था होने की साख बनाए रख पाती।

भारत में क्रिकेट की सर्वोच्च संस्था बीसीसीआई ने यह मन बना लिया था कि यदि आईसीसी ने भारत के आरोपी खिलाड़ी हरभजन सिंह को यदि अगले टेस्ट मैच में खेलने से रोक दिया तो वह अपनी टीम को बीच दौरे से ही स्वदेश बुला लेगी। बीसीसीआई के इस अकडू रवैये ने आईसीसी को झुका दिया।

वास्तव में भारतीय क्रिकेट कंट्रोल बोर्ड के प्रभाव पीछे कई कारक हैं। इन सभी कारकों में सबसे प्रमुख है पूंजी का प्रभाव। आज की तारीख में बीसीसीआई के पास क्रिकेट की दुनिया की पूंजी का लगभग 70 फीसदी हिस्सा है। जाहिर है यदि इस श्रृंखला से भारतीय टीम वापस भी आ जाती तो बोर्ड को अपनी आय के बारे में कोई खास फिक्र नहीं होती ।

दूसरी तरफ, आईसीसी यह नही चहती कि भारतीय टीम दौरे के बीच से वापस चली जाए। इसके तो दूरगामी परिणाम हो सकते थे-एक तो यह कि भारतीय टीम भविष्य में भी आस्ट्रेलियाई टीम से खेलने से मना कर दे और दूसरी यह कि बीसीसीआई, आईसीसी से ही बाहर हो जाये।

इन दोनों ही परिस्थितियों के घटने की संभावना को एक सिरे से खरिज नहीं किया जा सकता था, परन्तु इन दोनों ही परिस्थितियों में अंतत: पलड़ा भारत का ही भारी होता। अकेले भारतीय बोर्ड का क्रिकेट के बाजार के सत्तर फीसदी हिस्से पर कब्जा है और अभी तो इंडियन प्रीमियर लीग (आईपीएल) की बात भी चल रही है। जाहिर है आईसीसी ने परिस्थिति को भांपकर इस विवाद को टालने का सही फैसला किया।

एक बात जो यहां काफी महत्वपूर्ण है, वह है देश के गौरव का सवाल। पूरी भारतीय मीडिया ने इस पूरे प्रकरण को इतना तूल दिया कि भारतीय बोर्ड इस मुद्दे को दरकिनार ही नहीं कर सकता था। मीडिया ने इसे राष्ट्र-गौरव से जोड़कर दिखाया। लगभग सभी चैनलों और आखबरों ने इसे बड़ी ही प्रमुखता के साथ स्थान दिया। इसका नतीजा यह हुआ कि समूचे देश में इस बात पर एक बहस छिड़ गई। अंतत: बीसीसीआई ने भी विवाद के मुद्दे पर कड़ा रूख अख्तियार करते हुए अपनी बात को जोरदार ढ़ग से आईसीसी के सामने रखने की रणनीति बनाई।

मीडिया ने पूरी सक्रियता से इस पूरे प्रकरण को सामने रखा और देशभर में एक आम धारणा बनाने में कायम रही कि भारत को अम्पायरों ने हराया बल्कि एक कदम आगे बढ़ते हुए यहां तक कि बकनर बेईमान हैं।

एक और पक्ष जिसे इस प्रकरण के साथ ही जोर कर देखा जाना चाहिए वह है गोरे और काले प्रजाति का मुद्दा। दुनिया भर में क्रिकेट खेलने और देखने वालों का एक बहुत बड़ी आबादी भारतीय उपमहाद्वीप के चार देश-भारत, पाकिस्तान, बांग्लादेश और श्रीलंका में बसती है। भारत इस पूरे क्षेत्र का सबसे बड़ा और शक्‍ितशाली राष्ट्र है, साथ ही इसकी किक्रेट बोर्ड भी। सो कहीं-न-कहीं, बोर्ड पर अपनी शक्तियों का प्रयोग अपनी बात को जोरदार ढंग से कहने के लिए करे की जिम्मेदारी भी है, जिसे इस बार बीसीसीआई ने बखूबी किया है।

बहरहाल, अंत में यह कहा जा सकता है कि भारतीय किक्रेट बोर्ड केवल ''कागजी शेर' नहीं बल्कि वाकई दहाड़ने वाला शेर है और इस दहाड़ के पीछे है पैसों की खनक।

Published in

दैनिक नयी दुनिया

भोपाल

January 15, 2008

Monday 14 January 2008

"बापू के सपने"

बापू के सपने

हमने पाई आज़ादी
साठ (६०) बरस पहले,
तब बापू ने संजोये थे
कई सपने.

बरसों हमने कि मेहनत
और साकार किये सपने.

पर ज़ब दिल से पूछता हूँ…
कभी अकेले में,

तो आती है एक धीमी आवाज़,
हमारे नेताओं ने
और हमने
छोड दिए सोचना
न केवल
बापू के सपने
बल्कि सोचना
अपने सपने के भारत को भी


पूछता हूँ दिल से
क्या सच हो पाएंगे
कभी बापू के सपने
यदि हाँ भी
तो कब तक
कब तक ?


WRITTEN ON INDEPENDENCE DAY, 2007

दिल्ली

दिल्ली

दिल्ली है देश की राजधानी
दिल्ली है देश का दिल…..
ऐसा भी कहते हैं

क्योंकि बसी है यह
दिल्ली ऐसी
जैसा की शरीर में होता है

पर शायद
इसके अलावा भी कुछ है दिल्ली

मेरी नज़र में तो कुछ भी नही है दिल्ली

इस कुछ नही का मतलब है….
यह शहर नही कुछ और है

दरअसल, मेरी नज़र में दिल्ली है एक कालोनी
जी हाँ,
कई बड़ी कॉलोनियों से बना
एक मेगा कालोनी

क्योंकि ज़ब
दिल्ली की सड़कों से गुजरता हूँ

तब देखता हूँ बस
सड़क के चारों तरफ
छोटी-बड़ी, लम्बे-छोटे
केवल और केवल दीवारें

दीवारों
के ऊपर
लोहे की मज़बूत फेंसिंग
एक खत्म हुआ तो
दूसरी बाउंड्री शुरू हो जाती है

चारों तरफ से……….
बंद महसूस करता हूँ
इस मेगा कालोनी में

जब भी कभी …
उन्मुक्त छलांग लगाना चाहता हूँ
तो………
खुद को zakdaa महसूस करता हूँ
इस दिल्ली में.

दिलवालों कि है दिल्ली ?

दिलवालों कि है दिल्ली ?

कैसे कहते हैं..
कि
दिलवालों कि है दिल्ली

मुझे तो ऐसा लगता है
कि
अब दिल वालों (wall for Deewar) में ही कैद हो गए हैं
दिल्ली वालों कि

ठीक उसी तरह
जैसे
अनारकली कैद हो गयी थी ..
तब के बेरहम दीवारों में
जो अब वाल (दीवार) के नाम से भी जाने जाते हैं

कैसे कहते हैं
कि
दिलवालों कि है दिल्ली
यहाँ तो कोई सीधी मुह बात भी नही करता..
दिल से बात करने कि बात तो
दिल्ली दूर

दिलवालों को तो लुट लिया है
दिल्ली वालों ने

अब तो रईसों कि है दिल्ली
नेताओं कि है दिल्ली
ठेकेदारों कि है दिल्ली


नही तो पुलिस और अतान्क्बदियों कि है दिल्ली
खूबसूरत हसीनाओ कि है दिल्ली


पैसे वालों कि है दिल्ली
पैसे वालों कि है दिल्ली.

Friday 4 January 2008

Opinion in BBC Hindi.Com

January 03

BBCHindi.com आपकी राय महिलाओं के साथ बदसलूकी


आपकी राय

महिलाओं के साथ बदसलूकी

मुंबई में नए साल का स्वागत करने के लिए इकट्ठा हुए लोगों ने दो महिलाओं के साथ ही बदसलूकी कर डाली. वो महिलाएँ भी अपने मित्रों के साथ नए साल का स्वागत कर रही थीं और ख़बरों के अनुसार एक पाँच सितारा होटल के सामने लोगों के एक झुंड ने दो महिलाओं के कपड़े तक फाड़ डाले. इस तरह की घटनाएँ पहले भी होती रही हैं जो सवाल उठाती हैं कि अपनी भावनाओं को ज़ाहिर करने का किसे और किस हद तक अधिकार है. अपनी भावनाएँ या विचारधारा किसी और पर लादना किस हद तक जायज़ कहा जा सकता है? क्या इस तरह की घटनाएँ सुरक्षा की कमी दिखाती हैं या फिर लोगों में नैतिक मूल्यों की कमी?

प्रकाशित: 02/01/08 11:34 GMT टिप्पणियाँ
टिप्पणियों की संख्या:78
समय के हिसाब से
पाठकों की पसंद से

Added: 03/01/08 11:01 GMT

यह घटना शर्मनाक है.

Siddharth Kumar Bhopal, MP

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