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

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

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

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

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

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

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