Expressing what I feel....

Disaster struck Roadies

2008-10-07T08:20:00.007+05:30

This is my own experience with the disaster that happened at MTV Roadies 6.0 auditions in Delhi. I was one of the eye witnesses who saw the whole episode and learnt how smooth looking things turn violent within minutes. It was also visible that how impatient and vulnerable our youth has become. Despite all the efforts by MTV, it was a complete chaos.

Everything was going normal in the beginning. As it is a popular and India’s only adventure reality show, therefore, all aspiring roadies usually start lining up for the auditions night before. Hence, at around 9 -10 A.M. there were good enough people lined up for the auditions and this happens in every city wherever there are Roadies auditions. There are different kinds of people who come for Roadies. Everyone wants to be a roadie, however, some of them are those who seriously are aspiring roadies and have their focus on the auditions and interviews for selection. However, the percentage of these people is very low. Seriously. Believe me. That is what I have experienced. Major chunk are “Wanna Be” types. Their only motive is to have fun, play games, do hooting, shouting, passing comments, getting on camera and doing loud and senseless talks in group discussions. God forbid if they are along with those serious aspiring roadies then their chances for selection are gone because these “Wanna Be’s” will not let anyone speak and argue pointlessly resulting chaos in GD.

The issue is that this lot of non serious people is growing year by year. Everybody wants to be on camera and they can do everything for that. This affects not only other candidates but also to the whole management of MTV who has to manage the whole crowd at every city. Eventually it also wastes their time as they have to take auditions of each and every person who is there. Hence, not to forget, these people were enthusiastically involved in the incident that happened on 3rd October, 2008 at NCUI auditorium, Hauz Khas, Delhi. However, it also smells like it was a pre planned attack by some anti social elements but this kind of crowd also joined them in disrupting the activities. That’s why I said that the youth has become so vulnerable that anyone can take them anywhere by motivating them in a wrong way. It started with normal hooting and shouting like “Open the gates, take us in” which happens almost in every city. The only difference was that eventually it became out of control unlike other places. Some people were normally lined up in a long queue, however, others gradually started gathering near the entrance gate of the venue and started shouting slogans. After some time, some of them started jumping the gates and boundary walls and police was just looking at them with a very casual attitude. Police as they show in bollywood movies came into action when the disaster had happened. They were present near the gates and boundary walls, however, didn’t or should I say couldn’t stop the crowd to break the rules. Hence, eventually huge mob was inside the premises of auditorium and they were passing information to the crowd outside that the “Auditions have been cancelled and you can go home”. At that time, it was not the real situation that was portrayed by them. It might be done to create chaos among people outside and ignite them. Hence, they were succeeded in it. As a result, more people staring jumping gates and boundary walls and gathered in the premises and the situation was out of control. They started attacking anything that came in between. Broke glass doors, windowpanes, damaged Karizma bikes (installed just for the show), turned chairs upside down and even damaged elevator glasses. As a result the place was full of broken pieces of glasses and ripped roadies stationary like forms, stickers etc. along with hoardings and banners. Even after that MTV crew opened the doors for the auditorium and allowed people to come in and listen to their stand on the auditions. Gunjan (the host of the show), Vaibhav Vishal (Associate VP, Creative & Content, MTV) and other crew members addressed the crowd and requested them to be calm and clearly told them that even if MTV has to wait till 2 in the night they will take auditions. The only request they said they have is to be calm and as the auditorium hall was jam packed, therefore, start leaving the hall one by one so they can create a space and start the auditions process. However, despite their best efforts, crazy people didn’t listen to them and even attacked a crew member who was addressing the crowd. Within few minutes the crowd was out of control in the hall and created havoc. Around 40-50 people were gathered on the stage and damaged lights, tripods, cameras and countless other things. Again they started shouting and telling people to go home as no auditions will happen here.

Then came the icing on the cake, media. Who says they show news? They deliberately ignite people and create news and this was clearly visible over there. They were behaving like they are giving a chance to people to perform once they say action. Deliberately showing camera to angry mob so that they become more violent and do more destruction. Completely shameful. They didn’t even stop when police told them not to point camera towards the mob as by seeing camera they again get charged up and start doing nasty things. Long story short, media also helped these anti social elements to disrupt the activities. By the way, I even heard someone saying long time back when the crowd was outside the premises and people were waiting for their number “Its enough. Let’s call media”. Quite possible that it was pre planned and our gullible youth zealously participated in it.

Later, the auditions were formally cancelled and packing up activities started at the venue. However, some aspiring roadies were still there in a hope that the auditions might get started later in the evening or they can get some news about new audition dates. Not to forget, even at that time some funny people were turning up at the venue and analyzing the activities so that the auditions cannot start again. Finally, the pack up was done. MTV crew moved back. MTV’s website http://www.mtvindia.com/ was updated that the audition has been cancelled and new dates and venue will be announced. But Roadies crew must have learnt a lot from this episode. Next time I hope the things will be much more organized and controllable with proper security and a bigger venue as the current venue was too congested to handle such a huge turnout. Not to forget, people who disrupted activities over here will again try to do the same at new venue. They have to deal with it and that too with true ROADIES spirit. Best wishes to Raghu (Executive Producer, MTV Roadies) and I hope Roadies 6.0 will also be a success as the previous seasons of Roadies were.

Does anybody know about TIFF?

2008-09-12T06:19:00.006+05:30

I am sure that there will be a large percentage of people who do not even know that the 33rd Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is going on these days. Its not your fault and I will not blame you on that as you can only see what our media wants you to see. And they will show the thing which will increase their TRP. What do they have to do now with the modern day Gandhi Kiran Bedi? They hardly care about anything related to her. Again, is it only media or someone behind them? Well, what should I do? I can’t just stop looking at the incompetence of media and as a result mostly in every article of mine they make their place.

You must be thinking that what is the connection between TIFF and Kiran Bedi? Well, here the story unveils. The 33rd Toronto International Film Festival will screen the World Premiere of Yes Madam, Sir, a compelling feature-length documentary about the extraordinary life of India’s first female police officer, Kiran Bedi, known to many as the modern day Gandhi.

Written, directed and photographed solely by Australian filmmaker Megan Doneman, filmed over six years, edited from 500 hours of footage and often involving perilous international travel and situations. Academy Award winning actor Helen Mirren (The Queen) lends her commanding voice as narrator of the film and acclaimed composer Nathan Larson (2004 Cannes Film Festival Winner for The Woodsman) provides the score.

Asia Noble Prize winner, Bedi is adored by the masses and vilified by her critics. She has publicly fought high-level corruption, feudalistic bureaucracies and brutal opposition, all of which has come at great personal and professional cost. Yes Madam, Sir follows this remarkable humanitarian for six years, presenting her in the most intimate and revealing light.

Despite having no industry funding or crew to produce the project, Doneman traveled alone to India in 1999 on a mission to meet the woman she had first read about when she was just 13 years of age. Attracted to Bedi’s extraordinary courage and intrigued by the inherent contradictions in her character, Doneman’s desire was to produce a world-class documentary that would profile Bedi in the most probing style possible.

Even being robbed of her every possession on an overnight train to Delhi would not stop this auteur from realizing her vision. Bedi, who had spent her life trying to achieve the impossible, was instantly intrigued as to how this young filmmaker was going to pull off the task. Already approached by many esteemed filmmakers, Bedi agreed to allow Doneman to exclusively tell her story. Filming began in 2001; an intensive process which saw Doneman assume the role of writer, director, producer, cinematographer, sound recordist and editor.

As the size and significance of the project grew, private investors offered financial assistance. This enabled Doneman to complete the final stages of the production with the quality and integrity that she has pursued throughout her many years of experience in the film industry. Doneman soon found herself a participant in a journey that had grown in scale more quickly than she could have envisaged.

Assisted by additonal editor Annie Collins (The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King), Doneman sifted through countless reels of footage to produce the resulting masterpiece Yes Madam, Sir. The film has been selected to screen in the much coveted opening weekend of the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. It is part of the Festival’s Real to Reel program, showcasing this year’s Top 20 finest non-fiction films in the world. You can get more information about the event at http://www.tiff08.ca/.

Along with that, I promise that next time I will make a conscious effort not to indulge our media in it. But again, if the story in any way would be related to them then it would be bound to happen again. And if that would be the case then I apologize for it in advance.

Aamchi Mumbai!! Aamcha Maharashtra!!!

2008-09-12T06:07:00.002+05:30

As we all know that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray recently threatened shopowners to put up signage in Marathi language by August 28. Local Don said “My deadline was set to expire on August 14 but as the Municipal Commissioner has given an August 28 deadline, we will treat this as the ultimatum for putting up Marathi nameplates.” And it doesn't stop here...“By August you have to decide which would be a cheaper option, having Marathi nameplates or having your shop”. The violence at a shop opposite the police commisionerate is fresh in the minds of many shop owners. One of them who chose to speak up is now taking stock of his loss.

After that evening's chaos, shopkeepers seem uncomfortable to speak on camera. But many agree that they would rather toe the line than face the consequences of being defiant. And so, the change was visible on the streets of Mumbai. As the deadline approached shopkeepers were making sure they do not become targets of this political drama. However, the state was quick to give its assurance. Yet many prefer a quick change than wait for help after the damage is done.

Now what do you call it? Does this mean this person will do whatever he likes and we the people have to obey him? Isn't there anyone to take any strong action against him? What happened after the so called actions that were taken against him? Does he want to divide India on the lines of states of origin? He still speaks aloud in open grounds and challenges people for one on one. Everyone knows about the "gundagardi" of his party members. Then why noone is taking an action against him? Are they scared of something or are they also involved in it? Well, there are many questions that rise in my mind but God knows when I will find the answers.

He shouldn’t forget that it took the efforts of one man, better known as the iron man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to integrate the erstwhile 600 princely states into one dominion, India. Is Raj’s agenda to again disintegrate India - at least his idea of Jai Maharashtra, makes one believe so. If he really wants to be a national political figure and command respect, shouldn’t his slogan be “Jai Bharat”?

Maharashtra is an integral part of India. Any Indian or for that matter any foreigner, with correct antecedents has the right to work and earn a living in Maharashtra as long as the person is contributing to the nation (and not just Maharashtra). However, it seems that Raj Thackeray, either doesn’t have the political finesse or is incompetent to deal with issues that are much more serious than this trivial issue.

What has he done for the farmers committing suicide in Maharashtra and Gujarat? Or, since he is more concerned about Maharashtra, at least for the farmers in Maharashtra? What has he done about the welfare of the Maharashtrians?

His sympathizers might say that he doesn’t have the power. But is Raj fit enough to be given the power, with his evident play of divisive politics? His acerbic tirade against the icon of Indian cinema, Amitabh Bachchan, cast aspersions against Raj’s frame of mind? His question is what has Amitabh Bachchan done for Maharashtra? The writer’s question is what have you done for Maharashtra, Raj Thackeray? With the photos of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s activists rioting, vandalising and spreading hooliganism in Dadar area in Mumbai, are you really concerned about Maharashtra? The damage to public property means additional expenditure for Maharashtra’s government to resurrect it, are you ready to pay for the damage to the government. Moreover, are you really a well wisher of Maharashtra? What about your alleged irregularity of funds in Kohinoor Mills’ deal?

Lastly, how can Maharashtrians even think of giving you an electoral mandate, when you, in a cowardly act (universally condemned), send your activists (or hooligans) to throw bottles at Amitabh Bachchan’s house? With the conscience of most of the politicians dead in this age of power, fame and wealth, it will indeed be heartening to see, if this letter touches your conscience somewhat and renders an apology from you, for your unpardonable divisive act targeted at our secular nation, India.

Are we paying for this shit??? - Part 2

2008-09-12T05:47:00.003+05:30

Continued from… Are we paying for this shit??? - Part 1

Zero Credibility

For me the credibility of these media channels has come down to zero and I have stopped believing in any news they show. One of the reasons is that even if they show a true story then that also would be shown in their own way with full of flavors. They will present it in such a way that it attracts more & more people and in turn increase their TRP. Hence, the core news loses its authenticity. I will not even hesitate in saying the revolutionary words that no news on these media channels is completely true these days. This includes the channels in question and not all media. Now I sometimes think that a decade before our very own “Delhi Doordarshan” times were the best when there were only news and no nonsense. These news channels are testing our patience and making people mentally ill. This issue needs to be dealt effectively and genuinely.

These media channels should be banned till the time they show sensible and true stories and most importantly in a proper manner. They have completely lost their mind and showing whatever they want. Freedom of expression does not mean that you can show anything that comes up in your mind and that too on a national platform. Especially when the thing you are showing firstly, is a complete fiction, secondly, triggers an uncalled fear in public and thirdly, play with our emotions and beliefs. Everyone knows what they did in Aarushi’s murder case and many others for that matter. Referring to the media coverage of the much-reported Aarushi Talwar murder case, Minister for information and broadcasting (I&B) Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said, "I am keeping a close watch on TV coverage and media should take lessons from the way it covered the case." Supreme Court as well as the Government were critical of media's role in the manner of the twin murder case was covered. They have problem with everything. They have problem if the police is not disclosing their secrets to them and they even have problems once police have solved the case. They put unjustified pressure on the investigating agencies and purposely infuriate people by showing that they are doing nothing. Without knowing the facts they start their trial on the person and make him/her an accused of a crime. I mean, who the hell are they to do so? Who have given them these powers? On what basis they are running their own trial courts? And most importantly, why is not anybody stopping them?

Chief Justice’s reaction
Even our supreme court Chief Justice Mr. K.G. Balakrishnan has himself mentioned in one of his programs that “media trial” of pending cases is a wrong practice. In his words, the tendency of newspapers and news channels to carry unverified reports posed a danger to a free and fair constitutional judicial process. The manner in which “the modern media and telecommunications” intruded into a person’s life and caused embarrassing and damaging publicity, if left unchecked, would become “alarming.” The media trial, conveying public opinion in favour of one side or the other, particularly in criminal matters, had become increasingly frequent in recent times. Even before the court trial began, the accused was being shown as guilty.

This questioned the very premise on which the judicial system was based — the right of every party involved in a court proceeding to have his case adjudicated in a free, fair and unbiased manner.

Justice Balakrishnan also mentioned that the media were a sentinel of democratic freedom. It was the responsibility of every person associated with the media to act responsibly with a sense of duty towards society and the nation. In fact, journalists were “vigilant watchdogs of civil liberties.” The right of the media to report court proceedings emanated from the right of the citizen to know. The media also had the duty to report fairly, objectively and accurately. He said the media should be wary of allowing itself to become a vehicle for exerting “mass pressure” as opposed to a “mere expression of mass opinion.”

NBA – Can we see a change?
For your information, News Broadcasters Association (NBA), the apex body of all private news channels, has announced the setting up of a News Broadcasting Standards (Disputes Redress) Authority to enforce its Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards. The former Chief Justice of India, J. S. Verma, will chair the Authority, which will become operational from October 2, 2008. The other eight members have been equally divided into the Eminent Persons and Editors categories. The Association said that a "censure emanating from a jury of peers would indisputably affect the credibility of a channel." The process of censure would not be without its legal ramifications. They also stated that "A channel acting in breach of established guidelines could hardly defend its motives or suggest that it was acting fairly, if it is censured by a jury comprising its peers."

Content Code, which calls for regulation of content shown by private television channels, has been under much debate as broadcasters see it as a move by the Government to control their programs. To know more about the association and its duties you can go to the following link:

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080062636

My best section in it is the “Viewer feedback” which states “All News Channels will on their website, create provision to receive consumer feedback. Further any specific viewer complaints will be responded to. In the event any news channel gets a specific complaint if found to be true it will admit to the same on air and will respond in fullness and fairness to the viewer. In the event, a viewer/body perceives prejudice by any specific report carried by the News channel, it will respond in fullness and without impartiality to the viewer.”

However, they will come into action only from October 2nd, 2008. Till that time do we have to bear all this nonsense and scratch our heads? Along with that, we don’t know how effective they would be. And what are the chances that there will be no corruption in that department and they will genuinely look into the complaints and take appropriate actions? Will they check each and every report before broadcasting it? If not then what is the use of taking an action once the news has been broadcasted? An action after the damage is done? Well, all these questions are premature, though important. If NBA has decided to make an authority then they should also not hesitate in taking an unbiased action. Currently, apart from the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, and the program and advertising code for Doordarshan and All India Radio, there are no separate laws governing broadcasters.

Enough is enough and we cannot bear anything that anyone throws upon us. We need to unite, raise our voice and take a firm action against these so called media channels that are so childish that they have not yet understood their responsibility. This is surely not what we call journalism. Are our aspiring journalists learning this in their mass communication courses? And above all, are we paying for this shit?

Are we paying for this shit??? - Part 1

2008-08-27T10:36:00.003+05:30

After getting pissed off by seeing baseless news day by day I have to vent out my frustration. I think this is the perfect medium to do so and this will also help me understand whether I am the only one who is disturbed by all this or do I have more active and sensible siblings around who feel the same.

If we look at the kind of news our media channels have started showing then you will pity on them and more on the people who believe them. Especially Hindi news channels have ruined the image of media in front of sensible audience. Day by day you can see the number of baseless and hypothetical news growing. Isn’t there any real genuine news left on this planet or are these channels blind and can’t see anything happening around? I think no wise body invites them for the coverage and that’s why they create these kinds of stories to fill the prime time. I believe that people have understood that they are not worth calling. But they, like an adamant child will keep showing nonsense. I don’t know what goes in their mind? What is their motive behind showing all this made up stuff and fiction? They even present the real stuff in such a way that it looks threatening and sometime hilarious. Believe me. Are they trying to scare our fellow Indians? But why? Just to increase their channels TRP?

Nonsense News
If you keep a track then you would be aware about one of the media channels news story about alien planning to attack on earth and getting things out from our planet. You can then very well understand my emotions. I mean, what is wrong with them? Have they lost senses? Alien coming down to earth and taking cows from here. They are planning to attack on earth. Are they fond of cows’ milk? Indian cows on their target? These are the kind of stupid punchlines they use and create a doubt in people’s mind and sometimes scare them. Rubbish! Do they even have any base of the story which they are showing? Do they have any proof of what they are presenting in front of billion people? Are there reporters so smart that they can capture each and every activity of aliens with there camera? I bet they are even smarter than NASA scientists. What NASA doesn’t know, they know. This is a one of many such groundless news they show and most importantly they are not alone. They have more brothers and sisters along with them who follow the same path. But the irony is that they are their competitors. Hence, they have a kind of competition that who can show the best made up story in the prime time. They don’t even hesitate in playing with the religious beliefs of people and show n number of stories about various deities in their own dramatic way. In the same context, they go to such places that we are not even aware of and describes the history of the place in such a way that we suddenly feels that how come we are still unaware about it. Seriously they want us to become a tribal living being and make us believe in everything they show.

On a serious note, are they trying to drop down our intelligence level to 0 by showing this stuff? Seriously, if you think then when people start seeing these kinds of news then some of them start believing them. Eventually, there thought process goes around the same thing and on the very next day these channels again show similar stuff. This goes on and on and slowly converts even an intellectual mind to an imaginative mind that starts believing in these made up stories. It’s hard to believe but Yes its true, by repetitively showing same kind of stories some people start believing them and start reacting to it and there level of intellect drops down to 0. They stop thinking from their mind and blindly believe them. Even if we say that we are urban people and don’t believe in these things then also there is a huge threat to us. You have to think little deeply in this case. Firstly, they have wasted our and nations valuable time by showing this fake stuff. They could have utilized that time to show some good and real stuff. Anyways, secondly, after seeing these news innocent people start thinking about it and this also makes their brain work on imaginative things rather than focusing on some valuable and real things. They could have devoted their mind on something important and done some constructive work instead of wasting it. Lastly, if we believe that urban people do not get affected by these news then that is also a wrong perception. I know many reasonably urban people who also believe in these stories and react to it. Hence, this is not only affecting rural India but also urban India. I think this need to be stopped immediately.

“While writing this article I came to know that a small girl killed herself after seeing the news about the Big Bang experiment, which was framed as ‘World will end on 10th September 2008’. This clearly shows the intensity of the effect this so called “New Age Media” leaves on innocent minds. Hence, this is not a thing that should be ignored. We are running too late to act upon it.”

Continued Part … Are we paying for this shit??? - Part 2