Bharat Ratna

Of late too much time is wasted by media (including print and TV) as to who should be presented with the coveted Bharat Ratna. All political parties have come up with their respective senior leaders. I personally feel none of our present politicians deserve this award. In fact, not a single politician should be nominated. There are so many unsung heroes, who are contributing towards the betterment of our society without any publicity, or expecting anything in return.

First and foremost I would nominate our Jawans and Soldiers who are guarding our Borders, without any security as to when tragedy will strike them, and that too in very difficult situations. We remember them only on 15^th August. Other candidate who comes to my mind for this award is Mrs. Sudha Narayanamurthy, Chairperson of Infosys Foundation. She has been doing active social work with utmost sincerity and with least publicity, may their tribe increase. but sadly in India such dedicated people are never recognized.

Another issue that is taken more of print space is “Lead India” by TOI. Without any offence to this publication, I personally rate them as No. 1 Newspaper, but unfortunately when there are so many sincere people working for worthy causes, why then waste so much time on print and TV (Star One) on who should lead India. Every Saturday some celebrity is invited as Chief Guest, with a big photo in main page (TRP’s please). And also another thing that upsets me is the current SMS voting, which we all know how it is manipulated. So please all Medias do not waste precious time and energy on who should lead India. We have enough people who are doing their bit, in their own way.

Bye folks, that’s all for today.

Kanchana R

current issues

This is my first day of blogging. Blogging is an easy outlet for self-expression. I was planning big for quiet sometime, but somehow I kept postponiong it. Thanks to Barkha Dutt, yeaterday after seeing her programme on NDTV regarding blogging, I thought I better start from today itself.

There are lot of issues for which I want to express my opinion. I think this is the right platform.Recently there was a case of molestation on new year eve. After reading the article I felt very depressed.The world may have advanced globally, but in India specially women are treated with little respect, and at the end of the day it is still a man's world. Corruption at all levels has made it very difficult for common citizens even to register complaints, leave alone affording the services of a good lawyer.

I think the media has a very responsible role to play. It is very easy to criticise the media, but we need the help of the same media for the victims to come out with their side of the story. Also the legal procedures are so cumbersome, with so many loophole and also having contacts with the right higher authorities, it is very easy for the culprits to get bail. Recently there was this judgement on the Uphar theater tragedy, where so many lives have been lost for no fault of theirs, and after 10 long years, the judgement was pronounced, the culprits have already got bails.These are only some of the issues that are reported in newspapers,90% of atrocities go unreported.