Word a day

My views about News

Is too much news bad news!

“10 died in serial blasts”-Reuters. “23 injured in rail sabotage”-PTI. “Lakshar-e-Toiba claims for bombing of civil air port”-Indian Express. “15 year girl joins Maoists”-TOI. “IM email claims ownership of Surat bombs”-TNN. “Sixty hurt as women gheraoed Tikabali camp”-The Hindu. “Biker gangs on the loose in Keonjhar”-Asian Age. “US shooting spree leaves 6 dead”-AFP. “Maoists blow up police jeep killing one”-IANS ... And the list continues.

Is the news agency going in the right direction? Is the information regarding the acts of terrorism helping the nation’s cause? Is the media not responsible enough, that it highlights the negative news and the negative people too much? Do we not recognise the media as the ‘fourth pillar’ of democracy? Yet it is forgetting that it’s not just a profit making organization but an institute which supports and helps in the advancement of nation, by keeping peace and harmony, by showing us what is right and telling us what to avoid, and by incorporating the method of ‘constructive criticism’.

Is it really necessary for the common man to know how stealthily the terrorists work and how successfully they carry out their plans? Is it necessary for us to know that the police was not successful in nabbing out the gangsters? Is it good for the confidence of the people to know that their country’s security measures are wanting, that it has been failed by a terrorist organization? Does it not scare us to death when we find an article of how innocent civilians are stabbed, hacked off and then eaten up? Do we not feel terror ‘reigning’ in the country when each day the front page of any ‘Daily’ comes up with a headline regarding a terror strike?

The terrorists are taking advantage of the soft corner that the media has for its sales and its publicity. Is it not what the terrorists want? : To terrorise each and every human living in this world. Is it not what the psycho (serial killers) want?: To get famous in the society (even for the wrong reasons). They are suffering from an identity crisis, and is this publicity about the killers not encouraging them? The terrorists strike ones, the media publishes the effects repeatedly. The report gives a detail analysis of the ‘method’ employed by the terror organization to execute their plans. It mentions so many instances of lapse in security, that the common man might start disrespecting his own country. He would be happy to move out and settle in a land of relative peace. Though it would be too harsh to claim that the media makes a hero out of a villain but it won’t be an exaggeration if I say that the media actually helps in enveloping the whole mankind in the dark blanket of terror. Yes, the media spreads the wrong news.

No, I am not in favour of the media sitting quiet and let the wrongs that are happening continue without any one’s knowledge so that nothing can be done. But for this, I don’t think that the common man needs to come in the picture. We, the people, are not powerful enough to counter the situation ourselves. We can only panic and grieve for what has happened, worsening the scenario further, and helping the terrorists’ cause. It’s all about the security and integrity of the nation in question, so what I think is, the media should bring the wrongs to the men in question: - the Police and the concerned authorities, not through the common newspaper that every one reads but directly through another media (May be through a website that can be accessed with a password that only the concerned authorities be provided with). They are the one who have been elected by the common man to look after the people. They are the one who should look into these serious matters and act swiftly and sensibly to counter the situation. This can be a way to curb terrorism as the main idea behind terror-strikes (to terrorise different regions of the society with just one strike) would be facing its end. But for this, the Government and the Police must act together with a common motto: to wipe out terror, if not terrorists.

A few days back, I saw a picture of a lady lying on the road in Delhi, bleeding profusely. The caption revealed that she is a victim of the recent serial blasts in Delhi and that she was fighting for life. Was it necessary for the photographer to take a picture of the scene when it would have been a much responsible job, had he initiated to help the victim to a nearby hospital? I am not targeting a particular news agency. I am just trying to bring to the front the personality of the media. It criticises others for not working according to what they talk about, but hasn’t the media forgotten the basic duties of human kind: - to help each other when in need and not to aggravate the past injuries. I appeal to the media to bring a change in their priorities.

The media might conduct a poll on this topic: “Is too much news bad news?”

The Ultimate Truth: A Drama

{
During the reign of Akbar, there lived a poor fortune teller whose daily bread came from his roadside business of fortune telling. One day it so happened that:
}

Astrologer: Any body want to know your future……anybody want to know what your fortune has in store for you…..

Rich man: Hey! Old man, come inside. Come and tell me what my fortune offers to me.

Astrologer: You have a dark future ahead…..

Rich man: What?

Astrologer: All your relatives including your son, your daughter-in-law, and your wife would die even before you pass away.  

Rich man: What rubbish? You shabby man! I will not pay you a penny for what you have said. Get out of my house……Get out.

Astrologer: But I only spoke the truth.

Rich man: Get out.

Astrologer: (To the audience) I spoke the truth but I was treated in such a manner. I can’t forgive that man. I will have justice. I will go to Birbal for justice.  

{
The astrologer goes to Birbal and explains him all that has happened between him and the rich man. And then…..
}

Birbal: O.K. I will help you get justice. Come and listen to my plan.

{
Birbal sends the astrologer back to the city in a disguise so that no one could recognise him. He was soon famous for his power to interpret fortunes. One day the rich man also came to know about this man and he went to him and……
}

Rich man: O great sir! I would be pleased to know my fortune from you. Would you please tell me what my future has in store for me?

Astrologer: Come, let me see. Your stars are looking bright. You would OUTLIVE all your relatives including your wife, your son, and your daughter-in-law. You are a lucky man and would live a long life.

Rich man: I believe you say the truth. I am glad to hear about my bright future. I would reward you handsomely for disclosing my bright future to me.

{
The astrologer went back to Birbal and told him all that has happened between him and the rich man. He was happy but he seemed confused. Unable to resist, he went to Birbal and ……
}

Astrologer: Sir, I am very thankful to you for giving me justice, but I am afraid to ask you that --- what the logic was (motto) behind your plan?

Birbal: (smiling) You are really a simple man. This is the ultimate truth of life that I am going to tell you today. Always remember this:

“JUST SAYING A TRUTH IN A PLAIN AND STRAIGHT FORWARD MANNER WILL NOT NECESSARILY FETCH YOU REWARDS, BUT SAYING THAT SAME TRUTH IN A MORE GENTLE MANNER AND ADDING A LITTLE BUTTER TO IT, SO THAT THE LISTNER WOULD ENJOY WHAT YOU SAY, EVEN IF THE TRUTH BE BITTER AND HARSH, WILL GUARANTEE A REWARD TO YOU WITH LOTS OF PRAISES.”

The Realm Of Nature

I sat with my friend in peace
Watching the site of a river at lease
It was the time of dawning eve
And our souls clapped to the tunes of the charming breeze.

The birds were returning to their nest
The hills shallowed their zest
The buffaloes grazed through the meadow
And the yellow flowers drooped down into shadow.

The bugs marched with a thud
The crabs dug into the wet mud
The patterns on the butterflies faded
And the great Painter poured his colours and the sky persuaded.

The sun was sinking in the ocean of blue
The light was giving way to the dark but had no clue
The tides were breaking on the pebbles on the shore
And the sound was that of a soft roar.

Our hearts were glued to the heart of Nature
We felt we came from the Lone great stature
Looking towards the horizon
We felt we got a skeptical vision.

The river beside me has made me learn
Religions exist only when they accept to churn
The flowers, the moths, the beetles, the Sun
Thinking of these divisions, they seem to burn.

The greatness of these sceneries
The passion for the greeneries
The wildness of the creature
We discovered the greatness of the Realm of Nature.

My teacher, I adore you

Tens of subjects, lessons in hundreds, thousands of questions arise in my mind
Knowledge and wisdom you provide me with kind
Hours of preparation and the experience that you acquire
All come handy, when the classes transpire

Your light hearted comments become comical breaks for us
Without which subjects seems nothing but a fuss
Deep inside, you imbibe in us principles of morality
The joy of understanding the concept brings tranquillity

Every year one batch fades by and a new batch blossom
It’s an end for many yet a new beginning for some
Each year new dreams sparkle
Some perish, and a few twinkle
Every year precious gems are crafted out of lifeless stones
You turn us into ‘humans’ just from flesh and bones

The souls that loose in the fight against evil
Would blame their teacher, their guru for the reasons nil
The many that win against the odds
Remember their redeemers as equal to God
The former could not take away the sparkle of your glory
Though the latter does add feather to your story

Times change, and so do we
You are our foundation just like the trunk of a tree
What remains unchanged is the soul of a teacher
You are an institution of knowledge, you are the best preacher

                                                                                Thank you for being my Teacher
                                                              Pinaki.

Letter to the President

Sir,
     I don’t think that I would be too harsh if I say that you would be committing your biggest mistake if you allow the bill on quota to be passed.
     “Help” is not all about giving quotas; Help can be as financial assistance and free higher education to the under privileged but deserving candidates. We cannot help the backward castes much through this unfair system of having quotas. 
     Sir, you and Mr. Manmohan Singh are such knowledgeable persons, still, both of you are leading India to the path of defamation and destruction. It would be such a shameful chapter in the history of India that people would regret to accept you to be their leader.
     Just for the sake of a few more votes, you cannot risk the future of the entire nation. (I apologize for my harshness, but it is a fact). I would also want to add that increasing the number of seats would do no good as the quality of an institution would definitely go down if so many undeserving students get into it. Giving quotas can only encourage the minorities to study less as their futures would be all aided with quotas. These quotas would again discourage the better companies to hire candidates from India.
      Why be unjust to the so called “majorities”? Wouldn't it be nice if the Govt. would help every one coming from the ‘below poverty line’, and, not just a particular caste.
      I know that I may sound a bit older than my age, so please excuse me for unintentionally hurting you. I don’t expect to get a reply from you as you must be having many important works to carry but I request you to at least look into the matter, advice your ministers and take a step that would free India from the shackles of caste system.

Thanking you for sparing me your precious time.

A well wisher for the country (if not a Patriot)
Dt: 23-Jun-06 Pinaki.

Learning is a Life Long Experience

From the day a baby is born, he looks curiously from one place to another and wonders about the new environment he has stepped into a few minutes earlier. After a few days pass, he learns to differentiate between the members of his family and the outsiders. A few more days pass, and he learns to express himself, at least his hunger. By this time, the baby has turned into a child.

The child now starts to go to school and he learns the alphabets, the numbers and of course he learns their use. One day at home, he is taught to calculate the time by seeing the clock. Every day, he learns a thousand words that he hears from the many he meet while in school, while at home, or in the market or while reading a comic, or while on road reading a hoarding. He learns and learns and learns even himself being unknown to it. By now, he has learnt the art of behaving with the society. He has learnt to make friends, and to share his joy and tears with them. He also quickly learns to say “NO” to some thing that he wants to avoid.

The child in the mean while has turned into a boy and then into his teen. Now, he has some new array of questions whose answers he dearly want but feels shy to ask. He has joined the college by now and is learning his subjects there. He is taught the art of organization and he is imparted with leadership qualities that would be necessary for him during his days at work a few years after. He is now rapidly turning into a MAN, a man of caliber. He joins his office, and with experience, he learns to control his staff with maturity and idealistically manages his work.

As days pass and the man gets married, he learns to love his woman, to care for his family, to ensure a safe and healthy living for his family. He becomes a father and he now learns to care for his son and ensure his proper nurture into a man better than he himself is. Slowly he becomes older and older and then he learns to depend on his son for everything. He learns to love his grand children and share his thoughts, his joys, and his grieves with them. Slowly, he learns to cope with the modern world, even if dissatisfied, and continue to live his last days. Every moment of his life has been spent in learning some sort of thing, or gaining some sort of experience and he still craves for more knowledge. He still wants to know the answers to his unanswered questions. Its time for him now to “sleep” and even on doing so he learns. 

Friendship

FRIENDSHIP

Such is this ship
That without it we would just weep
And with it we would only leap

Barring this, life becomes cheap
Adding this, the world is a pleasure too deep

Removing this, no joy would seep
Multiplying this, our hearts would beep

Friendship is a treasure of happiness
No Kohinoor can take its place

Societies may be different
But everywhere, friendship is salient

Friendship starts with a smile
It continues for miles

It comes straight from the heart
Precious it is, we mustn’t part

Food First, and Ethics Later

‘Ethic’ is an idea or moral belief that influences the behavior, the attitudes, and the philosophy of a group of people. Ethics can change from people to people. What one man considers as an ethic may be a sin for another. Food on the other hand is universal. You might be wondering how food is universal. What one man considers as food can be poison for another. But the main purpose of food is to synthesize energy for the continuity of life itself. Food is a necessity for man as well as plants and animals and hence ‘Food is universal’. Ethics differentiate between man and the rest.
Consider a man, Narayan, who is the lone source of income for his entire family. He has two children, a wife, and a widowed mother suffering from paralysis. Narayan is not as lucky as your and my parents are. He gets six thousand a month and yet he dreams of educating his children in the best English medium school in town, buying his wife the best Banarasi Saree, and treating his old mother in the most hi-tech nursing home. Is this un-ethical? No. But when it comes to making his dream a reality, there is doubt in every one’s mind. ‘He must be accepting bribes’, some of you would start thinking when you see his children coming out of the school. He does. So what? Does this become unethical? Who are you to answer for him? Who are you to say what is ethical to him? I am quite sure that Narayan is pleased with himself to carry out his responsibility as a family man. To him, not satisfying his family’s needs would be the most unethical. He would do anything to remain ethical. He does not want anything for himself. Nor will he ever tell his family about the ‘source’ of wealth, let alone teach his children to accept bribes. He is a good father, a good husband and a good son. Does a common man like Narayan want anything else? He is in line with his own ethics.
Here is a boy, Rishab, who has come to attend the funeral of his father. The relatives of the deceased are offering red roses to his grave as a symbol of respect and to be ethical to the society. But would Rishab do the same knowing that his father was allergic to the scent of flowers, especially rose? He won’t. He, on the other hand, buried a box of ‘Pan’ (Beetle) beside his father’s grave. ‘How unethical he is?’ some would say. He would be declared mentally imbalanced. He would be treated as a sinner. Only Rishab knows how much his father loved ‘Pan’ and what he did had nothing insane about it. Every son would love to gift his father the things that their father liked. What Rishab did was ethical to him. The ethics of society should not come in between his love for his father.
It is not whether food comes first or ethics that we should decide. We should accept that, what is just a food for one might be an ethic to another.