Of copycats, ethics and media groups
Read this report that has appeared in The Times of India Bangalore edition today http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Four-years-on-fast-track-court-yet-to-settle-Pratibha-case/articleshow/5418387.cms
This report is neither timely nor has any astoundingly new information to offer. But nevertheless, a kind of follow-up to a case that was/is really important to Bangalore.
I had barely finished reading the newspaper this morning when I heard the news anchor on News9 (a Bangalore-bases news channel of the TV9 group that focuses on local news) at about 8:15 AM. The anchor, by the name of Niranjan, was talking about Prathibha’s case. I was a little surprised that the news channel was also carrying this news since there has really been no development in the case.
So I took a guess that the channel had merely picked it up from this newspaper (I read The Hindu as well and the paper is not carrying this news item today).Most news channels do this, so I wasn’t surprised.
But as I heard the words that the news anchor was using, I realised something and rushed to look at the newspaper report once again.
The news anchor was reading from The Times of India, verbatim.
Four years ago, it was a case that shook the city and sent shivers down the spines of thousands of women who worked late nights in call centres that abounded India’s Silicon City.
On December 13, 2005, Pratibha Murthy, a BPO employee, was picked up by a cab driver claiming to be a ‘substitute’ for the regular driver, raped at knifepoint and killed. The murder of the newly-wed Pratibha was a wake-up call for companies to buck up security for their women employees; and for the women workforce, which suddenly began to fear every shadow in a city that was once seen as one of the safest places in India.
Four years later, in the wake of another old case — that of Ruchika — the Pratibha murder case is still in a fast-track court.
The anchor could have at least reworded the sentences. Television scripts generally have shorter/simpler sentences than print. But this anchor (or whoever wrote/copied the script for him) just seemed to be reading the report as it is.
Again, this entirely did not surprise me.
To a layman, what I’m saying would make absolutely no difference. But my point isn’t that. It is shameful that this is the kind of news that is being presented to the world today. One organisation puts out news, another just picks it up, with no qualms whatsoever. News channels talk left, right and centre, pinning down politicians/bureaucrats on primetime debates. Where do their own ethics stand in the midst of all this?
Copyright laws are grossly violated in news channels. Be it videos, photographs or even news stories, most often the source is never attributed. And the media is supposed to be responsible. Super.
We idiots are doing just fine
‘3 Idiots’ seems to have taken Indians by storm. We always ‘wait’ for change, don’t we? I loved the movie, no doubt. I had a good laugh throughout. But what seems to have charged up everyone is this whole ‘education system’ bit. I have happened to read arguments, both for and against what the movie supposedly talks about. I personally do not know/think if ‘3 Idiots’ is about the need for a reformed education system. Honestly, that’s not what I took back home after the movie. I could only think about how entertained I felt, but that’s off track anyways. Coming back to this uproar about the need for reforms in our education system where we are presently encouraging rote learning, I would like to pause and try to assess the situation. In my own humble little way. The movie specifically looks at an engineering college. From what I got, they do not seem to be generalising about the education system. If they are, I would like to argue on that, a little later.
Fortunately for me, I haven’t been one of those who jumped onto the ‘Engineering’ bandwagon. But most people who seem to be ecstatic about the views expressed in this movie, personally known to me, bloggers, networking site-frequents, et al, seem to be people who have been thrusted into studying engineering or ’similar’ areas of studies. After being forced to study field theory, logic design, power electronics, network analysis and what not, of course I’m not suprised they want to jump on the couch, ala Tom Cruise.
For a moment, I am going to assume that ‘3 Idiots’ was in fact generalising about the education system in India. I would beg to differ. Like I said before, I have been fortunate to not study engineering (engineers can claw me for this). I happened to get into Arts (considered by many as the field chosen by those who don’t get a good percentage in 12th, the less-brainy if you want to call us that). Out of personal choice. Yes, people were surprised that I didn’t get into medicine or engineering. Two hoots to them. The subjects I studied during my under-graduation – Psychology, Journalism and Optional English (not at all optional, was just another name for English Literature), were some of the best subjects I have studied in my life as a student. The variety was simply phenomenal.
Psychology first. I know many people are intrigued by the subject. I was too and still am. If not for journalism, this would have been next option. (Just that I don’t see myself working my backside off for a PhD) The subject is very interesting. There’s a lot out there that I didn’t know about and psychology taught me its share. Oedipus and Electra complex, dreams, transcendental meditation, and so much more. We saw the inside-outs of Sigmund Freud. The course included practicals wherein we conducted brief and simple experiments on subjects (in this case, the rats and guinea pigs were humans!). During the semester exams, we had to bring an external candidate (who has nothing to do whatsoever with psychology) to conduct an experiment on him/her. During the course of three years, I invited three engineering friends, my brother and a friend who’s a commerce student, to be a part of my practical exam. The exam was a cakewalk. But what I’m trying to say is that this is a subject where you get a chance to learn something new and different. I don’t mean to compare it to engineering and say psychology is better. But if you are complaining about the education system, be specific. There are some of us who liked what we studied. For me psychology exams were a nightmare. Every single time. But I don’t think that’s the point. What I learnt in the process is what I would like to acknowledge.
Next comes Optional English, aka, English literature. I’m really not the Shelley-Wordsworth-Keats type. This was my induction into world literature – American, British, Indian and so on. I would never ever have read the books I read during my course, if I hadn’t studied this subject. And some of the professors were simply fabulous. There was a story behind every novel, every poem, the way it is written and so on. Imagery, ballads, sonnets, romanticism, there was so much I learnt. I never thought I could admire John Donne or be amazed reading The Second Coming, if not for this subject. R K Narayan’s Guide was taught on a whole new level. I would probably have never read Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart or Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles or Arthur Miller’s All My Sons. Yes, we had our share of boredom during the classes. But I think that’s a part of being a student. The classes were always interactive. We read beyond the text book. There was always extra reading to do and a whole bunch of notes to photocopy. But I think the subject itself opened us to a whole new world. And for me it was and is a big deal because I have never been the kind to be associated with literature. I never felt the need to interpret poems or think if the relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and her father could have an underlying sexual tone.
Journalism was my area of interest. To put in plain words, the course content was blah. Marshal Mcluhan’s theories of communication were done to death. But professors made it a point to allocate a certain amount of time for what was required for the exam. The remaining time, however, was put to practical use. I got to be a part of a team that brought out a beautiful journal. I got to be editor of the college magazine. I got to participate in speaking competitions. I independently also undertook certificate courses, dabbled a bit with radio, had my tryst with interning with a newspaper, freelancing for a magazine, and so on.
You can brush all this aside and say, BA is easy, Engineering is tough. Well, that’s precisely my point. It’s not about it being easy or tough. Firstly, when you choose to enter engineering, you have either made that choice yourself or your parents/uncles have made it for you. Technically, you do know what you are getting into (whether you like it or not).
I happened to do my post-graduation in journalism. Again, it’s one of the best year of my life. I cribbed and complained through the course, but looking back, I know I wouldn’t have done it any other way. The course was practical, interactive and hands-on.
The point I am trying to make is that the education system could probably do with certain reforms. But how and where are these necessary is a question a student should be able to answer. An engineering student, if you don’t mind. I’m not saying I had a perfect three years in college. I can point out loopholes if needed.
But if ‘3 Idiots’ is seeking reforms in the education system on the whole, I would completely disagree. Maybe the engineering course requires a makeover, that doesn’t mean you point fingers at the entire system. We non-engineers (by ‘we’ I’m probably referring to myself in the plural) are content with what we have studied and have no life-changing complaints.
What I would like to take from the movie though is this whole point about parents forcing their offsprings to get into the conventional streams of study. I personally know people who never wanted to be in the field they are in now. All due to parental pressure. I have been fortunate to pursue my choice of interest, thanks to my father.
‘3 Idiots’ shows the protagonist rebelling against the system (and ironically then topping the class). As an off-thought I find it surprising that rebellious students never seem to rebel against alcohol or copying. Don’t we need reforms with regard to all this? Again, I know this is off-topic. But just a thought. I’m neither promoting/protesting with regard to fudging or booze.
Well, maybe I’m just being a little far-fetched. But that’s that. Haven’t we all done homework or mugged up Hindi poems for recitation? I think we turned out fine.
Change is required. No doubt. It’s one thing to just trash the education system. It’s quite another to be realistic and practical.
Just like that
I love the smell of frying pakodas.
I love the sound of falling rain.
I hate feeling guilty.
When I wake up in the morning, the only thought that crosses me – Is it time to get up already?
If I had a lot of money, I would travel the world.
My brother stole my future child’s name.
My favourite drink is naariyal paani.
If I had more time I would clean my room.
Under my bed is my collection of footwear.
I wouldn’t like to be born as myself again, would like to see what the big deal is about being a ’son’.
I used to be a morning person, now I’d rather sleep all day.
My favourite place to relax is home.
I love blueberry muffins.
I’m bored, therefore this post
This one’s for Shilpa.
I was tagged, in one of her very old blog posts. I either forgot about it or never read it, but here goes.
1. I love road-side food. Can eat it anytime of the day, anywhere.
2. Any vegetable that ends with ‘…kkai’, I detest from the bottom of my heart. The sight of it grosses me out.
3. For years, I thought I’ll never put on weight no matter how much I ate. Today, I have proved myself wrong.
4. I love the sea
5. I have a fantasy that one day I’ll be a famous actor – Hollywood, Bollywood, Kollywood.
6. I hate sweets (barring chocolates and ice cream), except select ones from particular shops. Most of the food I like, are dishes from particular restaurants/shops.
7. I love talking to myself. I do it almost all the time.
8. I am a loyal customer of Cadburys Dairymilk. Worms or no worms, I continue to eat it and tastes just like it used to when I was little.
P.S: If you haven’t noticed, five out of eight pertain to food. I’m hungry…
What is India’s national language?
For all those who have teased a person’s Hindi-speaking ability, this one’s for you.
Hindi is the national language of India
Look who’s laughing now…
Be the change that you want to see
Before one assumes I’m doing some plain NRI-bashing, read this http://www.mindtree.com/subrotobagchi/my-mother-is-an-ugly-woman/
It is highly annoying and disrespectful when someone leaves the country, lives in another country and then comes here for a holiday, complaining about the pollution, the roads, the traffic, the water. What not.
One. Do not come here and complain.
Two. If you care enough, stay here and make a difference.
Three. Stay where you are. It should be easier for you.
Four. Do not compare India to another country.
Five. Your growing up years were spent in India. So your immunity levels are going to be just fine when you drink the water here.
Six. Overnight, how does the taste of water seem different to you?
Seven. This country is as much yours as it is mine. But if you don’t like it here, leave.
Eight. Do not complain about pollution while sitting in an auto. Walk. After all, legs don’t cause any pollution.
Nine. You will come back to India to shop, because you know it’s cheaper than dollars and pounds. So don’t complain.
Ten. Nowhere else will the pani puri taste as authentic.
Tommy the cat
I’ve written about this black cat before. Now christened Tommy, by my nephew, despite repeatedly telling him that the cat is female and Tommy is a male name. He’s stuck with the name, but quick to correct when I call her Tommy!
Tommy has become an integral part of the household. After years of having canines at home, a cat doesn’t seem much different. But it seems much easier. Because we have just informally adopted her. Pour milk twice a day into her steel bowl and she’s more than happy. All she wants is to slither and slide at your legs and cuddle up. Dad seems to be giving her all that love! I do it when I can.
But the last couple of weeks Tommy (yes, the name has informally stuck but I don’t really call her by any name yet, I just make the cat noises for now!) has been doing something, which has left dad and me a little puzzled. Tommy doesn’t seem to have very strong teeth to really eat proper solid food. Like I said, she’s quite content with a little milk. But she does catch the rodents in our garden and from the drain outside our house. However, unlike what we would expect of cats, she doesn’t eat the rat after catching and killing it. She simply comes and lays the little dead thing at out door, causing us to almost step on it. Yes, I was grossed out the first couple of times (I still am, actually) but dad and I started wondering why she did this. It was dad who concluded that she doesn’t have strong enough teeth to eat the rat. And he was quite glad that she was getting rid of the rodents in the garden (since they used to dig up mud near the plants, causing a mess). But eventually dad and I realized that there maybe a deeper meaning to why Tommy did what she did, that is come and put the dead rat at out doorstep. It was her way of saying thank you to us. Probably telling us, “Look you aren’t feeding me for free. Here’s my catch for the day, all for you!”.
Dad and I can’t stop smiling. After all, it’s the little things that make a world of a difference!
A taste of Italy
A new eating joint, Pizzeria Romano, in Koramangala is a must try for food lovers, especially if you are into Italian food. It isn’t authentic Italian. It does have an Indian touch to it. But the food is delectable. An absolute must-try.
The pizzas are the thin-crust ones and taste nothing like what you get home delivered. Not too bland, not too spicy. It tastes just right. It has been about a month since I went there, so I haven’t been able to retain in my head the names of the dishes we savoured.
The pasta is also delicious. We tried the Pasta Arabiatta and another one with a cheese-based sauce and mushrooms. I liked the Arabiatta for the way all the flavours were blended. Perfecto! It tastes nothing like the Arabiatta you get in other Bangalore cafes. Full marks to the chef.
But what makes this place all the more special are the interiors. It has these beautiful Chinese print wallpaper and an unmissable chandelier. There are Italian posters adorning the walls. All this makes the place classy and elegant-looking.
The service is pretty decent. The waitresses are dressed in short black dresses, lined with a touch of pink. They look really cute and are very hospitable!
Each table is adorened with beautiful candle-holders, just adds to the ambience of the place. I went there for lunch, I’m sure the place looks all the more better by night. I would suggest a dinner.
Coming back to the food, the portions are not enormous but just about enough. For two pastas, a regular pizza and a drink, we spent around Rs. 600 which was quite a decent amount, going by the looks of the place.
Not too many people seem to have discovered this place, so there’s barely a crowd. So go there, before this place serves a packed house.
Great food, even better ambience and no hole in the pocket, what more can you want? Try Pizzeria. It is at, No 55, 5th cross, 6th block, Koramangala. Ph No. 40953752, 40953751
Landmark: Next to Oye Amritsar
Take a look at these doodles!
I’m really not a ‘drawing’ expert but these entries for the ‘Doodle 4 Google’ contest are simply fabulous. Some of them are so well thought out and so beautifully portrayed. The ideas are really across a range. Good to know that such talent is coming to the fore.
Take a look at the finalists’ entries here
http://www.google.co.in/intl/en/doodle4google/vote.html#d=d2-8
Yeh ad accha nahin hai
My father is a storehouse of information. Everyday he churns out stories from the past. Of course, we children sometimes tease him, saying it is all due to ‘age’. For me, nowadays, it’s a matter of story ideas. Papa gives them to me every now and then, encouraging me to write about it. He is an ardent follower of Baba Ramdev, the guru of yoga, so on and so forth. I shall leave aside my comments of how I feel about the Guru himself and focus on the ‘story idea’ or ‘blog idea’ my father gave me. He talks about Baba Ramdev to me everyday. He recently narrated the story of how the Guru has filed a case against Hindustan Lever for their latest ad for a detergent Surf Excel.
I hadn’t seen the ad on TV until Baba Ramdev’s press conference on the same. Take a look at the ad here if you haven’t seen it already.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNE3l2LPiEY
I am all for creative freedom. I’m not always in agreement with Ramdev’s tirade against the modern, especially when he is against ‘toothpaste’. But this ad definitely seems to be in the wrong, in my opinion. It’s quite ‘ridiculous’ if I may use a word as mundane as that. And I say this with due respect to canines. I love dogs. Have lived with them in my house for at least nineteen years. But I don’t understand why such an ad was made for a product such as this. And no human can replace a dog. What were ad-makers trying to make the little boy do? Impress Rosey miss? Expect her to feel happy that her student acted like a dog, making up for her loss?
A simple ad for a detergent, so much of rubbish. An utter waste of capital.
