We Indians are a peculiar lot. There is a saying among us. ‘Only when one feels like relieving himself/herself, he/she frantically searches for a suitable place to do it. Till then no one cares a damn. In the past in our land especially in the rural areas sanitary facilities were nil and hence during morning times our elders had cultivated the habit of rushing to the banks of rivers, streams, canal or rivulets and hiding behind thick pandanus, mangroves or trees, relieve themselves and perform the purification ceremony in the rivers, streams, canals or rivulets. Occasionally even after the morning hours since ‘nature’s calls’ are quite unexpected. Sorry sir, what had already mentioned is still prevalent across our incredible nation which is on a ‘high growth trajectory’. Undertake a visit to various parts our nation - cities, towns and even remote corners of the country sides. Even in cosmopolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, we very well come across people shamelessly defecating in the open, blaming them is a great sin because when no sanitary facilities are available they are left with no choice, but to satisfy their ‘biological necessities’ keeping no shame if the circumstances prevailing across our great cities on these lines. Just imagine the plight and predilections of those in the remote areas. Even in the first half of 21st century, two to three years back an estimated figure of 567 million Indian citizens are devoid of sanitary facilities. Still harping on the ‘quantum jump’ in various fields is something reprehensible as also laughable.
I was compelled to pen the adage prevailing amongst us since even on sensitive matters affecting the nation which need urgent attention and follow-up our leaders dither quite often. Our rulers, opposition leaders, media personalities, political commentators all belong to the same group. Range of the moment decisions and patch-ups for the time-being, then forget the whole matter when a new development occurs somewhere there also range of the moment solutions then the slumber or waiting for something new to come to the fore seem to be a daily phenomenon. As one among the citizens of India in one way or other I do share a part of the blame.
Kashmir went on the boil two-three months back, yes, even before it Kashmir was somewhat in turmoil but for the last two-three months Kashmir turned out to be the pain of the entire nation. Violence erupted on a daily basis by the restive citizens of that State, men, women, youth and even children getting embroiled, paramilitary forces and police on the rampage even firing at a mob or somebody seen under suspicious circumstances even school children falling to bullets. Such incidents inflamed the already simmering tensions followed by more and more violent clashes and deaths demanding independence to Kashmir even integration with Pakistan slogans rent the air with clerics and other separatist leaders like Hurriyat Conference both moderate and hardliners like Mirwaiz Omar Farooq and Sayed Ali Sha Geelani, JKLF under Yasin Malik apart from the mainstream parties like PDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) under Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti. Many parties have already come out with many suggestions like an economic package, more employment to the youth, autonomy within the framework of Indian constitution.
A lull is visible, and that in no way is a sign that the simmering problem has been solved for ever, even our rulers and for that matter no one believes.
No follow-up after that whatsoever a sensitive issue remaining elusive.
In came another one in the ‘guise’ of Common Wealth Games and corruption on a large-scale by its organizers as reported by the media. Even a national news channel like CNN-IBN termed it ‘Corrupt Wealth Games’ and the attention of the news media as a whole turned to the new-found victim with the easiness to tear it apart to the whims and fancies of each. Corruption at all levels should have to be attacked ‘tooth and nail’, no doubt, and as far as Common Wealth Games is concerned our media emerged the best performers. But for their vigil and exposing of the irregularities the important event would not have caught the attention of the rulers at the helm. Even Sheila Dixit, who was reportedly on the defensive on a particular moment lost her cool towards the media upon facing allegations has now come out with tall claims and predictions that CWG is going to be the greatest sports event ever. Listen Shri Mani Shankar Aiyer.
The same media - not all – but a major section chose to be silent over IPL scam follow-up and as P.Sainath, Rural Affairs Editor ‘The Hindu’ pointed out the other day media owners who benefit a lot from IPL by way of advertisement revenue have discovered ‘silence’ to be the best option. An ugly instance of ‘paid-news syndrome’ prevailing across the media-world. Sainath came down heavily on Press Council of India (PCI) for not disclosing the findings after the enquiry entrusted upon it keeping in mind the vested interest of newspaper barons.
A shameful example of the double standards of our media.
Now that yesterday’s newspapers have reported another Maoist attack in Chattisgarh reportedly killing 6 jawans. Forgetting the rest which need follow-ups, the rulers, other party leaders, political commentators last but not the least media will have something to comment on the latest Maoist offensive. Permanent solutions are not anybody’s business, range of the moment decisions and patch-ups most easy and here we proceed……..
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