#11 (Pseudo)Freedom of Press in India

It's been a very long time since I posted my last article. Recently the world observed 3rd May as "World press freedom day". I came to know about this when my sister who is a journalism student post about it on facebook. There were few comments of her friends who criticized the press. This left me with no choice but to write on this topic. Journalism is considered the biggest ideological weapon and its history is long. Newspapers have always been the primary medium of journalists since 1600, with magazines came in the 18th century, radio and television in the 20th, and the Internet in the 21st century.

History stores the extensive role played by journalism not in India but in the entire World. The Independence movement of various countries, the revolutions around the globe and social activism are helped by journalism to people to reach the destination. The freedom of this profession always tried to suppressed by the monarchist, dictators, and ruling regimes. Every ruler tries to take remote in their hands to control it. But press is effective only when it is free to express. It is well said by the Nobel Prize winner journalist Albert Camus that "A free press can, of course, be good or bad, but, most certainly without freedom, the press will never be anything but bad".  According to press freedom index India comes in the category of countries where press is in difficult situation. India ranks 140th position in terms of freedom of press. It's not a good indication in a vibrant democracy like us where media is considered so called "Fourth Pillar of democracy". Journalism is a great source of information and empowers the people if it is free from any censorship. But question is: Is it free in our country?

The Constitution of India provides the right to freedom. The right to freedom in guarantees the Freedom of speech and expression. But recently Doordarshan had edited out portions from Modi's interview created a massive controversy. It's clearly seems that National news broadcaster is still not acquired complete autonomy from MIB (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting). Yes Indian constitution enables the legislature to impose certain restrictions on free speech under some heads likes security of the country, public order and sovereignty and integrity of India etc, but to censor media for playing politics is not good for healthy democracy. When few months ago Penguin India withdrawn all copies of Wendy Doniger’s The Hindus: An Alternative History from the Indian market erupted same controversy in media world over the freedom of speech. In this matter not only the government is but the people of this country equally responsible. We are actually losing an opportunity to enjoy this right. We can easily lose our mental state by just listening to other's view especially when the matter of discussion centered to religion. Democracy allows people to express their views and thoughts. Recently in general elections the picture seems opposite. Today's Netas are not cool minded as they are supposed to and like what kind of Netas born earlier. The increment in the personal attack also had broken many records in this poll season. As long as our representatives do not show signs of improvement until people can not get changed.

This could be one side of the paper but on another side media is not completely clean. Media in country did a lot to uphold the voice of people but in a decade after the technology changed the scenario it's very important for press to raise the standards through a code of conduct. There are so many news mediums are available in country but sometimes we see the content shown by some TV news channels are not as much as important or needless. In a race to raise the TRP, media is hurting their image. This should be stop and here Press council of India can play an important role. It would be better for media and the viewer if the media regulates themselves and understood the nature of content required. Many a times we saw the competition to report the event or any big happening by reporters rules out the moral values. I'm also against the entry polls surveys conducted by the news houses before the election. They are free to do that but it definitely influences the mind of voters. This distraction of mind of voters are harmful for democracy. In this election paid news are big point of controversy and this is a new threat which deepens their roots strong. In a recent judgment The Supreme Court said that "the Election Commission is empowered to probe into the allegations of paid news if the expenses for the same are not being reflected in the election return filed by the candidate". This shows that the paid news is a big problem and commendable steps should be taken to stop this. Media must not bias to anyone but they must show what is right because media is doing most important service of educating people.

Society is influenced by media in so many ways. It has played significant role in strengthening the society. Media is considered as mirror of the modern society. The purpose of the media is to inform people about current new affairs and to tell about the latest gossip and fashion and many more. Here I believe there are need to change content pattern in the media especially in print media. If we compare our newspapers with the western counterparts, we find we have more reports on politics than science and technology. The double way communication with the viewers and readers are also need of modern time. That's why social media is playing a huge role in today's world. No doubt, overall Indian press is doing exceptionally well but some issues are yet to tackle immediately to increase the credibility and to improve image of Indian media among people and the world. Media is greatly done in this 16th Loksabha election which result the highest voter turnout in Indian polling history. This is a good sign that our media and democracy are maturing. Important issues during the campaign included rising prices, corruption, economy and security, infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water were raised by media which helped voters to vote smartly. Indian democracy is on its way towards maturity and the is great responsibility on shoulders of media to play its critical role to educate people because history have this quote said by great journalist Joseph Pulitzer that "Republic and its press will rise or fall together".

- Prateek Dixit

#10 "Festival of Democracy" Hope of Change

The smell of election is in the air now a days, with the assembly polls in the five states and election propaganda for upcoming General Elections, which will going to held in 2014. Leaders of different political parties delivering long speeches to the mass gathering of people, criticizing opposing parties. News papers, News channels, Social media, everywhere there are discussions over politics because "Elections are the biggest Festival of Democracy".

India is the biggest democracy in the world with 1.237 billion people (2012). Democracy is a form of governance in which people elect their representatives to form Government. when independence came, when Parliamentary institutions were created under the Indian Constitution, we declared a democratic country. Democracy guarantees some basic rights and freedom for individuals. These rights are known as fundamental rights. Most important one is Right to vote. Unfortunately, over a last couple of decades the system goes corrupt, because of substandard politicians and criminal representatives. The concern of common man still the same as that were decades ago i.e food, shelter, education. Large population still want basis needs to be fulfilled.

India is county of various religions, castes, creeds living together since centuries, makes country secular state. But what politicians are doing taking advantage of sentiments of people in the name of religion, caste and sometimes language, for their greed to rule the nation. They use minorities as a source of votes but didn't do any welfare for them. The corruption creating a biggest problem in the way to become a developed nation, the economic condition is shaking due to the poor policies of govt.

What I think, the major concerns are well known to everyone, but our casualness creates problem. We have seen the MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly), MP (Member of Parliament) and other political leaders visit our areas at the time before election to seek our votes from us or after once when they came to power. This doesn't means that every one are same and they are not doing development for our areas. But we should think about it seriously that, the leaders who are elected by us are the right person or not? There is one more serious problem in our democracy is the polarization of votes. We can find the thoughts of polarization among our friends, relatives and even on our family but this is is mostly everywhere. Some give votes because a political party encourages a particular religion or language. So many people give vote by makeup their minds for particular political parties rather than leaders. One should not vote for particular political party but vote for right person whether it belongs to any party. The right person is one who do welfare for society and for development of areas than for state and ultimately for country.

"Right of vote" is ultimate right in democracy. By this, we can change the entire system. What we have to do is only to utilize this right in a correct way. Everyone must give his/her precious vote to make our democracy strong. And most important is to vote for right person. Election brings a hope of change in current paralyzed system. India is home of large no. of youth and we can definitely change the system. The ballot box and EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) is a way to change the direction of political wind form paralyzed leadership to strong. In every five years, we'll get this pious opportunity to take part in election. Let's decide to vote for our country and take give our offering in this ritual. "JAI HIND"

- Prateek Dixit

#9 “Debut to Retirement”….End of an Era

The exhilarating persona, a humble human being, dedicated person, jewel of Cricket and a man with a pride, no one but Sachin Tendulkar, finally announced his retirement from the test cricket made millions of fans woeful. A man who is playing cricket since last 24 years, entertained millions by his spectacular batting performance, have now two more tests to play.

Sachin is not only a great cricket player, but in charge of happiness of million cricket fans across the world. Cricket is more than a game in this country, a religion which is followed by children, youths and olds. And Tendulkar is considered deity of cricket. There are so many players in the list of great cricketers, but he is more than a sportsman. A person whose presence is enough to shatter the opposition’s will power and every time give confidence to the team. Sometimes he appeared in bowler’s dream and made their nights uneasy and several times gives a tremendous start to the innings and founded a strong base for the upcoming batsmen. He had well played a role of opening batsman and at no. 4 he played unmatched.

Sachin holds almost every record as a batsman whether it may be a highest no. of match played or being a person scoring highest number of runs in international cricket. He became the first person on planet to score 200 in an ODI (One Day International). He scored highest no. of centuries in both the formats of game (ODI and Test). Despite of good batting track, he also played a good role as bowler. Yes, he was playing since 16 year of age but his dedication towards the game and his physical fitness is unrealistic. At the age of 40, he is having a very much craziness to play more and more good cricket like a young player. This makes him different from other once.

As quote states that- “A great person faces so many up and down in life like all, but balanced them very well”. He also had faced ups and downs in his long span of career. Sometimes played out of form and sometimes faced critics. But he is the person very far way from any type of controversy, every time come back with extraordinary performance rather than replying with the words. His long 24 year career is totally clean and he plays like a gentleman. His clean career is a lesson to those players who are indulging in the illegal activities and spoil this gentleman sport. These qualities make him a motivator for all other cricketers, a good man and superstar for cricket fans all over the world.

Sachin Tendulkar, who has set many records, received many awards for his great cricket performance like- Cricketer of the year, ICC Cricketer of the year, LG People’s Choice award, Wisden leading Cricketer in the World, prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan. Apart from these big official awards, he has honored by several media awards also. In 2011, Tendulkar was conferred with Indian Air Force’s honorary rank of Group Captain and became to first sportsperson to get this honor. He is the Member of Parliament as in April 2012, UPA’s government nominated him to the Rajya Sabha.

“Every beginning has an end”. This will prove again with the retirement of Sachin. A master class batting, high technical shots, helmet with tricolor, jersey no. 10 will be available only in recordings and mind of the people. The charismatic personality will not be present on the ground to entertain the billion cricket lovers. The person who is the motivation for the team since last 24 years will not be with them in dressing room. Sport will not stop, but will lose his gem, as the debut of 16 year old young boy came to end with his retirement at the age of 40. But his great batting is unforgettable and everyone will remember forever this maestro. Sachin is a god of cricket and he will be.

- Prateek Dixit

#8 Unrest in Syria "Civil War Ongoing"

The effect of transformation of rulers i.e. the Arab Spring in the Middle East reached Syria two years ago. Arab spring is a great series of events happened in this decade. The rulers since a long time ruled over them with a force or a strict laws. They did not focus on the employment, education and healthcare of their people. They imposed so many restrictions, which make the lives of the people uneasy. The result comes in the form of protests against ruling parties. This protests become known as the "Arab Spring".  Starting from Tunisia to Libya, then to Egypt and with affecting other countries it reached to Syria. But here it had taken lives of more than over 1 lac people.

President of Syria is Bashar Hafez al-Assad. He has served as President since 2000, when he succeeded his father, Hafez al-Assad, who led Syria for 30 years. The effect of protests in other neighboring countries encourage Syrian people to protect against the ruling party. Protesters demands for political reforms and change in civil right laws. A mass protest was started in February 2011 which led the country to a deadly unrest. Situation deteriorated after Syrian authorities responded with violence against protesters. The violent resistance against protesters worsen the situation and bring Syria to the state of Civil war as so many people killed in the bloody clashes between protesters and Assad's lead Syrian Armed forces.

According to UN report, over lac of people left Syria and living in refugee camps in neighboring countries. Thousand of people within Syria living without food. The economy  is crashed and heavy sanctions by International community are imposed over it. Big concern arises when the use of chemical weapons in Syria reported. United Nation inspection team were send to Syria to investigate in this matter. Recently on 21 August, a Chemical attack in Damascus had happened, which killed around 1300 people. This attack believed to be done by Assad's forces against the protesters. However, he is refusing the allegations against him.
This attack proved the presence of chemical weapon in the form of Sarin gas. This shocked the international community. Meetings of Security council were held but end without any result. Russian and China opposed the proposal of USA to do Airstrike on Syria. But America was in favor of unilateral military strike on Syria. World seems divided in two different views. One against the war, another in favor.

What I have perceived, the Security Council and the whole international community seems to fulfill their benefits and advantages. They are  trying to dominate the Council by imposing their views without knowing the actual cause. If I see as a person who is in favor of war, then we saw that 3 lac people died in protest. Isn't a human right violation? If yes then what is wrong with to use of force against Assad's regime. Here we see Russia and America who are historic rivals, standing on different side of wall despite solving the matter. One supports Assad, another supports protesters. Big part of the world is silent over the issue as they did not want to stand against the big powers. 

If I against the war and consider the issue then I feel, war shows the supremacy of power over weak country. What USA did in Iraq and Afghanistan taken thousand of lives. And the unilateral military invasion will violate the international rule and it may dissolve United Nation. The veto power is law and one should respect the UN charter. In this context, Russian comes with a overwhelming proposal to keep the Syrian chemical weapons under UN watch. This proposal is accepted by Assad without and second thought and USA is also agreed upon it.

This was the opinion as pro war and anti war view. But what exactly should be required to do is the question? World having an organization (United Nation) which is established to solve the international matter peacefully, and Security Council should handle the matter without imposing their views forcefully over others, but with mutual trust and proper investigation.

The importance of the protests across the middle east are very big and should be understand by all dictators and rulers who are ruling their country by imposing so much restriction on people and not providing basic needs to them. The main problems in the middle east are presence of people with radical thought in the government. They are ruling the countries with a strict Islamic laws. People want freedom, education, health and employment. The involvement of religion in the government will push any country years back. I wonder when i see the people of one religion don't want involvement of their religion in the govt. This is only due to the problem created by religion in system. They are not against the religion but they want freedom. Democracy seems only problem but the path appearing bloody and difficult. What pro democracy protesters is doing is really needed a aim. Now it's time for ruler to understand the importance aspects and effects of protest and act maturely to make their country prosperous and happy. 

#7 Food Security in India "Distinctive Law"

Soon after independence, India adopted the path of planned development, but in the mid 1960s and early 1970s we were faced serious economic problems. First, because of war with neighbors. Second, due to increase in import. Finally, food production failed to increase and our country became increasingly dependent on food imports by United States under US Government's PL 480 law. But around 1968 agriculture production increases due to adoption of Green Revolution and make our country self sufficient in food production. And we had never thought of, that we will provide guarantee of food to our people. We are the first nation in the world to talk about this scheme.

First, let's understand what Food Security Bill is? The Food Security Bill is the UPA’s scheme, aims to provide subsidized food grain to around 67 percent of India's 1.2 billion people. This includes the distribution of wheat, rice and coarse grains at just Rs 2, Rs 3 and Re 1 a kilo. 
If this scheme be properly applied, it will end country’s malnutrition soon. On the other hand, various challenges also here.

First is the production of huge amount of crops. Because it is a huge program and the estimated production for providing food will be 62 million tonnes. After the enforcement of bill, there will be a tremendous pressure to produce huge amount of grains. And if we fail to do so, then we would import the food to fulfilling the law. This will increase cost of food and import bills. Second is pressure on economy. There will be a heavy pressure on govt fund. The size of the subsidy is estimated around $24 billion. If the production remains same every year then still subsidy will increases due to increasing cost of food production and growing population. So this is big factor to be considered. Third is the beneficiary of this scheme. According to bill, states will provide food to poor. But the indicator of poor is not clear. It will be a major challenge for govt to decide the beneficiary. Government should ensure that the food will reach to needy peoples. Fourth is the method of distribution. Government will use existing PDS (Public Distribution System ) for delivering food to the poor. The PDS is already used to deliver food subsidies to the poor but around 51% of the food is currently lost to leakages. It is sold in black market at relatively high price. We need to reduce the leakages from the distribution system and make it transparent. Chhattisgarh is very good example. Other than this four challenges, climate changes and farmers concerns also a factors to be considered.

The bill is a great and unique initiative but major challenges are also there. The current bill is under consideration in parliament is defective but better than none. This bill should not taken as a political action and all parties should give important suggestion to improve this bill which is happening. Now it is govt responsibility to amend all the defective points and make bill less vulnerable. If bill is properly come into force it will change the life of poor, otherwise it will led to a biggest scam ever.

- Prateek Dixit  

#6 Neighbor's Willfulness "Time to Retaliate"

Since a long time, Indian foreign relations with neighbors always been nasty, whether with Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Nepal or Sri Lanka. Our foreign policies always failed to maintain good relations in all aspects. We have several different disputes with all, like border disputes with China and Pakistan, sea disputes with Sri Lanka and many more. So-many times we faced some disgusting responses from the neighbors.

Recently on 06 Aug 2013, Five Indian soldiers have been shot dead in Indian-administered Kashmir in a cowardly attack by Pakistani army serving personals. This tragic episode is not new for us, as Pakistan has violated cease-fire 57 times in 2013. Several unsuccessful infiltration attempts has also been made by them, in which 14 intruders killed by Indian security forces. And intense frown by Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) on borders, increases tensions and aggression in India side in the last few months. This type of events put a question mark on our security situation. We know our Security forces is ready to face any challenge, and people of India having a strong faith in it. But the problem is our weak political will. After every attack govt only make a sad remark and condemn it, but no strong actions has been taken and failed to raise a strong voice. And this increases morale of neighbors to act more.

We had fought few war against Pakistan and China. Due to unfruitful past, subject to threats has increased in last few years. We can not trust them blindly. It's time to retaliate against them. In my opinion, we need to take a strong stand, but it does not means to act like them. We know India have a big, strong, courageous and civilized armed forces, still we are showing a great durability in response to deceitful act. Because our forces acts after govt orders, unlike Pakistan army who always seems to control their govt.

In the time of liberalization and globalization, every country want to make good relation with everyone to make their economy strong. At the same time the tradition rivals always shows their superiority over another, and this led to bitter relationship. On this difficult path, we have to address the problem very carefully. We cannot change the geography, but can take such important steps which protect our sovereignty and maintain good bilateral relations with neighbors. First of all, continue to strengthen infrastructure on our borders as china is doing. This will help us to take appropriate action at tough time. Second, to increase our troops in the vulnerable areas along the borders to stop infiltration and illegal trade, and allow them to take appropriate action without govt orders. Third, we should develop an aggressive foreign policy against neighbor when such roguery happens. Like what china do, they never tolerate any kind of threat against them. Forth, political parties should stop playing politics with terrorism. This make me sad and all other Indians, when we see lack of unity among political parties. They must be unite on  these flammable issues. Last but not least, to strengthen our trade and strategic relations with small neighbor and raise strong point of view without any external pressure in the international community. And should play an important role in the establishment of peace. 

This also a matter of concern, I feel that today's politicians as a whole no longer respects the soldiers who have served and are currently serving for us. The politicians make disgraceful remark on Martyrdom and shows less respect towards them. The politics is getting poorer now a days and without moral values. Every one is seeking to attract voters in the name of religion. This will help neighbors to act against us.
So to maintain internal peace, integrity, sovereignty, unity and self respect we have to change our image from cold nation and take pressure-free decisions and actions. In this way, we can stop our more warriors to being martyr. "Jai Hind"

- Prateek Dixit

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