Why are celebrities vulnerable

Why is it that every time Bollywood celebrities, mostly the three Khans, comment on any serious issue, it’s always blown out of proportion and they are hounded like crazy by the media and the cyber citizens as if they had done blasphemy?

In a star crazy nation like India where people are interested in knowing everything about their favourite stars, the media seizes the opportunity to raise their ratings and circulation. On the other hand, the general people go hammer and tongs against them on the social media, some questioning their integrity and patriotism and others simply posting distasteful comments.

While everybody has a right to make a comment or feeling publicly as guaranteed by our constitution, why is it that actors are targeted? Nobody has any issue when they talk about their affairs or rivalry with other actors. Is it simply because they are vulnerable and cannot strike back hard as they cannot afford to lose their fan following or antagonise the media on which they are heavily dependent for publicity?

The latest on the target list is Aamir Khan after his comment on the intolerance issue, “As an individual, as a citizen I have also been alarmed, I can’t deny it, by a number of incidents…for the first time Kiran said should we move out of India. That’s a disastrous and big statement for her to make.”

It became a front page headline and there were comments all over social media. Some defended him, arguing that he never said that he would leave India. Others slammed him, saying how could he make such comments for India which made him a star. There were heavy security outside his house and the media was after him for a reaction. Shiv Sena announced a reward for slapping him.

Anupam Kher was critical in his tweet, Dear @aamir_khan. Did you ask Kiran which country would she like to move out to? Did you tell her that this country has made you… But Ram Gopal Verma tweeted positively, “If Aamir, Sharuk and Salman the three biggest stars of the Hindu country “India” are Muslims, I don’t understand where the intolerance is.”  

This is not the first time Aamir came under the media’s scanner. He came under the spotlight when he commented after the Vadodara riots, “I want the people of India to see that here is a political party that does not believe in democracy…”

He also came into focus when he joined the Narmada dam issue with Medha Patkar who was on a hunger strike in Delhi. Though he had not made any political comment and just met her at the venue, the media and many people had dismissed it as a publicity stunt. He also came under attack from doctors after he highlighted malpractice in the medical profession in his programme Satyameva Jayate.

Aamir Khan is not alone to be targeted. Earlier also on several occasions, celebrities had to apologise or take back their comments. Before Aamir, Shah Rukh Khan added his voice to the protest against the 'climate of intolerance' and said that there was "extreme intolerance" in the country, hitting the headline. Then followed the same cycle -- media hounding, social media leaving everything aside to target him and protests by political elements.

BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya had painted the actor as "anti-nationalist" and said his "soul" is in Pakistan though he lives in India. He, however, withdrew his controversial remarks but he refused to apologise. Several others follow suit. But this time the otherwise vociferous Shiv Sena, came out in full support of the Bollywood actor and said the superstar should not be targeted only because he is a Muslim and that the minority community in India is "tolerant".

Shah Rukh Khan had earlier entered into a controversy when he said, “I sometimes become the inadvertent object of political leaders who choose to make me a symbol of all that they think is wrong and unpatriotic about Muslims in India. … Rallies have been held where leaders have exhorted me to leave my home and return to what they refer to as my ‘original homeland.”

In another instance, Shahrukh Khan's mention of the Prophet in a quote led to a huge backlash from the Muslim clergy. When he was asked by a magazine, “According to you who is the most impressive figure in history?” he replied, “There are lots of them, some negative ones like Hitler, Napoleon, Winston Churchill and if I can call it history, then Prophet Mohammed and from recent time Nelson Mandela.” “And there are nice ones like Gandhiji and Mother Teresa.”

Later he said, “Obviously, I think there is no figure in history more important than Prophet Mohammed. Also, being a Muslim and standing up for the tenets of Islam is my most important agenda… and if they have seen my interviews, etc on TV about Islam, then the people who are objecting, should realise that what has appeared is a writing error not a thought or view that I believe in. Prophet Mohammed is the most important positive figure in Islam… and anyone who questions my view on that, is doing it just to create a controversy.”

Salman Khan is the media’s favourite because of his court cases. He is also infamous for his controversial comments. On the 26/11 attack in Mumbai, he had commented, “Everybody knows that the Pakistan government was not behind 26/11 attack and it was a terrorist attack.” Later when hell broke loose on his comment all over the media, he said, “Next time main apne sab interview khud bhi record karunga… taki yeh sab controversies na ho…”

Salman Khan also got into trouble when he commented after Yakub Menon’s conviction, “Get tiger (Tiger Memon), hang him. Parade him not his brother. Later he apologised, “I would like to unconditionally apologise for any misunderstanding.” Even his father Salim Khan spoke against him, fearing the ‘anti-national’ backlash. “Whatever Salman has written is ridiculous and meaningless. Salman is ignorant of the issue and people should not take him seriously.”

Salman Khan even faced flak for flying kite with Narendra Modi when he was still campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls and for his association with Sri Lanka’s Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Even Saif Ali Khan had miffed quite a few in Pakistan with his statement, “I have lost faith in Pakistan”. This he said after his film ‘Phantom’ had been banned in the Islamic Republic, following its controversial trailer depicting Pakistan as a hub for terrorists had been released. Some years ago, actress Khushboo came under attack from religious groups and activists over her comments on pre-martial sex, forcing her to issue a clarification. 

While there can be a healthy debate on what they said is right or wrong, what they said cannot surely become news of the day or take half of front pages and prime time slots on TV just because they are celebrities. And nobody for that matter should be shocked when they comment on a serious matter. They are all flesh and blood like us and have every right to make their feelings public. After all the beauty of Indian democracy is that it allows us all to speak aloud. But personal and press liberty shouldn’t become go to the extent that it becomes a vilifying or smear campaign. 

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#Peepli Live redux --- Published in #The Hoot

http://www.thehoot.org/media-watch/media-practice/peepli-live-redux-8973

The media blame politicians for exploiting social issues for political mileage but are the media any different with their feeding frenzies around tragedies, as the Dadri coverage showed?

KAKOLI THAKUR reports.

Remember Peepli Live, the acclaimed film about a poor farmer in a drought-hit area who unwittingly became the centre of controversy and how he was caught in a battle between media houses for TRPs and politicians for political mileage?
That was a movie but don’t we have Peepli Lives playing out almost every day, whether it’s over a minor topic or a major issue? In the form of 24/7 running commentary in print, online and television media? In netas cashing in on any controversy? In the reckless and uncontrolled social media where radicalised minds spread poison and tend to trivialise the most important news?
The Dadri tragedy shows once again how the media are feeding off tragedies and from dubious motives. Is it because they really believe the news to be important or is it because a mob lynching lends itself to hysterical reporting and shrill debates which is what they need for their ratings? The same applies to politicians: is that they really care about Akhlaq and the issues the lynching threw up or are they exploiting the murder for their votebanks?
In Peepli Live, politicians and journalists competed for TRPs. They were there again at Dadri. This time we had the social media to give them company. The media were quick to accuse politicians of being vultures but were they any different?
Controversial BJP politicians and leaders from other parties lined up at the village to make provocative statements in their attempts to polarise ordinary people and politicise the issue in a bid to grab the headlines.
These politicians and journalists hung around for so long after the incident that the villagers stopped anyone else from entering because they were so angry at being exploited. The media failed to learn a lesson.
Is it possible that the media and the political class are making a bad situation even worse with their behaviour, that they are exacerbating social tensions because of their insanely aggressive conduct at such times?  If the villagers had been left alone after the gruesome murder and after the initial reporting, it’s possible that the social fabric of the village might have been only slightly, or temporarily, damaged and Hindus and Muslims might have been able to resume living together as they had earlier. Instead, as the days passed, differences hardened.
For Akhlaq’s family, the continuous glare of cameras was certainly not something they wanted at this moment of grief when Danish was still in hospital. Surely the media can show more sensitivity and judgement on such occasions and balance the insatiable need of the beast for news and updates with some  consideration for the family’s need? Instead, the headlines kept coming:
Mohammad Akhlaq's Son Shifted to Delhi Army Hospital -  NDTV
Mohammad Akhlaq's family moves to New Delhi - India Today
Akhlaq’s brother says family will not leave the village — firstpost.com
Kin return to village one last time – Times of India
‘Danish doesn’t want to remember that night’ - Hindustan Times
The cameras continued to chase the family for a byte or two even when Sartaj, the victim’s elder son, visited the village for the first time after the incident.
Negative, positive, analytical, sensational, the issue hogged the headlines for a good two weeks:
Right-wing groups behind Akhlaq killing: Cong - Times of India.
Dadri lynching: Akhlaq's last call was to his Hindu childhood friend for help -  Times of India
'I'll become Hindu, but don't hurt my family': Dadri Muslim - catchnews.com
 ‘Bisada has become a dangerous word’ - Indian Express’
Dadri: Not just another issue, Bhainsko danda? - edit page, Times of India
Was the Dadri lynching really about eating beef - Reddif.com
Dadri incident a well-planned conspiracy - The Hindu
The Dadri effect: Killing beef-eaters will not win elections - Times of India
'Grand Alliance' Trying to Divert Attention by Raising Dadri Incident: Venkaiah Naidu - NDTV
Dadri incident being used for gains in Bihar polls: Sanjay Raut - CNN -IBN
Adding to the pandemonium was the social media, which has become a loose cannon of sorts. It behaved very irresponsibly with people posting hate comments and inflammatory pictures. A photo of raw flesh was circulated with the claim that it was the beef found in Akhlaq’s house. The police haven’t been able to trace the people who started these chain messages. However, the  ‘once-bitten, twice-shy’ UP police quickly managed to zero in on a Facebook user for posting videos of a Dalit couple who stripped at a police station in nearby Dankaur.
After the Dadri incident, there was a string of rumours over ‘cow carcasses being found all over UP’. In Mainpuri, two butchers were beaten up over rumours of cow slaughter. Even in Bisada, the carcass of an animal led to fresh tension days after the lynching. Hate messages spread on the social media and messaging apps were largely responsible for such incidents.
And now politics has started over the decision of many writers to return their Sahitya Akademi awards to protest against the growing intolerance in the country. The government has termed it a ‘manufactured’ protest and the opposition has taken the government head-on. Here we go again..yet another controversy, yet another high-decibel ruckus. Where will it end? The mind boggles.  

Living on the edge

Living on the edge

  Today when I went to the pathological lab for a simple blood test, I saw a small boy, a dengue patient, waiting for his turn. The small boy, I heard, was coming twice a day to check his platelet count. The tired and worried parents were eagerly waiting for the report. I could relate to their tension as I also have a son of the same age.

The kid was suffering from dengue, a disease that has wreaked havoc in Delhi-NCR this year. This year, a vast majority of those affected, including the victims, are children. Experts say the outbreak is only likely to intensify in by mid-October.

I wonder, aren’t we living on the edge year after year. Are we paying the price of living in a big city? With the onset of monsoon every year, dengue raises its ugly head and people live in fear with each passing day. We start taking precautions by not opening doors and windows even in day hours as the dengue mosquito bites in the morning and during day time. This year, a circular was sent from my son’s school, asking them to wear full sleeves shirt and long trousers in summer time; most of big schools are air-conditioned and so sending them fully covered wouldn’t be a problem for those studying there. But what about kids in government schools where there is no guarantee that the rickety fan would work. Wouldn’t they sweat just because the government is trying to cover up its own failure to check mosquito-breeding than the kids?

In the evening again, I cannot stop him from going to the park so cover him in this humid September to protect him from that nasty bite.

Recently, the swimming pool of our society was closed after two children had dengue fever. Only then, reality struck our management members that dengue mosquito breeds in clean water. Every year dengue is at its peak in October, the festival season. And there is no respite till Diwali night when smoke from crackers stops these tiny killers. But is this a healthy solution?

But are these protections enough? Come winter and again another fear will start worrying us -- swine flu. In peak summer when people from other places dread to come to the national capital, we feel safe as the hot sun protects us at least from these diseases.

Then there is the constant fear of air pollution; it is said after 10 years Delhi will be counted among the most polluted cities in the world. I think it is already there. If these killer diseases are taking toll year after year why doesn’t the government take precautions beforehand? Simple steps like cleaning drains, cutting unnecessary hedges and bushes, stopping dumping of garbage here and there, conducting fumigation drives across all places not only in the posh areas, covering areas where stagnant water accumulates. These are enough to restrict disease from spreading.

The common people must also take responsibility to keep their surroundings clean along with their houses. Instead, our political parties are busy in a blame game. When in power, their term gets over before taking any sincere step and when in opposition their only task is to blame the ruling party. This year, the unofficial death toll is already nearing 50. Delhi had witnessed a large number of dengue cases in 2010, with over 6,200 cases.

This year, the death of a seven-year- old dengue patient followed by his parents’ suicide was shocking. Every year we read, we feel bad and then we forget until a similar story hits the headlines next year. We think this can happen to others and not us.

In such emergency situations, why can’t private hospitals open their doors for the poor at nominal rates so that they don’t have to run from pillar to post? Sometimes they are shown the door saying no beds are available, sometimes they are told treatment not possible there. Initiatives to improve the conditions of the government hospitals will help in controlling such diseases in the long run. Till then, living on the edge will become a routine affair and part of our daily lives.

Soap opera of the absurd

Soap opera of the absurd

  I was surfing the television channels the other day, searching for something to ‘pass time’, as they say. While I could not find a single serial worthwhile to even stand for a few minutes, I was dumbstruck with the quality of what is shown on the idiot box in the name of entertainment.

Regressive, I thought, are today’s serials. But then, regressive would be a tame word I guess. These are atrocious, lousy and diabolical – a throwback to the loud and bad Hindi movies of the ’80s – and do justify the tag ‘idiot box’ given to television.

In this 21^st century when we are all standing up against superstition, here was a TV serial showing the protagonist challenging a daiin (witch) and taking on a nagin before that. Absolutely ridiculous! My seven-year-old son who was watching innocently asked. “Mamma, does this happen in real life also?” Even he understood that this can’t be real. I replied, “No they are just doing theatre just like you do in your theatre class.”

Then there was another serial in which a young widow is made to follow all the rules of a rigid conservative Hindu society. And we all thought widow remarriage is no big deal these days and the focus is on economic self-reliance of women.

In another serial, the lead character married so many times that even viewers lost count. Once while my mother-in-law was watching that serial and a marriage sequence was going on, my husband asked who was getting married. She replied the lead character, to which he said “Oh no, Not again!” and there were bouts of laughter.

One soap is about a girl who is the subject of ridicule day in and day out. The reason -- believe it or not – is her stammering. The whole world right from her neighbours to her office colleagues to her in-laws is after her to make her life hell. They insult her again and again, calling her ruk ruk ke bolne wali. I wonder if anybody behaves like that today.

In many serials, the mom-in law is shown plotting against the daughter-in-law and the later doesn’t utter a word. I don’t think today’s girls are so dumb and so tolerant. Why can’t they focus on not tolerating such behaviour and lodging complaints against domestic violence? In our self-defence classes with Delhi Police, we were told even emotional torture is a crime and action would be taken if complaint is lodged. Or will they wait for the daughter-in-law to die and take rebirth for revenge? Going by our present day stories, even that is possible.

In yet another story, the father-in-law is the hell breaker in the household and makes the lives of all the women in the house like jail inmates. They are not allowed to go out and even wear a saree of their choice. My, my, isn’t that a bit too much?

All this reminds of our childhood days when DD was the only channel and cable network was yet to enter our lives. The serials came once a week and we used to wait for a whole week to know what would happen next. The storylines were simple and real and we would instantly connect with them. The characters were so like us and we would laugh and cry with them and understand their feelings. The stories had a logical ending. Serials like Humlog, Buniyaad, Katha Sagar, Ye jo hai zindegi, Rajni, etc., that we can never forget. Serials that were so popular and even today people talk about them. May be that is why when Zindagi channel entered our homes, it instantly struck a chord with the viewers as they found its storylines similar with the old DD days.

Even today some serials start with a good theme but under the daily pressure, they lose track. Writers are forced to stretch the storyline to such an extent that it becomes boring and people lose interest. They bring twists and turns every now and then by entry of a vamp or rebirth angle or double role and even plastic surgery. Even actors start quitting the shows and serial makers have to replace them with new faces, confusing the viewers all the more.

Serial makers often reason that they add masala to the soaps to attract housewives. Please give me a break. Today’s homemakers are educated so why feed them with such stories? If people stop watching such shows, TRPs will automatically go down and the channels will be bound to pull the plug on these serials.

But I also feel there must be are a lot of viewers who regularly watch such serials. Even I failed to convince my mom-in-law not to watch such serials. Her logic is “what else do I watch?”

Isn’t it time for serial makers to give us something worthwhile and tell the world that TV is more than just an idiot box?

#Assam floods: Who cares? Published in #The Hoot

Assam floods: Who cares?

The Hoot link
http://www.thehoot.org/media-watch/media-practice/assam-floods-who-cares-8910


BBC link

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-34242066

BBC report on Assam floods mentioned my article

Writing in the media site The Hoot, analyst Kakoli Thakur says while the murder mystery in Mumbai "involving a woman from Assam was hogging the limelight but the state itself, where thousands of people were hit by the worst spate of floods in decades, was reduced to fillers in the newspapers and small news capsules on TV channels".

Ms Thakur argued that if a similar situation happened in any other state, the government and the media would have lost no time in declaring it a national calamity.

Assam is possibly India's most flood-prone state: since 1950, the state has seen at least 12 major floods.

---------------------------------

A few days back, a cartoon was doing the rounds in the social media. It showed a marooned couple sitting on the roof of their dilapidated house amid floods with the husband screaming, “Even I had an affair with Indrani”. And in a hushed tone, the husband was trying to explain to his wife that he was trying to get the attention of the media – obsessed with the Sheena Bora murder case -- to their plight. 

The cartoon reflected a sad irony – a woman from Assam was hogging the limelight but the state itself, where thousands of people were hit by the worst spate of floods in decades, was reduced to fillers in the newspapers and small news capsules on TV channels. Barring one or two, national newspapers and TV channels mostly chose to ignore the fury nature had unleashed on the state, rendering thousands homeless and many dead.

It’s been months since floods are wreaking havoc in Assam. And this is not the first time, year after year Assam faces the same crisis – sometimes mild in nature and most of the times very grave.

To give an idea, this year itself over 60 people have died till now and the number is still counting. According to the daily flood report issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority on Sept 7, 14.42 lakh people in 19 districts of the state were then reeling under the floods. If a similar situation happened in any other state, the government and the media took no time in declaring it a national calamity.

Compare it with the coverage Mumbai or Delhi’s waterlogging gets in prime time news. Even a puddle of water in Mumbai is enough to make to the front pages or prime time. Every time Kashmir goes under water or Uttarakhand is ravaged by rain, a battery of reporters is lined up for special coverage from ground zero, prompting people from Assam to ask a pertinent question: “Are we lesser mortals?” It is not that people from the state are craving for media attention or wanting to hog the headlines. But it is also true that there should be a fair balance in reportage and that adequate media coverage also forces the government to sit up and take note.

Nearly 1.5 million people were affected in this year’s floods but our media was busy focusing on the Sheena Bora case as if Assam had nothing to offer for news except that it is the native state of the accused Indrani Mukerjea. Camerapersons and reporters lined up at the Guwahati residence of Indrani when the floods were ravaging the state but hardly any for the flood-hit people. Even the social media – which didn’t spare a moment sharing comments and opinions on the Sheena case -- was not moved enough to spread a message about the seriousness of the situation even after seeing distressing pictures, few of which became public.

People are rendered homeless, they live in relief camps for months in unhygienic conditions, sometimes they go without food for days and the farmers are the worst affected. This year, Dibrugarh in upper Assam -- considered the tea capital of Assam and a medical hub -- went under water for days but no one took notice. Forget about the hundreds of villages where people spend months on dykes and boats and even trees. Last year, 80% of Guwahati, the gateway of the northeast that houses Assam’s capital Dispur, was submerged for days but did anybody even notice?

Sample this. Between August 25, when Indrani Mukerji was arrested, and the first week of September, when the Assam floods reached a critical phase and the Sheena case coverage peaked, the print media largely chose to ignore the grim situation in the state. The floods never made to the front pages and remained restricted to standalone photos or small isolated reports buried inside. This was true for Hindustan Times, Times of India, Indian Express and Hindu.

The electronic and digital media were slightly better off, though the flood coverage hardly made it to the landing page of the websites. Barring India Today TV and Zee TV, which ran special reports from ground zero, other channels restricted the coverage to small news capsules that were overshadowed by the enormity of the Sheena Bora murder case and other news stories. It is quite paradoxical that the media, which calls panel discussions even for the most trivial of subjects, had hardly bothered to call in experts to suggest a solution to the problem that has ravaged the state for decades and crippled its economy.

According to data released by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority on Sept 7 – when the flood was at its peak -- some 1,635 villages had been affected. About 105,716 hectares of crop area had been hit. In all, 308 relief camps and centres had been set up, with over 120,000 people taking refuge. Dibrugarh and Dhemaji districts were among the worst affected. All rivers including the Brahmaputra, Jia Bharali, Dhansiri, Puthimari, Beki, Katakhal and the Kushiyara were flowing above the danger mark. Though the situation has considerably improved, the misery of the people will continue as water-borne diseases rear their ugly head after flood waters recede.

Making the situation worse is the blame game between the state and central governments over flood relief. While the Centre says adequate money has been sent, the state claims even last year’s funds have not been fully disbursed.

As always, sandwiched in the middle are the people of Assam who have to bear the brunt of the floods year after year after year. And the media and the governments merrily choosing to ignore their plight year after year after year.  

#Sheena Bora case: Where is the media headed? Published in #The Hoot

Sheena Bora case: Where is the media headed?

http://www.thehoot.org/media-watch/media-practice/sheena-bora-case-where-is-the-media-headed-8884

For the last three days, the fanatical and kite-flying reporting in the media over the Sheena Bora murder case makes it seem as if there is no other important issue to discuss in India. What can we call it – yellow journalism, sensational journalism or is it journalism at all?

We are experiencing a kind of journalism that has thrown all media ethics, morality and laws to the wind. A kind of journalism where just about anybody and everybody are voicing opinions and turning investigative officers -- throwing about bizarre theories and allegations and the media is lapping it up for TRPs and hits.

TV channels are airing the topic as their main debate with panellists turning moral police on their prime time slots. Cameras are reaching everywhere, right from Guwahati to Kolkata, to Alipore, to Raigad to Dehradun and of course Mumbai -- the place of crime -- making life hell for friends, families and neighbours.

 Panellists from different fields are delivering their own judgements, sometimes referring Indrani as Lady Macbeth and sometimes propagating theories on why the murder took place. They think they are appointed by the CBI to solve the case.

One friend of Sanjeev Khanna was asked, does he think Khanna could be the murderer. As a friend why would he answer that?

Some even are showing dramatic representations of the sequence of events with cartoons or actors.

Some websites are going to any extent to increase readership, publishing all murky details like ‘if Sheena was pregnant?’ without even verifying the facts and writing about Indrani’s past life in Guwahati based on unnamed people.

The print media is not far behind giving too much space to the topic with almost half page on page 1 and two more pages inside with pictures of Indrani and Peter reading ‘once happy couple’. The dramatic saga is getting the same space even two-three days after it first came to light.

People from different media sections whoever was ‘once’ in touch with the media baron Indrani Mukherjea are now jumping in to get some footage. One top journalist made some startling and disturbing revelations about Indrani’s traumatic childhood and the print media readily lapping it up on the front pages without even following even basic journalistic norms. Do we have any reason to believe these bizarre, unsubstantiated theories? And why would we want to know so many personal details?

All sections of the media are busy creating their own theories about Peter Mukherjea’s statement that he did not know; how Rahul Mukherjea can remain silent about the disappearance of his girlfriend and how can Mikhail Bora be silent for three years, he being a brother.  A TV reporter also followed Mikhail on-board the flight he was coming to Mumbai to join the investigation. The media is also showing interest on the biological father of Sheena and Mikhail.

The number of marriages of Indrani has become the butt of jokes even on social media with Sanjeev Khanna, Indrani’s second husband also in the hook. First sister, then daughter is another hot topic.

The social media with no gate-keeping is also showing its really ugly and dangerous side with just about anybody saying anything.

Twitter and Facebook are full of such comments.

*At this rate, Arnab Goswami may soon replace ACP Pradyuman in solving murder cases #SheenaTruthOut

*Who killed Who. Who married Who. Who was in Relationship with Who. Enough of who. Lets find this who. #SheenaTruthOut

*Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi alleges that BJP govt is responsible 4 #Sheena murder & the coverup.INC would hv done a better job! #SheenaTruthOut

* #SheenaTruthOut Guys if any of you has been an ex husband of Indrani tell us now !!! No shocks later....

Some have turned detectives and are floating their own conspiracy theories.

*SheenaTruthOut The motive could be money(black) Better check the bank accounts of all concerned incl. Sheena's.

*In #SheenaTruthOut how come Upendra Bora, rapist has not been arrested? How come Peter, Rahul and Mikhail are not being charged complicity?

But then there some who seemed sensible and took on the media for the carpet bombing of Shena/Indrani stories.

*TIMES NOW don't you have better news to play ? too much on this. Let Police do the rest #SheenaTruthOut

*Horrible!The lengths you go to in the name of journalism. Some restraint & sensitivity next time? #SheenaTruthOut

I being a journalist am just thinking to what extent media can go to increase TRPs and readership. It seems the media has deleted the word ethics from its dictionary. Sometimes I feel pity for the reporters who are given the responsibility of round-the-clock coverage.

The job of media is to report the issue not to give judgements that too on a public platform and turn a simple reporting exercise into a slander campaign against someone. More than reporting a murder story, the media seems more interested in finding out sensational personal details that may help them give more TRPs and hits.

The rich can hide behind their high walls but the poor family of the driver, who was also allegedly an accomplice, is facing the brunt of our so- called society with everyone closing doors on their face.

I as a reader am fed up of reading all these unwanted and murky details and want to read some real issues. Let the police do their job and the law take its own course.  

East calling: Start with Bagdogra, Published in Maxposure group magazine 'Vistara'

East calling: Start with Bagdogra

Kakoli Thakur

If you have never explored east, you can always start with Bagdogra in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district. So the next time when you are tired of the hustle and bustle of your busy city life, visit this small town known for its serenity and tranquillity.

Located in the lap of the hills that lead to the mighty Himalayas, you can make Bagdogra the base and explore the exotic places around. The best part is the town has an airport that is well connected with Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

 

Kurseong: Sixty km from Bagdogra airport lies the sleepy hill town of Kurseong. Once there, you can hear the whistling sound of the steam engine and see the toy train slowly snaking its way through the mountains.

Kurseong is also known as 'The place of white orchids' due to the abundance of rare flowers. There are beautiful tea gardens, lush green forests and year-round vegetation on the slopes. From some parts of nearby Kalimpong, you get resplendent views of Mount Kanchenjunga, Kabru and Jannu. The sight of the rivers Teesta and Mahananda just takes your breath away. Kurseong is an ideal place for nature walks where you can enjoy a slice of rural life.

Animal lovers, don’t forget to visit the Deer Park and Dowhill Eco Park, about 4 km east. Spread across a green patch of about 20 acres, it has a sparkling water fountain, a flower house and a number of rare animal species. Trekkers will love the secluded stretches and the scenic views. It is named after deer as large numbers of the animal was found in the area before deforestation and poaching set in.

 

Mirik: About 55 km from Bagdogra airport, is another ideal destination. The main attraction is the 1.25-km Sumendu lake surrounded by Dhupi trees on the western bank and a vast garden on the eastern bank. A floating fountain in the middle and a quaint little footbridge that connects the flower garden on the eastern bank to the heavily forested ridge with thousands of Cryptomaria-Japanica trees on the west make it a tourist’s delight.

If you are lucky, you may see a rare reflection of the Kanchenjunga in the lake waters. There are points from where you can see Kanchenjunga’s blinding snow-white peaks. This place is surrounded by tea estates, orange orchards and cardamom plantations. Short treks from Mirik are also conducted.

If you want to just laze around, stay in the Swiss cottages on the hill top from where you can have a panoramic view of the lake and almost all of Mirik.

 

Rameetay Dara: An ideal spot to enjoy the sunrise and sunset, it is famous for the pristine view of the plains and snow-clad mountains of Mirik. The pleasant weather throughout the year is such a relief. At a short distance is Kawlay Dara, known for the misty mountains. This peak provides a spectacular view of the lush green flora of the Himalayas.

Tourists can enjoy trekking, leisure walks or mountain climbing at these places. A number of interesting places are located in the vicinity of Kawlay Dara like Singha Devi Temple and Deosi Dara.

 

Deosi Dara: Located 1768 m above sea level, it is a perfect destination for nature lovers with a panoramic view of the Mirik Valley and is a heaven for photographers. Surrounded with emerald green pine trees and lush green jungles, it is popular among local picnickers too. Away from the polluted cities, one can enjoy the lovely sunrise and sunset.

 

Mahananda Wildlife sanctuary: Half an hour away from Bagdogra lies the sanctuary located between the Mahananda and Teesta rivers.

If you drive straight down the main forest road, you will reach the banks of the Mahananda. Regular day safaris are offered in the sanctuary from the Sukna gate in the morning and afternoon. But you need to take your own car, preferably a big one, and return before dusk.

If you are lucky, you can even spot Royal Bengal Tigers. Some 36 different species of mammals approximately exist, including Himalayan black bear, leopards, rare mountain goats (serow), etc.

A haven for bird watchers, there are approximately 243 different species of birds, including Himalayan pied hornbills, peafowls, racket tail drongo, etc.

Several watch towers have been set up: one in Laltong on the Teesta river bank, astounding for watching elephant migration; another has been created in the Gulma railway station using a train's cabin and is used to watch deer, Indian bison, etc.

 

Gorumara National Park: Located on the flood plains of Murti and Jaldhaka rivers, Gorumara is famous for the Asiatic one-horned rhino. Just two hours from Bagdogra, the meandering ride to Gorumara through tea gardens is just splendid.

Tourists can go for jungle safari to have a sight of elephants, rhinos, Indian bison (gaur), etc. You have to book forest safari with the forest department and take an authorised guide along to the watchtowers. Trespassing is illegal and can be dangerous. The common safaris include the Jatraprasad, Methla, Chukchuki, Chandrachur and Chapramari watchtowers.

Visitors need to obtain a special permission to enter its interiors. The Gorumara national park has approximately 48 species of carnivores and herbivores, 193 species of birds, 22 of reptiles, 7 of turtles, 27 species of fishes, etc. Birds include minivets, pheasants, hornbills, etc. During winter, migratory birds including the brahminy duck, ibis, teals, etc., can be seen. The night hunters are the owls and the nightjars.

Access points

From Bagdogra Airport, it is easy to explore West Bengal’s hills (Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Chalsa, Dooars etc.) and Sikkim (Gangtok, Pelling, North Sikkim etc).

Another plus point is, the airport also has direct flights from Paro (Bhutan) and Kathmandu (Nepal). The nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri.

 

Attractions in Bagdogra

Bagdogra is very rich in culture and tradition. The best season to visit is October to March. Some of the major festivals include Gangasagar Mela, Kenduli Mela, Jalpesh Mela and Naba Barsho.

Naba Barsho is observed as the New Year according to the Tibetan calendar and is celebrated with great zest.

You can also spend a day in local sight-seeing and visit the Kali Mandir, HYPERLINK "http://www.holidayiq.com/ISKCON-Temple-Bagdogra-Sightseeing-773-9460.html"ISKCON Temple, Science City, Coronation Bridge, Surya Sen Park, Salugara Monastery, HYPERLINK "http://www.holidayiq.com/Madhuban-Park-Bagdogra-Sightseeing-773-9461.html"Madhuban Park, HYPERLINK "http://www.holidayiq.com/Savin-Kingdom-Bagdogra-Sightseeing-773-9463.html"Savin Kingdom, HYPERLINK "http://www.holidayiq.com/Umrao-Singh-Boat-Club-Bagdogra-Sightseeing-773-9455.html"Umrao Singh Boat Club.

Exploring Bagdogra

Why you must visit Alleppey

Alluring Alleppey

    Alleppey is famous for its backwaters but we always think of something unique. During our trip, we enjoyed both the backwaters and the beach. Don’t forget to read our trip plan at the end of the article

A trip down south was long due and when we were planning our holiday destination during our son’s summer break, the first name that came to mind was Kerala. We decided to take the train one way as we wanted to enjoy Konkan railway’s scenic route that meanders its way through lush monsoon greenery and the captivating and mystical ghats. We were lucky tickets were available on the Thiruvananthapuram Rajdhani Express. Feedback from friends, locals and reviews on the net helped us zero in our destination. The journey was quite long as we crossed several states starting with Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and finally landed in Kerala. The scenic beauty was equally breath-taking and enamouring, especially after we entered Maharashtra with greenery in abundance, long tunnels, misty waterfalls and vast water bodies – all soothing to the eyes.

Goa with its mountains on one side and the sea on the other was just sublime and exhilarating. The wet, muddy and moist smell in the air gave such a sense of reprieve from the heat and dust of Delhi’s mundane life and the urban morass. As we passed by the tiny Canacona station, we recollected our last trip to this tourists’ delight and the fun-filled moments on the pristine Palolem beach, lazing in front of the roaring waves from morn to dusk, doing nothing. Karnataka was equally awe-inspiring with its greenery and the sojourn through the majestic ghats.

 Kerala is known for its hills and tea gardens but as we are from Assam, these are not new to us, and so we chose Alleppey to experience the enchanting backwaters and soak ourselves to the bone in the Kerala monsoon. We reached Alleppey early morning and the first thing we noticed were lungi-clad men and women in saris with flowers in hair. We took a taxi and in a few minutes we could view the sea, and we knew our resort was near. Though he charged an exorbitant fare for the short journey, the driver was decent enough to return the change one hour after he dropped us. We had booked a cottage at a sea-facing resort; the first look itself was impressive with the fresh morning air blowing in from the sea. We thought that since check-in time was 11 am and we reached quite early, we would spend the time frolicking at the Alleppey beach. But the resort guys let us in, in the early hours without charging anything extra.

 The cottage was very well maintained and as we stepped inside, we already got a homely feeling. Though we thought we would hit the sack for a while but after we freshened up, we had other thought with the sea beckoning us. We could see and hear the surging waves from our room and could not stop ourselves from letting ourselves loose on the white sand. With monsoon at its peak, the sea was at its roaring best and the white sand was complementing it too well. The umbrella was a must-carry for locals whether it was rainy or sunny. We were already famished and we discovered a small food joint where we relished on Kerala porotha with lip-smacking ghugni (we could not find out the Malayali name as the man knew little English). When we asked for a dosa, he said, ‘no dosa’. We realised how people in other parts of India had a misconception that people in the south eat only idlis and dosas. Dosa is served as a snack, mainly in Tamil Nadu, and not so much in Kerala. For lunch, we returned to our resort bang opposite the beach. We devoured the spicy Kerala fish curry and steam rice and it was simply yummy. We were also served Kerala papad while we were waiting for the lunch to arrive; it had a different shape but it was again delicious.

 

We enquired about the backwaters at the reception and finalised a shikara ride for four hours the next day. Staying on a houseboat for 24 hours would have restricted us, as anyways they park the houseboat after sunset. Being sea lovers, we would definitely prefer to come back to our resort for the rest of the evening.

 We were given a spa brochure and we thought that being in Kerala, we should definitely try the herbal famous Kerala massage.  With little hesitance, I and my husband went for it and at the end of it we found it relaxing. In the evening, sonny enjoyed a camel ride on the beach, we already had the experience in Udaipur so didn’t try this time and instead we enjoyed mouth-watering pakoras. This time we did not forget our umbrellas and sonny’s raincoat, as the drizzle was playing hide and seek. People generally were seen in traditional attire so I went for Indo-western outfits.

On day two, we had a quick breakfast of poori-bhaji, upma, some fruits and our taxi was ready to take us to the shikara parking spot. When we reached, our boat was already waiting for us. We stepped into the shikara and our journey started from a backwater canal that extended to lakes and then rivers. Lines of houseboats had just started their day or about to start with enthusiastic tourists clicking endless pictures of the astounding backwaters. The view was awesome with water till our eyes could see. ‘Water, water everywhere…’ as Coleridge had said.

 

Both sides of the canal were dotted with small, freshly painted houses where people were busy in their daily chores. One thing that caught my eye were traditional women busy in both household as well as outdoor activities such as fishing, managing small shops, giving a helping hand to their husbands in sailing boats and even building small embankments.

 

Our driver was a chatterbox and was constantly  charting out information about where the annual boat race starts, where houseboats are mended, paddy fields, and what not. After each information, he would instruct us ‘click picture, click picture’! He showed us the long boats used in the annual race in August and the place where men were trained. After two-hour ride, our driver parked the shikara at a home restaurant where we had scrumptious prawn and basai fry masala. We also saw a man climbing a coconut tree, making preparations to make homemade beer from toddy. 

We bid adieu from the family and our boat driver rode us to Vembanad Lake. The backwaters extended to the lake. It is the longest lake in India and the largest in Kerala. It is also known as Punnamada Lake. It covers an area of 2033.02 sq km, making it the largest wetland system in our country. It enjoys rich biodiversity and is home to several marine, bird and animal species. It also witnesses the annual snake boat racing every year. And then finally we started our return journey towards the town.

 

On day 3, we spent some time chilling out at the resort pool and spent most of the day at the beach as it was our last day. Our last supper was quite elaborate and we scanned the whole menu and ordered everything authentic whatever we haven’t tasted. The next morning, reluctantly we stepped out and took the taxi to the airport. On the way we saw shops lined up selling hammocks and as it is difficult to find one in Delhi, we couldn’t resist from buying one.  The towns were clean and developing fast. Kochi was bustling and the airport was quite impressive.  

 

While we were waiting for our flight announcement, we heard some commotion and saw actor Rana Daggubati and a Tollywood actress. I could recognise Rana as I saw him in Baby. Fans were approaching them for a selfie moment and they too were obliging. In another row, I saw Baichung Bhutia engrossed in his mobile. I could recognise him immediately as I interviewed him a few years back, but only a very few football buffs could recognise him. At last we bid adieu to God’s own country and reached Delhi after four hours. Though Delhi was hot and humid, but we had a feeling of homecoming.

Our trip plan

If you go by flight till Kochi, two nights are enough. But we decided to take the train one way to enjoy Konkan Railway’s scenic route. We took the Thiruvananthapuram-Rajdhani Express from New Delhi railway station. We crossed several states — Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and finally landed in Kerala.

We reached Alleppey early morning after two-night journey. We took a taxi and reached our sea-facing resort. You can enjoy breakfast in the hotel or explore outside. We went out for breakfast and relished on Kerala porotha with ghugni (we could not find out the Malayali name as the man knew little English). When we asked for a dosa, he said, ‘no dosa’. Dosa is served as a snack, mainly in Tamil Nadu, but not much in Kerala. For lunch, we devoured spicy Kerala fish curry and steam rice at our resort. We were also served Kerala papad; it had a different shape but was delicious.

We were given a spa brochure and we thought that being in Kerala, we should definitely try the famous herbal Kerala massage.  You should also try one. In the evening, sonny enjoyed a camel ride on the beach while we enjoyed pakoras. Don’t forget your umbrellas or raincoats, if you travel during the monsoons as the drizzle plays hide and seek. We went in June.

On day two, we had a breakfast of poori-bhaji, upma, fruits and took a taxi to the shikara parking spot. We stepped into the shikara and our journey started from a backwater canal that extended to lakes and then rivers.

After a two-hour ride, our driver parked the shikara at a home restaurant where we had scrumptious prawn and basai fry masala. We also saw a man climbing a coconut tree, making preparations to make homemade beer from toddy.

We booked the shikara ride for four hours as staying on a houseboat for 24 hours would have restricted us, as anyways they park the houseboat at one place after sunset. Being sea lovers, we preferred to come back to our resort near the sea.

On day 3, we spent some time chilling out at the resort pool and spent most of the day at the beach. For our last supper, we ordered everything authentic whatever we haven’t tasted.

The next morning, we took a taxi to the Cochin International Airport. On the way, we saw shops lined up, selling hammocks, and we bought one. Kochi city was bustling and the airport was quite impressive. If you want to spend a day in Kochi, you can give it a try. 

You can also visit if you have time in hand:

*Marari Beach

*Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple

*Revi Karunakaran Museum

*Alappuzha Lighthouse

*International Coir Museum

*Krishnapuram Palace (built by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma in the 18th century)

*Alappuzha Beach

*Mary Forane Church

*Triveni Floating Market

*Alappuzha Zakariya Market

 

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