I am an admirer of Prannoy Roy since his 'News Track' days when no news channels were available except that of DD. My admiration grew with NDTV's incisive poll analysis. NDTV used to give a balanced coverage with some ethical restraint and broad base.
However, from recent trends a discerning viewer can perceive a marked decline in NDTV's standards. Probably it has to vie with some other mediocre channels for TRP ratings. Loss of brilliant personalities like Dilip Sardesai could be another reason.
The most appalling thing is the self-censorship that NDTV imposes on itself while dealing with certain personalities/political parties. During the post-poll interview with Margaret Alva after Karnataka polls, when she was telling with a straight face that the leader of the congress legislature party will be elected by the new members, she was allowed to go unchallenged knowing the congress culture of imposing leaders by the 'HIGH command'. Everyone knows what these elections are.
Same restriant was not shown to Sushma Swaraj on the question of BJP's inbability to field a single Muslim candidate. Does NDTV has any infomation that BJP has fielded Christian or Budhist or Parsee or Sikh candidates. The disease of identifying Minority solely with Muslim has afflicted NDTV also. BJP has also not show any edifying behaviour by promising the nomination of a Muslim as MLC. If in Tamil Nadu a professed atheist can be Minister for Hindu Religious Endowments and Temple Administration, if in Marxist Kerala a Communist can handle these, why not a competent Hindu Lawyer Member handle Wakf portfolio in Karnataka?
On the day 12 persons were brutally hacked to death in Rayalaseema in broad day light, the news finds no mention on NDTV whereas Arushi's murder was flogged again and again to the utter disgust of viewers. Is it because the first incident was from south and the second incident had sex angle to it till it was found that the servant was also murdered throwing egg on these telecasters' faces and to their disappointment?
NDTV should cater for the whole country and not for North India or Delhi only. Why a southern edition? Why not an Easteern/Western/Northern Edition?
NDTV should live to its own earlier standards.
...ponder
Friday, May 30, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
GOD and GENDER
Major religions of the world like Islam, Christianity and Budhism depict God as a Male. Though depiction of God through illustrations is totally prohibited in Islam, the depiction as a Male is by referring as HIM. In some ancient churches of vintage, God is illustrated on ceilings, walls, as a tall, white, bearded wearing robes, etc. Budhism has no taboo and all their temples have small to mamoth statues of Budha. By refering to God as HIM/HE, we cannot help but give a form/shape/image in our minds though some religions expressly prohibit giving form.
Some other civilizations like Greek also had Goddesses. These are not religions.
Hindus are more catholic in that God is worshipped as a Male, Female, Animal and even as Tree. They also worship rain, lightning, stars, planets which may be the case in some other religions/civilizations which are now extinct thanks to that evangelist.
Aethists are still better. They build temples for the living/erect statues of living persons and worship/rever them. We had statues erected for Kamaraja Nadar, Sanjiva Reddy, Karunanidhi and a temple for Khushboo all during thier lifetime. People religiously garland them, light incense,camphor, etc. Mayavati routinely inaugurates her own statue along with Ambedkar's and Kanshiram's which are all worshipped.
Since nobody has seen God (as I believe), I don't know if anyone can logically argue that God is a Male. Is it because we have all along been overwhelmingly patriachial despite some minor communities practicing matriarchial system? Or more plausibly is it a matter of faith not to be questioned or needing proof. Do all women also believe in this?
Anthropologists say that the first human was a female originating in Africa. I dont think that anybody will dispute that human specis pre-date any form of religion. Since there could have been no God without religion, should n't we worship our original ancestor who is a she.
Here I would give an English translation of a Telugu Hymn
Vedantists designated Him as Brahma - Vaishnavites identified Him as Vishnu
To the ardent Saivites He is simply Siva - Mahaveera disciples call Him Jina Devu
To Budhists He is enlightened Gautama - To Logicians He is nothing but "Your Self"
Fatalist Theorists claim He is the Karma - Deists believe, He is the Computer's self.
(Original Telugu Hymn of Annamacharya translated into English by 'Gautama' in his book 'Ancient Vedic Culture')
Post Script: The translation omits the lines refering to the God as Shakti (Female). It also omits the line that God is that as visualised by the worshipper. Accident? Male Chauvanist? It definetely is not for brevity's sake.
...ponder
Some other civilizations like Greek also had Goddesses. These are not religions.
Hindus are more catholic in that God is worshipped as a Male, Female, Animal and even as Tree. They also worship rain, lightning, stars, planets which may be the case in some other religions/civilizations which are now extinct thanks to that evangelist.
Aethists are still better. They build temples for the living/erect statues of living persons and worship/rever them. We had statues erected for Kamaraja Nadar, Sanjiva Reddy, Karunanidhi and a temple for Khushboo all during thier lifetime. People religiously garland them, light incense,camphor, etc. Mayavati routinely inaugurates her own statue along with Ambedkar's and Kanshiram's which are all worshipped.
Since nobody has seen God (as I believe), I don't know if anyone can logically argue that God is a Male. Is it because we have all along been overwhelmingly patriachial despite some minor communities practicing matriarchial system? Or more plausibly is it a matter of faith not to be questioned or needing proof. Do all women also believe in this?
Anthropologists say that the first human was a female originating in Africa. I dont think that anybody will dispute that human specis pre-date any form of religion. Since there could have been no God without religion, should n't we worship our original ancestor who is a she.
Here I would give an English translation of a Telugu Hymn
Vedantists designated Him as Brahma - Vaishnavites identified Him as Vishnu
To the ardent Saivites He is simply Siva - Mahaveera disciples call Him Jina Devu
To Budhists He is enlightened Gautama - To Logicians He is nothing but "Your Self"
Fatalist Theorists claim He is the Karma - Deists believe, He is the Computer's self.
(Original Telugu Hymn of Annamacharya translated into English by 'Gautama' in his book 'Ancient Vedic Culture')
Post Script: The translation omits the lines refering to the God as Shakti (Female). It also omits the line that God is that as visualised by the worshipper. Accident? Male Chauvanist? It definetely is not for brevity's sake.
...ponder
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Cheerleaders in IPL Matches
Imported /indigenous girls are deployed as cheerleaders to expose their bodies as they perform jigs whenever a four or six is scored or a wicket falls. Apart from providing employment to good looking girls willing to bare to permissible extent, this is supposed to improve gate collections. There must be scouts, agents, placement experts making money out of this.
Cheerleaders may be a common institution in US right from school level and may not be for monetary consideration alone. But for us Indians, it is novel though two soft drink makers used them some years ago on open trucks to promote their obnoxious brews.
Tamil Nadu has asked them to wear dresses which cover most of their bodies but allowed these spectacles. Today BJP threatens to disrupt the match at Hyderabad if skimpily clad girls are allowed to romp around. Spoil sports!
IPL officials assert that cheerleaders are here to stay and throw in contractual obligations to good measure.
Sometime back when sportswomen demanded equal treatment, equal prize money and better remuneration with their male counterparts, the mandarins of sports lamented poor sponsorship and gate collections at women's sports events and suggested shorter skirts! Game does not matter. Indian Hockeywomen have performed better than men. Does not matter.
As far as man is concerned, he is more than happy. If he is a 'decent' chap (i.e constrained by fear of consequences) , he will only eye, ogle, gawk or give a once over. If he is bold (fresh and forward willing to take limited risks) he may touch, brush or paw. If he is reckless, God save the girl, provided she desires to be saved. Whether sixteen or sixty man is a genetically programmed animal to have his adernel pumped up at the sight of a skirt. Any encouragemnt is welcome.
Taxi Drivers in Rajasthan, Policemen in Mumbai and 'male company' in Goa routinely rape women and get away with it with murder thrown in if needed. If Bal Thakrey blames the dress code, Brinda Karat and the women's lib army are up in arms. When in the sixties women burnt their bras to assert their independence, men were more than obliged and grateful. Who won?
This is an eternal riddle. Women will exhibit and men will gawk. But a third party wants to cash this. That is the pity.
...ponder
Cheerleaders may be a common institution in US right from school level and may not be for monetary consideration alone. But for us Indians, it is novel though two soft drink makers used them some years ago on open trucks to promote their obnoxious brews.
Tamil Nadu has asked them to wear dresses which cover most of their bodies but allowed these spectacles. Today BJP threatens to disrupt the match at Hyderabad if skimpily clad girls are allowed to romp around. Spoil sports!
IPL officials assert that cheerleaders are here to stay and throw in contractual obligations to good measure.
Sometime back when sportswomen demanded equal treatment, equal prize money and better remuneration with their male counterparts, the mandarins of sports lamented poor sponsorship and gate collections at women's sports events and suggested shorter skirts! Game does not matter. Indian Hockeywomen have performed better than men. Does not matter.
As far as man is concerned, he is more than happy. If he is a 'decent' chap (i.e constrained by fear of consequences) , he will only eye, ogle, gawk or give a once over. If he is bold (fresh and forward willing to take limited risks) he may touch, brush or paw. If he is reckless, God save the girl, provided she desires to be saved. Whether sixteen or sixty man is a genetically programmed animal to have his adernel pumped up at the sight of a skirt. Any encouragemnt is welcome.
Taxi Drivers in Rajasthan, Policemen in Mumbai and 'male company' in Goa routinely rape women and get away with it with murder thrown in if needed. If Bal Thakrey blames the dress code, Brinda Karat and the women's lib army are up in arms. When in the sixties women burnt their bras to assert their independence, men were more than obliged and grateful. Who won?
This is an eternal riddle. Women will exhibit and men will gawk. But a third party wants to cash this. That is the pity.
...ponder
Friday, May 2, 2008
Removal of Hoardings in Chennai
I had been to Chennai recently. As any other metropolitan city, Chennai has also changed a lot. One positive thing is the removal of hoardings spanning across the city. The contrast is remarkable. More trees have become visible and at many places the city lookes greeneer. The energy saved is enormous.
This example should be emulated elsewhere too. Huge hoardings clog the skyline of Hyderabad. These are potential disasters in the making,with their propensity to divert attention and cause accidents. Many private buildings have allowed huge scaffoldings to be erected on them for these hoadings despite their structual weaknesses.
Advertisements, per sse, are white lies. It is enough that they have invaded into our drawing rooms via TV channels. Many of these ads are vulgar at one extreme and suggestive at the least. Some are in good taste but few. But on the roads, they are a nuisance. Especially those video type ones. It is common occurrance that after a particularly rough weather, hoardings collapse causing even deaths. The twisted steel is left like that like eye-sores.
NGOs should tke up the matter and if necessary, resort to PILs to get atleast the unauthorised ones removed. In the context of global warming, erergy crisis and safer roads, removal of hoardings and neon signs will constitute a small step in tackling these grave issues.
...ponder
This example should be emulated elsewhere too. Huge hoardings clog the skyline of Hyderabad. These are potential disasters in the making,with their propensity to divert attention and cause accidents. Many private buildings have allowed huge scaffoldings to be erected on them for these hoadings despite their structual weaknesses.
Advertisements, per sse, are white lies. It is enough that they have invaded into our drawing rooms via TV channels. Many of these ads are vulgar at one extreme and suggestive at the least. Some are in good taste but few. But on the roads, they are a nuisance. Especially those video type ones. It is common occurrance that after a particularly rough weather, hoardings collapse causing even deaths. The twisted steel is left like that like eye-sores.
NGOs should tke up the matter and if necessary, resort to PILs to get atleast the unauthorised ones removed. In the context of global warming, erergy crisis and safer roads, removal of hoardings and neon signs will constitute a small step in tackling these grave issues.
...ponder
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