Participants across the border

1. Futile Bonhomie

In recent past, we have seen in the name of bonhomie participants across the border  (PAB) appearing in the so-called Reality shows.

It is worth while to note that Indian legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Jagjit Singh et al are never welcome in our neighbourhood countries, whereas, we continue to call, honour and accept the ‘artists’ across the border. In many cases, even sub-standard ‘goods’ are given undue and illegitimate recognition.

In some cases, unashamedly the national and genuine talent is suppressed because the channel producing the programme has not only financial stakes involved in such sponsored participants, but it is their undeclared policy to promote these interests everywhere.

2. Laughter what ?

          In one show, one such PAB, demonstrated his skill as ONE MAN ORCHESTRA, though the show was purely labelled as LAUGHTER programme. He did not qualify to participate, instead he performed.

        In almost all episodes, where such PABs appeared it was cheap, third grade X-rated jokes which were accepted as Laugh materials.

        Even the ‘talking machine’ hosting the show, though coming from a party boasting to be nationalist one, could be found churning out homelies to impose futile bonhomie.

        It may be recalled that in one of the editions, a PAB with obscene gestures and adult jokes was declared the winner.

        Special mention can be made to the news that when such VISITORS came to see Cricket matches here, few hundreds of them  were found to be overstaying/missing. This is their known agenda – whether you take it laughingly or seriously.  

3. What is the need ?

          In an ongoing show, after 7-8 weeks, after short-listing 6 successful participants, another lot was introduced as Challenger. Surprisingly, in this list of 12 persons, 3 [or 25%] were PABs.

        In the last two episodes, one such PAB has been accommodated at the cost of Indian participants, ostensibly at the direction of the channel  – even though the judges were seen gulping their words and not prepared to take the responsibility as their face portrayed on the screen.

        When there is no dearth of talent in the country,

where is the need

why is the need

when is the need

to indulge in such futile exercise.