1. PRO AND ANTI

When we see/hear any news channel we are not served the news as it is but it is spiced up according to the editorial policy of the GROUP and/or the spinal strength of it to stand up to the rulers of the day

This becomes more prominent when the news is political one specially during election time.

The recent KARNATAKA election forced me to write this note.

2. PRO LINE

Due to pre-occupancy I could view the news channel at about 11.30 AM and by that time the BJP was leading and inching towards the magic figure.

Later, on TIMES NOW, a channel I am viewing since January for many reasons, I saw a jilted Arnab Goswami, questioning the Congress spokesperson as if he was presiding a Congress coterie meeting. I was touched because earlier, he never crossed line when reporting the BJP surge. The Channel too did not cross the line. Yes, he was showing his PRO-CONGRESS VIEWS or leaning and that is quite tolerable, since he did not abuse somebody else or rue it just for the sake of it.

3. ANTI LINE

Some Channels have expertise in it. They just cannot digest anything happening against their desire/wish. They will behave in a fashion as if they are executing the function of the Head of State or a Governor.

These channels go on to the extent of airing anti-national/terrorist interviews who announce sedition activities, division of the society at the village levels.

They will caricature a personality ,for his poetic abilities, who has adorned the post of PM and is a great statesman.

I donot remember them caricaturing any Communist leaders save and except poor Surjeet Sahab. It is needless to say that daily statements of most of them are superb material for cartoons and caricature.

One of their famous associate is now leading another group and now both are vying for the top slot for this anti-ism.

4. You need not go to PISA just view these channels.

1. NEWS

It is the short form of North East West South.

But some channels particularly the HINDI ones feel it otherwise.

2. loZJs"B

This Channel though having 2 local branches will FLASH Delhi news which has no importance even at local level just to create panic or havoc.

This Channel has further knack of SMS business. It will start this YES / NO business at the drop of hat.

3. KNOW ALL

This Hindi Channel has mostly Mumbai based news. Recently it was displaying as BREAKING NEWS posting of several Police officers in and around Mumbai as the PM has re-shuffled his Cabinet.

4. ALL IS FAIR

This Channel in a fit to counter Cricket did not gave any news about IPL and followed the policy of all is fair in love and war. Since then, I have lost track of this channel.

5. MY WHITENESS

This Channel too comes in the bracket of Know all genre. Recently, it was following KHALI the great to every nook and corner of the World and proclaiming itself as if it has found Osama.

6. WHERE IS THE NEWS

Now a days I am yet to figure out what is the time when news is telecast specially in Hindi Channels.

Next, I am yet to figure out when a particular news slot is full of news.

Now a days, you have to read news in the ticker only.

Most of the FLASH / BREAKING NEWS, are no where in the next day's Newspaper.

Most of the time, it is Astrology, Cover story , Murder mystery, Khali, Sansani types. Even during News, one story is developed and spoon fed.

Recently, two Hindi channels, I believe whose owners have scant regards to Hinduism, carried for hours Panditji type programme on the occasion of LUNAR and SOLAR eclipse even when these were not visible in India and even the staunchest of the Pandit had ruled out their effects or ill-effects on any Indian.

News, now a days is not available according to you or when exactly when you want to see/hear.

Thats why the NEWSPAPER still sells.

It is really wonderful to learn that Mahesh Bhupati has decided to play for India in Beijing Olympics with Leander Paes.

It shows how big hearted he is.

It is needless to recount here old matters, but my assessment is that it was Dr Paes who started it all by dribbling the ball, when I think he was Team Doctor or travelled with team as Paes father. Later Paes added more mud in the muddle and compounded the matter.

Mr Paes- both Sr and Jr must have since felt that it is always two to tango and that the first among the two always has to be

MAHESH BHUPATI

Winning or losing is other matter.

1. Barabanki Vs Venice

I am neither interested in AB (Sr), AB (Jr) or the latest AB in whose name the school is going to be built at Daulatpur, Barabanki, UP.

The latest episodes, coming after each other has put the UP administration in the dock.

2. Episode one

The story goes that a case has been instituted against the Big B for evasion of stamp duty.

According to the prosecution, the land has been valued at Rs 8,43,695/- whereas, the stamp duty has been paid on Rs 8,37,000/-. Therefore on Rs 6,695/- stamp duty @ 8% [ which comes to Rs 535.60 P ] has been sought to be evaded.

It is ridiculous to slap such a charge.

It may be a case where the person engaged to calculate the stamp duty had rounded off the figure to the nearest ten thousand.

But the administration in its Shylockian nature thinks otherwise.

Such officer should not only be awarded distinguished service medallion on the lines of ATI VISHISHT SEVA MEDAL in Military, but the spirit [ Aatma ] of such official should be instilled in his brethren across the nation, specially in such corner of the country where rampant corruption is prevalent in these matters. He should be further asked to take up orientation courses in the states and take lectures in the IAS Training Institutes.

Well done ! keep it up !!

3. Episode two

On same day, the Hon'ble Supreme Court concluded in a case against the Big B , " No case is made out against him ". It further went on, " Allegation is some officials committed forgery." It was further noted that the State was free to prosecute against the officials.

4. What Remains

So far as UP is concerned, its beacon lights are cosying up with the Central leadership according to their own scheme of saving their skins from various corruption cases.

Then why disturb somebody for no mistake.

In one episode, the writer explains her misery with an ATM in The PIONEER, Dated April 1, 2008.

I have similar instances.

1. IDBI ATM

Once, while operating an ATM of IDBI Bank, the power went off and the ATM Card was swallowed by the machine, never to return it.

Ranchi - not being a metro, I went to the Bank's office and I was told that I can get the Card back next day when it will be returned by the service people. The matter ended next day.

In the current episode, the writer was asked by the guard to wait for eight days when the Card will be returned by post.

Why therefore, there is no proper backup power at the ATMs.

2. SBI ATM

Operating at SBI ATM, the least said is better.

At one ATM, immediately after punching the Pin number, the machine of its own, started belching currency notes. It stopped only after it ejected Rs 2500/-. I just wanted to leave the booth after collecting the money and my card, as if some "SPIRIT" has entered the ATM.

Upon its complaint, the Bank was more interested in knowing if the money belched has been debited in the account or not.

In another instance, it was a horrid time to first find out how to operate [ where the ATM was a touch screen model ] - then after many exercises it just refused to budge and after a good 15 minutes the guard comes and tells that the ATM is out of order. Another ATM situated just beside it asked to verify the balance, when the ATM itself showed a balance in 5 figures.

The service provider was requested to display the type of ATM in the cabins and to see non-incurrence of refusal to dispense money, other thing remaining okay, is yet to show results.

In most cases, nowadays, the Banks are reluctant in entertaining cash withdrawals and curtly ask the clients to avail ATMs.

3. Crisp Notes Vs Soiled notes

The writer is lucky to expect crisp notes from the ATM. I am yet to get crisp notes from a Ranchi ATM where soiled, burnt and in some cases counterfeit notes are the order of the day.

KOI HAI KYA ? - Of course SUNANE WALA.

1.The Quote of the day :

SURNAME HELPS

Looking at the history, what could have been an innocuous christening moment seems to be a calculated move.

Pt. Nehru never claimed himself to be a Hindu, rather he expressed his distaste on being termed so.

He aptly put a R in India, to make a famous name.

Similar calculation appears to have been made when her daughter wanted to marry Feroze Ghandy. Some ruckus was made and Mahatma Gandhi gave his name including THE surname's spelling.

Feroze Ghandy's family still uses the original spelling.

2. The Law of Diminishing Return :

17 Years Pandit Nehru ruled the country from 1947 to 1964.

16 Years Mrs Gandhi ruled the country, first from 1966 to 1977 and then from 1979 to 1984.

5 Years Rajiv Gandhi ruled the country from 1984 to 1989.

3. The Law of Uncertainty :

19 Years that is more than the period any Nehru-Gandhi scion had ruled the country - have passed and the country has for the FIRST TIME -

- seen a Full term Non Dynastic Congress rule in the form of P.V.Narsimha Rao Government.

- seen a Full term Non- Congress Non Dynastic rule in the form of

Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government.

- seen the present set up which is ruling the country - despite its inherent lack of cohesiveness - not for any governance but merely for the known fear/agenda of keeping the other group from ruling.

In these years, the surname holders have tried to woo the country without much success.

In these years a whole lot of new age voters have been added who neither know these historical contributions nor care to know and on the other hand, the old faithfuls have served their visit to this planet.

There were comparisons in the FAITHFUL and COMMITTED newspaper, to show the ineffectiveness of the present scions to convert MOB into votes.

Any more taker for the surname ?

Last week or so, in an article written by a Tax Expert in Dainik Jagran under the caption "Madhya Warg Par Meharbani" [ Gratitude on Middle Class ] one of the Meharbani stated is :

" The time limit to initiate enquiry has been reduced. Now, the notice can be issued within six months from the end of the financial year in which the return has been filed "

Well that may be one way of looking into the provision which takes effect from April 1, 2008.

But, I thoroughly disagree. On the other hand, it penalises a law abider citizen more than a habitual defaulter.

Let us first understand the provision of law now and sought to be amended with examples.

The present law, requires that a notice of enquiry can be issued within 12 months from the date of filing of the return. It means that if a return is filed on 31^st July 2008, the notice can be issued by 31^st July 2009.

However, under the proposed law, on the same facts, the notice can be issued now by 30^th September 2009.

Take another example, where a defaulter is better placed who files his return habitually on 31^st March. So, he will file his return on 31^st March 2009.

Under the present law, a notice can be issued to him till 31^st March 2010, however, under the proposed law, his notice can be issued till 30^th September 2009 only.

Therefore, the first casualty, the tax abider has an extra risk of two months, and a defaulter is awarded by a reduced period of 6 months.

The second casualty is that, a tax authority can brood over the return of a honest and law abider from August 2008 to September 2009 : 14 months, whereas, in the case of a habitual defaulter he gets just 6 months : April 2009 to September 2009.

The third casualty is that under the present law, all persons are treated equally 12 months from the date of filing of return, whereas, under the proposed law, it is pick and choose. The earlier you file the return, the more the period. If you file it in April itself, the period is 17 months and in case of defaulter just 6 months.

Think before you ink, this fiscal.

1. Ritual

15^th March was celebrated as WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY.

We are daily bombarded by series of advertisements in TV/Newspaper to JAGO.

When Doordarshan was the only channel, in India, one TV serial RAJANI was run, where the activist so named fought for the rights of the consumer.

At that time, Consumer rights were a low key affair and after the show, anybody fighting for his/her rights as consumer was aptly named RAJANI, whether the occasion was of forming queues, asking for proper service, opening of counters on time at public utility centres etc.

Then came the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 [ COPRA ]. This law was made on the US pattern where, the law relating to torts and negligence is given preference and speedy justice is given. This was also one of the salient features of the Rajiv regime.

It is sad to note that still after 21 years, the desired results are yet to reach the last consumer.

2. Sarkari approach

The sarkari [ Governmental ] apathy is difficult to understand. It is not governmental,

- because when a Government really acts, but things don't move than it is GOVERNMENTAL APPROACH

- But when neither the government acts really, nor the things move really and mere impression is created it is SARKARI approach.

The foremost blunder that was made is giving the Food and Civil Supplies ministry the responsibility to monitor the enforcement of the Act. It is the ministry where law takes the back seat and speed money is the prime mover.

In most cases, the State Governments are lax in appointing and forming Consumer Courts at the District levels. If the Courts are formed than the vacancies are not filled up. If vacancies are filled up, proper infrastructures are not there.

In most cases, these Courts are headed by retired Judicial service officers, who had spent their life giving adjournments after adjournments remember Sunny Deol screaming TARIKH PAR TARIKH in a Bollywood film. It is very true in Consumer courts where cases are lingering from 6-7 years despite there being a definite time schedule in the Act.

Therefore, if one takes the courage to JAGO as asked by the series of advertisements in the TV and newspaper he is most likely welcomed by BHAGO YAHAN SE BHAGO.

. Continued

1. Wearing Crown

Unnecessary ruckus is being created on an innocuous remark made by Dhoni the ODI Captain of Team India.

He hails from Ranchi and like the order of the day in this country, a Ranchite has self-acquired right to defend him.

He is wearing the crown, which he got at the time, when we were being fed with the news that Dravid was being followed literally by the Chief Selector and there were leaked information that Tendulkar is not only being sounded but has agreed to lead India once again.

Then came the 20-20. The seniors themselves backed out. Dravid had already resigned. No one was willing to lead. The choice was : Dhoni, Yuvraj or Sehwag.

Dhoni was selected and as the proverbial sentence goes : HE CAME, HE SAW AND HE CONQUERED.

Rest is history.

He has done something special which was earlier done 30 years ago or always dreamed about only.

It has become a habit with the media to gin small bytes by seeking OPINIONS from various persons - related or unrelated.

Therefore, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

2. Whom to lead

What's wrong when he says that he got the team he wanted.

Yes, the selectors must be thanked for entering into his wager.

Equally, Dhoni must be congratulated for showing the guts -

- in demanding the players he wanted, instead of meekly surrendering to the selectors and leading the players who are BIGGER in status, experienced, earning more and importantly ex-captains.

- he must have seen and studied the behaviour, off and on field, of his ex-captains their behaviour inter se and with the juniors. Their attitude with regard to training regime and so on.

- in selecting younger lot who will not shy taking directions from him, turning them into a fighting unit and delivering twice in succession.

- in calling spade a spade.

3. MORAL of the story

Lastly, Dhoni must remember that most persons baying for his blood are eagerly waiting to see him falter so that they can you know ..

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.