Ouch that hurt! NDTV.

                         You are Blocked!          

 

Blocked by NDTV, now this is a unique situation, one can understand a person being blocked by another for being abusive or argumentative. Wonder since when organization have developed sensitivities and how I managed to hurt their finer feeling through my tweets? The other important aspect is that charges are being paid to cable operator for receiving NDTV signals.

What makes NDTV so insecure? Why this paranoia being displayed by NDTV? Has the credibility deficit been transferred from staffer to organization? What will this achieve? Is the channel now caught in a downward spiral? Mistakes inadvertent or deliberate are on the rise, have been duly noted and recorded. The issue will remain and will have to be confronted by the channel, blocking solves nothing.

Last Saturday I was motoring along blissfully on twitter the day had been one of leisurely pace Presidential polls was the all consuming topic, then in the evening there was a this tweet from NDTV. 

 

 Found this again to be a result of real poor editorial responsibility. Decided to log on to NDTV on twitter and see if more such tweets could be located and to my surprise what do I encounter. Yes what you just read above.

 

Let’s focus on and place NDTV under the scanner, see what we discover during this process. One of the oldest in the trade is NDTV which has been on the scene for over two decade in the current avatar and before that as Starnews. Most of the senior editors in Electronic media are a product of this channel. However we seem to gravitate towards a select few and have reposed our undying faith in them for honest and unbiased reportage.

 

Such a surfeit of channel automatically means intense competition for viewership, and a need to carve a niche for them selves to ensure not just retaining the existing viewer, constant accrual in numbers to stay on top of the leader board.

Let’s start by examining what issues NDTV raises regularly? What they mean and how they enhance the viewership for NDTV? Instead of writing about those issues let me post videos on those subjects.

 

“The Swiss vote in favour of banning the construction of minarets has shocked many in Europe. The Muslim community in France, the biggest in Europe, says it's a humiliation for Muslims living in the continent.”

 

 “The recent proposal in France to ban wearing burqa has once again raised a continuing question about what freedom exactly means.”

Should we not feel proud of the fact that NDTV is not just raising issue, is actually debating them? Countries involved in both events are located in Europe separated from us by minimum 6000Kms. Both are older democracies than India and if one was to be reminded, its France which gave us these three terms, Equality, Fraternity and Liberty. Ironic that we should even be attempting to preach or pass a judgment on the actions of two sovereign nations. So what that NDTV for us.

 

 Left Right & Centre: As the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 approaches, we debate: From Opposition to a mosque near Ground Zero, to Quran burning day - is Islamophobia on the rise?

Here is another example of our most seasoned channel bringing to us and telling us how America is behaving and being intolerant. A country, where democracy was being practiced even before, we had attained our Independence. Our brand of secularism should be exported to all these countries.

 

Amid the unending violence in Kashmir and the BJP's opposition to autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, NDTV debates Omar Abdullah's tenure as chief minister and the Central Government's approach to the vexed problem. 

 Kashmir has been on the edge over the past two months. Over 60 civilians, mostly youngsters, have been killed and hundreds injured in incidents of incessant stone pelting and police firing. Youngsters of all hues from Kashmir join the debate on NDTV on the way to find peace in the Valley.

Yes this is an important and an emotive issue which has been hanging fire for over six decades and needs to be settled expeditiously. NDTV does bring to us important domestic issue. The big Pakistan debate on the Mumbai attacks.

 

 Those who wish to see the other 4 parts of the videos may click the link provided.

The Big Pak Debate (NDTV) 2 of 5 

The Big Pak Debate (NDTV) 3 of 5

The Big Pak Debate (NDTV) 4 of 5 

The Big Pak Debate (NDTV) 5 of 5

 

Here again the expertise and the concern for good neighbourly relationship and also focus on India’s foreign relations is comprehensively being dealt with. This is the advantage of more than two decades of experience that NDTV has.  

Post expose of Radia Tapes this is what transpired on Air in NDTV Studio.

Those who wish to see the other 3 parts of the videos may click the link provided.

Barkha Dutt's Defence 2/4 

Barkha Dutt's Defence 3/4

Barkha Dutt's Defence 4/4

"Barkha Dutt tries to defend herself. While I don't feel that the real questions were answered satisfactorily, it was a Bold but useless effort by Barkha Dutt. Main problem for her is that she can't change her pro congress & anti BJP image. That's the main cause people fail to believe her. NDTV is exposed." These are words of the person who uploaded the videos on youtube.

We have to admire this channel for being upfront and unsparing to its own staff and ruthlessly exposing her to a select panel of journalists. The only discordant note that is struck is no alleged accused has ever been permitted to chose the forum, conduct his/her own trial be the judge and pronounce the judgment as well. Guess surprises never cease and there is always a first time for all things in life.

Ever since this incident, NDTV’s relationship with its viewers has not been the same. The basis of this relationship like all others is Trust, takes years to build seconds to destruct. This is not all Barkha Dutt has also faced protests at India Gate in New Delhi when she attempted to host some kind of a show. Public anger has not subsided towards her rather it has also enveloped the channel. 

 Barkha - Now You Must Resign: The Buck Stops Here. 

 

NDTV Barkha Dutt was holding a debate on the news channel. The issue was corruption where she was asking eminent persons if they would resign in face of allegations of corruption against them. Watch the video where in the 40th minute Swami Agnivesh asks her what would be her position on the issue. Barkha has been accused of political leanings in the multi-crore 2G scam.

This is one question which still bothers most of us, why has the person in question continued to be in service of this channel?  When other named in the same Radia tapes were dealt with differently than her. Credibility of the news channel is a very important factor once that is damaged there is very little that remains. The person and the channel may exist, what good is that existence when everyone looks at you with suspicion?

Freedom of Speech: How far can we go?

The Big Fight: India is a democratic country and we do have a right to freedom of speech. But what are its restrictions. We debate.

This is what any self respecting channel should always be striving for that is protecting and propagating our Freedom of Speech and Expression. Are we not really blessed that we have NDTV to do this for us? It’s been the vanguard for protecting our fundamental rights as bestowed by the Constitution of India.

The only problem in this simple equation is what NDTV preaches so vociferously, demands with utmost vehemence, does not afford to others the same freedom of speech and expression. 

 

I have lodged an official complaint with the channel and have also sent an e-mail to Dr. Prannoy Roy seeking his intervention to inform me the reasons/justification for this illegal censorship and denial of my fundamental rights. 

From: anil kohli To: Prannoy Roy Sent: Monday, 18 June 2012 10:01 PM Subject: Re : Your channel's @ndtv blocked me on twitter.

Dear Dr. Prannoy.Roy,

I hope all is well at your end.

Have been following you for a very very long time and have always admired the work done by you and your team starting from The world This Week programme to the current avatar NDTV.

You have always stayed steadfast in your support for Free Speech and Expression. It's indeed commendable, when most others would have ejected the staffer for alleged unethical professional conduct, you afforded an opportunity to your staffer to present the other side of the story, before a select panel of journalists. That of course is another matter the defendant was also the presiding officer and verdict pronounced by self was "Error of Judgment".

The important point is that you supported the right to Free speech & expression as bestowed on all Indians by the Constitution of India. Then why is the same right not been extended to me? Why has your channel NDTV blocked me on Twitter? After all I do pay the cable operator charges for receiving NDTV. Official complaint filed via feedback to NDTV.

Does this act  not tantamount to unauthorized censorship?

I am sure you would support me, when I wish to express my opinion on any matter or news that your channel broadcasts, NDTV's presence on Twitter is to get feedback from viewers to enhance the quality of your product.

No I am not in any way asking you to intervene and have this undone, believe me there is nothing missing in my existence with the current situation vis a vis NDTV. 

The only purpose is to apprise you of what is happening and the intolerance being practiced by some one in your esteemed channel. Wish you could revert with reasons/ justifications for this unacceptable act. Maybe I am being too optimistic in expecting a response from you, any way I still remain hopeful that you will respond.

This e-mail will also be posted on my blog so that millions of others who feel strongly about freedom of speech and expression can read about this and record their view. The same views will continue to be forwarded to you without any editing. Sincerely Anil Kohli P.S. Screen shots attached

It is incomprehensible a channel with over 20years of existence lack the courage to face truth, instead resorts to indiscriminate censorship by blocking those who express honest views and expose their mistakes.

Let me conclude this article with firm commitment to all those who do record their views on this article the same will be forwarded without editing to Dr. Prannoy Roy of NDTV. So that he may continue to strive and protect our right to free speech and expression    

Latest update as on 20thJuly 2012

NDTV exhibiting pathological hatred towards Mr. Narendra Modi and Gujarat for no apparent reason. Twisting news to create an impression that a planned travel to Japan is a result of violence at Suzuki plant in Haryana. This is not just unacceptable it is disgraceful.

   
Latest update on 23rd Sept 2012
 Info provided by @barbarindian  Check out NDTV secular filter:
http://bit.ly/Pcv7BQ  TOI: http://bit.ly/RQv3XP  Hindu: http://bit.ly/UGAPji

 Coimbatore: A young man murdered his girlfriend by setting her on fire in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu after her parents refused to give their consent for the duo's marriage. NDTV

 

 COIMBATORE: A 21-year-old youth, jilted by love, killed himself on Saturday evening after stabbing his classmate to death and burning her body using kerosene. The victim's 48-year-old mother, Latha Menon, is now battling for life at a private hospital after sustaining more than nine stab injuries when she tried to protect her daughter. The incident occurred at Thoppil Nagar, a residential area in Vadavally on the Coimbatore-Maruthamalai Road. TOI

 

A 21-year-old management student of a city college murdered his classmate, stabbed her mother and immolated himself at her residence at Thoppil Nagar in Vadavalli on Saturday evening. Hindu:

Latest update on 26th Sept 2012

Latest update on 11th Dec 2012

NEW Delhi

ALMOST any night of the week, Barkha Dutt can be found under the harsh glare of television lights, asking tough questions and demanding frank answers. But last Tuesday Ms. Dutt, the most famous face of India’s explosively growing 24-hour cable news business, found herself the subject of the kind of grilling she normally metes out.

Before a jury of four of her peers, she parried questions and struggled to control her anger. It was, perhaps, the toughest interview of her career. Caught on tape talking to a corporate lobbyist, she stood accused of cozying up to the powerful people she should have been covering and agreeing to pass messages to the governing Congress Party.

Victimhood by Sagarika is this the last throw of the dice?

This post is being written as a rejoinder to Ms Sagarika Ghose article “Republic of fear”  in Hindustan Times date 11^th January 2011.

Where she says. “The decline of the Indian liberal is a subject on which historian Ramachandra Guha has written with great insight. While Guha sees the Indian liberal squeezed from the doctrinaire approaches of the Left and Right, yet now the liberal faces another enemy too: the youthful, hardline and nationalist, paler versions of Malik Mumtaz Qadri. Salman Taseer was murdered in Pakistan by a young hardliner because Taseer was considered anti-Islam. Will there be a day when an Indian will be faced with mortal danger from a young hardliner because he is considered 'anti-national?'

The fact of the matter is social media has leveled the playing field where these self appointed and anointed liberals, secularists have been exposed before the entire world and are now wary that they may not be the last ones left standing. These are the neo Nazi’s and Fascists who have been polluting the young minds unchallenged until blogosphere and twitter happened.

The other factor is the Radia Tapes which have exposed the wheeling dealings that these so called intellectual liberals have been liberally indulging in. Employing fake tweets to influence public! When nothing else has worked, out comes the victimhood which is the essence of the article by Sagarika Ghose “Republic of fear” Since it is fashionable to sit cocooned in their studios, pelting one and all with their shallow and bigoted world view. Those who dare to disagree are promptly labeled as Right Winger RSS brigade, Internet Hindus or  Khakhi Chaddi brigade.

 
Indians are unwilling to accept as Gospel what these channels and publications want to push down our throats. Must share this article which has appeared in DNA it is a must read which would dispel all misgivings about the claims and voyeurism of Ms.Ghose.  “India is finally seeing the birth of alternative journalism”

"It takes a school"

Education is a child’s right. It is a promise made in the Constitution, and followed up rigorously by ambitious government programmes. Yet, as even the government’s flagship programme, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan — whose aim is to address the need of almost 200 million children — shows, demand overshoots supply by a large, worrisome margin and millions of children still remain out of classrooms. It is in this context that an unusual, heartening story of a school in a poor Bihar village, reported by this newspaper on Tuesday, acquires significance — and even points to a way forward.

The Chaitanya Gurukul Public School in the village of Chamanpura does not have teachers or blackboards. Both have been replaced by laptops as teachers from across the state and experts from outside Bihar teach students through Skype.

There is definite purpose why the above information is included. The screen shot below speaks volumes as these mercenaries with microphones did not hesitate to label the promoter of this school as per their normal practice.  

 Now for better understanding of the two terms, which are bandied about frequently by these individual have posted below the definitions as provided by Wikipedia.

Secularism and Liberalism

Secularism is the concept that government or other entities should exist separately from religion and/or religious beliefs.

In one sense, secularism may assert the right to be free from religious rule and teachings, and the right to freedom from governmental imposition of religion upon the people within a state that is neutral on matters of belief. (See also Separation of church and state and Laïcité.) In another sense, it refers to the view that human activities and decisions, especially political ones, should be based on evidence and fact unbiased by religious influence. (See also public reason.) Some scholars are now arguing that the very idea of secularism will change.

Secularism draws its intellectual roots from Greek and Roman philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius and Epicurus, medieval Muslim polymaths such as Ibn Rushd, Enlightenment thinkers like Denis Diderot, Voltaire, John Locke, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine, and modern freethinkers, agnostics and atheists such as Bertrand Russell and Robert Ingersoll.

Secularism in India

The Preamble to the Constitution of India declares that India is a secular state. The original preamble did not mention the word "secular". It was added later by 42nd amendment in 1976. The term secularism in politics refers to the governmental practice of indifference towards religion. Though such bifurcation is not totally possible, still, secular politics attempt to prevent religious philosophies or bodies from influencing governmental policies. The philosophy that the Indian constitution upholds is a kind of secular humanism made relevant through a historical development of the ideology within the context of religious pluralism in India.

Indian concept of secularism takes is colour from Article 15 (Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth), Article 25 (Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion), and Article 26 (Freedom to manage religious affairs). These are among the list of Fundamental Rights of citizens. It is interesting to note that Indian Constitution merely states the behaviour of the State in terms of what it will not do (i.e. not discriminate based on religion). It does not say that the State has or has not a religion. It does not say whether State can or cannot participate in religion. It does not say whether State can or cannot spend public money on religious activities.

Even so, India recognizes laws based on religion. Hindus, Muslims, and Christians are governed by their own religious laws. Thus, India does not really fit into any text book definition of Secularism. It has, in fact, created its own brand of Secularism. Indeed, Supreme Court of India observed the same thing in the case of Aruna Roy vs. Union of India (SC AIR 2002), when it said Indian Secularism means ”sarva dhrama samabhav” and not “sarva dharma abhav” ( meaning, "equal feeling for all religions" and not "no feeling for any religion").

Liberalism (from the Latin liberalis, "of freedom") is the belief in the importance of individual liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but most liberals support such fundamental ideas as constitutions, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights, capitalism, free trade, and the separation of church and state. These ideas are widely accepted, even by political groups that do not openly profess a liberal ideological orientation. Liberalism encompasses several intellectual trends and traditions, but the dominant variants are classical liberalism, which became popular in the eighteenth century, and social liberalism, which became popular in the twentieth century.

Liberalism first became a powerful force in the Age of Enlightenment, rejecting several foundational assumptions that dominated most earlier theories of government, such as hereditary status, established religion, absolute monarchy, and the Divine Right of Kings. The early liberal thinker John Locke, who is often credited for the creation of liberalism as a distinct philosophical tradition, employed the concept of natural rights and the social contract to argue that the rule of law should replace absolutism in government, that rulers were subject to the consent of the governed, and that private individuals had a fundamental right to life, liberty, and property.

Liberalism in India

 













Raja Ram Mohan Roy, other contributors to political thought on freedom in 19th century India included Dadabhai Naoroji (1825-1917), Mahadeo Govind Ranade (1842-1901), Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866-1915) and Pherozeshah Mehta (1845-1915). Theory led to an independence movement in India. Gandhi demonstrated through a humane, non-violent, and dignified protest, that all humans were equal and should be treated equally, including their being given the opportunity to govern themselves. This was a major advance in the theory and practice of freedom and can be argued to have had a major effect in ending the age of imperialism and the age of racial discrimination.

The 1949 Indian Constitution gave to Indians some of the liberal rights that the British and Americans had come to expect by then. In addition, India extended franchise to everyone: all adults had the right to vote in the Indian Republic. That was earlier than even most developed countries had provided to their citizens at that time.

While Rajaji and Masani, and economists like B.R. Shenoy advocate the greater freedom, they were unable to over-ride the Indian fascination with socialism.

Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari, the second Governor-General of India, and a Bharat Ratna, was a close colleague of Nehru during the independence movement. But soon after independence he quickly began to see the risks to India of letting Nehru’s fervour with socialism go unchallenged. Despite having fought for independence by Nehru’s side, and without regard for his own advanced age (Rajaji was 80 by then), Rajaji decided to act to block Nehru’s onslaught on freedom. He formed the Freedom (Swatantra) Party, to oppose Nehru's policies.

Juxtapose all what is described as Secularism and Liberalism with what has been written in this article “Republic of fear” by no stretch of imagination can these individual be called liberals however much they may fancy this label and usurp it.

In conclusion liberal is not necessarily a meat eating, liquor drinking individual just as a vegetarian, non drinker an illiberal. Mainstream English media personalities would do themselves a great service by desisting from fragmenting society according to convenience of caste, creed, religion or ideology in order to serve their narrow viewpoints. India needs to be viewed as a single entity and dealt accordingly.

Heavens have mercy on us if the below pasted images are their standards of Secularism and Liberalism.

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Amateur journo Sagarika Ghose case study has been updated with her latest blunder & superficial apology


I welcome a debate and discussion on this…As always, please keep your tone civil, your language polite…no sweeping generalisations please and no personal abuse.  Thank you.