When the Left is not right

Now that TMC has routed the left bastion from the 9 out of 10 seats in the recent by-polls in west bengal, CPM has little to make amend of. Like a prominent left leader said yesterday that CPM should go for a snap poll and exit gracefully and respectfully before their tenure ends (sic) in 2011. The party which ruled the state for more than 33 yrs have finally succumbed to its ineffectiveness and is staring at a massive electoral defeat in 2011. It needs a divine stroke of luck to revert their lost grandeur back to them. Mamata yesterday dramatically mentioned thatit was not the TMC's win but it was the left's loss-a statement that is sure to rub salt to the party's innumerable wounds and crack their backbone. And now that Mamata is looking forward to the students election by opening TMC's first students wing, it is sure to eat into whatever little is left of the CPM's vote bank. The Left is no more a people's party. This sudden curse should be very unbearable for left stalwarts whose efforts flagged the party's position and respect to such ground-breaking proportions. At a time when the whole nation is rebuking the Left;s ineffective combat against the maoists, their poor policies to benefit the poor and its failed attempt to rapidly industrialize the state (at the cost of the peasants' properties, as most of the people would say), we should spare a little thought for Left leaders like Jyoti Basu, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and the Late Subhash Bhowmick. They contribution to the party machinery was not only unparalleled but also path breaking in their uniqueness. Its not that I am writing their obituary from right now. But as a person who is born and brought up in West Bengal, It is a little unpleasant for me to witness their pathetic decle. And the day when Buddha babu will sit in the opposition's chair in the cabinet, it will be a surprising sight even for Mamata. More than the fact that the Bengal population is awed by Mamata's endeavours, I personally feel that they are in tremendous need of a change. There was a mood of anti-incumbency in the air and mamata, at the very right time, ignited the fire of 'Yes, we can (too)' and the result is right before your eyes. Its good to be optimistic, but somewhere lurking in the hearts of all the CPM workers and members in the state is the realization that in the next elections, The Left will be trampled for sure. What they now need is to think how to point out the loopholes of the possibly ruling TMC in 2011 and come back to power again. But clearly, Now, the Left is NOT right for the people.

Working for the tube

Yeah, so its been more than 6 months that I am in the media profession. There used to be a time when I was enamoured by the field (mostly that of print...TV seldom interested me) and wanted to pursue a career in journalism. But that time I was a bit juvenile and naive to think that the profession would be a bed of roses. But later on with education, knowledge and a little experience, I discovered some thorns too.

So yes, life of a journalist is not heaven. Yes, you get a kick, u get respect from people but you have to slog and specially in TV the situation is crunch. Television, unlike print, competes for TRPs, eyeball grabbing and sensationalism. So the components (namely the workforce) that go into its realization need to be very efficient and swift, and thus the condition gets strenuous.

There is an unmistakable buzz in a newsroom which translates a situation of utter urgency and a life on the edge. Yes, outdoor reporters have a tougher life. I know a senior reporter of a leading TV channel who complains that she has to take her blackberry even to the shower, lest a phone call comes to her asking to go out and report or to do a live chat or give a phono. Desk work is equally hectic and active. But its localized in the newsroom. Production (online and bulletin) needs skill and thought and quick decision-making abilities. Life as a bulletin producer at News9 was very very tough, specially coz I had just passed out of college. But I personally feel that a promo producer, although needs to be creative and all, has the easiest and coolest working style and conditions ina Tv channel. Having said these, I would also like to mention that the policies and working style differ from channel to channel. So if in India TV the lead prime timer is 'barfili maanav:yeti", in Times now its the latest piracy by the somali buccaneers. So while NDTV takes you to the drought affected corners of vidharba, CNN IBN tells you about the latest train mishap in the country.

And how are the people? Well frustrated, I would say. If you are into the media business, you would know why. Most of them are foul mouthed and have a certain crudeness in them. I have heard my friends in the news channel which harbours the highest TRPs in today's time complain that some of the anchors in the channel are so full of themselves that conversing with them you would feel like as if you are talking to an important delegate or something (no offences). It comes to you. I know it does. There have been instances where I have gotten irritated in a click of a finger and after regaining my composure have realized the magnitude of my undoing. I dont know how strongly can I guard myself from these traps. I remember one of my professors in ACJ warn us that in newsrooms, we would discover startingly curious anatomical and familial terms hitherto unknown to us. I did. And also as P. Sainath said once in a lecture, that if the vidharba farmers really lost their lives by consuming liquor (as held by the government) then there would be no journalists left in this planet. i realized that too, though not in a very intimate way. Then ofcourse there are good people, willing to help you. But the number is less. By the way, I have noticed the abovementioned traits only in TV journalsts. I still have a fuzzy idea about print journalists.

I strongly feel that more than a decision, Journalism is an intention (others would say passion). Even if you are not a journalist, I think everyone should be updated with the latest happenings all around you through the extensive coverage of media today. But those in the profession may enjoy the luxury of keeping his mind shut off events as such in a off day. Be a journalist and you would soon know why.

There are a lot of other things that I would have liked to share in this article, but maybe sometimes later.

Blame game in Bengal

Politics has turned into gimmick, providing umpteen drama to television and print journalists alike. Take the case of bengal politics, for example. At a time when a larger national threat like that of armed-rebellion of the naxals and the revisit of terms such as 'prisoner of war' etc, is looming large on the bengal plateau, political leaders are engaging in childish mudslinging. Just imagine a verbal duel between the two major parties, slugging it out just to garner a few votes when one needs to be composite, mature and take stock of situation together in combating such a deadly threat. So buddha accuses mamata of being hand in gloves with the maoists and then mamata retaliates in an equally humbug term-buddha is a maoist. and leaders like jyoti basu fuel the fire. The crucial by elections for 10 seats are drawing near and everbody wants a larger share of the pie. Mamata wants to create a wave of rebellion against the incumbent left ruling and some say. torturing the state for the last 35 years. rightly so, even the MNS in maharashtra has started off similarly. and anything new, fresh, brave and different has people to laud it. but in times like such, do we really need lashes of pungent criticism or a good and strong opposition trying to capture power through sense and not brawn? On the other hand, the pillars of the left rule in bengal are shaking, looking forward to a possible a very possible defeat in the 2011 elections. So they are trying to magnify every flaw the opposition is making. But when time comes to hold talks with the maoists, nobody has created any ruffle. Many do not know. It wasnt an ardhendu sen or the WB DGP whose efforts could guarantee the release of atindranath datta. It took senior journalists like subir bhowmick to manage the situation and mediate between the maoists and the centre to bring a reluctant kishenji in the front. the prisoner swapping was also a cause, which I am surprised why the BJP did not take as an agenda to slam the centre. They, instead, focussed on the issue of dinakaran and a raja falling under suspicion for possible scams. The left government is weak in bengal and the opposition is acting in an immatured way. What the left need is an introspection along with loosening some of its rigid anti-capitalist principles. The lack of investment in the state is an example of its non existence. While on the other hand, didi must understand that mouthing rants like 'buddha is a a maoist' wont take them anywhere. What they need is a constructive criticism. Victory might be in sight for the TMC but stupidity like these should be avoided to ensure a clean sweep.

do co mo...wa ta fa?

The next time I see a group of powder faced jokers muttering some incomprehensible lines ala jaadu tona and jantar mantar and trying to do an anu malik in a tube, I am going to bash my Tv set. I respect the advertising field. My brother is an adman and I find he has got one of the best brains. But ad guys who churn out stupid ads like that of tata docomo (whatever that crap means) are deplorable. mainly because, may be they think that an alluring tune would attract the viewers' attention and will breed curiosity, but in the middle they are not able to communicate the primary content of the ad-how will the product help me? what on earth is a docomo? ya some people might say that in print ads and in earlier TV ads, docomo has been revealed to be an intelligent prepaid scheme that makes you pay for the exact time that you talk. but then where is the message getting delivered in ads like these? and why docomo? why not gabala?

Its thoroughly stupid. The way some people in a tube train, believed to be travelling somewhere in mid Europe, pipes up nonchalantly and engages other passengers in a disgusting tune which sweeps everybody off their feet,is not only childish but nonsensical too.

Though the tune is curious if you listen to it without video. Some strains should have been left non-lip synced.

mukul scribbles and scribbles well!

I find my friend Sid's tidbits about his life a nice read in his 'bits from here and pieces from there' blog category. So I learn that he will be off to a new place for a new job in a few days. The news satisfies me. I really feel good for him and wish him all the very best in his work and fun. He's been a brother to me and even though we are miles separated and he hangs out more with his other friends and I with mine ( whatever scarce I am left with), he holds a special place in my heart. We have been friends right from the beginning-from times that I dont remember even. And we have been great pals. Lots of things to write about our memories. It would take ages. I will, eventually, one day. But in a nutshell, he was among the very few in our school who was so passionate about Bollywood, so he was a storehouse of gossips, news, scoops and infos. And being in his company sure did me well in whipping up my interest in the field. A man with an array of creativity. astounding handwriting. I still remember that he used to pen down the details of the book cricket entry with such painstaking care and details. I hope he still treasures those diaries. And he was fun, alright! There wasnt a single dull moment with him. Now we have grown up and we meet rarely. But each encounter remains etched in my memory for long. His blogging habit is very commendable. And to learn the fact that he is reading books like 'the white tiger' and is keeping himself updated with the latest movies in town deserves an applause. Way to go, bro!

to the people who scans my posts: please visit www.mukulscribbles.blogspot.com