When we talk of TRPs we think about the 'Bigg bosses' and the 'balika vadhus' and to a certain extent India's cricket matches. But I also feel that the apparently drab, mundane and lack-lustre DD Lok sabha and DD Rajya sabha should have a solid share in the TRP pie. There used to be a time when I used to loathe at my uncle's habit of watching the day's proceedings religiously and used to laugh behind his back. Little did I know that after 7-8 years I would be the one fixing my gaze on the screen when the session begins. Of course bills and question hours hold no interest or very little, but the real blazers are the debates. I would not call them lively though. They are more noisy and gives an impression of a brawl taking place. But nevertheless, its a fixed consumable for the newsmakers. They thrive on it. And after wards it turns quite interesting too. So while you appreciate the cool and very gentle composure that chidambaram maintains while addressing any allegation, you simply cant ignore or trash the fiery nature of Ms. Swaraj's maligning. There's a rush, a sense of urgency when the members rush towards the well of the house demanding something. Observation1: They do not, in 9 out of 10 cases, worry about the crucial time that they are wasting and observation 2: The poor speaker, inspite of his apparent powers cant do an inch more than a "please aap baith jaiye" and "please resume your seat".
The present issues hanging in the parliament air apart from climate change debate and the NREGAs are the Liberhan report and the Telangana issue. BOth are not topical, but still retain their vigour and have hit back the sensitive Indian's mind with full gusto. The ghosts of the Babri refuse to die and the tremors of telangana have by now, resulted in the UPA relenting to the TRS's demand. KCR is the new poster boy...rejuvenated. And even the ruckus in the Andhra and Punjab assemblies have made it into the headlines. And when India is concerned, there is no lack of topics and crisis to be discussed. Everything under the (Indian) moon can be converted into a hot debatable issue within the walls of the Parliament.
Recently, something really humorous happened which supplied as a great ingredient for a feast relished by the media. Several MPs were missing from the House during the Question hour. And they cited juvenile and transparent reasons like getting late due to road and EVEN air transport, which left a poor Meira Kumar smiling without having anything else to say or do. Most of them dont maintain a basic decorum in the house and I remember in the West Bengal assembly, some TMC MPs even resorted to flinging chairs and breaking tables. Such a shame. But who knows, when you have a million voters to cater (or rather pretend to) to and their votes to greedily lap for, you are left with a little option rather than maintaining decency. Not everybody can be a Chidambaram or a Manmohan Singh.
So, entertainment comes with all its splendour during these sessions. Our primal instinct to get attracted to any kind of confrontation or altercation and watch them as a silent spectator and derive fun out of them like vultures devouring their preys, is a great aid for them too. So teh next time you are bored of family soaps or dramatic reality shows, just tune to DD Lok sabha and Rajya sabha. And I am sure you wont get disappointed.
(Of course you might choose to watch the most savoury bits and pieces from a news bulletin later or live)
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