four cabinet minister (and also the cabinet secretary, in case one missed) to receive Baba Ramdev (though this blogger support the cause i find it shocking the business of receiving at the airport) there is someone called Irom Sharmila who has been fasting for more than 10 years now what has the government done. Or is that it is concerned with what is shown in TV or what happens in Delhi. Why is the government seen not proactive on serious issues? These are something that has been on the table for many years now, it is a shame that a democratically elected government (or is it a farce) finds itself in such a situation that it is reduced to placating. Though i would agree that Baba Ramdev is much more than what is manufactured for TV, of course there is also a serious concern on communal angle to the agitation. However to say that saffron represent communal is something i always find quite unpalatable. It is a manufacture of ‘intelligentsia’ around the power circles, who to cover up their lack of understanding look for easy references. Saffron might have been hijacked by communal elements for narrow reason doesn’t give anyone any right to equate saffron attire with communal, i object to it quite strongly. When people go old atleast in places like Kerala, i have seen they get religious and so choose saffron, also i recall when there is a vow to be taken before going to religious places (like say sabrimala) people wear saffron/black cloths. Even this blogger used to, and so did many whom i knew. That didn’t make them communal. Saffron has much deeper and valued meaning than what it is being reduced by competing forces. Common people’s reference to saffron is not what is sought to be seen by intellectuals, it is an agenda based reference that seeks to alienate. I am not for a moment undermining the threat of communal forces or the narrow worldviews. But there is a consistent effort by the western oriented media -mostly run by people who generally have no connection with reality except maybe the market, to alienate and to instigate. It serves their purpose quite perfectly, a divisive agenda or a society wherein there is constant tension between communities is where these people thrive, tragedy brings more audience. Also it helps in their discussion –which has become a raison de entre for many who are articulate with their tongue, they have their cause to shout in controlled space (i don’t know if there weren’t any slum children what would likes of crude women do!), there are regulars for each cause. With market working the perks are higher, and as it looks the government too is tuned into TV channels.The other day i was watching this program by Karan Thapar (though i don’t prefer these people he for one does it well. Probably the best in the business), it was a scene wherein the Delhi elites were seen closing ranks against common enemy. Each one of the participant came with their own personal halo- quite common
these days, and were found taking high (and higher) moral grounds, a man who was with HT (i recall BG Varghese from my Narmada days, he is quite respected figure though i did differ him those days) said with a rather heavy heart “How many Ramdev does it take to become a Gandhi?”. Well said, and yes “How many journalists does it take to become the editor of HT!!” Well i have the answer “none!!”...with plagiarism and Radias HT editors are hot property...just goes to show from this simple example that even senior journalists are on payroll, same could be true for TV channels. Coming back to Karan Thapar, though the discussion was quite nuanced, as is the case when editors, ex editors and intellectuals meet, the fact remains they too work in their ‘ridiculous’ (a word and its synonyms were frequently used in the discussion) framework. Though the panel seem quite concerned by the thought of “where the money is coming for Ramdev, what is his source” rightly so and yes please try to find out. But i can tell with certainty where Mister Thapar (and his esteemed guests) is getting his money from. Right in the middle of the discussions they went for ‘break’, and it is informed with much care that the program was sponsored by “community matrimonial”- a primitive conception “trying to capitalise market opportunity”. So clearly Thapar and his urbane intelligentsia coterie create their nuanced worldview and quaint exchange sponsored by trash!!. I was reading April Bernard (and posted her poem in my other blog) there is this line “not enough left in my mouth to spit”. I would suggest these people that instead of discussing how about spitting each other. If it is metaphorically appropriate why don’t take it literally. This for all TV channels: everything works in context, clearly the Channels cannot expect to earn from regressive/dubious source and still claim to be on high moral grounds. Evidently they have failed quite miserably in their judgment. The fact that they are promoting dubious products/ archaic mindset on the one hand and broad mind talks on the other is what is referred to as hypocrisy. They could have refused they didn’t and that is what is called corruption. Any doubts? It is grievous because they were expected to be discerning, since they are holding huge responsibility. Ethical bankruptcy is accentuated by the fact that unlike common people they do have choices. They exercised their choice and favoured easy money. Must say Karan Thapar does speak well, it’s a pity though.
Shocking
The other day i found the mall nearby selling ‘European cucumber’, i have never seen this cucumber before. I wonder how suddenly it has made its appearance in Bangalore (if it is in Bangalore i can safely assume it must be there across the country). So i am thinking then i see these cucumbers being dumped into garbage in tonnes all across Europe because of deadly strain Ecoli infection that killed many people. So i am thinking if it is dumped in Europe how is the same thing being sold here. Then i am thinking some Indian entrepreneur had this bright idea (wonder why Koreans don’t think this way) “kyonji why dumpji when you can sell, here we sell sand as cement. So why dumpji” ( i am told he even calls his wife dumpy!). So the mall decided to display it prominently being ‘customer friendly’. But then i am thinking if this is a health risk shouldn’t the public be atleast be aware of it. “Sirji tussi bhi na too much ho”. 
