The game behind the scenes for electing the President

I am perturbed by the noise in the media about the criteria Indian political parties are adopting to select candidates for the Presidential election, and the kind of debate that is taking place in the TV studios, on a matter of this importance. Hence I thought of expressing my views here. Also, I am pained to write some of the things about our present President and Vice President. Its not meant in any way to demean the office they hold. Please share your thoughts about this election, which is going to have far reaching importance in the coming years.

Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil’s term as President of India ends on 25^th July 2012. The political parties are now in an overdrive to find the ‘best’ possible candidate to be elected as the next President of the ‘largest democracy on earth’.  A few lines on how things have been in recent times, and public perception of the two most recent Presidents.

Mrs. Pratibha Patil’s tenure may not have been all that bad, had it not been for those family outings in the name of Head of the State visits, and then the scandal of post-presidency resting place in an area that was earmarked for the soldiers of our armed forces. Also, we can ignore the less than graceful surrender of the same in the light of vociferous public protest (on the ground and on social media), after raging down existing houses, pulling down many trees, there in violation of existing rules. Also, let us ignore the mess of her kin caught with money in an election campaign, and another huge stretch of land to a trust given to her kin in 2010. Let us also not talk of the old cooperative scam, MPLADS funds diversion, etc., prior to her rise.

Compare her tenure to that of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, or R. Venkatraman, or even K.R. Narayanan. You can make your own rank list who was the best. I won’t ask you to compare present President with Babu Rajendra Prasad, or Dr. S. Radhakrishnan – men who enhanced the stature of that office.

We have seen too many gray shaded politicians, and, one more won’t do much difference. Isn’t this our typical ‘chalta hai’ national attitude? I believe we all have Kumbhakarna’s gene. In a majority of Indians, it has mutated to ensure that we wake up every five years to vote one day, and then they go back to deep slumber, until next election. [In the good chunk of urban, ‘educated class’, the mutation has ensured that they do not bother to even wake up for that one day! Too happy to enjoy a day’s outing, since nothing can ever change the fortunes of this rotten country. Let me take care of my family, let others go to hell is the attitude. Again, it suits the politicians as this blabbering class never bothers to stand up when there is a need. To help them continue to sleep, the media ensures any effort at awakening them is tarnished and reinforces their preset thoughts. I am sure you know why the main stream media does it!] Now, why shouldn’t our Ravanas love us? They give us a few lollypops every now and then, and we can watch in awe their declared assets grow (there’s no explanation of how it grows). Again, let us not bother about that undeclared wealth, which can only be a guesstimate.  So, any small effort to question that loot is met with brute force (remember Rajbala?), and they talk of taxing the money which was fraudulently acquired. Govt of India has, in effect, declared fraud as a legitimate means of earning by such arguments on taxing money stashed abroad. Our courts which took up the matter are silent on this matter for quite sometime, for reasons best known to them. Let us keep it aside for some other day.

Now, if you have bothered to watch the television debates, stories in the print media, there are a few names doing the rounds on behalf of the ruling combine, particularly Congress, and discordant notes from other parties. To that extent, one should credit UPA for being more disciplined to achieve their objectives. Look at how some of NDA members reacted to a suggestion by one of BJP’s main leaders. Ten people, ten different voices, all of them helping the opponent find neat cracks! With such friends, BJP does not need an enemy to lose the battle, and Congress does not need friends (like Mamata) to win the battle! Ideally, realignment should happen to ensure the groups are on some ideological basis, rather than fooling the people by their fake pro- or anti- (Congress / BJP). Isn’t it asking for too much when opportunism rules the roost? As long as we the citizens continue to be mute spectators to this tamasha, they continue their trapeze acts in search of perpetual power, escape from prosecution, shielding for investigation, etc. So, the democracy continues to work to save their interests. [Who cares if a few farmers commit suicide daily! Who cares if loss making public or private enterprises are given tax doles which are almost unrecoverable? Why bother about the mountain of the debt? Me, my family, my progeny are taken care of.]

The noises from the politicians in favor of their candidates are – their religion, minority community, in some cases, region they come from. Some of the names doing the rounds (from ruling combine) are - Vice President Hamid Ansari, SP President Mulayam Singh Yadav, former speaker of Lok Sabha, & NCP founder member, PA Sangma, present CEC SY Quraishi.  The arguments by their proponents, do not tell us the reasons why they qualify for this august office (In my view, PA Sangma, and SY Quraishi are pretty good gentlemen for the job). Of all the Presidents we have had so far, Dr. Babu Rajendra Prasad, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, are the few most eminent ones to grace this office and have actually enhanced its reputation. In a few other instances, we have had reasonably non-controversial stay. And in few others, they have not exactly done justice to the faith people reposed in them (ex: Fakruddin Ali Ahmed - his contribution for Indira’s emergency declaration).

The election to the President’s office is a strategic one for the Congress party, this time around. Though President Kalam had won the hearts of common people (whom Congress professed to please with its “Congress ka haath, aam admi ke saath” slogan in previous LS election) with his flawless conduct, it was not keen to re-elect him. The reasons were pretty clear to those who watch the scene. When Sonia Gandhi went to seek his approval for forming her government, when Vajpayee’s govt fell, Kalam is understood to have asked some questions that stopped her and Dr. Man Mohan Singh was ‘made’ the PM. We were treated to the story of sacrifice, and breast-beating by Congress folks on their unofficially owned channels! And, a good number of Congress folks even to this day do not waste an opportunity to show that PM comes at number three (or, four, five – based on how deep their loyalties run to 10, JP) in their protocol!

Dr. Man Mohan Singh who is 79 years now, will not be the next Prime Minister, should Congress / UPA manage to win the Lok Sabha elections, whenever held. In case Congress manages to cross the 272 mark on its own, it’s quite possible that they may want to see either Sonia or Rahul Gandhi in office as Prime Minister. That’s the reason for propping the name of Pranab Mukherjee as a possible candidate. It is a graceful way of removing an obstacle from the path! Pranab Mukherjee is a very capable minister, who should rightfully get a chance to be Prime Minister if Congress wins again. But, no! Congress will say he is now entering into the eighties, it would be a burden on him, so we want to bring a more younger person as PM. Some sections of the media are suggesting that Pranab da is not inclined to be a candidate for President. It would mean Sonia’s headaches won’t go away that easily. What next? Get a pliant candidate in there.

I am not questioning the academic credentials of Mr. Hamid Ansari. Nor, am I going to talk of how his wife recently spoke in support of female infanticide (of course, she wanted to save them from future atrocities! Quite an amazing logic! But, the mainstream media (MSM) ignored it. Had such a line come from anyone associated with BJP, one can imagine their hounding of the entire organization.) Let us also not talk about the criminal records of some of the relatives of Hamid Ansari’s have (as long as they do not use his name in future to continue their activities or use him as a shield). I am more perturbed about the way he conducted Lokpal debate and helped scuttle it on that fateful night of 29^th December’11. An important bill (however weak), which the entire nation wanted to be passed, was scuttled by the efforts of ruling combine with the RS Chairman, VP of India, in the chair, watching it. Those debates, and attacks, on citizen activists associated with Anna Hazare, and efforts to weaken the already weak bill through motions to defeat amendments, have given enough hints about the reasons for not allowing passage of Lokpal bill (so far).

Hamid Ansari’s name is doing the rounds strongly supported by RJD’s Lalu Prasad Yadav, another strong opponent of Lokpal. This suits Congress and UPA leadership too as the heat on the black money abroad has increased, apart from unraveling of scams by CAG, by an upright army chief, and the one-man army of Dr. S. Swamy. The Janlokpal movement of India Against Corruption and Bharat Swabhiman Yatra headed by Swamy Ramdev are coming together. This is a major headache for Congress. So, Hamid Ansari as President may well mean the end of the road for Lokpal, going by his support to scuttle the bill earlier. [Read it along with reports of movement of money stashed abroad by Indians. You will know what chances we will have to recover that another 5 years down the line.]

Hamid Ansari’s candidature is also being propped up by a few politicians saying he should be elected because he is a Muslim. Congress and a few ‘secular’ parties believe (or want to fool the Muslims) in electing someone like Ansari will please Muslims so that they will vote for them in next elections. It’s obvious, why they don’t care to check if there are better candidates from that community. At the same time, no one in MSM asks, why these ‘secular’ parties do not want to look at other minorities. A counter question to those who oppose Dr. Kalam, however distasteful it is to all who adore him, would be isn’t Dr. Kalam a Muslim? No one will ask it. The reason is simple - MSM and the secular parties don’t want ‘such’ a Muslim.

In India, sadly the definition of minority is very skewed one. A community who are in excess of 18 crores gets the minority tag. For the so called ‘secular’ political parties, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, or the tribals, do not qualify as some that need to be really treated as that minority and given the due preferential treatment. Since the time of Indira Gandhi, Congress has degenerated continuously, and it shows in its actions. In every election, or in selections for constitutional posts, or key positions in forces, judiciary, various commissions, the selection is sought be made on considerations other than merit. The fourth pillar of democracy, the Press (and Television News media), have been a huge let down, except for some stray cases of impartial reporting against Congress. Their bias in selection of news items, the pitch, the exaggeration, the coloring of the matter, and diversionary tricks are clearly beyond the fair coverage practices.

As citizens should we not demand or think on these matters? 

1. Why can’t political parties present their ideas and candidates and debate the matter why a particular person is their choice?
2. Why can’t media go beyond the narrative of who is a dark horse, religion, caste,  region they come from?
3. Why is the mainstream media fooling itself that their narrative will be bought by all the people who listen to them? Today every decision is questioned, closely looked at, only if satisfied, the public accepts it. That’s the internet power, social media enabled India. Of course it does not yet reach a large part of unconnected India. But it’s forceful enough to make some in the MSM listen to the voices from here.

The government is already feeling the heat of public scrutiny because of RTI, and an active social media that is enabling a lot of educated citizens to question their moves. One of the most significant events in recent times, where both of them played a role, supported by a few committed journalists of MoneyLife, ensured the present President cannot usurp Army land as her post Presidency abode. 

The expectation of millions of common citizens of India is that we need a taint free person as the next President of India. If the politicians cannot set the bar high, let them open the doors for the public to directly elect a President. Let us change the election mechanism itself. These procedures can be amended.

The Constituent Assembly did consider direct election as a method to elect the President of India. But it gave into Jawahar Lal Nehru. [refer: page 189-190, Our Constitution, Subhash Kashyap, Publisher: National Book Trust, India]. The Constituent Assembly members did so in good faith. Since the time Indira Gandhi became PM, lot of things changed in Congress, and in India, for worse. If the present leadership of political parties want to make a mockery of the election process and the President of India a stooge, its better to change the system than let vested interests sabotage the interest of the nation.

I am sharing some of the links from www.MoneyLife.in [Thanks to Sucheta Dalal, Vinita Deshmukh and the team there] these may be of interest to readers.

President Pratibha Patil grabs 2,61,000 sq ft of land meant forsoldiers and officers

Pratibha Patil’s Pune Bungalow: Denying the undeniable

Pratibha Patil’s house stands on A1 defence land meant only for military use; militaryspending its resources for her

President’s office only sanctioned repairs to two bungalows; the President defied this

Twitter buzz scares away Pratibha Patil's emissary sentto pacify protestors of Pune land grab

President Pratibha Patil’s palatial home in Pune: Many unansweredquestions

Pratibha Patil gives up land; activists win

Press release by President's Secretariat announcing Pratibha Patil's decision to forego this Pune accommodation. 

Our Temple towns, matter of hygiene & discipline

We all participate in religious festivities, visit temple towns, on special occasions, or for performing 'promised' rituals on fulfillment of wishes. Many of our places of worship, are robust business centres, and why our ancestors stressed on pilgrimage was probably to help the economy of various places, at various times of the year. If we analyse our festivals, temple town activities, they are so well spread out, the devout will have enough places to visit. It also tells a lot about our cultural diversity, and travelling to these places, is a great way to know our country better.

In all this, one of the major problems is, of being able to find, and, book a place to stay in advance. On visiting the place, finding it as promised is a big ask (many private operators are either too liberal with hygiene factor or charge exorbitantly).

Yesterday, we had Shivaratri, a day on which all Shaivaite places, Shiva temples had huge number of visitors attending, praying, fasting, keeping awake the whole night as a practice. Many television channels, regional, national covered the event in fair degree, showing the rituals and talking to devotees for their views.

Kannada Prabha, carried an article about a Russian devotee, who works as dubbing artist in Mumbai, but has found solace in praying to Lord Shiva. He worships Shiva, at the Koti Teertha in Gokarna. He has to swim the waters (supposedly infested with Crocodiles!) to reach the Linga. Sri. Ramadas, by birth known as Sergei (/ Surkozy?), is fearless and says "the Lord protects me!" when asked about potential danger he faces. He is probably more devout than many Hindus, and I wish he gets to pray at the Atma Linga temple of Gokarna. He himself is supportive of Swami Sri. Raghaveshvara Bharathi's plan to train visitors (foreigners) in temple practices before they are allowed entry in to the temple.

It is not uncommon to find in our temple towns, hygiene at public places, like bathing spots, streets, etc., is highly neglected. These foreign devotees did the best Seva (service) on the occasion of Shivaratri by taking up the initiative of cleaning the Koti Teertha. They made a very telling point that when you worship, you got to ensure the place is clean too. In this regard, I find the Gurudwaras (Sikh temples) score very high. There is a huge voluntary service, neatly organized and managed by the trust. Rich and poor come and provide service of every kind. [This is my personal experience, but no offence meant to followers of any other belief.]

As Indians, we need to develop zero tolerance for many things. We need to ensure anything non-hygienic is NOT allowed in any place. Another common issue we see is indiscipline in these places. People take short cuts for everything. A queue is meant to be for our safety, for an orderly opportunity for all to pray, visit the sanctum sanctorum. We come across so many reports of stampede, resulting in tragic deaths of elderly, women, children, etc. Why? Why can't we have some patience to wait for our turn? I feel at times whether God is not scared by such crowds and such unruly behavior! Every time such incidents take place, the local administration announces enquiry, some compensation, some noise in the press and TV studios. Then everything is forgotten by all. No one is ever identified for their mistakes and punished. The temple authorities, local law & order authorities, etc., go scot-free.

In some of our temple towns there is a practice of tonsuring as offering to the deity. But, in some of these places, people throw the hair in to water bodies. It is such an unhygienic practice. We can't bathe in such water, nor can think of taking a sip as holy teertha (Impossible as many of our rivers are highly polluted by other effluents - calls for another post!). Why can't authorities and deities think of effects of polluting the water with such waste? In a place I visited last year, I saw some devotees, taking bath in a pond which had so much of bleaching powder thrown in! I was aghast at the ignorance of the people, authorities.

Another problem we have is the problem of plenty. It is made much worse by the adoption of technology too, instead of streamlining matters! The deployment of ill conceived technical solutions too has not exactly made life easy for pilgrims. These days it is so difficult to book for any sevas on some of the popular shrines that have implemented on-line booking of sevas, darshan tickets, etc. In spite of raising seva charges high, people still flock and pay those sums, wait for years for their turn. In some cases, booking have been made beyond 10 years! Probably, we have forgotten what Bhima told Yudhishtira (Dharmaraja), when Yudhishtira asked a brahmin to come tomorrow for the alms. Bhima went and rang the justice bell, called all the town people and said "Do you know my brother knows he won't be dead by tomorrow!" Yudhistira asked why is he saying that. Bhima replies "How do you know that Death won't visit you now, or, tonight?" Then, he realizes his mistake, calls the brahmin seeks his forgiveness and gives him the alms and sends him home. It simply beats all logic to book for a ritual in advance for so many years. This is an abuse of software technology by the implementing teams. The temple authorities, knowingly, or, unknowingly, accept it as it brings in the money in advance. What about the inconvenience to the other devotees by such actions? You land at the place of worship, to find no darshan tickets, queues too long, VIPs jumping the queue and lot of people made to wait longer, when you go inside the sanctum-sanctorum the volunteers do not even let you have 10 second view of the deity in many places. Added to that the jostling by the impatient public as it nears the deity.

There is a lot that is good about our places of worship. But there is a lot more that needs to be done to make the experience of visiting them a truly rewarding, memorable one. Its the job of local authorities, local business folks (who should not fleece devotees), temple boards, the devotees who visit the place (by maintaining hygiene, discipline). The Gods may then be happy to be  there to shower their blessings on us, if we respect the word "Cleanliness is Next to Godliness". Thank you.

[A few points, related to social issues, I thought of mentioning, I might do a full post later on:
1. I appreciate the work of Mr. Janardhana Poojary to change some temple practices in some parts of Karnataka, because those are not very hygienic practices. It has also created controversy, awareness on other social divisions, and calls for a fresh re-look at the practices.
2. Also, one must appreciate the changes being worked on by Pejavara Swamiji, and others to get rid of the caste issues, and restrictions on worshipping, dining halls, etc. There is a need for educating the people of practices to be followed, than simply banning access. It will help the Hindu society in the long run.
3. In the same breath, I also want to see the Guruvayur Temple authorities permitting Sri. Yesudas, the renowned singer, devoteee of Lord Guruvayurappan (form of Lord Vishnu). My view is any devotee, who observes the temple practices, respects the deity, while inside the temple, should be permitted entry. They can be accompanied by some trainer persons to help them know and follow instructions given.] 

The Aam Admi, The Snail, and Fake Indian Currency Notes...

As per the report of 15/01/2012 in "The Hindu", there is a massive 400% increase in the FICN as per estimates by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), during 2011. It states - “4,23,539 incidents of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with a face value of over Rs 35 crore.” But, this is ONLY what the authorities have been able to seize in this period. What is the estimate for the number of FICNs, and by value,  that is IN Circulation, and misses the eyes of the authorities concerned? In a vast country like India, with so many towns and villages lacking the requisite detection infrastructure, my guess is as good or as as bad as anybody else's! 


Here is another report on the same by Zee News (on 15/1/2012) - "Fake currency likely to touch new highs in 2o12". It reports the Crime Branch officials as saying - "Seized counterfeit Indian currency notes have most of the security features of genuine currency notes and for a man on the street it would be difficult to spot the difference."

The MSN report (©Indo-Asian News Service) on 14/01/2012 states that the counterfeit currency came from Pakistan, and its kingpin, one Mr.Iqbal Kana, (not sure, how the authorities so quickly call somebody kingpin while a lot of work need to be done to apprehend) has reportedly (not at all surprising) fled. It names a resident of Delhi, one Mr. Hassan (not full name, though) had gone to Pakistan to collect the fake notes.


The two men, transporting the money on autorickshaws in west Delhi's Dabri area and in Karol Bagh area of West Delhi, have been identified as Ash Mohammed and Zeeshan Khan.


MSN further states: As per a senior police official, the wrappers seized from the clothes used to conceal fake currency had the names of five companies -- Safari Textiles Mills, Four Star Sidiki Processing Mill, Maharani Collection, Kohinoor Suiting and Usmaan Naiem Fabrics -- all based in Pakistan's Faisalabad city.


A report in The Daily Excelsior on 5th Sept "Fake currency printed at Pak Govt press at Peshawar", by Sanjeev Pargal on 5th Sept'11, states that the Pakistan Intelligence Agency, ISI, is running a printing press in Peshawar for the purpose of manufacturing fake Indian currency notes. 


Its worth remembering that Zee news reported seizure of some (fake) Euro and USA currency too, in 2007.  Is there any guarantee that ISI has not been printing Euros or US Dollars after 2007? 


The counterfeiters have been so emboldened as to try directly exchanging the fake currency at RBI itself! This is what Mid-day reported today (16/1/2012). An alert bank official spotted the fake currency, and the man identified as, Saiddul alias Aslam Surat Ali Shaikh (26), has been taken into custody.  


Let us take a look at what the RBI has to say on this serious issue. I am referring to the published material (with links for reference). 


1. I quote the excerpts from Dr. D. Subbarao, Governor, Reserve Bank of India, speech at the Foundation Stone laying function for the Bank Note Paper Mill at Mysore on March 22, 2010). (Highlights added by the author of this post for emphasis.)


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Fake Currency/Counterfeit Notes

12. Counterfeiting of money is almost as old as printing of currency. At some period in history, it was considered treasonous enough to warrant punishment by death. It was in 1650 AD that paper money was developed and counterfeiting flourished, especially within America where counterfeit money was more common than genuine money. Counterfeiters had become so skilled that when the first federal coins were issued by the US Government in the 1780s, they had the dies cut by an ex-counterfeiter. However, it was the advent of colour copiers and other electronic devices in late twentieth century that made counterfeiting easier. Around the world, governments are locked in a fierce race with counterfeiters to keep that one crucial step ahead in terms of technology and security features. Governments are also tightening measures to check counterfeiting, apprehend counterfeiters and impose deterrent and harsher punishments.

13. Data available in the public domain suggests that the incidence of counterfeiting varies across different countries. While in Australia, counterfeit notes detected were around seven pieces per million notes in circulation (2008-09), in Canada it was 76 (2008). In New Zealand, the number was a low of 0.71 counterfeits per million notes in circulation (2008-09), whereas in Switzerland it was ten. As for the euro, there was roughly about one counterfeit per 14,600 bank notes in circulation (2008). At home here in India, fake notes reported as detected by banks and fake notes found in remittances received by RBI during 2008-09 amounted to eight per one million notes in circulation. The data however does not include the counterfeits that are seized by police. The above data shows that, by an international metric, the incidence of counterfeit notes in India is not alarming. Nevertheless, counterfeiting per se is a matter of serious concern for the Government and the Reserve Bank.

14.  While on the subject of estimate of fake notes, I want to make a clarification. Last year, some newspapers had erroneously quoted a figure from the Nayak Committee Report for estimates of forged currency notes in circulation. The Nayak Committee, which was set up in 1988 to go into the dynamics of currency management, did not make any estimate of fake currency. What it estimated was the projected value of notes in circulation in the year 2000 which has Rs. 1,69,000 crore. The media incorrectly reported this as the number of fake notes in circulation. [It is worth noting that the RBI governor does NOT want to hazard a guess or speak of whether any efforts to estimate the same were made by RBI or not.]


2. A press release by RBI on August 11, 2009, opens with this line: "The sharp increase in the number of physical notes in circulation as also the increase in the number of cases of fake notes detected/seized in recent period, have clearly underscored the need for increased vigil by all stakeholders to address the menace of fake notes." In the same statement it goes on to state: "The Group noted that the number of fake notes in India is estimated at 3 to 6 pieces per million, and this is one of the lowest in the world."  [Note: It is not clear if the million here refers to million rupees, or, million notes, in circulation.]


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RBI's efforts are on improving the mechanism to catch the counterfeits when it enters the banking system. But, most of the time, the counterfeiters would circulate it among the gullible public in different places. When its seized, the bank generally notes down details, of the person submitting the notes. So, if somebody palmed off such notes to the individual, s/he stands to lose it at the bank. Just think how many banks in small towns and villages are equipped to tackle this menace. It also tells why the RBI cannot hazard a guess on the quantum of fake currency in circulation,  and the silence of Finance Minister in this regard.


Swami Ramdev has been consistently demanding that the Govt of India seriously consider banning  currency notes of Rs.500/- and Rs.1000/- denomination. This suggestion merits consideration on the ground of drastically impacting fake currency note circulation racket too. The cost of manufacturing, delivering, and ensuring the mafia network is having a decent return on this investment, risks, means the notes have to be of higher denomination. Yes, its a specialist job - done only be enemy interests to hurt our economy in a proxy war, where-in neither USA, nor EU, have any say on the epicentre of this terrorism in our neighbourhood. We have not heard the govt of India announce any concrete plan of action on addressing this issue. (If any reader has come across such information kindly share with me the details so that I can correct the article.)


Questions to consider: Why is the government slow in taking necessary steps to defeat this evil of FICN? Is the govt serious in taking up the matter with Pakistan? What efforts has the govt made to find proof of the fake currency manufacturing, smuggling from Pakistan? What are steps it contemplates to eliminate this racket? So far, we have only seen very small fish caught, with no information on their prosecution, conviction. Why there is no breakthrough in pursuing the REAL kingpins? 


Additional reading: India Today's special(!) on Fake Currency - Fake Notes, Real Threat. The following articles under this special show as in 2009 itself the menace was considered serious enough for RBI to mull more aggressive steps. 
Major fake currency hauls in north India
Economic terror no fake threat - excerpt: "The RBI says forged notes were detected by the banking system in 2007- 2008 to the tune of four fakes per one million notes in circulation. Inputs with us suggest that FICN seizures in India are just the tip of the iceberg," a home ministry official said."

Here is an article "Is the RBI helpless in dealing with fake currency notes?" by Vinod Vyasulu (The writer was formerly RBI chair professor at ISEC, Bangalore), in Deccan Herald on July 8 (2011?). This article makes a pitch for de-monetizing the 500/- and 1000/- denomination notes. Exactly the lines Baba Ramdevji speaks!

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My brush with Indian Journo types (developing story)

Something is seriously wrong with our TV news media (of course, print isn't excluded). Justice Katju has not said anything that should not be said. We may be a bit liberal about his remarks on educational qualification - read it as that we need quality journalists (who are ethical). But there is no reason for the media to attack him viciously for his views. You may differ, but questioning his motive, his appointment itself (which in any case, followed the due process) - is totally wrong. I was shocked by the arguments made by Ashutosh on CNNibn's FTN show. He went totally hyperbolic. I have(/d) high regard for him (,earlier), and never expected him to speak in that manner. Kumar Ketkar, Nalini Singh were the sane voices, even if they differed with Katju on some aspects.

Let me share a twitter incident, I am part of.

A few days ago, Pallavi Ghosh, CNNibn journalist, tweeted that she came to know of some journalists being on Congress payroll. She felt bad about it, and expressed her feeling to Dhanya Rajendran. I, took liberty, to interject and tweet why can't she reveal details. No response. My persistent tweeting to her, even once to Digvijay Singh, resulted in no response. Since Dhanya did not initiate it, I won't say much about her being silent. It's for her to decide how to react.  Kartikeya, of Headlines today, who broke the story on BJP official paying Rs. 500 to some journalists in MP, during LKA's Janchetana Yatra, too maintained silence to my tweet.

If you have courage to tweet, or break a story on one party, why NOT show the same courage to expose the people in ruling party. What prevented Rajdeep Sardesai (even he received my tweet on this topic), or Rahul Kanwal / Kartikeya of Headlines Today, to expose the corrupt among their fraternity? Is being paid by Congress  ethical, secular? While, BJP given currency notes smell communal?

Sorry to say this - these journalists do not have an iota of courage, respect for viewers, for democracy, and, for their profession. We question them, they ignore. If you persist, they block you on twitter, censor your views, comments on their sites.

But, when a person like Katju questions, they group and attack him, attribute motives. What kind of journalism is this? They go on hyperbolic arguments of what good work they have done. That is duty. Not a favour. When will they realize, that the public is paying them for their services. Is cheating them, an acceptable, ethical, practice? Is it lawful? What wrong did Mr. Katju do by holding a light? By speaking bluntly about an issue that has been ignored, shoved under carpet by Editor's guild, and other bodies.

When we read Indian news papers, or, watch channels, we do so to  see how hollow they are. How much they twist, muzzle, abuse their power. But, Twitter allows us to question them. They choose to ignore and carry on their acts unabated. Isn't that comparable to prostitution? May be those who are in that profession, have some ethics. They at least service their clients. But our media, which is paid for by the people doesn't even give that due.

Media Crooks: Katju & The Crooks

Media Crooks: Katju & The Crooks by @Mediacrooks

It neatly exposes the abuse of power of media, discusses the interview of Justice Markandey Katju (Chairman, Press Council of India) to Karan Thapar.

Must read for those who look at Indian media, particularly the Television News Media.

Media Crooks: Team Anna - Goodwill Blunting

Media Crooks: Team Anna - Goodwill Blunting

An excellent post on how Indian media plays with team Anna - by @mediacrooks.