Trial by Fire or Media???

Trial by fire??? Old phrase.  Trial by Media, is what it seems to be replaced with. Media, which is capable of permeating opinions, is holding court and sometime even passing judgement, reaching hasty conclusions and maybe, maybe influencing the final judgement. And, I am not talking of only legal opinion.

Sometimes, I feel, the media trial is done without the due research a case deserves. In a rush to win TRPs, to present a juicy case, to make loud discussions with a varied panel, a due diligence is not done. I feel that this mad rush can influence the investigations and get the public adrenaline rushing. So, be it the Arushi or Sheena murder, everyone has an opinion. The legal process and investigation be damned.

No one can deny the impact the media has on public opinion. The media treads on delicate ground, the balance needs to be very fine. I must admit that the coverage of Nirbhaya rape case and the following protests, the Anna movement and the horrifying cases of exploitation of kids and women happening all around with alarming regularity, healthcare, state of shelters for homeless....other issues which as citizens we should be alert about,  were & are covered well. It was imperative that the public understands what the public thinks, rather than believe what is doled out by the vested interests, as they would want the public to think.  

Having said that, are we wrong in expecting a balanced coverage of issues ravaging the country? No. The public trusts the media reports, so they need to be mindful of the same. Give the bare details, do not pass judgement. And, please report other issues as well!!!

It is a position of responsibility. Handle with care. Report and do not aspire for an armchair judicial position in the country.

I don't know what to write today. There are seemingly so many things happening around the world and in our own land, but, I do not want to write on something serious.

I am sitting with a nice hot cup of coffee and contemplating what I can pen down today. But, I am drawing a blank. It happens. Words will flow on many issues but, I as I said, I do not want to do any serious writing today.

It rained just some minutes back. Heavy lashes of rain which stopped as suddenly as it had started. Pepped me up. Such lovely ten minutes of rain. What fun I had, coffee with rain in the background. Even if I say so, the coffee turned out well :D. Pat pat on my back for it :D.

I have decided. No more taxing my poor little brain.....no more contemplation on what to write. After all, how much can the poor grey cells endure ??!!!!!!!!!

That's all for now.

I have friends......

I have friends. I have a social life. I don't know where my days go.....I know a lot of people. I am so lucky to have such good friends. ....

Frequent refrains from all of us. Frequently, we make these confessions to our friends.

When did I meet them last??? Probably never after school  / last job / college etc etc. But, what the heck, my social circle is wider than yours.

Where, if I might ask you?? Facebook, Whats App, Twitter............So what if I don't remember half of them from whenever I knew them. And, I love calling them my friends and raving about it. But, to meet them physically....well, well....I am busy you see. I am a busy person. And, when  one can keep in touch with people  virtually, why bother having face to face meetings??? It is ok . Everyone does this.

Sounds familiar? To me, yes. Heard this a lot many times .

Why are we finding it difficult to maintain actual relationships? Why are getting so adept and engrossed in  virtual relationships, that we are not bothered about people? We are only bothered about photos and messages from friends.

Vagaries of technology, which has myriad benefits. But, unfortunately it is also taking us away from real people and reality. Time for a wake up call....

Who is responsible for the circus??????

There has been a spate in crime against women and children in the last few years...Or is it that they are getting reported more?? I think it is the latter. Times were when women and their families would not speak up against crimes against them or even when their dignity was challenged in many ways every day, most places they would go to. They would accept that as a norm!!! Now, Indians are speaking up. Thank God.... the Ostrich has been made to look away from the sand and it is creating ripples, the effect of which is widespread and but yet erratic. The Ostrich is even baffled!!!

We are more scared and blame the times. Which might be true to some extent. But, the discrimination and crimes have always existed. Only that a false sense of shame forced people to keep quiet. And, the sad part is that people thought that it was the best thing to do. Women were shamed, as even now, mostly for crimes and discretions against them. Children were exploited, but a false sense of family pride made people ignore them and keep quiet. All, in the name of family. A false pride, which made Indians feel that they, the Indian family, they the Indians of the great sanskars, could do no wrong.

The people accepted the status or lack of it for women, the so called lower castes, the citizens who did manual work......list goes on.

It was accepted for partners and families to ask the woman to leave her career and take care of the home and hearth. Those who chose to take care of both, were looked at with a microscope, to find the slightest of faults.

Cooks could be only of the same cast, people would not eat food made by others. But, go to a restaurant, you would not even know who was in the kitchen. Dichotomy, anyone??

Lots of such ills, which were accepted as a matter of fact in the good old days.'

The people are speaking up now. The media is more active in highlighting issues. The realisation that the exploiter is to be blamed not the exploited, is shaking the waters. There are ripples being created. The stigma is being directed towards the exploiter.  But, we in India still have a long long, long way to catch up with the world view wherein crimes, big or small are taken seriously by the law makers and enforcers .

I am not saying that the world is all better than India. Far from it, But, there are some major differences. But, we as a society have changed from an open minded populace to being narrow minded and more intolerant. And, worse, we have accepted it as a norm. We need to change for the better and become more embracing of the differences in people. And, become more tolerant of the ambitions and feelings of each other irrespective of our genders and birth.

Today, I am feeling like I am on a writing marathon....This is my third blog within the same morning!!! After a long time, I am blogging. And, I am enjoying it so much!! I missed this.

And, if I am writing after a long time, why not write about one of my favourite things - food !!! :))

The TV is full of food. The channels are celebrating food like never before. I love all the channels, which have some  very interesting shows on food. Recipes, origins of dishes or just talking about the foods of regions. Some lost recipes. Some royal recipes. Very very interesting.

This new channel - Epic - has very intelligently put together shows. I get engrossed watching its shows on some lost recipes and some royal or even basic regional recipes. The effort put together by the team is very very visible.

Food is the elixir of life. It is to be celebrated. The sheer variety, the simple logic behind some of the best dishes, the expanse of choices that we humans have (both vegetarian and non-vegetarian) and the amazing range of uses each food item or spice has (depending on the region) is simply mind boggling.

I think any one with a passion for cooking and wanting to master the art, can never stop learning. There is so so much to learn, to know, to experiment, to taste, to devour....I am at a loss for words!!

Cooking is truly an art. An art which has no boundaries. There is always so much scope to experiment. There is always so much to eat ;)) ....

Way to go. I look forward to more food :))    

I recently watched two movies, the current rage...both of them. Tanu weds Manu Returns and Piku. Different genres but with very strong and amazing characterizations. Enjoyed both of them thoroughly. Hilarious & relevant, without being preachy.....  Very strong characters.

I do not want to get into the technicalities, I do not understand the physics or chemistry behind making movies in any case. But, I will say that the directors did a fabulous job of playing the stories to us with relatable characters, good storylines, relevant issues and situations with which we can identify. Humour was galore, so were the emotions. There were no unnecessary justifications for the behavioural eccentricities of the characters, no 'childhood experiences brings about such behaviour''explanations. Believe you me, that is such a relief. :)

A sheer delight. Very well acted and put together.

I, for one, look forward to more of such movies. Money and time well spent :))
 

The people's President dies....One of the most visible President Indians had, passed away yesterday. His heart took him away from his people. A dynamic man, who at 83 years, passed away doing what he loved - speaking with young minds. A sad day for the country. He deserves every bit of the honour  being bestowed upon him.

But, I would say, this is how he would have liked to go....very active, addressing his favourites, his people. Destiny was kind to him. And, why not....he was a learned, genteel and a gentle man. Humble and polite, a man who never flexed his muscles for the power he had, the contributions he had made and his knowledge. A man who managed to bring about a rare happening in India - the ruling party and the opposition agreeing to his nomination for Presidentship of the country :)) ....

RIP Dr Kalaam. May India be blessed with more people like you.