The kind of stuff that makes you choke over your breakfast. This from the world’s most read English Language Newspaper.
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Mar 312010
Mar 162010
A frame filled with History
On the right is the “Gateway of India” – built to welcome King George the V – at the height of power of the British Raj. It also marked the point from which the last British troops left India – marking the decline of the British Raj.
On the left (with the pinkish dome) is the Taj Mahal Hotel – the flagship hotel of the Taj Group. Built by Jamshedji Tata. Legend has it the architectural designs were read the wrong way around – leading to the hotel being built the wrong way around (seriously). Legend also has it that Jamshedji Tata saw a board in a Brit club that said “no dogs or Indians” and built this as a symbol of Indian self respect.
It was also the scene of one of the world’s most public terrorist attacks – when a bunch of Pakistani trained terrorists burst into the Taj with guns and grenades and massacred innocents. Somehow, the scene of the dome going up in flames had most of us in tears – I know that i couldn’t stop the tears – something about my city being bled …
In the middle – is the New Taj – the old and the new are also called the Beauty and the Beast
The Longshot
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Mar 122010
March 12th 1993. A time when Mumbai was still Bombay. Lokhandwalla was a set of buildings in progress, where gangs regularly went to war. Where In Orbit & Hypercity Malad were rubbish dumps, when the expressway didn’t exist, when Asiatic and Akbarally’s were great malls and when Phoenix was a shut down mill !
March 12th 1993, a set of blasts that shook Mumbai to the core. Buildings blasted, people vaporized and the sense of innate security that citizens of this metropolis had torn to shreds. In all,
A series of bomb blasts ripped through 13 places in the city, killing 257 people and injuring 713. These were the first blasts in which RDX was used and the explosions were allegedly planned by underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.
This was before the 24/7 news era – and therefore the term 12/3 has not passed into popular lexicon ! No body remembers the anniversary or places flowers at key places where the bombs went off and people died
Locations attacked include (dead in brackets)
* Fisherman’s Colony in Mahim causeway[15]
* Zaveri Bazaar[12]
* Plaza Cinema[12]
* Century Bazaar[12]
* Katha Bazaar[12]
* Hotel Sea Rock[12]
* Sahar Airport[12]
* Air India Building[12]
* Hotel Juhu Centaur[12]
* Plaza Theatre near Shiv Sena HQ[16]
* Lucky Petrol near Shiv Sena HQ[16]
* Worli[17]
* Bombay Stock Exchange Building[10]
* Hotel Centaur, Santa Cruz[16]
* Area opposite of Century Bazaar[13]
* Passport Office[18]
I was a student at that time, away in London. I heard about it on the BBC. I was terrified. My dad worked in Air India Building, my brother studied at Xaviers, my mom taught at Sophia’s – all in town, and both passing the passport office en route to our home. It was a different time – no instant messaging, no net, no twitter – and the land lines were impossible to get through to …..
My mother told me about this BEST bus that was blown up near the passport office. many commuters were 12th standard students, who having finished their HSC exams were returning to their respective homes. Not enough scraps were found for last rites.
SR pointed me out to a spot next to Sena Bhavan – the site of a petrol pump – where a bomb failed to go off. Had it gone off the whole area would have been levelled .
The foot soldiers behind the blast were sentenced a few years ago. Those who planned it still run free.
The BBC’s coverage -
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Mar 012010
Madh Island, Mumbai, is dotted with bungalows that are often used for shoots. They are called shoot bungalows – as compared to the private or company bungalows that dot the landscape.
We were shooting for a show called Golden Age, hosted by Kitu Gidwani – that goes on Samay Mumbai from next week. The show is aimed at an audience above 50 – and seeks to ‘empower’ them through a combination of information, case studies and representation .
(Kitu Gidwani – Golden Age, Samay Mumbai)
More on the show closer to launch date……
Being in Madh, gives you access to the beach – and with that a whole different ecosystem At one end you have shoot crews bustling and shouting out instructions …
And, at the other – across the wall- you have a much quieter mode of life – where conversations seem to be much more muted. and, people seem to have the non verbal communication of those who work hours together and are in perfect synch
A shoot – in addition to talent, equipment and crew – is also props – that give the sorroundings a different kind of ambience
Something like this simply adds a dash of colour to a frame. All those little splashes or little touches that one sees in a frame (or more likely doesn’t see) takes time to achieve.
Often, I run out of patience when propping is being done _ and I usually try one of three things a) spend time with the talent – trying to get the best out of the content. Usually the best way is through conversation on the topic – this allows for an exchange of ideas and usually a better take for camera. b) meditate – staying calm is absolutely necessary on the shoot floor. I personally have issues with loud decibels or rudeness. I push aside those tendencies with just finding a corner and meditating. c) click – another way of relaxing. I tend to shoot in interesting places, and I like documenting those places & people – and there is always enough downtime – unless I am also directing – to click
And, of course, if i am lucky – i truly get a great Arabian Sea sunset ….
Aug 192009
Dec 102008
Two very different stories caught my attention today. Both are related to media coverage.
One was in the Indian Express by Rajat Sharma, of India TV, quoting a former Army Chief – who had come into the channel to advice producers & camerapersons on :
what precautions they should have taken while showing “live” action. My most important objective was to understand if news channels, in any way, endangered the lives of our commandos.
To my surprise, the former army chief was emphatic: “News channels did nothing wrong. Your coverage didn’t do any harm whatsoever to the commandos! I’ve handled action as a major, then as a full colonel, and finally as an army commander in anti-terrorist operations, and there’s nothing I could make out from the news channel about the strategy of our commandos.”
Frankly, I expected him to echo what some have been saying—how terrorists got valuable clues on the commando plan by watching our channels. But sample what he said: “Do you think that terrorists holed up in a hotel facing commando fire had time to watch TV?” A young reporter persisted. He reminded the general of the “widespread belief” that the terrorists were being briefed on their Blackberries by their bosses, watching our news channels. Promptly came the angry reply. “Anyone suggesting this must be mad. (Even) I could not get an idea about the action plan. Who has the time to look at TV and Blackberries when you are in the midst of gunfire?”
The second was in the International Herald Tribune, quoting Indian authorities :
And, perhaps most significantly, throughout the three-day siege at two luxury hotels and a Jewish center, the Pakistani-based handlers communicated with the attackers using Internet phones that complicate efforts to trace and intercept calls.
Those handlers, who were apparently watching the attacks unfold live on television, were able to inform the attackers of the movement of security forces from news accounts and provide the gunmen with instructions and encouragement, the authorities said.
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Dec 042008
i was there. it wasn’t a mass of humanity as much as many groups, and individuals each protesting or mourning in their own way. Most people smiled at each other,hardly jostled, kept their space, allowing others theirs, and yet bonding.
The Flag Was Everywhere
A mother and child placing a candle for the dead
I used to think that candles were a just a symboic gesture. But in a country where none of our cultural practices are shared, we seem to be adopting a common symbol for collective grief and anger. Sooner or later, I hope that the grief and anger, gets channelized into something constructive.
The police were on their feet for the 8th day at a trot, and it has been a terrible week for them, losing 14 people. And getting their confidence shaken by 26/11. I wonder whether they are getting counseling.
The Longest Day - Mumbai Police
And, finally, the best way to remember is to ensure that the people who funded and master minded this are hunted down. You may even want to bring them to justice ! . Better Security – Yes. Better Governance – Definitely ! How about Justice ?
Technorati Tags: 26/11
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Dec 032008
this was supposed to be a longish post, till my dad pointed out that “Indian Intelligence” is an oxymoron. It is used for finding out who, in politics, sleeps with whom.
There are rumours that India has Intelligence Agencies. Their existence is possibly an Accounting Head, to show cash outflows. It is like other fictional concepts like political unity in the face of a crisis, national interest, journalistic ethics, honest politicians.
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Dec 022008
A friend called me up after this post. “not fair” he said. “Pimps are honest – they tell you what they do and how much they charge”. So i apologise to all the pimps who may be offended by that post. I didn’t mean to insult you.
Now I might as well be democratic. piss off all media companies simultaneously 
There is someone in Times Now who has lost their sense of perspective. There is a feed of the cc camera tape running. it seems unedited. what next ? a live feed of two people having sex ? NDTV is broadcasting the police briefing to the CM at the Taj and the Oberoi. ‘tyana strangulate kela’ says the cop to the CM.
Star News has a recreation of the events of 26/11 – on a show called City 60 where the voice over artist ( i am sure that it can’t be a journalist) has voiced the piece – it cannot be a story – with the urgency of someone covering the Derby. it is followed by a piece on the mourning in Jerusalem accompanied by music out of a Ramsey horror show episode.
Sansani is scaring the hell out of me. it is telling the terrorist or the potential armed robber how to breach mall security. Sneak into the basement 101
And there was Barkha who had a question as long as a dissertation. if you have the answer in the question then why call the guests ?
Why don’t our TV journalists let other people speak? many of them don’t know enough to be filling that much air time- though ‘woefully ill informed’ and ‘foolishly speculative’ would be more apt. Which possibly explains why the get celebrities who are more stupid and more proactive than them. Simi Garewal anyone ? Are there no people called editors in news channels anymore – people who look at content and ensure that it follows the law of the land and keep the channel from being shut down in violation of broadcasting laws.
What are channels trying to do? Goad the people to demand war or to start rioting ? That would be good for TRP’s.
And finally, which of them is telling the truth.
NDTV headlines
NDTV Online
or
ibn
ibn
or is Pranab Mukherjee identical twins with the same name, and someone forgot to tell us?
Technorati Tags: Times Now, Star News, 26/11, City 60, Sansani
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Dec 012008
The glee and irresponsibility with which the media handled 26/11 was watched by all. but, at what cost?
On the first night – there was CNN IBN giving a blow by blow account of the movement of the Rapid Action Force commando’s. I shouted, impotently at the TV screen, they get TV reception at the Taj. but the details increased. it is the point where i more or less muted the volume and moved to twitter.
And, then it progressively got worse. every idiot with an OB van parked themselves outside the Taj and the Trident and began not only broadcasting live from the scene – compromising the lives of the security forces & the hostages – but also began speculating and putting out rumours in the name of news.
The channels put out the identity of those inside – risking their lives. “The Global CEO of Unilever is having a meeting with his top brass at the Taj” — they blared. Luckily those people got out.
Rajdeep Saredesai screeched, on Friday, that the CST was under attack again. Half an hour later he bleated out an apology.
Barkha Dutt, the other doyen of journalism, asked a relative waiting outside the Taj if they considered the possiblity of their dear one being dead. soon she began getting emotional sounding like a frog on LSD.
As the seige progressed Arnab Gowsami resembled a screeching banshee. he mangled the news, quivered with rage and kept attacking all and sundry like a rabid dog on heat.
and, these are considered the best of among journalists.
When the Nariman house battle was on, a Hindi channel journalist – you couldn’t see his face only hear his voice – asked the commander of the NSG ” dead bodies ki condition kya hai”. The look that the commander gave him was priceless.
There was Rajat Sharma’s India TV that spent half an hour or more on the fact that the terrorists were consuming alcohol. Maybe he knew the name of the whores supplied as well… maybe he was the supplier !
And there was Kishore Ajwani or Star News. Shirish and Rajni - who belong to the same alma mater (MICA) describe it better than i can, so i will quote their open letter in its entirety here :
We remember the congratulatory mails when Kishore Ajwani became a prominent news anchor. But yesterday when we were trying to get updates about the terror attack we were aghast to hear him…
Was this a serious news guy or a pimp, peddling his wares all dressed up in garish tones? The screaming voice sounded like gleeful auctioneer raising the bids higher and higher “aur yeh 1945 ka behterin…….” though in his case the script would have probably read “Aaj ki taaza khabar, pachaas TRPs ke liye pesh hai Star News exclusive, yeh aatank ka khaufnak khel.”
Yes all news anchors were hyper, but then there is a difference between a sense of urgency and the style of delivery that Mr Ajwani used. We all know the cut-throat race for TRPs, but did you, Mr. Ajwani even stop to think that this was also a human story, a tragedy involving real people. While Rajni & I were worried about which one of our friends could be at the hotels or the airport, there you were, milking the story for all its worth, even if it meant adopting a style more suited to women of negotiable affections.
Today the scenario continued with Mr. Ajwani plugging Star News in his reportage… We know we are watching Star News, we don’t need you tell us what a great job Star News is doing reporting the carnage. As a respected anchor, do you think that during this time of crisis such a blatant plug for your channel was called for?
You, Mr. Ajwani, as a MICAN ought to have known better. Because in some way, as a fellow MICAN, it puts you and me on the same level, and frankly that’s not a level I wanna fall to.
shirish raut (PGP 1999)
rajni menon (PGP 2000)
these are the same journalists who called for the heads of politicians. but, the politicians, however bad they are, will still bow to public pressure and resign. Whom are these peddlers of death responsible to ?
To all those of you who want to be involved – write to the channel owners, write to sponsors … threaten to stop buying sponsor products if they continue advertising on these channels if these people remain. Civic action does not end with politics and politicians. it applies to all sections of society.
There is a move to take out a PIL against news broadcasters. I am going to be a part of it. At some point of time in life i was told don’t take cudgels against the media on your blog, you won’t get work. So be it. i will survive. But, as a citizen i have to do something constructive, beyond lighting candles and putting up FB status messages.
And, finally – how many people died at CST station. Do they not matter because they are the ‘masses’ – are only the elite classes who sit at the Taj and the Oberoi worthy of coverage? Or is their media bias against people whom, the media don’t hang out with?
We talk about the western response to terrorism. I followed the 9/11 coverage. the journalists behaved with dignity as did politicians of all hues and shades. There was no finger pointing Our politicians and our journalists are just venal.
Broadcast Regulations anyone ? If news broadcasters are going to act as pimps then maybe we need to look at new laws that govern these pimps …..
Technorati Tags: 26/11, CNN IBN, twitter, Rajdeep Saredesai, Barkha Dutt, Arnab Gowsami, Nariman house, Rajat Sharma’s, media bias
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