Dada, Didi and The Big Bong State

In recent time the state which is in news for all good and bad reasons is West Bengal. The state of Robinder Shongeet, Rosogulla, Misti Dohi, Football, Literature Treasure , Artistic Cinema and off- course the aggressive politics. It all began with the defeat of the Communist(Marxist) and emerge of Didi. Yes the angry lady, Mamata Banerjee. In last one year what ever happened in the centre politics Didi have some contribution in that. But when it comes to centre, the big congress think tank from the state of Howrah Bridge only, Dada, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee is a man of trust.

        Dada and Didi are completely contrasting in their approach and role. Dada is calm and cool while Didi is ultra aggressive and outspoken. Dada is the one who always acts as a saviour for the sinking ship of UPA while Didi boarded on the same ship gives it tremors regularly. Earlier in 2012, during declaration of rail budget irrespective of what people and government at the centre wanted Mamata Didi did what she wanted. Revolutionary rail budget, as termed by the media structured by the former railway minister Dinesh Trivedi proposed fair hike to improve the financial health and quality of services. Prime minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and with all eminent congressmen Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee appreciated Dinesh Trivedi for his courage. But Dinesh Trivedi not only had to step down from his post but for the first time in India the rail budget rolled back. All this happened in just one night. Very soon new rail minister Mukul Roy got in the office and declared new budget with no burden on Aam Admi. This is what Didi wanted. She never preferred the fair hike by her own partyman Dinesh Trivedi. From the rollback of budget to new railway minister, everything happened under the political will and tremendous pressure of Mamta Didi. She is among those politicians who hits hard and never steps down. Compromise is a trait which can’t be linked to Didi. On the other hand, Pranab Dada is a holy cow of congress. Whatever he does becomes exemplary and model code of conduct. He is a smart negotiator and even praised by political rivals for his modesty. During dispute between Pranab Mukharjee and P Chidambaram over a leaked letter, which could have gone bad but the issue sorted out inside a room, both held a joint conference and declared the story is over. The smart Pranabda knows how to handle the pressure and remain in news for all the good reasons. This is what makes him a strong candidate for upcoming president election. Congress has officially declared him as a party candidate to contest presidential election. Prime Minister Manmohan singh will himself try to gather consensus over Pranabda’s name. Manmohan Singh’s PR skills will be tested when he tries to get Mamata didi’s support for Pranabda, which is very difficult but anything can happen in politics.

        Well, in all these political tussle and mussel west Bengal have many moments to proud about. Just like in May 2012, when the Kolkata Night Riders owned by bollywood king Shah Rukh Khan, won the IPL-5. May be the big bong state get another reason to proud about if the son from the Bengal soil becomes the next president of India.

By: Azam Khan     

What so fussy about SMJ!

The actor turned crusader Amir Khan is touching the pain full points of Indian governance and system. Some are happy and many are unhappy with this little ray of awakening. Is Satyamev Jayte is another program to talk about malfunctioning of the great, lazy and failed Indian system! People caught in the act are blaming the ace actor for being money and publicity starved. Leaving all the controversies far behind people for whom Satyamev Jayte is conceptualized is liking the show tremendously.

Every episode of Satyamev Jayte is raising an issue with a fresh approach. Emotional talk on the show with those who have suffered is hitting the audience right on their heart. Amir as an anchor sheds tear of sympathy with victim and with Amir Millions of people across the India couldn’t control themselves from crying. Amir literally connects emotionally to the audience with the show content. Amir is enigmatic in his own way, he don’t have the have an imposing and impressive persona like Amitabh Bachchan, charming and witty style like Shah Rukh Khan and heart winning attraction like Salman khan as an anchor. While the other stalwarts of B-town came to small screen for entertainment only, but Amir came with a difference, with a social cause. For perfectionist khan this might be another challenge but for the people of India it is not less than a hope of change.

The question of the hour is that what Amir is doing must have done by the Indian media. Indian media is very powerful and very influential. Over the years sensational news became the taste of the news. Crime, sex, politics and celeb controversies are the perfect recipe to raise the TRP. The issues of social concern gradually buried deep. Problem does persist but hardly gets converted into news. Forget the prime time anchors discussing about some serious issue, even on the weekends there are no shows dedicated to social issues. On small screen time is fixed for different formats of show. But there was no time to talk about the issues which are more concerning, more appealing but less TRP boosting. Satyamev Jayte is exemplary for the Indian media, because it succeeded in collecting good ratings for the channel by raising known social issues. This enlightment should have initialised by the Indian media. Nevertheless, it is not late yet. Like Amir did, many stars would be waiting to pursue the same path to connect with people at ground zero. Satyamev jayte is purely Indian show by an Indian for the Indians. Let’s make the show a movement for social revolution.

Satyamev Jayte

JAI HIND

By:Azam Khan