JOIN AND PERISH
The legendary lyricist and writer Bhupen Hazarika has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. And from all indications available, he's going to contest the next Lok Sabha election on a BJP ticket from somewhere in Assam, his home state.
So, what's new in it, especially in this big bang time when there's a scramble for the famous and rich to join the ruling party? Well, when a film-star like Hema Malini or Dharmendra joins the bandwagon, you don't give it a damn because they were never serious people, and always behaved like that. But can
you ignore someone like Hazarika, now 78, becoming a member of the BJP, a tainted party what with its leaders like Narendra Modi or its current 500-crore pollskreig with the tax-payers' money?
Initially, I found it hard to believe. It sounded almost like Noam Chomsky joining Bush's pary in USA. But things like this are only representative of our times, however ominous they may look.
The inducement is, one hears, the BJP has assured him of the portfolio of a full cabinet minister in charge of Information and Broadcasting if it returns to power. A nice offer indeed. But how do you get to compromise with your long and great humanistic past, Mr. Hazarika?
MRINAL BOSE
Saturday, February 28, 2004
Thursday, February 05, 2004
Tehelka is back
The legendary Tehelka is back, this time as a weekly paper( launching date February 2). Of course, it's different with its own fare of stories and articles in its line of commitment, but one misses the characteristic punch it had in its earlier avatar as news portal.
What immediately puts you off is its tabloid-like look, and once-sensational"Blitz"-like layout. Since it champions the real, investigative journalism, it should have come in a new distinctive format. Those who don't know about it might take it as another run-of-the-mill newspaper.
The lead news titled "George Bush Has A Big Conversion Agenda For India" is a well-researched story, but is too long and exasperating. As a topic, it's neither hip nor hot at a time when the country is abuzz with forthcoming general election. Other stories in the news section are no better, and seem like fillers.
In 'essaya and opinion' section, you have writers like Pankaj Mishra, Gita Hariharan, Patric French and Hari Kunzru. Except French, all of them churn out the usual --nothing much insightful or extraordinarily thought-provoking.
But I have enjoyed Tarun J.Tejpal's editorial and Shoma Chaudhury's
'The Making Of A Paper'. Tarun is a brilliant writer, and can hook you easily with his honesty and conviction.
No doubt the paper will evolve with each issue, but is it possible in this milieu to run a paper which is not "affiliated to any political party or business house", and consists of "crusading and constructive journalism" and "display a moral centre"?
Anyway, I have subscribed to the paper. And I wish it a smooth journey.
MRINAL BOSE
The legendary Tehelka is back, this time as a weekly paper( launching date February 2). Of course, it's different with its own fare of stories and articles in its line of commitment, but one misses the characteristic punch it had in its earlier avatar as news portal.
What immediately puts you off is its tabloid-like look, and once-sensational"Blitz"-like layout. Since it champions the real, investigative journalism, it should have come in a new distinctive format. Those who don't know about it might take it as another run-of-the-mill newspaper.
The lead news titled "George Bush Has A Big Conversion Agenda For India" is a well-researched story, but is too long and exasperating. As a topic, it's neither hip nor hot at a time when the country is abuzz with forthcoming general election. Other stories in the news section are no better, and seem like fillers.
In 'essaya and opinion' section, you have writers like Pankaj Mishra, Gita Hariharan, Patric French and Hari Kunzru. Except French, all of them churn out the usual --nothing much insightful or extraordinarily thought-provoking.
But I have enjoyed Tarun J.Tejpal's editorial and Shoma Chaudhury's
'The Making Of A Paper'. Tarun is a brilliant writer, and can hook you easily with his honesty and conviction.
No doubt the paper will evolve with each issue, but is it possible in this milieu to run a paper which is not "affiliated to any political party or business house", and consists of "crusading and constructive journalism" and "display a moral centre"?
Anyway, I have subscribed to the paper. And I wish it a smooth journey.
MRINAL BOSE
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