A hope for tomorrow

So there i was attending this annual day function at Geetanjali Devashala as part of my work when i was hit by a wave of memories that just flooded me. It was a different sensation altogether being in the audience of a school's annual day and not being part of one.

I remember how much fun i used to have during my annual days. The excitement, the enthusiasm and just that feeling of doing something on stage for your school, is something that will never come back. The crazy costumes, the rouge that's applied on your face, the anxious teachers and parents-annual days were fun.

It's been years since i have been to one-not after i passed out of school and i felt so good and so positive as i watched the performances begin.

School annual days and sports days are a big deal in our country. And am glad they are. Because to me they are those few opportunities that you as an Indian student (of course times have changed now) have to present yourself, to put your best foot forward and to shine. It is also the time for you to get over your crazy fears and just do your best, not to mention learning to work in a team.

Today, as i sat in the front row and watched the students-from the tiny tots to the teenagers-i felt a strange sense of harmony. I felt at home, though this wasnt my school or these weren't my classmates.

And perhaps what made me feel so peaceful and positive was that even after 9 odd years after having passed out of school, the school annual day routine was still the same. It still reflected India, its diversity, its challenges and still brought out the patriotism that few of us adults feel or can identify with nowadays.

The innocence and enthusiasm with which they performed those dances-traditional dances of different states-and participated in plays, gave me hope. It for once silenced the cynic in me which keeps telling me oh nothing is going to change... for once there was this really strong positive voice in me which told me-hey there is still hope.

If my next generation and their next generations are still getting the message of Indian independence, of religious tolerance, of terrorism and corruption, then there is hope. Because, this generation too, like many in my generation will strive for a better tomorrow. And they are so a very aware set of youngsters. Aware of their rights and responsibilities. And that thought gives me hope.

It was with a lot of pride as an Indian i watched them unfold the different facets of my beautiful country. I was filled with pride as these little ones showcased the diversity of my nation and made me realise that in my cynical little world, i was missing out on the larger picture-that despite all the problems and challenges, we as Indians have managed to live with tolerance and in harmony.

Yes, we have problems but then we also have people like u and me and those students who performed today at that Annual Day with their full heart and soul, who will find solutions.

And yes, the feeling of singing your national anthem with others is a different feeling altogether.

Has the line blurred or disappeared altogether?

So, finally the can of worms has been 'Open'ed. And the worms came crawling out...slimmy, slippery and gooey; the worms are out there creating a storm of sorts...crowding over the people in the center, as they gasp for breath...to save face from beneath all the worms.... And there you are a silent spectator, watching as the worms slowly eat into everything that you perhaps believed in.

#barkhagate #radiagate... the tags, hashes, searches, the terms may be different..The slimy underlying truth remains the same. That journalistic 'integrity and ethics' are now just restricted to "Key Issue Lectures" in Journalism schools. The can that has been opened now, has brought out different worms-the integrity worm, the ethics worm, the honesty worm, the courier worm etc. These are issues that should have been in discussion long ago. These are issues that need to be talked about openly by editors to cub reporters...but then wait a minute...what does a cub reporter do if the editor is the one at fault here?

This is the land of media. The land of powerful men and women (And please Barkha Dutt cut the 'feminist sexist' crap please!) where the real stories remain hidden and the ones that you as a reader or viewer read or see are just shallow reports. There is an underground cellar here where the stories that need not be and should not be reported are pushed to. Where so-called cub or junior reporters are discouraged from 'investigation'.

This story is not just about one Barkha Dutt who according to her, was 'gullible and missed a story'. But also that of the changing editorial policies of media houses across the country. Where news channels are started with motives, where journalists are no longer the 'watch dogs' but are the 'power brokers'; 'the blackmailers'; This story is of the larger issue of changing media roles. Of a media that is toothless (and deliberately at that) but wealthy. This is the story of the 'fourth pillar' of democracy's changing role to that of 'courier' and 'wealth accumulator'.

It is also the story of the disappearing (or disappeared!) lines between a journalist and a PR person. Of the changing motives of both the sides. Of turning a blind eye to legitimate stories.Of hiding information from the public. This is the story about the fight for unfiltered information.

But, will the media gurus and so-called who's who take the responsibility of clearing the muck thats swallowed Indian media? Do they have the balls to take these issues head on?? Will this issue to be forgotten like the 'paid news' story?

I am a cynic. And i believe that would be the case. Endless blogposts like these would be written, columns published, debates held and a month later, the issue is forgotten. Will 'Padmashri' Barkha Dutt who attacked Manu Joseph on her show last night about his failure to 'follow up', follow up this story? Her own story? Will Vir Sanghvi do that?

And will we remain mute spectators to all the injustices and scams around us?