Window Seat |
Mrinal Chatterjee | 27.1.19
Indian Newspaper Day
On
a sleepy cold morning of January 29, 1780, the first newspaper of
India: ‘The Bengal Gazette or Calcutta General Advertiser’ was published by a
young Irishman James Augustus Hicky and with that an illustrious journey began.
January 29th is observed as Indian Newspaper day to commemorate the
beginning of that journey.
Though
news dissemination in some forms had been there for a long time, but systematic
and structured news dissemination began only in 17th century in some
European countries including England. From 18th century onwards
newspapers spread in various English colonies like America, Africa and India.
Barring
some exceptions like Hickey’s Bengal Gazette, the earlier avatars of newspapers were confined to being the mouthpiece of
administration. Gradually newspapers began to assert its independence and began
to reflect reality and people’s voice. The administrative backlash was prompt
and harsh. But the noose tightening in the neck couldn’t stifle the soul of
Freedom of Press. In 19th-20th century, the Press
worldwide rose from the shambles of ordinariness to become the fourth estate of
the State.
In
India, newspapers strived to dispel the superstitions and social maladies,
fought hard for freedom from alien rule and in many regions for a separate
province on linguistic basis. The Freedom struggle formed the bedrock of
character of the Indian Journalism. It was in this era that the sanctity of
facts, justice to the masses and largely an anti-establishment approach became
the hallmark.
Post-independence,
the press in India has evolved and grown over the years both vertically and
horizontally. It has survived Radio and Television and will survive the digital
era communication. Newspapers have reinvented itself to negotiate new
technology or new communication platforms.
It
will continue to do so.
Kottayam Diary: The conclusion
Declaration:
The heading is a rip-off from Bahubali 2: the Conclusion.
Last week I
wrote about Kottayam, Kerala which I visited recently on a teaching assignment.
The place has enamoured me so much that this week also I am writing a few
pieces on it.
When I was
there, the controversial movie Accidental
Prime Minister was released in Kottayam without any protest and threat to
disrupt screening. Though I did not find time to watch the movie there, I found
no report of any disturbance from anywhere in the city and I was happy
about that.
I strongly feel, no film, cleared by the CBFC should be stopped or barred from screening by any which means.
I strongly feel, no film, cleared by the CBFC should be stopped or barred from screening by any which means.
4 things that I noticed in Kottayam
There is hardly
any honking on roads, even if the roads are narrow and has heavy traffic. I
noticed this in Sikkim and also in Aizwal, Mizoram.
There are no stray cattle or dogs on road, even in rural areas. Hence roads are cleaner and safer.
There is a general cleanliness. People do not throw garbage around. You hardly find anybody with shabby and dirty clothes.
There are no stray cattle or dogs on road, even in rural areas. Hence roads are cleaner and safer.
There is a general cleanliness. People do not throw garbage around. You hardly find anybody with shabby and dirty clothes.
People by and
large are friendly and courteous. Even, the auto drivers are not rude and
haughty. One line of caution: autos are very expensive here. Buses are cheaper
than many other states. But most of the buses have signage only in Malayalam
that makes it difficult for people not knowing Malayalam use it.
Art at Public Spaces
The nearest airport to Kottayam is at Kochi. Kochi Airport is
fully powered by solar energy. It has a unique architecture in sync with the
distinct Kerala style. Even the chairs have a distinct Kerala feel.
From Kochi I flew to Mumbai. Since the connecting flight to
Bhubaneswar was a good three hours away- I had the opportunity to explore Mumbai
International airport. It is a veritable museum of Indian Art and Crafts.
Artifacts from almost all states of the country have been tastefully displayed
here.
I believe art in public spaces not only increases the aesthetic
quotient of the place, it also showcases the art and craft for the uninitiated.
Some big Railway stations also have done this. This could be
tried in other places like smaller railway stations and bus stands as well.
Innovative wall paintings, murals could be tried.
Social Gatherings
Winter is a festive season in Odisha, Bihar and the plains of
West Bengal, wherever the winter is not too harsh- with many marriages, thread ceremonies, nirbandh (sagai) happening. These are
good occasions for catching up with relatives whom you have not met for quite a
while. You exchange pleasantries, chitchat on everything under the son
including other relatives and current political affairs and local gossip.
Initially you think it is a huge waste of time but at some point-to-point you
kind of begin to enjoy it all, especially the local gossip.
Temples everywhere in Odisha these days are busy with multiple
marraige, nirbandha, thread ceremony,
etc taking place. If you want delicious vegetarian food free, enter any temple
find a suitable place and partake. Just smile at anybody who looks at you with
a questioning eye.
Tailpiece: Job Rotation
A husband visited a
marriage counsellor and said: "When we were first married, I would
come home from the office, my wife would bring my slippers and our cute little
dog would run around barking. Now after ten years it's different. I come
home, the dog brings the slippers and my wife runs around barking."
Said the counselor,
"Why complain. You are still getting the same service. In the corporate
world they call it.....Job Rotation!"
(Courtesy: Social
Media)
This column is published every Sunday in Gangtok based English daily Sikkim Express and www.orissapost.com
mrinalchatterjeeiimc@gmail.com
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