Article on Online Teaching and Learning

NItidina. 8.5.2020

Article on the occasion of Press Freedom Day, 3 May

Is there any hope for Press in India

Dr. Mrinal Chatterjee

Last Sunday, May 3 was World Press Freedom Day. I was thinking about the future of Press in India.

In India Media and Entertainment Industry (M&E) is in a paradoxical situation. As per records it is growing at a brisk pace. The business is growing. So is revenue- at least till the covid 19 struck the world.

But when it comes to news media- press- the situation is bleak. It has been turning bleak from globalization days. Post globalization days the situation only worsened. The politicians, political parties and corporate money bags  with their own opinion and agenda have almost taken over media ownership in India leaving little space for independent voice. It happened across the country in almost all states- all regions.

Many media academicians and pundits feel digital could be the solution, as it less capital intensive. It takes much less capital and logistical hassle to run a news site than running a newspaper or television news channel. Digital news consumption is also increasing. But even there, survival is a big question. In Odisha, press began to explore cyber space from only the fag end of last century. In twenty years- the space is so crowded that it is now an uphill task for all of them to stay afloat. And in a crowd- it is difficult to make one’s voice distinctive. Social media and citizen journalism on one hand and proliferation of fake news on the other made the news ecosphere to murky- that the audience is confused- whom to rely.

And then, almost out of the blue came Corona pandemic. The world knew about it on the last day of 2019. By mid-March four out of 5 of all countries of the world were fighting the pandemic. Several countries effected complete lock down. It impacted world economy so badly that as per a report published in 2 April 2020 in Economic Times- the UN has said that the global economy could shrink by up to 1 per cent in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, a reversal from the previous forecast of 2.5 per cent growth. UN has further warned that it may contract even further if restrictions on the economic activities are extended without adequate fiscal responses.

Covid 19 has brought a peculiar kind condition for the press. It is the biggest pandemic in our living memory- and therefore a big opportunity for the press to disseminate information, make people aware and educate them. It also almost spells doom for media, especially print media world over as newspapers can hardly be distributed in this locked down period. This might have a domino effect. Once a reader unsubscribes a newspaper, he may not again resume it, as by the time he is used to read the digital copy, which is largely free. Newspaper distribution as a business is increasingly becoming non-remunerative. As circulation plummets- so does advertisement revenue. Digital news consumption is increasing. Compared with the week of Feb. 10-16, 2020 visits to websites and mobile apps in the “General News” category increased by 61% in the week of March 16-22, 2020. But news consumption did not bring in money to run the business. Indian Newspaper Society (INS) in their letter dated 24 March 2020, sought two-year tax holiday after “triple whammy” of Coronavirus, falling ad revenues, and customs duty on newsprint.

Several media houses resorted to salary cut, lay off and retrenchment. On March 16, the Mumbai Press Club released a statement condemning the firing of journalists across the board.

Overall, news-media is passing through a very bad phase in this decade made worse by the spread of Corona pandemic. On 3 May 2020, Press Freedom Day UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message:
"As the (COVID-19) pandemic spreads, it has also given rise to a second pandemic of misinformation, from harmful health advice to wild conspiracy theories. The press provides the antidote: verified, scientific, fact-based news and analysis."

The silver lining is people have understood the menace of fake news and the importance of getting credible news, which the traditional kind of journalism with old values- press- can provide. Therefore there will be a demand for credible news and news that contextualize and explain, makes a meaning of the mass of data.

Press, on the other hand, needs to reinvent itself and redefine its role and stick to its old values. That is the mantra for survival and hopefully, growth.

***

Published in www.prameyanews.com on 3 May 2020

Column | Window Seat 3.5.2020

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee

Hawkers

It was probably for the first time that press was officially included in the list of essential services. As Corona virus spread and the entire country was locked down- it was important to keep people informed. Credible information was (and still is) the need of the hour as rumour and fake news floated abundantly (as it does during any crisis). With growing number of smart phone users and cheap data tarriff- the spread of fake news has become faster and wider. Newspapers with their established system of verification and check and balance by and large serve credible information.  But for newspapers the major problem was distribution.

Photo: HImanshu Vyas at Jaipur, Rajasthan. 30.3.2020

Though a large section of people have grown accustomed to read the newspaper online- through their computer or mobile phone, printed newspaper still is preferred in many homes.

Hawkers (like the person in the photograph taken in Jaipur, Rajasthan by National award winning photojournalist Himanshu Vyas) were (and still are) at the front-line doing a laborious as well as considerably risky job of handing over newspapers to vast population locked in homes.

SOP for Online Teaching

Because of the long lock down and strict restriction on movements class room teaching and office work have been severely impacted. Online teaching, online meeting and conference could help in this situation. (See the ever topical Amul advt.)

However, there are some technical, logistical and psycho-social challenges. Recently Guwahati based KrishnaKanta Handique Open University (KKHOU) organised an online international conference on 'online education'. My colleague Sambit Pal and myself presented a paper highlighting the challenges that we faced. As many of us are new to online communication- often we are at a sea in using the gadgets and technology. There are some basic protocols and etiquette, which many of us do not know.

My Delhi based journalist friend Kumar Kaustubha (who has recently published a book on Mobile Journalism in Hindi) attempted to develop a basic 'do and don't' of online teaching-learning. This is a necessity now. We at Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal are trying to develop it into a kind of standard operatin procedure (SOP) or guideline on this.

Requesting the readers for inputs to develop this. May send it to my mail.

Rishi Kapur and Irfan Khan

Forty six and a half years ago a boisterous teenager hinted what would happen during Corona. Remember the song bahar se koi andar na aa sake, andar se koi bahar na ja sake.. socho kabhi aisa ho to kya ho in the film Bobby. He passed away as the country was locked down to contain the spread of Corona.

A day before Rishi Kapur passed away, Irfan Khan, one of the finest actors of contemporary Indian cinema lost his long battle with cancer. I remember his dialogue in Life of Pi (2012), “I suppose in the end, the whole of life becomes an act of letting go.”

On 26 April, Sunday the doyen of Odia modern plays and an acclaimed screen play writer Bijay Mishra passed away. A Kendra Sahitya and Kendra Sangeet Natak academy winner Bijay Mishra will be remembered for his path breaking plays like Tata Niranjana.

Rest in peace Rishi Kapur, Irfan Khan and Bijay Mishra

Tailpiece: China

I was asked to wear a mask to avoid the virus from China.

I ended up wearing one made in China.

***

A journalist turned media academician Mrinal Chatterjee lives in Dhenkanal, Odisha. He can be contacted at mrinalchatterjee@ymail.com

Column | Window Seat | 26.4.2020

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 26.4.2020

Be like a Sunflower

Nature has so much to teach us, if we just care to pay attention and learn.

Do you know that the sunflowers turn according to the position of the sun? They move in the sun's direction over the course of a day, tracking it across the sky. In other words, they “chase the light.” 

This ‘facing the sun’ phenomenon is called HELIOTROPISM. We can trace the word heliotropism back to the Greek roots helios, "sun," and tropos, "a turn or change."

You might already know this, but there is another fact that you probably do not know!

Have you ever wondered what happens on cloudy and rainy days when the sun is completely covered by clouds? Perhaps you think the sunflower withers or turns its head towards the ground. Is this what crossed your mind?

Well, that’s incorrect! They turn towards each other to share their energy.

Now let’s apply this reflection to our lives. Many people may become low-spirited, and the most vulnerable ones, sometimes, become depressed, especially at time like this- when the entire country is locked down and the entire world is fighting Corona virus. How about following the example of the beautiful sunflowers: supporting and empowering each other.

Wishing everyone a "Sunflower" trait of turning towards each other on their cloudy and gloomy days.

Spread goodness. It will come back to you. Start now.

(Got the idea from a social media forward)

God is happy

God is happy. He has cleared all the backlog of prayers of his devotee's and fulfilled everyone's long awaited desires. 

1. Kids: I wish we had no school and play all day. Done.

2. Women: I want the undivided attention of my husband. Done.

3. Husbands: I'm sick of this traffic, I wish I could work from home. Done.

4. Working Moms: I wish I could spend some quality time with my kids and read. Done.

5. Students: I wish I had no exams. . Done.

6. Old Parents: I wish our kids could spend more time with us rather than being busy everyday. . Done.

7. Employee: I'm slogging too much, I need a break. . Done.

8. Employers:  I have no life of my own, I wish could relax. . Done.

9. Earth: I can’t breathe. I wish I could get a break from all this pollution and chaos... . Done.

So....what's your next wish? It’s the right time to ask.. you will get it!

Change is the Essence of Life.

From   "Standing near the bar with Scotch in hand"   to   "Standing near Vim bar with a Scotch Brite in hand" ... men have come a long way! 

(Courtesy: Social Media)

***

Journalist turned media academician Mrinal Chatterjee lives in Dhenkanal, Odisha. He may be contacted at mrinalchatterjee@ymail.com

This column in published every Sunday in Gangtok based English daily Sikkim Express and www.prameyanews.com

Article | Facts and Myths around Forty

Facts and myths around Forty

Dr. Mrinal Chatterjee

Is there anything magical or significant about the number forty? This is the question many people asked as the Union Govt. extended the lock down period to 3 May- making it 40 days. As it usually happens- there have several posts on social media about the magical quality of ’40 days’. Most of them are plain bull-shit- figment of imagination and hearsay.

However, there are significances of the number 40- like all other numbers have. In the context of Corona- and quarantine- the number forty assumed centre stage, because etymologically the word means forty.

Persian scholar of medicine, IbnSina (980-1037) suspected that some diseases spread by microorganisms. To prevent human to human contamination, he came up with the method of isolating people for 40 days. He called this al arba’iniya, the forty. Traders of Venice heard of his success and practiced it. Ships arriving in Venice from infected ports were required to sit at anchor for 40 days before landing.They called it ‘quarantena’, the forty in Italian. This is where the word ‘quarantine’ comes from.

‘Forty days’ has been used in astronomy for practical purpose. Early astronomers used it to measure and meter out the rate of each passing solar year. In fact it is remarkable that the time track of a cycle of 40 days can be used to very effectively (almost perfectly) measure and meter out the rate of each passing solar year. (See this to know more: https://design-of-time.com/forty.htm)

Forty days has religious significance in many religions. Christianity uses forty to designate important time periods. Jesus fasted in the desert for exactly 40 days and nights, while in the dessert he was tempted by the devil (temptations). Buddha also fasted for exactly 40 days and nights in the wilderness and is tempted by evil spirits (temptations).
Even Prophet Mohammed had fasted for 40 days in a cave and so have many Saints and Yogis. MullaHusayn (of Bahai Faith) spent 40 days fasting and praying before leaving Karbala.

Muslims fast and pray for 40 days during the Ramzan period. So do Christians during the 40-day Lent season, before Good Friday and Easter.
Devotees of Swami Ayyappa visit Sabarimala in Kerala after observing strictly 40 days fasting.

The Sindhi Hindu community commemorate a festival of thanks to God called Chaliha Sahib. It lasts for 40 days during which time devotees avoid: cutting their hair, wearing clothes washed by soap, drinking milk, eating fried food and wearing shoes.

Zoroastrians also have a 40 day formula for having prayers answered. It is known as the “Chalisa” or The 40 Day Ritual.

In Hanuman Chalisa, the word chalisa is ‘chalis’ meaning 40. It contains 40 stanzas and devotees of Lord Hanuman recites these 40 stanzas for 40 days.

However, all these do not bestow any magical power to the number 40. So don’t expect magic remedy. Believe in science, reason and logic.

***

The author is a Journalist turned media academician. Opinions expressed are his own.

Published in:

http://www.prameyanews.com/facts-and-myths-around-forty/?fbclid=IwAR3ZHILnoXLJOnrNRZWLxTJbqFdmLCsyvxN3CL2DtpMXUWt0VTC0tAbrhtw

Article on Odia on Udham Singh

Published in Odia daily Nitidina 18.4.2020

Article in English on the beginning of the first passenger train service in India 167 years ago

When the unstoppable stopped… 

for a greater cause

Dr. Mrinal Chatterjee

167 years ago, on this day- 16 April, the wheels of the first passenger train in India started rolling from Mumbai to Thane- with the zeal of ‘never to stop’. It never did. Till 22 March 2020. For the first time, in its 167 years history on 22 March 2020, Indian Railways announced a nationwide shutdown of passenger rail service to combat the coronavirus pandemic in India. However, the national rail network continued to maintain its freight operations during the lockdown, to transport essential goods. On 29 March, Indian Railways announced that it would start service for special parcel trains to transport essential goods, in addition to regular freight service.

Indian Railways is the largest rail network in Asia and the world’s second largest under one management with a route length of 67,368-kilometre (41,861 mi) as of March 2017.

Going back to the history of railways in India, the first railway proposals for India were made in Madras (now Chennai) in 1832.The country’s first train, Red Hill Railway (built by Arthur Cotton to transport granite for road-building), ran from Red Hills to the Chintadripet bridge in Madras in 1837.

India’s first passenger train, operated by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway and hauled by three miles) with 400 people in 14 carriages on 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge track between Bori Bunder (Mumbai) and Thane on 16 April 1853. The journey took and hour and fifteen minutes.

Postage stamp released on the occasion of 100 year of Indian Railways

The first passenger train steamed out of Howrah station destined for Hooghly, a distance of 24 miles, on 15th August, 1854. Thus the first section of the East Indian Railway was opened to public traffic, inaugurating the beginning of railway transport on the Eastern side of the subcontinent.

Postage stamp released on the occasion of 150 year of the Indian Railways

In south the first line was opened on Ist July, 1856 by the Madras Railway Company. It ran between Vyasarpadi Jeeva Nilayam (Veyasarpandy) and Walajah Road (Arcot), a distance of 63 miles. In the North a length of 119 miles of line was laid from Allahabad to Kanpur on 3rd March 1859. The first section from Hathras Road to Mathura Cantonment was opened to traffic on 19th October, 1875.

Gradually a  network of railway lines all over the country. By 1880 the Indian Railway system had a route mileage of about 9000 miles.

Indian Railways has been described not only as one of the lifelines of the country- but also one of most visible binding force. It has served the country dutifully at moments of crisis. It is doing so now- as the country is facing one of its harshest challenges- medically, socially, logistically and economically.

***

Published in www.prameyanews.com

16.4.2020

http://www.prameyanews.com/when-the-unstoppable-stopped-for-a-greater-cause/?fbclid=IwAR2z72Ra2U4_lR240h_WM3_zROphJjgiMaJMFZFzQ7QgDaIM8n84VyZvWAg