tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348124612012-02-16T06:49:32.237-08:00Welcome to Chanakya's world. I am Chanakya, author of Arthashashtra, the eternal treatise on governance. I lived in the great land of Patliputra (modern Bihar) during 3rd Century BC. In my current avatar, I will act as the watch dog of Fourth Estate. I along with my contemporaries from history will keep an eye on Indian journalism.Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.comBlogger401100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-41907003102610527052008-03-30T23:05:00.000-07:002008-03-30T23:13:39.225-07:00

Here is one more very valid criticism of the Indian English media. This bunch, one leftover of the Raj days, has kept going downhill over the years. They are all part of one huge bandwagon of tabloidism and crass commercialism. The few that are not have either closed down or on the verge of it. Now that there is criticism from the west, one hopes these illegimate children of Macaulay see some

Bimbsaarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814412462704006143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-5715196864297589942008-03-22T01:50:00.000-07:002008-03-22T02:02:09.130-07:00

Recall the Biharisation of Maharashtra article by Rajdeep, the moralist. Having ground the image of Bihar into dust and having made it impossible for a student from Bihar to study outside; having instigated the other Raj to launch anti Bhaiya agitation in Maharashtra, now Raj deep rues the image of his beloved GoaWhat do you think Raj deep, that a crime is a crime only if committed in Bihar. Or

Bimbsaarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814412462704006143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-91338378375286173252007-09-17T01:04:00.000-07:002007-09-17T01:06:16.774-07:00

As you would have noticed, the TV journos are on the backfoot for the last few days because of the false sting at Delhi. The journalist who conducted the sting has been arrested and the TV channel may have to pay a fine.Now in this situation, how does a sting supporter like Rajdeep react? Blame it on Bihar. Please read this article by the self righteous guy:http://www.ibnlive.com/blogs/

Bimbsaarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814412462704006143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-31968483638976963912007-08-29T20:11:00.000-07:002007-08-29T20:28:04.097-07:00

We just celebrated our 60th year of independence with great pride but we continue ignore the unfair and highly discriminatory treatment which is given to Biharies in their own country .The recent move of Mumbai University to set up special counter for examining the mark sheets of students from Bihar and UP is just another example how these institutions of learning are promoting a culture of hate

Acharya Chanakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16763409890054007240noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-65798124291044537042007-08-28T23:54:00.000-07:002007-08-29T00:13:39.721-07:00

Remember the Bihar bashing when Bhagalpur blindings took place. Well history is repeating itself, this time as a comedy. The alleged torture of a chain snatcher is the latest stick to beat Bhagalpur and Bihar.Contrast it with the low key coverage of an ex Bengal MLA pissing on lady passengers in a train compartment. It so happens, Nathnagar is not that far from Malda as the crow flies. Then what

Bimbsaarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814412462704006143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-90577422603215643712007-04-28T05:34:00.000-07:002007-04-28T05:37:27.069-07:00

Finally, finally, the ‘National’ media of India has started to take note of the positives of Bihar and Biharis. Bihar is taking the right steps under Nitish Kumar. Lalu after all is not just a joker, but has produced some results. But has Bihar really done well, according to Ashish Sharma? Well not quite. UP has done bad since it has gone ‘even’ below Bihar. Now who has given Sharma to

Bimbsaarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814412462704006143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-59693230157257273422007-04-21T12:33:00.000-07:002007-04-21T12:48:54.951-07:00

The best emerges when odds are faced. Noticed this 8-part article on young girls of Bihar who are juggling multiple roles to uplift their as well as lives of other young girls. And the best part is that they are indeed making a difference despite facing odds which would turn majority of children in their age groups into chickens. Kudos to the journalist who had the guts to bring this excellent

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-87354640292165752222007-04-09T11:30:00.000-07:002007-04-09T11:43:39.494-07:00

Media has a tendency to report negative things and in this preoccupation with negative reporting they often forget to highlight positive and inspiring stories. So when I saw this news report, my heart smiled :-)It's really heart warming to know that a small village in Bihar has been crime free since last 40 years despite being surrounded by naxal infested areas. Our government and media should

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-44773664228869045782007-01-14T00:32:00.000-08:002007-01-14T00:46:55.726-08:00

Look at this news item in Times of India: An IIT cannot clean up Bihar. Even before the celebrations have died down for having won an IIT in Bihar after sixty years of struggle, daggers are drawn to pull down the good news. Did anybody imply that the IIT by itself will clean up Bihar?Gives the feeling the arrogant journalist and his journal cannot see any good coming Bihar way. First criticise

Bimbsaarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814412462704006143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1165080964039362462006-12-02T09:15:00.000-08:002006-12-02T09:36:04.063-08:00

There were two news items in the alternative media which are really worth noticing:One concerns a human interest story about retracing the historic silk route on footAnother one is about the APMC Act which would have a real long term implication for the farmers of India.In the same vein, it is worth recalling the sedate coverage of Nitish Kumar's visit to IIM A compared to the hyped visit of Lalu

Bimbsaarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814412462704006143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1163782325460047882006-11-17T08:40:00.000-08:002006-11-17T08:58:31.886-08:00

...or should I say Mt. Everest of bias and stereotyping. One Dr. Prem Lal Joshi, Professor, Bahrain, writes:Despite having some reputation in the past, the degrees awarded by these institutions have hardly any value in industries. The indiscipline and fast decline in standard of these universities are even worst than the many universities of Bihar, Bangladesh and many countries in Africa.But

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1163704636318228052006-11-16T09:59:00.000-08:002006-11-16T11:23:27.113-08:00

When will these media guys and gals will learn how to practice responsible and objective journalism? This is what I wondered after reading this news item. Very tragic to irresponsibily name Bihar for a kidnapping done in Noida, UP. By what logic they named Bihar in this case is still beyond my comprehension, except the obvious culprit called "stereotyping".The article says,Criminals have

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1162140804070802692006-10-29T08:38:00.000-08:002006-10-30T10:02:27.393-08:00

As the whole world participated in the festival of Chhat and the cleaniness and discipline came for special praise, HT Mumbai had a problem with the traffic jam it caused. So disturbed are the newspaper editors that they are running a special campaign about it. For the sake of name, it is against the inconvenience caused by and festival, but the placement of the news, its timing and the wordings

Bimbsaarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814412462704006143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1162059788435099162006-10-28T11:22:00.000-07:002006-10-28T11:23:08.436-07:00

This is the pious evening of the araghya to Sun on the occasion of Chhath and I find this wonderful piece from Singapore : Spirit of BiharMakes me wonder if we would have to look abroad for positive news on Bihar to provide the much needed balance?What is the opinion of the Junta?

Bimbsaarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814412462704006143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1161891640896121132006-10-26T12:14:00.000-07:002006-10-27T10:56:12.863-07:00

What is common between the mismanagement of the airports of India and Bihar / Jharkhand? Dont tax your brain too much on this teaser, it only exists in the moronic mind of a particularly boorish sample of a journalist.Read this gem in Business Standard. I am sure if he were to write an article on the extinction of dinosaurs, he would find a way to blame it on Bihar. Or maybe people from Bihar

Bimbsaarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814412462704006143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1161721115148072062006-10-24T12:50:00.000-07:002006-10-24T13:18:35.400-07:00

Time was when Rajdeep Sardesai alongwith his other colleagues at NDTV were considered the new face of journalism. However, he now appears a pale shadow of himself, more interested to propagate his agenda than to provide unbiased news.Even before ink has dried on his infamous Maharashtra: The New Bihar article which was uniformally condemned by one and all for using Bihar as an epithet, we now

Bimbsaarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814412462704006143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1161450525633789532006-10-21T09:52:00.000-07:002006-10-21T10:08:45.660-07:00

Today is Diwali. Three years ago around Diwali time in 2003, Rajeev Srinivasan wrote an excellent piece of optimistic journalism. Read the full article here: Bullish on Bihar: Go East, young man!I am linking this article since its relevance is much more today than it was 3 years back.This is indeed an excellent piece of writing and ends on a very postive note;If I were a young and adventurous

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1161449539805087492006-10-21T09:48:00.000-07:002006-10-21T10:12:42.420-07:00

Chanakya and his team members wish all the esteemed readers a Very Happy & Prosperous Diwali.May this Diwali bring immense joy and prosperity in your life!

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1160595744343855882006-10-11T11:10:00.000-07:002006-10-11T12:42:26.646-07:00

Begging is in news! DNA reports Beggars learn to be choosers in Bihar. The news is about beggers forming a union in Bihar and fixing minimum wages. DNA considers this news worthy of putting in its newspaper. But wait. If begging is really an issue there are bigger begging scandals that are happening under media's eyes and it is not finding it worth investigating or reporting.If any of you have

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1160416197978368652006-10-09T10:35:00.000-07:002006-10-09T10:49:58.763-07:00

Digging up the internet sometimes throws at you something that you never expected. Today I found one such disgusting thing - a piece of writing that should be seen in Indian journalism as a big black blot. One Mr. Swagato Ganguly propagates his brainless remedy for the ills of states like Bihar and UP in this article - Shock Therapy. Well, he advocates throwing out states like Bihar and UP from

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1160245426606201872006-10-07T11:17:00.000-07:002006-10-07T11:27:13.843-07:00

I found this passionate article on Bihar, its problems, and the kind of pill that is needed to re-invent Bihar. Read it HERE.The article has been written by an IG rank officer from Bihar. It brings to the fore the pain and hope that the writer was perhaps experiencing.It seems the heart of the writer went into writing this piece. I loved it.Junta's opinion?

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1160158765869507072006-10-06T11:13:00.000-07:002006-10-07T11:26:00.643-07:00

“A journalist is a grumbler, a censurer, a giver of advice, a regent of sovereigns, a tutor of nations. Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets.”Napoleon Bonaparte **[1769-1821]Wise words indeed by a legend who foresaw the perils of a rather innocuous looking bunch of people, even before it could make its impact felt.What made me think so !! to some extent looking

Acharya Chanakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16763409890054007240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1160036378995664012006-10-05T01:05:00.000-07:002006-10-05T08:12:49.166-07:00

This post is a diversion from the core agenda of this blog. But the story is so remarkable that I can't help but post it. TOI reports that a man from Gaya in Bihar has single handedly carved out a passage through a moutain in the memory of his late wife. Read the ful report here: Padma award for Bihar 'Superman'?TOI reports,Dasharath Manjhi's love for his wife was no less. His story of cutting

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159950251793324942006-10-04T09:22:00.000-07:002006-10-04T09:46:56.993-07:00

Abhay Mohan Jha reports in TOI about the unfortunate incident of renowned singer Kishori Amonkar leaving the stage while performing at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. What happened was really unfortunate and it was perhaps due to some misunderstanding.Observers said a mix of a swelling crowd unable to either get in or find chairs coupled with the restiveness for Tiwari's Bhojpuri pop cooked up a

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159864502406215852006-10-03T01:17:00.000-07:002006-10-03T01:35:02.476-07:00

Associated Press Writer, Nirmala George, presents a very balanced view of Buddhist tourism in Bihar. The tone of the language is truthful. It acknowledges the present and at the same time delves into how future can be better and what is being done to make it better. Read the full article: India's Buddhist heritage draws seekers.Few excerpts:Not that Bihar isn't trying.While the state doesn't

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159789608023975542006-10-02T04:10:00.000-07:002006-10-02T04:46:48.240-07:00

Today is Mahatma Gandhi's birthday and many newspapers are flooded with articles and news on relevance of Gandhi and Gandhigiri in today's world. That forced me to think how relevant is Gandhi in journalism. Well, I don't claim to be an expert on Gandhi; in fact I am not. But a few thoughts of Gandhi I feel are very relevant to media today. Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in others."

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159729841508820492006-10-01T17:00:00.000-07:002006-10-01T12:14:46.456-07:00

Chanakya and his team wish all the esteemed readers a very Happy Dussehra!The truth will triumph over Falsehood.Good will win over Evil.Constructive journalism will win over Regressive journalism.Objective journalists will tower above Subjective journalists.Amen!P.S. Thank you readers for the overwhelming response in the very first week of the launch of this blog. A little analysis of the site's

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159690726167411042006-10-01T01:02:00.000-07:002006-10-01T01:18:46.176-07:00

...so says Times of India in a special report. The Sunday edition of Times of India reports that traditionally journalists and media agencies are facinated by negative news more than positive ones. Read the report here: Newspapers can be injurious to healthThe reports makes it plain clear and also gives the reason behind it (It's money, honey!)The selection of news, especially front-page news, is

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159688381757397192006-10-01T00:36:00.000-07:002006-10-01T12:24:05.273-07:00

Few things never change at all and few of our journalist friends are no exception. They are just not happy with the wave of change which has been blowing in Bihar. How can you justify the concerns raised by Manoj Chaurasia in this Stateman's article?He seems to be finding it too hard to believe that Tata’s, Mahindra’s and Mr Analjit Singh, chairman of Max Healthcare visited Bihar within six days

Acharya Chanakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16763409890054007240noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159631665994389262006-09-30T07:44:00.000-07:002006-09-30T09:23:56.020-07:00

In last six days, I have lambasted two articles published in Business Standard. So it comes as a surprise to find a constructive and positive one in today's Business Standard. Kudos to the author, Aditi Phadnis for bringing out the reality after excellent research on the ground. Her artcile - His new republic of Bihar - is indeed one of the best pieces of constructive journalism that I have

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159553590910654882006-09-29T11:04:00.000-07:002006-09-29T11:13:11.086-07:00

Today while wandering through the endless depth of the 'world wide web', I hit upon this gem of an article. Absolutely fabulous article that hits the point where it hurts and does so in a style that is simply classic.Here it is: Journalists and Bihar BashingWhen the only thing you have is a pen, every problem resembles a piece of blank paper ready to be filled with powerful thoughts having the

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159432948494083512006-09-28T01:10:00.000-07:002006-09-28T10:12:47.416-07:00

I thought only journalists used unconnected facts to give colours to their articles. How wrong I was! Even reputed professionals who ocassionally don the hat of a journalist are no less.I found one such example in today's Business Standard column by Arvind Singhal, Chairman of the retail consultancy 'Technopak'. He writes about India's education sector. Read it here: Arvind Singhal: Educating the

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159379279298520402006-09-27T10:34:00.000-07:002006-09-27T10:47:59.373-07:00

There seems to be a ray of hope for the revival of ancient glory of Nalanda University - one of the earliest and most reputed universities of the world - that was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khalji's troops in 1200 AD. The Singapore governement is interested in the revival, Patna Daily reports in Singapore Keen on Reviving Nalanda UniversityDestroyal of Nalanda University, the ancient seat of higher

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159295207385876262006-09-26T11:10:00.000-07:002006-09-27T12:03:51.900-07:00

Some journalists and media agencies never change and take immense pleasure in negative one-sided reporting.Here I find one another example today in IBN Live: Caste divide rules Bihar police If my memory is not too bad, I remember there was a proposal some months back to abolish this practice of separate kitchen in police force. But unfortunately this fact doesn't find mention anywhere in the

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159210558667672572006-09-25T11:15:00.000-07:002006-09-27T11:05:12.876-07:00

The day of Bihar has come, so it seems to me! Going by this article of Suhel Seth, Bihar is soon destined to be in the big league.And this coming as a first person account is even more credit worthy. Atleast far better than the writings of journos who sit in air-conditioned corner offices in Mumbai or Delhi and write articles about poverty and crime in Bihar. Suhel has perhaps set a right example

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159206915547283332006-09-25T10:41:00.000-07:002006-09-25T10:55:15.556-07:00

I am feeling guilty on writing third post on Lalu in 2 days. But I have to after reading this in Business Standard today.This article raises questions on railways turnaround and tries to paint a picture that the so called turnaround is a matter of good luck and even goes overboard to suggest that it is not sustainable. And in the process it throws some numbers that confuse you more than convince

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159172201959854892006-09-25T01:12:00.000-07:002006-09-25T01:33:14.380-07:00

...so says Financial Express on 25/09/2006. Here is the report: States like Bihar now top India Inc's priorityReally a moral booster for a committed governement which is showing guts to revamp the economic and social scenario in the state.A nice piece of positive journalism. What does the junta feel?

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159119366032231052006-09-24T10:10:00.001-07:002006-09-24T10:36:06.046-07:00

Lalu seems to be having a field day today. Yet another post on Lalu by Swaminathan Anklesaria Aiyar in TOI of 24/09/2006. Here it is: Lalu Yadav's demographic dividendAll in all a good analysis of population, demographics, and the repercussions on economy. But I am wondering where was the need to bring in this analysis the fact that Lalu fathered 9 children.Why the media gets so obsessed with

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159117433309730892006-09-24T09:34:00.000-07:002006-09-24T10:43:27.630-07:00

Nice article from Gurcharan Das in TOI of 24/09/2006. Here it is "Lalu is our Ronald Reagan"Good insight and analysis except one word that seems bad in taste. It is 'Biharing the railways'.Do we give the minister, Lalu Prasad, credit for this revival? He took over when the railways were tottering financially, and if they had sunk we would have blamed him for 'Biharing the railways'.But

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34812461.post-1159091519149419822006-09-24T02:47:00.000-07:002006-09-24T09:30:59.813-07:00

Media always plays a pivotal role in any democracy. A proactive, fearless, and objective media is an essential to ensure good governance and development in any democracy.While by far the significant part of media in India gives an unbiased, fact based, objective analysis, a few journalists and journals are proving to be not as thorough and objective as expected from world class journalism. This

Chanakyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10565257259157742070noreply@blogger.com1