Narasimha Rao's Novel And The Indian Reality

This underlines the reality of present-day politics which the media reflects---a leader's unborn act of fiction gets all the limelight while the ghastly inhumanity of stifling to death the children who have just come into the world, does not hit the headlines. Outlook in this respect has done its job of presenting the anguish in the picturesque valley of Kashmir and the agony of the killing fields in the Bihar village. Beyond that what struck me--as it would many others when they go through the pages of this journal in quiet contemplation--is the heartening eagerness for building bridges of harmony and amity between two neighbours rent asunder by anger and hatred generated by people who have made a vested interest out of Indo-Pak animosity.

Narasimha Rao's unfinished novel has received more than its due share of publicity and has been sought to be exploited by his political adversaries to run him down. Outlook's editor has made it clear that the manuscript was not secured from the Prime Minister or his circle and if the publication of the piece had created any embarrassment for him, it was a matter of regret. Extracts, however well-meant, cannot but be without their context, and in the present case it has been mischievously made out as if the draft of the novel is replete with sexy stuff--a totally unwarranted impression as borne out by those who have had the opportunity of reading the entire manuscript.

The controversy raises a pertinent issue. The fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution specifically mention "freedom of speech and expression" for all citizens. How then can this be denied or constricted in the case of those who hold important offices of public service such as the prime ministership of the country? How can a prime minister's right to write a novel be questioned? If Outlook has just drawn the attention of its readers to a prime minister who is more than just a cut-and-dried politician, that he has the literary bend of articulating human emotions with the same sensitivity as he has the felicity to handle affairs of state, is it to be faulted or the prime minister arraigned? In a sense, this controversy brings out the murky side of politics today, and it's time to set healthy standards. This brings one to the question of the role of the media today. The breathtaking advance in communication technology--both in relation to volume and speed--invests enormous power in the hands of those who wield it to mould the minds of millions upon millions of our fellow citizens. With this tremendous power in hand the mediaperson may get a lopsided view about his own importance. He or she may be intoxicated by the illusion of power because the media can make or unmake reputations of those in authority. What the mediaperson always to keep in mind is that his ultimate master is his reader/viewer, and it is for him to serve the master faithfully without fear or favour.

It is precisely on this score that the media today, particularly in our country, has to ponder over if it is really playing its due role of serving the public. The traditional concept of news that has so far been developed is by and large focused on those who wield power and also those who aspire to power--that is what politics is all about. This is inadequate by all counts in today's world in which not millions but billions are on the move, wide awake about their needs and demands and asking for their rightful share of the resources and opportunities available today.

The focus of the media has to change so that the spotlight reaches out to this huge mass of newly awakened humanity with its new perceptions of progress and development, embracing a whole new range of concerns from environment protection to health, housing and education and minimum standard of living. Our media has yet to embrace such a comprehension of its own role.

The public today is much more discerning and critical. It refuses to accept as god's own truth whatever the leaders say. A critical view of leadership pervades all spheres, from politics to education to national interests. Any stereotyped view of any of these subjects will no longer do. The demand is persistent for analysing and dissecting, for a way-out in a manner that it touches the greatest good of the largest number.

The negative aspects of human development demand equal treatment. To highlight such drawbacks in our present order is not negative journalism, but definitely a positive service towards building a better society. Human rights have assumed such importance not because western vested interests have been trying to run down the developing countries and their order, but because the world itself has changed beyond recognition. The dumb driven cattle of yesterday are vocal, capable of articulating their demands and aspirations.

To serve this awakened humanity has become the primary test for all the media with their new concepts of news. And one wishes Outlook to serve these new masters and not just pander to the old.