Saturday, December 31, 2011

Is media Getting judgmental?


India is a land where freedom of speech and expression forms our birth right. Having said that, ever since freedom way back in 1947, a little skepticism keeps arising in our minds as to whether we are using it for the right cause or perhaps over using it for trivial issues. The word “MEDIA” has now become a powerful tool. Although media( esp. TV news channels) is required for constructive growth of an economy, there are times when it has been destructive as well.

Media was formed essentially to bring out the truth to the people. It was supposed to be truthful,non-bias,non-corrupt mass means of communication. But today it has become a business. Owing to the competition in the market, media these days only believe in bringing fast news instead of bringing out the correct/real news. Some even fabricate their own stories. To add to the woes some news channels have links with political parties and are often used as a tool for campaigning during elections. What’s worse is that today media has become so powerful that it can make you a king on a given day and pauper on the other. For instance, take India against corruption movement, initially Mr. Anna Hazare was projected as modern Gandhi but now he is accused of being a Nazi. Media has the pwer to turn fake in to real and vice versa. Media ethics is long gone.

Despite all the positives that media has done e.g.: justice for Jessica Lal,Arushi Talwar,Priyadharshini Matoo,Keenen and Reuben, it also harmed country many a times ie.it has over done its duties. For e.g.: the live coverage of terrorist attack in Taj (Mumbai) was the most ridiculous and obnoxious thing which media could have ever done. It was acting as an aid or an eye to the terrorists who were able to see what was happening and were able to take corrective measures to have a stronger hold of the captives.

Our news channels have always projected negative news more than the positive in order to grab our attention. They have never highlighted anything that’s positive. To make matters even worse, today media has become judgmental. They have taken it for granted the right to convict and acquit a person accused of a particular crime. They collect their own raw facts and declare a person guilty even before the court could give its verdict. They have utmost disregard for law. Then where is the question of effetcive judiciary in the nation??They have their own parliamentary sessions in the name of debate. They have no idea how bad it could affect the nation. They are even prejudicious to a larger extent.

Last but not the least, although there is no doubt that a country cannot function efficiently without effective media, it is also the duty of the media to stay within its limits and follow its ethics and act as a proper guide to the people of this nation instead of fabricating their own tales for political gains and mere TRP ratings.

--krishnan

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Is religion a vehicle to reach GOD?


I could go on for ages articulating about this, but I am not going to do that now ,for the intention is not to debate but to shower some wisdom and enlighten some weak minds. People!this whole article may sound profane, but if you try to comprehend the inner sense of this article, may be you can understand why this topic has been chosen. First of all who or what is GOD? God according to my dictionary(knowledge) is someone or something that is omnipresent and omnipotent. Does he really exist? Well, that’s something beyond my ken and so in this article I presume he exists. Now looking at a larger picture, what is religion and how did it originate? Religion is a cluster of beliefs and practices that connects mankind and GOD or rather humanity and spirituality. A religion is a repository of rules and regulations that one ought to follow in society so that he does not stray away from what is considered to be holy.

I am pretty sure most of us believe in existence of only one GOD. If GOD is one why are religions so many? People can defend saying that different people follow different customs but ultimate end is GOD. If so, why do we fight in the name of religion? If GOD was one ,why do Hindus worship so many GODS? Think! Religion was formed so that people adhere to certain rules that will prevent them from being physically and morally reprehensible and the name “GOD” was framed so that we fear(out of respect) someone. Following your religion piously will only make you a good human being and will not take you to GOD. Rules permitted in one religion is prohibited in another for e.g.: polygamy is allowed in Islam where as it is prohibited in Hinduism. Drinking is allowed in Christianity whereas its an offense according to Islam. These were just rules that were formed by some unknown people so that they could do things that are deplorable in the name of spirituality. We all know GOD wouldn’t promote polygamy or Drinking be it in Islam, Hinduism or Christianity .This proves that GOD is not the one who brought religion in to existence, but it is we, mortals. Religion is just a depository of morally acceptable conventions and not a path that would take one to spirituality or GOD. The only thing religion has paved way is for communalism. People fight in the name of religion. No religion is superior or inferior and they are all the same(with flaws).Understand the real essence of religion. Mere espousing of your religion without understanding its real meaning is only going to takes you to ditches and graveyards.

Then, what is the essence of religion? Religion is not a foolproof book for spirituality. It is prone to errors and some good points as well. Neglect the wrong and imbibe the good. What in religion will take us to GOD? Well, why should we worry about someone we haven’t seen. Worry about something that we can see. For e.g.: poverty .Service to mankind(poor and needy) is service to GOD. Why do we pray GOD ??Simple, to keep us happy throughout. Try doing service and you will relish a greater joy than what GOD can offer. Lastly, mere adherence to a religion and following your customs piously is not going to take you to GOD but it is service to mankind that is your eternal key to attain God.

Life beyond money


Life beyond money

“Money can’t buy you happiness but it can certainly buy you luxury” , “no money, no honey” these are some of the famous quotes that we hear quite often than not in today’s world.People are so obsessed with money.Everybody wants luxury.They would do anything for money, even if it was morally reprehensible.Do we ever realize what we actually compromise for money? How many people follow their heart in today’s world? By following your heart what I meant was, how many people do things which once up on a time was termed as “passion”? The answer is quite alarming “none”.

Who is to be blamed here? Yourself, parents,education,society or the country? Well ,as far as my experience is concerned everybody deserves equal blaming.

Why do I say blame yourself? Well, the answer is quite simple.We are cowards, We are scared of failure, we care too much for others and we want money. Why are we sacrificing happiness which we get by following our passion for money? Well again its become a cliched answer we are put in such an awkward predicament where luxury becomes a paramount factor.Today in India every Tom,Dick and Harry is either an engineer or a doctor. But how many of us are quality engineers and doctors?? Think! During yester-years only a handful of them became doctors and engineers and they were quality.Reason- they were passionate about it.But we do it for the sake of doing it.Where is the question of happiness here??

Next, parents.Argh! They are one of the most influential factors who decide what we want to become. They are the ones who force their whims and fancies on us making it as though it were our’s.They have only two options for us- “son you have the choice of becoming an engineer or a doctor,Choice is your’s” oh! How generous? As though we asked for one. Again money is the sinister that is driving their frail mind.They ask us whether we are luxurious or not.But have they ever bothered asking us as to whether we were happy with what we were doing or not?? No.

Society is again a major factor which enjoys dashing all our hopes and aspirations. They influence our parents who in turn end up screwing our life.People in the society can never keep their lives to themselves.They always want to be a part of others too. Their sons and daughters being an engineer or a doctor puts them in a position where they can put their collars up, but the most astonishing fact is they don’t realize how dirty their collar is.Why can’t society just mind its own business?

A citizen is good as his country. Although India can brag to be a nation that has maximum number of engineers and doctors, how are they contributing to the nation? Engineers and doctors are supposed to be the ones who are supposed to do service to the nation. They are noble professions.But, how many of us consider it like that? Aren’t we taking a lot of money than we are supposed to? Again money plays an influential role.We want to take back the money that we spent for our education.This is not ethical but we are left with no option either.Money again ruins our life.

When we do things that are close to our heart, nothing can influence us because we know our passion stands higher than a piece of paper called “money”.People, please don’t let money be your ultimate goal and don’t let it run your life.When you crave for money we forget that we are compromising our happiness and also the happiness of others. If everybody went for money we wouldn’t have had a Newton,Einsten or a Gandhi. They did something out of the textbook and hence became a successful being. When you go for passion you might not have support,you might not have money,you might not have respect but you can be assured for happiness and sense of satisfaction. You will realize the purpose of your existence. Last but not the least, people don’t let a piece of paper value your life , for your life is more valuable than a bunch of well cut papers in the name of money.