Friday, December 29, 2017

Case of Indian Media gone nuts 30-012







Times Now, one of India’s most-watched English-language television news channels, recently had a stunning scoop about Rahul Gandhi, the 47-year-old scion of the country’s influential political dynasty.

In a “special exclusive”, Times Now revealed that Mr Gandhi, president of the opposition Congress party, was in a cinema watching Star Wars: The Last Jedi just hours after Congress lost a tough election battle in Gujarat, home state of Narendra Modi, prime minister.

In other words, Mr Gandhi was, well, human. Yet that was not how the channel chose to report the story, complete with shaky footage of the cinema floor and undercover reporters asking theatre staff about their sighting of the politician. In a sequence seemingly lifted out of a spoof news show, Times Now anchor Rahul Shivshankar thundered that Mr Gandhi, along with four friends, was spotted “queueing up for popcorn” and sitting in “the posh sofa seats . . . in the J row” after the narrow defeat. Such conduct, he proclaimed, raised questions about “the efficacy of Rahul Gandhi’s personality” and his “suitability to politics”, particularly as a rival to Mr Modi, a notorious workaholic.

Maybe it does; and Mr Gandhi is still struggling to shake his reputation as a political dilettante. Yet the fact that a post-election film outing was deemed worthy of primetime debate raises questions about what Indian voters want in their politicians, particularly when it comes to “work-life balance”.
In some democracies, voters seek out politicians with whom they can identify. In US presidential races, it is widely believed (though never proved) that undecided voters will finally opt for the candidate with whom they would most like to have a beer. Spouses, children and family pets are considered important assets to boost as candidates’ “likeability”.

In the UK, Andrea Leadsom, a mother of three, claimed she was more suitable to be leader of the ruling Conservative party than childless Theresa May, as her children gave her “a very real stake” in Britain’s future. She was later forced to apologise for the comments — and lost the race. Russian President Vladimir Putin makes political capital out of his holidays, boosting his macho image by engaging in “manly” outdoor activities.

India has given rise to a different political ideal — that of the renunciate, who has no personal ties and dedicates every minute to the public good. It’s a political idiom pioneered by Mahatma Gandhi, who took a vow of celibacy, distanced himself from his family, and fashioned himself as a Hindu ascetic, as he led the independence movement.

“There is the strand in Indian politics, and culture generally, which says, if you are in public life, you must not have attachments and be committed totally to public work,” says historian Ramachandra Guha. “It’s a valorisation of joylessness.”

Many top politicians are unmarried. “It’s a plus in your CV if you don’t have a family,” says Mr Guha.

No one fulfils the ideal of political renunciate as does Mr Modi, who abandoned both his wife and mother as he set out on the long journey to the prime minister’s residence. Mr Modi has told reporters he sleeps less than four hours a night and works 20 hours a day.

Mr Gandhi reflects a competing tradition — that of large, close-knit families, finding joy in each other’s company and simple pleasures. His grandmother, the late prime minister Indira Gandhi, was said to see Rahul and sister Priyanka off to school each morning before starting work.
His parents — the late Rajiv Gandhi, another former premier, and mother, Sonia, former president of the Congress party — also revelled in outdoor holidays with their extended family, although these were the subject of criticism by political adversaries.

Mr Gandhi remains a bachelor. But he has obviously close relations with both his mother and sister. These strong family ties — and seeming sense of family duty — will resonate with many Indians.
India’s ideal of a political ascetic still dominates public life. But it is not far-fetched to imagine that one day India’s increasingly materialistic youth will look for politicians who seem more like themselves.

View at the original source

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Gujarat Elections 2017 ... A Parody.. 20-12













Tomorrow’s Prime Time debate on Times Now channel,

Rahul Gandhi is enjoying Hyderabadi Biryani, How can he indulge in such a gross anti national activity, especially, when we have problems with China in Docklam, and Pakistan is creating daily problems in Kashmir???

How sensible is it for a man who lost elections to enjoy and savor Biryani, when all he is qualified to eat is Dal and Khichadi?

How do you view this anti national activity by Rahul Gandhi?

What is the threat perception of this act to the security and integrity of the country?
Joining us to discuss this sensitive topic is the elite panel consisting of

Mejad Puncturewala (Who had sudden awakening and now determined to work for value based politics, but refuses to reveal the value, he got for suddenly changing his thought process.)

Lt. Gen. Motti Khal Samose ( Retd. from the army of Bibito. (Pl. try to locate this country on world Map. I couldn't)

Spokesperson of two national parties. (Names not revealed, but they have the capacity to shout and be heard, even when the mikes are switched off. Their shouts sometimes create Connotations of an animal fight.

Aaya Ram Gaya Ram Bhukkad  (Present political loyalty unknown), The surprise element of the discussion.
It feels great to be apolitical and neutral. 

However.

If you support a political thought process, you need to strain and stress to present their wrong as rights, incompetency as great attributes.

Some stock sentences, that may help you defend the political party of your choice.
If you support congress.

You have to learn to say....

BJP has only won the elections; all other things were won by congress party. Ultimately, it is a moral victory for Congress in Gujarat. That BJP has won more seats and form the government is totally irrelevant.

Seven ministers have lost the elections. 40 MLAs of BJP have lost the elections. (That BJP will still form the government is neither relevant nor important.

BJP has just won the elections, rest everything has been won by Rahul Gandhi. He is even celebrating it by going to a movie.

See, in spite of his great position, he is like a common man, go to movies, enjoys Hyderabadi Biryani in Alpha Hotel Hyderabad. Actually Rahul Gandhi is more connected to the people of India than Modi, who is better connected to the people of rest of the world than Indians.

If you are BJP thought process supporter, then stock sentences are..

Thumping victory for BJP in Gujarat (even though it just seven seat majority)
People of Gujarat have totally rejected the congress (That it got 45% vote share and 80 seats is of no relevance, so also the increase of 19 seats, and 15% vote share.)

Develop selective amnesia (forgetfulness). Forget that Amit Shah ever made the statement on 5th November that "If BJP wins 90 to 249 seats, it will not be considered as victory and BJP will not celebrate."

Despite the fact that 7 minister and 40 MLAs from previous government lost the elections, keep claiming that people of Gujarat have supported Modi's development policies.

Though BJP has won 19 seats less than last time, and vote share has gone down from 60% in 2014 to 49%, Please claim that BJP popularity is increasing every day.

Apart from this, you can come up with your own creative ideas to spread lies, and falsehood and fool the people. It is not a sin, because even gods know everything is fair in politics.

For more enlightenment in this matter, tutorials are available from experts from all political parties.

Best Wishes,

Shyam



Now the link to the Financial Times article

Case of Indian Media gone nuts