TRUTH VERSUS HYPE
Screaming headlines "PM gear outlandish" and union ministers see insults and
want apologies from Congress! Fact is Sashi Tharoor speaking at a seminar "
Standing Upto Hatred, Violence and Intolerance in Contemprary India" stated
Modi and for that matter India Gandhi too went around wearing various
outlandish/ extraordinary headgears offered to them, but Modi refuses an
offered skull cap! That is what should have been emphasized? Further, the
hats/gear may look great on a tribal, but many feel, not only Taroor that Modi
looks funny wearing some of those head gears. That does not mean he should not
wear them to appease tribals etc. Why cannot someone have different point of
view, feelings/perceptions? Why the intolerance and quoting without reference
to the context and what it was clearly meant to convey? The media must realize
that being only too ready these days (most of them) to manufactured hype,
specially pandering to the government in power is doing a great diservice to
the citizen and discredit to themselves!
Take Pratapsingh Rane's much quoted toilet cleaning indiscreetly worded
outburst in the Assembly. I have witnessed it live and he spoke in konkani,
passionately the way locals speak and I heard thumping of desks at this! It is
clear what he meant to convey and the worst possible interpretation in english
has been blown out of proportion. I cannot blame others because they see
headlines and read the reportage and react. I too would have been indignant had
I not witnessed the whole thing live on Television!
