Dispassionate Observer

Surrogate Advertising on Satellite Television: Indian Experience

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Sun, 08 May 2016 08:31:00 +0000

Research, Bolpur, Santiniketan And More

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:09:00 +0000

It’s now about three weeks that I am back from Santiniketan in Bolpur and no wonder that I am not feeling good about it. Staying there weeklong has been a sweet experience, a rare sweet experience amidst all the not so sweet experiences of late. I landed up in Bolpur to survey a set of respondents for my research. Earlier I have been to the place once, guided by a real bright talent of Visvabharati University (not belonging to the mass communication fraternity). Things were more hectic last time with the scorching heat of the summer months and a pilot study which was to be completed in tight schedule. A final study was due and I went there with a week in hand to complete the work. The student of Visvabharati University could not make it this time as his period of study has ended few months back and he was back home. However, I was lucky to get two new contacts. These two new contacts eased up my initial anxiety as the local population gradually cooperated with me. People in Bolpur are different and I could sense that I am in august company. The rickshaw puller who took me to the hotel on Bhubhandanga sounded quite knowledgeable. Bolpur is not the epitome of materialistic accomplishment; it is the embodiment of simple inner happiness. One of my local contacts, a busy and jovial journalist, made a prior booking of the hotel. I paid the advance and got the key to my room. I cleaned myself, had my lunch and talked to the journalist over phone. He was in between an unfolding news story and promised to turn up in the evening. I got time to chalk out my action plan-where to go first, how to approach people etc. I went through my questionnaire and tried to correct typing errors if any. It was a matter of about hundred respondents, representing a cross section of the population. Daylight waned over the streets of Bolpur and the fading light ushered in a mystic evening. The Journalist turned up at the hotel with a smile. He was talking over phone to someone regarding my issue, looking for prospective respondents I thought. We went out without wasting any more time and were soon asking people to spare some of their valuable time to give tick marks beside a set of options. Some complied with our request while some were not so forthcoming. Bolpur though, true to its spirit, was mostly cooperative.

The next day I turned up at Padma Bhavana at Visvabharathi University. A famed professor of Geography department was my second contact person. I have met him once earlier in one of his book launch ceremonies in Kolkata. A man who was not fond of wasting his time over “fixing issues” and lazy gossip, this professor was a lot different from the general yardstick. He was among a few researchers in India who could undertake innovative means to pursue his area of interest. His energy was infectious on those who were around him. Truly international in spirit and resembling Paulo Coelho in looks, I was more than glad to meet him with my research idea and a set of questionnaires. He found interest in my area of study and introduced me to some of the students. He briefed them about their role and the students gladly agreed to help me in my research. I myself being a part of a University can say it with conviction that students of Visvabharati take academic issues in proper light and are highly cooperative. They are keen to participate and learn and don’t give the “I know things better than you” stare. Boys and girls were overenthusiastic to shoulder the responsibility of meeting members of different households in their locality. Number of filled up questionnaires swelled in a jiffy. Two rickshaw pullers in front of my hotel also helped me reach prospective respondents. The five days of my survey in Bolpur turned out to be highly productive.

The journalist continued to back up with his resources wherever he could. Working in the wee hours of night on a story, he was never disturbed when I called. While during the day I was busy completing my objective in the night I went out for a walk to feel the pulse of Shantiniketan and adjoining areas. The serene roads, devoid of busy traffic and blaring horns, were very different from the cacophony of Kolkata. As I strolled past the Upasana Griha in Santiniketan I could not but praise the endeavour of Rabindranath Tagore in conceiving the idea of Visvabharathi. This educational institute was started by a man who did not have formal learning and schooling and whose philosophy about teaching was –“Knock at the doors of the mind. If any boy is asked to give an account of what is awakened in him by such knocking, he will probably say something silly. For what happens within is much bigger than what comes out in words. Those who pin their faith on university examinations as the test of education take no account of this.”¹Skeptics might argue that this educational spirit of Rabindranath has now been diluted but they cannot point fingers at the upkeep of Visvabharathi University which is truly world class. One evening I took a rickshaw to the Gitanjali cinema hall. They were showing the movie The Attacks of 26/11. A balcony ticket came really cheap and I went in to see this latest Ram Gopal Verma thriller. As expected Ram Gopal dished out something which was not really appreciable. Coming out from the hall I sauntered towards the restaurant which caught my attention while entering the complex for buying tickets. Ghare Baire, a restaurant which offers authentic Bengali cuisine was adjacent to the cinema hall. The men who were taking orders at the restaurant wore traditional Bengali dress. I settled for some light snacks and a big cup of tea which was served in a beautiful earthen pot or “Bhar”. The interiors of the restaurant were highly influenced by creative exploits of Rabindranath Tagore. Lines from his poem decorated the ceiling. Different shades of his painting was also lighting up the atmosphere. Earlier when I came to Bolpur I had a pleasant experience of Alcha Boutique and Restaurant. This time Ghare Baire proved to be really interesting.

I have been to four other places for my research but there was something special about Bolpur. No wonder that tourists pour in from all corners of the globe during Poush Mela and Basanta Utsav in Santiniketan. There is life in this place. It liberates the soul and brings in lot of fresh air. Amidst all the dullness of modern life Bolpur holds a promise of “good times”.

1. Source: Wikipedia.

News Blogs in India: Exciting Form with New Challenges

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 20:55:00 +0000

News Blogs in India: Exciting Form with New Challenges

Blogging Your Way To The Future

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:31:00 +0000

When we blog we are using a new media platform. "New Media" is attracting a lot of attention these days because of the possibilities which are on offer. Starting from the days of static web pages we are already a part of an interactive web environment thanks to web 2.0. Now we are in the midst of a social media revolution where creativity is finding a shared environment to thrive. Facebook, Myspace, twitter and other networking sites are allowing an alternative media space for different voices to be heard. It's really interesting to upload images, ideas and observations over these platforms, tag friends and seek their response. However, critics have opined that this open creative space is getting diluted by over usage of self advertorial material and cynical way of looking at things. That is an area of study which we will approach in a subsequent paragraph. Now to ponder on this issue closely, research and in depth study on new media is somewhat complex. There are already "self styled new media experts" who are claiming to have decoded this new phenomenon threadbare. I will not criticize these "intellectual thinkers" but will like to add that to be expert on new media, which is a vague term in itself, active practical usage of the medium is a must. We can be academically rooted to this media and don the hat of an expert but that is total disservice to its very essence.

pic source: www.interactiveinsightsgroup.com

When I blog or discuss about 'new media' I accept that I am a humble learner. I will discuss things from the perspective of a learner, not an expert because being an expert on new media is risky given its constantly changing nature. Blogs bring in a whiff of fresh air because there is space to think differently and talk one's own mind. Mainstream media like television, newspaper and radio is top heavy with little space to be dispassionate and objective on issues. Paid news is a problem that needs to be given proper attention. It is an alarming development and has all the ingredients to subvert democracy. When ideas are twisted from the top to serve various interests little is left to honest assessment.According to Press Council of India’s draft report of enquiry titled “Paid News: How corruption in the Indian Media Undermines Indian Democracy” deception happens at three levels:

a) The reader or the viewer is made to believe an advertisement as independently produced news content.

b) Candidates contesting elections do not disclose the true expenditure incurred on campaigning, thereby violating the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.

c) The newspapers and television channels concerned usually receive funds for ‘paid news’ in cash and do not disclose such earnings in their company balance sheets or official statements of accounts. Thereby the media company or its representatives violate the provision of the Companies Act, 1956 as well as the Income Tax Act, 1961 among other laws. [1]

These are some dangerous observations coming from the office of the Press Council of India. This is where blogs and other social media platforms come into relevance. The recent blasts in Hyderabad led to innumerable posts from netizens on facebook and twitter. It was enlivening to see various individuals sharing emergency numbers to help those who are in distress. The care for fellow human beings might have taken a digital turn but these developments are always heartening in times when cut throat competition and strive for more and more personal gains are wiping out finer qualities.

As discussed earlier, there is a growing concern over tendency to be self obsessed and cynical in social media. Criticism is always good when it is constructive but equally damaging when done just for the sake of it. Looking with skeptical eyes on each and every development stems from cynicism. This trend has to be curbed for a vibrant virtual space. The growing authority of alternative ideas which is forcing different governments to step back under pressure and use highly questionable means to control, gets undermined when used for cynical jibes and sharing pages which always profess "doom". Social media cannot just be used to state whether one has brushed his teeth in the morning or not. It can be used for effective means. While it is true that facebook, myspace and twitter have ignited the imagination of young minds, blogs are yet to have the same impact. Blogs can be used to engage communities who are serious about knowing all sides of a developing story, engage over meaningful discussion on social issues and exchange ideas for progress and change. Though academic communities in western countries are using blogs to interact with students and also throw valuable insight to research, this trend is yet to catch up with academicians in eastern countries specially India. When the world is looking for new methods of teaching it is time to come out of the shackles of polemics and try something worthwhile. Teachers and students are all running after theoretical knowledge and their expertise is getting judged by marks. However, education is about using the acquired knowledge for greater good and not about being smart with marks and short of ideas. Dynamism, the key word in this changed global system, is in delivering new ideas. New media is ushering in a new education environment where application and ingenuity are in more demand than mockery of marks. Serious news can be catered over blogs if the intent is serious. Though tough at times, credibility of news blogs can be established by maintaining objective standards. Why not think of a time when a good investigative story gets published in a blog? Why not think of a day when journalists jostle for serious blogging? Lets hope for a time when a political commentary in a blog has thousands of followers, each expressing their point of view with utmost freedom!

[1] Source: Emerging trends in the Indian Media Landscape-Malaise of Paid-Content and the Need for Greater Accountability. Pitabas Pradhan in Media Watch Journal, Volume 3, Number 1, January-June 2012.

Evening Handbags and How to Get Hold of the Best Ones

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 10:44:00 +0000

There are many different events and occasions that we women attend or grace to all year long, some are annual events like birthday celebrations while some are once in a lifetime moments that we simply cannot forgo. It could be a dinner engagement, a big client meeting wherein you need to seal the deal, and a whole lot more. And during these important and precious moments, you need to look as special as the event by dressing up well and carrying the necessary fashion items and accessories. And when it comes to accessories, all women should be carrying those elegant fashion purses with them. So here are some important thoughts and reminders when picking those ladies handbags and purses that will accentuate your outfit and help you leave a lasting impression.

Sizing, Colors, and Textures Count

First off, you need to consider a number of aspects before paying for any evening bag or fashion purse that catches your attention whether in the stores, boutiques or most especially online. And one of them is the size of the bags or purses that will match and compliment you and the clothes that you wear. Generally, speaking, bags during special evening affairs like dates and intimate meetings should not be able to cause you stress and hassle as far as having to carry them is concerned, so opt for something that is smaller than the average bag but make sure that is offers enough space to carry all your valuables that you need to bring for the night like your wallet, keys, and maybe some makeup.

pic source:

http://images.wwfind.com/products/picture/201231513/3151232625.jpg

Next are the colors of the ladies handbags or fashion purses and getting them right. To save you from headaches in choosing the right colors, stick to the safe and neutral ones like black, silver and gold which are quite versatile to mix and match with almost all sorts of outfit colors, particularly the solid-colored ones.

And lastly, choosing the right textures and patterns of the fashion purses. As a rule of thumb, go for something that sort of contrasts your outfit. If you are wearing something that is plain-colored and is streamlined, then go for ladies handbags that are textured such as leather, especially the exotic ones. Just try to mix them in order to create more character.

Pic Source:

http://img.alibaba.com/wsphoto/v0/402212943/2011-Brand-New-Women-s-Leopard-Alexa-Clutch-Bag-purse-Clutch-Bags-Evening-Bags-Handbag.jpg

Never Forget Price And Quality

And of course, you should always be mindful of the price range that you can afford and the quality that you expect to get from the ladies handbags and fashion purses that you will be buying. Set a budget and stick to it so that you will be able to trim down your choices. You really need not spend a lot of money to enjoy something that is stylish especially if you will be purchasing online. But do make sure of the quality that you will be getting. If you are buying in the stores, examine the quality of the bags carefully. Check the stitching, the lining and the materials that were used. If you will be buying online, do some research on the reputation of the websites you will be buying from.

About the Author-

Patricia May has been writing about general fashion and chic handbags which she truly loves to death.

Film Review: The Magic of Barfi

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:15:00 +0000

I am an ardent film lover, a movie buff, whose definition of an ideal weekend is definitely a trip to the multiplex!!!

Source: UTV Motion Pictures

Barifi came as a whiff of fresh air, when I went to watch it this Friday!!!

Set in the 1970’s West Bengal with its beautiful retro looks and pastel shaded surroundings, Barfi’ is the story of a deaf –and-mute person named Murphy who is popular by the name Barfi (Ranbir Kapoor). In spite of his physical challenges, Barfi is brimming with energy, magic and music! The film portrays his relationships with two women (Ileana D’Cruz & Priyanka Chopra) in his life and how it goes through a roller coaster ride of love, friendship, heartbreak , pain and union over a period of six years. Barfi is filmed in Darjeeling where the mist, tea gardens, and the settings of the famous coffee joint, Keventers will bring back memories buried deep within. In the second half you get to see Barfi set in the alleys of North Kolkata, with the Howrah Bridge in the back drop.

The Story is simple and yet refreshingly different, reminding you of classics of Raj Kapoor style and of films like Sadma. Screenplay is awesomely done, and it is particularly commendable the way the writer weaves a tale of love which seems so close to real life. The story is about Barfi’s journey of love with Shruti and Jhilmil . Shruti -- a beautiful girl, soon finds herself falling for Barfi’s magic touch in spite of acknowledging the differences they had socially and she being engaged to Ranjit ( Jishu Sengupta) already. The romance blooms between the two as Barfi charms her with his innocence, his happy ways, his smiles, and his energy. The two share bicycle rides through pine forests, horse-saddles and their very tender midnight kiss for the first time. As the film progresses pathos sets in over concerns involving engagement rings to the kidnapping of an autistic young woman called Jhilmil (which is the central plot.) Things change and gear faster than Barfi would understand.

In the turn of events Barfi falls for Jhilmil later, understands her ways, sets her free, nurtures her like a knight in shining armour and finds a new definition of love with her.

We see the characters of Barfi, Shruti and Jhuilmil meet in the cross roads of life. Shruti breaks free from her love less marriage to come back to Barfi, and Barfi madly chases Jhilmil.

The music is stupendous and Pritam brilliantly make us croon the songs long long even after hearing them. ‘Main Kya Karon’ romantically tells us the magic one feels after falling in love, ‘Ala Barfi is a superb character description of Barfi himself. A beautiful gazal in the second half shares the pain and helplessness of meeting ones lost love suddenly after long!

The cinematography is flawless and Anurag Basu’s direction is powerful too. We see ace Bengali actors like Ashish Vidyarthi, Jishu Sengupta and Rupa Ganguly in Barfi. Use of Chaplinistic comedies and Raj Kapoor styled dressing and romance has ornamented the films with many jewels. This film is a must watch in all respects.

Barfi teaches you that love has its own language, own music, own expressions which alone makes life worth living, you have to be in love and relish the gains, pains and sweet nothings that comes your way….

Please go and watch this beautiful film!

About the Author-

Srirupa Ganguly lives in Hyderabad and is in perennial love with writing. Having a distinct style of her own and wide experience in writing for quite a period of time, she is known for her insightful view on events.

Special Guest Article: Journalism and Literature

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 07:31:00 +0000

Though journalism is junior to literature in terms of age they move hand in hand. They depend on each other in terms of format as well as a little bit of content. Such dependence can be compared to neighbourhood living when neighbours living together owe a lot to mutual exchange.

Journalism deals mainly with information which is supposed to be factual in nature. The legendary proverb says "facts are sacred, opinion is free". It justifies the importance of information which we expect to get from the practice of journalism. On the contrary, literature goes for elaboration of the human lives entangled with subtle niceties which are deliberately transformed into art form. When journalism paves the foundation of history with factual information, literature delves into the depth of human relationships.

When journalism tries to capture a time or a situation on the basis of factual information, literature goes to explore the factors as well as sensibilities leading to the levels of perceptions and understandings. For understanding Mahatma Gandhi, newspapers can be of immense help so far as information details are concerned. But understanding Gandhi in literary format must have to be different. Literature accommodates imagination while journalism puts no entry to the artifice to it at the expense of factual information. But ironically this contrast has failed to go against the good impact of live-in condition of journalism and literature. Today's print journalism stands greatly on the story telling techniques of literature. Print journalism has been tablodized conveying multi colours.

About the Author-

Dr. Baidyanath Bhattacharyya is teaching journalism for about three decades. Author of five books in journalism, mass communication and guest editor of a reputed online media journal, Dr. Bhattacharyya is considered one of the experts in journalism education.

Kumartuli: The Puja Flavour & Some Images

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 19:43:00 +0000

Goddess Durga Getting Decked Up With Other Family Members

Lord Ganesha Getting A Dash Of Colour


Biswakarma Idols Being Ferried In A Tempo

Goddess Durga Awaiting The Final Touch

The Beauty Of Lord Ganesha

Kumartuli Artisans At Work

Almighty Goddess Durga

Goddess Durga Fighting It Out With Evil

Durga Coming in Plenty

Indian Women: Fighting with Physical Abuse

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 20:06:00 +0000

Women were regarded as central part of the society from time immemorial though society continued to be patriarchal. Women were worshipped as goddess; adored as mother, wife and sister. But some incidents of recent times show that they are nothing more than objects of flesh and blood to satiate carnal pleasure through force. Every day when people flip through newspapers in search of good news like development in the country, economic progression etc they are confronted with just the opposite story. Women are been assaulted, molested and tortured both physically and mentally by men who can best be equated with beasts.

Pic Source: Maktub Photos (picasa)

Leaving aside the Vedic age when women commanded a lot of respect they have always been looked down upon as a commodity which is for pleasure and enjoyment. It is depressing to digest debates across the country which partly blames the tempting dressing of women leading to their rape. But these discussions cannot be accepted when globalisation is in full swing and when the global transfer of culture and ideas has reached a sizable proportion. In western societies women are much liberal in deciding what to wear which may raise eye brows in Indian standards but still the crime rate is lower compared to us. Primitive thinking of parda system is still in the mind of people who think dressing sense of women is all to blame. However, dress hardly matters to the perverts. We read in newspaper or see in television that a girl wearing salwar suit gets raped and furthermore women who are wearing sarees are also not spared. A woman who wears provocative dresses (according to Indian sensibilities) attracts a lot of lustful onlookers.

Now we can come to a conclusion that cultural backwardness of Indian society is the main factor for lack of respect to women. We hear or read that our country has undergone a revolution or it is developing day by day but the actual scenario is bleak. Society is thinking over ways which enable women to get more opportunities so that they can be placed on an equal footing with men through legislations and enactments. Today we find women as ministers, chief minister, prime minster, president, top executives, sports-person etc but the fundamental question regarding respect to women still comes secondary. At present women irrespective of their age are searching for "security”. Now question is- who will ensure their security?

About the Author-

Nilika Banerjee is student of Journalism & Mass Communication at Rani Birla Girl's College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and they do not reflect in any way those of the Dispassionate Observer.

Are We Independent? I Think ‘No.’ What Do You Think?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 19:02:00 +0000

Another 15th August, another Independence Day. The nation is all decked up in the try color to celebrate the most remarkable day in the history of India. TV channels are too busy scheduling the top 10 patriotic films (like Border, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Rang De Basanti etc), FM stations cannot think of anything else but playing “Bharat Humko Jaan Se Pyara Hai”, “Bande Mataram” (Rehman’s version), “Sandeshe Aatein Hain” etc throughout the day. You can see families sitting in front of the TV set, watching the spectacular march past by Indian army and paramilitary forces. But amidst all these festivities where is the Independence? Can you see it? Can you feel it? Can you touch it? Can you decipher it?

Independence means “Freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others.” On 15 August, 1945, India, as a country, acquired freedom from the control of British rulers. We all knew how the brave-hearts broke the shackle of dominance and snatched away the liberty from the firm clench of those Britons. So I’m not going to repeat that tale once again here. But the question is, after 66 years of independence, can I call myself independent? Can you call yourself so? Can I freely express my thoughts about anything and everything? Can you ask the government to show you how they utilize the taxes you pay or how you are being benefited from that? Can you stand up and spit out your anger against the social and political injustice? Above all, what about your collective individual independence?

pic source: Munna Kumar Photos(picasa)

When a country becomes independent that does not only mean that the country is free from any foreign oppression or injustice; that also signifies the fact that the common citizenry of that country is also free from any injustice, oppression, hardship etc.

India, the largest democratic sovereign country, ensures justice, liberty, equality and fraternity to her every citizen.

But –

Can those little boys and girls working as labors free themselves and ask for equality?
Can those millions of common people demand an answer from the government using their Right to Information?
Can you or I stop paying the taxes until the government gives us a detailed account of those each and every paisa we have paid from our own pockets?
Can an adult person of this country choose ‘No Vote’ during election? After all, if we are independent then we should have the power to choose no one as our candidate to the upper or lower house of the Parliament.
When a court violates the laws it has set for itself, a victim is left with a no other choice than to accept it as his or her own misfortune.
From presidential election to Rajya Sabha election, we are just puppets in the hands of the politicians or better say, our representatives. What a sarcasm it is!

And regarding India’s independence as a country - it still cannot decide its own nuclear deals, it cannot prohibit the intruders from crossing the LOC and it cannot make its own choice when it comes to purchasing arms & ammunitions from a foreign trader. And the list goes on…

Still we hoist the national flag; still the school children sing patriotic songs with folded hands; still all the TV reality shows bring their exclusive themed programs on air; and still we proudly call ourselves Independent.

About the Author-

Durba Sengupta is a Content Writer by profession. A student of Journalism and Mass Communication, she is a complete bookworm and a movie buff. Being an optimist, she dreams of a day when a few words like poverty and corruption will no longer be in use.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and they do not reflect in any way those of the Dispassionate Observer.

The Olympic Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:08:00 +0000

Curtains have fallen on the Olympic Games in London, 2012. A spectacular Ending ceremony was the crowning glory of the greatest sporting event on Earth. Indian contingent fought, ended up getting six medals (two silver and four bronze medals) and showed promise of getting few more medals in the near future. The country went the Hero way, "Hero Go, India Go". Like many others I also eagerly followed the developments and posted in facebook when one of our athletes won a medal. Suddenly we were finding wrestling interesting and badminton enjoyable.

pic source: Sameer Ahmed Photos (Picasa)

However, this euphoria is short lived. India loves its cricketers. They are our national heroes and all corporate support is for them. A good show in national and international circuit ensures a number of advertisements across television channels ranging from fairness creams to motorbikes. Sushil Kumar, Vijay Kumar or a Yogeshwar Dutt, getting a lot of cash reward after their achievement in Olympics, will go into oblivion after sometime. We as a nation love to listent to pulsating music during the cricket matches in IPL and enjoy the game! We like to watch all the antics of film stars like Shahrukh Khan and cheer wildly for cricketers like Saurav Ganguly (whether performing or non performing), Sachin Tendulkar (no more what he used to be), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (all smiles and all luck) and a number of other stars. Media in the country love to report over days on the Harvajan-Sreesanth slap-gate.

As Nirmal Shekar opines in The Hindu, "Let’s look forward to another wild parade through the streets of Mumbai with the boys peacocking from an open-top bus. Let’s unabashedly hail their heroics, throw fresh flowers and encomiums at them even as my fellow professionals try to pull out every adjective in their vocabulary to celebrate the great achievement.

Meanwhile, Mary Kom would probably be running from pillar to post to find a cooking gas cylinder in Manipur, Yogeshwar Dutt would be walking to the nearest tea stall in his hometown, unmolested, his stellar achievement long forgotten.

The peerless Viswanathan Anand’s fifth world chess title would be a distant memory and he would be preparing for yet another tournament that nobody cares about even as Jeev Milka Singh tees off somewhere that nobody has heard of. Birdie and eagles…well, we haven’t been to a bird sanctuary in a while; should make it a point to visit one."¹

The sad reality of our country is that we concentrate too much on cricket as other sports get neglected. I was listening to one anchor in a regional news channel as she expressed her displeasure on the small number of medals for a country with such a big population. She was arguing that poor infrastructure on the part of the government is the main roadblock. Agreeing with the fact that politics have ruined the prospects of the country and infrastructure has been poor there is also one big concern. The Indian mindset has to change. How can we expect great results from our athletes when we just brush them aside as non entities? Only during Olympics we find a lot of national spirit and feel disappointed when Abhinav Bindra fails to qualify. While Virat Kohli finds a problem of plenty to choose from advertisements, Mary Kom knows she cannot expect the same.

It is easy to point fingers at politicians and lament at the present conditions or results. Politicians are part of the society and it is the reflection of the society itself on their deeds. What do we do to cheer our athletes all the year round? We choose to avoid national hockey matches when they are telecast on television for the excitement of cricket. If a badminton match of Saina Nehwal can generate TRP's to the level of a cricket match then gradually corporates will pour in money because they understand business. Now where from will the TRP come if we choose to ignore her matches most of the time?

The governmental fund outlay has improved over what it used to be in the past and the results are showing in the increasing medal tally. However, for a nation to compete with giants like U.S.A and China there needs to be strong public backing behind national athletes. Media can serve a better purpose if they give these athletes good coverage throughout the year. Media also have to look into infrastructural deficiencies and form public opinion for their fast overhaul. They need to report about new talents and raise voice for more and more corporate involvement. Cricket is a beautiful game and the power structure revolves round it, however, it is time that we stop getting disappointed finding ourselves in 55th spot in the final medal tally and look within ourselves to feel whether we are doing justice to other sports apart from cricket in the country. Playing hockey is not encouraged in schools; badminton, table tennis, chess, wrestling or other sports are always considered secondary to academics. Talents are lost when parents pursue a promising badminton player to leave the game for better prospects in engineering. Cricket, though, is in a different league because mothers flock with their would be Sachin's, Sourav's, Dravid's, Dhoni's to cricket coaching centres. They are adamant to see their children making a century at Lords and soon become the sought after advertising model. We cannot expect the good when we ourselves deliver the worst. It is commendable that in spite of being pushed aside these athletes spring up from nowhere and produce good results. They are aware that all their valiant deeds for the nation will be forgotten when Shahrukh Khan will dance to the tunes of a popular Hindi film number with his Knights, post an IPL match.

1. Nirmal Shekar's Column in The Hindu retrieved from: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/nirmal_shekar/article3758296.ece?textsize=small&test=2

Anand at the top of the World

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 07:28:00 +0000

On 30^th May India achieved a new feat in the world of chess. Viswanathan Anand, 42, secured his fifth World Championship title defeating Boris Gelfand of Israel in the ‘toughest’ title clash at the State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. He made India proud by achieving this glory and challenge Russian monopoly in World Chess. It was high tension drama. Intensity of the battle made everyone forget that both the players had played 12- classical games over the past three weeks.


pic source: e Khabar (picasa)

In 1988 Anand became India's first grandmaster. He achieved the distinction of receiving the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 1991-92, India's highest sporting honour and the Padma Vibhushan in 2007, the country's second highest civilian award, making him the first sports person in India's history to receive the award. Anand's strong presence in the international arena started in 1995 with his attempt at the world championship crown where he lost to Russian Gary Kasparov 10.5-7.5 in the PCA world championship match.

This is fourth successive world championship victory for Anand. He is the only player in the history of chess to win the world championship in all the formats- knockout, round- robin tournament and individual matches.

Anand will be the world champion till his next title clash, which will make him the world champion for a cumulative nine years now (2000-2002 and 2007- 2014). He pocketed about USD 1.4 million- 55 percent of the total prize fund of USD 2.55 million- while Gelfand got the remaining amount. No doubt it was a great moment for India.

However, for Indians sports means only cricket. Others hardly find support. We forget that there are sports persons across disciplines who made Indian proud. The athletes had an impressive show in the Commonwealth Games. Proper infrastructure can do wonders for sports in the country. The focus must shift beyond cricket. Three weeks long match between Anand and Gelfand hardly got space and time in media because at that time people were glued to the IPL. Fortunately when Anand won the title IPL was just over so he got proper media attention.

It is a pity that achievers like Indian Kabaddi champions, boxers, weight lifters stayed in darkness and were treated badly by the authorities. They were deprived of the honour which they deserved. Hope things will change for good and India will soon be a super power in the sports arena.

About the Author-

Moon Jana is an announcer at All India Radio, Siliguri, West Bengal, India. She did her Masters in Journalism & Mass Communication from Visva-Bharati University.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and they do not reflect in any way those of the Dispassionate Observer.

Anand will be the world champion till his next title clash, which will make him the world champion for a cumulative nine years now (2000-2002 and 2007- 2014). He pocketed approximately USD 1.4 million- 55 percent of the total prize fund of USD 2.55 million- while Gelfand got the remaining amount. No doubt it was a great moment for India.

Yet Another Beginning

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 16:15:00 +0000

Wish I could fly like Spiderman and scream with joy, "I am back, I am back!" I know posts in Dispassionate Observer are irregular. I can't help it..Trying to fix this for months though..alas not finding much success..Hope this time Dispassionate Observer will not disappoint. It is now a fact that this blog has been accepted by some readers and hence the page views have swelled. I am happy to see that Dispassionate Observer has gone past 10,000 page views. I didn't expect this when I started the blog given the long absence of any posts. Thanks a lot to all those who considered it worthwhile to read the articles and thought pieces.

The problems for me compounded when I understood that I am experiencing a writer's block. My mind went blank, devoid of any ideas to work on. I turned to books, read a number of them but still the flow was not there. Not only my blog, I promised to write for some other websites who really had beautiful plans. I know I have not done justice to them but somehow I was not feeling like writing anything.

Dispassionate Observer will hopefully do justice this time. There will be regular posts from me and a number of other authors who have made this blog what it is today. In this month of London Olympics Dispassionate Observer wishes best of luck to the Indian contingent. Depressing news about events have been the order of the day, an event like Olympics will provide some fresh air and enjoyment worldwide.

Resilient KKR Brings Trophy Home

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Tue, 29 May 2012 12:26:00 +0000

picture source: Sahil Deewana (picasa)

The wait is finally over. No more anxious moments to touch the beautiful IPL trophy and Shahrukh Khan can now stop wearing his lucky black tees and same jeans to make his team win.

After digesting a lot of controversies the wind finally turned in favour of Khan’s Riders. Already the evening shower brought a bit of relief to the city, but the sweet midnight storm was much more reliving.

Dhoni failed to make a hat trick of wins in the IPL . The way his team performed in last few matches it appeared they will be hard to beat in their own backyard. The credit goes to the Knights specially – Gautam, Bisla, Kallis, Manoj and Narine.

It no more remained just a game. For the emotional people of Kolkata it was like a dream come true. It was their belief that the team could win and finally their belief turned into reality.

Gautam (Gautam Gambhir) proved it was the team spirit that led them to success. King Khan who always believed in "Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo"( we will do it, fight and finally win) kept the flames alive and finally he was rewarded with a grand victory.

Dada’s (Sourav Ganguly) sixth sense got it right and the night turned out to be lucky for the Knights. Co-owner Juhi’s (Juhi Chawla) promise to Mamtaji (The Chief Minister of West Bengal) to return to Bengal with the cup finally turned out to be true.

After going through all types of experiences in the past years Kolkata Knight Riders finally achieved their desired goal. People of West Bengal had a peaceful sleep as they basked in the glory of being the top team in India.

‘Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo’ anthem worked out this season. Team spirit, hard work, belief and excellent execution helped them to lift the DLF IPL Cup 2012.

About the Author-

Anwesha Guha Thakurta is student of Journalism & Mass Communication at Muralidhar Girls College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and they do not reflect in any way those of the Dispassionate Observer.

Why Are We So Wrong To Girl Child, India?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Mon, 28 May 2012 12:38:00 +0000

India envisages to become a developed nation. However, due to her so-called superstitious traditional culture she is unable to cope with modern world. Some beliefs and practices are acting as hurdle to her progress. In this country women are not getting the respect which they should get. According to Indian Constitution everyone should get equal opportunity to progress.

picture source: Savio Sebastian (picasa)

India is a land where female gods are worshipped, however, in practice the society is patriarchal. Mother is an important factor but if she gives birth to a female child then she is abused by the family. Through scientific methods it can be detected whether the baby is a boy or a girl when it is inside the womb. So called cultured people irrespective of education are taking the advantage of advanced technologies illegally and are wasting no time in destroying the baby if it turns out to be a girl. Most are happy with male child. According to them their future will be protected by their sons and they will earn lots of money. Even they will also help maintain their lineage and heredity. At times the mother is held responsible for the birth of a female child but those who are aware of medical science know it better that the male chromosome Y can only be given by the male partner. In spite of knowing all this many women are tortured, killed and even compelled to commit suicide. During pregnancy women are subject to brutal torture to kill the female baby which even lead to death of the mother. In India steps were taken against female infanticide which lead to reduced instances of such cases. Now the disturbing trend has again surfaced.

Almost every day if we open any newspaper or news channel we hear or read news about female infanticide. Government has enactments in place against such killings but it is not enough. Before elections all ministers shout they will do for the society but once they are elected they are of no use. In India the president is a woman, there are female ministers and number of entrepreneurs are women. My question to them is what are they are doing? Aren’t they reading newspapers? Why can't they do anything despite being in seats of power? Who will reply to all these questions? Now it’s high time for common women to raise their voice against female infanticide. If this system persists then a situation will arise when female population of India will decline which is alarming for the days to come.

We can not move towards modernisation with our illogical, illegal, unethical, inhuman, immoral and unjustified Hippocratic culture. Detection of sex before birth is illegal and punishable crime but in every part of the country it is happening. Harsh punishments should be imposed on the criminals who indulge in this act. The notion that male child is more likely to ensure well protected future for parents is proving to be useless in modern society. Research has shown that female children are actually taking care of their parents even after their marriage while the male ones are failing to keep their word.

About the Author-

Satyameva Jayate- Promise of a New Dawn

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:12:00 +0000

“Pehle Sunday ko subah aap Mahabharat dekhte the, aab dekhiye aaj ka bharat”- enough to invoke interest to see today’s ‘Bharat’. This is what Satyamev Jayate is all about . Innovative in its advertising campaign, Satyamev Jayate has already succeeded in capturing the mind space of the audience. The campaign, prior to the launch of the serial, had an element of suspense which was built up in a skillful manner. From its first advertisement itself it remained interesting. People became curious to see the next advertisement. One by one, step by step it unfolded its features in a conscious and strategic way.“Entertainment ka matlab sirf hasana nehi, mujhe to lagta hai public ko gussa ana chahiye”, “Sunday subah der se soiye, saat baje tak, aath baje tak, nau baje tak, daas baje tak, fir to main aa hi raha hu aap ko jagane k liye”- this is how Aamir Khan created strong curiosity about this show.


picture source:Hammad Hassan (picasa)

Satyameva Jayate did not appear as an advertisement of any product or a show. It was just about a person (not a star) who talks with his friends or anyone about a matter. Informal in style but highly focused. “ Sunday subah ghar ka sara kaam jaldi kar lijiye, fir main aa raha hu, kuch baat karni hai”. Its seemed like a person who comes to your doorstep and reminds you about the meeting where you have to be present. It directly addressed the audience and convinced them to be ready for discussion .

In first two or three advertisements people could not figure out whether it’s an advertisement or has something more to it. In first advertisement there was no direct approach or testimonials from the star about the show. So, people had no clue what was going on. This resulted in heightened curiosity.

Another ingredient of this successful ad campaign is ‘Aamir Khan’ himself. People know him as a perfectionist. They have lots of expectation from him. Many are watching this show because of him. They are aware that Amir Khan, of late, has been associated with projects which are classy and not run of the mill. He sums up the objective of the show- ‘Sirf hungama khara karna mera maksad nehi. Meri kosis hai k yeh surat badalni chahiye. Mere sine me nehi to tere sine me sahi. Ho kahi bhi aag, lekin jalni chahiye” A bold step to make positive changes in Indian society by taking on age old evil practices. However, aware of media which believes more on sensational practices rather than actual good, he vows to make this show different in all aspects. A show that can really make some difference. Satyameva Jayate Amir Khan!

About the Author-

Moon Jana is an announcer at All India Radio, Siliguri, West Bengal, India. She did her Masters in Journalism & Mass Communication from Visva-Bharati University.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and they do not reflect in any way those of the Dispassionate Observer.

Social Media and the Disadvantages of Networking

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:31:00 +0000

picture source:

jmparada.com

The Good

It’s becoming a small, small world. It seems, with the Internet, places that seemed so far away really aren’t anymore. People you never thought you’d communicate with are a button away. Social media is a concept that has grown in leaps and bounds over the past few years. Many companies and people now see Facebook and Twitter as a valid method of raising their profile. The Internet affords an instant connection to a global audience which is now being used to its full potential by these companies.

There are great examples of social media. One of them relates to my employment. The company I work for sells kitchen appliance online. Maybe not the most interesting of things. But that’s the beauty of social media. We can make it interesting. Through a representative who is considered the ‘face’ of our business, we gained interest on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Facebook has almost 50,000 people interested in what we are doing. Twitter has almost 5,000 follows. We have created a community that shares information and gets involved. When news gets out, it’s shared almost immediately.

The Bad

But is this always a good thing? Like human nature, social networking can become pretty disappointing at times. Like all technology, it can be abused, twisted and turned into something negative. Remember the riots last year? The planning of that was done in part via certain social networks. The instantaneous communication that resulted from social networking mean that people were informed about police locations and actions before the police had chance to maintain an effective presence.

Basically, it was like the flash mob from hell.

And the Ugly...

The negative sides to people can really come out in new ways thanks to the Internet. For example, bullying can take on a whole new level that transcends the physical. Tales in the news of cyber bullying are constant. This isn’t focused solely on school children or work colleagues. More recognisable faces are in fact more likely to be targeted in this way. Matt Lucas (of Little Britain Fame) for example, felt he had to leave Twitter because of derogatory comments made about his partner, who recently passed away.

The argument could also be made that whilst it makes communication between people much simpler, are we damaging the personal relationships of those closest to us? People are now ‘addicted’ to networking sites, which can have an adverse effect on their personal as well as professional life.

A decline in productivity has been seen in companies that allow access to Facebook and Twitter. And remember, often your personal information contained on these sites can create a ‘life brand’ potential employer might check to see if you are suitable candidates.

Those ‘harmless’ comments, photos and posts you and your friends might have found amusing may actually work against you in the long run. Think about when you meet someone new. They seem to really like you, until they see your Facebook and Twitter posts that make disparaging remarks. These days, no one is anonymous.

Social media and social networking takes a certain amount of responsibility. When used right, it can be a powerful tool. When used wrong, then lives can be affected in the real world.

About the Author-

Halit Bozdogan is a writer for Appliances Online. He likes Japanese culture, has lived in Japan, loves playing squash and is going to be a father in July. It’s a boy, so the only real question is which will be his favourite; Batman or Spider-man! You can follow Halit on Twitter @TheBozDog

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article and the picture used are those of the author, and they are in no way related to the Dispassionate Observer.

The Make Belief World of Social Networking

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:31:00 +0000


picture source: Harold Elam Jr (picasa)

know more about the picture

“Hey! Have you changed your profile pic! You are looking so nice…”

“I have updated my status, check it out.”

“Have you uploaded our party pics? Don’t forget to tag me buddy...”

“I poked you, why didn’t you? It’s not fare.”

“My favorite hero twitted yesterday that he would tie knot soon. I’m gonna die!”

“Hey buddy, what’s up? I’m just chatting.”

“Why don’t you download information from net? It’s too easy. You can just Google it.”

" Hey! Have you seen my baby? Isn't her smile one in a million?"

These are few expressions which have become a part of the world of social networking. Across age groups people are getting used to conversations of the new generation. This is the trend of a generation who are too obsessed with themselves.

Am I being rude saying that? May be I’m not. Isn’t it our obsession to spend most of the hours of a day in front of a screen & make new friends who can never be met (even running the risk of being duped by fake profiles), giving updates of every single step taken in the day ( I just washed my teeth, I am feeling sleepy now etc), editing snaps in Photoshop or Picasa to create beautiful profile pictures? Nowadays we do not even have any personal or private life, because we update our status, flood our walls in facebook with every change in our life. Even we have given right to every person (known or unknown) to make comments on that. Now we have become attention seekers by creating our "hip and happening" profiles consciously or subconsciously waiting to count how many likes & comments we get.

Can we instantly become prettier after someone make a comment or can we become ‘not so cool’ after someone thinks that? These social networking sites are overpowering our minds & we are forced to believe what others think or say about us. These websites like Myspace, Facebook, Orkut, Twitter, Yahoo 360 & so on got instant popularity for its ease of use & free subscription. A person does not need to be a computer expert to use these websites. Therefore every single person has their own account & profile these days. Not everything these websites have offered so far is bad. However, the way the young generation is using it is unworthy, useless. It would not be so harmful if it becomes a tool to relax in leisure time or to get refreshed after a stressful day, but it is affecting the mental-development of young generation who are more conscious about their profile settings than the real world, society, career and the future.

Social networking websites have discovered a wide field where people around the world can access what they want. There are millions of sites (such as Google) where we can search for valuable information, news blogs, & other essentials. If this social networking can be used fruitfully, no other medium can be better than this one. Even Facebook, Orkut and similar websites like this are useful to voice one’s own views, opinions, protests against social or political issues & to make strong public support on a burning problem. Now it depends on us how we use it. It can be fruitful if we wish or can just ruin our ability to think if used in a wrong manner. Ideas and opinions in Facebook, Orkut or Twitter should not guide our lives, images posted there of life and happenings should not be the real story. The real story should come out of life which is real and not virtual.

About the Author-

Shayani Gupta is student of Journalism & Mass Communication at Muralidhar Girls College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and they do not reflect in any way those of the Dispassionate Observer.

HyperSmash.com

Solution to Turbulent Times

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 21:16:00 +0000

Life appears different when you are down and out with a leg injury. Confined to the cosiness of your bed you try doing things which in a normal busy day you hardly get time to do. You would concentrate on the colour of your wall in the room; occasionally you would glance at the hour and minute hands of the clock and look through the window. Illness comes as a curse for those who love to remain amidst work all the time. However, it also opens a door of possibility-the option to take a look at life around you differently. It gives time to ponder on issues which at the beginning appear to be utter madness or sinister.

The world that we live in is not what men and women in an ideal situation would desire to be. There is hatred all around, people are busy killing one another, flexing muscles and plotting downfalls. The major political events that we witnessed globally have been the result of some plots which were chalked out in the comfort of air conditioned rooms. Ambitious men and women with nefarious designs have brought doom and destruction to human race and the trend will follow. People have grown cynic and are taking potshots at everything. This cynicism stems from disguised wants at the inner chambers of human heart. If you are happy with whatever comes your way in this lifetime you are never cynic, but people choose to be different. They plot to kill, design to threat and egg on young and impressionable minds to commit crime. In countries like India young men and women fall prey to dirty politics in college and university levels. Political consciousness is good for everybody but it is always beneficial to keep it out of educational institutions. It is not the place to pick up young minds that are aggrieved for one reason or another, use them as pawns in bitter personal rivalries and ruin their ability to think freely in the long run. Excellence in education, the primary objective, becomes a hostage in the hand of miscreants who took to this profession to fill their own coffers and encourage corruption at all levels. It is a sad state when teachers become political commentators, regulate the life of students to serve their own ends and make them believe in a world that is built on false promises. Apart from politics and education another worrying area is the role of media. The freedom of media is necessary for any democracy to move forward, however, this freedom comes with some responsibilities. Print or audio visual medium needs to behave in a matured fashion to deliver right messages to the masses. When media becomes business the spirit of democracy is undermined. Film, a powerful audio visual medium, has developed a special liking towards deviance and some of them are glorifying gangsters as gods.

Then where is the hope? The hope lies in the Bhagavad Gita. All power hungry men and women forget one thing. Whatever they do in this life is predestined and they have no power, what so ever, to inflict damage on anybody without the wishes of the almighty. The Lord, the Supreme Being, smiles at the petty achievements of mere mortals. He allows every offender to grow to a point before bringing the final curtain on his or her journey.

The world that we live in is highly competitive and ruthless. However, there are some eternal truths about life which need to be understood more in times of crisis.

Everything, even the pure effulgence, rests on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is the knower of everything that is happening in this world, and if knowledge has any end, He is the end. Therefore, He is the known and the knowable. He is the object of knowledge because He is all pervading. Because He is the cause dwelling in the spiritual world, He is transcendental, and He is chief personality in the transcendental world. (Bhagavad Gita As It Is)

Tolerance, one of the biggest virtues, is missing among people. Intolerance to others is the root of troubles which could have been easily avoided. However, it is hard to be tolerant in tough situations. Nevertheless, it is the path to be followed for a world that seeks a better future.

Tolerance means one should be practiced to bear insults and dishonor from others. If one is engaged in the advancement of spiritual knowledge, there will be many insults and much dishonor from others. This is expected because material nature is so constituted. Even a boy like Prahlada, who although only five years old was engaged in the cultivation of spiritual knowledge, was endangered when his father became antagonistic to his devotion. The father wanted to kill him in so many ways, but Prahlada tolerated him. So there may be many impediments to advancement in spiritual knowledge, but we should be tolerant and continue our progress with determination. (Bhagavad Gita As It Is)

Love, in its eternal spirit, is finding it difficult to remain afloat amidst strong negative energy all around. Human beings are finding solace in hating others and ridiculing opinions and ideas which are different from the way they think it right. However, love leads to ultimate emancipation. We can lend an ear to Jesus and think from the core of our heart "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself"(Leviticus 19:18, The Bible)

Its No April Fool: Dispassionate Observer is Back

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 07:15:00 +0000

There has been no posts in Dispassionate Observer in 2012. This primarily happened because of some other engagements and a shade of laziness on my part. Regular followers of this blog were justified in questioning my absence for such a long time and they were right in speculating whether Dispassionate Observer has ended its journey. I am happy to declare today that Dispassionate Observer is again back in operation.

We are passing through a tough time amidst political instability, global recession and social unrest. However, this phase will passover sooner or later and things will again fall into place. This is the cycle of life, what goes up must come down and again rise.

The world of media is ever changing and are facing new challenges. New media, criticized by the detractors for helping in fostering monopolistic tendencies, is still one of the few platforms which offer plurality of information. Attempts are being made to regulate it as well but still there is space for hearing different viewpoints and engage in conversations. Whether some like it or not, new media will rule the media scene in the coming decade. This will happen partly because of the bankruptcy of ideas on the part of the established media forms like newspaper, television and radio and partly because of the rise in Internet literacy. More Internet literates will seek multiple media outlets from a single platform. Hence convergence will happen. However, the world today is seeking plural media and new media is giving some hope to the masses that plurality, at least to some extent, is possible.

Dispassionate Observer has crossed 7,500 page views and strive for more in days to come. It is a challenge to remain dispassionate in hard times but that is a path that this blog will continue to follow.

Saying Good Bye to 2011 with a beautiful poem

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:46:00 +0000

A lot happened in 2011. It was a mixed bag of happiness and sorrow. World, India as well as our own state West Bengal witnessed good and bad. Today we will not revisit the days gone by..Let 2012 bring happiness for all.

We say good bye to 2011 with this beautiful poem from Srirupa Ganguly..

pic:Srirupa Ganguly

''When dreams seek expression, what do you do?

Sometimes you stare at the stars, you delve into the silence of a foggy night

You search love and endlessly hope you get it:

May be sometimes you speak, speak to yourself

Speak the language of an untold dream....

last time you felt that magic touch, that belonging,

You think of the far away country road that took you there

The feeling of warmth even in the winter chill….a boulevard of thoughts

…you still feel;

The night passes by, the twilight gleam…

You fall a prey of unexpressed love

And then as sun rays wake you up from a beautiful dream

You reconciliate-- sometimes it’s best unsaid, untouched and unraveled….''

About the Author-

Guest Article: 10 Interesting Facts About Egypt

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:15:00 +0000


Egyptian Museum Cairo pic source: Adam Spawton-Ricer

Egypt has been drawing in tourists since the ancient Greeks first struck up a relationship with them in the 5^th century BC, but today the most popular region with foreign tourists are the Red Sea resorts. All inclusive Egypt holidays in the red sea resorts have a wide appeal because of the variety of activities on offer – as well as the chance to see some of the lesser-known historic sites of ancient Egypt.

Before you head to Egypt for your summer holidays, get to know the country a little better with these 10 facts you probably didn’t know (or had long forgotten)!

Did you know that the official name of Egypt is actually the ‘Arab Republic of Egypt’ and is known to the locals as ‘Masr’ or ‘Misr’.
Cairo, the capital city of the country, is the largest city in the whole of Africa and the Middle East.
Many of the most useful household objects were originally invented by ancient Egyptians. Scissors, deodorants, toothbrushes, keys, combs and locks are just a selection of these things we couldn’t live without today!
5,000 years ago the architect Imhotep lived and worked in Egypt; it is believed he is the earliest scientist to be known by name anywhere in the world today.
We have the Egyptians to thank for our 365 day calendar and 24 hour day!
Most of the Egyptian population is located near the Nile River as this is the only ground across the country where food can be grown.
Sadly, global warming could threaten many coastal cities of Egypt with flooding if the sea levels rise in future years.
Egypt is about the size of France and Germany combined and most of the land is barren desert terrain.
Around a whopping 78 million people live in Egypt!
In Egypt the literacy rate for locals is only 68% for men and 47% for women.
Spices such as Cumin, Fenugreek and Corriander were used as medicine in Ancient Egypt. Pic source:
Adam Spawton-Ricer

On your holidays to Egypt you’ll find it hard to get away from the fascinating ancient history of the country, so here are 5 quirky facts about Ancient Egypt too!

In the time of Pepi II of Egypt, the pharaoh used to have a number of naked slaves covered in honey nearby so that any flies would be deterred from landing on him.
Egyptians used early folk medicines in an attempt to cure ailments; infections were treated with soil or mouldy bread.
Ancient Egyptian children did not wear any clothes till they were teenagers due to the extreme heat.
Egyptian Pharaohs never let their hair be seen, wearing either a headdress or a crown to cover themselves up.
In Ancient Egypt both women and men wore make-up (mostly eye make up). It was originally thought to be a form of protection against the sun but later became a way to adorn themselves!

About the Author-

Adam Spawton-Ricer is a writer and blogger whose main focus is on Egypt's Red Sea resorts, he intends to return to Egypt in the new year to dive in Dahab. Adam also writes about Amsterdam and review hotels there.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article and the pictures provided are those of the author, and not of the Dispassionate Observer.

Off the Cuff: A road trip to Bardhaman

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:05:00 +0000

A trip to Bardhaman by road was always a dream in my student days in the University. In those days I commuted from Howrah Station in Kolkata to Bardhaman by train (mostly local trains which made inordinate delay in reaching the destination and at times express trains which were a shade better.) In mind, though, I always longed for a long drive from Kolkata to Bardhaman traversing the beautifully laid highway. After I completed my study the link with the "Rice Bowl of West Bengal" faded away as I concentrated hard on my job in Kolkata. Two years passed and Bardhaman became a story of the past. However, destiny chose to play a different game. I resigned from my job and came back to Bardhaman after two and a half years as a Junior Research Fellow in the University. Bardhaman has changed quite a bit by then. SBSTC buses have started operating by road from Dharmatala in Kolkata to Tinkonia Bus stand in Bardhaman. The day I got this news I made up my mind to avail a bus back to Kolkata from Bardhaman. To my wonder air-conditioned buses were also available at an affordable cost. I got the ticket of an AC Volvo bus and ran up the stairs in excitement. The journey that day was one to remember amidst a chilling air condition which made me to shiver at times!

Me and Ananda Sir at the Highway
This, however, failed to quench the thirst for a long drive. There were days when one fine morning I would wake up in bed and decide that I should get hold of a car. Fortunately, my loony impulses found strong resistance from my head. Paulo Coelho might have taught us that listening to our hearts is a virtue and following our dreams the ultimate goal but in reality one can land up in big trouble by just following the heart! I always had regard for one of his statements-When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. True were his words! My dream became a reality after a long wait and when it came, it came good!

Department of Mass Communication and Department of Sociology in my University are housed under one roof and this opened up the opportunity for me. Ananda Mohan Kar, one of the young professors of the department of sociology turned out to be a neighbour back home. A suave and knowledgable man, Kar, is a delightful company for a scholar who is yet to learn the nuances of his trade. The best part about him is his love for travel and zeal to learn new things. One day he came up with the idea of a road trip to Bardhaman by car. He was driven by two interests- primarily to ferry some books and journals to Bardhaman from home and secondly to enjoy a trip. I agreed to the proposal readily and the date was fixed in no time. He got hold of a white ambassador which came honking early in the morning. The books were placed in the dickey and we sat cosily in the car. To our delight, the driver was a prolific speaker with a number of interesting stories to share!

Ananda Sir with the "Special Driver"

Soon the car was speeding past beautiful fields and trees in the national highway. In this time of winter the morning was pleasant and I had put on my jacket. Ananda Sir looked animated and at times was humming one of his favourite tunes. Sunlight was smiling on the trees along the road. I loved the sight of paddy fields, cattle and busy farmers. Refreshing and soothing for the eyes used to vehicles and gigantic buildings in Kolkata. As the car approached Singur, Sir started looking for a road side Dhaba. In my mind I tried to recollect the location of a Dhaba which I saw in one of the bus rides back to Kolkata. Not far away from Singur, we landed up at the spot. The Dhaba named 'Destination Veg Food' had impressive exteriors and as we strolled past the corridor into the restaurant, the interiors spoke of class. Alu Paratha and a preparation of peas were in offing and the order was placed in a jiffy. Three of us devoured the delicious food. Good food and some interesting stories from our driver acted as a fuel for the rest of the journey as we got back to the car. Ananda Sir rubbed his eyes, adjusted his specks and then with a jovial smile quipped, "Next stop will be at Shaktigar. We should have a taste of their famous Langcha sweet."

Destination Veg-Food

Ananda Sir waiting for the food to arrive

We stopped the car near the famous "Adi Langcha Bhavan" (Adi meaning the original one to distinguish it from others having the same name). Three of us sat at one of the corners, caught hold of one waiter and asked the rates. The Langcha sweet was available at Rs 5, Rs 10 and Rs 25 according to size. We ordered the one which cost Rs 10 and waited eagerly to have a bite. Pictures of some notable personalities on the wall caught my attention. Celebrated names like June Maliya, Bratya Basu, Somnath Chatterjee, Kharaj Mukhopadhay, Chinmoy Roy and Rabiranjan Chattopadhay have all posed for photographs after having their share of this special sweet. I felt good to be in august company. Finally each of us was served one big Langcha sweet in paper plates. On contrary to general perception it did not seem to me an irresistible stuff. It was good but not one to die for.

The Adi Langcha Bhavan

One big Langcha Sweet

pictures of some notable visitors at the eatery

The end of the Langcha episode signalled that we were at the final lap of the trip. Soon we were approaching the Bardhaman town. The car hurried past the hustle and bustle of a busy town life and we knew this journey was all but over. I could see the sombre face of Ananda Sir as he looked through the window. The ambassador took the last turn to enter the gates of the University of Burdwan. Getting down from the car for the final time was not pleasurable. I felt like leaving back a wonderful part of me back in the seats. Ananda Sir gave a sigh and made arrangements for unloading the books and documents which also were a part of the journey. Deep down our hearts we both knew that this was an experience that we both wanted and maybe we both wanted it to linger on for a little more..

Centre for Tagore Studies in Scotland

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 11:08:00 +0000

Tagore's deep connection with Scotland is well known. He had a special liking for Robert Burns, the Scottish poet. He took inspiration from some of Burns' songs. Tagore's connection with Scotland is now the central point of discussion between the two countries and has helped in strengthening the cultural ties. With the passage of time there is a growing interest among the literature students of Scotland to know more about Tagore, his works and his philosophy of life. To facilitate research on Tagore, Scottish government has set up Centre for Tagore Studies in the Napier University of Edinburgh. The centre envisages to address all research queries on Tagore and build up full fledged capacity to start department of under graduate and postgraduate studies.

picture source: Kevin Dayhoff (picasa)

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Tagore without the West Bengal connection is so incomplete! Scottish Government acknowledged the fact and has decided to extend the Centre to Kolkata's Scottish Church College. The Department of English, Bengali and Philosophy will be in direct contact with the Centre at Edinburgh in a bid to execute mutually fulfilling research projects on Tagore. The centre is presently in the process of collecting large number of Tagore's writing and research that have been performed by Tagore scholars across the globe. The centre is also mulling collaboration with Visva Bharati University and Rabindra Bharati University to augment its collection with the latest volumes.

Dr. Basabi Fraser, a Bengali settled in Scotland and a reputed Tagore scholar has been appointed as the coordinator of the centre in Scotland. She will work in tandem with the centre in Scottish Church College in Kolkata. In Scotland she is assisted by Prof. Linda Dryden in this endeavor. Fraser specializes in Post colonial Literature and Theory and is one of the most accomplished persons for this job. To have a positive start to this venture there is an exhibition of rare pictures, manuscripts and letters of Tagore slated to be held in January next year.

Initiatives like this will help in cultural exchange between the two countries and will also help in widening the knowledge base on different facets of Tagore. Possibilities are abound for the future.

The World of 1080p: HD TV

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Soumya Dutta) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:53:00 +0000

High Definition television or HDTV refers to video that has resolution (1080p) higher than that of traditional television system. HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame which is roughly five times that of the standard one. During the time of its launch, HDTV broadcasting used analog techniques but nowadays HDTV is digitally broadcast using video compression.

picture source: NEWMAN K (picasa)
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HD television was first developed by Nippon Hs in 1969. HDTV, as we witness it today, had its birth in Japan in 1980’s and in Europe in 1990’s. By 2002, US had only 3 to 4 HD channels and the HD programming was also limited. American Football (NFL) was one of the first sports to air some games in HD. Today a number of HD channels are available in the US. In India, High Definition Television along with picture resolution comparable to a 35mm movie screen, surround sound audio, wider screen image with up to 6times the picture sharpness of standard television, was available in the market by the end of 2008. In addition to a much enhanced viewing experience which is augmented by a crystal clear display, HDTV also provides CD quality sound.

One thing that needs to be taken note of is that all HD television is digital but not all digital TV is HDTV. Today we see a number of commercial, advertisements in televisions, newspapers and magazines about HDTV in India. Many people who buy or are planning to buy are not aware of the fact that by just going for HD DTH connection, they will not be able to see all channels in HD. Only those channels that are telecasted in HD can be viewed in high quality. So, before going for HD DTH connection people must check the number of channels which are offering HD output. Recently a number of channels like Movies Now, Discovery World, National Geographic, Star Movies, Star World, Star Cricket, ESPN, Colors, UTV Stars, History are offering HD output for the viewers.

High Definition Television is popular because of its flat panel matrix displays (FPDs) in the home which have gradually replaced cathode ray tube (CRT) based television sets. FPDs are larger in size than CRT and are about 42 inches to 65 inches diagonal. HDTV broadcast has up to 1080 lines resulting in 6times the picture clarity in respect to standard television output. As already discussed earlier, when it comes to audio, 5.1 surround sound is much superior to the one available in standard television.

The High Definition television apart from being technically so demanding has some drawbacks. They are more expensive than regular standard televisions. Most cable and satellite companies charge additional monthly fees for providing HD programming. HDTV can suffer from ‘burn in’ resulting from static images and they have relatively short life expectancy of 20,000 to 30,000 hours. HD televisions consume a lot of power in comparison to other technologies. Watching HDTV from close distance can cause headache. So experts have recommended sitting at a distance from an HDTV which i equal to two to three times its diagonal length. Another disadvantage of High Definition television is that most of the operators stop short of following full HDTV specifications. Thus the HD picture quality ends up being not as good as promised. Operators use lower resolution or slower bit rates to accommodate more channels with the limited bandwidth; as a result the video quality suffers.

Though there are a number of disadvantages, HDTV is the future and no one can deny the fact that it is much superior to standard television. A revolution in the television viewing experience is waiting to happen. Pictures to die for!!

About the Author-

Sayanti Ghosh is student of Journalism and Mass Communication at Muralidhar Girl's College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and they do not reflect in any way those of the Dispassionate Observer.