For the past 7 hours, we are in front of the computer, switching between ibnlive.com and ndtv.com, occasionally browsing Times of India and New York Times, listening to the live reports from Mumbai. What happened was indeed something scary and a very disturbing fact that a bunch of intelligent terrorists have landed upon us. A bunch, who knew the power of divide-and-rule policy, a bunch who scattered the whole city with multiple attacks, a bunch who knew whom to take hostage, by attacking the elite places.
I can go on and brag about the technology advancement we have which empowers me with the news from across the globe, live. But, right now I am angry and scared. The same technology can bargain the lives in an entire city, if used foolishly. Listening to each update given by the reporters, I am more scared. If I, an insignificant citizen sitting in US get this live piece of update now, doesn’t it also go to all those villains out there who planned and executed this terrible attack?
I don’t think what all things I have heard so far. So many reports, and the mind doesn’t register all of it. Still, it went like this.
“The NSG is about to arrive in 1 hour”
“The NSG has arrived and they have started operations”
“I am hearing gun shots, ofcourse something is happening.”
“Looks like the operation at Oberoi is nearing an end”..
I even saw the positioning of the NSG commandos through live cams. I heard about the replenishment of force. I heard about the army and navy joining hands..
NSG has specifically instructed the media not to discuss the strategy. All the reporters use it as their starting statement and then move onto blurt out whatever they wanted to, zooming their camera to all directions of their choice. Only one person dealt with it in the true sensible way. Its Rajdeep Sardesai of CNN-IBN, who was reporting from outside Hotel Taj . Whoever it is, he is the true citizen of India. May be, his age made him take wise decisions.
I am scared of each minute. I am scared of a moment, where some stupid reporter blurts out that one of the missions (out of many for the day) is accomplished. I am scared, that will be the end of all other hostages. Its high time media redefine their social commitment, instead of sensationalizing their surroundings at the cost of others’ lives.
At this point, my thought is: Do we really need extensive live coverages EVERYWHERE? When is the media going to distinguish between a cricket match and a war against terrorism?
My friends, do you have an answer?
They are also doing so many good things. I see flash news requesting for blood in Mumbai hospitals, I see helpline numbers from Taj and Oberoi hotels, and a lot more.. All these helps should not be clouded by the “extreme reporting” due to media competition.
I hate advertisements. Still, I wouldn’t mind watching advertisements, rather than knowing that the information I hear may be deadly to hundreds of lives and will be favorable to a handful of villains. I am sure every sensible Indian would think the same. Dear channels, please put some advertisements for us till you get solid result from Mumbai.
“Na bruyal, sathyam apriyam” – Don’t say truth, if it hurts others.
Keeping my fingers crossed, for the success of great India and its harmony, defeating all the villains out there.
