Letters to Editor

Total recall

The feature “50 Stories India Forgot” (TSI, Oct 16) reintroduces us to the personalities who made media headlines willingly or unwillingly but then faded away. Going through the pages, I was reminded of the time when these famous personalities were the toast of the media. But soon headline space deserted them to accommodate a new order of ‘breaking news'. After all media headlines are never stagnant. And with a fleeting public memory, out of sight is invariably out of mind. But there are some celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan or Sachin Tendulakar, who have consistently made it to the headlines by virtue of their exemplary talent and sustained performance.

Uma Das
Kolkata

Long live, Jagjit

On the sad demise of the “Ghazal King” Jagjit Singh, Aakriti Singh has paid her rich tributes to him in "The unforgettable... " (TSI, Oct 23). It is a great loss to the world of music and particularly to the world of ghazal, for it was Jagjit Singh who could well and truly be credited with introducing elitist and intricate genre of ghazals. His sudden demise has stunned music lovers not only in India but throughout the world too. After the Late Talat Mehmood, it was Jagjit Singh who had stirred millions of hearts with his soulful numbers Jhuki jhuki si nazar and Kaagaz ki kashti. He was really a Ghazal King who infused a new life in the dying genre of music in the seventies and carved a niche for himself in Bollywood. It was the pain and melancholy in his voice which gave vent to the feelings of many a lonely heart. The death of his only son in the prime of youth was a turning point in his life, plunging him in a sea of deep grief for which he used to sing Chitthi na koi sandesh, tum gaye kon se desh. This sad song in the memory of his young son touches the heart of every father who has lost his son in the prime of his life. Conjuring up hits like yeh zindagi kisi aur ki, Mere naam ka koi aur hai, Patta-patta boota-boota haal hamaara jaane hai, Hontho se chhoo lo tum, Tum ko dekha, Hazaar baar ruke ham and hazaar baar chale, Singh had made a mark during the '70s when the ghazal scene was dominated by well-established names like Noor Jehan, Malika Pukhraj, Begum Akhtar, Talat Mahmood and Mehdi Hassan. Now that Jagjit Singh is no more, he will always be remembered as the Ghazal King leaving behind a huge body of work including 80 albums of ghazals, film and devotional songs. May his soul rest in peace!

Shashi
Jalandhar, Punjab

Print pristine

Arindam Chaudhuri's editorial (TSI, Oct 16) is informative and worth reading. There  is of course skills and professionalism necessary to become successful media persons. There are many skills required to succeed in this field. There is no doubt that the data Indian media shares is influenced by various elements. As Mr. Chaudhuri pointed out, success is the courage to undertake great journeys. The good thing about Indian print media is that any bias is quickly subsided, leading to impartial reporting.

Koothradan A. Kutty
Kerala

A real hero

Apropos of your write up,'Buddha Hoga Tera Baap!!' (TSI Oct, 17-23), one can say that Amitabh Bachchan's histrionics are well known. Any further writing on it is like carrying coals to Newcastle. Of the variety of roles he has essayed, three roles are permanently etched in one's memory. One is in Zanjeer, the second one is in Don. And the third one is in Aakhri Raasta. His anchoring stint in KBC is a bonus to his fans. His connect with the participants in this programme is refreshing.

K.R. Deshpande
Bangalore

People should get freedom

I came across an interesting article by Prof. Banerji in TSI, Oct.16, 2011 edition. That article prickled my soul, the phenomenon that are allowed to operate without any restraint. Be it legalised prostitution, euthanasia or drug abuse etc., policing does not help. The people of this country should be allowed to develop them self cognitively. They should get the freedom to decide as to what is right and what is wrong. If government is forcing regulation over people then it is undermining the very strength of democracy. A bunch of ministers in the Cabinet should not forcefully press upon a regulation. People should get the freedom to think freely, without any intimidation of any kind.

Minku
Banglore

End gender discrimination

In Musings "Is death better than this?" (TSI, Oct 16) Prasoon S Majumdar has shown a genuine concern regarding the plight of women in the country. The fact is that they face discrimination every where. And their struggle is long. It is strange that while on one hand we worship women, on the other hand they are subjected to brutality. Even our late Prime Minister Pundit Nehru used to say that the condition of a nation can be gauged by looking at the status of its women. After so much of freedom, their position is yet to be improved. Female foeticide is rampant. Can society afford to remain a silent spectator at a time when women face cruelty? It is really unfortunate for the country that despite efforts of social reformers, discrimination and cruelty against women prevails and now it should be high time the fair sex be brought on an equal platform with men. Only through sincere action can one bring in the required changes.

Suman Kukal
Noida

Unforgettable moments

I got inspired after reading Arindam Chaudhuri’s editorial “Five successful years of being passionate about India”, (TSI, Oct 16). I felt proud that I am the reader of the second largest read and circulated news magazine in the country. I extend my good wishes to TSI. The cover story showed us that Indians were forgetting eventful incidents and people associated with them. But one incident that TSI forgot including was the kidney transplant episode involving Dr. Amit Kumar, who was later arrested by Nepal Police.

Faisal Nazir
New Delhi

Treat them with respect

Prasoon S. Majumdar's article on exploitation of girl child is a good read. He highlights their plight and mentions that a girl child is still not welcomed by many families. This only shows that we are still to attain real freedom. In our society many parents still prefer son over girl. In rural India, uneducated families don't give importance to girls. She is frowned upon and thought as a burden on society. They face inequality in education, health-care and employment opportunities. Moreover, it is sad to know that female infanticide is rampant even in educated families living in urban areas. Though women power has come to stay in every field with recent developments showing that democratic change is best effected when the country gives equal chance to women. But in practice things are different. To bring an end to such exploitation, it is important that specific law should be framed for woman's health-care. Also, efforts should be made to ensure effective implementation of such laws at the earliest.

R. Srinivasan
Secunderabad

A masterpiece

Congratulations TSI for credible, transparent, fearless and useful journalism. In the last five years the magazine has set new standards for journalists. TSI has made a mark of itself by treading in areas that many mainstream magazines and newspapers would not even think of. It was also heartening to see that you have chosen to present your fifth anniversary issue with 50 stories of the most important events that have hit society but very much conveniently forgotten by Indians. The incisive cover story by Sutanu Guru was a masterpiece. (Now, a billion new mutinees, TSI, Oct 16). I could not get over the extent of agony that should have loomed over young housewife Pooja Chauhan driving her to take an inevitable decision to parade virtually naked on the roads of Rajkot to fight against the domestic violence she had been subjected to by her husband and in-laws. I consider Pooja's action as a slap on the government's face that over the years has failed to protect its citizens from exploitation. I would rather prefer more Poojas than Anna Hazares and Kejriwals. I hope that through these provoking stories, retold powerfully by the TSI team, the government gets reminded about the plight of many average Indian women, and the day to day subjugation which they face.

Anna Mary Yvonne
Chennai

Great indeed

I went through the article of Arindam Chaudhuri, Five successful years of being passionate about India (TSI, Oct. 16). It was a riveting write-up. I believe there is something more than the success mantra "If you think you can, you are right." As a fresher in JNU, in a bid to build up new circle of sensible friends, I do resort to the same diplomacy. Professor has done the right thing by praising his staff who did the wonder. I hope his TSI juggernaut will be rolling on. Also, I am so impressed by his writing that I would like to emulate some of his qualities, be it his entrepreneurship, his vision or his writing prowess.

Mohammed Muhinudheen K.
New Delhi