A Frequency Lost, and Stranded in Time.

A.I.R.

326 stations nationwide. Covering 92% of whole of the subcontinent. Reaching out to 99.19% of an overall population of in excess of 1.2 billion and rising. Available in 23 different languages and in 146 different dialects. These are the official figures as enumerated by All India Radio as per their records available online. So what’s the big deal? They definitely seem to have some of the best figures any radio channel could possibly dream of, right? But, still how many of us would prefer tuning into A.I.R. when you’re given the most  obvious choices of other more exuberant and ravishing stations available On Air as in the likes of Radio Mirchi, Radio City, Radio One? Just to name a few from the list of many.  Well, in all honesty I would be very much be surprised if there were more takers for A.I.R. in the urban stand point as in comparison with its rural counterparts.

With the start of  the year 2008, the whole of the country was re-introduced to a form of mass media which was long forgotten and considered extinct; Radio. With the onset of visual media and the rise of the internet, this form of reaching out to the masses was considered in all of it’s certainty as obsolete. And, it was this very reason that was named time and again to justify the fall of the A.I.R. from it’s position being one of the most reliable and respected means of reaching out to a country that was slumped into a trance of uncertainty and doubt, following the post independence era. But, however, Radio continued to be a very much rivaled and active form of broadcast in the West. The only difference was the fact that, they continued to evolve with time; it ceased to stay dormant and inactive in the face of more challenging forms of media. At one point in time radio was primarily used as a media for news broadcast, but when visual media started playing a more vibrant role in this domain, it had to diversify into other spheres of interests, such as music, debates, discussions and so forth.

Soon as this revival made it’s was into the late 90′s and the early millennium, it struck gold. Advertising. With the limited number of audience it commanded, they were able to use this as an effective tool as to generate a source of revenue, which otherwise used to be a free-for-all service which was accessible to all those with a receiver. It was with this that the whole renaissance for this form of media kicked in. Making note of the prospects at hand, private players started swarming in for their slice of the lion’s share; and before you knew it a whole lot of changes set in, the first would be the exuberant role of a ‘Radio-Jockey‘, as in comparison to the conventional format whereby which anchors for radio shows were streamlined with the news reporters and presenters, the new age of such anchors were rather more charismatic and random individuals who took up a rather unconventional approach of presentation, that was more attractive and all the more more informative to a wider range of audience, specially in sync with the present times and generations.

Now, this was what the buzz was, as far as the west was concerned, and it wasn’t too late before the ripples were felt by various Indians within the private domain who realized the potential and started setting up their own stations. And as per current statistics, there are close to 240 stations in active operations in the country, generating about 8 billion in revenues in 2008 and expecting to touch 18 billion in 2012, as per data and sources available online. Of this Radio Mirchi is reportedly said to have a share of a whooping 40% share of the overall domestic market, while A.I.R. continues to be in the scratch, ironic to the fact that it continues to have an indisputable reach and range over the masses.

The reason for this ‘outrage’, as I would like to refer it to, is rather clearly evident if you click on the following link (http://allindiaradio.gov.in/).  Yes, if your response is somewhere related to ‘being old’, well you’re right on spot. It never has made a daring leap to change in the midst of it’s private counterparts. The best part is the fact that if you go back over to it’s official site, you’ll notice a column by the name ‘Archives’; with all do respect, the whole site in itself resembles an archive. That’s where the root cause of the whole problem lies. If you tune into A.I.R. or ‘Akashwani’ (Meaning ‘The Sky’s Voice’) as it’s popularly known among the masses, you’ll find it’s range and choice of programs dull and not in sync with the present times. In such a scenario, it’s isn’t much of a surprise as to why it repeatedly fails to make it’s way into the popularity list. In such a scenario, it’s also very unlikely that it can lure in much advertisements and promotions.

In times of finding itself in such troubled waters, the most obvious answer would be to Anchor itself. A.I.R. has a very huge upper hand as in comparison with it’s rivals; it has the abundant wealth of existing man power and infrastructure; even if you put together the combined resources of all it’s closest rivals and compare it to the former, it wouldn’t add up. It needs to go in and get a hold of jockeys that can attract a lot more audience and one that can rig up the whole rating. The, only hindrance in the way is a strong initiative; that’s the only obvious roadblock in the way.  I’m pretty much sure that there’ll be many lining up for the top job, its as obvious and clear as broad daylight. Once, this is set in, it’ll start luring in the necessary attention it rightfully deserves; with this as the ratings are bound to soar up and at the same time gathering up momentum with respect to potential advertising.

This, is most certainly one sphere which has been long lost and forgotten. At one point in time A.I.R. used to be the prime time form of news broadcast, serving as the medium via which the late Prime Minister himself delivered his freedom speech at midnight to hundreds of thousands of Indian‘s about their long cherished dream of independence and free rule, the medium through which it was capable of knitting together the whole country as one during times of war specially during the Indo -China conflicts of the early 60′s and even at times during famines, droughts and epidemics at various stages in time, serving as an effective informer for the displaced, and the needy.  But due to lack of proper appraisal, face lifts and management, it has most definitely and certainly on the highway to losing a winnable race, if only it musters up it’s spirits.

In all of the optimism and the opportunism that it can muster up I certainly hope and pray that this great service gets restored in all of it’s pomp and glory which it sustained at one point in time and one which rightfully deserves, rather than let it wash away into the clutches of the private domain.

Rape? My Answer? Pepper Sprays.

Sir Johnny Bravo.

Way back in school,  there used to be a popular character by the name Johnny Bravo. Out of deep felt respect, I would rather refer to him as Sir Johnny Bravo; respect, none the less. He was comical, a total wreck at being a heartbreak romantic, shunned and despised by all of womanhood alike. You might be wondering as to why I’m trying to make a show of mockery of the subject at hand. Well, actually no. Well, you see the women always managed to take matters into their own hands when it came with dealing issues regarding Sir Johnny. If, you remember very well, they either used to kick him up right in the groin, or if they chose to be more subtle and classy, pepper sprays were their answer.
Now out of immense respect for Sir Johnny here, I certainly do not want to portray him with an image of a serial rapist or anything even remotely close. For, you see I, just like many others adore this man for what he is, for the numerous ways he used to crack up each and everyone of us.

On December the 16, 2012, a female physiotherapy intern was beaten up and brutally gang raped in Delhi, thirteen days later she passed away in a hospital in Singapore,  while undergoing emergency recovery treatments. This particular issue had sparked off  widespread agitations and protests, in the whole of the sub continent, not to make of any special mention regarding Delhi, which happened to be the epicenter of the whole fiasco. Well,  as always, days passed, weeks passed and it’s been close to two months after the whole issue, as it is with any other, it’s all been wrapped up and forgotten, women as always continue to get raped, assaulted, abused, gang raped; until the next outrage rises up for the occasion of candle light protests, social media outcry, and all the chaos thereafter. It’s pitiful, disheartening and unacceptable all at the same time.

There was a whole lot of discussions,  suggestions,  rape laws to be rewritten, so on and so forth.  But however, it wasn’t long before the whole system fell once again in a state of trance to be clasped by the much flattered  ’Oblivion’s Curse’. During this period in time, a series of changes, (minor, if you ask me), were being brought about, a series of new regulations were set aside that was made mandatory on the part of both men and women to adhere to. At one instance in time a few gentlemen even made the suggestion of making it mandatory for women to kick boxing for their own good, for which I, with all do respect  couldn’t hold back my comic side back, I mean, that’s a bit too far fetched over here in the sub continent, I would certainly not have disagreed to this if this was the far east, in the land of the Orient, but not here. Over here our women are known for their pious state of mind (one which I again would most certainly would like top add, that, is fast depleting.), saris and well famed for their mastery over some of the best appetizing dishes you can possibly find (again, fast depleting; and no, I’ have nothing against women. Hard facts none the less.).

In this particular context however, I would like to point out that if you feel like entrusting the whole business of  safety of women in any nation and typically in my own for that matter, upon the hands of the bureaucracy or the police force, it wont’t be long before you’re let down and left down to rot, it’s a hard fact, after all, all facts are sour and somber, specially for a nation obsessed with Bollywood.
As,  I conclude this post, the only advice I can conjure up is to watch your own back for your own good, and as for pepper sprays are concerned you can order them up in a snitch from healthkart.com, it’s somewhere between 250-350, they’re more reliable than your average government. Trust me.

Take care.

Misery Starts with Apparent Happiness.

It’s true, Isn’t it? I’m pretty much sure that each and every one of us agrees to this particular line, as it’s been rightly stated in the book ‘The Book Thief‘, by, Markus Zusak. Each and every time when you feel that you’re at the epitome of popularity, recognition and in a state of absolute bliss that is being cherished up to it’s fullest, somewhere deep down inside you start having this itch of sorts, something that’s pulling you down. You start having this gut feeling that keeps telling you ‘all seems too good to be true’. And, before you know it, day by day you start feeling things falling apart, just before your naked eyes.

I’ve always felt that the point in time of your life that you’re most depressed, struggling and when you feel that you’ve been let down, is by far and undoubtedly the best point in time that there is. For, you see, as far as I can understand, success and recognition is only a split second theatrical act which plays out in one’s favor. When you’re down, crawling, fighting your way up, having a dozen fingers pointing at you; you’re being given the best opportunity that there is, the chance to prove yourself. At that stage in time nobody gives the slightest bit of care or concern, as to whether you make it or if you break it; but however all the more nobody knows it better than you do, as to where you’re headed. No expectations, zero pressure, but with a whole bunch of criticisms, which if taken up head on can only clear your way for further good if you ask me.

I, like any other, have had my share of miseries, disappointments and let downs; but it’s always the road you take that really counts and one that you’ll cherish the most. As for success is concerned, it’s always cramped up in your trophy cases, only serving thou as an ode to a mere second of triumph and appreciation, that once was. None the less.

A Child’s Innocence, and a Man’s Arrogance.

Eshan.

This is Eshan, my little nephew. This shot was taken close to a year back when he could hardly crawl. It sure must have put up a smile on your face by now hasn’t it? What’s the first thing that attracts you? The first thought that lures into wanting to  hug him up and cuddle him? His eyes? His smile? Well, it’s pretty much hard to point out to any one, it’s rather those innocence in those twinkling eyes of his, very much. And, its there where this post of mine all starts with. The very beginning.

As I write this post of mine I’m currently 22 years of age, a long time since I’ve lost those twinkle in my eyes unlike Eshan; which I’m quite sure most of us are rarely lucky to have by the time we step into adulthood or even teenage for that matter. But the question is where? Where did it all run off to? It just couldn’t have run off into the wild one fine morning as you got out of bed. No. Then where? Is it the point in time when your teacher spat you in your face telling you ‘you’re no good’?, is it the point in time when you stepped into your glorious teenage? College? or, probably in most cases when you had your first breakup?

Well, the answer is rather obvious to each and every one of us; it didn’t run off just like that as I had previously mentioned. It did however; little by little, inch by inch, each and every one of us literally kicked out those priced qualities we had in ourselves just to get ourselves around the issues that faced us on a day to day basis, until we come across kids like Eshan, who reminds us of the ones we were at one point in time and once again we fall upon a trance whereby we brood over the fact as to ‘where did it all run away?’.

Smile, love, and again, if you can, smile some more.