Overview of the feature blogs

My feature blog consisted of five posts regarding the recent Mumbai blasts in India. I have tried to give an insight on the aftermath of the blasts and as to what direction may things be turning.

Initially, I have given a very general view of the post blasts conditions in the country, followed by some information on the terrorist Ajmal Qasab, who was caught and formally revealed his identity, confessed his crime and gave details on his connection to terrorist groups and about his training.

My third post, is about the trouble Indian top Cops may be facing due to their failure in the operation. They're late reaction to the situations and delay of action, has had people raise questions. Not a good sign for the security of the country. The fourth post is about the game loved and worshiped in India-Cricket. After the blasts, delay in tours, cancellation etc has left not only the cricketers and its sponsorers in a tight spot, but caused the public a certain amount of grief as well.

The final post is regarding the regulations set by the News Broadcasters Association in India, regarding 'what not to show on TV.' There are times when the media tends to exploit pictures and certain other footage to create an effect on the audience and such actions may not be allowed in the future, but at the same time is it correct not to show the real picture to the people?

In a nutshell, my feature blog has covered various aspects in the post blasts condition of India. There are facts and at the same time opinions too.

What to show and not to show.

http://images.salon.com/ent/tv/feature/2003/04/08/stewart/story.jpg


Just a while back, I read this article on "what not to show on TV", amendments made by the News Broadcasters Association of India stating the guidelines for news channels. They are as follows:

The channels can have no live phone interviews with the terrorists

Or show any live interviews with the victims or security personnel, while the security operation is still going on

Also, the channels cannot show any footage that hinders the operation by security agencies in any way

No mention should be made of the identity, number and status of hostages, in an ongoing hostage situation

Any file footage that is aired must have a date and time clearly indicating when the footage was shot

Since I myself am pretty confused about these points that have been stated, as this is exactly what happens on every news channel, I think that most news channels might not have anything to show at all. For example; one point states that, there will be no live interviews broadcasted with the victims or their families. Is that really going to happen?

Another one states that, no information about the conditions of the hostages will be revealed. Are people really going to take that. Families might have their members held at an incident, is it fair not to inform them about their state?

I fail to understand as to what is really happening in a country which gained its freedom sixty one years back. There still are people who cannot afford three meals a day, they lack the basic amenities of life, many live in fear of terrorists, a girl cannot walk alone on a road in the night. Where is this heading? In an age when freedom is everything, India does not enjoy. One does not know who to blame. Is it the politicians who refuse to do anything in the interest of the nation as they are too busy fighting amongst their own selves, or is it us who have voted and elected them as our leaders? At the end of the day, like any other, it's just a blame game.

The effect on Indian cricket!

Picture taken from Ndtv.com

In a country where cricket as a sport is worshiped like a religion and its players like Gods, seems to be under a lot of tension post the Mumbai blasts.

India initially faced a threat from England regarding the cancellation of its two series tour, but after talks between officials it decided to resume the tour. Cricket holds a lot in the Indian economy, as matches are watched by almost every Indian citizen. The ones who can't afford it stand outside the windows of television showrooms and cheer for India.

When India is playing a match, people stop working, take their offs from work and prefer to sit at home and watch their country play. I remember, that when I was at school and the world cup was on, we either got a half day off or just a complete holiday every time India played a match.

Enough about the glory of Indian cricket, the latest is that India's tour of Pakistan has been canceled after the tension that has built between the two countries due to the recent Mumbai blasts. The government of India has told the Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI) not to go ahead with the tour. Bad news for the cricket lovers!

It was in 2004, that after the fifteen year gap due to political tensions, the two countries resumed their matches. But it seems like, 'history repeats itself.'

The Bush shoe hit hard!

I couldn't help but share this with everyone. The minute I saw Bush's shoe video and the Iraqi journalist throw a shoe at him, my day was made. It was one of the most hilarious and daring things I had seen in a long time.
President Bush

Well, the daring journalist, Al Zaidi if not anything else, has definitely become a hero in the Arab world. It was straight after the incident, the shoe created a buzz all around, right from newspapers, news bulletins, talk shows and most importantly on the internet.

I read somewhere, that soon enough there were games on the internet in which one could aim at the president with lots of other objects. People really do love Bush, don't they? However, the President did take this incident in his stride. You might think he's getting old, but the man's reflexes sure are good.

With comments filling in from everywhere at the 'not-so-pleasant' video, the internet has once again proved its might and interactivity. The video was up in no time straight after the incident.
This is just another addition to Presidents Bush's most embarrassing moments.

Mumbai Cops in trouble?

When the city sleeps, these brave men stay awake to protect it against any danger. But it seems that the Mumbai Police is not in for a good time ahead, as the blasts in the city just like the others, have not proved to be very lucky for them.

The top police officers of the Maharashtra police are to be investigated for their role played in the Mumbai blasts. The Home Minister of the state has announced a probe into the duties of Hasan Gafur; Mumbai police commissioner, AN Roy; Director General of Police and Chitkila Zutshi; the home secretary, during the Mumbai attacks. This kind of an allegation sure is embarrassing for the entire country.

At a time when the security in the financial capital of a country should be of utmost important, the police could help but let the lives of hundreds just go away. Infact, instead of waiting for the National Security Guard (NSG) to arrive that night, the police should have taken action. Their failure to do so, has had many fingers pointed at them.

The blasts have already cost the chief minister of the state his resignation. When the country and its public requires the maximum support, we have one after the other minister resigning and now it seems like the police cop's will be thinking around the same lines.

More than the amount of coverage we have received from the media, we need something to be done by the politicians and officials of the country.

Surviving terrorist reveals his training

Ajmal Qasab

I came across this article, where, the only surviving terrorist, Ajmal Qasab had the details of his entire training as a terrorist, from when he was a young boy to the day he was caught, revealed.

I had always heard, that terrorists were brainwashed and told that what they were doing was for freedom and nothing else, but never have I ever read such detail. What freedom are we talking about here anyway? Freedom to destroy everything around us, or the freedom to kill thousands of innocent people?

Apparently, Qasab ran away from his home four years ago, as his father failed to provide him with new clothes on Eid as that was what he desired. Ajmal is still one of those who left home at an older age. But what about those who are trained to create mayhem all around them, from the day they are born?

One can find many articles related to the making of a terrorist on the internet. I came across one such, related to one of the men involved in plotting a bombing blitz in Britain. Oman Khyam, who is a British national is now in jail for plotting against his own country.

Events like these always raise questions, as to why are these people performing such inhumane acts and such brutality? But I guess, these questions will remain unanswered for a long time to come.

The Aftermath of the Mumbai blasts

(http://www.shareordie.in/mumbai-under-terror-attack-11-serial-blasts-pics/)

On November 26, the city of Mumbai was terror struck for almost two days and the fear and grief of these attacks still lingers along the roads of the city.

A lot has been written and spoken about these attacks. There has been constant coverage on television, radio, newspapers and most of all the internet. People have come out and expressed their opinions and shared it with those around them. Even though every country has a different take on it, there still is a lot of information out there. The Pakistan media definitely has something very different to say about the entire situation.

The recent update on the Mumbai blasts is the formal confession of Mohammad Qasab, the only terrorist captured alive during the blasts, who has given it in writing, claiming to be a Pakistani. This has made India certain of what they were suspecting. What I fail to understand is that, why is there so much confusion regarding the letter. The Mumbai police is said to have forwarded it to the MEA (Ministry of external affairs), whereas they claim not to have received it.

It is extremely sad to feel the anger of people through their writing. Over the past few weeks I have been reading a lot of blogs by people regarding the attacks and have been able to feel their pain through their writing. For example, Arun Shanbagh's blog depicts his feelings about the entire chaos that was caused. His minute to minute updates portray every breath of his and what he was going through at that moment. It truly is a blog to read!

Amidst this confusion, it would be extremely sad if the reason for this kind of a terror attack is not focused upon. We know it happened, where it happened, to whom it happened and almost who did it, but we fail to notice and stress upon the fact that why it happened?

I will be back with more updates on this!