The mysterious death of Soumya Viswanathan, a TV journalist, has sent out shock waves to all the journalists in the country. Aged 26, this young and vivacious girl was shot dead ruthlessly by unidentified persons at the early hours of Tuesday morning. She was on night shift which ends at 12 midnight, however due to the blasts at Malegaon and Gujarat she stayed back till 3 am. Driving back home for journalists is not something that is out of ordinary. Lives of journalists have always been in danger. According to a report titled, ‘Killing the Messenger’, released on March 7, 2007, 1000 media personnel around the world have been killed while trying to report news over the past 10 years – which comes to about two deaths every week. India also figures in the list of the top twenty one bloodiest countries over the past ten years as far as killing of journalists is concerned. Shooting was by far the greatest cause of death, accounting for almost half of the total. Bombing, stabbing, beating, torture and strangulation were also used to silence reporters and reporting.
Journalism is a field where one needs to be extra cautious and extremely vigilant.. It is regarded as one of the most prestigious professions. This prestige doesn’t come without risks and one has to learn the nuances of swimming upstream. The media is always blamed for blowing things out of proportion and making a mountain out of a molehill. People seldom realize that it is the media’s duty to report the happenings and the media is responsible to give voice to the voiceless. Journalists work hard day in and day out just to give the world the latest happenings and updates of politics, crime, sports and even entertainment. It’s only because of them that one gets to read the newspapers every morning.. Television boomed, and journalism created 24/7 news. When we talk of 24/7 we need to understand that there are people working behind the camera 24/7 to give you news at odd hours. Journalists brave the elements only to bring news at your door step even as people rest in their luxurious homes switching channels for latest news updates.
The ghastly murder of Soumya should now silence some of the critics. The police must gear up to track down and nail the guilty responsible for such a dreadful act. In their relentless pursuit of news, journalists will continue as ever before. As a journalism student myself, I feel it is our duty to salute this young girl whose priorities towards work ranked higher than her personal life. The least we can do for her is to pray God to grant peace to her soul.. I also salute the media whose tenacious struggle is ceaseless.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Change the Law
Bangalore, Ahmedabad and now Delhi. The attacks on innocents have once again revealed the callous attitude of the administration. The problem doesn’t lie in any individual or in any government, but it lies in our own judicial system. People found guilty are put behind bars after a fourteen day remand. This is just a small price which the ones held responsible pay after everything is over. The government expresses its helplessness. The crux of the matter is - why can’t the guilty be severely penalized for such dastardly acts? A mere slap on the wrist is no punishment, when weighed against their misdeeds. The people behind the killing of countless innocents deserve much more than stringent punishment. Death penalty should be announced after thorough scrutiny of the case. This will not only send out a word of warning to other militant groups but will also act as a deterrent against any such operations in future. There is no use blaming our government till the judiciary doesn’t revolutionize and become swift and stringent. Death sentence meted out to all those found guilty will indeed put the fear of the law in them and thwart others from indulging in such heinous acts.
The Supreme Sacrifice
Inspector M.C Sharma, who laid down his life for the motherland has set a very pertinent example for each and every individual of the country. Winner of seven gallantry awards, including the President’s gallantry medal and 150 police rewards, Sharma was also credited with the killing of 35 terrorists and the arrest of 80 others. He always believed in the foremost principle “Work is Worship” and worshipped his work more than anything else in life. For him, his priorities towards his work and towards the country always ranked higher than his personal life.
A father, who was supposed to give blood to his son battling against dengue in a hospital, shed his own blood to protect his countrymen against the evil elements of the society. He was shot thrice in an encounter and succumbed to his injuries in Holy Family Hospital. His wife, who was waiting for him since 3 days, lived on a hope of his early arrival only to receive his body. Inspector M C Sharma was an inspiration to our security forces and will continue to inspire them after his demise too. A brave son, a dutiful husband and now a hero of the nation, Sharma’s contributions towards the county will never be forgotten. People who did not know Inspector Sharma also, will now stand up and give their salutations for the way he battled the terrorists valiantly and went down fighting. He has made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the country. To the others in the police force, he always set an example worthy of emulation.
We should be immensely grateful to such officers like Inspector Sharma. It is due to such officers that we have been able to retain our hard fought freedom. A person who would wake up even by the slightest of noises will never open his eyes again. Paying homage to this victor is the least we can do as citizens of India. As we bid a final adieu to him with tear filled eyes and numb senses, we salute the fearless hero and pray to God to grant everlasting peace to his soul.
A father, who was supposed to give blood to his son battling against dengue in a hospital, shed his own blood to protect his countrymen against the evil elements of the society. He was shot thrice in an encounter and succumbed to his injuries in Holy Family Hospital. His wife, who was waiting for him since 3 days, lived on a hope of his early arrival only to receive his body. Inspector M C Sharma was an inspiration to our security forces and will continue to inspire them after his demise too. A brave son, a dutiful husband and now a hero of the nation, Sharma’s contributions towards the county will never be forgotten. People who did not know Inspector Sharma also, will now stand up and give their salutations for the way he battled the terrorists valiantly and went down fighting. He has made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the country. To the others in the police force, he always set an example worthy of emulation.
We should be immensely grateful to such officers like Inspector Sharma. It is due to such officers that we have been able to retain our hard fought freedom. A person who would wake up even by the slightest of noises will never open his eyes again. Paying homage to this victor is the least we can do as citizens of India. As we bid a final adieu to him with tear filled eyes and numb senses, we salute the fearless hero and pray to God to grant everlasting peace to his soul.
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