SCAMS NOW

Lest I get sued by Times Now over the use of this “phonetically similar” – rhymes well! - title for my blog, I apologize at the beginning itself but use it nevertheless as nothing could describe 2010 better than “Scams Now”!

We are at the cusp: of an ending – of 2010 – and of a beginning – of 2011. The year nearing its end got defined by corruption and crusades: Corruption by politicians and Crusades by Media. If Indian politicians and bureaucrats hogged the limelight for indulging into corruption of unprecedented proportions then the Indian Media maintained its courageous posture of activism and exposes throughout, again, not seen before.

It all started with Times Now exposing the gory face behind that mocking smile of the molester DGP Rathore. India saw the power of relentless media activism and the criminal being booked thereafter, finally. Through movement against corruption mediated by the Media “investigative journalism” acquired a new dimension altogether. Arnab Goswami was dead direct in his questions - battling “jingoistic” tag all along from his detractors - which the unholy nexus of politicians-bureaucrats-police could not evade; judiciary had to act. (Though monster Rathore is yet to be given adequate punishment but with unrelenting media pressure the judges will find it extremely difficult to not punish him and will have to deliver justice to Ruchika.)

Before the dust could settle on Ruchika molestation case, there came the self-destructive tweet of Lalit Modi! IPLgate couldn’t have been opened for public if the Indian Media had not taken it up squarely. The dazzling world of IPL came crashing down and what emerged was deep rooted corruption in its formation and functioning. The government was forced to sack Shashi Tharoor who got embroiled because of his “close friend’s” – now wife - sweat equity in the newly formed Kochi franchise. But IPL’s major architect – Lalit Modi – also had to relinquish his power and position because of Media’s constant vigil and the BCCI thus getting serious about cleansing its systems. (The saga is yet to come to a conclusion, thanks to the former IPL czar’s absence from the investigative scene due to a dubious death threat excuse.)

In between, India also saw Media – though much belatedly – taking up the case of long forgotten Bhopal Gas Tragedy post courts verdict. Once again because of Media’s pressure – giving full support to the Opposition’s campaign - the Indian government was forced to revisit its “non-binding” clause in the civil nuclear energy treaty with the US. (The gas victims are still awaiting sufficient compensation.)

Hardly any time had lapsed after IPLgate controversy that India got yet another shocker by exposes of dubious dealings being indulged into by the Commonwealth Boss Suresh Kalmadi and his coteries, again thanks to Times Now. And with each passing day the scam got murkier. The extent of corruption was so extreme that the CWG became a Shame-Game for India. Lalit Bhanot’s ‘hygiene standards’ comment was the final blow to India’s prestige on the world stage. Somehow the Games could be hosted properly but what is appalling is that in spite of intense media interest, the Indian establishment has been very reluctant to act against Suresh Kalmadi. (The recent CBI raids are just eyewash. And I doubt if India will get back its billions of dollars gobbled up by the CWG Chief & Co.)

Soon the scene of corruption shifted to Bombay where the Adarsh Society scam - “Kargil-for-profit” scam – erupted and shook the entire nation with blatant abuse of political power to illegally allocate flats to ‘near-and-dear’ ones of the privileged & powerful which were otherwise meant for Kargil war widows. Army’s top echelons’ embarrassing involvement in the scam succeeded in tarnishing the so-far not-so-ugly image of the Indian Defense Services. If Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan had to quit, it was only due to Media’s enduring follow-up of the scam. (India is yet to see any real action being taken against the tainted army generals.)

India was yet to get over the previous big scandals that Media broke the story of the biggest scam ever of 2G spectrum allocation by bringing the CAG report in public domain. The sheer scale of scam involving Rs. 1.76 lakh crore sum was staggering by any standards! Corporate-politicians cozy equation kept oiled by unethical lobbying (the government’s logic on ‘legitimate/illegitimate lobbying’ is akin to ‘good/bad Taliban’!) - which unfortunately also brought into light the involvement of a couple of respected journalists causing a major setback to Media’s credibility and legitimacy of Media activism - could remain the “lead story” again due to Media’s persistence with the emerging story. (Again, CBI raids and A. Raja’s questionings are only a deflective strategy by the GOI to weather the current storm.)

Of all the cases of corruption uncovered in 2010, not a single case can be called as “closed” – as yet. But India wants timely verdicts and timely actions. Going by the past records the possibility of any such happening is remote. Because what is visible to public is only the ‘tip’; corruption tentacles run deep and wide, reaching the ‘top’ almost always. Nevertheless, I am sure that Indian Media will continue its campaigns against corruption till culprits are nailed.

Therefore, what India witnessed in 2010 was that before a case could be uncovered fully and taken to its logical conclusion there came another bigger and deeper scam. And knowing India’s ways of working, 2011 will again be a year of scams and scamsters. And knowing Indian Media, now, 2011 will again be a year of courageous coverage. Because, as is said: News never stops.

Year end thought: To tackle a ‘competitive’ scenario of scams related “breaking news”, my “free” advice to the Indian Media – with right-of-first-refusal to Times Now – is that they could “break” all such scam stories on a show titled “Scams Now”! … India, how do you like my idea? I hear you say: What an Idea, Anju-ji! … Thanks, India J

Another point to ponder: With the GOI so much obsessed with “Scam Management” as a survival strategy, how about instituting a special ministry dedicated to this noble purpose? And, the IIMs being asked to incorporate the subject in the curriculum?

In 2010, the one name which came into the forefront of forceful & impactful – and courageous - journalism was of Arnab Goswami of Times Now who emerged as a genuine Crusader and almost single handedly brought the “revolutionary” environment into news reporting in India. (Most Impactful Person of the Year 2010 should have fairly gone to him; GQ Men award was more to acknowledge the “glamour” factor associated with high adrenaline television news industry. Though he truly deserves a “Padma” award for his work in 2010 especially but honestly I wonder, now, if the GOI will really “recognize” his work after what it had to face repeatedly due to relentless reportage of his!) … Carry on your fantastic work, Arnab! You changed the News in 2010; now, change India in 2011. … India is with you and so is God.

…

Happy 2011 J