How embarrassing to have written an incomplete post and that too with sleep overtones. Worse still to not have completed it the following morning. But .. travel back to Mumbai kept changed times as a hindrance. Weather conditions in the Northern regions of the country with heavy fog kept flights delayed and on occasion cancelled.

Yesterday was as packed as one would have imagined. The morning spent on a delayed flight out of Mumbai and a delayed drive to Sopaan due to traffic ; Commonwealth Games around the corner and all the constructions and roads and fly overs being built.

It was an immediate turn around back to Noida and the TV 18 set up with Rajdeep Sardesai and IBN 7 and CNN IBN. TV operations are massive and an administrative night mare, not to mention all the journalist woes of speed and collection of news and facts to put it out as soon as possible before the competition takes over. Editorial meets for both English and Hindi were conducted in the editorial room and what to project and which to give preference was decided in a most serious and meaningful manner. All final decisions resting with the man of the moment .. yours truly … a negotiated moment for the promotion activity of RANN.

Getting on to the same platform from where all the broadcasts take place and interviewing Rajdeep was an interesting act, albeit a bit rushed I thought. So many questions that came to mind, came to mind after I had left the studios. Ha ! But a huge amount of respect for the medium and its working and of course the fact that there are so many young and bright individuals working round the clock so that all the material gathered from various corners of the world gets to the viewer in time, in tact and in a form never seen by any other channel. And just as it had all started it all came to an end amidst heavy crowds belonging to the respective departments of the facility clamoring for a piece of the face or the hand or the written hand. Very impressive and invigorating. An entire education on the TV medium.

And then the premier for RANN, dinner with the daughter and back in bed … well almost ..

There were some interesting questions and topics that came up for discussion during the editorial meet. The IPL and Pakistan players, the Padma Awards and its controversy, the Rathore molestation and suicide case, the Mumbai taxi drivers and language issue and of course RANN as a film.

The Home Minister Mr Chidambaran had expressed his displeasure at the Pakistan players not being brought up for sale during the auction for the season, and the channel would obviously want to know my reaction to it. I am not a team owner, nor in any way involved with the circumstances that were prevailing. The situation between the two countries being sensitive, and the IPL being a private body I would imagine this should have been something that should have remained in the private realm. But controversies get stoked when media goes after it and when it provokes statements from others - a slight play of words and the most insignificant little comment can have the capacity to be played around to build a serious enough situation.

For me, involved in the ‘Aman ki Asha’ initiative by the two leading papers of the two countries - The Times of India and the Jung, where every effort is being made to bring about friendship and understanding through talk, exchange and effort of travel for either side, it becomes a difficult proposition to say anything. A pro statement provokes the wrath of certain political parties, and a nay does not provoke anything or anyone. Safety is the advised feeling. But I wonder why so much is being made of the issue. Moscow Olympics during the year 1980 was boycotted by the Western powers protesting against the occupation of the Soviet forces into Afghanistan. Apartheid prevented our cricket or any sporting team to visit South Africa and at the Beijing Olympics, Tibet had become an issue.

How does one resolve or even begin to think of a solution. There is none. But till it is resolved a sense of incompleteness persists. For some it is fear of repercussions. Others feel that since the matter is in the realm of a private party and private enterprise, they should be the ones to address it. Private matters normally remain private.

I see with great surprise and pain too, how matters such as this get politicized or electronic channelized, when the actual initiator of the issue simply cannot be found. What India says cannot be understood by the Pakistani’s and what Pakistan says cannot be understood by India. So what do we do. Who is to take initiative and more importantly who is to face the blame ? Where does one go from here ? Back to the duvet I guess !!

The Australian issue gathers some steam as well. Indian students are being attacked in Australia in what is alleged to be race related incidents. When it had first occurred I had been invited to Brisbane to receive a Doctorate ; and I had refused to go. Political outfits have banned Australian players from coming in to this country for the IPL and I wonder what would be the fate of the Australian technical team that has been deployed by West Bengal Government for the exploration of coal in their region. Shah Rukh Khan and his film ‘My name is Khan’ has been attacked today for his statements towards this issue. I see a program on the TV where the anchor demonstrates the dilemma facing various people, the object of his report being that Indians and more people should stand up and defend.

‘Are there no Indians there to come up and fight for this pertinent cause’

‘Why is not any one from the Industry making any comment’

My question then - Mr TV Chanel anchor, you vociferously proclaim that where are the people to stand up against this seemingly condemned act. You are so concerned in your presentation and whether the tone of the program is correct or not, or whether TRP’s shall rise because of the nature of the issue you have initiated, that I wish to ask you -

” Why have you eliminated yourself from this entire imbroglio. Why do not you take a stand and issue firm directives to the nation what you believe to be the step to take. Very judiciously you keep out of this and continue to provoke others to react. You are such a strong force, a force that has the capacity to change opinions and judgements. Surely as a service to the Nation you should take a stand, a stand which you should be brave enough to say it is your own. Why use another’s voice to say what you want to say.”

The Padma Awards and the controversies they are creating are discussed too. I respond by saying that a committee I believe set up by the Government evaluates merit. They should be the ones to be questioned if at all there is discontent. There should be transparency on the matter if there are doubts. What should be the criteria for the reward should be made transparent for all to see, are some of the suggestions that come in. Check the credentials of those that decide reward. Why pick on those that have been nominated. It is no fault of theirs ? Unless it is being suggested that they too are responsible for lobbying in such matters for themselves ; a fact that has been brought up by eminent columnist Deepa Gehlot in the Afternoon. The bitter fact though in matters such as this is that there is yet to be an Award that has not run into some controversy or the other. End of chapter.

There is the issue of the Mumbai taxi drivers and the dictat to learn Marathi within 40 days. The editorial team asks me my opinion and I desist. I desist because I have been an accused party in some way. I have been attacked on this issue in the past. Commenting on it as editor of the day would involve getting into a position that could be biased and journalist and journalistic ethics would be destroyed or challenged, so I must keep away. The team understands.

The Rathore matter comes up where a police officer has been accused of molestation of a young girl and then threatened to remain quiet for fear of severe repercussions against her. She out of embarrassment and fear commits suicide and for several years the matter is buried until the media brings it up again and there is possibility of some punishment for the officer. Well done media !! Questions arise is trial by media the right thing to do. Well it worked in this case and a few others too, that is laudable. But does it all the time ? Are there incidents when media has gone hammer and tongs against an individual or against an occurrence and it has not brought forth, desired results ? Sure ! There have been incidents ! So final opinion - trial by media a 50-50 situation.

There was so much more I had wished I could bring up, but time was not with me or them. I do hope that someday we can all sit in a quiet and peaceful manner and just discuss these matters at length.

Back home in Mumbai from the airport straight to Mehboob Studios for a photo shoot for the cover of ‘Mans World’ and then to office for meets with clients. Binani cement wishes to extend my contract by 2 more years. The association has profited them they tell me. Oh ! Thank you. The Business and Economic print media had concluded that I was a loser in endorsements since none of my contracts were being extended, most of them being dropped. Guess Binani must be an exception then !!

And yes !! In all the excitement of the film Rann, we forgot to congratulate ‘Junior’. Bingo opened to the highest TRP’s ( 5.1 ) for non fiction shows since 2008 and Colors as a channel has climbed even further in the ratings for GEC, general entertainment channel. Some 365. The next being substantially behind. Beat Dad too for Bigg Boss and all the others ! Bravo !!

ok !! this is it .. love you and love you and lllloooooooooooooooooooooooove you !!!

Amitabh Bachchan