News views.

Over the last few days, the news that grabbed the headlines were not only interesting but also hard to believe by the sheer audaciousness of their happenings. So, without much ado, lets go through them.

(a) The Bihar Assembly Polls.

I can still not forget the manner in which journalist, Rajdeep Sardesai, showed his unbridled enthusiasm and excitement on the numerous exit polls that showed the 'Mahagathbandhan' under Tejashwi Yadav, winning a majority in the Assembly. Similarly, on counting day, I saw, the waning moods of journalist, Ravish Kumar of NDTV who'd begun enthusiastically when the RJD-Congress-Communists had picked up early leads and by 1300 hrs, when the JDU-BJP combine had steadied up with leads beyond the half way mark, he was a dejected man and it was on display! I thought that there was an unwritten covenant that news anchors weren't supposed to show their emotions during such occasions to maintain neutrality.

The detailed analysis of the wins and the losses have been analysed threadbare and therefore, I don't intend to saddle you with more of it. The BJP-JDU combine has overcome anti-incumbency fatigue for the governance under Nitish Kumar's leadership, though he, too, had made a few slip ups. His thrust on prohibition fetched him votes from the women and though his party has been reduced in its numbers, he continues to be held in high esteem for not being corrupt. And I'd like to endorse what the PM had said that it was a vote in favour of his handling the pandemic through very, very trying times.

And I'm happy that the upstart, Chirag Paswan, has been shown his place by the people of Bihar. His party's showing soon after his father's death was abysmal and to my mind, it was the manner in which he rubbished Nitish Kumar during electioneering that put off people.  

(b) Arnab Goswami Goes A Free Man.

The whole of India watched in utter horror when the Maharashtra government, misusing the state machinery, swooped into Arnab Goswami's house one early morning, around 0600 hrs, and took him into custody on 'an old abetment-to-suicide case that was already decided about two years ago'. The combination of Udhav Thackeray-Sharad Pawar- Sonia Gandhi had resorted to this unlawful deed out of vendetta because Arnab had brought out the truth in the Palghar case (Where two Hindu sadhus were lynched to death), the Sushant Singh Rajput/his manager, Disha Salian suicides were proved to be murders involving a top politician in the Maharashtra cabinet, the drug nexus in Bollywood and proving beyond doubt that the TRP case against the Republic Channel, propped up by the Bombay Police Commissioner, was fake.

The sad part was that some of the policemen had made it clear that Arnab will spend his Diwali in jail, so much so, that his bail plea was rejected by the Maharashtra High Court, without reason. Sure enough, when he made his plea to the Supreme Court, it had very clearly observed that the High Court's ruling was wrong and the state government, along with the key institutions that should have ensured the freedom and safety of every individual citizen under its watch, had made a grave error!

But what just goes to show is as to how vulnerable an ordinary citizen is, if he were to criticise the government. And we thought that ours was a vibrant democracy! Sad!!  

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Had called Hameed who'd come by a trifle after 10 and we headed for the 'Akshaya Kendra' at Chattukulam two km away. There was a manageable crowd and after the three ladies had finished their work, when my turn had come there was a power interruption. The electricity board guys said that the power would only be restored at 1700 hrs.

I left the place and went to yet another 'Akshaya Kendra', at the western gate of the temple and my work had just been taken up when power was interrupted. Thankfully, it was restored immediately and Seetha, the in charge, was able to generate my eye certificate. 

Tomorrow, I get an endorsement by the ophthalmologist that my sight is good enough for driving and then submit the entire set of documents to the Motor Vehicle Inspectorate at the eastern gate of the Guruvayur temple. 

The renewal process of my driving licence is on in right earnest!