LIFE – THEN, NOW AND …… [II] [ON SUGGESTION FROM Dr. K.VENKATARAMAN]

 LIFE – THEN, NOW AND …… [II]

[ON SUGGESTION FROM Dr. K.VENKATARAMAN]

In furtherance of the chosen topic, I am obliged to recall the then NEWS PAPERS held in esteem by citizens in South India. Honestly, I had no idea or opportunity to recognize what was obtaining then of NEWS PAPERS across the rest of the country.

NEWS PAPERS then and now THE MEDIA

The fact that a segment is set apart for News Papers is itself testimony to the scale of importance accorded to that item of daily life then. The most revered status enjoyed by the then NEWS PAPERS [now spoken of as print media] emanated from their unquestionable / unfathomable adherence to principles of PATROTISM; the concept so dear to Indian society then, now seems to have a cavalier slant in the perception of several houses identifiable as print media components. Obviously, ‘freedom’ unfettered is on display now-a-days. Times were when elders would advise their children to read “THE HINDU” daily to gather the nuances of using ‘English’ for formal writing. Now-a-days English News papers do not seem to sustain the ‘spirit’ of language for ‘construct’ or connotation or for any elegance thereof. To recommend ‘reading of English dailies’ for true aspirants to learn language appears the surest way to destroy or nip in the bud any semblance of command over the language. My request to young ones is ‘please adhere to use of Dictionary –as a standard source to fortify language skills as prescribed by the lexicon. Kindly disband the tendency to take anything for granted especially in handling of languages. Perhaps the ‘utility’ of print media has grown stronger by their ‘pictorial coverage’ of events; pictures are more vivid and quick to emerge these days. Sustaining neutrality in reporting has been replaced by ‘opinionated-writing’ largely driven by political leanings of the ‘bosses’ of such print houses. Media houses of the present [both print and electronicl] seem to stay under the illusion that people buy their narratives; quite a few AMONG THE PUBLIC are more than aware of these gimmicks if social platforms like You tube/ WhatsApp are any indication; in these domains bitter criticism of their ‘postures of convenience’ of the media are stripped naked. Ironically the stage- managers OF SUCH MEDIA seldom realize how people call their bluffs and are ready to inflict heavy damage when things turn conducive.

COST INDICES

Someone by way of response to the previous posting has drawn reference to Gold price. Why that much? If you recall the price of hotel meal in 1970 in Madurai it was Re 0.55 with a cup of curd. It was deemed expensive, for in most other like hotels the price was just Re 0.50 per meal. [Incidentally many people use the term ‘MEALS’ while the right form is only ‘Meal’. It is an occasion to utilize the opportunity to set the record straight AND NOTHING MORE]. In my humble opinion the cost of foot wear has sky-rocketed from Rs 5/- a pair to Rs 400/-while during the same span of time the cost of rice per  Kg registered a hike to Rs 50 or 55 from Rs- 1 OR 2/-. How anomalous are these cost rise patterns between essentials and luxuries. Equally worse has been the swing in tailoring charges for stitching pants from a moderate Rs 15/- to a whopping Rs 500 in the next 3 1/₂ to 4 decades. This has cultivated a desire to switch over to ‘Ready’ mode [for using ‘Ready-made’ items] though they may not fit every one’s physical dimension in height or measurements. For the mere stitching cost the whole set of dress can be had ‘as a finished product’.

POLITICS –THE CENTRE-STAGE

Up to 1970 or so, students, politicians were two different entities without interactive exchanges. The seeds for politicizing institutions were sown during anti- Hindi agitation of 1965. Since then slowly, the line of segregation between students and politics [politicians] was eroded and student union elections in institutions came under political ideologies typical of national / regional political outfits. I am reminded of what happened in 1966 in Annamalai University in the month of March . For an annual celebration of Fine Arts Club, the then student secretary had managed to get Mr. C N Annadurai as the chief guest; the event was presided over by Shri. P. Adhi Narayana-the Vice –Chancellor. The V C sounded a note of caution to Mr. C N A SAYING “Mr CNA, you are an astute politician. Please avoid items of ‘Politics’. We are not interested in politics”. Mr. CNA,   after formal opening of his speech in English said “Mr. Vice Chancellor, you may not have interest in politics. If you are not interested in politics, politics is interested in you and so I shall confine myself to key issues without making a political reference. But, he made a veiled political speech without offending the sentiments of the VC that day.  Where are such refined politicians now? Besides, all institutions -academic or otherwise vie with one another to win over the politician in office. Institutions have themselves succumbed to the temptation of getting to invite political VIPs. Politicians of 1960s were not inclined to meet students and vice-versa. But, now everyone somehow manages to make a livelihood through political blessing. So, life is getting to turn complex besides leaning heavily on political intervention/ blessing. Both sides have axes to grind. Life has turned comfortable in facilities and uncomfortable for those who can ill afford to spend.

Prof. K. Raman