Osama’s operation and Indian Media

Four weeks back Osama was killed in Pakistan. Everything was as expected. It was expected that the US will act as soon as Osama is traced. At the same time, it was very well expected that Osama would be traced nowhere else but in Pakistan. He had no other alternative left but to hide in Pak. As expected Pak Govt (in turn ISI and military) protected him for the last couple of years.

 

India is claiming for the past several decades that Pak helps extremists at all levels. We are deeply concern about the Pak’s protection to all that are involved in extremist activities in India and abroad. We are more than sure that Dawood and his criminal gang are staying in Pak and so Osama and his extremists. That is our national concern.

 

Our media (that we refer to as one of the pillars of democracy and expect it to be aligned with national interest) failed miserably to highlight our national concern while covering the Osama’s death. For us, who and how Osama got killed is not as important as where he was killed. Even he would have died due to kidney filature it would have more important where he died and not how.

It was necessary to hammer his presence in Pak while covering his death. However, from newspaper headlines, it seems that our print media was not at all concerned about the same. Instead, they were gone with jazzy, glittery and catchy headlines. Except for Hindustan Times and Asian Age, no other newspaper mentioned it clearly and neatly. Marathi newspapers seem to be totally unaware of their responsibilities. Let's have a look at some of the headlines of English and Marathi newspapers in Mumbai. 

 

English newspapers:

 

Indian Exp – Osama is dead

(Thanks a lot Mr. Editor for conveying us this news which we heard and seen on-air at least 12 hrs back...)

Mid day – Osama Gone But when Mumbai will get justice?

DNA – Obama bins laden

(Is this a time to play with words? Serious readers will bins DNA soon)

Mumbai mirror – Terror loses its face

H T – US Kills Osama in Pakistan

Asian Age – US kills laden in (you know it) Pakistan

Times of India – US Kills Osama, Blows pak cover

Though the ToI headline highlights the point I feel it is in too literary fashion. “Blows Pak cover” may be interpreted in many ways. The headline would have more clear and understandable even to the 9^th-grade student. We should appreciate HT and Asian Age for their concise wording. Asian Age added our concern more confidently (by putting “you know it”). It sounds “We all knew it !!!”.

Now, look at Marathi headlines which are more disgusting. All sounds like a promo of an upcoming TV series or c grade movie title.

Lokmat – Ladencha Khatma

Sakal Pune - Ladencha Khatma

Prahar – Shikar – Akher Osamala Amerikene tipale

Pudhari – Ladencha Khatma

Samna – Krur-karma ladencha khatma

Loksatta – Ameriki Hallyat Laden Thar

 

Nobody mentioned his existence in Pak.

 

And now its governments turn to show how lethargic our system is. Our list of “most wanted” is not updated. It is pathetic. Are we serious enough about terrorism? Or our politicians have more important things to handle (such as fund collection thru various scams, mafias, politicizing issues like renaming railway station etc.).

 

I wonder whether even god (if exists) can save this country.....