The name needs to be changed. Review on India TV

The Date 12th July 2007, The Time around 11 A.M., The place: South Delhi's prominent Hospital. The Channel on the reception TV: India TV. The viewers: General Patients, Attendants and the Author.

Flashing back to days of Shakti Kapoor exposure, once in a while I watched our masala news channels(ITV being one of them) and ranked India TV and Rajat a step higher among equals. But the myth was shattered on the above mentioned instance.

India TV continued to flash "Chamatkari Kabootar" for straight one hour(or may be more after I left the place thruout the day). The TV footage became so torturing after just 5min. There was no analysis, no references, plain banality. Some stupid Qs from the anchor were being answered by matching alacrity by the correspondent. Is this a news channel supposed to function. There was no problem with showing such a chamatkar, but that can be reserved for a clip or two as a breather between some serious news stuff. To Top it all another news item on some "Bhaang khane wala Tota" and beleive me this stuff was equally matching with meeting the lowest standards of electronic media. Surprisingly this also went for straight 20 - 30 min.

This whole episode left an indelible mark on the content and intent of India TV. If they accept that this is for general masses who can be gathered around for street shows(Which India TV looked like) or promote superstition, then better change the name to reflect tru identity as this is not the India we are supposed to build and media's role thus becomes crucisl in promoting awareness of the life's facts and india's pursuit to become a developed nation by 2020. This name India should never be used for such non-serious purposes.

For a moment if we forget the content, the showcasing of the whole thing was in bad light and taste, with pictures of hanging girl being displayed intermittently under "Breaking News" or "Head lines" etc. at the same time. To further deteriorate the matter such captions were being displayed continously "Kisi Ne kuch Nahi Kiya" "Police Der se pahunchi" "Ladki ka naam - Subhash Devi". This was horrendous and cannot be accepted on TV.

My emotions pour as I see another news channel going down the drain of cheap publicity news and programming. I further feel bad as the Name "India TV" should symbolise progress and analysis of true news, dealing with problems in our country, educating masses, generating awareness for physical, mental, spriritual and financial well being. Any foreigner who sees this may impregnate this picture of India. I also feel sorry for Mr. Rajat who with his panache shall always have a special space in my intellect and hope some corrective action is taken to revive glory of news programming in India.

Well as I drove on Mehrauli Badarpur Road in Delhi, i just felt amused on various hoardings that were crying out of some Shani Mandir Program and boastfully claiming for getting it Live on India TV.

Best Regards,

Vikrant