Mar 14, 2001 11:41 AM
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Tehelka at its inception was straight away associated with a major scandal that rocked cricketing countries around the world. It was founded as a news portal in the web world with a difference. It took investigative journalism to new levels with the inclusion of hidden cameras with Manoj Prabhakar in his 'tour' of members of the cricketing fraternity. Never before had this feat been performed and thanks to its efforts new light was shed on match fixing and other dirty linen of cricket. Roundly criticised by its detractors as only a way to publicise its portal to obtain customers it turned a deaf ear to them and rightly so. Though its efforts may have brought criticism to itself, it managed to clean the game atleast partially for the benefit of cricket fans around the world especially Indian cricket fans. Editor-in-chief Tarun J. Tejpal had then been ridiculed for backing a dark horse- Manoj Prabhakar whose reputation wasn't clear.
Though the cricket fans may have expected more punished, the role of 'protectors' for some influential people may have seen to it that the CBI probe indicted some and acquitted the rest accused. Earlier one heard of cricketers donning protective gear on the field but now they don it off the field too.
Tehelka is back in the news now with another major revelation set to rattle citizens of India. Yet again they have used hidden cameras to reveal corruption in high places along with large sums of money in a common man's eyes to open mouths and stain reputations of those who wear honesty on their sleeve. The large sums of money they have given have shown their true committment to investigative journalism and full marks to them for it. But will it be allowed to continue to function or will it be shut down in this 'free society' for its investigative journalism. Where it will lead to is anybody's guess but it will shake the confidence of soldiers fighting for India's sake with the armaments provided for them bought on recommendation of money and not on recommendation of quality. It has revealed to us what we assumed of all Indian politicians a long time ago. We Indians are used to paying bribes for just about anything from avoidance of traffic fines to just about anything like obtaining a licence so it shouldn't come as a surprise to us.
A democratically elected government they say is ' for the people, by the people, of the people'. How true it is! We the people offer bribes, bribes are offered by the people, bribes are expected of the people. So who can we blame but ourselves the people who are responsible for the growth of a bribe culture in India.
Act today and report others who want bribes, don't offer bribes to others to get your work done and India has a hope of ridding itself of bribes and a bad name in the world
