Editorials

Part 2 of the speech given by writer A.M. Rasool Mohideen

Editorials are not addressing the issue of inclusive growth. There are many families in Tamilnadu where no member has ever landed a government job. There are also families where four members are working in government offices. Periyar marched for reservation. Now four generations have grown. Husband, wife, son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law are earning handsome salaries. Another family belonging to the same caste ekes out a living from herding. 65 years have passed. Alternate ideas should emerge.

We receive 80 private TV channels for which we are having to pay 150 rupees per month. But there is visible dearth of ideas. It seems difficult to watch for 10 minutes. Perarignar Anna considered his evening meetings as university classes. It is important to spread news. A person cannot read 200 magazines.

Discussion forums are essential. Unfortunately, politics enters the movement when election approaches. Someone infiltrates and hijacks the forum towards one side. Neutral discussion becomes the casualty.

It is important to have invisible members. There were countless secret members for the revolution championed by Periyar.

We form a halo around each head. He is junior to me. There is divide between journalists working in English medium and Tamil medium. When we reject someone, we will be equally rejected.

Students studying in institutions run by Tamilians and backward section stand divided. They hang around as different groups within the campus based on whether they got merit seats or donation seats, or they came through the trust, students from English medium schools and Tamil medium schools, students belonging to MBC or marginalized sections. The social revolution introduced by Periyar has not materialized in practice. Educated people form more groups.

An English newspaper was bankrupt and was about to be closed. Jamaal Mohammed Rauthar donated 10000 rupees. Its value today is 100 crore rupees. An alternate, competent English newspaper has not yet emerged in Tamilnadu. There are many media experts and rich people. But a competent newspaper has not come up.

Newspapers coming out of Tamilnadu do not advocate severe punishment for the guilty. Journalists should support strong punishment for criminals.

When government spends 100 rupees, 15 rupees reaches the hands of actual beneficiary. Politicians, bureaucrats, middlemen eat away 85 rupees. What is the way to correct this.

450 lakh crore rupees of black money is stashed abroad and remains useless. Give support to bring this out.

Neighboring country spends two lakh crore rupees annually for military. Our country spends two lakh crore rupees. Agents are causing ruckus. SAARC should be leveraged to bring peace in the subcontinent. This will put an end to fishermen problem and bring solution to Yalpanam issue as well.

Son becomes MP when a minister passes away. Dynasty continues. A person with no merit becomes MP, while journalists with all qualifications and knowledge pay silent watch. This is a tragedy. Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley are intellectuals. But we did not make use of them.

120 MLAs and 220 MPs decide the fate of the people. Parliament can be conducted in Chennai. All that is needed is a hall with seating capacity of 750. Sacredness need not be attributed to a building. A MP removes paper from the hands of Honorable Narayanaswamy and tears it apart. We, Tamilians, did not feel outraged.

P. Chidambaram is occupying a very high position. Tamilians are not proud of him. We belittle him as a Congressman or a Chettiar. Subramania Swamy won MP seat with the support of Madurai people. But he was not used for the upliftment of Tamil society. He was labeled as a Brahmin. We failed to recognize Dayanithi Maran.

New rich people have emerged in recent times from MBC, BC and Dalit sections. Income tax list shall be monitored. Tamilnadu has developed in 65 years. Youngsters from Andhra, Bihar descend on Chennai considering it as Dubai. Many officers in the nerve centers in Delhi are from Tamil soil. It is the job of journalist to make use of meritorious people. Let us be open to new ideas.

Journalism

Part 1 of the speech given by writer A.M. Rasool Mohideen.

Our words are important. Arrangement for voice recording shows the interest among the audience. We should arrive at accurate measurement on ourselves. This will spare us troubles. My words are as noteworthy as the words of Hon’ble Manmohan Singh, Pranab Mukherji, the Chief Minister or the Governor. A journalist will not be disgraced after reaching this standard. He should have self respect. That is the cornerstone of Periyar EVR's teachings.
Thiruvalluvar goes a step further and lays down the principle of life. 'Nerunal ulanoruvan inrillai' ( Thirukkural 336). People come and go. The world moves on with this pride. Grasping this reality will save us from ego. This mentality should be our target. Journalism is a difficult field. Situation was same even in the times of Gandhiji and Nehruji. The history of journalism in England also presents us a history of service. This is in fact swimming against the tide.
Some have seen success, some have seen money and some have held the world under their sway. Many have sacrificed and many have devoted their all. Palestine writer Edward Said puts this in apt words. "I have chosen the politics of loss". Professor Marx cited these words in a tribute article written during the demise of Edward Said.
 Zho Lipo, a Chinese poet, has given a guideline. "A writer should not write sitting cosy in a closed room. It will create grave, unpardonable mistakes". Prophet of Islam says in the same spirit. Learning and teaching should go hand in hand. It is inappropriate to say that I will only preach, give commands and offer suggestions.
Journalist should simultaneously learn and teach. One should not become complacent after joining a big news organization.
An event was organized in Coimbatore to acknowledge the contributions of six people to the society. Swami Dayananda Saraswathi presided over the function. Five experts gracefully accepted the appreciation. But editor of a newspaper went on narrating his history. He revealed the relation he enjoyed with the Prime Minister. Spiritual maturity or social conscience was not reflected in his words. The journalist did not understand the theme of the event.
A journalist should grasp the expectations and then express his opinions. Growth and fall of journalism, achievements and failures, should be expressed in correct proportions.
One should enter journalism with proper mindset. Twenty years back, Tughlak ran articles on career guidance. It framed guidelines for journalism. A person entering journalism should possess a house, vehicle and money to spend. He should not expect livelihood from journalism. Otherwise he will become a traitor and burden to the field. I am in this field from 1969. I know length and breadth of this field.
A journalist should not reveal secrets. Specific incidents can be shared with people who meet certain standards. A journalist will meet people of different nature routinely and should be conscious of what he says.
A journalist becomes privy to many secrets. This is a sacred mission. It is our complete faith that this is the best way to serve humanity. But we should have the confidence, mental clarity and expertise for this. This is a penance. We should have this in the back our mind even while conversing with wife or even while sleeping. I have come to save this world. I will do what Jesus Christ and Prophet did. I will continue from where Gandhiji and Periyar left. This should be our heartbeat.
Such people will succeed. Their success will be known only to them and to those who benefited from them. It is a secret understanding. He has helped residents of a poor locality. He has supported an educational mission. He anchored an union struggle. He put a Chief Minister in their place. But these things should not be disclosed. That is the rule of the game. Journalism is more powerful than an atom bomb, faster than poison and more subtle than nano technology.
You are not alone. You are part of a big universe and you represent it. You can give course correction to America. You can divide Russia into six pieces. You can bring down a government. You can threaten a Prime Minister. All this is possible. Condition is that you should be wholeheartedly dedicated to this field. You should not have doubts. They pay me less. This should not be in your mind.

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Applying Brake

Muslim Murasu, March 2012

There was a time when editorial pages from English and Tamil dailies were preserved. They were compiled and put in book form. Enormous historic facts, laboriously collected data and details fed intellectual quest and eagerness of the readers. Assiduous efforts were condensed and concentrated in one page. Nation’s destiny and people’s future were turned around through writings. But now, papers are weighed in kilograms and traded for a trifle. Not even a single reader preserves editorial page. Magazines end up in dustbins after a brief perusal.
Islamic journal publishing operates on philanthropic grounds. Each line, each page expresses constitutional guarantee for freedom. Constitution of this nation permits ideas to be put in black and white. This is a huge mercy from God. Numerous intellectuals and national leaders fought hard to affirm journalistic freedom.
Private television channels are businesses spinning crores of rupees. Needs and expectations of average citizen will not be addressed. People do not participate in public meetings. Journals constitute final hope for democracy.
Journals should not doom themselves. Writers should record their ideas with utmost poise and equanimity. Writer should have a mental picture of published page even before starting to write. Tamil community is caught between dual troubles of steep inflation and vulgar entertainment. First and foremost, Tamilans should be given an opportunity to read. Reading is considered by many as a meaningless task. Only essential words should be printed. Writer shall first determine the length of the article. One page can be the norm and additional pages can be allotted in case of compelling data and useful photographs. New ideas with hitherto unknown perspective can be prioritized. Passages should tightly follow the line of the title and the main thrust of the message. Central theme should be constructed and carried forward in each word, line and paragraph.
There is one very important condition. One should know to apply brake. Writer should upfront know when to stop. Magazines that are published just because of excess availability of money or time or to display influence or self-importance will easily be rejected by the community. Writing is a God given gift. People involved in this can realize and work with additional responsibilities. Unqualified journals, editors and writers are burden to society. Only those with intellectual curiosity should enter this field. People without distinguished intellect can do a favor to humanity by staying away. Let readers be spared. Disgraceful ideas should not be imposed into the hearts of others.

Islamic Editorial Policy

Muslim Murasu, July 2011

Tamilnadu is seeing enormous new changes in literary landscape. Muslims are also rising above commercial interests and conquering new heights in this sacred ambition. State and central governments do not pay any attention whatsoever to Islamic journalism. Self-interest, self-sufficiency and philanthropic bent of mind form the core elements of Islamic journalism. Journalists enjoy sole ownership of relentless hard work, efforts and struggles.
Islamic magazines have not seen adequate commercial success. A small group is forced to handle myriad tasks of advertisement management, tours, editing, money collection, content creation and propaganda.
Central objective is to protect characteristic culture. It is the prime objective of magazines to establish cordial relationship and balance between Hindu society, government and Muslim society.
Advertisements published by private firms, haj companies, jewellery shops, malls, private colleges and philanthropic trusts will not yield adequate revenue. People having property worth 5 crore rupees shall sponsor one page advertisement or donate development fund. Those who spend 30 lakh rupees on wedding ceremony can give one page advertisement. Publishers releasing books at a cost of 50000 rupees can give sponsor. Those who go to Haj with their family spending 10 lakh rupees shall give one page advertisement.
Thriving Muslim educational institute owners in district can give four pages of advertisements and news that will share their experiences. One Muslim student every year should be groomed to be interested in journalism.
Life history of pioneers and social architects from Muslim society should be given coverage of two pages. Muslim contribution in district development can be documented. Interviews of experts and new comers in small businesses, commerce, politics and science should be given adequate space. Journalist should abandon submitting pleas and requests to government and adorn their role as counselor, supporter and helping guide.
Two pages should be set aside for ancient Tamil literature. Texture of the land, its tradition, culture and values should be vociferously announced to the outer world. This will give permanent merit to live in Tamilnadu and shatter the Arab fanatic terrorist caricature. Tamil lovers will feel delighted. Two pages should be given to throw light on ancient Islamic Tamil songs. Muslims know Arabic, they know holy prophet and they know chaste Tamil. Let us prove it. New contemporary Tamil litterateurs can be introduced and honored. Holy Quran, hadees, Juma speeches and Muslim events should be given coverage of not less than ten pages.
Religion, Tamil, science, national outlook and humanity are the defining features of Islamic editorial policy.

Journalism Of Tales

Muslim Murasu, June 2011

Social development and social responsibilities should always be the focus. Each sector is marching ahead with high quality output owing to their long and immense experience. Journalism was a service sector in a time. Then it became an occupation and now it operates like any other industry. Journalism is vying for power and authority too.
It is imperative to define norms and limits. The statement issued by the president of Indian press council promises future for this sector. News dailies, weeklies and monthlies basking in paan shops even after 9’o clock are telltale signs of dissent among readers. Even when the cost comes down to 2 rupees, readers are not inclined to show any care.

Inspite of being asked for countless times by the press council, some magazines, reporters and news organizations show no restraint. Norms set for the print media will very well apply for the electronic media also. There should not be any interference in personal lives. Some magazines can avoid tasty accounts of personal lives and secrets, like they saw them with their own eyes. ‘Privacy’ will include family, house, religion, health, sexual orientation and personal contacts. News can be covered if there is danger to public welfare or interest. While photographing terrorist incidents and riots, religion passions should not be incited. Coverage can be so as to enhance public peace, religious tolerance and inter-faith harmony. They should not be exaggerated in a way to inflame religious hatred. Journalist holds the proud and huge responsibility to create peace between various religious and social groups in the country. Headlines and headings should be framed to point to the true content. They should reflect honesty.
Parliament recommended instituting press council in 1966. Freedom of press should be protected and quality of press should improve. The activities of the press council with these two key objectives are commendable.
But the news about a terrorist murder that was widely published during May reminded us of Vikramadithan tales and Sindbad fantasies. Imagination was rich but taste and quality was lacking.
News is getting dreary. News publishing without any sense of responsibility, control and norms is continuing. More papers will hang desolated without takers in the paan shops.

Writer Real Strength

Muslim Murasu, February 2011

Two things are fundamental to engage in social, public life. Earning capacity and sound health. Dreaming of a society that respects writers is needless. Government will not hug and pat. Restlessness in heart, tormenting experiences, environmental irritations and riling suppression, these factors make an ideologist. Politician is made out of black votes, rowdyism and trance of power. Politicians these days will be hesitant to accept writers. No social reformist movement has germinated in Tamilnadu after Periyar EVR. Each writer should compensate on his own. Police can lunge at any moment. Money is needed to manage disputes and cases. Earnings from son and daughter, hereditary property and income for basic sustenance are needed. One should not enter literary field depending on others or organizations. Society is not in a position to give life, a helping hand and facilities to writer. Because society is hopelessly wandering without basic mould, now ideology, philosophy and principle are being introduced. Writer should exhibit huge hard work and sacrifice. There is no way he will be rewarded with returns, high income and fame. Because of excessive commercialization, writer should forcefully make his thoughts go on print. No one comes forward and offers support with any money. One should often remind oneself of the scenes from Ta’if city. Prophet setting off to Madina in the middle of the night, beastly men surrounding the house with brandished swords – these scenes are daily experiences. Luxurious and disguising people have grabbed and achieved community leadership. They will never welcome pristine writings and reformist ideas. They won’t help. Award functions for writers, book releases, dinners, foreign tours and photo ops that are staged these days are contractual obligations. There should not be any mention about cataclysmal price rise, real estate day robbery, and sudden amassing of black money. Ruling class is ready for compromise. Else follow principles that will lead to shrinking facilities, fame, reputation and influence. Writer is faced with two options; acquiesce with the world or follow the Prophet. Society that will honor writer has not yet formed. Good hearts have taken up the efforts in this direction. Those who do not have sufficient family income and physical fitness need not enter public life. Imaan, belief in God will be severely challenged. Help and support of good honest companions will be needed. Once they are found, they are seen and their proximity is earned, then there is no fear. Journey can be continued.

Confusion Over Magazine Cover Price

Muslim Murasu January 2011

Magazines of distinction sell at eight dollars (400 rupees) in international market. Readers are conditioned to spend 100 rupees daily. In Tamilnadu, good magazine can be priced justifiably at 50 rupees. But magazines run by Muslim community sell for 10 rupees.
Articles are written in the middle of the night after abandoning slumber, shrinking materialistic atmosphere, forsaking self-interests and with utmost sense of responsibility. Readers who read heart stirring, thought kindling, life changing and path breaking creations should immediately send 1000 rupees to writer or publisher. Nothing will be available eternally for free in today’s world. Air is polluted. Clean water is not available. There is paucity of leaders who love nation and dearth of religious people who love simplicity. Knowledge and motivation has to be imparted in such tough bitter climate. Those who seek quality magazines can consider literary expense as part of their life. Those who spend 20000 rupees per month for family expenses can donate 200 rupees for the benefit of magazines. 2 lakh rupees donation is given for LKG education. Professional courses swallow 10 lakh rupees. Zubeda Hamid writes in Indian Express that reporters and writers in famed magazines and newspaper are given gifts as varying as holiday package, refrigerator, washing machine, admission in educational institution, diagnosis and treatment in star hospital, mobile phone, jewelery, gold coin, imported liquor and perfume, modern suit material, sweet box, expensive wrist-watch and dry fruit box. Muslim writer take up the mantle in religious circle and literary landscape with an attitude of philanthropy and a sense of integrity. Such service is on par with contributions of Imam, Mohsin and Madrasa Ustad. Creators sweat their blood out so that the society will live a balanced life. Without much hype or fanfare they create poems, articles and short stories. Society gradually progresses owing to this. Confusion ends and path emerges. Columnists and journalists complete the task that was once done by Prophets and Auliyas. Readers who get to read apt and perfect writing should extend monetary support with urgency. Though cover value is printed as 10 rupees, 1000 rupees should be granted for the magazine. Else quality creations wont be created.