Peace begins with a smile.

Sensationalisation: Today our media thrives on ‘breaking news’. It is always ready to ’sex it up’ to increase it appeal. This has diverted the attention of readers from the real issues.

Marketing Men In Editorial Board: Today in media houses the marketing men have entered the editorial board and are determining the editorial policy. This creates a conflict of interest and leads to biased coverage and opinions.

Violating Privacy: In the name of investigative journalism media today is also violating privacy of individuals. The ’sting operations’ have crossed a thin line between private life anf public interest.

Media Trials: In this sms-driven world and our quest for easy escape, media has become a place to judge before court settles the issue. Result: villification and biased reporting. All this is done in the name of people.

Coverage Packages: In recent elections many media houses have started selling ‘coverage packages’ to candidates. If bought, the candidate can expect a favourable coverage and also can attack candidate. Candidates who do not buy such packages are blacked out.

Self-censorship: News about Kashmir and North East is often censored to suit official position. Advertisement from corporates also silence many journalists to properly highlight corporate frauds.

Serving Smut: In the name of Page 3 news and celebrity news we see stories which are of explicit sexual content. Magazines do ’sex surveys’ to soar up readership. They are an attack on our sense and sensibility. With no strong media watcher, they go as news items.

In such a situation, our media is facing a serious crisis of credibility. This needs serious introspection by the media, civil society and state. A vibrant and credible media is an absolute necessity for the growth of healthy democracy.

There is no future without forgiveness

We met when we were having launch at a nearby hotel. He started the talk. And the next moment I was sure that this relationship is going to last. We had so many things in common. Perhaps we were searhing for each other!

We started talking and the talk was unending. In a very short time we made a quality relationship.

The exam has yet not finished. We have opportunity to meet again. And in future …well, we are going to meet many times.

You can not shake hands with clenched fists.

Last time we met in the University campus. I was coming to Delhi after exams. She was to say good bye. I still cherish the crystal globe she gave me as a parting gift. Well, that happened long back.

In between, she got married. Took up a teaching job. Then left the job. Now she has a cute six month old baby. And interestingly, now she is planning to continue her studies. Hats off this persitent lady!

I did not face much difficulty in finding her guest house. She became a gracious and affectionate host. We started talking. Talks ranged from purely personal things to about friends and class mates. We were trying to realise that finally we have met again.

Her baby was really cute. I made a friendship with him quickly. I think we liked each other. And her husband–he  is so humble and quiet. We also talked.

Then what? Of course, I had to take leave. Quickly we made some half-baked plan about arranging a get together at BBSR. Then I left. In my mind a thought was hovering– thanks Shabana for all this hospitality and affection.

The ball does not know my age.

Ecological cost: This shows how Diwali affects our enviornment. It also shows the carbon foot print we are leaving.

1. Dangerous chemicals: The crackers we use are made by using chemicals like magnesium, zink, lead, nitrates etc. The are dangerous to enter into our eco system.
2. Smoke: Every Diwali we see how our air becomes. In cities it is lke clouds and clouds with pungent smell.
3. Noise pollution: It is quite evident how noisy some crackers are. They simly pierce through our ears and shake us from inside.
4. Solid waste: The next morning we see lots of burnt crackers and other materials strewn around. The chemicals in them seep and enter the water under ground.

Social Cost: Believe it or not, the way we celebrate our Diwali has a huge social cost too. some are following:

1. Child Labour: Most of our crackers we blast with joy are actually made by child labour. In accidents in making crackers many children die.
2. Accidents: Burns, hearing impairment, fire etc are common during Diwali.
3. Disturbance: Think how fearful a blast from cracker is for a child. For those old and ill it is more dangerous.
4. Conspicuous consumption: Some use festivals like Diwali to show off their wealth. This creates envy, jealousy and more. Consumerism reaches it zenith.

So let us come forward and take an oath to celebrate Diwali in a greener way. Earthen lamps or candels are best. Sweets for every body. And meeting friends and relatives.

People throw stones at you and you turn them into milestones.

History:The term was coined by Havard scholar Joseph Nye. Through tis concept he tries to understand the extra-ordinary strengths of US that went well beyond American military power. Since then it is applied to other states too.

CONCEPT:Power is generally defined as the ability to alter the behaviour of others. There are three ways of doing this:

• Coercion: By use of force or threat of using force. This is what we call ‘stick’.
• Payments: Giving monetary rewards for acieving policy objectives, This is called ‘carrots’.
• Attraction: This is the power to attract others. This is called ‘soft power’.

The soft power is often contrasted with ‘hard power’ i. e. military power. The iniffectiveness of use of such hard power was evident  with failure of former USSR in Afganistan and US failure in Vietnam.

Basically there are three types of resources that promotes soft power:

• Culture: particularly when it can attract others.
• Political values: When they conform to international norms and expectations.
• Foreign policy: When they have the moral authority and vision to transform the world.

US has a tremendious base of sof t power. It flows from the attraction of American way of life. Companies like McDonald,MTV, Microsoft,I-Pod, Hollywood, Google etc showcase that power.

In future three other types of countries can also command a high degree of soft power. They are:

1. Whose dominant culture and ideals are closer to prevailing global norms like democrecy, pluralism, autonomy and liberalism.
2. Those who have most access to multiple channels of communication.
3. Those whose credibility is high due to their good domestic and international performance.

INDIA: India  can also emerge as a great power if it consciously tries to develop it soft power as a complementary to conventional military prowess. India can highlight its civilisational co-existence, democracy, pluralism. Bollywood, Bharatnatyam and Bhelpuri–all show our power of tradition. Ayurveda and Yoga is becoming popularr throughout world. Our expertise in IT is recognised world over. More ever in these troubled times of terrorism, violence and war Mahatma Gandhi and his ideals has powerful appeal.  It depends on us how we harness and use these bases of our civilisation to promote our foreign policy goals.