Assam tea or thee?

"Thee" is the word for fire in tamil.

I have been pondering for quite sometime about the recent coverage on Assam. It was the issue of a women being stripped in public.

If one had read (not watched on television) on the issue, he would know, the issue is not about a women being stripped, but the tribals protesting for their rights. Little did any of electronic media mention about the number of deaths which took place on the same day. Atlleast 12 were killed and several hundred people were injured during the violence.

Adivasis have been protesting for thier rights for many years now. Several people have been victimised by these protests. But where were the cameras then?

OK let's just talk about this story. Where were the video cameras? All the channels invariably were flashing around four still pictures constantly one after the other. What were they doing when Assam was burning?

Did they even bother about several other people living in Assam? I guess they too have television sets and TRPs stand for Television Rating Points even there.

May be the doubts are about those TRPs. True. How many of them there watch electronic news? Not many.

Does that justify the lack of coverage on issues concerning the North-East of India? North-east of India, is it so? Do they consider themselves to be part of India?

Have we dealt with them fairly? Now I guess that's the issue, it has always been them and us. Rather, them or us.

Someone who is not well informed about news on North-east, would easily get away with a sly reason "North-east isn't that accessable. People there are very violent. I might put myself at great risk amidst them."

Here, I would like to mention about one of my good friends who is planning to make a documentary on the issues concerning the North-east. There are just four simple reasons behind her spirit.

1. she is well read about the north-east
2. she is not from any of the electronic media
3. she is still a student
4. She cannot be discouraged

Why I didn't do the same, would be majorly because atleast three of the above don't stand valid for me.

So, right now there are a plethora of news channels in India who would cover Assam only if some woman was stripped in the public, with atleast one still picture.

May be not because Assam is in the media for its fine aroma tea too!