Lagaan in Kargil
Amita Malik

THERE were many programmes for Independence Day ranging from the predictable to the innovative. But the most unusual, revealing and moving was Jai Jawan on NDTV, which took Aamir Khan to Kargil to spend a lot of time with our troops. Beginning with a road journey, which had its own perils, as well as charming moments, such as when Aamir took a lift, when recognised, from an army driver who had spotted him. Aamir’s utter naturalness, whether he spoke to brigadiers or ordinary jawans, in tiny bunkers or large dining halls, made everyone relax. And he got help from Barkha Dutt, who accompanied him and even conducted a mini "We The Jawans" discussion at the end. There was no aspect of the jawan’s life which was missed: from hushed visits to the LOC in stark darkness as daylight would have been too dangerous to a delightful improvised cricket match at high altitude which, incidentally, Aamir’s team lost. He ate with the boys, exchanging mouthfuls with them. He showed them card tricks, made them sing and sang along with them, and even danced with them. His warmth, kindness was innate and not acted. He had obvious sympathy and admiration for the jawans, who, he remarked, remained cheerful and relaxed under the most difficult conditions.

Well bowled! Aamir Khan spends time with jawans in Kargil

The finale came with four jawans from different parts of India. They got a pleasant surprise when they recieved video-taped messages from their families, all humble folk speaking different languages. This was the emotional climax of a very moving programme. Not all the printed words and visuals we have seen over the years, some done with equal sympathy and professional skill, could have equalled the sum totality of this long but detailed programme, which should be made compulsory viewing for all the politicians and bureaucrats who do not always give the jawan the material help and the moral support which he so richly deserves. As for viewers, this was an eye-opener about how our jawans live, work and keep up their spirits in the most adverse of conditions. The nation is already proud of them. This programme has made us feel more proud of them. The highest marks go to the camerapersons, editors and, above all, the producer of this programme, which was in a class by itself.

Now for the official events at Delhi on August 15, for which DD still retains the monopoly. It was depressing enough to find children who had got up at 3 am, hungry and without shelter from the rain, shivering at Red Fort — an annual cruelty of which the VVIPs seem unaware. Also, it seemed foolish to confine the President’s message, which was telecast early evening and had greater significance this year in the points it made, to Doordarshan alone. The private channels were left to pick up the snippets in their news bulletin. Every channel should carry it in their prime time, as, indeed, they should carry the PM’s speech from Red Fort. One sees no earthly reason why both should be a DD monopoly.

For me, the version of Jana Gana Mana by Bharatbala, shot in Ladakh with master singers and instrumentalists from every corner of India, including that wonderful ghatam player from the South, is always one of the highlights of national days. I was appalled to find a fellow columnist saying it was redundant, unnecessary and false patriotism.

As a student of music, I find the musical concept, under the direction of A R Rahman, both highly creative and imaginative. Each musician contributes one line of the anthem, but it is beautifully coordinated. The locale, with the stark unending landscape lit up by these master musicians, is a visual and audio treat in itself. I have both the audio and video cassettes at home. I sometimes play them for a rich musical experience and they always bring a lump to my throat. If that is false patriotism, I plead guilty.

Tailpiece: As far as individual awards go, there seem to be more for the girls than the boys. The latest award for a woman goes to Alka Saxena of Zee News, who gets the annual media award from the Hindi Academy. Alka has worked very hard hard to get where she is, beginning as a junior reporter. I am sure we all wish her well. But I have been wracking my brains and consulting my colleagues about a suitable award for Ajmal Jami, the cameraperson who bravely kept on shooting while his helicopter was crashing and right until it hit the ground and broke in four pieces. I was appalled to find that there was no award for camerapersons in the several awards given very year by various organisations. It is time someone instituted one.

As for camerapersons, when American troops in Iraq shoot to kill camerapersons and other media people "by accident", they always happen to be coloured people. The latest is a Reuters cameraperson who, by a remarkable coincidence, was a Palestinian. They mistook his camera for a grenade launcher, they said. Well, very few people will believe them.