SIGHT & SOUND
Different victories
Amita Malik

Strange are the ways of cable operators. They lead an arbitrary life of their own and yet collect the monthly fee in full at the end of the month. The cable operator in our area is about the worst I have come across. They change channels without notice, they even decide what one should watch. When I asked their big boss why I was not getting Pak TV which is important for my work, and which many Indians also want to watch, he replied: "I don’t give it because I don’t like Pakistan." Well, I told him, you can always switch off but since we pay for the programmes the choice is surely ours. He remains unimpressed. Then even more strange things happened.

On the day of the Iraqi elections, the BBC disappeared from the screen. "Today is Sunday, we can do nothing, we are closed on Sunday," said the cable operator. He gave the same answer when I said the sound for Vijay Amrithraj’s running commentary was not coming. The genius at the other end did not know the difference between the sounds of the match and referee and the running commentary. I missed two sets of the commentary. I feel there was somebody who could keep an eye on cable operators to ensure that viewers get what they are paying for.

The elections in Iraq, with the absence of the BBC, left me stuck with CNN and here an even stranger thing happened. Before voting began, the entire CNN team, led by Christiane Amanpour, protested that they were not being allowed access to different areas for coverage. This seemed to apply to the entire print and electronic media.

But soon after CNN claimed to be covering the elections from all across Iraq. Does this mean that only CNN was allowed, or were they only repeating what they were asked to say. Considering how CNN covered itself with glory during the first Gulf War, then did a sarkari job in the second Gulf War, I hope viewers will get some reassurance on this puzzling matter.

Nevertheless, it was highly interesting to see some elated voters, including women, at polling booths. One naturally only saw the ones with long queues although later reports said some areas had few voters. But president Bush certainly had his hour of triumph although there is American pressure on the government to stop funding, and therefore killing, the independent Arabic channel Al Jazeera. This is another example of the USA bullying anyone giving the other side of the story.

Getting back to more routine events, Menaka Doshi of CNBC did an excellent job of covering Davos, with some good interviews as well.

There is nothing new to say about the Republic Day parade except that this is the finest hour of Doordarshan’s camerapersons and they do an impeccable job year after year. Producer Sharad Dutt can now probably do the job with his eyes shut. But for me, the most moving part of the Republic Day celebrations is Beating Retreat. I have seen the same event in Edinburgh and I think ours is better. The precision of the marching, the musicianship of the conductors, the horses and camels silhouetted against the ramparts of South Block, and that final moment while "Abide with me" is played in hushed silence are moments of high emotion. Remembering Gandhiji, whose favourite hymn it was, I am not ashamed to say the moment always brings tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat.

Karan Johar is a very confident and charming young man who has so far tackled his peers in Koffee with Karan with ease. But taking on those grandes dames Shabana Azmi and Shobhaa De together was a daring feat. Shobhaa De was her assured, sophisticated self and scored over Shabana. All kudos to Karan Johar for the right blend of respect, good homework and wit. And full marks to Harbhajan Singh for an amiable, honest and humorous performance in Rajat Sharma’s Aap Ki Adalat. From girls to bowling action, he took everything head on. No doosras here.