Punjabi antenna
Proxies and quacks
Randeep Wadehra

HOW different is real life from reel life actually? One loved the tapori character’s antics in the Hindi flick Munnabhai MBBS without even thinking of the consequences of such a ‘doctor’ treating patients in real life. After all, the make-believe cannot get real, right? Wrong, if we go by the sensational expos`E9 carried out by PTC News on August 31. Not one or two but 27 ‘Munnabhais’ have been uncovered in one go by Baba Farid University.

Belonging to well-off families, they wanted to acquire the coveted ‘Dr’ honorific for obvious reasons. So they hired brilliant scholars willing to become their proxies in the PMT. So lucrative is this business that in a couple of years these professional imposters have already earned at least half a crore each, according to investigating journalist Ritesh Lakhi. In the related interview on Guftagu with the university’s VC, we learn that PMT exams-related scams have become "a thousand crore rupee industry".

What next ? The rise of Munnabhai mafia a la D Company? Anchoring the expose titled Punjab de Munnabhai, Davinder Pal Singh observes: "Just think of the havoc these 27 would have wrought if they had eventually become doctors." Right, but what about those who might have escaped detection over the years? After all, you can’t have diligent university staff and hawkeyed media everywhere. Nevertheless, let us appreciate the good work. Shabash Baba Farid University for your innovative steps against such malpractices, and shabash PTC News for not only the expose but also for nudging the police machinery into prompt action.

Watching Khed atey Khidari on DD Punjabi can drive one to despair. On August 30 the show featured sports medicine. It was clear that the anchor knew nothing about the subject. Wooden expressions, poorly formulated questions and sotto voce conversation tested one’s patience no end. Worse was Sur Sanjh where the female interviewer would leave her questions hanging in mid-air. Barkat Sidhu had to put up with such clich`E9d questions as tusi sangeet di prerna kithhon leyee? However, the interaction with Salim Iqbal on the sets of Mehfil was a riveting show with Iqbal’s virtuoso rendering of ghazals. The interviewer was able to elicit quite a few off-beat statements from the singer, viz., koiyee kisi nu mosiqui sikawanda nahin (Nobody teaches music to anyone).

The art of conducting interviews requires diligent collection of relevant information, an analytical mind and insight into human nature, apart from tact and fluency. You find all these in the three episodes of Guftagu wherein Lakhi had interviewed three prominent Sikh leaders—Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh, ex-Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti and the incumbent SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar. The issues discussed were sensitive—the Sacha Sauda controversy and the manner in which Vedanti’s resignation was obtained.

Being a seasoned TV journalist, Lakhi kept the talks interesting and decorous. It goes to the credit of the interviewees too. They used the opportunity to place their respective points of view in a cogent and dignified manner.