TELEVISTA
On terror trail
AMITA MALIK

One likes to end the year on a happy note. But, alas, you cannot deny that 2008 has been one of the worst years in recent memory. Top of the list was the unexpected and horrific attack on Mumbai, one of India’s most cosmopolitan cities, where people travel from all parts of India to realise their dreams. It is not only Bollywood but the headquarters of some of the most prestigious corporate houses, and home and office to some of the most famous names in industry as well as Indian cinema. Its fishermen and women are enterprising and well organised, and that their union warned in writing about the influx of RDX is proof of its alertness as well as patriotism.

And yet, in spite of all these factors, it was caught off-guard, and 26/11 has become a token of all that can go wrong in the most stable and respected societies and institutions. That 10 determined and ruthless terrorists can hold such a city to ransom for days has caused surprise as well as shock. If this can happen to Mumbai, says the rest of India, what can happen to us?

The attack on Mumbai has led to a rethinking at the highest level over the state of our intelligence.

True, that nine of the terrorists were killed and, fortunately, the 10th survived to reveal the extraordinary nature of the attack on Indian democracy. That it has led to a rethinking at the highest level over the state of our intelligence and our preparedness has led many to wonder if it is too little and too late. But at least a beginning has been made. As they say, better late than never.

Yet, when reviewing the entire year, surely, we should look at some of the positives. One of the favourite topics in this column has been sport, and it is being speculated that India is on its way to becoming the world number two in cricket. Brave little Saina has done us proud in badminton. Even though Sania’s tennis ranking has come down, she has at least been conferred a doctorate degree by a prestigious university in Tamil Nadu.

Manipuri women have also been in the news for positive reasons. Our women’s cricket team has not done too badly. Sachin Tendulkar keeps on breaking world records. Leander Paes has said he will not only compete but do well in the next Olympics.

Meanwhile, our intellectuals continue to evoke interest worldwide. The year-end positive utterances of Nobel Laureate Dr Amartya Sen and the more cynical observations of Salman Rushdie were such as to be internationally noticed, and hopefully understood by people in their own countries.

Now we come to the international scene. While Obama’s popularity is sky high, President George Bush has been at the receiving end. The action of the Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at him speaks for the feelings of not only Iraqis and others in that area but also of people in many parts of the world who look on Obama as the best and George Bush as the worst of American leaders. In all the discussions, it has been observed more than once that the US is no longer the top nation but an equal amongst other equals.

One of the most riveting programmes at the end of the year was Fareed Zakaria’s chat with Shekhar Gupta. He has become a focal point for the best India stands for.

But in sophisticated programmes such as The Week That Wasn’t, Indian TV has shown that it can hold its own against the best. In the highly contrived Grand Stand, the same women perform in the so-called witty programme, and then put on the same funny expressions for what is supposed to be a serious news bulletin. This only goes on to prove that you can be one or the other, and a double life is bound to fall on its face, as it has done so in the present case.

Before I end, I would like to wish both readers and viewers happy viewing in the coming year. After the horrors of 2008, we certainly need some good cheer, and may 2009 bring us just that.