Half-baked news, full-fledged experts

At a time when we were writing an article headlined “Executed on the day when goats and sheep are sacrificed” (Hi Time, 6-12th January, 2007), a correspondent of a leading fortnightly magazine ‘Frontline’ had this to write in his article ‘Victor’s justice’ published in the 12th January issue of the magazine: “The appeals court ruled that the sentence of death by hanging should be carried out within 30 days but the American-installed Iraqi government preferred to carry it out two days before the holy feast of Id. The feast symbolizes the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim to Allah. Some Iraqi politicians and preachers who opposed Saddam have started characterizing the hanging of Saddam as a gift from God. Such symbolism is bound to alienate further a significant section of the Iraqi populace.”
This contradiction in views amply reveals how short deadlines increasingly push the journalists to pursue and derive conclusions from half-baked news to build stories, something that has potential for large-scale ramifications. The journalist, in the aforementioned case, not only miscalculated the day on which Saddam Hussain was sacrificed but also derived his own view based on the wrong judgment.
Fact is that Saddam Hussain was killed not two days prior to the Id, but very much on the dawn of the day when the entire Middle East woke up to celebrate Id, while the Muslims assembled at Makkah were readying to perform Haj. Id was celebrated two days later in India, due to the confusion created over sighting of moon sometime back, and this became the reason why the behind-the-scene dynamics of execution of Saddam could not be told to the Indian readers.
Question arises what was the motive behind executing Saddam on the day of Id? Was it not a purposeful attempt to make Saddam a martyr and ignite the passions of the Sunni world, thereby further heightening the divisions between the Sunnis and Shias in the region? Already, Iraq is on the verge of civil war, something that the occupying forces badly need to go ahead with the division of the country and thus strengthen their hold in the region. This is to be reminded that as per Pentagon’s latest quarterly report, violence in Iraq has reached the highest level recorded so far. There was an average of 959 attacks by the Resistance every week in the last four months, an increase of 22 per cent, clearly suggesting that Iraq is on the brink of disintegration.
That there is a deliberate attempt to heighten the wedge between the two sects of Muslims can be gauged from the latest reports that the execution ‘ceremony’ was filmed under the sanction of the US authorities. It were the US soldiers who were posted at the entrance of the room in which execution was carried out who searched all those entering into the room and took their mobile phones but allowed two people to carry mobiles inside. The photos were released to the Western media almost immediately after the execution, thereby further heightening fears of a sinister design.
Already, the Baath Party, in a statement posted on the web, had said that it would retaliate against American interests everywhere if the sentence on Saddam was carried out. “The American administration will be held responsible for any harm inflicted on the President, because the United States is the decision maker in Iraq and not the puppet Iraqi government,” the statement had warned. The release of pictures with Shias cheering the execution was to take the blame away from the United States, so that the Iraqis remain involved in killing each other and leave the occupying forces in peace. That has already begun to happen!
Moreover, millions of Muslims come to Haj from all corners of the globe. Gulf between the Shias and Sunnis could have reached all over the globe if certain Shias there had celebrated the execution, as happened in Iran and elsewhere, or Sunnis would have mourned the death.
All these consequences could not be derived due to ‘half-baked news’ that the reporter in contention presented. Unfortunately, this bane has crept into our media, particularly the electronic media, where recruitment is made of youths, more on looks and speaking capabilities, rather than analytical skills and understanding of the affairs of the society. Of course, that is another thing that given an opportunity, all of these would be staking claim as ‘full-fledged experts’.

Unstable Government in State Responsible For Lack of Development: Industry Representatives

Industry representatives feel that unstable Government in the State for past 15 years has been the root cause for lack of development of industries in UP. The problem has been aggravated due to a general apathy towards the concerns of industrialists, lack of political will and interest. This was revealed by Vikas Gupta, Secretary, Indian Industries Association and Manish Goel, Secretary-UP, in an exclusive discussion with Aziz Haider of Hi Time Express.
“When CMs come for 6 months each, what development would you expect?” tells Goel, adding further that the administrative machinery too stops working when it sees differing priorities of every next incumbent in CMs office. “There are no large scale industries in UP. Industries come because of CM’s efforts and due to incentives. Who would come when there is uncertainty even about the tenure of the CM?” adds he.
Goel differs with the advertising campaigns taking place and says that no big group has come during the last 3 years in spite of tall claims by the government. “Other than sugar-based industries, there is no big industry worth mentioning.”
Gupta too agrees with Goel’s view and adds that blame is unnecessarily put on infrastructure. Infrastructure in the state is better or at par with several states like MP, Rajasthan and Orissa, but they have gone far ahead than UP during the past 15 years.
“There are no minerals and no sea shore here. Unless incentives are not given, how could you hope that industries would come,” adds Goel. “If a big industry comes, 50-100 ancilliaries come up as well, which goes on to give a big boost to development in the State.
Owing to incentives and good planning, the neighbouring state of Uttaranchal is growing at a rapid pace. When asked why incentives are necessary for development, Gupta tells that they become essential because the neighbouring states are giving such incentives. “Uttaranchal is developing extensively because of tax benefits and power availability. With great competition in the market, the incentives give a major leverage over others in competition,” he says. Gupta points out as to why some body would install an industry in Bareilly or Saharanpur when Pantnagar and Haridwar are at a stone’s throw distance, which are giving much more incentives.
Goel too rues that political will is missing. “If Hyderabad and Bangalore are developing it is not because the industrialists there are better. It is the manpower from UP that goes there to work. Government is not paving the way for equal opportunities. The State is the biggest consumer market in the country. The Government’s revenue comes through taxing those products, hence it is not bothered.”
As regards to UP Development Council, the industry representatives opine that when those industrialists themselves are not making investments in the State, who will? “Focus is not industrialization. A mini cabinet has been made how to route the papers through another channel. Development Council has been made to support particular people and that’s it.”
In spite of all these so-called efforts no big house has come to UP till now in spite of the fact that the State has tremendous potential for food processing and several other industries. “If one big industry like Tatas or Birlas come, this would give fillip to ancilliaries as well,” adds Gupta.
Indian Industries Association, an apex body comprising more than 5000 members, mostly from small and medium industries, is set to organize India Food Expo for another year from 1st to 4th February, 2007. More than 400 stalls have been sold and participants from as far as Thailand, Pakistan, Angola, Uganda, Afghanistan and even SSI manufacturers from Kashmir have participated in the past.
Talking about it, Vikas Gupta says: “This exposition gives us an opportunity to showcase the products to the rest of participants and visitors.” He further tells that IIA was the pioneer in organizing such an exposition in UP for the first time. “In Lucknow, this event has grown extensively both in terms of participation and business,” tells Goel, adding further that in future melas and exhibitions are going to play a key role in building a bridge between manufacturers and buyers.