Sunit Tandon: Press Council of India should be given more powers’

Sunit Tandon is the Director General of the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and the former CEO of Lok Sabha TV. He is still remembered as a prominent newsreader on Doordarshan. An Economics graduate from St Stephen’s College, he has also been actively involved with radio broadcasting, television, theatre, and films. In an interview with Education Insider, the former General Manager of the National Film Development Corporation Ltd talks about the need for proper balance, perceptiveness, and attribution in the media sector

In conversation with Sunit Tandon...

Can you appraise the role of India’s fourth estate?
The fourth estate (the media) is one of the most important pillars of the Indian democratic set-up. It absolutely plays a vital role in informing the general public about issues concerning them, governance, and policies that affect our lives. The fourth estate is essential for Indian democracy. Without it, our democratic system cannot exist.

Which is the most memorable event in your career?
I have about 200+ memorable events in my career. One is, of course, helping to set up the new public service channel called Lok Sabha Television. Another memorable event is organising the International Film Festivals of India. I was in-charge of film selection and programming. I think we achieved a certain amount of success in organising them very professionally. Another major challenge I have undertaken is to help upgrade the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) to the level of a university.

Do you find any deficiencies in the modern day journalist?
It is not correct to generalise. There are excellent journalists and there are some who may have deficiencies. But if you look at journalism as a whole in India, I think there is a large room for improvement. There are too many pressures on journalists that take them away from the path of objective, dispassionate, and balanced reporting and writing. Secondly, by the nature of the profession, journalists have to meet deadlines. Many of them do not check facts or do their homework as much as they could possibly do in the interests of fairness and balance.

Do you think the fourth estate is playing its role responsibly in checking corruption and misgovernance?
I think it is, to a large extent, and that cannot be doubted. The fourth estate is helping to bring them (issues of corruption and misgovernance) to light in a large measure. It is not the media’s duty to correct injustices and set things right, but it is their duty to highlight them. Sometimes, they are biased, and at times, they misuse their power. But by and large, it would be absolutely correct to say that the fourth estate is playing a significant role.

Do you think the print media has succeeded over the electronic medium in sustaining public interest?
The print medium has succeeded largely in sustaining public interest despite the onslaught of the electronic media. By electronic media, I mean the traditional broadcast media, not the social media. The print medium has sustained and even strengthened itself through the period of expansion of the electronic media. The period of expansion of television has also seen the expansion of newspapers in India. Now, I think in the next 15-20 years, the print media might take a beating eventually. But this will first take place in the English language and later in the regional languages. So, we can say that so far, the print medium has sustained itself along with the electronic media.

Do you think the journalistic code of ethics is a toothless tiger?
Toothlessness is a term that cannot be used for a code, but it can for institutions that are meant to enforce the code. For instance, the Press Council of India (PCI) should be given more powers. There is no standardised code of ethics that I am aware of. There are certain generally accepted norms by which journalism should be practiced. The values of balance, perspective, attribution, and cross-checking of facts are taught everywhere but seldom practiced in the real world. In every democratic developed society, there has to be some agency for enforcement of ethics and codes, without suppression of the freedom of expression.

What was your inspiration to become a journalist?
I always wanted to be a communicator. I was interested in public speaking, presenting, and exploring ideas. My areas of interest were news and current affairs and for disseminating these, a medium is necessary. That’s how I chose the broadcasting media. It was a slow process of transformation, from a communicator to a journalist. This is a very responsible job. One should be well-informed and balanced. I love this profession.

What’s your message to budding journalists?
Enter into the journalism field only if you are passionate about it, prepared to put up with a lot to retain your integrity and ethics, and have deep interest in understanding issues and presenting them in a fair and balanced way for the public to understand. You should not become a judge or a jury and should not present an issue from a single point of view.

As the Director of IIMC, what innovations and changes have you brought about at the institute?
We have been doing three major things. One, expanding the reach of the institute. When I took over the institute, we had only one main branch in New Delhi and one in Dhenkanal in Orissa. Now, in the last two-and-a-half years, we have set up four more branches which will grow and develop over the years. These are in Jammu, Aizawl in Mizoram, Amaravati in Maharashtra, and Kottayam in Kerala.
Side by side, we are also working to upgrade the institute into a full-fledged university. We have drafted an Act of Parliament which will be put before the Cabinet for approval. Thirdly, we have plans to upgrade our programmes, courses, and facilities.

Why have the government-run news broadcast systems failed to garner public interest?
I don’t think I agree with that. Many people are reverting back to some of the government-run news broadcasting systems for their greater degree of balance and coverage. And as Doordarshan and AIR refresh their presentation, I’m sure they will attract an even greater audience.

Article first appeared in the 2012 October issue of Education Insider Magazine 

Mohsen Makhmalbaf: Prison of one idea' is worse than a prison

Mohsen Makhmalbaf is a major figure in Iranian cinema. A film director, writer, editor, and producer, he has always explored the relationship between an individual and his social and political environment. His work serves as an extended commentary on the historical progression of the Iranian state and its people. He has focussed on several genres, from realism, fantasy, surrealism, and  minimalism to large frescoes of everyday life, with a predilection for the themes of childhood and cinema, which, as a matter of fact, are areas of common interest to Iranian directors. In an interview with Education Insider, Makhmalbaf talks about the very foundation of his love for art, culture, and cinema

In conversation with Makhmalbaf...

About Indian art and culture 
I can compare Indian culture with any other country’s culture. You (Indians) have diversities. Different religions, different languages, and different cultures exist in a peaceful atmosphere. It is amazing. I compare it with my country. Now, think of countries where one religion controls other religions, one language kills other languages, and one dictator controls everything. In comparison, India stands out. Your diversity supports your democracy and it is very good. We need different colours. We need different ideas to create a perspective for mankind. This is the main reason why I love India. It’s about the different colours you people use in your dress and in your life. For me, these colours are more important than the harmonic colours that the Western countries use.

When it comes to art, you have energy for cinema. Over the past 100 years, how many films have you made? I think the majority of the films of the world are from India and that energy has not stopped.

In India, life and art are diversified. Yes, you have poverty, you have social problems. Which country is free from such problems? According to me, the art of India is the life of India; it is inseparable.

I think the influence of art is on individuals and the resulting effect is on society. Art influences by changing the viewer’s outlook. The change in outlook towards life also brings about amendments in behaviour. I think that humanity can still be guided to future through cinema. It is still possible (through cinema) to tell people that they need not be selfish and that they could enjoy life by sharing all that they have with others.

Influence of Indian cinema and audience 
Iranian cinema represents Iranian people. They are very realistic. Most Iranian movies focus on ordinary people's hopes, aspirations, and happiness. I learnt a great deal about these shades of life from the slumdwellers in India. During ’90s, I had visited Bombay. One fine day, while travelling in a car, I saw a group of slumdwellers dancing in the raining. I thought they were celebrating something. I witnessed a similar incident once again a few days later. This time, I approached them and asked them why they were dancing. None had a proper answer. But I got the answer I was looking for – for them, life was all about living in the moment. They taught me how to be more realistic. The legendary director of Indian cinema, Satyajit Ray, has also influenced me a lot.


Childhood and cinema
In my childhood, I hadn't seen films because of my grandmother’s influence. She told me, ‘God will punish you if you watch movies.’ I never even listened to music. I still remember that I used to shut my ears whenever I came across music. At the age of 17, I was imprisoned. It was only after I came out of prison that my mind became clearer. I realised that cinema was the best way to change culture. Actually, I started making cinema without any knowledge about cinema. But I had lots of stories to tell, especially since I spent all my childhood in another prison, under the pressure of ideology.


About moving out of Iran

I moved out of Iran eight years ago. I was a political prisoner for four-and-a-half years. During those days, I thought that Iran would change if a political prisoner became the Prime Minister or President. It happened, but nothing changed. Rather, the life of people became more miserable. I later realised that only if I moved out of Iran could I make real movies and narrate my stories to people. According to me, being in a prison of one idea could be worse than being in a prison.

About education in Iran

Iranian people are educated people. They have ideas, but are denied the opportunity to give shape to their ideas.

Article first appeared in 2013 January issue of Education insider magazine

Mary Roy: Unorthodox and untiring fighter

For the world, Mary Roy is a woman’s right activist, founder of Pallikkoodam, and, above all, the proud mother of Man Book Prize winner Arundhati Roy.

However, a visit to her cottage, designed aesthetically by Laurie Baker, and conversation lasting one and a half hours with her, made me realise that she is much more than what the world deemed her to be and that she is a woman who command respect for her poise and joviality.

Though in her early 80s, Mary Roy exudes the exuberance and vitality of a much younger person. Clad in a black T-shirt and black pyjama with a big red bindi on her forehead, she spoke on her brainchild, Pallikkoodam, and the present education system and the current social scenario.

In conversation with Mary Roy...

On her Pallikkoodam

The school is 45 years old, and when I look back at Pallikkoodam, the journey was a lovely one, because the school itself is a very lovely place to be in.

What prompted me to start a school was this: My kids Lalit and Arundhati were studying in Lushington School, Ooty, in the third-grade and nursery, respectively. At the school, they didn’t have homework or textbooks. It seemed very strange to me after watching the Indian education system throughout. The children did not take any books to the school or came back with any books. They might come back with some pictures.

Though this disturbed me initially, I understood that they were learning a lot in the school, and, on my request, I got permission to sit in their class. There I found that the children were not compelled to do anything. They were allowed to do what they were interested in, and, along with that, they learned big things. The students were excused from a subject class, but they were not allowed to bunk their games session, and this idea roused me.

I shifted to Kottayam and started Corpus Christy School (now called Pallikkoodam) in a hall with seven students. When the number of students increased, the school was shifted to the current location at Vadavathoor, near Kottayam.

On current education scenario

In the global education scenario, India occupies a great position. It is not because the education system is good; it is only because the Indian child is a clever child, but the saddest part is that he is being taught very badly. He is being taught to develop skills to memorise, not to do things. The Indian education system fails firstly because of this reason and secondly because the children are given few options.

Right from the school days, the kids are given few options – either engineers or doctors. They are being horribly limited.

You may have good colleges, but the universities, right from North to South, are rigid. See the recent case. Ivy League universities like Delhi University and colleges like St Stephen’s, LSR, etc., have a cut-off mark of 99%. What are the students with marks less than that supposed to do? Our system is creating roadblocks for our children.

The education sector in India has now turned out to be a great business. This is not a good practice.

On Western education and Indians

The problem that we Indians have is that we have more adaptability to step-mom concepts. I am talking about the English language. You must not feel unhappy that you don’t know English; first learn your mother tongue. That is where the Western countries score; they are very much rooted in their culture and integrity. When it comes to education, the Western system is too good. Education there is entrenched in freedom, and they have many options. What I say is, don’t follow something blindly. See what is good and adapt that into our system and life.

On politics

Politicians are the most foolish people I have seen in my life. They say things without thinking twice. They will say that they will give you rice for one rupee, but how are they are going to do that? They themselves won’t be having the least idea about that.

More educated people should come into politics and they should be prepared to do considerably for the development of the country and the people. The academic qualification of at least undergraduate should be set as a minimum qualification for those people who enter in politics.

On current social scenario

The signs of an uncivilised culture are evident in our society today. According to me, frustration is the reason for this. Discrimination and inequality lead to frustration. Rich-poor, girl- boy – human beings are classified into a number of categories. I strongly believe that education is the only solution to all the problems that our country is facing today.

On present state of women

The condition of women has changed a lot. If you ask me to elaborate on it, I can’t do that because I can’t elaborate on something that I can feel. We can see the condition of women – on the roads, on buses, on trains, everywhere. That itself proves everything.

Message to youth

Work for the country; work for the aam aadmi. 

As an end note I asked her about her fond memories of her celebrated writer and activist daughter Arundhati Roy. After a few seconds of deep silence, Mary Roy replied: “I love her too much, my dear.”


Click: Jose Jacob


Article first appeared in the 2013 September issue of  Education Insider magazine