The secret letter of Gen VK Singh to PM Manmohan Singh may be making news for its “revelations”. TRPs are made of the volatile stuff that computer RAMs are made of – they disappear as fast they appear.
None of the media have either the commitment or the deep pockets to invest in sustained follow up of the rot that has been setting in the system as a whole, not just the armed forces. They prefer to sway with the wind, making the quick buck that never stops anywhere.
NDTV aired their 2006 (2008?) expose of the fact that Tatra Trucks were being bought by BEML from a dealer in the UK and not the manufacturer when it was supposed to be a technology transfer arrangement. They pointed out that BEML and the Defence Ministry (which controls defense ’production’) hadn’t done anything about it.
So while being righteous was to be expected from NDTV, why did they not pursue the story if they had any other motive than to milk the Congress for revenues? Its well known that NDTV speaks for the INC as best as any channel can without wearing its flag as its logo.
The other channels are scarcely any different. A spike in TRPs is all that matters. That ’4th column of democracy’ badge is only reserved for demanding special privileges and immunity.
Back to the degradation of the armed forces. Such a pathetic state of affairs couldn’t possibly have come about in the last few months since VKS’s retirement scandal erupted. So what was this ‘honest’ General doing all these years? Or his predecessors? Or even the defense ministry and the minister of 6 years?
The best part is even now, all TV channels are focused on the “who” instead of the “why” such a state of affairs has come about. There’s no air time for focus on the country’s security (or lack of it). Here the likes of ‘anchors with access‘ continue to serve their political masters, oblivious of their duty to function as the 4th pillar.
All in all, this is perfectly normal. Why? Sharad Yadhav was 100% right. They all reflect the stock from which they come – Indians. The only apt description would be ‘champions of I-Me-Mine’. aka selfish.
What right do Indians have to expect anything better?