I’m brilliant: Monika

In her letter, Arora has written:

‘‘I sincerely feel that a national daily should not stoop to this extent to target a particular individual or political party just because they are in power or they don’t buckle under your pressure. For the past few days, through your ‘‘investigative reports’’ your paper has been trying to make an issue out of a non-issue, i.e. the induction of few professionals, including me, into the MTNL’s Board of Directors. You have been trying to spread the canard that my appointment was another ‘scam’ by the ruling BJP.

‘‘The way you have singled out my appointment as a director, in your editorial (The Monika effect) clearly indicates your hidden agenda and personal vendetta. You have in your editorial admitted that ‘‘by rule, independent directors are individuals from outside the system who can enrich PSU decision making.’’ But in the same breath you also say that ‘‘clearly Monika’s appointment is a scandal.’’

‘‘I wonder, without knowing me or my academic credentials how did you make erroneous remarks about me and cast aspersion on my induction into the MTNL governing body.

‘‘Let me update you on my academics. I have been a topper all through my academic career: BA, MA, (2nd Rank in University), M Phil, all first division. I have been awarded the UGC scholarship for the last 4 years. I have also been awarded All India scholarship for pursuing my doctorate degree in Canadian studies and go to Canada on the Canadian government’s expenditure.

‘‘These apart, for the past one decade I have been actively holding various public positions. For your kind knowledge, I am a regular member of the Censor Board (Film), I have also been Consultant NCTE (National Council for Teachers’ Education), have taught in various colleges of Delhi University as a visiting lecturer and now nominated to the board of directors of the MTNL, which has unfortunately irked you!

‘‘You may also note that I was secretary 1992-93 and then elected as president of the DUSU, in 1993-94. Now it may be well clear to you that I am not just a party activist, but a person of vast and varied experience with a brilliant academic record.

‘‘You have admitted that MTNL share has gone down by 70%, and we know that 95% of the PSUs are loss-making — the reason being, the governing bodies of the PSUs have become retiring resorts for ex-bureaucrats. Who’s fault is it? May be, according to you, post-sixty is the prime age to go to PSU Boards.

‘‘Across the world the managements are trying to induct young blood. But unfortunately people like you find a scandal in a sincere attempt to promote youth in the field of governance.

‘‘The only ‘‘crime’’ the Communication Ministry has done here is, as part of its campaign to make the MTNL more consumer-friendly, it has inducted a woman on its board with a public life experience of over a decade, to promote the interests of the PSU more vigorously. So, I am forced to believe that your so called campaign against corruption and misrule is nothing but hypocrisy.

‘‘Are you trying to oppose my appointment just because I am a lady? Are you trying to convey the message that you are against a young lady gaining prominence in a male bastion? Or, you want to make a sensational story out of nothing, just to enhance your circulation. This speaks volumes of your perverted mind — and you call it investigative journalism. It is really sad.

I don’t think this is ethical journalism, but blatant blackmailing. Kindly don’t entertain such malevolent motives.’’