Thus spoke Vajpayee

Exactly one year ago, television deified death. Celebrity death. Violent, accidental, meaningless death. That was the day, Diana died.Pos...

Exactly one year ago, television deified death. Celebrity death. Violent, accidental, meaningless death. That was the day, Diana died.

Possibly never again, will the demise of one human being receive so much unwarranted coverage. Since, the electronic media, perhaps chastened by its own excesses, has trained its cameras elsewhere 8212; on people dying in wars, natural disasters, what have you, instead of prying into private places other than those belonging to Clinton.

Will it handle the first death anniversary of the people8217;s Princess with greater delicacy? And how will it remember the Mother of the masses, when her first death anniversary occurs later in the week? Watch out.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee conducted his first TV interview since becoming Prime Minister with ease, but without elan DD. What prompted the interview, a full six months after he assumed office?

The President8217;s conversation with us on August 14 must have been a consideration and impetus. Next was the need to scotch two different kinds of stories doing the media rounds after his August 15 speech: first, that his stumble indicated a serious illness; second, that his lacklustre speech confirmed what earlier sightings of him had suggested: the Great Communicator was depressed, glum and losing his touch.

It was a public relations exercise which worked. The interviewer was handpicked 8212; as in the President8217;s case. Rajat Sharma. He fed Vajpayee leading questions on everything from his grim silence and reported ill health to Jayalalitha, Pokharan, Indo-Pak relations, Article 356, Sonia Gandhi, the state of the opposition, farmers suicides, price rise, sanctions, communalism, his relationship with Advani8230;

By covering such varied topics, Vajpayee aimed to establish the image of a man in-the-know, in control of the situation. He spoke fairly fluently, without pronounced pauses 8212; to indicate he was well, not ailing with sickness. He laughed and smiled to dispel the idea of depression.

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But both were obviously forced and therefore, unconvincing. Also, the eloquence he is so renowned for was not in evidence. Maybe because Vajpayee8217;s mesmerising speeches belonged to another era and arena: addressing the public or Parliament is quite different from facing a TV camera.

So: are we witnessing a new trend? One in which people in high office will speak to us through stage-managed TV interviews? Could be.

Time to bitch about the itch. Last week, the National Commission for Women, expressed its acute displeasure with certain advertisements which exploited females. In the past, the Minister of Iamp;B, has objected to liquor advertisements appearing on cable/satellite TV channels. However, it is time to protest against advertisements which simply offend us by their crudeness, ads which are plain and simply, ugly.

Itchguard8217;s has to be one of the most incredibly distasteful ads. You8217;ve seen it: a suitable and hopeful young man reaches for the tea cup offered by the girl he hopes will suit him, when, dear oh dear 8212; no, he hasn8217;t got ants in his pants, but a scratch-patch within the thigh folds. The cup goes flying as cups are wont to do if you fling them, and with it his hopes of her. A curiously incorrect sketch of the male body er, certain vital organs are missing then reveals how sweat trickles into the said folds and rests there until it gets mouldy and little, green monsters give you an overpowering urge to scratch yourself in public. Oh, the unbearable khhitch-khh-itchiness of being.

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There8217;s a female variation to the theme: a young girl is dancing, when the inevitable happens: her sebaceous glands sweat into a flood 8212; you know where. As ads go, the ad is in such bad taste. Besides the fact that it really does appear to be creating an hitherto unknown need. What happened in life before Itchguard? Had you ever, previously, experienced the uncontrollable desire to scratch THERE? And do you find yourself now unconsciously, subconsciously thinking perhaps you should 8212; scratch? Or, did you Itchguard your thighs this morning?

Another horrid ad has a woman attacked by obnoxious characters when a man appears from apparently nowhere and rescues her. There8217;s one unforgettable, obscene shot of the saviour jumping to his moment of glory. The camera catches him from below: he is seen bare-chested, bare-legged in a tight, white pair of underwear, which, by the way it has been shot, seems destined to land in your face. Revolting. VIP Frenchie underwear. There are other examples but you don8217;t want to have to read about them. Don8217;t you think something should be done to such advertisements, preferably something that keeps them off air?