When we remember a year,we tend to forget things that happened early in the year or things that were not so big. So,this list of news TVs most interesting moments in 2010 rediscovers those bits you may have forgotten.
1. Phrases that defined the Rathore phase: As 2009 turned into 2010,S.P.S. Rathore,newsmaker-in-chief,engendered news TV language that was,shall we say,strong as well as intriguing. The rule of law is failing every year,every day,said CNN-IBN. Teen-molester cop,said NDTV. CNN-IBN showcased tweets from viewers who asked for Rathore to be hanged,and Times Now said the noose is tightening around Rathore.
2. That Taliban moment: On CNN-IBN,in a chat on attacks on some Indians in Australia,a panellist described the assailants,indeed all Australians,as the White Taliban. I had said not only would Australians be amazed if they heard this,I was amazed,too. I had also said the Taliban would be amazed. I am still amazed. I am pretty sure that had the Taliban heard it,they,too,would still be amazed.
3. The shows that I wanted: These shows didnt actually happen,but early in 2010 I had hoped they would. They still can. The provocation was Sarah Palin joining Fox News as commentator. What if our politicians hosted TV shows? My wish list was: Amar Singh hosting CD Baat on Aaj Tak. Mani Shankar Aiyar hosting Left,Right and Why Cant I be in the Centre on NDTV,Arun Shourie hosting Brace the Nation on CNN-IBN,Shashi Tharoor hosting Frankly Leaking on Times Now,and three shows for India TV: R.K. Anand hosting Aap ki Adalat,and Jaswant Singh with two shows,Jinnah Yahan and Mera Mole,Tere Bol.
4. Maoists and atom bombs: Times Now asked some panellists on a show discussing Maoist violence are you with India or against it,time has come to say which side you are on. Among the replies from the panellists: you are getting your question from imperialists,you are a corporate agent,do you want to throw an atom bomb on Maoists. Phew!
5. Do you live in a democracy: Arundhati Roy told CNN-IBN that Indian democracy is real only if you live in
GK-I (a south Delhi locality). I live in GK-I,so I live in a democracy. Do you? I mean even those who live in GK-II,across the street from where I live,dont live in a democracy!
6. Sex and spirituality: NDTV hosted a chat on dodgy goings-on in ashrams. An Osho Ashram spokesperson on the show said: This (holy orders and sex scandals) is shocking,but this is because of the (sic) repressed sexuality which is understood as spirituality sex is the seed of spiritual consciousness it is the evolution of sexual energy that becomes spirituality. Unfathomable. And unforgettable.
7. Spies: A CNN-IBN special story after the Madhuri Gupta story broke showed clips from James Bond movies. I think the ISI is still puzzling over that. India TV put it best,though. Boyfriend ne kiya blackmail and Pyaar ke liye gaddari.
8. That famous Malayali poet: NDTV,covering monsoon in Kerala,quoted water,water everywhere and told us this is a famous Malayalam saying. That quote is from Coleridges Ancient Mariner. Ergo,Coleridge was a Malayali.
9. When it rains : CNN-IBN on Cyclone Laila: Heavy rains have been noticed. I loved that have been noticed,still love it. CNN-IBN on Yamunas water level rising: Reporter said its very unlikely that Yamuna waters will come into residential areas as such; anchor responded,thats reassuring,as it comes (italics mine). Lovely,that as such and that as it comes.
10. Hounds: Headlines Today,while interviewing Suresh Kalmadi,said the latter was being literally hounded. You would rather have the CBI after you than hound dogs.
