Sunday, February 22, 2015

A Journalist Fan

Can you be a fan of a celebrity as well as a journalist at the same time? This question had been haunting me for a while. Journalism ethics says all are equal before you. We are not even supposed to address anyone as sir/madam but Mr./Ms. Every human creature in front of you is either a source or subject.

Leaving apart the ethics, I always end up saying “I’m a huge fan of you. I admire your talents so much”. As soon as the interview with a celebrity is over, I sit before computer fearing if I could do justice as a journalist. I must write impartially. The only people I’m committed to should be common readers. They expect a neutral view from my side.

While reporting for Kerala State Youth Festival in January, I happened to meet violin maestro Balabaskar. He was a participant in 1980s. He was memorizing those days. I went straight to him and said, “Balu chetta, njan thankalude valiya oru fan aanu” (Baluji, I’m a great admirer of yours). Just after uttering those words, I was like ‘Oops, again the aficionado in me is out’. I knew every bit of him from his role as a judge of a reality show till the formation of his new band Balaleela.  

I’ve always wondered whether other media persons also feel the same. There are reports appearing in news papers regarding royal family at Thiruvananthapuram. Readers would find blind devotion in reports. Members of royal family might be clean or corrupted. But it is the court that gives final verdict. Same is the case of devotional centers and human-gods. Fidelity of writers overpowers actual facts.


At last I’d conclude with a thought that we are also human beings. We do have our own faith that may interpret our thoughts during our work. But I also admit the best journalists are those who’d remain at the middle-of-the-road.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Just A Chat Away


Image courtesy: EQUIPPING FOR EMINISTRY

I have wondered how people could speak over phone for hours. My subject to talk in phone will be ended by maximum of one hour. But I had days where I used to spend 5-6 hours chatting with my friends. Whether it is sms, apps or Gtalk, I managed to extend conversations. Here are the main three reasons for my love to chat:

No need of face-to-face talks

Great people say decency is to speak face-to-face. If we are far away or if we could not handle an emotional person, chatting is the best option. We could easily convince a person to accept the reality by means of non-vocal ways especially chat. Moreover, you could communicate with a fellow who lives on the other side of the globe without wasting a huge amount of money as phone bill. All you need is an internet connection which cost no more than Rs. 1000 a month.
I could message my husband or my family about the important updates. In case of phoning, they might hang up saying they are busy or even cancel the call. While I message, they could look out when they are free. It will be there in their phone or computers.

Friends and family Groups

I am constantly in touch with my cousins at America, Europe, Africa or Middle-East. We are connected by social media chats or messenger services. Same is the case with friends. I am an active participant in all the groups I’ve joined. I know what is going on in my friends as well as relatives’ circle. They would update me even the minute details like what is the curry there for lunch, from where did they buy their new dress, how did they manage to drive their kids to school etc. Along with them, I too feel the pressure they face for exams, the mood swings they face and so on. Gossips and appreciations are shared well via chat more than phone calls. Smileys add colors to it. If we bear the ‘smiley’ expressions on over face, it’d be really awkward!

Romance at its best

In earlier days, lovers used to express their feelings over love letters although they may meet once in a while. This proves romance can be portrayed by written words rather than speech. As technology grew, written letters paved way for electronic means. Messengers and chats took over the show. E-mails are also rarely sent by couples. Guys or girls who are committed will be busy typing in their laptops or mobiles. If you are unsure about this, just check a few college hostels (school hostels too).


Letters express the untold feelings and thoughts that our vocal chords fail to articulate. Days are awesome when you come to know your friends and family is just at a click away.

This blogpost is an entry to Happy Hours of Indiblogger conducted by Quikr.com