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We
recently experienced the 'Chakka Jam' of the
Reader's Write column of PD. The editor made a
decision that he thought was most appropriate.
Now that PD is back online, I would like to
share with other readers that I think that this
measure was a tad too harsh. Such 'chakka jaams'
have an adverse effect on the reputation of the
website as a whole. PD is not only read by the
'readers' of PD but by an unspoken segment of
the Indian and foreign press. Many notable
journalists, policy makers and thinkers dip into
PD to get ideas and to 'check out the pulse' of
issues. While I do not claim that Nitish got his
idea from PD, but was the role of using ex-army
personnel in fighting crime not raised in the PD
forum a few months ago before Nitish 'got this
brilliant idea'?
While indecency in articles and comments is
outright wrong, a little bit of dueling adds
excitement. Even in Ram Rajya, the guard can not
go to sleep and expect the Ayodhya-vasis
to behave themselves. Control has to be
steadfast, INVISIBLE, and should not be imposed
only when things get out of hand. A group of
right minded people can also behave like savages
when the mob mentality kicks in.
I would have very much liked to see an unspoken
clampdown on the flaming messages rather than a
two week shutdown. A tightening would have
cooled things down very effectively. But bygones
are bygones, we all have washed our dirty linen
in public, and are back for more.
I hope our ride will go on smooth from this
point on. I do not want to see a sanitized PD
that takes insipid like hospital food. I also
would not want to see it bitter liked poisoned
food. I would like it to be like Bikaneri bhujia,
which is tasteful, salty and hot enough to make
you come back for more.
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Comments: |
Though
we can agree with your observations,
you will appreciate that some of us
had really crossed the limits and
thus this Chakka Jaam was a right
thing to do. The format of the forum
has also changed and now we have the
option of directly going to the
topic we love reading. Probably
editors used this chakka jam period
to bring about this change and they
deserve our appreciation for that.
Anyway, now that the things are back
on rail it is our duty to preserve
the sanctity of the forum. Editors
will do their job but we should also
be careful in our writing. An all
out condemnation may also be an
effective weapon. In the worst of
circumstances we should not loose
our cool and do the litmus test –
whether our writing is going to hurt
others. If yes don't write such
stuff. - Anjum Parwej - Mar. 4,
2006
Aarcee, I agree with your
observation that shutting down
Reader's Write was a harsh action.
However, I can understand that
responsibilities of PatnaDaily is
much larger than any of us and hence
sometime they may have to take some
harsh steps to send some message
across.
I am glad to see Mr Khurshid Anwar
ji and several others are back. One
more reason for me to visit
PatnaDaily regularly. I am also
eagerly waiting to see comments and
message form Mr Iqbal Azim, Mr Kumod
Jha, Mr Siddharth Verma and others
readers soon. We lost few days here
but it will be a real shame if we
lose any reader/writer also. -
Kaushal Das - Mar. 4, 2006
Dear friends and respected elders,
These past 2 weeks felt like an
endless ordeal having made to stay
away from my "second family" which I
have earned at PatnaDaily over the
past few months. PatnaDaily to me is
one big family where differences
sometimes occur between the siblings
which is natural but then just like
in any family an authority needs to
step in if things go out of hand. I
think this chakka jam has been the
right medication we all needed to
recover from the "extremist"
symptoms we recently had known to
develop.
All of you are very close to my
heart and not getting to read your
wonderful articles and comments was
nothing short of a punishment. We
should be proud to have wonderful
writers like Aarceeji, Kumodji,
IndraJi, Rajeshji, Raviji, Kaushalji,
Sanjayji, Khurshidji, Ignatiusji,
Anjumji and others pouring out their
emotions and thoughts on wideranging
topics. The other day I read the
brilliant article - "Indian Postal
Dept" by Khurshidji which was
enriched with such valuable
information. Then Rajeshji wrote an
excellent article on the ills of
communist party while questioning
their existence. Indraji's ever so
meticulous writings presenting the
facts and figures to do with
economic reforms and the detailed
initiatives put forth as
recommendations to our state govt.
is staggering. I get so much to
learn from you all.
Please continue to do us a favor by
sharing your ever-burgeoning coffers
of lifelong experiences. -
Siddharth Verma - Mar. 4, 2006 |
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