Nikhil Taneja

Have you read the Oscar citation for #LaapataaLadies by #FilmFederationofIndia, ‘the apex body of film industry in India’. If you haven’t, read this and weep. The Film Federation of India's official citation for Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies, submitted as the country's Oscar entry, has caused a stir for its sexist, regressive and wildly out-of-touch description of Indian women. Describing them as a "strange mix of submission and dominance," the statement uses the type of language steeped in patriarchy that continues to hold our public institutions in its vice-like grip. Marinated in decades of condescension towards women and reeking of chauvinism, the citation isn't just cringeworthy, it's a glaring example of how gender blindness is a blind spot and how deeply ingrained patriarchal thinking is, even in progressive spaces that are supposed to represent creative industries. It also betrays its hopeless mediocrity, but I leave that out for another occasion. "Indian women are a strange mix of submission and dominance." What does that even mean? It's the kind of wording that suggests women are some mythical creatures, unfathomable to the male eye. And the kicker is, it's the first sentence of the citation, as though it were the most essential point about the film. Are we really supposed to be grateful for this ‘acknowledgment' of female complexity? Or should we roll our eyes at the ineptitude and silliness of it being used to justify why Laapataa Ladies, a film centred on women empowerment and their right to choose a life partner or a career path, is an Oscar-worthy submission? The rest of the poorly-written citation, in which 'jury' is misspelt as 'juri', reads; "Well-defined, powerful characters in one world a LAAPATAA LADIES (Hindi) captures this diversity perfectly, though in a semi-idyllic world and in a tongue-in-cheek way. It shows you that women can happily desire to be home makers as well as rebel and be entrepreneurially inclined. A story that can simultaneously be seen as one that needs change, and one that can bring about change. Lapataa Ladies (Hindi) is a film that can engage, entertain and make sense not just to women in India but universally as well." Yes, this is the official take of the 'parent body of all the leading film associations of India' on one of the finest Hindi films made this year. Read this and rest assured: Indian cinema is in very safe hands. Thank you very much! My piece in #TheFederal today https://lnkd.in/gTReSJjg

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A recent national survey conducted by Local Circles in 2023, it was reported that 60% of Indian youngsters (aged between 9 to 17 years) spend more than 3 hours daily using social media and gaming apps. https://lnkd.in/guxuFXXn Joseph Emmanuel #BrainfeedMagazine #Highereducationplus #COVID19 #AITechnology #childdevelopment #cyberbullyingawareness #DigitalEthics #socialmedia #educationalnews

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Food for thought! One of the biggest incongruities in Indian journalism is the habit of describing a 'general' category person or groups as 'upper caste', in and out of context. Let's not talk about how the western media portrays our caste system. Now, there is no category called 'upper caste' in our quota system. We have SCs, STs, OBCs, etc and since 2019 (at the Centre) General EWS (economically weaker sections from the general category). In the case of SCs and STs and OBCs, most media organisations describe them more or less the way they are officially classified. They are also referred to as Dalits or backward castes, respectively. Editors should wake up to reality and refer to the so-called upper castes as the 'general' category, especially in election-related stories that talk about vote banks and in write-ups on quotas. Why do we have a knee-jerk impulse for substituting 'general' with 'upper-caste'? This journalistic preoccupation is reaching absurd proportions. It extends beyond Hinduism and to Christianity, Islam, Sikhism and so on. Some Christians call themselves 'upper-caste' Christians just because they belong to the general category! And media organisations also oblige by terming them 'upper-caste Syrian Christians'. Can't we stop this practice unless it is absolutely necessary to tell the reader about the caste / religious background of a person or a group? This dehumanises the underprivileged and endows unearned privilege on the others. It is politically correct to use terms like 'OBC voter' or 'SC candidate'. For all the others, terms like 'general candidate' or a 'general-category Christian leader' should be used (if it is a must for you to identify them by their so-called social status). Interestingly, EWSs among the upper castes are classified as EWS general. Which means ‘general’ is sort of a synonym for the formerly privileged classes while the ‘creamy layer’ (who do not get quota benefits among OBCs is called ‘OBC creamy layer’) concept applies exclusively to OBCs. They are technically in the general list but are still identified as ‘OBC creamy layer’. And let's not forget, the expression "upper caste" is just notional!

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LOK SABHA 2024 election coverage has been a key event for Maharashtra Times. The team planned well and in granular detail and worked collaboratively across Edit, Brand, Digital, and Production. Some of the highlights below: Reader content: we activated Digital and On-ground touchpoints around the core of Print giving us access and engagement with our readers that was immersive and experiential for the 55 days from Phase 1 to Phase 7. Digital in collaboration with TIL – 2 Mn views of our online content On-Ground activities MaTa Katta (Panel discussions/Talks) – More than 80 candidates interacted with 10K+ readers at these events held across locations. MaTa Jahirnama (People’s Manifesto) – more than 300 experts were to combine manifestos across cities. Prominent leaders like the CM, Supriya Sule etc were presented these manifestos and took an enthusiastic part with MT. Print  MT was the only Marathi newspaper to deploy 10 reporters across different states of India, covering more than 100 LS constituencies outside the state. Additionally, MT covered all 48 constituencies within Maharashtra, ensuring thorough and localized reporting, giving unmatched coverage, for a Marathi daily, for our readers. 1st time voters - MT featured around 1K+ first-time voters, highlighting their experiences and viewpoints, adding a fresh perspective to the coverage. Across editions, 59 Mn pages were dedicated to this pivotal event. Brand campaign to spread awareness and drive readership: The campaign spoke to 4 key consumer segments for MT – Commuters, Taxpayers, Youth and Women Digital – 20-day campaign getting us 50 Mn impressions. Print – TOI, TIMS and MT carried the creatives across the 3-week campaign period. OOH – Key hoardings across 30 locations in Pune and Nashik, estimated footfall of 54 Mn.   As stated above, this was a massive exercise for MT and was pulled off seamlessly due to planning and multi-function collaboration across Edit, Brand, TIL and Production.

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East or West? Bharat is the best! But progress is in following the west? Right or Rong? Read the story of four women entangled in cultural dilemma: https://lnkd.in/gXzAhsiV (Paperback) https://a.co/d/jbcKprP (E-book)

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The Brutal Truth: Joanna Shireen Sarkar's Battle Against Human Trafficking Joanna Shireen Sarkar, a Senior Legal Consultant at Nyay Network and an Advocate at the High Court of Calcutta, doesn't mince her words when it comes to confronting the ugly reality of human trafficking. In a recent interview on NMN Pods, she peeled back the layers of systemic negligence and societal apathy that perpetuate this heinous crime. Facing Off Against the State Government: Sarkar's unyielding commitment to holding the state government accountable for its failures in combating human trafficking has earned her no favors. Her relentless pursuit of justice has put her squarely in the crosshairs of governmental opposition. A Call for Victim Compensation: Sarkar doesn't sugarcoat the harsh truth – trafficking survivors deserve compensation to rebuild their shattered lives. She advocates fiercely for victim rights, emphasizing the urgent need for collaborative efforts to secure the compensation they rightfully deserve. Passion Fuels Advocacy: Sarkar's passion for eradicating human trafficking burns brightly. Recognizing it as a grave organized crime, she tirelessly pushes for systemic reforms and safer migration policies to stem the tide of exploitation. Hurdles in Implementation: Despite existing laws and systems, Sarkar confronts the grim reality of bureaucratic red tape, jurisdictional issues, and woefully inadequate resources hindering effective implementation. She calls for nothing short of a seismic shift in political will and systemic support. Confronting Societal Stigma: Sarkar doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable truths surrounding societal attitudes towards trafficking survivors. She insists on candid conversations about consent, sexual violence, and destigmatization to dismantle the barriers survivors face in accessing support and justice. In Joanna's world, there's no room for sugarcoating or tiptoeing around uncomfortable truths. Her fearless advocacy and unrelenting pursuit of justice serve as a beacon of hope in the fight against human trafficking. It's time to heed her call to action and stand in solidarity with survivors as we work towards a world free from exploitation. Link to our latest episode: https://lnkd.in/g_AruPTR Catch you in the next blog post! NMN Pods/Joanna Shireen Sarkar

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Bookshops matter. They always have. Kunzum - and some others - offer greater value than in the past through experiential engagements and community initiatives. To foster the love (and benefits) of reading and to enable discovery of books one is not necessarily seeking. The current trend has been articulated wonderfully by Pranavi Sharma in this feature in The Hindu: https://lnkd.in/gahqfSkd

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Publishing is moving towards creator-led books. I recently attended Penguin Random House India's Penguin Palooza event - where we heard from influencer-book authors like Ankur Warikoo Nona Uppal, Dr Cuterus, Neena Gupta and more. There's a new breed of authors -- those who have mastered short-form content and managed to build a distribution for themselves. These influencers have already proven they can create content for an audience. They have the added advantage of selling books to non-readers. We're moving away from traditional definitions of who an author is and isn't. Writing a book is definitely a skill -- managing to put a long-form piece of work out there occupies a very different part of the brain. But using books as a medium to monetise a community, to disseminate ideas and build a brand is super-powerful. That's our whole agenda at Bound - to help people grow through storytelling. What do you think about this shift in publishing? #publishing #creatorledbooks #writingabook

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As a communicator, I'm deeply troubled by the state of press freedom in India. The stark reality, reflected in Reporters Without Borders' abysmal ranking, clashes with the promise enshrined in the Constitution's Article 19(1)(a). This decline is particularly concerning for the world's largest democracy, where a vibrant media landscape is the lifeblood of progress. Imagine a nation where citizens are empowered with information, where corruption is exposed, and where social justice finds a voice. This, in essence, is the power of a free press. It fosters transparency, a cornerstone of development communication. When citizens have access to unfiltered information, they can participate meaningfully in shaping their communities and holding authorities accountable. Investigative journalism, often the target of government restrictions, plays a vital role in uncovering wrongdoing and ensuring that development initiatives reach those who need them most. However, the reality in India paints a grim picture. Journalists, particularly those venturing into sensitive areas, face a constant barrage of threats. Laws like sedition and defamation hang like Damocles' swords, ready to silence critical voices. The specter of violence and intimidation creates a climate of fear, leading to self-censorship – a journalist's worst enemy. This stifles investigative reporting, hindering the flow of information crucial for development. The recent release of Julian Assange, though a victory for press freedom, serves as a stark reminder of the lengths governments can go to silence dissent. His case highlights the chilling effect such prosecutions can have on investigative journalism across the globe. India stands at a crossroads. Will it embrace the power of a free press and champion development for all? Or will it succumb to the allure of control and stifle the very voice that can illuminate the path forward?

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Linguistic Diversity and Media Consumption in India- Newspaper Circulation as a Reflection of Cultural and Regional Identity Source- Ministry of Information and Broadcasting-2020-2021 Northern India In the northern states such as UP, MP and Bihar, Hindi reigns supreme, with Urdu and English also enjoying a significant readership Western India: A Blend of Local and National Moving West, Maharashtra stands out with Marathi as the leading language, followed by Hindi and English. Similarly, Gujarati newspapers lead in Gujarat Southern India In TN, Tamil newspapers dominate, underscoring the state's solid linguistic identity. English and bilingual publications also have a presence Kerala is another example, where Malayalam leads, followed by English etc. Eastern India WB is primarily Bengali-speaking in the east, with English and Hindi. Odisha follows a similar pattern with Odia leading, supported by English The Northeast Assam and Manipur, present a mosaic of languages. Assamese is predominant in Assam, and Bengali and English are read In Manipur, Manipuri is the primary language, followed by English UT In Delhi, Hindi is the most circulated language, followed by English and Urdu, mirroring the capital's multicultural population State Total Circulation UP: Hindi, Urdu, English (73,196,540 ) MP: Hindi, Bilingual, Urdu (53,738,654) Maharashtra: Marathi, Hindi, English (49,387,315) Delhi: Hindi, English, Urdu (26,498,376) Gujarat: Gujarati, Hindi, English (21,499,674) AP: Telugu, English, Urdu (18,843,748) Rajasthan: Hindi, Bilingual, English (17,132,700) Uttarakhand: Hindi, Urdu, English (16,147,572) Kerala: Malayalam, English, Tamil (11,489,842) Telangana: Telugu, Urdu, English (11,462,672) Karnataka: Kannada, English, Bilingual (11,309,092) Odisha: Odia, English, Bilingual (10,673,246) TN: Tamil, English, Bilingual (10,424,863) WB: Bengali, English, Hindi (9,847,256) Bihar: Hindi, Urdu, English (9,293,587) CG: Hindi, English, Bilingual (6,352,192) J&K: English, Urdu, Hindi (5,896,745) Jharkhand: Hindi, Urdu, English (5,779,633) Haryana: Hindi, Bilingual, English (4,488,220) Punjab: Punjabi, Hindi, Bilingual (3,831,567) Assam: Assamese, Bengali, English (2,424,745) Chandigarh: Hindi, English, Punjabi (1,655,604) Arunachal Pradesh: English, Hindi, Sindhi (1,036,881) HP: Hindi, Bilingual, English (923,088) Tripura: Bengali, English, Hindi (652,867) Puducherry: Tamil, Bilingual, English (508,546) Mizoram: Others, English, Sindhi (499,537) Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu: Hindi, Gujarati, English (421,729) Manipur: Manipuri, English, Bilingual (250,160) Sikkim: English, Nepali, Hindi (246,437) Goa: English, Marathi, Hindi (238,017) Meghalaya: Others, English, Hindi (179,311) Nagaland: English, Others, Sindhi (82,014) Andaman Nicobar Islands: English, Hindi, Tamil (69,943) Join the "Media Training Hub" An initiative by Vishal Khanna(PhD-Scholar from NMIMS) [email protected] Group Link https://lnkd.in/dADuiDH9 #media #india

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The Critical Role of Media Integrity in Upholding Democracy As we navigate another election season, the importance of responsible journalism cannot be overstressed. A recent broadcast that compared the physical attributes of India's Prime Minister to those of Bollywood celebrities and wrestlers, framing it as a measure of strength, is a vivid reminder of the deviations from journalistic standards. In a democratic setup, news networks hold the power to shape perceptions and influence decisions; thus, their commitment to delivering substantial and factual content is paramount. This approach, unfortunately, mirrors a broader issue highlighted by India's position at 159th out of 180 countries in the latest Annual World Press Freedom Index. Such rankings reflect not just international perception but the daily reality of information dissemination within the nation. When media outlets choose sensationalism over substance, especially during critical times like elections, it undermines the democratic process and hinders informed decision-making among the electorate. As professionals contributing to and consuming media, it is incumbent upon us to advocate for and support journalism that enriches public discourse and upholds the true essence of democracy. Let us aim for a future where media integrity is not just an ideal, but a fundamental practice. #MediaEthics #Journalism #Democracy #PressFreedom #GeneralElections2024

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With size of mid-income households almost equalling US population, India’s burgeoning economy is a land of opportunities like no other but it can be unlocked only with local languages. 

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Journos in Kargil tend to report events/celebrations. News flow is primarily top down, that is, from the government to the media. Independent journalism is tough owing to lack of manpower and connectivity issues which require money. National media must come forward to empower them to report from their region. Some are doing it. More support is needed. https://lnkd.in/girBv5PC

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