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Considering that
pen is mightier
than sword, Vineet
Narain chose journalism
as an instrument
to bring attitudinal
change at the grass-root
level and to seek
truth about the
failure of the system
in delivering to
the common man.
In this process
he locked horns
with some of the
mightiest people
of the land and
achieved historic
success in several
of his crusades.
Today his name
is synonymous with
the fight against
corruption, yet,
the established
opinion makers are
often hesitant to
give him his due
credit. Institutions
which claim to recognize
and encourage such
courageous journalists,
have maintained
a mysterious silence
about him because
such awards are
normally given to
those who align
with one or the
other political
party or vested
interest groups.
Anyone can judge
by going through
this website that
there is none who
has done so much
in the history of
Indian journalism
. Not realising
the fact that if
we glorify a lie
and suppress the
truth then how can
we be an instrument
of establishing
the goodness in
society ?
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Young
Reporter with Hindustan
Times group (1984) |
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After
an early experience
with TV journalism
Narain started his
career in print journalism
from 1984 as a reporter
for The Hindustan
Times group from Western
UP. During 1987-88
Narain worked very
hard to produce some
excellent investigative
reports for
Jansatta,
the Hindi daily of
the Indian
Express group.
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‘Sach
Ki Parchaian’
Shadow of Truth on Doordarshan
(1986-87) |
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During
1986-87,
Vineet
Narain
compered,literally
produced,
the
first
ever
investigative
TV show
on Indian
television
titled
‘Sach
Ki Parchaian’
(Shadow
of Truth)
on the
national
network
of Doordarshan.
Narain
ventured
out
to the
remotest
areas
of the
country
to unearth
truth
about
the
corruption
in implementing
government’s
programmes
at the
grass-root
levels.
By
now
TV had
become
colored
and
was
reaching
the
nook
and
corner
of the
country.
In his
enthusiasm
to usher
in a
new
era
of transparency
Prime
Minister
Rajiv
Gandhi
gave
lot
of freedom
to critically
assess
the
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performance
of various
ministries
and programmes
of the Government
of India.
Several such
programmes
were started
on Doordarshan.
Mr. Vinod
Dua used to
present a
studio based
show Janvani.
Ms. Priya
Tendulkar
presented
Rajani to
dramatize
corruption.
Mr. MJ Akbar
presented
Newsline and
Mr. Prannoy
Roy presented
The World
This Week
based on footage
from abroad.
But Narain's
show had some
exclusive
reviews; |
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| Here
are some media
comments about
Narain’s
TV show; |
Vineet
Narain’s
Sach Ki Parchhain
... went far
beyond Delhi
to get a feed-back
on urban housing
... only bright
spots during
the period under
review... |
Indian
Express
|
| Keenly
look forward to
Vineet Narain’s
incisive and unpretentious
reporting... |
The
Hindustan Times
|
This
week, for instance,
the prevalent
practice of
child labour
was very well
handled. There
were interviews
with the children
concerned, their
parents who
talked of their
‘majboori’
and leaders
of social and
government welfare
organizations
who spoke of
changing the
mental attitude
of the parents. |
The
Telegraph
|
‘Sach
Ki Parchain’,
scores marks
for its sincerity.
Vineet Narain
obviously works
hard at getting
his facts, background
materials, interviews
and putting
them all together. |
City
Scan
|
On
Monday Sept.
15 (1986) the
national programme
promised a capsule
of investigative
journalism in
the Sach Ki
Parchhain series. |
The
Hindu
|
This
time the programme
brought out
the real truth
from the shadows.
The programme
was not only
informative
but it had all
the ingredients
of a good T.V.
report. This
programme assures
that if television
decides to attract
the national
attention on
real issues,
it can do that,
instead of diverting
it as it normally
does. Vineet
Narain presented
the whole show
in a very balanced
way. |
Jansatta
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Narain fights
the corrupt bureaucracy
and sacrifices
a glamorous career
in TV Journalism
(1987) |
In
1987 Narain
produced an
investigative
report for this
show in which
he highlighted
the corruption
in the Urban
Development
Authorities
of Patiala,
Delhi, Ghaziabad,
Bhopal, Bangalore
and Trivendrum.
One of the bureaucrat
exposed in this
report had powerful
connections.
He offered Narain
some precious
land to suppress
his part of
the expose but
Narain declined
the offer. There
was tremendous
pressures upon
him to do only
selective exposures.
Narain decided
to quit and
look for an
alternative
to Doordarshan.
A Bombay
based magazine
TV & Video
World later
reported; "It
may sound surprising,
but men of principles,
willing to take
a tough stand
and unwilling
to compromise
on basic ideals,
still exist
in our society.
When, in April
1987, one of
his programmes
n the Sach Ki
Parchaian series
was arbitrarily
stopped by Doordarshan
authorities,
its producer,
TV and newspaper
journalist Vineet
Narain vowed
never to present
anything on
the government-controlled
network until
it was made
autonomous and
functioned more
democratically".
This
moral stand
of his drove
him out of the
main line TV
journalism.
While his contemporaries
ensured a lucrative
career in TV
journalism and
hogged lime-light,
Narain remained
stuck to his
guns against
corruption and
lost a golden
opportunity
to ensure similar
life for him
and his family.
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| Explores
the possibility of a
people's TV news show
(1987-1989) |
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From 1987 to 1989
Narain devoted this
period to explore
the possibility
of starting a people’s
TV news show on
a video format.
Those days independent
channels were a
remote possibility
but video cassettes
were very popular
through the large
network of video
libraries. This
was a new concept.
He had the experience
and skill but no
money. His idea
was immediately
lapped up by several
opposition leaders
who were wanting
a TV medium to air
their views since
Doordarshan was
the government’s
mouthpiece. Desired
funds were offered
to Narain on the
condition that final
editorial decision
will be taken by
the politicians,
who would arrange
the finance. Narain
refused to compromise
on his editorial
freedom and preferred
to execute his plan
through voluntary
efforts so that
people’s interest
remains supreme.
Meanwhile he joined
the Hindi daily
newspaper of the
India Express group
at New Delhi and
did his level best
to highlight issues
of public concern.
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Narain starts India’s
first independent TV
news in Hindi in 1989 |
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In
his
quest
to
highlight
the
real
issues
of
public
concern
through
audio-visual
media
Mr.
Vineet
Narain
launched
Kalchakra
(Wheel
of
time)-
India’s
first
investigative
news
videocassette
in
Hindi
–the
language
of
the
masses.
Where
there
is
a
will
there
is
a
way
He
did
not
have
any
financial
backing,
but
mobilized
voluntary
help
from
a
TV
studio
owner
and
some
colleagues
in
the
print
media.
His
video
magazine
was
an
instant
hit.
There
was
no
budget
to
do
the
publicity
yet
the
bold
editorial
content
made
Kalchakra
a
house
hold
name
throughout
the
country
during
1989-91.
The
print
media
lapped
up
the
product.
Well-known
Indian
media
critic
Mrs.
Amita
Malik
wrote
in
Indian
Express
(April
8,
1990),
"Kalchakra
had
shorter
items
which
were
crisp
and
punchy.
What
is
more
Kalchakra
picks
up
topics
which
Doordarshan
would
or
could
not
touch
with
a
barge
pole".
One-man
Team
At
Kalchakra
it
was
a
one-man
show.
Right
from
scripting,
production,
editing,
marketing
and
resource
mobilization
Narain
did
everything.
His
wife
also
did
lot
of
hard
work
to
keep
this
going.
Subsequently
several
journalists
joined
him
voluntarily.
The
corrupt
and
powerful
people
in
the
country
felt
threatened
with
each
release
of
Kalchakra
and
repeatedly
harassed
this
team
through
the
Govt.
controlled
Film
Censor
Board.
This
led
to
the
withdrawal
of
support
by
the
video
film
distributors
of
Bombay.
They
were
willing
to
back
Narain
with
advance
finance
facility
provided
the
Film
Censor
Board
did
not
disturb
the
regularity
of
Kalchakra.
He
had
to
fight
many
legal
battles
to
get
Kalchakra
productions
released.
This
turned
out
to
be
fight
for
the
freedom
of
electronic
media.
Journalism
of
Integrity
Appreciating
his
zeal
and
potential,
several
corporate
giants
offered
full
financial
support
at
this
stage
but
he
politely
declined
their
offer.
It
was
a
tactical
mistake
because
he
got
left
behind
in
the
race
when
the
private
channels
descended
on
the
Indian
sky.
Print
media
journalists
with
no
background
in
TV
journalism
secured
high
positions
there.
However
in
one
way
this
stand
proved
right
because
it
was
due
to
the
total
editorial
freedom
Kalchakra
enjoyed
that
Narain
could
expose
the
famous
Jain
Hawala
Scam
through
his
video
in
1993.
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Noted
film
producer
B
R
Chopra
of
B
R
FILMS
wrote
about
Kalchakra
April
12,
1990
Dear
Shri
Vineet
Narain,
I
wish
to
compliment
you
for
the
quality
of
your
programme.
In
fact
I
found
it
very
interesting
and
even
inspite
of
some
of
the
censored
portions,
I
found
the
whole
thing
very
absorbing
and
critically
engaging.
Personaly
I
would
not
want
you
to
change
your
style
and
bring
in
anything
frivolous
in
your
Kalchakra.
Let
it
retain
the
dignity
of
news
worthiness
and
impartial
and
constructive
comments.
With
regards
Yours
sincerely
BR
Chopra |
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Following
is the list of some
of the TV reports Vineet
Narain produced during
1989-1992 for Kalchakra: |
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Exposure
of illegal
female
foetal
infanticide.
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Cheated
voters
- Cheater
leaders.
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Exposure
of dual
standards
of the
Film Censor
Board.
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Corruption
in Sales
Tax Dept
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Massacre
in Ayodhya
and
subsequent
debate
on secularism
and
communalism.
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Why
censor
video
news ?
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Cheating
of women
political
activist
by the
male
leaders
of their
parties.
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Violence
in Indian
elections.
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Dangers
of consuming
monosodium
glutomate
in Chinese
food.
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Heinous
ivory
trade
in Indian
forests.
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Will
mafia
rule India
? |
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India
heading
for water
crisis. |
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Narain
got tremendous response
from viewers and the
media. Some of the media
comments are as follows: |
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Kalchakra’s
quest of the truth
behind sensitive and
burning issues marks
definitely the beginning
of a new era in the
field of TV. journalism. |
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Dainik
Jagran, (Lucknow),
March 1990
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Kalchakra
is the result of Vineet
Narain’s committed
and honest efforts
to give the right
direction to video
journalism. It is
definitely a step
worth appreciating
in the field of video
journalism ......
It is a daring stride
in the field of communication. |
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Aaj,
(Varanasi), January
11, 1990
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Kalchakra
is raising those issues
before the people, which
are being ignored by
national media. |
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Amar
Ujala, (Bareilly),
April 16, 1990 |
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By releasing
just two video cassettes,
Kalchakra has created
a storm every where. |
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Aaj
Kal, Calcutta, April
1990
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It
is worth watching
for the story which
ran into problems
with the censors focussing
as it does on men
who buy women. The
feature employs the
potential of candid
camera in a manner,
which Doordarshan
has yet to discover. |
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Times
of India, April 1,
1990 |
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Note:
The use of spycam
which Tehelka did
in 2001 was actually
pioneered by Narain
11 years ago to expose
corruption and mal-practices)
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Why
censor video news? organised
by the makers of Kalchakra
video news cassettes
raised many valid points. |
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Patriot,
New Delhi, January
21, 1990 |
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Despite
the government’s
insistence that it
will be more open
and will grant autonomy
to the electronic
media, Kalchakra was
subjected to censorship. |
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The
Telegraph, Calcutta,
January, 21, 1990 |
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Kalchakra’s
reports on women political
activists shocks the
viewers. |
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Maya*,
Allahabad, January
31, 1990 |
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The
way Kalchakra reports
expose the harsh realities
of our society and
political reality
represents the voice
of objective video
journalism. |
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*
Vishwamanav Bareilly,
March 8, 1990 |
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Narain’s crusade
for the freedom of electronic
media (1990) |
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Since
Kalchakra
video
news cassette
was being
subjected
to constant
harassment
by the
Film Censor
Board,
Narain
waged
a war
against
this attack
on the
freedom
of press.
His argument
was, “when
the print
media
is not
subjected
to pre-censorship,
how can
audiovisual
news be
pre-censored”.
He felt
that unequals
i.e. fiction
and video
news were
being
treated
equally,
while
equals
i.e. print
news and
video
news were
being
treated
unequally.
He filed
a PIL
in the
Delhi
High Court
challenging
the pre-censorship
of video
news.
To generate
public
opinion
he traveled
across
the country
and addressed
dozens
of Press
Conferences.
A notice
was issued
to the
government.
The matter
is pending
in the
Court
however,
with the
passage
of time
the new
technology
of satellite
TV has
made pre-censorship
irrelevant.
During
those days
in almost
every debate
on the freedom
of TV news
and autonomy
to Doordarshan,
Narain’s
views were
highlighted
in the print
media along
with other
prominent
people.
However,
when the
autonomy
was granted
to Doordarshan,
he was never
invited
to present
the news
shows or
produce
documentaries.
Obvious
because
his kind
of bold
and principled
journalism
would not
have benefited
the mandarins
of Mandi
House, whose
names often
appear in
the press
in connection
with several
scams in
assigning
TV programmes.
It is clear
that Prasar
Bharti Board
has to go
a long way
before it
can claim
complete
autonomy.
That would
be the time
when Indian
audience
will have
the benefit
of seeing
some of
Narain’s
work on
Doordarshan.
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Click
on image
to enlarge |
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Narain attempts to create
parallel TV (1994) |
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In
1994, in
his quest
to create
a people’s
TV Narain
attempted
something
unique in
Delhi and
NOIDA. He
felt that
Doordarshan
had an edge
over news
- video
cassettes
because
it had a
pre-announced
broadcasting
schedule,
which ensured
it a captive
audience.
To counter
this Narain
ensured
that 500
cable TV
operators
simultaneously
show Kalchakra
news cassette.
This unique
experiment
was an instant
hit. Unfortunately
due to the
shortage
of funds
Narain could
not continue
to produce
Kalchakra
news video
otherwise
he would
have created
more ripples
in the country
during the
period preceding
the arrival
of independent
satellite
TV on Indian
sky.
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Kalchakra Fortnightly
from 1994 |
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When
in
1994,
Narain
felt
that
the
mainstream
print-media
was
showing
hesitation
in
highlighting
the
Jain
Hawala
Case,
because
of
its
political
ramifications,
Narain
launched
Kalchakra
English
Fortnightly.
Although
it
couldn’t
remain
regular
due
to
financial
constraints,
yet
it
made
an
impact
for
its
bold
investigative
reports
on
several
issues
of
national
concern.
The
writings
Kalchakra
are
taken
seriously
by
the
ruling
elite
because
of
their
well
researched
content.
Kalchakra
likes
to
take
up
developmental
issues
in
this
paper.
But
the
publisher
of
this
paper
Kalchakra
Samachar
Trust
requires
enough
funds
to
sustain
this
kind
of
bold,
hones,
objective
and
patriotic
journalism.
If
you
would
like
to
support
this
kind
of
cause
journalism,
you
may
contact:
Secretary
Kalchakra
Samachar
Trust
C-6/28,
Safdarjung
Development
Area
Hauz
Khas,
New
Delhi
-
110016
(India)
Phone:
91-11-26566800
Email:
vineetnarain@hotmail.com |
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