Just a few minutes back I visited www.outlookindia.com in hope of something interesting, and I found this - the cover page of the latest issue of Outlook, of both English and Hindi editions.
Have a look at the English edition first.
Now compare that with this - the cover page of Hindi edition. I am led to believe that the news varies with language.
This is what the editor says - "We are neither arrogant nor stupid enough to assume that the concerns, preoccupations and aspirations of our Hindi readers are identical to those of our English readers. In some areas they could overlap, but Outlook Saptahik begins life on the assumption that we need to service our Hindi clientele keeping their unique perspective in view."
Let's have a careful look at the unique perspective of those who read Hindi, vis-a-vis that of those who prefer English. To what extent does this claim - difference of perspectives - hold ground? And what if this claim doesn't hold enough ground to stand steadily? In that case, how does Outlook propose to restore the dignity of people who they have offended publically by such vile insinuations? How are they, as responsible media(!), encouraging people to read in their mother tongue, and encourage their children to do the same? Finally, how would this discrimination, this choice of cover pages, based on distorted assumptions, help the purpose of promoting the language in which India interacts?
- What claim are you talking about? They didn't say anything!
No. They did. They couldn't have said this louder and clearer. Visual language pervades deeper into our consciousness and stays longer, often permanently, in our mind. We associate words with picture, right from our infancy. A picture is a concept encapsulated. That is an epistemological fact. You can not question that. It is stupid to doubt the efficacy of visual Lnguage. Only a hardened fool will offer an argument against that.
So, English -> Intellectual, Refined, and used by intelligent and refined people
& Hindi -> Everything else :D
People read magazines at home, in trains, and in places where they are read by others, including women and children. Such type of covers can only act as potent deterrent to the readers of Hindi, as they will run a risk of being seen as cheap consumers of sleaze. They will be considered inferior just because they read in a particular language, which happens to be their national language. Anything that contributes to establish this absurd equation is positively criminal, and should be treated likewise. Think about the humiliation of those poor folks who have no training in English. What have they done, as a community, to deserve the stigma - consumers of sleaze? Outlook have insulted not only a language, its history and literature, but millions of those who speak and read in that language. Also, such acts only serve to perpetuate the urban myth that little worthwhile has been documented in Hindi and other vernacular languages.
No Mr Editor, you have been not only arrogant and stupid but also a bastard offspring of your bastard father - Macaulay, to comfortably assume that the concerns, preoccupations and aspirations of the Hindi readers are NOT identical to those of the English readers. They are exactly the same since concern is not a linguistic construct. Had it been so, the concerns and aspirations of Indians would change after every 100 kms. English is not a language of elite anymore, and dear sir, Outlook is not Business Line. Wake up Mr Editor, wash your face with cold water and read the cover story of your English edition, and then see for yourself. If I were you, I'd be ashamed of myself for saying things like that. You owe serious introspection and a sincere apology to all your readers.
As for us, the people, such type of insinuations must not be condoned in the name of easy phrases like "Freedom of Expression" or "Rights of Press". Words like these make no sense in isolation, and rights should be awarded only to those who understand their responsibilities. Such type of marketing must be strongly condemned by every thinking individual, no matter what language he/she speaks.
Have a look at the English edition first.
Now compare that with this - the cover page of Hindi edition. I am led to believe that the news varies with language.
This is what the editor says - "We are neither arrogant nor stupid enough to assume that the concerns, preoccupations and aspirations of our Hindi readers are identical to those of our English readers. In some areas they could overlap, but Outlook Saptahik begins life on the assumption that we need to service our Hindi clientele keeping their unique perspective in view."
Let's have a careful look at the unique perspective of those who read Hindi, vis-a-vis that of those who prefer English. To what extent does this claim - difference of perspectives - hold ground? And what if this claim doesn't hold enough ground to stand steadily? In that case, how does Outlook propose to restore the dignity of people who they have offended publically by such vile insinuations? How are they, as responsible media(!), encouraging people to read in their mother tongue, and encourage their children to do the same? Finally, how would this discrimination, this choice of cover pages, based on distorted assumptions, help the purpose of promoting the language in which India interacts?
- What claim are you talking about? They didn't say anything!
No. They did. They couldn't have said this louder and clearer. Visual language pervades deeper into our consciousness and stays longer, often permanently, in our mind. We associate words with picture, right from our infancy. A picture is a concept encapsulated. That is an epistemological fact. You can not question that. It is stupid to doubt the efficacy of visual Lnguage. Only a hardened fool will offer an argument against that.
So, English -> Intellectual, Refined, and used by intelligent and refined people
& Hindi -> Everything else :D
People read magazines at home, in trains, and in places where they are read by others, including women and children. Such type of covers can only act as potent deterrent to the readers of Hindi, as they will run a risk of being seen as cheap consumers of sleaze. They will be considered inferior just because they read in a particular language, which happens to be their national language. Anything that contributes to establish this absurd equation is positively criminal, and should be treated likewise. Think about the humiliation of those poor folks who have no training in English. What have they done, as a community, to deserve the stigma - consumers of sleaze? Outlook have insulted not only a language, its history and literature, but millions of those who speak and read in that language. Also, such acts only serve to perpetuate the urban myth that little worthwhile has been documented in Hindi and other vernacular languages.
No Mr Editor, you have been not only arrogant and stupid but also a bastard offspring of your bastard father - Macaulay, to comfortably assume that the concerns, preoccupations and aspirations of the Hindi readers are NOT identical to those of the English readers. They are exactly the same since concern is not a linguistic construct. Had it been so, the concerns and aspirations of Indians would change after every 100 kms. English is not a language of elite anymore, and dear sir, Outlook is not Business Line. Wake up Mr Editor, wash your face with cold water and read the cover story of your English edition, and then see for yourself. If I were you, I'd be ashamed of myself for saying things like that. You owe serious introspection and a sincere apology to all your readers.
As for us, the people, such type of insinuations must not be condoned in the name of easy phrases like "Freedom of Expression" or "Rights of Press". Words like these make no sense in isolation, and rights should be awarded only to those who understand their responsibilities. Such type of marketing must be strongly condemned by every thinking individual, no matter what language he/she speaks.
6 comments:
It is almost as if one's preference for a certain language makes one a natural patron of smut.
Prabably it was the find of some 'pan-India survey' that is the speciality of Outlook.
Meenakshi
The main story of this issue is about the unlikely family background of the newly selected batch of IAS officials. The point is that most of them are from humble background - sons of rickshawpullers, farmers etc.
This makes the whole cover thing even more ludicrous. Because this news means lot more to those poor guys, who would get a hope, a strength, and may be a sense of pride, after reading this. But all they are deemed fit for is sleaze!
Abhishek,
It is sad that the editors of Outlook had to stoop down to such a low level.
It is true, a picture is worth thousand words.Selecting that picture as the cover of the Hindi version reflects stereotyped judgment on the part of those editors.
We are increasingly surrounded by people who know their rights but who conveniently ignore their responsibilities.Our learned press is not immune to this form of malady.
Language is a tool, a means to communicate ideas.However, these editors might be under the impression that knowing English is the 'be all and end all' of education.If they think that all great ideas and thoughts have come from readers and speakers of the English language, then they are going to be seriously disappointed.
Amit
Perhaps the editors are also victims of post-globalization frenzy, which has off-late taken violent dimensions. Perhaps they are not as powerful as we think them to be. This seems to be a mind-product of one of the marketing wizards.
Yes they are intelligent. Intelligent monsters they are! I would rather have them all dead. It's hightime for us to realize that intellectual training is only an instrument of devil without adequate moral maturity and sense of responsibility. People in positions have hardly any time left to think beyond the dynamics of Revenue and Cost. And our 25 yrs old MBAs are so much in awe of their American boss... they get emotional when he talks about their country as 'an unexplored market' or 'a golden opportunity'. If their American boss pat their back, they'd happily sell their mothers off, not in spite but in devotion. This might sound exaggerated but is not so - this breed is all around us to see. For them, their appraisal is on one side and the whole world is on another! Look around, you'll find them. Now you know who is behind this business of cover and why.
So they don't believe in the merit of their own articles so as to wrap it up in sleaze to make it sell.
Is it lazy unimaginative journalism or plain irresponsibility?
Meenakshi
Evidently yes.
Both; after getting 'awakened' by the race of traders, we have come to realize that there are many things in our homes that could be sold. We had never even thought about selling them yesterday, today we are selling them.
Just watch a couple of episodes of "Indian Idol" (if you have not) and see for yourself.
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