I am talking about all those hyper(active) news anchors and correspondents across the News channels who have gone overboard while reporting on Mumbai Rains since last three days. I've been in this city all my life and we folks are habituated to turn on the news at day break, specially in this season, to know about the latest news on weather, rain and traffic in the city.
I was in for a shrill shock to see these *latest updates* and *breaking news* flasing across the screen:
- all the subways are closed,
- all the trains have been cancelled or running late,
- all the main roads are waterlogged,
- all the highways are congested with traffic,
- very heavy rains forecast for next n no. of days.
These facts are also supported with LIVE *visuals* and *actual interviews* taken from urchins, pavement dwellers and pensioners (who have never had anything good to say about the civic authorities or the Govt). My parents, credulous folks they are, intensely dissuaded me from going to work. But I decided to go ahead and learn it the hard way!
Now Reality Check:
-There was no waterlogging,
-The trains were running and only slightly behind schedule
-I reached my office safely and on time.
-All my colleagues were also on time
While the fact remains that despite the lessons learned from the aftermath of 26/7, our Municipal corporation(BMC) has done nothing that could even remotely qualify as disaster management, these unscruplous TV channels have fully capitalised on the the people's fear psychology and BMC's inefficiency, to broadcast news whose authenticity cannot be verified.
On the way to my office, I was not really suprised to see derelict roads and relatively empty train compartments as many Mumbaikars might have stayed away from venturing outdoors, thanks to *latest news* on TV!!!!!!!!
I was in for a shrill shock to see these *latest updates* and *breaking news* flasing across the screen:
- all the subways are closed,
- all the trains have been cancelled or running late,
- all the main roads are waterlogged,
- all the highways are congested with traffic,
- very heavy rains forecast for next n no. of days.
These facts are also supported with LIVE *visuals* and *actual interviews* taken from urchins, pavement dwellers and pensioners (who have never had anything good to say about the civic authorities or the Govt). My parents, credulous folks they are, intensely dissuaded me from going to work. But I decided to go ahead and learn it the hard way!
Now Reality Check:
-There was no waterlogging,
-The trains were running and only slightly behind schedule
-I reached my office safely and on time.
-All my colleagues were also on time
While the fact remains that despite the lessons learned from the aftermath of 26/7, our Municipal corporation(BMC) has done nothing that could even remotely qualify as disaster management, these unscruplous TV channels have fully capitalised on the the people's fear psychology and BMC's inefficiency, to broadcast news whose authenticity cannot be verified.
On the way to my office, I was not really suprised to see derelict roads and relatively empty train compartments as many Mumbaikars might have stayed away from venturing outdoors, thanks to *latest news* on TV!!!!!!!!
7 comments:
i totaly agree
i m in office at andheri, reached well in time, from WR, and almost everyone in my office reached on time, many come from vashi to andheri.
also schools have been closed, and we have been told that we shouls go home as it is raining heavyly, and 80% people left by 5pm, but it is not raining till 6.30(time i am posting)
withi all these news channels, they do not have anything to do, just spread rumors
viplav: We were "forced" to leave at 4.00 pm. No problem with that though!!
After 26/7(2005)all are bewildered in Mumbai at the news of `rain` whether it rains are not. Of course, nobody has recovered from the shock of 26/7 deluge.
26/7 demonstrated two things- how mighty is the rain-god,how one can see BMC & other public authorities reduced to "issuing statements" and remain idle spectators!
Now and then,there are statement issued by different authorities saying 90 to 95% of remedial work completed to face the monsoon.(Dont know when they propose to complete
100%!) My neighbour friend commented that the result is that as usual 90 to 95% of Mumbai is inundated even at the beginning of the monsoon. Perhaps there is disaster in management.
Only`noval` thing now adopted by the authorities is that you may receive advance SMS asking you not to venture out of your house unless there is need !
that was a puerile and ratterly account.It was entirely coincidental that you had it ok. But that doesnt allow you the right to lambast established facts.
I, for one left for work, could not get any mode of transport, got drenched , came back home, had the imperial luxury of drying up and changing clothes and, again left for work an hour later, only to reach workplace half drenched. I am sure thousands must have had a similar miserable experience. Pretty Darn !!
Imagine the plight of those coming for work from far flung god forsaken places and have workplaces in similar locations.
Desist from such irresponsible recreant write-ups.
arag
wmaducif
I'm surprised to learn there is so much of hype. I stopped watching news channels long time ago!
Santa: I guess you are better off than all of us !! Good for u!
The places that flood the most are the subways in Mumbai..
Did you know that the contracts for building the temporary structures (like at the Khar Subway) run into crores.. Hence there is no incentive for the Municipality to have a permanent solution.. There is a lot of money involved in contracts to be given out every year
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