Journalist's Moral Dilemma

An incident recently dominated all Indian news media. The incident depicted a police officer, brutally attacked by some criminal, lying in a pool of blood and crying out for help while important ministers, their security personnel and other people standing as mute spectators. The police officer later died. This incident was captured on camera by some unknown journalist who happened to be there. This has kicked-off heated debate among intelligentsia. What was the moral duty of that journalist – saving the life or taking the picture?

There is no consensus on one answer. My take on this situation is that the unknown journalist was not thrilled to take those pictures. Perhaps he knew perfectly well that it was impossible for him alone to save this life. Indeed, he was filled with rage at the sight of such an ensemble of people simply watching him bleed to death. So, he did what he was trained to do. He captured this horrible sight on camera and shared it with the world. As a result, we are having this debate. Sensitivity of those present on the scene is now being questioned. The general apathy of the masses is being deeply felt. High sense of empathy with such victims is being invoked. Many of us, who watched these pictures, have resolved not to be mute spectators. The unknown journalist obviously failed in his moral duty to save this life. But, perhaps, he has managed to save many of the future lives under similar circumstances.

Creating Classics

Pico Iyer’s article on the life and classic works of Somerset Maugham was no less than a classic piece itself (Wknd. 15th Jan 2010). According to Cambridge University, only those works of literature are considered ‘classics’ which are in publication and widely read even after 40-50 years of their first publication. It is because a classic work has a life of its own. It finds roots in the hearts of its readers. Generations after generations continue to derive inspirations from such works.

Creation of a classic is an act of divinity. It starts with an idea taking root in the author’s mind. With time, that idea gathers so much momentum that the author can no longer hold back his pen. While pouring his thoughts on the paper, he relives the lives of each character. He delves deep into his own experiences while painting the vast canvas of his plot. A point comes when he becomes a mere medium through which words tumble out from some far away source. He emerges from every writing session more relaxed and rejuvenated. His entire focus remains on truthful expression of his thoughts and feelings. He does not care whether his work will be ever published or read by anyone. And yet, such works would never gather dust. An honest expression from the heart of an author will find way to reach the hearts of his readers. We are never tired of reading such classic works. Indeed, the joy of reading doubles with every repetition. Authors like Somerset are the testimony of Buddha’s words, “Your work is to discover your work, and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.”

War and Peace

After witnessing the total destruction in Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II, God decided to have a teleconference with America, Russia and England who had emerged as the most powerful nations on earth. First He asked Russia what they want so as to stop the recurrence of another war. Russia replied, “Being communist, we don’t believe in You. However, if you are as powerful as claimed by your believers then please annihilate America from the Earth. Thereafter there will be peace on earth.” Disappointed with the Russian answer, God turned to America and repeated His question. America said, “We believe in Your power. If you really wish to see peace on earth, please wipe-out the name of Russia from the map of the earth.” By now God was thoroughly disgusted. With flickering hope of peace, God now turned to England and posed the same question. England most humbly replied, “We don’t have any wish of ours. Just fulfill the wishes of both America and Russia.”

This is surely a joke. But, the message is real. We are told that a ‘war’ is being fought to bring ‘peace’. But, each war leads to yet another war somewhere else. Manufacturing arms and ammunitions is perhaps the biggest industry in the world. What would happen to this industry without wars? What is it that drives humans to go into wars? We seem to have forgotten the meaning of co-existence. This is perhaps because we are confused on the real meaning of ‘winning’. Every outward desire to win is a sign of some defeat within. Greater the urge to conquer the world, emptier the person is from within. However, the fact remains that no amount of external conquests can fill the void within. Hence, all efforts ought to be directed inward. We must fight fiercest war within with our own weaknesses, negative tendencies and wrong ideas.

Recently, while visiting a village fare in India, I chanced into a small gathering where a young poet was reciting his fresh poetry. One couplet struck a deep chord in me. Roughly translated, it means, “No one is eager to tread the path of righteousness. But everyone is ready to fight in the name of God.”

Let’s welcome the New Year and the New Decade with a resolve to give peace a genuine chance.