TV THOUGHTS: Aaj TV mirrors the miseries of Aslam Jinnah, Khurshid Begum; Mehdi Hassan's tears, clash at Quaid's Mazar
I would like to believe that viewers watching Aaj TV on Independence Day (Monday) were both shocked and disappointed at the report that there had been a clash between two groups within the precincts of the Quaid-e-Azam's Mausoleum.
That the mazar had been closed for about three hours. And the public had smashed property and caused damage to the Mazar fixtures. There were very sketchy, limited details in the Aaj report. Keep in mind that there were no newspapers on 15th August (the next morning).
Even the cynics amongst us must have been unsettled as they watched this report. Independence Day is no occasion to create chaos and confusion at the Mazar of the Father of the Nation. Stop here and pause at what happened. We still don't know what the reasons were.
We still do not know why no other TV channel reported this and for the rest of the evening I kept looking for it on other private channels, in vain. PTV? I didn't even think of that channel. I even allowed doubt to enter my mind. Saying that perhaps that nothing of that kind had happened at the Mazar.
But the Aaj TV report was repeated, (by Shaista Iqbal) and even the next day, it had a follow-up, saying that eight persons had been detained in connection with the clash.
I spoke to Aslam Khan, the Aaj TV reporter on Wednesday (16th August) who had done an assignment which was evidently an exclusive. He said that he had arrived at the Mazar shortly before 9pm, (by chance I presume) and reported on Line from there. He said that the trouble had perhaps taken place around 6.30pm, and he then referred to the damage that he saw, filmed, and which we saw on the channel.
It was depressing for viewers to think that this had happened at that place, and on a national holiday like Independence Day.
And why did it happen? Aslam Khan says that it appeared to relate to some form of eve teasing or someone or some group being a nuisance to another. And the trouble snowballed as each group went away to get reinforced for a "showdown" The loser was the environment at the Mazar and which got hurt and had to be closed down for couple of hours.
On another level when Aaj TV reported this incident those who were planning to visit the Mausoleum on Monday night, changed their mind. Two groups had clashed. With the kind of terrorism and politics that is going on many grim thoughts came to mind about who those two groups were. It was reassuring to hear from TV reporter Aslam Khan that the cause of the clash was not political. But if it was "eve teasing" then there is something else to worry about. A different kind of contemplation.
Amidst all the traditional festivity and enthusiasm of the Independence Day, and the speech making and flag hoisting, and in a context where there was countrywide illumination of public and private buildings, there was one grim grey story that touched the heart and soul of many a viewer.
The focus on Aslam Jinnah, a grandson of the Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, and on Khurshid Begum a grand daughter of the Quaid which was being shown on the Aaj TV. I do not know whether any other channel was showing this, except that there was a reference to the grand daughter in the Daily Times which said that she was living the life of a pauper. In Karachi-- in a "tiny quarter on Jehangir Road No 1, in Balochi Para, Dad Mohammad Village".
I did my channel surfing on Independence Day and was able to get a fairly good idea of the song and dance that dominated the day's proceedings, but from time to time I saw the film report on Aslam Jinnah. Needless to say that I was initially shocked at the revealing report that producer Rubina Shaheen had prepared.
Aslam Jinnah, and Khurshid Begum were shown in a state of economic distress, and they kept stressing the neglect that they had been subjected to. The details were pathetic, and both individuals held nothing back. Aslam Jinnah said that if his landlord was going to throw him out, as he could not pay the enhanced house rent, he would move to the Mazar of the Quaid. He said that he had been living with his family in financially tough times for 40 years--and that his wife had cancer and his child was a special child.
Producer Rubina Shaheen asked towards the end of the film report whether there was any one in this society who would rise to the occasion and help these members of the Quaid's family.
Then not only did help come from some individuals (Asif Ali who offered his 80 square yard house in Orangi) and medical cover offered by Altaf Shakoor of Pasban) but on Wednesday night (15th August) both Aslam Jinnah and Khurshid Begum were present in the studio talking to Aaj TV. That was a good follow-up to a story that should make Pakistanis realise the extent of insensitivity and indifference that we live with.
It does make one wonder so much about the Quaid's family which resides in Karachi--and has been doing so for the last four decades. It would be a good idea if the follow-up continues until Aslam Jinnah and Khurshid Begum get the respect and attention they deserve.
I realised that the old national songs that were telecast on the occasion of the 60th Independence Day of the country were proving to be of nostalgic value. They were evoking memories of the times that we have lived through. Like 'Jeeway Jeeway Pakistan'. Or like 'Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhey'. There were other such songs also. They made us remember the days that Pakistan and Pakistanis have lived through. Especially the days after the tragedy of East Pakistan. That is a good thirty five years ago, almost. The young of today would not have this feeling.
I also saw being repeated on some of the private channels popular national songs that have been rendered by new singers of today, like Humaira Arshad. I wonder what the majority of viewers would have to say to this change. I would like to make specific mention of that all time great rendering of Mehdi Hassan which was shown courtesy a commercial sponsorship. The lyrics were "Yeh Watan Tumhara Hai,-- Tum Ho Pasban Is Key". The legend is shown in a wheel chair, with tears in his eyes. And with lovely children playing around him. Perhaps this Mehdi Hassan "commercial" would be symbolic of the Independence Day 2006 celebrations. It was short, intense and possibly unforgettable.
It needs to be mentioned here that this Mehdi Hassan video was produced and directed by that young film actor Shaan, (son of that legendary film maker Riaz Shahid and his wife that amazing actress Neelo).
One TV viewer who saw the impressive PTV special programme on Sunday night telecast live from the President's House gave me details of how Shaan provided details of the filming of this Video. Of how Mehdi Hassan agreed to its making, and said that all that he could now offer were "Tears". That he had lost that voice that Lata had described as the "voice of Bhagwan". And he further tells me that the Aaj TV was telecasting simultaneously a Tribute to Mehdi Hassan. So he was switching between these two programmes.
In passing, which is not entirely befitting I may mention here that the Aaj TV also had a tribute to Melody Queen Noor Jehan which I saw in small parts on Tuesday evening. If only there was a way of seeing all these memorable programmes. That is why I keep suggesting that there should be some effort made to market them sooner than later. There is a market for them. Let there be no doubt.
Music and discussions were two of the noticeable ways in which the day was celebrated. And some of the discussions that I saw in my channel surfing indicated the themes that were being explored by the TV channels. All themes were centred on the significance of the day. Some discussions looked at the Independence Day in a wider perspective-- going down the historical path, others looked at the development and progress in the country, and there were yet others that even asked what was there to celebrate on Independence Day.
I would like to believe that there was an amazing variety of participants and opinions in these group and panel discussions, and in the talk shows that were programmed for the national holiday. The extent of dissent, as well as its nature, may be disturbing for a section of viewers, but on the other hand it could also be regarded as a healthy and rich diversity of opinion.
Here I would like to refer to an Independence Day special Views on News on the AryOne World which Dr Shahid Masood was hosting around 9pm. That was a good time to be sitting and watching (include contemplating as well) the state of this society, and this nation.
That was the kind of mood one was in, after a day of an intermittent viewing of the TV channels. But the fact that this discussion was spread over three hours, with breaks for the News bulletins and commercials was tiring and stretched the viewer's patience and focus. I am sure that many viewers were lost in the process, and those who stayed on were rewarded with another stimulating, (but familiar) round of discussions.
The participants were three journalists, familiar to the viewers, not only for their opinions, but for the passion with which they speak. They were Auriya Maqbool Jan, Mujibur Rehman Shami and Hasan Nisar. I have noticed that there is a growing and visible resort to anger and disappointment by even scholarly participants on the channels. And perhaps it is well received by the audience. There is arguably, a certain sustained anger and despair that citizens have and they can identify with that of the speakers.
Hasan Nisar was the most outspoken and bitter of the three speakers. He contended that there was nothing to celebrate at this time, and challenged Dr Shahid Masood to come and see the darkness that existed in the lives and homes of people living very close to the illuminations, which he implied were artificial. He said that there was nothing to celebrate--as real independence had not yet been attained. One hears this view from time to time. The other view, which I recall came from Mujibur Rehman Shami was that we have not been able to create that kind of society for which we had sought independence. The third speaker Auriya Maqbool Jan, in his views reflected a certain qualified optimism.
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