Some Gayish Tales with a Moral…

Homosexuality, bisexuality and all other sexual orientations, whatever it may be, I didn’t give any shit about them. Anyway, experience is the best teacher. Since I had some face to face encounters with them, I started thinking about them seriously. The face of reality is always ugly.

Whenever I’m in Kerala, I rarely use car or bike for commuting. I always prefer public transport system such as train or bus. I love sitting relaxed by giving the whole responsibility of my life to an unknown driver’s hands. However, window side seat is a requisite.

Sometimes, if I’m free and no work to do…I simply enter some bus and take ticket till the last bus-stop. You may think I’m crazy (may be I’m!) but the real driving force is my wanderlust. The smell of fresh, unpolluted air; the beauty of green paddy fields and calmness of the streams get me lose in some beautiful day dreams. I love those journeys without any specific destination and purpose.

Few months ago, one day I decided to go for a purposeless journey to an unknown destination. I was sitting relaxed and happy. A fellow passenger who was sitting next to me was missing all the beautiful sceneries outside-he was sleeping. Suddenly, his hand fell on my left thigh. I didn’t care about it since I thought he was sleeping. But, gradually his hand started crawling like a lizard towards my pant zip.

There he goes! He started caressing my manliness. I just waited… I needed to know how far he ventures. After a few strokes, he dared to open my pant zip. I couldn’t tolerate it anymore. Blood was rushing heavily to my head and I hit hard on his hand. Suddenly, he woke up from his sleeping act.

“What the hell you are doing? Are you measuring the size of my cock? You asshole!” I asked him glaring at his eyes. He started blushing and sat without any answers. My pleasure trip became a miserable hell. The saddest part was that the man-can I call him a man?-was roughly the age of my dad. I got down at the next stop and went back home. After that incident I think twice before entering a bus or any other public transport systems.

Another incident happened at a public comfort station at my native, Thrissur. I entered the urinal just to unburden my urinary bladder after a long journey from my uncle’s place. One guy who was standing and doing the same thing I was doing started talking to me. I smiled and replied to all his queries. But, when I looked into his face in the midst of the conversation, one very fact shocked me. He wasn’t talking to me. He was just talking to my pissing cock! That guy followed me by simply asking personal questions in order to build up a rapport. “I’m the wrong person you are looking for… dude!” I told him and he left me.

Those above mentioned experiences are really painful as I’m a citizen of a country where homosexuality is still considered as a taboo and stamped as illegal. We shouldn’t close our eyes to the reality. It’s high time our government should do a rethinking over this issue.

There are lot of underground homosexual cults in our country. As long as these activities remain illegal in our country, those cults or underground societies lack public and government attention. This only leads to unhealthy sexual practices which in turn spread various Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). To my mind, heterosexuality is the natural way of sex but it doesn’t mean we should ignore, isolate or punish other sexual orientations. It’s all a matter of mind set.

Many countries including United Kingdom have legalized gay marriages and brought laws which favours homosexuality. In our country, if such laws are implemented, those prevalent underground cults and societies will come out of its shells. This helps to identify and give proper consultation and guidance to them. NGOs (Non Governmental Organizations) can also play a big role in educating and guiding these sections of the society.

Initiatives should come from gay activists and societies too. If they can bring into limelight the significance of this issue, half the battle is won. Government should understand that banning and suppressing of these activities will not help in the long run. The objective should not be to isolate a section of society on the basis of their sexual orientation but it should be to identify, educate and bring a feeling of oneness among them. We shouldn’t forget the fact: safer the sex and safer the society.

You showed me the world.

This poem is dedicated to the most beautiful woman on this planet:my mother.

You showed me the world,
Its beauties and endless mysteries.
You showed me the life,
Its hidden surprises and thrills.

You are an angel born on earth,
Just to give birth to me;
Just to take care of me;
Just to guide me all the way.

You showed me how to kiss,
Kisses sweeter than honey.
You showed me the pain of miss,
Pain that pierces any heart.

Your bright smiling face,
Lights up my lonely dark hours.
Your love inspires me to live,
When my life hits road-blocks.

You showed me greatest life lessons,
Through the language of love.
You showed me what friendship is,
Through the language of care.

You stand as a pillar of support,
When failures bangs on my door.
You inspire to achieve higher goals,
When successes get on my head.

You showed me the might of wisdom,
When my life loses balance.
You showed me the meaning of life,
When my life loses sense.

You are the real insignia of womanhood,
The most beautiful woman on earth.
You are all I have in this world,
I love you, my dearest!

Is my English, okay?

Most of the Indians, even educated ones, fear to speak out any word in English. They don’t know how to begin or end the conservation through this foreign language. They resort to zipping their lips when it comes to the usage of English. The wiser ones survive with their ‘yeahs’, ‘nos’ and ‘okays’. Trust me; I have experience encountering those smart fellows.

We always forget one thing that English is not our mother tongue. People are putting so much effort to learn this foreign language. It’s only because it is considered as and also in real sense the universal language which is comprehendible by most of the world citizens and also by aliens in some Hollywood movies.

The effort we put to learn English is worth. It is a prerequisite for interacting with foreigners and also to get our ideas a worldwide reach. But, when it comes to perfection in using English most of us meets a roadblock.

Low self esteem, fear of rejection and lack of self confidence makes most of the people shy away from public. Although they have excellent ideas or information to communicate, they keep aloof just because they think they lack English fluency.

In India, especially in my native, Kerala, there prevails a misconception. The people who speak excellent English (whatever crap they say) is considered as creative, intelligent and exceptional. I can’t understand the real motive behind it. Parents force their kids to interact in English and try their best to permanently erase the mother tongue from their brain cells. People those can’t speak good English becomes a prey of teasing too.

Personally, I’m not so good at speaking English. I can communicate and convey my ideas well in English to anyone. I never bother about the British or American accents. The reason is quite simple: I’m neither an American nor a Briton. I’m an Indian and I’m proud in that. This very fact, at times, makes me thoughtful on Indian and world history.

Long back in world history (I don’t know exact year) people from a small island on top of Europe called England with their superior naval power embarked on the mission to conquer the world. I’m shameful of the fact that when those white, ambitious people started spreading their language and culture worldwide, my ancestors were busy fighting with each other.

Sometimes, I wildly imagine what would have happened if the quest for conquering the world had started from Indian subcontinent? Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and even my mother tongue Malayalam would have spread all over the world. Isn’t it? And, may be these languages would be considered as universal languages today. If it happened so, will the whole world citizens tries to learn and emulate our accents? I doubt whether they can speak our language exactly like we do. The obvious reason is Mother Tongue Influence (MTI)

We all are influenced by our mother tongue. It is difficult to speak exactly like Britons and Americans do. Even both the British and American English is contradictory in accent and style. I will not tell speaking fluent English is impossible. It is possible with hard work and training but what I’m telling is to eliminate that shameful feeling we all keep deep inside our hearts whenever we intent to speak English in public.

Let’s speak it out! Make your mind clear and convey the information and ideas clearly to people. Don’t worry about the way you speak English. Just take is as a language and concentrate on how you communicate and convey your ideas.

I have a humble request to people who use Hinglish (Hindi + English) Manglish (Malayalam + English) and Tanglish (Tamil +English). It’s really agonizing to hear the phrases such as ‘how are you da?’ ‘Where are you going da macha?’ ‘Come on yaar!’ English is such a beautiful language and please don’t spoil it. You can proudly use your mother tongue other than using these funny phrases.

If you are a BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) job aspirant or a person who is trying to get good score in TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS(International English Language Testing System), my heartfelt apologies for wasting your valuable time by reading my article.

Who the hell am I?

I shouldn’t have done that. I really feel sorry about that. Phoning the dean of a prestigious institution like Madras Christian College and asking permission for shooting inside college. Though the request got turned downed by him, I carried out the shooting. Who the hell, I think, am I? Get caught at last, by my identity card seizing, and even standing under the shower of rebukes, I kept on smiling at his face! What made me to do so? Am I showing off smarter? Am I idiotic or egoistic? Why I’m like this? Do I lack integrity and discipline as the dean puts it? Honestly speaking, I don’t know…

Just a fortnight ago, I had to take camera in my hands for shooting an advertisement regarding our project work. Thrilled, as usual, I planned to conduct shooting inside our campus. Some of my friends told there is no need of dean’s permission. Some others told it’s a prerequisite.

I know very well that getting permission is such a complex process. However, I sent one of my teammates to fetch the permission. In fact, dean went home just moments she entered his office. But, I thought she got the permission. I personally went and secured physical director’s permission the same day. I called the security officer too on phone to get his consent. He told that if dean gave permission he doesn’t have any problem in shooting in-campus. It’s really a complex process. Don’t you see!

I got dean’s personal mobile number from security office and called him. It is one of the most idiotic things I have done till now in my life. Dean’s response was entirely different. He told that he hasn’t signed any letter regarding any in-campus shooting.

“Who cares?” I thought. “He may be signing numerous documents and letters daily. He would have forgotten!” I guessed.

“I won’t allow you to shoot!” dean shouted over phone.

“Okay…okay. No problem, sir” I replied calmly.

I shouldn’t have asked his permission. I messaged every one of my teammates that we got permission from dean and we can go on shooting on the next day early morning. Shooting we did. But then, security personnel came, seized my identity card and didn’t allow us to shoot further. Fortunately, we have captured all the needed shots by then. They left by telling me to collect the identity card from dean. I nodded supposing all the troubles were over. Later I came to know that it was just the beginning.

My mobile phone started ringing from noon. It was from other teams who went for shooting. “Dean wants to meet you! Dean wants to meet you!” that was the only phrase I could hear from the other end. “Hey, tell dean that I’m not well and will collect the identity card the very next day” I replied.

“Hey, idiot!” it was Swaminathan, my close friend in class. “Dean wants you to come in person and surrender your cassette as soon as possible. No time, dumbo! Everybody’s shooting got cancelled by dean because of you…”he cut the call. I darted to dean’s office after hearing that.

There I saw him standing red faced, angry enough to eat me alive.

“What did I said to you over phone?” he asked angrily.

“You didn’t allow me to shoot, sir” I replied.

“Then what did you do?” he asked.

“I shot, sir” I replied.

“It’s a breach of trust!” he shouted. “Surrender your cassette immediately” he told restlessly.

“No problem! Sir…” I said by fuelling his anger.

“No problem? How dare you?” he couldn’t control his anger. “You are troubling me, don’t you see. I need an apology letter too from you at this moment.” He shouted again.

This time, I couldn’t control my smile.“Trouble? What trouble? He only made all these chaos. Not me!” I said in mind. My smile helped only to intensify his anger.

I have a very serious problem: when someone shouts at me needlessly, I never feel irritated or upset. It only helps to shoot up my imagination. Unconsciously, I visualize him/her standing in front me electrocuted with bulged eyes, raised hair and dropped jaws! I can’t help it. I’m like that. I don’t want to change. Above all, why should I limit my imagination?

I left from dean’s office, wrote an apology letter, got it signed from Head of my Department, got a bundle full of rebuke from her as bonus and headed back to his office again.

Contrary to all my expectations, after receiving the apology letter, dean became so cool and started advising me not to repeat these kind of ‘undisciplined’, ‘heckless’ behavior. Smilingly, he gave back the cassette. It made me really happy. I thanked him and went for a tea outside campus.

“Hey dude, I saw you guys shooting inside campus. Do you need dean’s permission for shooting inside campus?” a guy from my college asked me in the tea-shop.

“No need” I answered unconsciously.

“Okay, dude” he stepped out of the tea-shop.

“Hey!” I called him from back. “Sorry, you need dean’s permission…okay?” I told him smiling.

It’s All About ‘Plug-in’ Culture!

Imagine you are talking very seriously to someone and unfortunately, ends up by knowing that the person whom you are talking to was not even listening to you properly. How would you feel then? You may feel annoyed, dejected or sometimes angry, isn’t it? Stop. Don’t take it to the heart. You have just spoken to one among a million of ‘pluggers’ all around the world!
Arrival of portable music systems and mobile phones with inbuilt music players have given birth to a rapidly spreading ‘plug-in’ culture. ‘Pluggers’ always listen to music on the go. While commuting, jogging, biking, driving or even during office hours, their ears are sealed off by earphones taking them away from the real outer world. Music players have taken an unavoidable part in their lifestyle.
Akin to all other lifestyles, ‘plug-in’ culture too is individualistic. Some ‘plugs-in’ for sheer love for music, some to kill time and others for brushing off boredom. “Music is a requisite for me while studying or reading” says Avinash Kagava, a media student. “It increases my concentration and feels as if my productivity soars”, he adds. Robin, a student and an enthusiastic guitarist ‘plugs-in’ for his first love-music. He says that: “I love music and wants to fill every moment of my life with music. That is why I keep my iPod with me throughout the day”.
Musical giants such as Sony, Apple et al are competing to bring out more advanced yet user friendly music players to catch up with this ‘plug-in’ trend. Apple has sold more than 20 million iPods till date. More and more people are joining this ‘plug-in’ bandwagon day by day. It seems as if people are just happy with the music they have in their music player, rather than interacting with fellow human beings. It provides a room for escapism similar to that of reading. While reading is productive, listening to music may end up unproductive at times.
Warning note for ‘Pluggers’: Researches show that regular exposure to noise above 85 dB (decibels)will cause a gradual hearing loss in a significant number of individuals, and louder noises will accelerate this damage. When listening to music on earphones at a standard volume level 5, the sound generated reaches a level of 100 dB. It’s loud enough to cause permanent damage after just 15 minutes per day! The amount of time you listen to a sound affects how much damage it will cause. The quieter the sound, the longer you can listen to it safely.
Thus, beware, pluggers! Keep an eye on your decibels. Do you want to ‘plugs-in’ at the cost of your precious ears?

A Newsletter Story.

“Hey, it’s me, Arun! Here I’m planning something”, my classmate Arun said over phone from Pune.

“Okay, what’s that?” I asked him curiously.

“Justin, what’s your opinion about launching a newsletter from our communication department?” He gave out his idea and waited for my response.

“Wow! That’s great dude!” I really liked his idea.

Arun is popular in class for his bigmouth. He talks a lot but that day his call was very brief and up to the point.

I didn’t hear anyone talking about it after that. Even didn’t Arun! Arun told that he had discussed it with Dhanya, one of my classmates. She didn’t speak about it either. It was just an idea without backbone.

I know very well that this M.A communication course is just wastage of time unless we do something practically regarding the course and its content. Class room lectures are akin to teaching swimming without even getting into water! It’s boring and depletes creativity too. Honestly, I hate classroom lectures. I love group activities in which all students participate, cooperate and learn together.

This very idea encouraged me to take the initiative to start a newsletter from our department. Firstly, I informed Remya ma’am, head of our department about this and she gave a positive response.

In December 2008, she opened a discussion among the students-both our batch and seniors. Except a name for the newsletter, everything including theme and editorial teams got decided upon in that meeting.

Our monthly newsletter is a theme based one. That is, each month we come up with a theme. Patriotism is the theme for our introductory January issue. Front page will be dedicated for the theme and the following pages contain articles on recent social, economic, political and of course, media related issues.

Next hurdle after deciding upon content, was christening our newsletter with an apt and catchy name. I collected the names suggested by my classmates, scrutinized them, and submitted it to Remya ma’am. She made a shortlist and with the approval of our classmates, settled on the final name: Resonance, solely suggested by my classmate, Neelima.

Resonance means richness, significance or quality. It also means a vibration of large amplitude produced by a relatively small vibration. By taking up Resonance as our newsletter’s name, we conveys the quality of our content and spreads a concept that even a modest idea can make great ripples or changes in the society we live in.

Logo for the newsletter was designed by Nirmal, one of our seniors. You can also visit his blog: www.retro-memoir.blogspot.com. The logo plainly depicts our concept. You can see an ink droplet falling from a fountain pen nib thereby creating ripples in a water pool beneath. ‘Pen is mightier than sword’ states Napoleon Bonaparte. We too believe in the power of pen. The ink droplet symbolizes an idea or group of ideas. Water pool stands for the society we live in. Ripples show the change which can be brought to the society with the impact of powerful ideas.

We, as budding media personalities, believe in the power of ideas which can bring changes in the contemporary society. It is by this belief that we initiated Resonance and with a hope of bringing fruitful changes, we put in our best efforts to sustain publishing.

As an enthusiastic blogger, launching a blog for Resonance was in my mind from the very day we got the consent for starting it. But Remya ma’am wasn’t serious about it, I guess.

Kiran (www.iotatalks.blogspot.com), my classmate and a good friend came forward for helping me. From choosing blog’s template to linking our e-newsletter issue to a free file hosting site, he has done an excellent job. He also put forward a brilliant idea for linking Resonance’s blog to Madras Christian College’s official website (www.mcc.edu.in). He is a well informed tech savvy. I learnt a lot from him and his work inspired me to improve my technical knowledge which is very essential in the field of media. Not only did he created the blog but also designed the inaugural issue of Resonance. Finally, Resonance’s blog- www.resonancethenewsletter.blogspot.com – was launched in the midnight of 30^th January 2009.

On 2^nd February 2009, our ‘newsletter’ dream materialized as 500 copies of Resonance came out in print. ‘Chatter box’ Arun’s idea got back bone then. Both ‘newsletter boys’-Kiran and I- on my bicycle carried the copies and delivered it to the evening college office. We both couldn’t control our smiles and a great satisfaction filled our hearts.

We thought of releasing Resonance with a function inviting the principal and lecturers of other departments. But all went vain owing to Sri Lankan Tamil issue and indefinite closure of all the colleges in Tamilnadu.

Let our batch’s initiative-Resonance-brings unity, builds mutual understanding and cooperation and improves knowledge of students. Let’s wish it will become a training ground for budding writers, reporters and those interested in writing and getting published. Hope, it can one day become an integral part of the prestigious Madras Christian College.

*********

Few months ago, before joining M.A. communication, I thought of studying abroad dreaming of a better future. Now I understood that it is not the place; our actions which decide our future. It was with a half heart that I joined this course in Madras Christian College. But, today, without doubt I can tell that I’m the happiest person in the entire college.

Alone, I Run…

Alone, I run…

Through the darkest woods,

With fire on my head,

And, pain in my heart.

Alone, I run…

Through the thorny marshes,

Tears rolling down my cheeks,

And, blending with my sweat.

Alone, I run…

Through the lap of savage sun,

With parched throat

And, paining limbs.

Alone, I run…

Through the herd of beasts of darkness,

Holding up my head unwavering,

To show them-I’m younger, stronger and faster.

No one ahead, no one behind;

No water stops, no stone hinges;

Just blood-thirsty beasts all around,

Rounding for pouncing on me.

I can’t retire, I can’t relax;

Hunted I’m, if I retreat;

Sissy I’m, if I lose courage;

Dead I’m, if I yield.

Alone, I run…fearlessly,

Through the darkest woods,

With vibrant dreams in my head,

And, dynamic hope in my heart.

My 23rd Birthday: A Nostalgia Filled Day.

A familiar dark face was sitting long away at the corner of the stadium pondering over something as usual. I was just finishing my regular morning run when my eyes fell on him. Murali sir! He was my Gandhian philosophy tutor at Vivekodayam Higher Secondary School. Though being not studious and also at the same time mischievous, I can proudly tell that I was one of his favourite students. I used to visit him and other teachers even after leaving to Chennai for my higher studies.

I jumped on to the stadium and walked briskly towards him. He couldn’t recognize me quickly but as soon as he made out that it’s me, he couldn’t stop smiling. We shared pleasantries and talked for quiet some time. He asked me to visit Vivekodayam, the school which gifted some of the sweet memorable days of my life. Those days are still crystal clear in my mind as if happened yesterday. I promised him that I will visit my one-time school the same day. I was so happy that at the early morning of the day I turned 23 (04/02/09), I was blessed to meet and talk to one of my favourite tutors.

I visited Vivekodayam in the afternoon with my friend, Arun Sivan. I was very excited as I met and talked to Radhika ma’am, who taught me Economics; Sindhu ma’am, who was my English tutor. I still feel sorry about her classes which I attended very rarely since I would mostly be out of the class caught red handed in some mischievous activities; Laxmi ma’am, my Communicative English tutor who taught me the basics of writing and speaking fluent English. She also put forward an offer for me to take a seminar in school on the “scope of Humanities discipline”. I gladly accepted that offer; and lastly, my Hindi tutor. I shouldn’t but unfortunately I forgot her name! Anyway, I will never forget her. There is a reason for that.

It was in the year 2002, I guess, during Hindi class, she came in a fine-looking saree. I really liked the colour and texture of the saree. As an open-minded, frank person I didn’t hesitated to compliment her for wearing such a nice saree. I was and still innocent at heart and I didn’t mean anything wrong. She too thanked me for my appreciation.

But situation became grim when this ‘saree’ news got into staff room. Murali sir became so unhappy about my comment. I still don’t know what made him so restless and also compelled me to apologize to Hindi teacher who just few moments ago accepted my compliments with a smiling face.

“Madam’s husband is there to comment on her saree colour. You don’t need to take up additional responsibilities” Murali sir told me glancing at my eyes. “Go and apologize to her” he added. I apologized to her with a smiling face.

I still don’t hold any grudge towards Murali sir. I respect and admire him. On top of that, he is one of the best tutors I have ever got in my academic life.

I met and talked to teachers of other departments who still know me and some of them still even remember my name! I roamed around the school campus with the same enthusiasm and spirit I had 7 years ago.

Our next stop was at a toddy shop. After getting high on toddy (‘Kallu’ we call it in Malayalam. It’s a drink you can have only from God’s Own Country. So, aptly it’s God’s Own Drink!), we resumed our journey to my village. Arun Sivan got stunned by seeing the scenic beauty of my native place. We rode through my old school campus. My mind was speeding backwards to those old joyful days even while I accelerated my bike forward. Those days were lost in the darkroom of past but the emotions and feelings bestowed by those days are still afresh in my mind. Arun Sivan got stuck with his camera (his newly found passion) hurrying to capture nature’s beauty.

At last, that nostalgia-filled day concluded pitifully. At first, I thought of not quoting it. Then I thought you deserve reading it! Although got high on ‘God’s Own Drink’, I had few pegs of my favourite rum with some of my close friends in the evening followed by little bit of whisky in night. It all was too much for me. My body responded: I puked…again and again. And, went to bed as if I came to this world 23 years ago…

This is How a Great Week of Mine Got Messed up By SLA v/s LTTE War.

Frankly telling, ongoing Sri Lankan Army’s (SLA) assault on LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealem) has spoiled an exciting week of mine. I can’t blame Sri Lankan Army for that. The onus lies on Tamil Nadu Government’s unwise decision to shut down all the colleges and hostels indefinitely. The move hammered all the hopes and events I had planned for the week.

I reached God’s Own Country at the early hours of 3^rd February. Retreating to my homeland-a real comfort zone-from Chennai-a virtual battle ground-is always a joyful affair. But, this week was really special for me.

On 3^rd February, we had decided to conduct a releasing function of our newsletter, Resonance (www.resonancethenewsletter.blogspot.com). On the very next day on 4^th February, our class also planned for a Mass Bunk (MB) and go for the movie, Slumdog Millionaire for which Indian music maestro A.R. Rahman fetched Golden Globe award and was nominated for Oscar. I dreamt about this wonderful week having a great time together with my friends on my birthday and proudly releasing the newsletter which is an initiative from our batch. Plans failed and dreams shattered.

I don’t know why Tamil politicians are bragging about an issue which is not even related to India. Okay. Tamil civilians are getting injured and killed in this war. It’s true. But, it doesn’t need an Einstein’s brain to understand that destruction of natural resources and civilian casualties are parts of a war. Unlike U.S invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, SLA’s assault is at least showing some positive results. It’s high time to eliminate a terrorist organization akin to LTTE which is banned in U.S, U.K and India from our planet’s surface.

Tamil Nadu Government’s leaning towards LTTE and creating unwanted panic by closing colleges and hostels is shameful and ridiculous. Yes. There is unrest in law colleges and one man committed suicide by setting himself ablaze. But, Government’s unwise move just revealed how ineffective the police force is.

Number of demonstrations and protest marches were happened all over Tamil Nadu against SLA’s v/s LTTE war. In reality, most of these demonstrations yielded negative results by disrupting civilian life here in Tamil Nadu. It would be a positive or constructive move, if the Government had utilized the money, time and energy spent on those meaningless activities for civilian aid in Sri Lanka.

Nothing more or nothing less. Government’s move is just to invoke Tamil sentiment eying the vote bank for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. It is better to have a second thought for the Government while supporting a banned terrorist organization which is even using Tamil civilian population as a human shield for their own survival.

My shattered week will be a happier one if SLA brings LTTE on knees. I appreciate Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa and the efforts of SLA to free that island nation from the clutches of a menace called LTTE.

It’s Time for My Media!

Today, it is an age of digital media revolution which has brought even sophisticated communication devices in layman’s hands. From a high level executive to a rickshaw puller, all make use of digital technology in their everyday lives. Sending a text message or making a voice call is a common thing for most of the people today.

But, New Media such as internet was always a far away dream for common people. Today it is in the process of change. Internet replaced the “one-to-many” model of traditional mass communication with the possibility of a “many-to-many” web of communication by enabling blogging, emails, online SMS services, etc.

Now with the advent of latest technologies, any individual can now produce his or her online media and include images, text, and sound about whatever he or she chooses. So the new media with technology convergence shifts the model of mass communication, and radically shapes the ways we interact and communicate with one another.

The credibility of global media, being under scrutiny, gives prominence to blogs and citizen journalism in news making. Nowadays, established journalists and news organizations are acquiring news from blogs and citizens. In a broader sense, blogs have become the backbone of news making.

Usage of digital, mobile phone cameras, GPRS and Wi-Fi technology have boosted citizen journalism. Anyone irrespective of their discipline can be a media practitioner or a news reporter in their own right and create a viewership or readership for themselves. All together, new media has transformed into ‘My Media’.