TV9 telecast that unified Karnataka

The fifty-six hour battle to save the nine-year old Sandeep, who had slipped into a farm bore-well at Manvi in Raichur District on April 24 proved futile .But this tragic incident brought out the exemplary unifying factor, binding all those who watched the live telecast of rescue operations.

Criminal negligence was there for all to see, what with wide open bore wells, left abandoned by those finding the wells barren. This is not the first incident of its kind in Karnataka or in India, insensitive as we are to the sufferings of fellow beings. I am referring not just to the sufferings of humans, but also of animals and trees exploited by man.

There are such death- traps, even in residential areas of Bangalore, waiting to claim the lives of unsuspecting passersby. Something that can be averted with concerted efforts of civic conscious residents, responsive municipal body and a vigilant media.

Round-the-clock telecast of the Manvi rescue efforts by TV9, watched by lakhs of Karnataka viewers (I do not know if this channel can be viewed elsewhere), had awakened the conscience of viewers, who, feeling as if they were physically present on the spot, involuntarily forgot, at least for some hours, their differences by way of caste, class and creed and were seen bound together to pray for the safety of the lad trapped in the bore-well. It was a moving spectacle to see this tragedy bringing the people together for a common purpose.

Successful rescue of another boy, Prince, under similar circumstances in Punjab a few months ago, had greater impact. The live telecast by national TV channels, with a wider reach had crores of people across the world praying for the safety of Prince. The point here is that TV channels in some instances have been acting as a great unifying force .Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha’s despicable nocturnal operation to arrest Karunanidhi, and to carry him by force amidst his intense growling, widely telecast by Sun TV, had sent waves of strong protest and even Jayalalith’s fans had joined in criticizing her for such strong-arm tactics.