A free press can, of course, be good or bad, but, most certainly without freedom, the press will never be anything but bad.

Yesterday I saw the film 'Rann' starring superstar Amitabh Bachan, playing the role of an ethical journalist who tried depicting through his character the role played by media in dissipating news and how that role get influenced under different circumstances. He committed in the end to have lost the battle of truth even after being the only one to take major decisions in his news channel. But today how many people in media are even fighting for truth while serving people? The ideology of liberalism in media had been questioned many times in the past on sensitive incidents like 26/11 terrorism attack on Mumbai but there need to have a overhaul in judicial system to decide over the freedom of press. Picking up instances from the film itself media just don't work under any law and order. In fact freedom to extract information from myriad resources can be called as the only order of work. I used to believe there is cut-throat competition only in academics but seeing the state of media I can only say that we should be better off facing our age long competition in studies; at least we don't kill people for it (as of now).

Media can play a very strong and crucial function in today's time when there are hordes of choices available in literally every sphere of life. It can be instrumental in bringing justice as seen in case of Jessica lal murder and currently the clamor over Ruchika's case. This was just a minimal show of the power of media and press. Media has access to places where common man is reluctant to encroach. It can instrumental in bringing about change in society; whether it be creating awareness about family planning, discouraging child labor, spreading education or developing a more aware society by reporting authentic daily events occurred all over the country. Now a days global events affect our country more than ever so it become imperative to understand the global sentiments as they directly impacts our earnings here, consequently our family well being. Media has also played important role by undertaking sting operations exposing some high profile politicians, bureaucrats , celebrities which could have gone unnoticed for several years scraping our national income and pride. Press can divert the attention of the government and masses to sections of society and hinterland where there is immediate need to provide resources for inclusive growth of the country. Many people talk about inclusive growth- a growth which encompasses all sections and divisions than being concentrated only to certain diaspora. This growth cannot happened in this country without the dedicated support of media as they form the channel to the masses.

Having said all this I want to underscore the caveats underlying this prime role of serving truth to the masses. Being playing an indispensable part there are many competitors in this domain resulting in perilous repercussions where most of the times news are just not transmitted but it's cooked too. An old adage says " too many cooks spoil the dish" which implies here too. At some time ago when there was more stress on the authenticity and validity of information now it's all about how attractive it seems to the people. The desire to be the most eyed channel and amassing TRPs (Trade Rating Points) reporters and channels are touching nadir of nuisances and spreading boredom.

I believe media and entertainment should be the reflection of its viewers and if there is some problem with the content and extent then there must be some problem with viewers too. TRPs are nothing but the response of viewers. In my view the only and the most practical solution of unmindful freedom of press is giving the right response to the channels so that they modulate their efforts in right direction. Governments should now come forward take steps towards a more upright form of communication and not letting it become the remote control in the hands of few.

If Thomas Edison invented electric light today, Dan Rather would report it on CBS News as, ''Candle making industry threatened''.................Newt Gingrich

Rarely the question is asked - Is our Children learning?

I was contemplating about my academic journey so far to articulate the real purpose of my education and proffer the valuable lessons which can help the next generation to identify their purpose much earlier. I will love to call India "the land of academic competition" for here every child learns competition rules first than the spelling or meaning of it and methods to beat it even later. Probably the reason behind it is that there is someone around him who hyper-understand the importance of it: his parents. Apart from giving him this world, they give another lifelong gift: never ending competition.

I strongly believe no body is born with a talent to survive , its the life experience which one uses to develop one or more skills. Off course people born with natural gifts like good voice, attractive face , fair skin color,good height, strong built etc. but that alone cannot be responsible for the eternal well being of person. There is something which is more important to it, which is to identify the strengths and weakness from time to time. For a majority it happens in adult age and for minority it happens either too early or never.

Let me ponder over the things parents could have done to make their child a little more prepared for any struggle in his life than selecting the struggles itself based on their awareness. Our education system tries to inculcate method of rote learning which can be avoided if parents think beyond marks and daily homework. There is a strong demand for smart and efficient thinking literally in all aspects of life.Losers today are not counted as who have missed this but who missed it early. So early in the child learning process parents should instill lateral thinking or application based learning. Business schools all over the world are praised for this kind of learning which is almost missing in most part of one's academic life. They should groom their kids such a way that their thinking become inquisitive and rational. This can be done by simple techniques like object based learning, encouraging them to play intelligent games and use intelligent toys.

Apart from that parents should instill a very important value: helping the needy. The world will survive tsunamis, recessions, floods, hurricanes,H1N1,AIDS etc but it will no survive the burgeoning selfish nature of man. Greed, ego,betray,hate,politics are its by-products where each one independently causing enough damage to the society to cease to exist. Parents, guardians, elders should constantly set examples to their children of being compassionate and helpful. They should ask frequently to their children about any recent incident where they provided a helping hand. They should help children finding ways to help their colleagues and friends and should encourage group activities.

Any leader in today's times understand that no country no organization no group can succeed if it's objectives are aligned merely to material gains. There has to an inclusive growth for the society and the people. Green can easily be the agenda this century notwithstanding fundamentally it challenges the prevalent greedy human nature. Children are the future of this world and only way to make it bright is by giving them best learning experience.