TV THOUGHTS: Shaikh Rashid's absorbing interview on Indus: The grim ,wet weather theme on the channels

Yet another sad day in our lives has dawned, and this time it was on 23rd June 2007 - that is last Saturday. Rain and storm, with a wind velocity that was unprecedented brought death and destruction, with conflicting reports of how many died in the catastrophe.
While initial reports on the TV channels as well put the death toll at about 40 plus, the next day, Sunday brought in a steeper figure of over 200 from the authentic Edhi Foundation, that these figures are still being argued about, the fact is that once again Karachi has taken a humiliating and huge hammering. But in this, has been exposed a face of the Sindh capital that has raised many fundamental issues.
Issues like credibility of those making statements on the number of deaths, or the scenario of the crashing billboards, or the number of agencies that manage this city, or the overall quality of citizens' lives. I am surprised TV channels have not looked into this aspect and investigated why our homes, our houses are so vulnerable to weather.
This time there was a storm, but even normal rain renders us exposed. That KESC has failed us in a scandalous manner, making people demand its denationalisation is something that needs to be underlined.
And this demand has been raised on the TV channels also in the news and the current affairs. The print and electronic media has kept the people adequately informed, though at times one felt that the quality of the visual coverage has been insufficient if not altogether poor.
It has been a context where statements and counter statements have been made all the time. And of course what the Pakistan Met Office has said, along with weather reports from channels like BBC have been of value to worried viewers. In fact, when viewers have been able to watch TV channels (private basically or only) they have found themselves tense and anxious on how bad can Karachi turn.
The more depressing aspect of all this is that it is still only June when all this disaster and tragic deaths and injuries have come, and the entire monsoon season is still to unfold, unwind.

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SHAIKH RASHID'S ELOQUENCE:
It was yet another comprehensive interview of the Federal Minister for Railways, Shaikh Rashid Ahmed that was being telecast on one of the private channels on Wednesday morning over Indus TV in the Khuli Baat programme that is compered by the seasoned Shaheen Salahuddin. That he has been a Federal Information Minister in the present cabinet is something that viewers know well enough.
That he speaks with force and the force of conviction is something that is a statement of the obvious. And that his presence on the channels, and in the print media has been unaffected with the change in his portfolio. If anything, he speaks more and not just on the Railways!!
Keeping in mind that he is now preparing for general elections and there are such questions as to whether the President will take his vote for the next term from this parliament or the next, and other themes that agitate the public mind, here was a knowledgeable and expressive person from the federal cabinet speaking out in detail, and even clarity. And his attitude was take it or leave it.
Shaikh Rashid Ahmed argued a case for President General Pervez Musharraf taking his vote from the present Parliament and if possible and necessary from the next Parliament also. He felt that this would only improve and consolidate the President's position, and stature. Earlier on another issue he underlined the value of free and fair elections in Pakistan, and warned that if these were not held it could become a serious and grim scenario for the country.
He added that the world was not interested in the issue of the President's uniform, or the other issues that are being discussed about in the country. The world only wants free and fair elections in this country. Referring to the United States, he said that the Super-power's interest in Pakistan was limited only to the issue of "extremism" or Talibanisation.
Asked about what he felt about the relationship between the MMA and the Military he went into some details to explain his answer and summed it up by saying that there was nothing wrong with that. He explained the importance that Islam has in the life of the Pakistani soldiers.
Shaheen Salahuddin asked some tough realistic questions in an interview that was wide ranging and Shaikh Rashid Ahmed had spontaneous responses. He ducked no questions and retained a high degree of credibility all the time. Asked about the current "inactivity of the PMLQ at this significant stage, Shaikh Rashid Ahmed said that it had roots but that it was lacking in "manure". When that is provided it can be activated easily he also said that when election time would come near, and the opposition would be divided, the PMLQ would emerge as a stronger force than what was perceived at the moment.
Shaikh Rashid spoke of Mian Nawaz Sharif also. He described him as a good manager and said that his decision to shift to London from Saudi Arabia was a clever move. He also traced quickly the emergence of Nawaz Sharif on the political scene, and how his qualities and weakness had all combined towards the making of this politician. He said categorically that he had no contact with the former Prime Minister, and in another interview I have heard him said that Mian Nawaz Sharif had betrayed him.
Shaikh Rashid Ahmed expressed an overall optimism vis-a-vis the outcome all that is happening in the country. He spoke of the qualities and the strengths of President General Pervez Musharraf, and added that he was a straight forward and blunt man, and that his body language was also in that mould.
Unlike politicians generally, the President had his heart and mind together when he spoke, and that he was never concealing anything. Shaikh Rashid Ahmed went onto say that he too was a straight forward man and he is fortunate that the President does listen to him. He said that he was able to provide a "pulse report" of the people to the government and also to the President when required.
The Minister spoke of his credibility not just in this country but also with the overseas media. Shaheen Salahuddin referred to Shaikh Rashid's accessibility at all times, and he said that as an information minister he was always free and reported to no one. In fact others consulted him or checked out with him because he was well informed and credible.
At one stage, on another point in a relaxed sort of chat, the Railways Minister said that it needs to be kept in mind that in the country's constitution the President has such powers under section 58(2) B that are available to no other President in the world. He described it as a "Ek Goli Wala Pistol Hai".
All in all this eloquent outspoken politician from Rawalpindi said that he had high hopes that Pakistan would do well in the years ahead, and that Almighty Allah would enable the President to steer the country through the present crisis. At for the Chief Justice's reference, he replied that what ever the Supreme Court decides will be acceptable to the government.
I think that many viewers looking for answers and explanations to many troubling questions and issues at this point in time, must have found this interview to be worth spending time on.
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SHAHRUKH KHAN, IN REAL LIFE:
Sometimes one gets somewhat caught by a TV channel - in the sense of watching a programme more than intended. I would like to believe that this is what happens to other TV viewers also. Which means that either you have stayed away from something else that needed to be watched or have failed to attend to life's other chores.
There is more to life than watching TV, I have often said to myself. But then the manner in which the "idiot box" has invaded our lives I suggest that whoever coined that expression must realise the irrelevance of the term "idiot" here. I have, of course, never agreed with that term. I have always believed in the power of the television channel, as it appears to harmonise and synchronise with modern urban level.
I over watched a TV programme on the We Channel (more and more new names are coming on to my screen). This programme was called the "World of Shahrukh Khan". And Shahrukh Khan is my favourite of all the new actors, post Dilip Kumar. I am in one of those moods as I write this. Being a life long Dilip Kumar fan, it is obvious that I like this young actor.
Now this was a focus on the personal life of the young actor and Shahrukh Khan was speaking in a soft-spoken manner all through. There were supporting visuals and short interviews with relevant people like Karan Johar and Farah Khan and excerpts from conversations and dialogues - all of which were designed to bring out the kind of man he is, and the sort of life he generally leads.
There were so many revealing statements that he made gently, in a contemplative manner. As if to reflect his state of mind, he said that "I have done it all". He said he had money, awards..." but what he missed was available for him when he came to his old school, the St Thomas High School in Delhi, and the portrait also showed us the school in good detail. The staff of the school gave him a warm but modest realistic reception, and Shahrukh was restrained in his happiness. But he appeared satisfied, reflecting inner content.
He spoke many times in the "monologue" of his parents who had died young, he said. His father had died at the age of 52 of cancer. Shahrukh was 15 at that time. Then his mother died, also at the age of 52 of diabetes and other related complications, and he was 25 at this time. Shahrukh was very close to his mother and he mentioned many instances from his life to reflect the closeness of the bond.
His mother had told him when he was young that he resembled Dilip Kumar. He sounded pleased as he recalled this Produced and directed by Nasreen Munni Kabir the focus on Shahrukh Khan brought out the ordinariness of many aspects of his life. He went to the family graveyard and prayed for his parents. He hoped that his mother would be proud of his stardom when she would be told of it in Heaven. He spoke very affectionately of his wife Gauri, whom he has known since before he became a star.
He was 18 and she was 14 years old when they met for the first time - and she said that when she is referred to as being Shahrukh's wife, she says that "but I have known you before you became a star". On another issue, that of his shyness with girls he said that Gauri was the only woman whom he felt comfortable with and was able to talk to her about anything in the world.
Shahrukh underlined the deeper value of work in his life, which he said was one way of reducing and fighting the sadness and sorrows of his life. He didn't mention what was the specific sadness and sorrow that he was alluding to. He said that the loss of his parents at a young age was something that had brought him long lasting unhappiness, and also to his sister, who is five years older than him. She is an M.A, LLB, and does not keep well, at times, that is to be attributed to the death of their mother, he said.
All in all, it was an extremely absorbing interview, and I wish I had seen it from beginning to end. Do they have such interviews available on CDs for people to see when they like?
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For varied reasons, including those related to the storm and rain, I have been unable to write about some of programmes that I had intended to. If you were waiting, do so until next week.!!!
Copyright Business Recorder, 2007