Newspapers should play up their opinions

Here is a paradox for you to ponder.

Most Indian newspapers are reducing the space given to editorial comment. The Times of India has tried to abolish its editorial page several times. And the conventional wisdom among newspaper executives – backed up by market research agencies – is that nobody reads the editorials.

What people read newspapers for, or so we are told, is hard news. They treat the editorial page as an anachronism and have no interest in the views of the paper’s editors. The only reason the editorial page survives is because it is a big ego trip for editors.

I have never bought this argument. A newspaper without an editorial page is like a human being without a soul. It is the editorial page that gives the paper its character. And even if readers tell market researchers that they do not read it, they certainly mind when it is removed or tampered with.

The Times of India had to reinstate the editorial page after readers complained. At the HT, a redesign that was supposed to make the page look younger and fresher, led to such an uproar that the design had to be changed yet again.

But even if you do not accept my view, there is something else you should think about.

Newspaper executives will tell you that papers have to change because of competition from television and especially, the Internet. The old ways will not work any longer.

Fair enough.

But when you go on the Internet, what is it that you find?

Blogs, all consisting of nothing more than opinion and comment. There is not a lot of hard news on the Internet. It’s all opinion.

So, is it the case of the anti-edit page brigade that newspapers must change to be more like the Internet? But that they should eschew opinion because people who use the Internet love opinion?

Makes no sense, does it?

As important is the influence of television. The truth is that more and more people get their news from TV, not from newspapers. So, newspapers must do something different to distinguish themselves from television.

Even within the television industry, channels are distinguishing themselves through opinion. Fox News is a success in the US because people share its opinions. Times Now is the number one channel in India this week because it is not afraid to broadcast its opinions.

Why should the newspaper industry play down its opinions?

Surely, we should be doing the exact opposite.

(23 votes, average: 4.61 out of 5)

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Posted by Vir Sanghvi on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Filed under Media · Tagged Hindustan Times, HT, newspapers, television, televisions

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Anusha

I love editorials. won’t buy a paper without editorials.

[Reply]
Shabana Reply:
March 4th, 2009 at 12:23 am
There can’t be a newspaper without an editorial page. May be the editorial needs to be more hard-hitting and fierce in this era so that people would look forward to read it.

But without editorial it’s no newspaper. I may not read it every day but once in a while in a week I just want to read it, the whole page, when I have time. TOI sells but it doesn’t get the respect which HT has.

[Reply]
Prashant Reply:
March 7th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Who says nobody reads editorials. Whoever says so are being completely mislead by their researchers. I like editorials. Infact my complaint is that its getting shorter and shorter. Along with editorials, opinionist’s columns works too good. Just check out op – ed pages in nytimes.com. They are too good and very informative, thought provoking, unbiased. Must read.
For me, NO EDITORIAL, NO NEWSPAPAPER!!!!

[Reply]
Divakar Reply:
March 10th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Why should the gullible public who are subjected to biased reporting in the first place be made to listen to the opinions of the so-called wise correspondents or their analysis? For heaven’s sake, let there be just news papers which have robust systems to give us the facts, provide information of the environment within which the particular news emanates from and let the readers make up their minds. If you have a news analysis within the news, one does not know what is fact and what is fiction. As it is, the leading Indian newspapers, are fast becoming scandalous for the most part – there is hardly any depth in reportage now – after all this will require hard core research and effort to put together a piece and most reporters and correspondents simply dont seem to have (simply put) the competence. Save us from their opinions!

[Reply]
Atul Reply:
March 10th, 2009 at 3:35 am
I agree. There are a lot of media nowadays to get news; it is the established opinion that provides meaning to the information through analysis.

I too wouldn’t go for a paper without editorials, because that is all I read, mostly.

[Reply]
sanjay mittal Reply:
March 10th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
I somehow enjoy those editorials in the HT. I guess this is one reason I mentally mark the paper as, left, right or free. And for me, VIr Sanghvi’s views were somewhat more enjoyable and made more news sense than so much of actual news.

I guess newspapers should have a vibrant editorial column; yet should abstain from clinging on to any party line. At the end of the day, a reader wants to make an independent judgement, yet also wants to make sense from the anarchy of news clogging our minds.

[Reply]
Dhruv

You are one person whose view i simply love..be it on cooking, music or politics
And i really have no idea..why HT does not have your column everyday
And no edit page…is plain right stupid…and I am 23 and yes youth enjoy reading the edit page…please do not consider us so dumb !!!

[Reply]
Naomi Reply:
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:39 pm
I always find that it is blogs and columns that evoke the most response from readers and are the most talked about at dinner parties etc…News is just a commodity. Anyone can create it and it is the same, bar a different word here or there in most papers and on the Internet. Type in a keyword to google connected to a news story and it will throw up the same stories again and again written by a bunch of different journalists….Only some news stories manage to evoke strong emotions in readers and viewers (such as the terror attacks) whereas most evoke no response at all – however columns and opinion pieces do evoke responses and debates and more often than not are on subjects which directly touch readers or at least on which readers have an opinion. Of course, how well written such a piece is is what makes the difference and how well designed the page is that carries it. The subject matter also needs to be right. I think far too much has been written on Slumdog Millionaire in the opinion pages of all papers – so now when I see any such piece, I cannot read it as everthing on this subject has in my view been said. However if the subject is relevant and it is well written, everyone will read it. Therefore newspaoers definitely need to continue to carry opinion pieces and columns, but just ensure the subjects are relevant and writers good and page properly designed. Luckily some opinionated pages are left in the indian media. What is severely lacking though are opinionated current affairs TV and radio programmes such as the equivalent of Newsnight , the Today programme and Question Time in the UK.

[Reply]
Deb Reply:
March 4th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I guess what’s being referred to here is not the edit page itself, which has many more interesting things and features, but the future of the editorial comment (usually found on the extreme left column of the edit page). Correct me if I’m wrong.

[Reply]
Nikhil Dalvi Reply:
March 9th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
You are totally wrong

[Reply]
Anil

It is always the ’second’ Editorial in daily HT that takes the cake. A ’serious’ view about the trivia. It comes up with refreshing regularity. Saturday ‘Lounge’ is one such example where you find readable stuff compiled and presented excellently. Many a weeklys and fortnightlys are surviving on the last page. On internet one really has to dig. Many a newspapers have tried editorials on front page only to revert back. The editorail page on its specified space makes the newspaper look more dignified. Any explanation for that ?

[Reply]
http://www.vmohanty.com vimoh

I agree one hundred per cent Vir.

If a newspaper has a web presence, I don’t need a sheet of paper in my hand for ‘hard news’. As far as news is concerned, newspapers are oldspapers. RSS feeds get to me faster than the paperwallah does.

The ONLY reason I read the paper is for the opinion, even if the website has it. Editorials need thinking over. It is better done with no distractions.

[Reply]
Jugal Reply:
March 4th, 2009 at 1:12 am
One slight difference between the opinions on web and those on the edit page – stuff on the web is a two way street and as a reader I know that I can contribute my own opinion as well, right there and then and it will be visible for the world to read.

On the other hand the edit pages tend to be more authoritative in their tonality (or at least that’s what the perception is) and are often seen as some random wisdom/agenda being shoved down our throats, which we neither can agree with or refute.(assuming only a real fanatic will send e-mails to the author or go to the paper’s website to chase the same bit – it has to happen there and then)

Things will change the day newspaper editorials also become somewhat more particpatory in nature.

@ ankur – This ‘is’ Vir’s blog

[Reply]
Tushar Reply:
March 4th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Maybe space can be made available for ordinary readers to write in with their views and make the whole page more interactive and lively. The letters to the editor is a good way of doing it but allowing some reader space to share their views on specific topics could help enliven the whole thing. Holding a competition for entries for both articles and photos would attract readers something like what the Mint does…choose your article but here the people themselves contribute and the selection for the day is being made by the Ed team at HT or via a vote on the website where visitors could vote for their fav articles/pics once a shortlist is made available.

[Reply]
V.B.N.Ram Reply:
March 5th, 2009 at 11:39 am
What would I , as an interested edit page reader consider a good editorial content:
a) the leader editorials and the rest, must focus on breaking news content
b) explain to the reader, without assumptions ie with utmost clarity, without subterfuges or digressions, what the subject is all about. Note, very few, if any ( barring those, who have the time or interest to delve objectively and deep into the subject ) can bask in the luxury of even gaining a toe hold of the subject reservoir. The leader edits must be balanced, with no axe to grind, nor deliberately disturb any one’s apple cart , unless the situation , so demands for a more objective assessment.
As regards the content, the articles from in-house journalists, both for edit and op-ed pages, these should follow the same suggestions I have given for the leader edits. I would strongly advocate a greater preference for articles from talent other than the in-house journalists. This could involve opinion makers, head honchos and speciality talent from think tanks. However, good content coming from talent, not just confined to the above category, should not be put in the waste paper basket merely because, the writer in not a well known name.

Rajneesh Batra Reply:
March 7th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
To me, the Editorial section of every Newspaper acts like MSG, which although enhances the taste manifold, the use of it above a certain limit is harmful in many ways. And unfortunately some of your fellow journals had been crossing the permissible limits lately and hence required to be restrained by FPO (Fair Play Organisation).

ankur kakkar Reply:
March 4th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
@ jugal : hey, i am aware that this is vir sanghvi’s blog …. i was asking him to start his personal blog , one which does not have an affiliation with any media house …

[Reply]
Yatin Reply:
March 19th, 2009 at 12:02 am
I AGREE.

Barry Reply:
March 5th, 2009 at 10:36 am
To equate editorials with blogs is a tad facile, even though both essentially are of opinions. Editorials, with their ivory-tower standoffishness, are difficult to warm up to for a lay reader. The subject of editorials too are many times over arcane. Forget what the marketing men say, even a cursory glance at newspaper readership habits will confirm that an editorial page is the least read in a newspaper. And it is where most of the big-sounding editors are perched!
Blogging, on the other hand, has very little rigour. It is knee-jerky, abrasive and too in-your-face. It creates situations that don’t appreciate the grey areas of life —– it is the space (grey area) where life happens most often.
Newspapers would do well to stop listening to marketing men who know only to sell products. To be sure, a newspaper too is a product and needs profits to survive, yet the commodity that it is peddling is news —- something which by definition is not in its hands, something that which can’t be altered. Newspaper must just be a mirror held on to the society. It can show interesting angles. but it must not try to tailor the image.
Newspapers are making matters worse for themselves by trying to second-guess what a typical reader would want. The previous era of newspapers perhaps operated in the other extreme by giving news with the idea ‘this is what the readers should read’. Newspapers, in general, would do well to just manfully chronicle the life and times with all its ambiguities. Smart Alecky journalism eventually flounders. Journalists, with their shoulders full of chips, have notions that are not in sync with their real positions in the larger scheme of things. Context and relevance are largely missing in news reports these days. it is not coincidental that election results have become difficult to predict these days.
Having said these, reading as a habit is dying and so naturally are newspapers and books. You can bemoan this, but people are not ready to spend (both money and time) on reading. Tinkering with the design and content may lull jounos into happiness. But theirs is a profession that is on shaky foundations. As content delivery becomes easy (through myriad gizmos) some of the old vehicles are bound to get elbowed out. Newspapers have to face up to this reality. The days of journalism as the world had known it so far are numbered.

[Reply]
Deb Reply:
March 4th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
A different opinion – on one point – I still do need a sheet of paper. I’ve access to a whole lot of internet news; in fact, if I find something very interesting in the newspaper in my morning (hurried) browsing, I tend to look it up in the online edition. Still, I find it soothing to read the paper copy when I get back home in the evening. There is something about it being in your hand, allowing unhurried reading without distractions, which is what I guess attracts me to the ‘paper’. Guess it’s the old world charm!

[Reply]
Hradayesh Reply:
March 4th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Editorials must remain. However, I am not a big fan of TOI editorials. They are simply not rich enough. I particularly like the editorials from The Hindu.
Opnion must have a place in any newspaper and an editorial page is the only right place. What’s shocking is that many journalists take the liberty of painting their articles with their opnion while reporting an event. That’s outright criminal! The purpose of a news article should be to report an event in an unbiased fashion, without any prejudice and not to evoke a particular response. Such actions undermine the credibilty of a newspaper. Opinions must be restricted to the editorials only.

[Reply]
ADITYA SHUKLA Reply:
March 5th, 2009 at 8:05 am
I completely agree with Mr Sanghvi that an editorial is the soul of a newspaper. Through editorials you get a broader view of the story in a short span. And talking about the challenges posed by Television, let me remind everybody that Newspapers are still the most trusted source of information and therfore it need not to worry. But innovations are always welcomed.

[Reply]
saif Reply:
March 6th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
sir

i eagerly await the sunday ht to read your column. I would certainly not read a newspaper that has not got an editorial page. TOI does not give much importance to its editorial pages that is why i switched to HT.

[Reply]
http://www.ankurkakkar.blogspot.com/ ankur kakkar

sir,

I think reading editorials has more to do with your reading habits in general. i have been reading HT since i was a kid and that was when i used to hate the edit page.. as i grew older and my reading habits developed and my mindset became more matured , i wanted to form a perspective on national issues and i wanted to find out what people like vir sanghvi or karan thapar THINK about a certain development … Basically it was not just the hunger for news, but the urge to listen to intellectual people and enhance my understanding of various issues that concern my country and my life in general that really led me through this journey.. Today, i cannot even imagine not reading the EDIT page of both HT and TOI on any single day !!
so, it all boils down to personal reading habits and your understanding of the world around you.

As far as blogging is concerned, i absolutely agree that it an e-version of the editorial page..
In fact most journalists ( especially in the US) , maintain their blogs and keep posting their views and opinions regularly.. this is a trend that is now emerging in india as well.. Mrs.Shobhaa De maintains a wonderful blog in which she not only expresses her views , but also uploads all her columns…

I am eagerly waiting for the day when you start your own blog ( or please let us know the web link , in case you already have one !!)

Thank you.

[Reply]
Deb Reply:
March 4th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Absolutely. I also find that when I’m in two minds on some recent happening & am not able to form an opinion one way or another, an edit (if it’s not palpably biased) puts things into perspective and supports and ‘authoritative’ opinion. After all, an editor will not put his neck on the block supporting an unpopular view unless he has the courage of conviction – that’s my logic.

Also agree that personal reading habits change hugely with the passage of time – not only with papers but also with books.

[Reply]
Alok

Even I am of the opinion that editorials are very important. More than anything they offer an understanding and insight inot any given situatio and it helps shape the opinions of people a well. True, blogging is taking it to the next level where you can get to discuss the same rather than just putting a view before people and letting the matter rest. TOI has a nice editorial cloumn. Dunno about HT, as it isn’t available in Bangalore.

[Reply]
Diva

Dear Sir,

i have been reading HT all my life…and the edit page is a ‘Must Read’!! even today, when there is a time crunch and i dont have the time to go through the whole paper, i just directly turn to the edit page. It is the soul of the paper and there is no doubt to it!

What should go are the weird innovations, esp with the masthead and the front page. Recently, the compromise being made with these sacrosant elements is shocking and a put off from the brand being displayed!

I am a part of the marketing brigade myself, but do think that there’s a limit to all promotions. TOI had recently coloured its font on the front page for Nokia’s new phone as part of an innovation (read expensive) startegy.

TV has enough ads as it is, let there be some content in papers before they go on to wrap chappattis or to the kabariwala…let it have some dignity of having been read for its content and not just being flipped through for its colourful ads before it dies its iminent death in the evening…

[Reply]
Deb Reply:
March 4th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Righto. As for promotions, one more thing happening is the whole page 1 & 2 being converted (frequently, I might say) into advts., with the ‘real’ newspaper beginning at page 3 (pun unintended). Puts one off massively in the morning.

[Reply]
Indian

I love to read the editorial and I really agree that its a soul of a newspaper. I like your columns although I feel that you are too biased and favor of the Gandhians.

[Reply]
Puneet

I do agree that newspapers should carry Op-edit pages. Thankfully, papers still do retain the charm of highlighting important news upfront, along with the Editor’s views.

I don’t mind reading a badly written copy but the “news” should be important. Unlike most TV channels who flash the BREAKING NEWS tag for something as trivial as a kid falling into a manhole! I mean, is this news that deserves to be on Prime Time and a minute-by-minute coverage?…forget qualifying for a “Breaking News.”

Promotion and hype around an event is I feel is targetted to attract eyeballs. But make the event NEWSWORTHY at least. Another bug that bit most senior journalists was BLOGS. In a way its nice to stay in touch with readers and vice-versa, rather than getting around e-mails and letters to the editor.

Long live the Op-Ed page!!

[Reply]
Mathu

I fully agree to the point that news papers without editorials are not news papers but an advertising directory. But at the same time no one buys the news paper only for news and editorials. It is such a boring thing to read any newspaper and magazine full of articles and opinions. The respite in the form of advertisements is really a mind refresher. It is true tv supply us enough of news items 24 hours. But the health pundits declare catagorically that watching news before going to bed will have an harmful effect on ones sleep.
The ratio is never been accurate and standard for the publications as the life line of any publication is their advertising revenue. unfair practices in accepting advertisement compromising editorial and newspaper ethical values always backfire. One cannot differentiate between an advertorial, editorial, news items as they were packaged attractively with trendy designs and outlook and the ordinary readers will be taken for a toss by manipulative advertisers.
But survival of the fittest being the mantra for newspapers where everyone is looking out for their pie whether it is in advertisement or editorial or flash news or exclusives. The debate will go on for ever.

[Reply]
Markques

I think one of the reason for this is the gen x is does less reading and more attracted and relate to television anchors. If you see from a commers view point most of the TV news reporters look more like people who act up a very cosmopolitan. Which the fact is not with its viewers. So the viewer look at them like some rich, spoilt, dump and people are totally adicted to power corridors. Really they to me at least do not look real people. So think this helps for them as they seem like film starts. For example how many pubs exist in villages? Where 70% of our population lives? But for these reports the “MANGLORE PUB ATTACK” major news item for a month!!!!! Why? these(news readers and reports) end up in pub that evening so the news. Oh my gosh!! They really are soooooo disconnected and dumb!! This works for them I believe as for the people it is NEWS!!!!! Total time pass these jokers shouting at their face.:-)

[Reply]
Sapna

I love editorials and op-eds. Good ones always make it to my facebook page.

[Reply]
http://soumyajain.weebly.com/ Soumya Jain

I agree to the fact that TV and internet do give most of the info. But what I like about newspapers is the analysis the editors do on the edit page! You are right Mr. Sanghvi when you say that a newspaper without edit page is a human being without a soul. The ‘analysis’ done by TV news channels are hardly worth listening to. Newspapers win hands down when it comes to providing intelligent opinion!

[Reply]
Paresh Reply:
March 7th, 2009 at 12:00 am
What’s the point in having an editorial when it does not suggest anything. Todays editorial, like our politicians, are all politically correct and there are no hard hitting views. I guess thats because of the revenue that a newpaper needs to generate. Thus there’s a dwindling interest of most of the youths in the sanctum sanctorum of the dailies.

[Reply]
Amnees

Dear Sir,

How authantic is our electronic voting machines.
Any manipulation in software can be big favour !
In US also still manual voting.
Recent allegation on Mr. Chawla, political parties should discuss this and come way forward,

[Reply]
Sunil Reply:
March 5th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Totally agree.

What is a newspaper without news, views, reviews, and interviews?
News that gives me pure facts
Views that give me opinion of editor and all others
Reviews that give me biased view of reviewer
Interviews that help me frame my opinion

One thing missing in almost all newspaper today is interviews. What we get is generally a summary article based on several interviews or a very small interview that does not get into details and that does not even require interviewer to prepare in advance. I would love to see a newspaper that gives equal importance to interviews, be it long. Let the interviewer work hard and prepare.

Coming back to editorial pages, I certainly would unsubscribe any newspaper that gets rid of it.

[Reply]
deepak kumar

Vir,
If u think about Toi It is truly a professional paper they don’thave intrest in News they are only interested in making money either by private treaties or by publishing article by taking money ,and another front showing responsibility by making national oriented campaigns like Lead India,Teach india. Several times they tried to spoil the image of journalism they don’t have proper layout of the page ,all news are putting whereever they gets space. In india where print media is still growing ,where journalists are knowing by there name and there article how can u expect a paper without editorial it is so because newspapers team have responsibility to the nation ,to the people that responsibility is shows in editorial content , HT,Hindu etc are still responsible people favorite due to editorials.There is a vast difference between responsiblity and business and TOI forget all that. Go for MailToday its has also editorial i was never expected a strong editorial in tabloid but they did. Definately without editorial news paper all like sensatinal paper only.

[Reply]
Pooja mathur

i would like to add that the editorial page is like a soul of the newspaper and also gives a perspective to the reader and also helps the reader in analying the particular event .

[Reply]
Pooja mathur Reply:
March 25th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
would like to add that the editorial page is like a soul of the newspaper and also gives a perspective to the reader and also helps the reader in analying the particular event

[Reply]
sanjib kr. baishya

Dear sir,I liked this article for a few reasons. I like reading you because of your neutrality and focus. The variety that you bring in your ideas and opinions is simply brilliant.

[Reply]
Sanjib Kr. Baishya Reply:
March 28th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Dear sir,
I’m fond of reading your articles because of the style and variety that you bring in. This one is very interesting because it sensitizes us towards the need of appreciating new ideas and opinions.
Regards,
Sanjib Kr. Baishya

[Reply]
herminder kaur Ohri

A newspaper without an editorial , will be just a large pamphlet. The once upon a time editors were erudite, and knowledgeable about the state of affairs. And unafraid to tell/write it as it was. Infact they were the opinon makers. They literally told us what to think. Now the editorial are seldom hard hitting, one gets the impression that the owners do not want to ruffle any feathers, so they are rather
watered down, I dont mean that they should be sensational just truthful. despite this criticism,, I still look forward to the editorial, to your analysis, Indrajit Hazra ’s sidesplitting explanations of the current affairs.

[Reply]
R.P.Gayatri

There are readers with different levels of maturity and interests. Problem arises when marketeers enter the fray trying to find one single formula or format that fits all. Why are we having an art film versus masala film kind of an argument. Readers who wish to be entertained, who need gossip need not necesarily be dumb who will buy all that is shoved down their throat. Fact is, we don’t have a choice today. I was born into TOI, was apalled at its systematic dumbing down, switched to HT and now read both.

If I were to read newspaper for just hard facts, I am not sure whom to trust. Two papers sometimes give sch varied versions that you are zapped.

The only saving grace is the editorials by ‘egoistic’ editors wo are ready to put their names and reputation in the line of fire.

Plus readig an editorial by Swami Ankalesharia Iyer(TOI) is like taking lessons in history, economicsand politics all at the same time.

So for those who want newspaper sans editorials can go get it from their next door Aunty or colleagues.

R.P.Gayatri

[Reply]
Amit Mishra

I can never ever think of a newspaper worth it’s salt without an editorial section. The editorial represents the unique thinking of the newspaper and what the newspaper stands up for.

And for sure, most of my educated and learned friends do read and make it a point to discuss the editorials they read.(VIr is one of the favourites).

So go ahead and continue your pontification……………….

[Reply]
asingh

There is a very big difference between a news channel and a news paper. News channel only provide a very limited amount of news and the same news are repeated across all channels whereas a news paper covers lot of news. In some cases some catchy headlines on the front page but lot of useful news inside. There is no time limitation in print media to put your view across.

The biggest difference is that no other medium can beat print media even not the internet for a very simple reason that you can only carry news paper in the toilet.

.

[Reply]
jaya

Most of the time I do write, since I am an opinion oriented person! Even Hindustan Times they have a special page for comments. They should increase the space little more so that they can accommodate more readers! Now-a-days everyone’s need is to participate on all happenings of the country one way or the other! The urge is there due to lot of unrest in the society! Viewers’ opinion is very important for the circulation of the news papers!—jaya

[Reply]
http://amritasimon.blogspot.com amritasimon.blogspot.com

i love editorials.specially your sunday column in ht.i also enjoy reading manas chakravarty and karan thapar.but i like your’s the best.

[Reply]
http://nuclearsupremacyforindiaoverus.blogspot.com/ Satish Chandra

November 18, 2011: When I say the new Chief of Air Staff, N. A. K. Browne, is a CIA-RAW man, I mean he literally sits at CIA-supplied terminals to participate in crimes against India. More than a thousand Indian Air Force aircraft have crashed since 1970, the vast majority of the crashes caused by microwaves from U. S. satellites. In his first week in office as Chief of Air Staff, Browne caused two Indian Air Force fighter planes to crash with microwaves from satellites, to give a boost to his bid to buy worse than worthless foreign aircraft for several tens of billions of dollars of which he will get a hefty cut along with the Defence Minister and the Italian woman who gets the largest cut.//

I said on October 11 ‘11 ( IndianAirForcePilotsMurderDOTblogspotDOTcom ) that the ’suicide’ of the chief test pilot Baldev Singh was murder, to facilitate the claim of the fraudulent ‘delay’ in inducting the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, being used to justify the worse than worthless purchase abroad. India builds Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft from raw materials; why do you need to buy fighter aircraft from abroad?//

N. A. K. Browne, A. K. Antony and the Italian woman should be booked for the murder of Baldev Singh along with the head of RAW. All former heads of RAW should be booked for the murders of hundreds of Indian Air Force pilots.//

The murders of several politicians by air crash have also been accomplished by microwaves from satellites. A recent example was the murder of the Andhra Pradesh chief minister by air crash. In my blog I have described how Indira Gandhi when prime minister in 1980 went to her kitchen with the then U. S. Vice President and former CIA Director, George Herbert Walker Bush, to arrange for the murder by air crash of her son Sanjay Gandhi who had taken to slapping her in the presence of others under my influence and the then CIA Director, Frank Carlucci, publicly claimed credit for that air crash via a letter that appeared in National Review.//

November 17, 2011: Integrated Circuit chips made in the United States are required to provide for access to the United States National Security Agency so it can monitor and take control of their operations at will. Components and electronic equipment from the United States should be absolutely “haram”; far from lamenting ‘technology denial’, equipment from the United States should be rejected even if it is offered on a platter and free of charge as I have said. India’s bought-up Defence, Atomic Energy, Space and other officials deliberately close their eyes to this threat. This also applies to U. S.- made civilian aircraft, for example. There are two hundred thousand Indian engineers and scientists working in Research & Development for foreign companies in India but instead of putting its money in Research & Development ( in my letter dated January 5, 2004 to the press — see my blog — I had suggested one million Research & Development workers in India in government-sponsored projects), India’s CIA-RAW government buys foreign equipment in all fields to keep India poor, weak and enslaved. India’s government lends hundreds of billions of dollars to the U. S. government in exchange for worthless U. S. paper but seeks foreign investment and World Bank loans for projects in India, giving ownership and control of India to India’s enemies, despite the unlimited capital available to India by simply printing the money; see ‘How India’s Economy Can Grow 30% Per Year Or More’ in my blog; as is described there, the United States has been applying my proposal about money by stealth and now also openly but Manmohan Singh refuses to do so because this bugger — a CIA appointee — does what serves the United States’, not India’s, interests.//

I had asked the Indian Army to arrest the top one thousand or so officers of RAW. It has not done so. But, as I have said, India’s nuclear forces obey Satish Chandra. He does not need India’s conventional forces or the rest of the government and citizenry to defend India which requires the destruction of RAW which will be done by nuclear means, that is, the simultaneous nuclear destruction of New Delhi, Washington and New York, with a warning that additional U. S. cities will be destroyed, with nuclear warheads already emplaced in them by special forces, if there is any retaliation. //

I am India’s expert in strategic defence, the father of India’s strategic program including the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program, the world’s greatest scientist (my biography can be found in Marquis’ Who’s Who in the World, 2011 and earlier editions) and India’s legitimate ruler; for more on the subject above see ‘What You Should Know About RAW’ in my blog titled ‘Nuclear Supremacy For India Over U. S.’ which can be found by a Yahoo/Google search with the title.//

Satish Chandra

[Reply]
Anonymous

It’s only three years of the incident and hopefully we would not forget the same in another 300 years, as we lack more important issues. We have a lot of different names of Islamic terrorist groups to blame for such incidents, but who knows whether they really exist? There might be thousands of such incidents in the past, but the coverage is given to the massacres involving rich and elite class and no one cares to talk for underprivileged dying of starvation throughout the country. Politicians were there on the seats during the incidents and would remain there forever and only difference could be of names or working location because that is the class, which has to be benefitted in all cases and conditions.

Our country and people are in not in a good state and there are lot of more important issues like poverty, inflation, deteriorating condition of roads & water supply, corruption & failure of democracy etc, which media has to raise rather than popping up same old and useless issues like 26/11, incidents of demolition of Babri mosque & Godhra etc.

[Reply]
Anonymous

A very balanced article.

It would be wrong and stupid for us to forget the acrifices our defence personnel have made.

Not to forget, the jehadis i Pakistan are being primed to attack us again…

[Reply]
Anonymous

Looks like you are a Congressi or a Pakistani..only these two variety of people are opposed to India.

[Reply]

Newspapers should play up their opinions

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