POLITICS

DEBATE : – Is ‘Political patronage’ of corrupt police officers playing havoc with the system ?

The present crisis of credibility faced by the Mumbai Police over its former CP levelling corruption charges on the Home Minister and its handling of the Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case has once again brought to the fore patronage of corrupt police officials by the politicians for their vested interests. This has also raised a question mark over ‘police professionalism’. Given the present scenario, more or less same in all the states regardless of the party in power, should it be deemed that ‘Political patronage of corrupt police officers is playing havoc with the system’:

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Mail your views in short to mehrotra.suresh@gmail.com OR  suresh.mehrotra@yahoo.com

Sixty years down the lane!

Oh, no ! Sixty years have passed this month. Unbelievable. It looks like an adventure.

Today, when I look back, I sometimes feel that I had somewhere the hidden desire to become a journalist even before knowing what journalism is.  In 1961, I casually started  working in Ujjain edition of ‘Navprabhat’ daily newspaper published from ‘Mahakaal Ki Nagri’ where I was studying. I didn’t leave my studies either and went on to complete my post graduation in History in 1966. Being a gold-medalist, it became easier for me to become a Professor in 1968 but ‘Destiny had something else in store for me.

My job of a Professor could not take away my inclination of getting published in the newspapers.  Later my association with ‘Navprabhat’ brought me close to  stalwarts (in public life) like late P C Sethi, then President of the Ujjain Municipality and RSS stalwarts Baba Saheb Natu and Kusha Bhau Thakre. I often recall these people because they used to encourage me in journalism. Since then I have met several PMs CMs Governors,top bureaucrats including several Cabinet Secretaries, PS to PMs,CBI,IB  and R&AW Chiefs and State Chief Secretaries and DGs.

In 1982, when one of my college mate,  1971 batch IAS Sudeep Banerji, who was then Director – Public Relations in Bhopal, suggested me to shift to Bhopal for a better future in Journalism, I – despite opposition at home - took a leave from teaching to finally join ‘media’.

My journey has been too long as a Correspondent in news agencies and publications  of repute like UNI, Free Press journal, Hindustan Times and later as an Editor of Dainik Bhaskar group’s English News Paper National Mail and then as an Editor of Nai Duniya.

It was here in 2001 when there came a turning point once again and I alone set on a journey to do something of my own – create a new flavour in Journalism. And this out of box thinking lead to the emergence of whispersinthecorridors.com.  I have given a  new concept in the  country, which appeared an uphill task initially. Even the closest of my  friends were apprehensive that how can a news venture – devoid of any business house support -  survive.

And today “Whispers” is known  across the country and in Missions abroad. Those who matter in politics, bureaucracy and corporate world, visit this site regularly. Information is power and for information I never embarrassed anyone but continued my work with full dedication without a single day break even in the worst of situations – including when my only son Sameer passed away.

Despite the setback, in 2008, we came out with the print edition of ‘Whispers In The Corridors’, a monthly magazine which contains all important news items of the month worth preserving for future reference.

As if the above setback was not enough, in a couple of years the back bone of the organisation Sanjeev Majupuria also left for heavenly abode. It looked that the curtains were drawn but I left everything at the mercy of God and continued to work restlessly even when sometimes - at this age of 76- my body refuses to cooperate.

However, the almighty has also been too kind to me and as they say, ‘God helps those, those who help themselves’, what could be more gratifying than the fact that whispersinthecorridors.com has not only become a name among ‘movers and shakers’ of the country but also created history in web journalism by bringing 200 crore visitors on its platform.

I staunchly believe, “Where there is a will, there is a way !”. It is true. It has happened with me and hence I can say with conviction that nothing can fail you if you have commitment towards your work and do it honestly. In such a case, success is for sure even though it is delayed many a times.

I would like to thank all those who cooperated with me in my six decades long journey in Journalism.

Dr. Suresh Mehrotra

Editor-in-Chief

I may be reached at-mehrotra.suresh@gmail.com or suresh.mehrotra@yahoo.com