Not being insensitive

News of four blasts hitting Delhi spread in no time today evening. I was on net and was keeping me updated through tv channels. I left my chat status do all the talking and inform about the situation. Soon, a friend who happened to be online (and in US) at that moment asked me further details. He also informed me that his apartment people (who were Indians) are worried and trying to touch base with their loved ones in the Capital. That was one part of the story. Phone calls came in from some friends and sms-es too. Telephone lines soon started getting jammed…

Another friend (also staying in US) chatted on a differnt note taking cue from the blasts. The chat session went like this:

Purnendu: hi
Sanjeev: hi
Sent at 8:33 PM on Saturday
Purnendu: why u journalist are not doing something?
so that people will elect good gov that will take care of people
Sanjeev: at d end of the day, we r citizens just like u
so the questions falls on ur lap as well
question
wy r u invisible
Purnendu: do u support some one modi as our primeminister
??
Sanjeev: to be true, i dont have an opinion
even if i wanna vote an independent, he will be purchased by a party or so
Purnendu: hardcore fundamentalist thats what our country need its my opinion
Sanjeev: BJP alone coming to power is difficult
then sharing a govt scene wud mean any majority party ve to compromise
Purnendu: thats where you people u media have to support
now its enough you people should take the lead
Sanjeev: where does the voter go who voted on a definite manifesto which gets marred in such a political scene
who is You People here ??
Purnendu: i don't know what will happen
Sanjeev: pretty bad scene
Purnendu: good people should lead the nation
god knows when this will happen

Our chat ended abruptly, on a note of uncertainty, hopelessness and I felt being insensitive to the series of happenings taking place around and remaining calm about my inability to bring about a change.

My inability was reinforced when, on the other hand, I saw the shots of people injured in the blasts and are being carried to hospitals or for immediate first aid. I did not react in awe. I had lost the sense of reaction towards what was being telecasted on prime time – bomb blasts shake the Capital. Probably because I was sitting in the comforts of my home and justified myself that I am in no position to offer help. The television journalism in that sphere is no different. They still carry on doing their task – reporting. Why would a photographer or cameraperson a hand of help when he can capture moments of agony at its best. I might be criticizing the lot and could land up right there doing what they have been doing. But unless insensitive, it would be difficult to carry out that job and dish out questions of horror, stupidity and reckless to get more eyeballs. Isn't it?

While the news channels continued tapping the leads to the blasts, a sense of despair crossed my heart. Now a fool would be able to guess which is going to increase the TRP ratings of these very channels. Delhi blasts or Bihar flood. I just hope that the effort that has been extended to the flood victims, in form of monetary donations, clothes, food by so many citizens reach where it is intended to. Hope the shift of focus (of TRPs) of our agonies we are becoming insensitive to does not create a black hole of corruption in bureaucratic line to sucks in any noble humanitarian intentions. Let us pray for the victims and their loved ones and those of us who are suffering.