The journalist friend I was interacting with at the International Media Centre, Bharat Mandapam, where G20 Delhi Summit was hosted -- seemed disturbed and at times lost to oneself. There was a reserved manner, trying to be introvert.
Beef ban, to Indian joint families and freelance journalism - foreign media persons wax eloquent on a range of issues
As slowly we could open up and developed trust in one another; my friend closed eyes for a while. And then rested his elbows on the table and virtually steepled his hands and stared blankly for a while. It was face reading exercise I thought.
"Journalism is changing and turning bad everywhere....but individual freedom of a journalist is precious. You must retain it," the candid observation left me surprised, but not quite also. We spoke on wide range of issues. My friend did not like to be identified about the country he/she belonged; but when I could assure and win the confidence; the discussions were more explicit.
"Even in the west, in South East Asia or Gulf.... the respect for media persons is on decline...Why you are protesting so much," came in another frank outburst. I could have countered or wanted to respond. But tactfully, for a while, I thought let the other side do most talking. Not only this particular friend, a few others from countries such as Germany, The Philippines and Argentina said - back home people in their respective countries talk 'good' about Indian joint families or cousins coming in to help someone in need.
On most occasions, I tried to smile. But the fact of the matter is 'one of the most attractive features' of Indian life to them -- is the middle class joint family structure. "We find is peculiar and joke when we hear you all (Indians) share rooms adjacent to each other between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law".
Occasionally, I said, "We have thousands of nuclear families as is mine as both my parents have expired". But they seem to applaud the 'family feelings'.
And then when we spoke about other issues -- one scribe from Japan said, "We hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fighting corruption hard but how true is the allegation that many opposition leaders were arrested".
A journalist from a Gulf nation said, "Climate change is an important issue...But is India and the people here are really concerned about it as a challenge....Climate issue has several aspects and interlinked matters -- science, society, trade and politics". I almost said, as of now Climate Change sounds too official and more of a diplomatic subject."
I could have said more. But the friend countered, "there is an overwhelming fact that we human beings are upsetting the ecological interdependence.....In our country also there is hardly a realisation that the poor will suffer the most and earliest from the damaging impacts of Climate Change".
What about G20 and what do they think (presume!) about Narendra Modi ?
A few avoided joining the debate openly. One journalist from Singapore said, "I have heard, your Modi is strict and a hard taskmaster...its good if that's the case. I Singapore, we cherish balance between Democracy and Discipline".
"I can tell you, no great success could have come in Singapore without Discipline and some strictness of the administration".
A senior journalist from Denmark in his late fifties had come to India earlier as well. "Your airport in Delhi is giant now...," he says adding, "The city looks livelier with fountains and spacious parking lot".
In terms of hardcore diplomacy, one Korean journalist said, "We keep a close tab on India-US relations. India is also an important partner for Korea....But Russia-India ties are changing. Earlier, you were very close to USSR, now only a major supplier of weapons to India, but Russia will face competition in the Indian arms market as you are doing business with the US and also France".
He, however, asserted G20 Delhi summit will enhance India's international prestige.
Of course, some journalists have heard about Manipur violence. Is it an anti-Christian issue?, asked one of them.
Among the visiting journalists they have heard about beef ban as well. "We heard of beef ban...now in the media centre there is ban on all kinds of non veg food. Your government is very strict about food restrictions," said one sporting an infectious smile on his face.
Over 150 media persons have travelled from Russia and also the US. Around 50 media persons have travelled from China. A large number of them came from Germany and UK. BBC reportedly had 40 people coming just for the G20 event and of course British PM Rishi Sunak's visit.
There were large contingents from African countries, Japan and Bangladesh.
One photo journalist from Dhaka said, "Meeting between our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and US President Joe Biden was an important chapter. Congrats to India for successfully hosting G20, 2023. Should I say, congrats Bharat varsha?"
ends
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