If I opt to go 'personal' yet again -- and in first person ... I must start this piece ... with my favourite statement as a 'victim' of Delhi's Jugadu politics in journalism -- Press Trust of India (PTI)....
From 'Jantar Mantar Dharna to freelance status' -- now 2026 --- residing in Ghaziabad .... "ND has come a long way" :::: Quote - Unquote !!
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| This is supposed to be a Jan 1998 snap : I arrived Delhi PTI only in April 1998 |
No more protests at Jantar Mantar,
Modi Government designates 3 other sites in Delhi
The order comes amid a standoff between the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and Delhi Police over permission to hold a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar.
The CJP leaders walked out of Parliament Street police station on Monday, reiterating their demand for a protest date and seeking an explanation for the denial of permission.
The venue -- at a stone's throw from Indian Parliament and also quite close to PTI (headquarters) and also UNI and office building of Indian Newspaper Society (INS) --- has over the years hosted demonstrations by farmers, trade unions, political parties, students, civil-society groups and individuals pursuing personal causes.
During one of those protests by AAP, a man committed suicide too. On April 22, 2015, a 40-year-old farmer named Gajendra Singh Kalyanwat from Rajasthan's Dausa district died by suicide by hanging from a tree during an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) anti-land acquisition rally at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
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| Vajpayee era protest : Oct 1998 --- Minorities found it a fashionable only to get Modi era in 2014 |
(some of these snaps are from 'Hindustan Times' )
A group of 20 people would walk raising slogans - "Bal Thackeray hosh mein aao" . Often things looked comical too.
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| Protest in 1995 - P V Narasimha Rao era |
In October 2017, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) accepted a complaint by residents of Jantar Mantar Road, noting that demonstrations had become continuous and were causing noise and air pollution, sanitation problems and disruption to their daily lives. The NGT order was challenged in the Supreme Court by the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan and other appellants, including organisations representing farmers and ex-servicemen, as well as an individual protester.
The latest change follows the Supreme Court’s October 9 observations that Delhi should consider a larger alternative site with basic facilities, including toilets, drinking water, medical assistance and space for emergency access.
On personal front .... when I was attached to Reporting Unit in PTI headquarters, I took it as a challenge and opportunity.
Most Delhi colleagues and bosses were impressed by my Hindi (as I had two weakness fronts - a Bong and studied and worked in north east).
So it started ... "Jantar Mantar hae toh ... ND ko bhej do".
ND name also stuck. At times a few Intelligence Bureau officials (now retired) would affectionately call me "ND".
The venue was not far .... but Delhi's Summer made things difficult for someone -- who is scared of heat, heatwave and an unhospitable weather for taking lunch.
Banana was a rescuer. We met friends and some friendships have stuck.
Nevertheless - challenge was fun ... but slowly I realised --- Delhi's jugadu game was on. In PTI's "inside politics" - it meant - assignments to Jantar Mantar - were to be like punishment.
Reason : "He acts over smart ....". This was one factor.
More so; soon PTI boss - M K Razdan stared saying in meetings : "ND is a man for all seasons".
kaafi tha ..... Jalan industry was to work in the orgaisation of average and below average jokers.
Razdan sahab (MKR) was himself workaholic ... so - he was not a problem per se.
But he was gheraoed by chamchas.
Most others were doing their jobs. Now deceased - Sujit Chatterjee (son of a gentleman senior journalist) knew to be a ready-competitor driven by Delhi's insecurity.
There were other jokers around - a few in Congress beat. A few were from LLD-club, 'do jasoos' kareh mehsoos .... Duniya bari kharab hae.
There was one - "Angrez ke jamane ke jailor" - he declined to use computers.
There came a time - female colleagues used to joke - "Are you looking for ND, he must be at Jantar Mantar".
According to a standing order dated October 11, 2026, the three newly designated venues are Ramlila Ground in Old Delhi, CBD Ground in East Delhi and Burari Ground in North Delhi.
Notably, these three sites are 3 kms, 13.5 kms, and 44 kms away from Jantar Mantar located in Central Delhi respectively.
Now another ND or Ruata (HCV from PTI Aizawl) coming to Delhi PTI -- may have to be deputed to Burari ground. What a pity !!
The reference to Ruata ( Vanlalruata - now Times of India Aizawl bureau man) reminds of a lighter moment.
One Delhi girl (future Mrs Kaul) told him - "Young boy can you do this copy ?". My friend's Hmar spirit was up -- he retorted : "Young lady, I am not a boy. I have a daughter of your age".
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| Ruata and Me : 2018 in Lunglei, Mizoram - some friendships get stuck |
I had given a story about women Naga insurgents. The 'Delhi Desk lady' -- whose life began in Punjabi Bagh and possibly will end with the 'Punjabi Bagh' mentality, told me when I meet the Naga women insurgents "Next time", I should get their snaps and also ask a few "uncomfortable questions".
She passed the typical 'Aurangzeb variety' of a verdict -- "You are glorifying Naga insurgency".
Back in Nagaland - I was the 'plain manu' ... even suspected to be on Govt of India's payroll as to them PTI -- also was a sarkari affair. Life had taken a full circle, I thought.
I kept mum for a while and then simply had to tell told her, the insurgent ladies were not my girl friends. Ruata - of course - congratulated me and said: "Tonight's dinner is in Mizoram House".
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| M K Razdan : PTI -'don' of our times- Who said : "ND is man for all seasons" |
ends
A masterpiece, I must say.
ReplyDeleteWithout taking the name you took the intended name. The punjabi who became Mrs. Kashmiri. No wonder ND toh hai. Story milega for sure. -- one well wisher and ex-PTI :: also fellow E-20 hostel mate