Closure

“Arey Ananditaji, Aap bhi Kerala ja rahe ho? Bête ke paas?” Parminder Kaur said walking towards Anandita along with her husband; who was waiting in Dumdum airport lounge.  Anandita in a Bengal cotton saree and neatly tied up hair in bun was in deep thoughts looking into nothingness; engrossed in some deeper thoughts, least attentive to Pammi’s pleasantries. Her red and swollen eyes were covered with big sunglasses. No more tears were left in her.

“Kaisa hai Rahul? Suna hai badi tarakki kar raha hai?” She said taking seat next to Anandita.

“Hum bhi Kerala ja rahe hain, backwaters ghoomne, inka LTA benefit use karenge ji. Rahengi na kuch din wahan Rahul ke pass?” asked Pammi pressing her palms.

Slowly Anandita looked to Pammi and said in low voice- “Rahul died last night in a car accident and I am going for his cremation.”

Pammis cheer was replaced with shock as her gaze moved from Anandita to her husband.

Hi Ma, Guess what, our agency has bagged 6 awards apparently. It’s still unofficial. They will be announcing the names at the award ceremony today evening. I am hoping my name will be one of them. Pray for me. I am still wondering what to wear for the party. I know you would like to see me in navy blue blazer but it’s too corporate for me. I don’t know when the party will end, but I’ll try and call you, and hopefully with some good news.

Yours

Babu

Anandita was greeted with extreme humid weather in Trivandrum. Rahul’s colleague Sanjukta came to pick her from airport.

“How far is the house from here?” asked Anandita looking through the gods own country which didn’t mean anything to her at present.

“Do you want to go to house first?” asked Sanjukta looking up from her mobile.

“We aren’t? Where is he?”

“Actually we didn’t want to take him to the apartment. Housing society objected. They thought it might traumatize the kids there. So, we moved him directly to crematorium from hospital. Everyone has reached; they are all waiting for us.”

“Aunty, this is Mamta, our director.” Sanjukta introduced Anandita to a malyali lady in her early forties.

“I was the one who called you yesterday.” Said Mamta.

She was dark and slightly on a heavier side. She was in black saree and oversized sunglasses covering half her face. They sat there waiting for the electronic cremation to get over. Sanjukta went to check on if it’s done leaving the two ladies to talk.

“Was he sober?” asked Anandita continuing to look into distant trees.

Mamta removed her glasses but didn’t say anything.

“Don’t hide; I can’t scold him now anyways. How much did he actually have?”

“Why do you want to know? Agreed you can’t scold him, you can’t do anything also right? Leave it.”

“Aunty, it’s done.” Sanjukta said handing her the pot of ashes.

Anandita recalled how 25 years back she held Babu for the first time; round face, almost bald head and tiny eyes which were still closed. He was weighing light as feather. This was probably the last time she would hold him but the weight was unbearable; so heavy that she would not be able to carry it.

Mamta offered to drop Anandita at Rahul’s apartment. They stared at passing trees without any exchange of words.

“He was a sweet kid.” Mamta broke the silence still looking outside. “He was a real asset for our group. We all got an instant liking towards him; respectful to seniors and very dedicated towards his work.”

“They have put the date incorrectly. 18th is today.” Said Anandita absently looking at the death certificate issued.

“Let me see.” Said Mamta taking the certificate. “Yes, but it happened at 2:00 AM post-midnight so technically today.”

“Where did it happen? Near KC Road; do you want me to take you there?”

“No! Just wanted to know.”

“We’ll send someone tomorrow to sign the insurance papers as you were the nominee. Is that ok?”

“Sure.”

They reached home and Anandita walked in collecting Rahul’s mobile and laptop from Mamta. As Anandita stepped into the apartment…

“We are holding a small condolence meeting tomorrow. We would like you to be there. Of course, if you wish to opt out, we would understand.”

Anandita nodded and went in.

Hi Ma, My new address- 407 Ram Vilas, SP Road. This is the office apartment. I will be shifting to in a week or so. It’s about time I stop living out of suitcase.

She scanned the house recalling the mail. She was glad that he taught her all about emailing before leaving for his first job.

Hello Ma, Today is my 1st day in my office apartment. It’s a huge place. Almost 3 times our Sealdah house. I’m not going to bother sending you any photos. You come and have a look yourself. It’s not as per your taste but nicely done. The house is waiting for your finishing touches. When Ma? When are u going to come?

Yours,

Babu

She changed and sat in the balcony thinking about Babu. Her eyes seemed stony without any expressions.

Hey Ma, there’s lovely breeze here when you sit in balcony. I have got AC installed in one room only for you. You know how much I hate cold. By the way my colleague Sanjukta has helped me do up the place and I hope it’s going to be up to your liking. Come soon.

Babu

Was it very cold with all that ice they put around you in the morgue? Must be very cold... whispered Anandita to Rahul’s photo she was holding and tears started rolling uncontrollably.

Next morning Sanjukta came with breakfast for Anandita. They had breakfast together and sipped tea near the table with fish bowl.

“Did he drink too much that day?”

“Yes, normally he didn’t drink that much? With celebrations and all…”

“None of you guys stopped him?”

“No, who wants to kill the joy? Moreover we were also high. Even if we would have asked, would he listen?”

“Why wouldn’t he? After all it was an office party not a private affair? There has to be some decorum, some restrictions. And they just let him drive back home in such inebriated state?”

“No, that’s not true. There were 3 office cars waiting to drop us home. We all got dropped home. He could have also gone. But no, he just refused.”

“Do you know exactly where it happened?”

“Yes, we all went there.”

“Can you drop me there? I want to be there for some time.”

Sanjukta drove Anandita to KC Road where Rahul met with the accident. The iron bars were still bent with broken divider.

“How critical was he when cops called you?”

“Critical, very, but he was still there.”

“What time did the ambulance come?”

“I don’t know. By the time we arrived he was already taken to hospital. Mamta got the news first. She was with him in the ambulance.

“What did he wear that evening?”

“Navy blue blazer. He ordered a new one. I will show you pictures tomorrow.”

“I want to stay here for some time. You carry on. It’s getting late.”

“No ways. I am in no hurry. Take as much time as you need.”

“What was his hurry at 2 in the night? Every time he’s driving at night on empty roads, he has to zip through. I have told him so many times Babu! Go slow, go slow. Ease off. What’s the hurry?” Tears found their way while Anandita spoke.

Anandita reached home and started packing Rahul’s belongings to be taken back to Sealdah. She saw the fish bowl and asked Sanjukta to take it with her as Rahul’s memory.

“No, no, no. Sorry Aunty! I can’t take it. In fact I never liked it. I hate life being caged. Caging everyone, putting them in boxes! You see a beautiful bird and put in in a cage, see colorful fishes and immediately keep it in the aquarium. Nonsense! Why do people have to box everything? Set them free. Let them be what they are.”

Anandita thought, she was right. Babu was free now. She thought how he was used to toddle about the dining room and reach the kitchen to see her cook, waiting anxiously for her to look and throw an endearing smile at him, and when she did, he would chuckle and clap hands singing in his own baby language loudly, and eventually land on his bums. He used to keep repeating the act while she was in the kitchen. And at the end of it, when she was done with her chores, she would hug him and kisses followed and he would sing even louder. Ahh! the joys of the first-born kids; in this case the only kid. The thought of Babu’s childhood brought a subconscious smile on her face.

Sanjukta noticed and asked what it was that got her smile. Anandita looked at her and said, “Nothing just some childhood things of Rahul. All I wanted was to love and protect my son…” said Anandita hugging Sanjukta, tears rolling of her eyes.   

“…and be with him for the rest of my life. He would fade away from our lives and I don’t want that, I want him back. I want to hold my Babu. I want to feed him and scold him when he does mistakes. I want to hold him so tight so that he is never lost again.”

“Before going back, can we go to that KC road again?” Anandita asked wiping her tears.

“Sure, I’ll take you there now and will drop you at airport after that.”

They reached KC Road and found the road to be deserted in the afternoon.

“Hey look they have repaired the railing. Do you remember which 2 bars?” Asked Anandita.

“I think these 1st 2 bars”

“No, No it’s the 2^nd two bars I guess.”

“How come Trivandrum Corporation is so prompt in fixing it?

“Maybe they wanted to speed up the closure for us.”

Sealdah: Anandita reached home and wrote to Sanjukta.

Dear Sanjukta,

I have so much in my mind and heart that I don’t know where to begin. You have been such good friends to my son and so kind to me. You have helped me in so many ways, to help me know my son better. I had come there to collect my son’s belongings. What I found was much larger. He has left so much of himself with you all that it cannot be packed away and so much of me also in the process. I’m sending enclosed some pictures of you and Rahul as his remembrance to you. When Babu’s father passed away five years back, I thought it was the worst day of my life, as f nothing worse can ever happen.  Then, this day! I have survived his father’s absence but the void created is still there. Now, Babu has deepened it further. But I have his emails and pictures which I didn’t have of his fathers.

With lots of love and hugs.

Anandita

Media Gimmick

Trrriinnngggg… my mobile started blaring enthusiastically in an effort to get me out of bed. Groggily I grazed my hand on the bed hunting for the source of sound. Finding it hidden under pillow, I killed it and tucked myself deeper in the sheets.

“It’s already eight o’clock. You better get up if you want to reach office on time on your first day.” My mother shouted from kitchen flipping the parathas.

“Eight O’clock!” I jumped out hearing that as if I had been electrocuted. I can’t mess up on the first day of joining. My dream job to join India’s biggest news channel Planet Plus had finally come true. I got ready within no time. Stuffing one paratha, I ran. By the time I reached office I witnessed a commotion on the floor and people were running towards the farthest room.

“Team!” The chief editor of Planet Plus, Subhash barked. “Get into the conference room right now. We got breaking news and I want us to be the first one to cover the story.”

I joined the mob running towards the conference room with their notepads and pens. Everyone wondered what could be so important news. Had there been another terror attack or corruption? I wondered.

“What’s his problem first thing in the morning yaar? I am still not fully awake.” said Sumit to Neha.

“I guess Telangana state formation had been declared; In which case, I have a nice caption for front page headline- India delivers at 66. What do you think?” asked Neha patting Sumit.

“Nice! I am sure it has to be that news. Let’s go fast else he will start biting.”

The small but neatly decorated conference room was full and everyone tried to the grab the available seat. The big oval table in the center was facing 2 large TVs on opposite walls. Everyone was guessing what could be the sensational news while waiting for Subhash to wrap-up his call and disclose. Almost three-fourth was betting on Telangana state formation while minority split was on corruption, political scandal or death of a country’s high profile personality.

“Guys!” Everyone went quiet and gave attention to Subhash. “There had been a gang-rape near Saket mall. Couple of hours back a girl had been raped and brutally injured. She had been rushed to AIIMS. I want you to be in the field right away and get it on air before any other channel.”

Part of me got excited to be part of high profile news on day one. While the other felt bad for the victim.

“Why is this rape such a big issue? Every 10-15 minutes there’s a rape in India. We can cover a small article like every other rapes that we publish.” interrupted Sumit.

“Couple of points Sumit; firstly it happened in the country’s capital, which questions the safety of women across the country. Secondly, it’s very gruesome. The rapists have cut off the breasts of the victim.” Everyone cringed the moment they heard it. “Lastly, as opposition is supporting our media group, they want this issue to be sensationalized to get some political mileage for the upcoming elections.”

Subhash continued “Our papers have already covered the basic details on front page but I want a complete story by mid-day. Sumit, I want you to take your team to the hospital and cover it LIVE from hospital. Talk to the parents, friends, relatives, school/college teachers, neighbors anyone whom you can get in touch with. Dig into her personal life and I want a complete coverage by 5:00 PM. importantly, check what her character was…”

“But sir, her character... Don’t you think we should be sensitive?” interrupted Sumit.

“See, as reporters it’s our moral responsibility to show facts without bias. So, get there fast and report back. Hold the character details for time-being; we’ll decide how to use it depending on the situation in coming days.”

I was listening intently as the drama was unfolding. As a new joinee I was experiencing how a newsroom works at the backend. I was aware that politicians back media and news channels but now I was going to be part of this circus.

“Yes Sir.” Saying this Sumit left the room.

“Neha, get a quote from Amitabh Bachchan, SRK and Sridevi and keep the ticker rolling with the news.”

“Don’t you think we should get Salman and Aamir instead of Sridevi?” said Neha excitedly.

“Neha! I don’t care what those 2 khans think. I want Sridevi! She has 2 daughters and she is back with a big bang. She is everywhere starting from movie openings to Vogue. SRK and Big B have daughter and grand-daughter so public would be interested to know their reactions. Don’t waste time on bachelors and stars with boys. Instead get a quote from Kareena, Deepika and Priyanka. Also get quotes from Shobha De; see if she can get you something interesting.”

“Understood sir! We need sensational news.” Saying this Neha got up to leave the room.

“Neha! See if you can get some debatable statements from Rakhi Sawant or Mallika Sherawat also.” Subhash said winking at Neha.

She smiled “I will” and left the room.

My mind wondered how Subhash, who lectured Sumit on moral responsibility a minute back, had asked Neha to get dramatic news. I was not able to decide what was the driving factor- money, power or morality?

Subhash scanned the room and looked at Abhishek. “Abhi, I want you to get in touch with the Home Minister, the CM and some opposition leaders for their quotes.”

“Yes Sir,” said Abhishek. I’ll go to the parliament. It is in session today, I can get hold of most of the ministers there.”

“Abhishek, how long you have been working?” Subhash said exasperated. “Even an uneducated villager knows that they don’t attend the sessions. Check with their PAs and see where they are and get their quotes.”

Abhi didn’t say anything and left the room sheepishly.

“Murli and Sunita, I want you to get quotes from IT workers and college students and teachers. Get footage of some girls in skirts or minis and some in salwar kameez/saree. Try to dramatize while talking to them. Understood?”

“Got it sir.”

“Raghu, I want you to go to the tourist spots and get quotes and feelers from foreigners. Ask them their experiences specially women traveling alone. Ignore the nice climate and hospitality part. Review your tape with me before rolling. I also want you to identify 2 freelance foreign writers. One needs to write about worse experience with molestations, groping she faced in India. The other needs to contradict that and portray wonderful experience. Release both articles with a gap of 2 to 3 days. That will fuel debates across the country. Out you go.”

“Samar, you have two things to do. First I want you to create a Facebook page demanding justice. It should demand capital punishment. Push it through all the social circles and advertisers. I want at least 50 thousand hits/likes before prime time. Ensure you do it from some local internet cafe and it should not be traced to us.”

“I’ll get Arun to get some comic strips also rolled out.” Added Samar pointing to Arun.

“Sounds good; do that. Secondly, get the rape statistics across the world, country and states. Also try and get India’s ranking with respect to safety of women in the world. Ensure that the states where Normal Aadmi Party (NAP) is ruling, the numbers need to look low compared to Social Janta Party (SJP).”

“But sir, we can’t tweak the numbers! We are supposed to show the facts!”

“Samar, fuck the facts. You don’t get paid for facts and no-one is going to validate them anyways. TRPs gets you your paycheck on time and this is our chance to get that. We need to beat AbTak News Channel this quarter. Show me the figures before relaying.”

“Arnab, I want you to take up this issue in today’s prime time debate.”

“But sir, we have the telecom corruption debate scheduled today.”

“Postpone that and apologize to the guests.”

“Ok, who all do you want for debate?”

“Try to get the CM or Home Minister from the ruling party. I want you to get Shruti Irani and Grishma Swaraj from opposition. Their high pitch screaming will make it interesting. Also ask Jalebi Devi to join.”

“But sir, she can’t speak English and our debate is in English.”

“That’s exactly why I want her; she is from the ruling party and will be the comic factor for the show.” Subhash said giggling.

“Sir we can also call Mamta Rani from the ‘Society For Woman’ (SOW) NGO. She is also a very aggressive lady.”

“No! No! Not her. Their NGO is sponsored by SJP. We need Prabhavati Devi from AIAMA (All India Anti Male Association). Their NGO is sponsored by NAP and she literally shouts her guts out. Check out where she is and if she is available.”

“Got it sir.” Saying Arnab left to prepare for his debate.

My mind was boggled with too much information in a national news channel office. I was witnessing the news creation process.

“Rest; please continue with your stories and prioritize this one if anything comes up.” Subhash looked at me and asked me to follow him.

“Namit, I want you to do 2000 words on this issue and run it through editor. This needs to be done by evening so that it can go in tomorrow’s morning print. I’ll sit with you for briefing later this week.”

I left to cough my 2000 words, when Arnab rushed to Subhash with terrified look- “Sir, Prabhavati Devi cannot make it to the debate!”

‘Don’t worry; I’ll talk to minister Patil. You carry on.”

Subhash rushed to his room and dialed Ramanand Patil, NAP’s party leader. “Sir, all arrangements are done as discussed. We need one help from you. We wanted Prabhavati Devi to attend today’s debate but looks like she cannot make it.” Pause. “No problem sir, we can patch her from her residence. Thank you Sir.”

At Ramanand’s Residence- Ramanand dialed Prabhavatis personal number…

“Hello Prabha.”

“Hi Patilji. How are you?”

“All that is fine, I want you to attend the debate at Planet Plus primetime tonight.”

“Anything you say. Now tell me when are we meeting? My husband is out of town for 2 days. Shall I come to the guest house after the debate?”

‘No! Not today. Meet me after tomorrow’s Woman’s Welfare Meeting.”

“Okay! Bye.”

“Bye.”

In the channel headquarters Subhash and Arnab were happy that Prabhavati agreed to join the debate. My story was going nowhere with the chaos and running around in the office. I was getting distracted every few minutes with the TV wall where atleast a dozen TVs were hanging tuned into every major news channel. Every correspondent was talking the same issue and I was able to spot Sanjay from AbTak news channel broadcasting LIVE from the hospital.

Sanjay: "Aaiye hum aap ko le chalte hai AIIMS ke hospital pe jahan humaare samvaad daata deepak chaurasia maujood hai."

"haan Deepak kya aap hamey sun sakte hai?" (Deepak is on screen and he is as blank as Laloo's 10th board answer sheet)

"Deepak aapko humaari awaaz aa rahee hai?" 

Deepak: "haan Sanjay boliye" (People behind Deepak desperate to come on TV were waving as if stranded on an island for ages and trying to signal a far off ship in sight)

"Deepak, Is waqt wahan Abhaya ki tabiyat kaisi hai? kya mahaul hai iss waqt wahaa par?" 

Deepak: “Abhi hum AIIMS mein Abhaya ke room ke saamne khade hain aur aapko bataa dein ki AbTak pehla channel hai jo ye khabar aap tak la raha hai. Sanjay jaisa ki hum sab ko pataa hai aaj subah Bharat ki Rajdhaani Dilli mein 4 yuvakon ne milkar Abahya ka saamuhik balatkar kiya aur uske stan kaat diye. Subah se yahan saare news channel waalon ka taanta laga hua hai…”

Sanjay: Ye batayiye ki kya Abhaya ko dard ho raha hai? Use kaisa mehsoos ho raha hai?”

I turned back and came to my desk hearing to the absurd questions that were being asked and broadcasted on a national news channel. I found this more disturbing than the rape itself. Every channel continued to show some or the other irrational and irresponsible piece of information- starting from woman’s dressing to eating habits, makeup to talking on cell phones, working late nights to boy-friends, Influence by Bollywood item numbers to foreign culture and Internet. Surprisingly, none of the news channels showed the rapists pictures or upbringing of boys while the victims’ photo was pasted on the screen all the time.

Finally the day came to an end and I left office contemplating my decision to join as journalist. Sitting in the taxi, I reflected back on my day. One peep into the national news channels working day has completely changed my views about everything in life. Everything looked questionable. Is anything real or just hype created by media for selfish reasons? While engrossed in the thoughts, a little girl started tapping the window pane trying to sell some magazines. Her tiny body and saucer eyes made her resemble the classic poster girl for poverty. She tapped on the window of my taxi and said, “Ek magazine lelo saab.’’ She was shivering as she sold the magazines to motorists, most of whom shooed her away. She possibly didn’t know about today’s incident, but she knew that she would make some extra rupees by selling few magazines till late night. And that made her happy! For the little girl, those few extra rupees would translate into extra bread for dinner. She would probably never get to see the inside of a pucca house. For her, the blue plastic sheets have to suffice. When she is a little older, her life will change. The day is not far when she will be raped in some alley and no-one would bother to question. From selling magazines, she may end up selling her body. Like so many others who survive on metro’s mean streets, turning tricks, hustling, peddling drugs. Her bright eyes and cheerful smile will be replaced by a hard, stony expression and a twisted mouth. But chances are she will still be working on the same street, ducking into the back seat of an auto rickshaw to satisfy customers looking for a monsoon quickie. Try telling her Mera Bharat Mahan. She might just punch you!