Disclaimer : This is an attempt to give readers another side of the story published in newspapers on IIT Kharagpur which appears to me as biased. Readers are advised to read this as well as the original articles (link of every article referred to is provided) and have his/her own opinion. The post does not intend to harm any individual or institution but one is free to point if one finds anything objectionable. If justified, I shall act on that part on which objection, if any, is raised. The systematic hate campaign against finest institution of the nation, running unsubstantitated allegation from unverified sources many many times to make it look like truth, is maligning a national institute of international repute and its people. As one who have sweet memories of IITKGP, it is difficult for me to see this public humiliataion for months and years which demoralizes its students, guardians, faculty, alumni, all collaborating partners and slow poisons Indian diaspora at home and abroad for whom IIT is a symbol of national resurgence - the stakeholders are many. There is a constitutionl process to redress issues, if any. An attempt to discredit that through systematic spread of lies, partial-truths is an attempt to weaken national fabric and create anarchy like situation. One wonders if it is a part of larger anti-national campaign to attack best institutions of India. We now hear that war against country is fought in many fronts, today cyber war is a big issue. The attempt to weaken constitutional process of the country could be another kind of war unleashed by a section of people. Or it could be the rerun of "Mirjafar" story, who was so envious and greedy that he could go ahead to make a career out of betraying his own country and made British colonial power set their footsteps in this country in battle of Plassey (Link).
Presented below a simple analysis of turn of events in media which now targets due process of Director appointment at IIT Kharagpur and subvert the same. Thank you.
What I like in ToI is that it allows comments to its articles. This time the comments that shows the article is ill-conceived are not getting deleted. This is some improvement from what it was a year back. (Is that so? Check this link) Hope the editor there will do more not to run defamatory articles which maligns a person or institution, under the cover of anonymous quotes or unverfiable "Sources" ... as if the reporter has conducted a big undercover operation! And what is the outcome of his labour? Unsubstantiated allegation and no factsheet. Check what is fact here (Link) which is shared with the concerned reporters but they supress the same as it does not suit their story. Deathknell to investigative journalism by ToI fraternity! The informed ones however will not be surprised if the name of the target person and institution is revealed in such a story. There you are. ToI is at it again! The target is none other than IIT Kharagpur and the issue is its Director appointment.
A less circulated, regional newspaper named The Telegraph does not allow comments from readers. Their reach is limited compared to ToI. That cannot be an excuse to run a more irresponsible story though. But a particular reporter goes overboard. How? Let's see chhronologically the turn of events and how the new age mashala reporting tries to influence delivery of justice in an unconstitutional way, violating rights of an individual and how it attempts to cause disrepute to public institution.
The advertizement for the post of Director was published in leading daily that includes our beloved ToI in Feb., 2012. The MHRD advt. can be found here (Link). It says, "Interested individuals may apply giving detailed resume in the following format clearly bringing out research, teaching and administrative achievements, along with two page justification for his/her candidature, two page vision statement for the institution and names and contact details of at least two distinguished individuals well acquainted with his/her work." All were welcome through this open advertizement. If you have it in you, go for it. The stage is prepared.
The said reporter of The Telegraph on Feb. 16, 2012 (Link) writes an article titled, "Bhubaneswar IIT chief returns a favour". The article mocks at the recruitment process because one IIT Director recommended name of another which is an accepted and desirable practice if you read the advertizement link. The reporter wants that not to happen and wants to dictate what other should do by being law unto himslef scuttling democratic right of others. He weaves semi-cooked stories where IIT Kharagpur has already taken firm action which he does not report (thus the motive is clear, to malign the institute) or found the matter hollow enough. There is no transgression from IIT Khargpur side, had there been so, a case would have been registered in a court of law. Wasn't there a transgression from the side of the reporter to write such a defamatory article? He knows that he is safe in targeting academic community of IIT who are too busy with multi-tier responsibilities or too gentlemanly to respond to canards. They may think that responding to such provocative articles will escalate the matter and add more mashala into it (which the newspaper wants to sell their stocks to run such illl-conceived article). This will make them lose focus from their work which requires very high level of concentration. The reporter says, "Such action (departmental action) could either lead to suspension or removal of the person from his post." He talks about one extreme and not the other that it could be no action at all or a mild rebuke. One can see the lack of balance in the story and the motive behind to sensationalize and escalate.
Comes July 04, 2012. The anonymous "Special Correspondent" (does he not have any name? what is so special about him?) of The Telegraph writes an article ttled, "IIT interview for 'taint' dean" (Link). Note the quote on the word 'taint'. Which famous person made this quote? You read the article. Nowhere it is there. Height of ethical journalism! The article talks about suggestion for recommendation of regular departmental action and also that "IIT’s board of governors, at a meeting in December 2011, rejected the recommendations of the CBI." also "The institute has to explain to the CVC the reasons for rejecting the CBI recommendations, but have the liberty to accept or reject the vigilance commission’s advice". The board of governors of an IIT are no fools not to see the merit of the case and the nature of recommendation. Had it been binding or strong they could not have rejected it and CBI would have gone to court. The recommendation for 'regular departmental action' could be asking all concerned to read fine prints of all clause, sub-clause of a project agreement carefully so that there is no mis-understanding between two sides regarding what ould be outsourced and what would be part of IIT expertize. And the Director applicant was neither the signatory nor the one executing the project. Finally, if action is suggested, take action as per law. You cannot keep the action, if any, pending for eternity and under that pretext deny an individual all his privileges. The fact of the matter is that the institute, dept. could not find anything concerete in the suggestion to take an action. And the learned reporter is out their to subvert human rights by declaring him ineligible and maligning him, the institute IIT Kharagpur, the Director appointment process, the panel of experts, MHRD in public. This report says that 10 more people were shortlisted for the Director position.
There was a moment of Hurrah though when the Telegraph reporter gets a name for himself with 'victory' in sight (credit taking?). The July 07, 2012 article of The Telegraph becomes philosophic in celebrating this victory to run a title "Morning-after wisdom dawns on IIT boss list." (Link) The article says, "The government is likely to scrap a shortlist of three candidates for the post of directors of IIT Kharagpur and IIT Kanpur, having realised belatedly that two of them may not be eligible...The Telegraph had reported on Thursday that one of the three — P.P. Chakraborty, dean of an IIT Kharagpur department — had been indicted by the CBI for alleged involvement in an irregularity. He may not get the vigilance certificate required for appointment, a ministry source told this newspaper."
So much of the source, as alleged, as accused etc. but by whom - ghosts or this is same old nexus who act in concert, who feed each other (read previous posts of this blog). The reporter becomes 'Special Correspondent' in The Telegraph dated Aug. 02, 2012 to run an article without saying sorry for the mis-information spread in July 07, 2012 report (which said that the Dean's name was going to be scrapped. He was quick to take credit of July 04, 2012 article in the July 07 article!) Or was it an attempt to put pressure on MHRD and experts and influence their decision through a systematic hate campaign in media. Well this article makes the reporter sound pessimistic but he is the one with an agenda and the title of the article was, "Dean under lens to head IIT". Whose lens? You read the article, it is not there. Also, how dare he maligns a public institution of international repute by making frivolous call on its would be Director? Isn't there any law in the country to make people accountable? The hate campaign continues in the rest of the story replaying the same old stuff. But the verdict was clear, "P.P. Chakraborty, dean of the Sponsored Research and Industrial Consultancy (SRIC) at the Kharagpur institute, will become the director subject to vigilance clearance. Sources said Sibal’s human resource development ministry had sought the clearance from its vigilance wing."
With a clear verdict on its hate campaign as reflected above, The Telegraph gives up. Enters the good old friend Akshay Mukul of ToI. Wonder what he was doing in the sideline all the time. Was he grooming others? The Telegraph reporter failing, he took the responsibility on his shoulder and runs a story titled "HRD panel picks the 'tainted' prof as IIT Kharagpur director". (Link). Again who is the famous person making this famous 'tainted' quote to negatively label an individual who is picked up for the top post of a top institution of the country? And he is so famous that ToI makes his quote appear at the title! You read the article. He is nowhere. One can see the uncanny correlation between July 04 The Telegraph title (mentioned above) and this where the quote 'taint' appears in title but the article does not mention who says that. This is what is ethical journalism today in a reputed national daily. Shame! Shame!
ToI being more reputed than The Telegraph, the reporter feels a greater urge to sermonize MHRD and subvert the decison of experts. The opening statement of the article says, "In the HRD ministry, one hand does not know what the other is doing." The reporter goes on saying what his source says. Perhaps he cultivates better source than The Telegraph! And he has a stamp authority, more than Chiefs heading respective departments to make announcement for them in public, "But that is not going to help since the ministry's vigilance department would not give its clearance to Chakrabarti in the light of CBI's recommendation." Read the fact (Link) why such a predicament of the reporter is false and mischievious. It will be interesting to watch if the concerned department initiates action against the reporter for this OR any court of law finds it as an unconstitutional transgression to influence work of a constitutional authority, by someone with vested interest who does not take the responsibility of the decision he tries to subvert. Regarding 'sources', we do not know if they really exist or if there is any truth in this leak; if exists, how these people gain by leaking official secrets (privileges they get back in return; if that is the opinion of the ministrty it will come to media anyway through authorized spokesperson of the department, what purpose of these unauthorized persons are served by this!!!), if these are the people who when in home ministry leak officials secrets related to country's security as reported time to time, if these people belong to that dangerous breed as they are or are in the making. The reporter's opening statement, "In the HRD ministry, one hand does not know what the other is doing" is correct in that sense that the ministry does not know that their staff, sitting in front of their nose in high security national capital, leaks official secrets, colludes with subversive elements and humiliate the nation, the ministry and its prized institutions. The concerned authority has a duty to protect its citizen who are victimized by biased media. I share pain with all such victims and present below what happens to greats who are targeted by mischiefs in media. These are excerpts of Mark Twain speech "Freedom of Press", delivered on March 31, 1873 (annotated by Paul Schindler) (Link).
"It is a free press — a press that is more than free — a press which is licensed to say any infamous thing it chooses about a private or a public man, or advocate any outrageous doctrine it pleases ... There are laws to protect the freedom of the press's speech, but none that are worth anything to protect the people from the press. A libel suit simply brings the plaintiff before a vast newspaper court to be tried before the law tries him, and reviled and ridiculed without mercy ... It seems to me that just in the ratio that our newspapers increase, our morals decay. The more newspapers the worse morals ... It has become a sarcastic proverb that a thing must be true if you saw it in a newspaper. That is the opinion intelligent people have of that lying vehicle in a nutshell. But the trouble is that the stupid people — who constitute the grand overwhelming majority of this and all other nations — do believe and are moulded and convinced by what they get out of a newspaper, and there is where the harm lies...Among us, the newspaper is a tremendous power. It can make or mar any man's reputation. It has perfect freedom to call the best man in the land a fraud and a thief, and he is destroyed beyond help. ...I am personally acquainted with hundreds of journalists, and the opinion of the majority of them would not be worth tuppence in private, but when they speak in print it is the newspaper that is talking (the pygmy scribe is not visible) and then their utterances shake the community like the thunders of prophecy. I know from personal experience the proneness of journalists to lie."
Fortunately, citizens have a voice today, however feeble, through internet, through such posts which are read by few unlike millions of a mighty newspaper. Hope that such voice will also be heard. A democratic Government which is by the people, for the people will reach out more to those who suffer in silence - the sient majority and will not be swayed by the high and mighty. I end this post pasting two plus one comments that I submitted to the ToI story. The first one is on ToI article. The second one is to respond to one anonymous commentator supporting ToI story, the vast majority of the commentators disapproves ToI story.
Presented below a simple analysis of turn of events in media which now targets due process of Director appointment at IIT Kharagpur and subvert the same. Thank you.
What I like in ToI is that it allows comments to its articles. This time the comments that shows the article is ill-conceived are not getting deleted. This is some improvement from what it was a year back. (Is that so? Check this link) Hope the editor there will do more not to run defamatory articles which maligns a person or institution, under the cover of anonymous quotes or unverfiable "Sources" ... as if the reporter has conducted a big undercover operation! And what is the outcome of his labour? Unsubstantiated allegation and no factsheet. Check what is fact here (Link) which is shared with the concerned reporters but they supress the same as it does not suit their story. Deathknell to investigative journalism by ToI fraternity! The informed ones however will not be surprised if the name of the target person and institution is revealed in such a story. There you are. ToI is at it again! The target is none other than IIT Kharagpur and the issue is its Director appointment.
A less circulated, regional newspaper named The Telegraph does not allow comments from readers. Their reach is limited compared to ToI. That cannot be an excuse to run a more irresponsible story though. But a particular reporter goes overboard. How? Let's see chhronologically the turn of events and how the new age mashala reporting tries to influence delivery of justice in an unconstitutional way, violating rights of an individual and how it attempts to cause disrepute to public institution.
The advertizement for the post of Director was published in leading daily that includes our beloved ToI in Feb., 2012. The MHRD advt. can be found here (Link). It says, "Interested individuals may apply giving detailed resume in the following format clearly bringing out research, teaching and administrative achievements, along with two page justification for his/her candidature, two page vision statement for the institution and names and contact details of at least two distinguished individuals well acquainted with his/her work." All were welcome through this open advertizement. If you have it in you, go for it. The stage is prepared.
The said reporter of The Telegraph on Feb. 16, 2012 (Link) writes an article titled, "Bhubaneswar IIT chief returns a favour". The article mocks at the recruitment process because one IIT Director recommended name of another which is an accepted and desirable practice if you read the advertizement link. The reporter wants that not to happen and wants to dictate what other should do by being law unto himslef scuttling democratic right of others. He weaves semi-cooked stories where IIT Kharagpur has already taken firm action which he does not report (thus the motive is clear, to malign the institute) or found the matter hollow enough. There is no transgression from IIT Khargpur side, had there been so, a case would have been registered in a court of law. Wasn't there a transgression from the side of the reporter to write such a defamatory article? He knows that he is safe in targeting academic community of IIT who are too busy with multi-tier responsibilities or too gentlemanly to respond to canards. They may think that responding to such provocative articles will escalate the matter and add more mashala into it (which the newspaper wants to sell their stocks to run such illl-conceived article). This will make them lose focus from their work which requires very high level of concentration. The reporter says, "Such action (departmental action) could either lead to suspension or removal of the person from his post." He talks about one extreme and not the other that it could be no action at all or a mild rebuke. One can see the lack of balance in the story and the motive behind to sensationalize and escalate.
Comes July 04, 2012. The anonymous "Special Correspondent" (does he not have any name? what is so special about him?) of The Telegraph writes an article ttled, "IIT interview for 'taint' dean" (Link). Note the quote on the word 'taint'. Which famous person made this quote? You read the article. Nowhere it is there. Height of ethical journalism! The article talks about suggestion for recommendation of regular departmental action and also that "IIT’s board of governors, at a meeting in December 2011, rejected the recommendations of the CBI." also "The institute has to explain to the CVC the reasons for rejecting the CBI recommendations, but have the liberty to accept or reject the vigilance commission’s advice". The board of governors of an IIT are no fools not to see the merit of the case and the nature of recommendation. Had it been binding or strong they could not have rejected it and CBI would have gone to court. The recommendation for 'regular departmental action' could be asking all concerned to read fine prints of all clause, sub-clause of a project agreement carefully so that there is no mis-understanding between two sides regarding what ould be outsourced and what would be part of IIT expertize. And the Director applicant was neither the signatory nor the one executing the project. Finally, if action is suggested, take action as per law. You cannot keep the action, if any, pending for eternity and under that pretext deny an individual all his privileges. The fact of the matter is that the institute, dept. could not find anything concerete in the suggestion to take an action. And the learned reporter is out their to subvert human rights by declaring him ineligible and maligning him, the institute IIT Kharagpur, the Director appointment process, the panel of experts, MHRD in public. This report says that 10 more people were shortlisted for the Director position.
There was a moment of Hurrah though when the Telegraph reporter gets a name for himself with 'victory' in sight (credit taking?). The July 07, 2012 article of The Telegraph becomes philosophic in celebrating this victory to run a title "Morning-after wisdom dawns on IIT boss list." (Link) The article says, "The government is likely to scrap a shortlist of three candidates for the post of directors of IIT Kharagpur and IIT Kanpur, having realised belatedly that two of them may not be eligible...The Telegraph had reported on Thursday that one of the three — P.P. Chakraborty, dean of an IIT Kharagpur department — had been indicted by the CBI for alleged involvement in an irregularity. He may not get the vigilance certificate required for appointment, a ministry source told this newspaper."
So much of the source, as alleged, as accused etc. but by whom - ghosts or this is same old nexus who act in concert, who feed each other (read previous posts of this blog). The reporter becomes 'Special Correspondent' in The Telegraph dated Aug. 02, 2012 to run an article without saying sorry for the mis-information spread in July 07, 2012 report (which said that the Dean's name was going to be scrapped. He was quick to take credit of July 04, 2012 article in the July 07 article!) Or was it an attempt to put pressure on MHRD and experts and influence their decision through a systematic hate campaign in media. Well this article makes the reporter sound pessimistic but he is the one with an agenda and the title of the article was, "Dean under lens to head IIT". Whose lens? You read the article, it is not there. Also, how dare he maligns a public institution of international repute by making frivolous call on its would be Director? Isn't there any law in the country to make people accountable? The hate campaign continues in the rest of the story replaying the same old stuff. But the verdict was clear, "P.P. Chakraborty, dean of the Sponsored Research and Industrial Consultancy (SRIC) at the Kharagpur institute, will become the director subject to vigilance clearance. Sources said Sibal’s human resource development ministry had sought the clearance from its vigilance wing."
With a clear verdict on its hate campaign as reflected above, The Telegraph gives up. Enters the good old friend Akshay Mukul of ToI. Wonder what he was doing in the sideline all the time. Was he grooming others? The Telegraph reporter failing, he took the responsibility on his shoulder and runs a story titled "HRD panel picks the 'tainted' prof as IIT Kharagpur director". (Link). Again who is the famous person making this famous 'tainted' quote to negatively label an individual who is picked up for the top post of a top institution of the country? And he is so famous that ToI makes his quote appear at the title! You read the article. He is nowhere. One can see the uncanny correlation between July 04 The Telegraph title (mentioned above) and this where the quote 'taint' appears in title but the article does not mention who says that. This is what is ethical journalism today in a reputed national daily. Shame! Shame!
ToI being more reputed than The Telegraph, the reporter feels a greater urge to sermonize MHRD and subvert the decison of experts. The opening statement of the article says, "In the HRD ministry, one hand does not know what the other is doing." The reporter goes on saying what his source says. Perhaps he cultivates better source than The Telegraph! And he has a stamp authority, more than Chiefs heading respective departments to make announcement for them in public, "But that is not going to help since the ministry's vigilance department would not give its clearance to Chakrabarti in the light of CBI's recommendation." Read the fact (Link) why such a predicament of the reporter is false and mischievious. It will be interesting to watch if the concerned department initiates action against the reporter for this OR any court of law finds it as an unconstitutional transgression to influence work of a constitutional authority, by someone with vested interest who does not take the responsibility of the decision he tries to subvert. Regarding 'sources', we do not know if they really exist or if there is any truth in this leak; if exists, how these people gain by leaking official secrets (privileges they get back in return; if that is the opinion of the ministrty it will come to media anyway through authorized spokesperson of the department, what purpose of these unauthorized persons are served by this!!!), if these are the people who when in home ministry leak officials secrets related to country's security as reported time to time, if these people belong to that dangerous breed as they are or are in the making. The reporter's opening statement, "In the HRD ministry, one hand does not know what the other is doing" is correct in that sense that the ministry does not know that their staff, sitting in front of their nose in high security national capital, leaks official secrets, colludes with subversive elements and humiliate the nation, the ministry and its prized institutions. The concerned authority has a duty to protect its citizen who are victimized by biased media. I share pain with all such victims and present below what happens to greats who are targeted by mischiefs in media. These are excerpts of Mark Twain speech "Freedom of Press", delivered on March 31, 1873 (annotated by Paul Schindler) (Link).
"It is a free press — a press that is more than free — a press which is licensed to say any infamous thing it chooses about a private or a public man, or advocate any outrageous doctrine it pleases ... There are laws to protect the freedom of the press's speech, but none that are worth anything to protect the people from the press. A libel suit simply brings the plaintiff before a vast newspaper court to be tried before the law tries him, and reviled and ridiculed without mercy ... It seems to me that just in the ratio that our newspapers increase, our morals decay. The more newspapers the worse morals ... It has become a sarcastic proverb that a thing must be true if you saw it in a newspaper. That is the opinion intelligent people have of that lying vehicle in a nutshell. But the trouble is that the stupid people — who constitute the grand overwhelming majority of this and all other nations — do believe and are moulded and convinced by what they get out of a newspaper, and there is where the harm lies...Among us, the newspaper is a tremendous power. It can make or mar any man's reputation. It has perfect freedom to call the best man in the land a fraud and a thief, and he is destroyed beyond help. ...I am personally acquainted with hundreds of journalists, and the opinion of the majority of them would not be worth tuppence in private, but when they speak in print it is the newspaper that is talking (the pygmy scribe is not visible) and then their utterances shake the community like the thunders of prophecy. I know from personal experience the proneness of journalists to lie."
Fortunately, citizens have a voice today, however feeble, through internet, through such posts which are read by few unlike millions of a mighty newspaper. Hope that such voice will also be heard. A democratic Government which is by the people, for the people will reach out more to those who suffer in silence - the sient majority and will not be swayed by the high and mighty. I end this post pasting two plus one comments that I submitted to the ToI story. The first one is on ToI article. The second one is to respond to one anonymous commentator supporting ToI story, the vast majority of the commentators disapproves ToI story.
Purab (Kolkata)2 days ago
Those who follow the news timeline are aware of the nexus. The misinformation campaign by these were shown in comments of earlier articles, blog posts like purabspeaks [dot] blogspot [dot] com etc. Coming to these canard which is dished out for quite sometime now, through needlepricks like 'indictment', 'recommendation for penalty', 'suggestion for departmental action' etc. I have only one thing to say. If a charge can be framed, it would have been framed by now and action would have been taken in a court of law. A suggestion was given by X, another suggestion was given by Y, Z, and it was left to the wisdom of dept. / board to accept one suggestion and not the other. And they precisely have done that. If recommendation / suggestion is binding and it is not adhered to then one can always go to court and get it done. If it is not done then definitely that was not a strong one or just a hearsay that such recommendation was made. Also, the issue could be that of preparing / reading fine prints while preaparing an agreement for a term project. And the concerned faculty signing / executing project needs to be told to be careful about it as Dept. action, which might already have been done by Dept. And Dr. P. P. Chakraborti, as various report says, was neither signatory or was the one executing the project. You drag his name, do not take action (even if we assume that there was such suggestion), what action totally unspecfied (so not serious at all) and doom him for ever. Take action if required. But one cannot keep a hypothetical sword hanging tone one's neck hroughout one's life and not give him what he deserves. What sort of justice is this? I am sure that truth and justice will prevail. HRD minister is a lawyer by himslef and is capable enough to see through all the mazes a section is trying to create. He or the panel is not so naive not to look into all these frivolous allegations before recommending his name. I would like to congratulate them for doing a great job and not playing in the hand of vested interests. I am sure that the learned Prof. will take IITKGP to newer heights. Our heartiest wishes. To the citizen of this country, I think that you know what new age media stands for - story and not news, sensationalism and not insights. We are sure that IITkgp will continue to get your support and love under new leadership. Let us all work together and strengthen this country and its institutions that stood the test of the time and wish you all a very happpy Independence Day! Warm regards Purab
Dr. D. (USA)1 day ago
Purab (Kolkata)1 day ago
Good to see activist like tenacity of some people in this section who seem to make a living out of non-existent issues. Whether they are part of this nexus under a pseudo name, is anybody's guess. There was open advt. for the Director's post. Eligible and interested people submitted application. A duly constituted expert panel examined applicants' CVs, conducted interview and selected one, say A. Now, how on earth one brings an argument that X and Y at some part of the earth could have been better than A when they themselves are not interested in the position and do not feel like applying! IITkgp is left better without such people who do not want to serve it and undergo scrutinee of expert committee. The beauty of the human race is that there can always be a better person for the office I or you hold (includes self-styled activists). That should make us humble and work extra hard. Therefore, no point talking about what could have been if X had applied and under that pretext malign A who is a learned professor. If anyone finds wrong with the decision of expert panel then one can always fight with them or how they are constituted. Once A is selected one starts finding fault which clearly shows bias and no rational thinking. The person at the top post of the top institution of the country deserves respect. Any attempt to defame him under the umbrage of quotations like "tainted" (so that journalist can wash off his hand if confronted) and people responding to that as if the allegations of vested interestes are established truth, is an attempt to undermine the finest institution of India and demoralize its faculty, students and alumni. Request authority to take appropriate action against people who indulges in such without producing any factsheet. This is no freedom of speech but systematic hate campaign. One is free to place one's point based on fact. Here we find arguments only on allegation and quotes of unverified sources. I once again congratulate the expert panel as we have no doubt that they have picked up the best available for IITkgp. The background of the selected person shows that he now will be more determined to take IITkgp to newer heights and he has the ability to do that. This perhaps is the only positive that I can dig out from this discussion on this auspicious day of India's Independence when the country wants to think positive, support each other, work hand in hand to make the country prosper. Thanks and regards, Purab
(further commment on ToI article)
ReplyDeletePurab (Kolkata) 6 hrs ago
Tried to give the unsuspecting readers a chronological details of this topic in the newest post of purabspeaks [dot] blogspot [dot] com which shows the other side of the media.
Also request readers to go through the following facebook page and have an informed opinion. Together we are a strong force and that would not allow vested interests to succeed who wants to weaken the nation and its fabric by maligning the best institutions of India and its finest people.
www [dot] facebook [dot] com/pages/Yellow-Journalism-Against-IIT-KGP/429415807108663
Thanks and regards
Purab
From the above referenced facebook page:
ReplyDeleteA relentless smear campaign is being conducted by the Telegraph and The Times of India to constantly and publicly malign Prof. P. P. Chakrabarti, one of the most respected Professors in the IIT system so as to try and influence the decision of the next Director of IIT Kharagpur. Several news paper articles (Telegraph: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120705/jsp/nation/story_15692926.jsp, http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120708/jsp/nation/story_15704111.jsp, http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120803/jsp/nation/story_15807281.jsp and Times of India: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/HRD-panel-picks-tainted-prof-as-IIT-Kharagpur-director/articleshow/15484530.cms ) have set up a systematic campaign to ‘taint’ and falsely malign Prof P P Chakrabarti, a teacher to the core and a spotless honest person with a clear vision.
Prof Chakrabarti is an outstanding academician, a President Gold Medal winner, among the first Swarnajayanti and youngest Bhatnagar awardees, one of the earliest IIT CSE B.Techs to stay back and do his PhD in India, set up world class research in India, catalyzed IIT KGP faculty to their best in sponsored R&D, mentored students to give their best, encouraged IIT B.Techs to pursue their PhDs in India, etc. As Dean of IIT Kharagpur, he completely transformed the notion of sponsored research and set up twenty odd interdisciplinary advanced research laboratories, bringing in a sea change in the research culture at IIT Kharagpur. He is widely respected all over the country and the world as a brilliant academic, a superb teacher, a high quality researcher, a wonderful motivator and an institution builder with an impeccable record.
It is therefore no surprise that he is a popular and suitable candidate for the next Director of IIT Kharagpur. However, this does not seem to go in tune with one or two persons like Prof. Rajeev Kumar who seem hell bent on spreading a campaign to falsely vilify him and influence the selection process. These persons are known frauds (Prof. Kumar is a professor of IIT Kharagpur who is currently serving a suspension order from the institute as a result of his past misdeeds) and fear that they will be exposed if IIT Kharagpur gets a good Director. To learn more about past instances of yellow journalism against IIT Kharagpur and truth about this fraud Prof. Rajeev Kumar, please refer to the following blog site: http://storiesandinsidestories.blogspot.in/
It is however extremely unfortunate that the Telegraph, spearheaded by Mr Basant Mohanty, and The Times of India spearheaded by Mr Akshaya Mukul chose to be the medium of this unethical cheat Prof. Kumar. The campaign is systematic and well planned. When they realize that Prof Chakrabarti is set to become the director, they publish articles labeling Prof Chakrabarti ‘tainted’ so that the final decision may get affected. The news papers never considered asking IIT Kharagpur of the facts before writing such damaging articles with false facts. The reasons are obvious. This is a clear case of what new age media stands for - story and not news, sensationalism and not insights.
The other article at the said Facebook page:
ReplyDeleteCountering Allegations on the Coal Net Project:
This is in response to the articles published in the Times of India and The Telegraph that attempt to falsely malign Professor P.P. Chakrabarti of IIT Kharagpur stating incorrect and manipulated information about the Coal Net project.
It is already established that the report on the Coal Net project has glaring problems and contradictions including the CBI (very amusingly) themselves writing that the report is not to be ‘relied upon’. Also, the CVC did not find any need to forward this report to IIT Kharagpur, as is the due process in such cases. Moreover, even after going through the contents of the report, IIT Kharagpur has not found any of the claims acceptable and has informed the CBI.
Moreover, the report, as everyone knows, is about an order of 2001. Prof Chakrabarti became Dean in 2004. Also, based on the letter he wrote to Coal India, the claim made in the papers that he “misrepresented to CIL that the work had not been outsourced to TCG” has already been found to be completely false. In fact, it is now clear that he stated the ground truth which Coal India accepted.
The reporters mentioned above seem to have access to all such information and yet make a wrong projection whose purpose is now crystal clear. They are biased as their sole aim is to defame Prof Chakrabarti and his colleagues from IIT Kharagpur and soil his impeccable credentials.
It is sad that newspapers like Telegraph and Times of India are happy allowing some of its reporters who are in league with frauds in the academic system (ample evidences for the same have been provided in other posts) to work systematically and continuously towards vilifying an august institution and its Professors of great repute, ensuring that Institutions and people of great potential in India do not prosper.