By

B.N.GURURAJ, Advocate

Within last decade and a half, it has been fashionable amongst the journalists to write pro-left, pro-minority, anti-Hindu and wherever possible, anti-India. Anything of Indian stock, and tradition, especially of Hindu origin is scoffed at, or if possible condemned. Idea A originating from Hindu traditional source is rejected because Idea b of same Hindu source is bad. If one speaks of loft philosophical ideas of Upanishads and later day Sutras or monographs, immediately the proposition is ignored not on its merits, but by reference to caste system, or untouchability, or oppression of women in the traditional Hindu society. An article or feature or reader’s letter which supports Hindu view never sees the light of the day. In that respect, newspapers are very effective in gagging dissent and opposition to their pet ideologies and theories.

Mr.M.V.Kamath, now an octogenarian, who was, in his last professional assignment, the Editor of the now defunct Illustrate Weekly of India, and prior to that Foreign Correspondent of the Times of India has written his reminiscences “A Reporter At Large”. He earned kudos for bringing IW on the track of decency from the “bottoms and bosoms” culture inculcated by Kushwanth Singh.

His autobiography gives insight into the life of Gauda Saraswath Brahmin culture in the early part of the last century, their upbringing, socio-religious practices, their history. Though he spent best part of his life abroad and was married to an American wife, he did not lose his roots in Hinduism. The author is not afraid to own up his Brahmin culture and his faith in the Hindu tradition. When it was fashionable to posture as a secularist, he dared express his honest view that the Hindus have been wronged in their own country during the past several centuries of Indian History. On account of his view about Ram Janmabhoomi, which ran counter to popular secularist view and government’s official posture, he lost the prestigious opportunity of becoming the Chairman of Prasar Bharati Corporation.

His book gives insight into nitty gritty aspects of journalist’s life, the pressures of deadlines, their tricks of the trade, interference by the management, editors, and outsiders and so on. He professed journalism at a time when History was in making in several parts of the world: Indian Independence, Kashmir problem before the UN, Annexation of Hungary and Czechsolvakia by the USSR, coming up of Berlin Wall, President Nixon’s regime before and after Indo-Pak war of 1971, infamous emergency of 1975-77, to name a few.

He has also written a novel, some short stories and a large number of biographies, mostly on being commissioned. Interestingly, he has authored histories of various banks and financial institutions also on being commissioned.  Though belatedly, his contribution to journalism and to the society has been recognised. Thus, even after over quarter century in retirement, Mr.M.V.Kamath has been active in the society.

Though not a poet, poetry seems to be his passion. Readers of his boo will be treated to choice passages of poetry he has enjoyed. His book “A Reporter At Large” merits reading. Journalists are generally a cynical lot. Nevertheless, I dare say, may other journalists draw inspirations from Mr.M.V.Kamath’s ethos.