Deciphering media role in promoting nationalism- K.V Nagraj

Deciphering media role in promoting nationalism

   The Indian polity is moving through yet another decisive phase of re-inventing nationalism, secularism and plurality. The issue has generated endless debates and discussions all over the country. Nationalism often subsumes patriotism when it arrogates different forms, in terms of religion, language and ethnicity. Nationalism is volatile and also violent. India has opted for secularism and plurality as enshrined in our constitution unlike many of our neighbours. The greatest virtue of India is its multicultural mosaic of diverse ethnicity, denominations and ideologies. The political structure of India is directly imported from Whitehall, and this is not acceptable some scholars and political outfits. The Nehruvion obsession with soviet socialism and subsequent industrialization were not in tune with the Gandhian economics or his political ideology. Gandhi wanted production by humans, not by machines in a populous country like India where massive employment strategy is the need of the hour. The recent politico-cultural developments besides economic measures have been lapped up by media for its own discourses. The idea of nationalism always manifests in violence as evidenced in human history. The two world wars are a fine example of how nationalistic tendencies can bring in colossal destruction to mankind. Though Mahatma Gandhi and  Rabindranath Tagore differ on the issue, their goal of peace and prosperity of mankind is undeniable. Gandhi’s passive resistance demonstrated that nationalism can also be non-violent, a unique initiative.

            Again, we have borrowed the western concept of secularism, which some scholars consider alien to our cultural ethos. For them, it is Abrahamic, not acceptable to Asia. Whatever the argument is, undeniable is the fact that India is a shining star of tolerance and amity, to the best possible extent. The peaceful co-existence of different ethnicity and social categories is appreciated all over the world. However, it is always useful to conduct a micro analysis of the media role in promoting secularism, or for that matter, nationalism, for a peaceful state. Plurality of opinion is the basis of a democratic existence. The media should focus and emphasize for the creation of a pluralistic society. Dissent is the life-blood of democracy. Unfortunately, it appears that Indian media suffer from pluralistic ignorance, detrimental to a free society. The international seminar “Re-inventing nationalism, secularism and plurality: Media discourses and deconstruction” is a sincere attempt to decipher the media role in various spheres of political operations. Trust it will be a fruitful deliberation for two days.

K.V. Nagaraj

Inaugural session of the two day International Seminar on 'Reinventing Nationalism, Secularism and Plurality, Media Discourses and Deconstruction'

NOTION OF NATIONALISM IS TROUBLESOME: SAYS K.V.NAGRAJ

   The Department of Communication and Journalism, GU is all set up with the floor to address the most tough, sensitive and slippery issues of Nationalism, Secularism and Pluralism in the international seminar from today.

In the inaugural session of the two-day International Seminar on ‘Reinventing Nationalism, Secularism and Plurality, Media Discourses and Deconstruction’ held at BKB Auditorium, Gauhati University, Professor K.V.Nagraj of Mizoram University in his presidential address said, “The topic selected for the seminar is very sensitive and touchy. And despite these, we have to discuss it.  Because, notion of nationalism is troublesome in terms of aggression and violence and there is a need for the introspection”.

Professor Nagraj added, “Nationalism takes many forms like cultural, religious and linguistic whereas patriotism is geographical in character subdued by the notion of nationalism.”

Commemorating the 50 years of Media Education in the entire North East region, the Department of Communication and Journalism, Gauhati University which is also in its Golden Jubilee year has organized this two-day International Seminar starting from today in collaboration with the Department of Mass Communication, Mizoram Central University.

Gracing the occasion as a Chief Guest, Dr. Mridul Hazarika, the Vice Chancellor of the host University said, “Secularism is facing a tremendous challenge with the changing pattern of education for which we got to look at secularism from different perspective than what the term defines genuinely.”

Speaking on the importance of the topic, Hazarika added, “As we move forward, the issue we have today may not be relevant tomorrow. But the issues of secularism and nationalism will need a critical evaluation. And hence, these are extremely relevant topics that need to be focused upon.”

“Media literacy is of utmost importance in this changing notion of nationalism today. Otherwise, it is pitiful to see the loss of credibility of media before the public”, said Dr. Bhabesh Chandra Goswami, the Vice Chancellor of Cotton University who was invited as the Guest of Honour in the seminar.

He emphasized that in order to understand media in changing discourse of nationalism; we have to understand the origin of India which is about the social reform of the systems like Sati through the medium of newspaper like Brahma Patrika.

The guests from all around the globe including participants and the international delegates were present in the seminar.

Dr. Hemanta Kr. Nath, Secretary of the University Classes, GU gave the welcome address.

The inaugural session also witness the release of book entitled ‘Decoding Communication for Development: Emphasising India’s North East’ in the presence of all the dignitaries.

 

Speaking to GU Times, the Editor of the book released, Dr. Ankuran Dutta, HoD of Communication and Journalism, GU who is also the organizing secretary of the Seminar said, “The book is fragmented into the sub themes of conceptualizing communication for Development, which is an attempt to understand the concepts associated with C4D as well as define how it can be incorporated into curriculum in the academic sector.”

                                                                                                                      -By Raja Das and Nisa Das