Guest Column: Kalpana

Now, it is one of our new initiatives to get a hold of local luminaries and/or members of the media to set about writing us a guest column so to speak. The credibility issues unfold both ways. In our first instalment, Ms. Kalpana, host of "Pesuvom" affirms and rebutts points that have already been thrown up in the air, diced with Ginsu knives and pounded in our "ammi"s. Still, late but not too late.

Vanakkam! This is Kalpana from the Talk Show “Pesuvom” which some of you may have seen on Vasantham Central. First of all, I have to thank the good folks of KLK who have given me the opportunity to be a part of this blog. I have to say that I am quite excited and more nervous, as I am not used to writing for many to witness.

When I was thinking about the 1^st topic to write about, many things came to mind but why not start about the much talked about show where the subject matter was blogging.

I read the reviews written by the members of KLKillahs as well as the reviews that the topic generated.

Here are my thoughts.

Personally blogging is a great channel for many to express their thoughts. It is basically an online magazine that is updated everyday. However, I think we need to know the objective of such a blog or magazine. What are we trying to achieve? To be very honest, I am still lost at what is actually achieved by a blog.

1. The articles about the programmes and the personalities. Some of the panellists who appeared on the programme had mentioned that the comments on blogs must have been encouraging and not demeaning. Fair enough! But the moment we take the stage, we must be ready for criticisms, good or bad. If you cannot take the heat, Stay away from the media.

2. As for the criticism of programmes, yes, they have been harsh too. But I think, we as the Media folks have to take it positively and look forward to giving better programmes. I honestly feel it is time for a change. It is time for the “NO GUTS NO GLORY” kind of attitude to come in and completely turn around the Tamil Programmes of Singapore

3. Expletives. Great writers and great speakers reach out to the common man and woman. They stay away from expletives and I believe so should we. What is the point? What are we trying to achieve? It shows a lack of class and a lot more emotional instability. Yes, you have freedom of expression, but why not use it wisely.

4. People writing about themselves. I think it is a good channel to let out some angst. I do not see any other good in it. It is up to the people of course. It is not all about the other people knowing about lives, but about the perception we give them. Most of the tmr, the thoughts that are encouraged in their heads when they read such blogs is: Do we really need to go there? Of course our reply could be, “why do I care?”. The answer is then ”Why do you write if you do not care?”.

Blogging is cool and it reaches out to many. Why not make it positive? We can follow the examples of the National Enquirer, or the E Channel or other gossip magazines, or we can choose to model the better ones. Why do we do this?

For awareness or is it an outlet for us to express ?

Cheers
Kalpana