Indian Link media group

Why were there no popular events scheduled, open to the public free of cost? If the Government of NSW could host AR Rehman in a free concert for the Indian community, why can’t the Government of India do the same for its pravasis? Renowned artists like Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and Meeta Pandit were invited to PBD but the concert was open only to the delegates and they performed to an almost empty hall. In fact Meeta Pandit commented, “Where is the audience - is there a cricket match taking place?”

Some important sectors like medicine and health, tourism and sports were missing from the 3-day agenda.

As for the round table discussion on ‘Power of Media in the Asian Century,’ which was well chaired by Sushi Das of The Age, which I was invited to be a panellist on, we had a robust discussion on:

• Role of media in both countries in reporting Violence against Indian Students in 2010 and lessons learnt from it.

• Will the Indian media play a dominate role in shaping the world opinion on the global stage like the west did in the last century with the power of its economy and the magnetism of its culture? Will we see an Asian Rupert Murdoch emerge?

• Thirdly, in the next 20, 30, 40 years, where are we likely to turn for authoritative, accurate and balanced news coverage? The influence and uses of new media – whether it’s the social media such as Twitter, Facebook etc. or online news, analysis and blogging, as well as online TV/radio.

• The need to have an NRI TV channel which connects the Indian diaspora globally and focuses more on issues and concerns for non-resident Indian and 2nd and 3rd generation Indians. (Minister Ravi who also attended the sessions agreed to offer support to any such initiative).

• A critique of the local print media which has predominantly become an advertisement directory. (The fact that no local print media was invited to be on the panel was pointed out as they could not contribute to the discussion).

• While we enjoyed meeting and exchanging ideas with many interesting people from other cities and countries, we missed the local participation.

In his concluding remarks CGI Mr Arun Goel commented that the two useful recommendation that emerged from the PBD deliberations were:

• Need to have Old Age Care facilities for ageing Pravasis.

• Need to have a NRI TV channel to connect the Indian diaspora globally.

Saba Zaidi Abdi Managing Director Nuvera Media