7/11 blog: The CNN-IBN Impact

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The frequent criticism about News channels is well known ... Too much noise but negligible impact on the lives of people around them. So three weeks back when we sat together to make an outline for the program on the lives of survivors of 7/11 blasts in the last one year, the brief from our Special Investigation Editor, V K Shashikumar, was very simple. A hard hitting followup of survivors who have been ignored by the administration and society in general and ensuring justice is done to them.

We started on this difficult path by first getting in touch with many individuals who were already on our list. But we faced an uphill task trying to convince them that we were serious about helping them get justice. Many had lost hopes of getting any compensation from the railways or state government after making several rounds and getting taste of the well entrenched red tapism. They refused to be part of our series and honouring their desire to move on with their lives, we decided to search for other survivors.

Finally our efforts bore fruit and we were able to zero on 6 survivors. The process of featuring these case studies were quite strenuous. Unlike other victims,we had to handle them sensitively to avoid hurting their feelings. Questions had to be moderated and efforts were made to bond with them to identify their special area of need. Two of the case studies were family members of victims who had lost their lives in the blasts. Despite adequate documentation the govt refused to part with the compensation money of one lakh rupees. We took them to the district collectors and questioned them why the money was not released. They made some lame excuses and finally agreed to release the compensation. But true to the task set by us in the beginning, we insisted that the cheque had to be released immediately. The collector immediately ensured that the cheque was released which provided some financial consolation to the victims.

But the most glaring insensitivity towards terror victims was witnessed in the case of 22 year old Rajesh Jha. Rajesh had lost the mobility of his left hand in the blast. He was without a job and his medical expenses had mounted to about 5000 rupees per month. I developed an instant bond with Rajesh due to number of reasons. One of them being that he was in the same train that fateful day last year when the first bomb ripped the train before santacruz station. I could identify the pain this young boy had faced and I started comparing myself mentally. We had both traveled by second class but I escaped since my compartment was ahead of the first class compartment. Rajesh was in the compartment just behind the first class and thus faced severe disability.

To cut the story short, Rajesh lost his job with a multinational bank since he was no longer fit to work on the sales front. I enquired with him whether he wanted his job back. Rajesh had a blank look on his face and said that the bank would not employ him. I got in touch with the bank and sought their clarification on the matter. The bank had number of reasons to give but my queries to them were quite simple. Rajesh was educated, a needy victim and a hard working young employee. Wasn't there any way they could have accommodated him"

The story was aired subsequently and the bank had internal discussions on the issue. They realized their mistake and agreed to take him back. Calls went to and fro between the bank, their public relation agency and me. I had some simple demands. Rajesh should be offered a desk job as a employee of the bank and should be given a decent salary to help him rebuild his life. The bank agreed and Rajesh was given his offer letter in our presence. Unlike many corporate houses, the bank should be credited for quick redressal in order to do justice to Rajesh.

Today Rajesh has resumed work nearly one year after the blasts.We at CNN-IBN feel happy that we were able to make a difference in the lives of some of the victims. For Rajesh and his family, a full time stable job has helped them to tide over the past and cover his huge medical expenses. I am sure that one day I will see this boy in a good position. Rajesh had determination to do well despite his impoverished surroundings. All that he needed was a push. And we are glad that CNN-IBN could do that.

The last seven years of my journey as a journalist has never been so satisfying as these last two weeks. Collectively our team of reporters, cameramen and editors were able to identify and help some of the victims. Maybe this profession is not so unrewarding despite the long hours of work, unimaginable stress and lack of social life. We just made some true IMPACT in the true spirit of "WHATEVER IT TAKES".