Chat

Rajdeep Sardesai

Editor-in-Chief, IBN18

Jul 02, 2012 | Closed

On important news developments of the week

Rajdeep Sardesai will discuss the important news developments of the week at 5 pm this friday.

This chat is over. Thanks for joining.

Digressing from the subject: Is the Indian media in recession? Asked by: southernindian
The Indian media is not in recession as much as it is in regression! we need to focus on urgent issue of public importance, avoid trivia, replace noise with news, rediscover our moral compass.
THere is a lot of fuss about Sonia Gandhi can't become a PM? Then how can she be a MP? Is BJP using this issue just for the sake of criticise???? Asked by: Venkatesh
I really believe that Sonia's foreign origins is an issue for what I would call the 'noisy' classes. the silent majority wants good governance, doesnt really matter whether it comes from an Italian born Sonia or a Karachi born Advani!
Hi rajdeep how do u sum up Pranab bau's 4 decade long public life and what is ur take on Muslim brotherhood stacking claim to rule Egypt? Asked by: UTSAV DATTA
I must confess to finding Pranab Mukherjee a 'wise' politician i.e. someone who thinks before he acts. Like all politicians, he too has skeletons in his cupboard but on a comparitive scale I still rate him higher than most.
Evening Sir, big fan of yours. Media spends too much time focusing on BJP’s infighting. What about the congress? Former CM’s of Maharashtra while deposing before Adarsh Panel are blaming other CM’s for the mess. Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan are other examples. Your thoughts? Asked by: Manish Sharma
BJP and Congress are separated at birth when it comes to infighting!
Evening Sir, big fan of yours. Why is Rahul Gandhi not speaking on the issue of presidential election? Asked by: Manish Sharma
Dont think Rahul Gandhi needs to speak on presidential election, but wish he would just speak a bit more on policy issues and where he stands on them. Frankly, just wish he'd speak a bit more. Period
Tennis - Both the players & association have let the people down by all possible mean. What is the best way to handle these things in future? They shouldn't think that the whole nation will be happy and forget the fiasco if these players get us a medal. Asked by: Krishnan Mahadevan
I think the tennis association and the players need to restore trust in each other. At the moment, tennis is a bit like politics in the country: divided into camps and factions, where individuals matter more than the collective.
Evening Sir, big fan of yours. Do you agree with UPA II’s assessment of giving additional portfolio to Vilasrao Deshmukh? Asked by: Manish Sharma
I personally think Vilasrao should have resigned, or been made to resign, when the supreme court passes strictures against him for favouring a money lender.
Hi Rajdeep I have been your ardent follower right the days of your association with NDTV, Especially I use toooo admire the way you compered " BIG FIGHT" Having known you as a fearless journalist I expect a honest answer for the my question Dont you think some sections of the media to some extent and opposition parties , mainly BJP , to a larger extent are also responsible for the current economic stand still. BJP never allowed the parliament to run smoothly as it was stalled time and again . They are also not supporting any bil aimed at economic reforms like FDI in retail. They are just looking at short time political gain rather than helping the government to pass the bill. Media should stop giving undue importnace to meaningless protest by opposition Asked by: T R Aravind
A obstructionist opposition and a paralysed government: think both must share blame for the economic situation.
Single enterance exam formula of HRD ministry has been forced and even IIT have gone into it reluctantly. Do you see this as a good move or likely to be counter productive to meritocracy symbolised with IITs ???? Asked by: sundar1950in
Personally, I do believe that the IIT entrance system needs to be revised. To create a filter that includes school boards is not a bad idea. But I shall defer to the experts on this one!
Dear Rajdeep do you think selecting pranab as a presidential candidate was a clever move by sonia gandhi to keep ambitious pranab out of the PM race in 2014 and keep power within the family Asked by: Puneet Dhir
I think Pranab was never the first choice of Sonia Gandhi. It was Mamata's stern opposition and attempt to create a consensus around Kalam that forced Sonia's hand. Dont think it has anything to do with the 2014 elections
Do you feel India will ever be able to match the temperament and class of europeans in soccer or they will like to be the best spectators only aspiring and dreaming Asked by: Hitesh
We will remain a nation of couch potatoes when it comes to football. The gap between us and the rest of the world is simply too vast.
BCCI standing firm on DRS refusing to adapt to technology does not sound very logical. If there was one why they are not Convincing others to join them ??? Asked by: sundar1950in
I am a great supporter of DRS. We must use technology in modern, competitive sport to reduce the scope for human error. the BCCI is being ostrich-like and is clearly behind the times.
Sir do you think projecting Modi as PM candidate in case he wins Gujrat will help BJP in 2014? Will they declare him as PM candidate? or Will they not name any? Asked by: Ashish
A strong section of the BJP rank and file would like Modi to be projected as PM. But the BJP is a house divided as is the NDA. So, for now, the party has chosen not to take a stand which is perhaps wise in the circumstances. Wont be surprised if the BJP doesnt announce a PM candidate in 2014 till after the elections!
Is media very well developed in ignoring NE very well?? Asked by: HariKrishna
Good day to answer the question. One of our top stories today are the floods in Assam. Yes, we could all do more. There is a tyranny of distance the north east will always suffer from. 7 people killed in Delhi or Mumbai will be breaking news 24 x 7, 77 killed in floods in Assam will take time to register sadly.
Saw your interview with Pranab Da. Anyone can tell he is an honest man but he is too much worried about his party than nation. After becoming president he will be still a party man. Your thoughts?? Asked by: Abhijeet Mishra
I think Pranab Mukherjee is a seasoned politician with a strong sense of constitutional procedure. Yes, he is a Congressman, but i dont see him as a rubber stamp president. He is not the kind who will simply do the government's bidding. However, we must test his neutrality only when and if he becomes president.
Why not arrange a Pranab-Sangma debate on CNN-IBN? Asked by: Karthik
I would love to have a Pranab Sangma debate on CNN IBN, if only you can convince them both. Mr Mukherjee has made it clear that there is no space for a presidential debate in our system.
Fight for the crown in Karnataka.The losers are the people of the state. Your thoughts on this? Asked by: Krishnan Mahadevan
I agree. There is a spectre of drought in parts of Karnataka, but the state irrigation minister is busy spending his time trying to become chief minister rather than visit the drought hit areas.
Ang San Sui Kyi has had a successful European tour. It is quiet some time since she got freedom. Government of India does not seem to see her as a potential leader in policy making in Myanmar. why no reception her In INDIA ??? Asked by: sundar1950in
I am told that Aun San Suu Kyi will be in India in November this year for a Nehru memorial award and lecture.She has a deep connect with this country, one we need to build on. We've done an astute balancing act on Myanmar so far, lets hope we are able to keep it going.
With so much spotlight on the media what do you think the role of media should be in giving Sangma's candidacy a fair chance at least to highlight his positions Asked by: Chetan
The media must reflect Sangma's position in the manner we do a Pranab. Lets however be honest: Pranab is a clear frontrunner at the moment so will probably end up getting disproportionate coverage. However, I can assure you on CNN IBN, we will cover Mr Sangma's campaign diligently too.
TWO former CMs of Maharashtra blamed each other in their deposition on Adarsh Scam as reported in the media. was it a strategic move or one of them having an upper hand to wriggle out of the mess ??? Asked by: sundar1950in
I think it is deplorable to watch two former CMS of Maharashtra blaming each other for Adarsh. One was a revenue minister, one was a chief minister. Both got flats in the society for their friends and in Chavan's case for relatives. Both have much to answer.
How do you see the recent development between Saudi and India? Asked by: Ganesan
I think what happened in the Abu Jundal case between India and Saudi Arabia is a huge step forward in the war on terror. It is a recognition that the concept of 'Islamic' terror is deeply flawed and misunderstood. Countries like Saudi have realised that the terrorists who strike against India could be a security hazard for them too.
Evening Sir, big fan of yours. Hasn’t Virbhadra Singh’s resignation opened the flood gates for Team Anna? Their demand for SIT against the remaining 13-14 ministers will seem more legitimate among Indians and their movement might just regain the momentum. Your thoughts? Asked by: Manish Sharma
VirBhadra Singh went because the lower court in Shimla asked for charges to be framed. Yes, it is a boost to Team Anna, but each case must be treated separately and on individual merits. One minister resigns doesnt mean that every minister who team anna wants investigated must also step down. The presumption of the law will not change: innocent till proven guilty.
Sir, it's a pleasure to have you again on the IBN chat. what was the reason behind Pakistan being confused on who they were going to release...was it just a mistake or the pressure of the ISI Asked by: Man Mohan (NAINITAL)
Honestly, it was a genuine mistake caused by the similar sounding Sarabjit and Surjeet. Most media interviews confused the two names, and instead of correcting us, the Pak government spokesperson was very slow to react. Dont think this was a case of the pressure of the ISI, just a goof up by a media in breaking news mode and a govt in slumber mode.
Do you believe that Pranab Mukherjee was indeed a failure as Finance Minister? Does the Prime Minister's "course correction" measures after Pranab's exit signal that he too felt similarly? Asked by: Sandeep Paul
as I said earlier, cant blame a individual minister for a failing economy. Yes, Pranab Mukherjee did hark back at times to an earlier pre-91 era where state knew best, but what was the prime minister doing? At the end, the buck must stop with the PMO and the entire cabinet system
Sania Mirza's attack on AITA and rightly pointing out the Male chauvanism missed out a fact. None of the Grand Slam events give equal prize money for MEN and Women. gender bias in sport has been nothing new. Was that the reason that Sania could not muster much support and has been forced to accept reality and partner Leander in the OLYMPICS.?? Asked by: sundar1950in
Thats not true. Wimbledon has equal prize money for men and women. Yes, there is gender bias, but times are changing. Sania was reflecting her anguish, just wish it had been done behind closed doors and not in public. Just wish all of them -- Mahesh, Leander, Rohan Vishnu, Sania -- had got into a closed room and sorted this out.
Will the Manmohan be able to repeat magic of 1991 once again as history does not always repeat and now slogan of globalisation is in down in the dumps Asked by: Manush
I think it is unfair to compare 2012 to 1991. The fundamentals are much stronger today than ever before. What is similar is a sense of indecisive leadership that is troubling. It is true that it sometimes needs a crisis to make us get our act together. Maybe, the economic concerns will act as a wake-up call today as they did in 1991.
What is your view on Gujarat's(Narendra Modi driven) government on corruption & development both? Asked by: Bhavik Jani
I saw a good article in yesterday's Sunday Economic Times on Narendra Modi. There is no linear narrative on Modi as his critics and admirers would have us believe. There have been successes (eg. power capacity), and failures (continuing child malnutrition). Any assessment of Modi must accomodate both.
Rajdeep, BJP only shows its accomplishments in Gujarat but hides its ugly face in karnataka. Should the media start exposing BJP on this? Asked by: Sunita Gedam.
I think the BJP has a serious problem in Karnataka, much like the Congress in Andhra. Both the BJP and the Congress are suffering from a weak centre of gravity, thats what has led to the crisis in K'taka and AP. The BJP's failings in Karnataka have been well documented by the media.
Do you feel that this govt has too many high profile economist like Montek, Rangarajan, Kaushik Basu that too many cooks in kitchen are spoiling dish that personalities have overtaken policies which has resulted in exit of Pranab Asked by: Manush
I dont think its a a case of too many cooks, more a case of a lack of direction. To blame Pranab alone for policy failings would be wrong. The cabinet decides on policy, not an individual. Moreover, Montek, Kaushik Basu and Rangarajan are not members of the cabinet, so their suggestions will have limited impact.