'The Indian Express' is talking to 'The Hindu'

It looks like 'The Indian Express' is talking to 'The Hindu' - UG

Major Dakshinamurti, a close associate of UG, recalled an anecdote about the learned man's slavery! Today he leads a contented, self-sufficient life, all by himself, in total harmony with nature in a farmhouse near Bangalore with no TV, newspaper or Internet, the trappings of a gregarious life.

Major, a big-time votary of BBC for 30 years, prided himself on the 'borrowed' knowledge doled out by the popular radio station. Further, he religiously consumed write-ups by some leading columnists of the day in national dailies like The Indian Express, The Times of India etc.

Once in the presence of UG, Major got into a heated debate with another highly opinionated visitor on some mundane issue. The argument got escalated, at some point it even turned furious with each side trading counter-arguments.

UG chipped in at the right moment, “Major, it looks like 'The Indian Express' is talking to 'The Hindu’! (The two leading English dailies in India) You both blurt out what you read in your favourite columns. Tell me, in all this, is there anything that you can call your own? It is all borrowed opinion! Even the servant maid has her own world view! All these arguments are just empty and worthless, mere clash of opinions! "

For the sensible Major, this indeed was an eye-opener and he thenceforth gave up on all his favourite columns.

Most of us are willing victims! Every one has a personal favourite - a writer, a columnist, an anchor. As UG points out, we are unconsciously tied to the 'doctored' opinion of these worthies.