SARCAJC

SOUTH ASIAN RESEARCH CENTRE FOR ADVERTISEMENT, JOURNALISM & CARTOONS

Sarcajc Research in Journalism Advertisement & Cartoon

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Why not epaper?
Yesterday, Hindustan Times addressed "Dear Readers". This note informed the readers about Coronavirus and potential changes that might be coming in this newspapers. .. MORE

YeS ! HaPpy HoLi -10 March 2020 from SARCAJC's cartoonist!. Dont mind it's Holi!

Extracts from the Presidential address at All India Newspaper Editor’s Conference.1947

..The Press in India is now adjusting itself to a complete transformation of scene. Does it not seem but yesterday when we were engaged in grimly fighting the battle of National Herald and Harijan with little hope of stable success? Today, National Herald is digging its toes under ideal conditions of popularity, prestige and security and Harijan is in need of ever-increasing supplies of paper for its expanding circulation..MORE

Message of Mahatma Gandhi

According to INTUTE- “South Asian Research Centre for Advertisement, Journalism & Cartoons (SARCAJC) is South Asia's first study centre for research into the history and political importance of cartoons, political satire, advertisements and journalism..”.

VIEW MORECARTOONS, INCLUDING ON MEDIA, ENVIRONMENT!

Pandemic of Bribery
Saraswati Magazine 1947

The British rule in India has brought in much good as well as bad. Among many ills, bribery has taken form of 'Haq' (right). Go to any office, your work will not be done until you give out fixed rate of 'Haq'. During the days of the war this disease transformed into pandemic. Even the Government of India was rattled. ... The alarming bribery also attracted the attention of our local leaders, ... ...MORE

Jawaharlal Nehru On Indian Press:

The Press if it wants freedom - which is ought to have must have some balance of mind which is seldom possesses. One cannot have it both ways. Evert freedom in this world is limited, limited not so much by law as by circumstances. We do not wish to come in the way of freedom of the Press. Personally, I am convinced of the freedom of the Press....More

Channel Watch-Tracking (monitoring?) Television in India

NEW

South Asian Research Centre for Advertisement, Journalism & Cartoons (SARCAJC) is first Independent Research Centre in South Asia which undertakes media monitoring in the neglected area of cartoons, advertisements. We study, research, promote, acquire and preserve cartoons, advertisement in Newspapers, Journals, and Magazines that constitute rich cultural heritage of this vast region.Aim for news archives & museum

Recommended-Humourous story with cartoon on Demonetisation. To viewclick

Double Vision
Hindi newspaper- Hindustan has published word to word same news report with same heading - " Government is suppressing the voice of media: Congress" twice on page 15. Interestingly, two small columns are placed next to each other, so hard to say, didn't notice!! (27 June 19)

Only for a Day?

Today is World Environment Day. This has been highlighted by many newspapers on their masthead too. However, is remembrance for a day sufficient to save our earth from mankind greed? Sustainable development a lost word, only cosmetic conventions, conferences- photoshoot opportunities... (5 June 2019)

Whom to believe
One of leading Hindi newspaper- Hindustan on its front page informs that search for missing plane of Indian Air Force is being done by satellite. This news has been procured from Agency. However, the Gurgaon supplement of the same newspaper, courtesy correspondent informs that debris of missing plane has been found by Indian Air Force planes. The news report by correspondent of this newspaper has heading- “Pilot from Digot dies in Aircraft mishap”. All other newspapers scanned today carry the news of continuation of search for the missing Indian Air Force plane. (5 June 2019).

ARCHIVAL ANALYSIS by Pramila Sharma- Indian Journalism - 15 August 1947

...On 15 August 1947, we celebrated Indian Independence day- freedom from British colonial rule. With the pain of divided freedom, it was a beginning of a new era. Our creative authors and journalists played an important role on this glorious day. In free air, they echoed the fear and anguish of the common man in the ears of the nation builders. They stressed the need to uproot the thorny bushes that hindered the path of building new India.As the day of freedom approached, many papers and magazines were born- like Naya Hindustan (July 1947, weekly, Banaras), Bhartiya Sanskriti (quarterly, Ratlam), Yogdharma (Banaras). ...MORE

Cartoon Watch
The last day of the year-2018. Amar Ujala, Aaj Samaj, Dainik Jagran, Punjab Kesari (Delhi), Veer Arjun, Mail Today, Tribune and Millennium Post carried no cartoons. Jansatta, Dainik Bhaskar, Indian Express and Times of India carried cartoon focused on New Year. Dainik Jagran cartoon focused on savings, Hindu cartoon took on CM of Uttar Pradesh amidst mob violence. Cartoons in Dainik Tribune have focused on politics in the state of Haryana. Punjab Kesari (Panipat edition) has carried maximum toons- five- 2 on Augusta controversy, Girl child in Haryana, Accidental PM- Manhoman Singh, Modi & Rahul. A friend of SARCAJC points out cartoon in Asian Age on the editorial page focusing on Meghalaya is rather difficult to understand, without any reference of associated news. The supplement of Times of India has carried a large toon: must view, if you are planning to go out to celebrate the New Year with family today! Wow! (31 December 2018)

Mahatma Gandhi on Public Service:

To read full article click HERE

Only general awareness
An advertisement informs- “AMR- matlab antibiotics ka beasar ho jaana” This ad in English daily- Times of India (4 February 2019), has used Hindi words to educate the main street. The small fonts at the bottom of this ad reads- “Information contained herein is for general awareness and is not meant to substitute medical advice. Always consult your general physician for any questions or advice regarding a medical condition” A friend of SARCAJC has raised a pertinent question- what about the doctors who prescribe overuse of antibiotics? There is not a word of caution to erring doctors, not a word where to complaint about them. Interestingly, this advertisement has been published by Indian Council for medical Research (ICMR) & Pfizer, a multinational that sells antibiotics. This there any conflict of interest, you decide!

Budget cartoons
The annual budget is boom for the cartoonists, in era of majority of newspapers granting only a small space for cartoons. Of 21 newspapers scanned, 8 newspapers carried large cartoons on their front page. The large toons carrying newspapers are- Dainik Jagran, Punjab Kesari (Delhi, Panipat), Eenadu, Loksatta, Times of India, Mail Today. (2 February 2019)

Fake News Celebrations

The fun festival of Holi has led a newspapers in Hindi- Navbharat Times devoting its front page to fake fun news! (21 March 2019). View cartoons on fake news celebration, made by Sarcajc's CartoOnisTs, VIEW

Is this an Issue ?
Monstrous crimes against women in Hyderabad, Unnao made it to the front pages of all newspapers last week. The outrage has again brought the burning issue of lack of safety for women in India ....SARCAJC has conducted a random survey of 175 women in NCR, 100 percent echoed that they feel unsafe. READ MORE

Mahatma Gandhi

“..It (corruption) has now become worse than before. Restraint from it has practically gone. Corruption will go when the large number of persons given unworthily to it realise that the nation does not exist for them to exploit but that they exist to serve the nation. This requires morals, and extreme vigilance on the part of those who are free of the taint. Indifference will be criminal…”
(27 January 1948. From the pages of The Hindu)

NEWSPAPER WATCH

Monitoring Print Media: Tracking Newspapers in India

view cartoons on climate change

Air Pollution

Delhi/NCR has been reeling under the spell of Acute Air Pollution after the departure of few spell of rain & wind. MORE

More Rare Archival News

From SARCAJC's cartoonist:

Hey, blackbuck is listening!

CARTOON WATCH

MoreMahatma Gandhi

Air Pollution Cartoons at 11 years
Pollution is not new in India. At the age of 11, a school girl made cartoons highlighting the problem of pollution for a school project for environmental studies. Now she is one of the in-house cartoonist of SARCAJC!

From our Archives- View her Cartoons made 36 years ago

ARCHIVAL TREASURE

Fat CaT
Last year, before festival of Diwali, Punjab & Maharashtra Cooperative Bank (PMC) fraud was revealed. ... Now, Just before the festival of Holi, large private sector bank- ‘Yes Bank’ has gone bust, thanks to Non performing assets (NPAs). MORE

Road to Happiness 2010

From SARCAJC's cartoonist- fews years ago

Self regulation working?

Hindu has reported-“Set up mechanism to hear plaints about TV content: SC”. The legal corresponded informed-“The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the government to set up, streamline and publicise a complaint redressal mechanism…to deal with citizen’s complaints about content telecast or aired by private TV channels and radio..”. The para four of this news report carries a quote by the bench of Supreme Court-”We cannot ask the (the Centre) to monitor the content of the channels. How can we do that? ..” While Times of India’s Dhananjay Mahapatra has highlighted-”SC: Set up body to look into complaints against channels”. (13 January 2017).

SARCAJC is independently monitoring!

The visionary editor of children's magazine- Shiksharthi educated children (hopefully the government too!) - the real meaning of Azaadi.

Two years, after independence , the cover page of Children's magazine - LALLA declared- " If there is grain, there is freedom", while small boy writes on the blackboard- " May, 15 August be lucky".

In the same issue of Lalla, a 'directional' poem appeared -

" real independence when?

when our stomach is not hungry.

.....We are free now,

Lets' give khad to our farms"

These few lines, underlined the priority to the government of free India. Though the name of the poet was not mentioned, most probably, it was Shiksharthi- the editor.

PROTECT THE VULNERABLE

.. Many elderly friends of SARCAJC complaint that though educated, well off, they are getting a raw deal in the society, corruption, misbehaviour.. list will be explored in coming days by Team SARCAJC. ..The following suggestion by founder of SARCAJC- P.Parmita was sent to Prime Minister of India- Mr Narendra. Modi on 1/1/2018- DETAILS

MORE- Mahatma Gandhi on Corruption

ARCHIVAL holi 1935

What is POLICY?

Extracts from Oudh Punch 1870s

Building Castles in the air; the pretense of conferring a favour upon another while promoting one’s own interest; smearing one’s body with blood & representing oneself as having fought in a religious war (i.e. to try to acquire fame by merely pretending to have taken a part in a good action); an ultimate clamour....More

Indian Election Announcement

Yesterday, Election Commission of India had announced the dates for Elections. This news has been highlighted today by all newspapers. ..MORE

Election Watch

The newspapers are soaked in the ongoing General Election in India. The advertisements by political parties, features, interviews, reports are clearly being witnessed during this election season. The series of advertisements by Election Commission reminded the voters not to get carried away by freebies. However, the cartoons still have not been given prominent space on the front page of almost all leading newspapers. With the election results due on 23 May 2019, will cartoonists get a nod from their editor to feature their lines on the front page? Keep guessing! View some cartoons made by SARCAJC's cartoonist.

view sarcajc gallery

FARM REFORMS: SARCAJC gave voice to Bihar farmer's suggestions 9 years ago

A farmer from Rajasthan had raised the need for Pension for farmers during 2011 in an interview to us. See the Video. The Government of India launched- PM-KISAN Scheme (PM Kisan Samman Nidhi) from 1.12.2018. Under the scheme an income support of 6,000/- per year in three equal installments will be provided to small and marginal farmer families having combined land holding/ownership of upto 2 hectares. Last year, farmers’ pension scheme-Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY)was launched.

Stay Safe
Coronavirus has brought public health on the forefront. Everyday Indian TV channels are making viewers aware about its spread in India and the world....MORE

Helpless :Air Pollution ?
The leading Indian TV channels have raised the issue of Air Pollution with conviction. Though majority of the reporters were reporting without any masks. On 2 November 2019, ABP News at 9:30 am highlighted #Pollutionkills. Zee News at 10:12 am directed-" Dont go to Delhi, leave Delhi". Aditi of Zee News conceded that she was feeling helpless for herself as well as for viewers. Read MORE

Cant breath?
Public Health Emergency has been declared in Delhi/NCR, thanks to air pollution reaching AQI 500- 700. This lead, the politics obsessed leading television channels turning their focus on severe air pollution in Delhi/NCR. Times Now at Newshour (prime time debate) at 9pm with #Delhi Bachao (save Delhi), highlighted- . READ MORE

Happy Elders Day, everyday?
Zee TV in prime time DNA, today (1October 2019) remembered International Elders Day. Examples of Amitabh Bachchan and others who are achievers even in their old age was given. It was mentioned that 26 % youth have aggressive behaviour towards elders. The programme ended by calling the elders to start their life afresh. But how to remain upbeat, given the non-conductive environment around them. READ MORE

Poison in our plate
The Green revolution has played the devil- indiscriminate use of pesticides, fertilizers is playing havoc on health of the mainstreet. However, this is not a matter of concern for leading TV channels in India, who are obsessed with political showcase. ...MORE

Cartoon inspired Political Advertisement
During this election season, BJP is running animated cartoon advertisements in leading channels- cricket match, football match, caricatured political opponents, funny audio...unlike descriptive conventional political advertisements! Will these ads win votes, only time will tell!

Election Fever
The television channels are concentrating on General Elections- interviews, debates, coverage of political rallies, candidates, cities. The list is endless, politically! The political parties are also trying to show their presence through repeated telecast of their advertisements. However the pitch of daily debates is rising. Tag line of ads of two major political parties BJP and Congress have a different thrust. BJP advertisements is- “ Phir Ek Bar Modi Sarkar” (Once more Modi Government), while tag tile of Congress Advertisement is “ Ab Hoga Naya” (Now justice will be done). Which is better, wait till 23 May 2019!

HOli CeleBratiOns
The fun associated with annual Holi festival was clearly visible in all Hindi News channels. The studios, anchors were soaked in holi colour. The programmes- songs (folk, bollywood), dances, poet's meets filled with fun- fully . hOLI is the only day when so many folk songs are carried by Hindi news channels. Today, leading folk song artist- Ms. Mailini Awasthi dominated in so many channels, specially her performance at Republic Bharat. As day got over, folk songs by Ms Sunanda Sharma in APN news channel at midnight were indeed welcome. Majority of friends of SARCAJC felt her songs were real treat on Holi. One her songs were-" Let's go to Kanniya's house to play holi" . dO VIEW SATIRE IN NEWSPAPER CARRYING SUCH LINES IN 1905. After around one hour folk songs, APN news programme-" Khabar Acchi Hai" (News are good) informed about positive news on Holi day. The number one news was celebration of holi by widows in Vrindavan. Indeed positive. (21 March 2019)

Blowing in the Wind

It is not often one comes across criticism of media by media persons. On 16 February 2019, well known anchor- Subhir Chaudhary of Zee News, at 10:20 pm criticized newspapers that had published photograph of terrorist on their front page....MORE

Agrarian Distress, Come Organic!
Yesterday, Lok Sabha TV, (TV related to Indian parliament) devoted an hour to ponder over agrarian distress. This issue has made it to television space .... MORE

Sustainable Development
Ever increasing air pollution has made it persistently to the front page of leading newspapers. Today, Hindustan Times highlight on front page about much celebrated cybercity- Gurgaon- “cost of living with pollution: report says PM2.5 exposure lowers lifespan by 9 yrs”.. MORE

Oh AIR.. MORE Bollywood TRP. read MORE

Mahatma Gandhi on Advertisements:

I hold that it is wrong to conduct newspapers by the aid of...immortal advertisements, I do believe that if advertisements should be taken at all there should be a rigid censorship instituted by newspaper proprietors and editors themselves and that only healthy advertisements should be taken...More

Strengthening Democracy, Governance & Accountability

Journalism- Once upon a time - LALLA- A children's magazine

Lalla , a children's magazine, started its journey in 1947, was edited by famous cartoonist- Shiksharthi.

Wish to know more about LALLA? A must to read- you need to go back 30 years and read an article written by Prof Pramila Sharma . A must to read.-" Once upon a time- 'LALLA', A Children's Magazine in Hindi". 1992. READ

"Yes, I am going to Jail"
Mrs Chameli Devi Jain- was a true Gandhian, who contributed to Indian Freedom struggle. To know more about Mrs Chameli Devi Jain, you need to go back 29 years and read an article written by SARCAJC's President- Prof Pramila Sharma . A must to read.-" Yes, I am going to Jail". Saptahik Hindustan. 20 January 1991.. READ

Cartoon Tradition
The legendary London Punch had influenced many native Punches in India. South Asians even under colonial rule were playing with Humour, satire and cartoons! Prof Pramila Sharma had penned down an article in Hindustan Times decades back- 1991, entitled "Punching Punch". READ

Gandhian Thought
Special Correspondent of Hindustan (10 November 2018) informs that on occasion of 150th birth celebrations, annual International Trade Fair 2018 in Delhi will bear Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts and will focus on cleanliness message, Khadi promotion and Gandhian village. This year's theme is rural enterprise. What was Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts on development of villages? Prof Pramila Sharma had penned down this way back in 1994. READ

Gandhian Thought
A must to read- “Did Gandhi wanted to make such kind of public representatives”. This article was written down by SARCAJC’s President- Prof Pramila Sharma in Rashtriya Sahara, a newspaper in Hindi, way back, 18 September 1994. READ

In Flanders’s Field
On the occasion of the royal visit of honorable King & Queen of Belgium in India, Manimugha Sharma informs on page 5 in Times of India “Belgian buglers to sound clarion call on honour India’s WWI role” at India Gate in New Delhi. (7 November 2017) Indeed, thousands of Indian soldiers lost their lives during the first world war. The Belgians remember them every evening at Menin Gate. But how many Indians have really remembered their contribution? SARCAJC’s President- Prof Pramila Sharma had paid her tributes, two decades back . Do read her article- “Why no tribute of flowers! ” . READ

Historical Saharanpur
Sandeep Rai reports in Times of India-”ASI gets full control of fort after 149 years, jail likely to be shifted”. From Meerut, he informs that -”Exactly 149 years after Rohilla Fort was converted into a prison, the Saharanpur district jail is all set to ‘fall’ into the hands of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). (Historically speaking, Saharanpur has been rich in its cultural heritage. Do READ an article by /SARCAJC‘s President, few decades ago - Saharanpur-rich with culture.

Queen Victoria
The movie - Victoria & Abul has come during the year when former British Raj colonies in South Asia are celebrating 70th year of Indian Independence from Great Britain. Indeed, Queen Victoria had a special place in establishment of British Raj. SARCAJC’s President- Prof Pramila Sharma had penned down this article - Victoria’s Munshi in Sahitya Amrit, Magazine in Hindi, March 1997, much before any one dwelt on this here! READ

Problem of Unemployment

The problem of Unemployment is not new. Read an article by our founder- Pragya Parmita, relevant even today, after 2 decades. READ

JOURNALISM IN INDIA- read an article from Benares Magazine- Feb 1849. "Peculiarities of Indian Society".READ

Ayodhya Dispute

Archival Research Article by Prof Pramila Sharma published 27 years ago, provides evidence & solution to solve the Ayodhya Dispute. Research Article by Prof Pramila Sharma (two parts)on Solution to Ayodhya Dispute in light of Baburnama and Poetry of Tulsidas, published 27 years go.READ

Was Babur a Mughal? Reference Baburnama
Read this Archival Research Article by Prof Pramila Sharma published 27 years ago. READ

From SARCAJC's cartoonist

Education best!

Holi with King (1905) SATIRE

Shivshambu Sharma was enjoying the comfort of his bed after consuming fulfilling orange juice mixed with Saffron & Bhang (hemp), when horses of his imagination went loose....song that made him sit up.
“Today, let’s play Holi at Kishna’s House” MORE

Supreme Court of India on Pollution in Delhi

The Supreme Court of India has minced no words to express its displeasure over lack of seriousness by government to tackle air pollution in Delhi/NCR. . MORE

Climate change
The intense heat this summer baked mainstreet all around the world. India was no different. READ MORE

Fact check
The heading of an article in Dainik Bhaskar informed-“Will be able to read Gandhiji’s letters, free entry for students in uniform” (3 January 2020). MORE