The Hindu : Commentator unhappy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 25, 2004

National

National

Commentator unhappy

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 24. Upset over the Prasar Bharati's decision not to have him on the panel of commentators for this year's Republic Day Parade, commentator Jasdev Singh has sought the Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Ravi Shankar Prasad's intervention to get back the job he has beeb doing without a break since 1963.

Informed that his services were "not required" earlier this week, Mr. Singh wrote to Mr. Prasad on Friday requesting him to get "this arbitrary order withdrawn."

According to the commentator, Prasar Bharati had taken the decision at the last-minute as he had received the invitation to do the live broadcast as always.

The security pass granting him access to the `commentary box' adjacent to the saluting base in the high-security zone had also been prepared.

Citing the admiration and awards that his commentary has received over the years, Mr. Singh said: "I fail to understand why an organisation which I served sincerely all my life and to which I brought countless laurels is treating me like this. The manner in which I am being removed from the panel of commentators for the Republic Day is not only insulting, but also disgraceful and humiliating."

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