A file photo of Salman Khan at Pahlaj Nihalani's party at Hotel Sahara Star in Mumbai late evening on Monday, April 21. Photo credit: Sawf NewsJuly 2, 2008 (Sawf News) - Shinjini Sengupta has drawn the attention of celebrity bloggers Salman Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. Both have their own differing but very interesting takes on her story.
According to her father, Shinjini, 16, lost her voice and movement on May 19 after going into depression because judges on a regional reality show were harsh with her before her elimination.
Shinjini was flown in to Bangalore for treatment on Friday, when TV channels picked up her story and started to air it with a lot of hype.
Despite her father's claims, there is no evidence to suggest a link between Shinjini's medical condition and her elimination from the reality contest; doctors believe such a link is not possible.
In his blog entry Salman has taken the judges to task, not only for causing Shinjini's condition but for not visiting her in the hospital!
"I feel very upset and sad to learn about the young teenaged girl Shinjini, who had to be hospitalized under severe depression as a result of the humiliation and harassment caused to her by some uncaring judges in a reality show! What is more shocking is that the so-called judges did not even visit her nor offered any help and assistance. This unfortunate incidence puts the judges in the dock but who would try & punish them? Is such behavior and treatment not a cognizable offence? It ought to be."
Salman, it would seem, has bought the media hype hook, line, and sinker.
A file photo of Amitabh Bachchan as the chief guest at the album launch of Rahul Sharma and Richard Clayderman's Confluence II at JW Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai, Monday, May 12, 2008. Photo Credit: Sawf NewsAmitabh on the other hand has used the Shinjini story to grind his own axe against the media. He has directly commented on Shinjini story but used it to highlight the failings and strengths of the media.
Referring to an Indian Express, Mumbai, story that details how the media hyped the Shinjini with an eye for TRP ratings, Amitabh writes.
"The media criticizes itself and mocks at the electronic on its infant behavior. We do live in a practicing democracy. In freedom of speech and in respect of its integrity. It is not the first time that comment has been made towards the standards of the electronic. Is it competition, envy or sheer ignorance. Could be all three. But one that deserves to be understood with a certain seriousness. If our news is going to be guided by information on where I park my cars to the fact that I have a beastly cold, then there is justification on the above article. Someday I shall share with you the texts the media sends seeking a story. Fascinating !"
The good news is that Shinjini has got her voice back. After a month of speechlessness, on Tuesday, July 1, she is reported to have said, "Ami bhalo aachhi. Doctor ra onek test korchhe. Test korar shomoy onek shobdo hochchhilo. (I'm fine. Doctors are conducting several tests. These tests are very noisy)."
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