This write up is courtesy my good friend Dr. S K Malhotra, a senior retired scientist from DAE, who called me this afternoon and urged me to write on the subject issue. He and I along with some other friends had met and chatted for long time when we went to pay our reverence to Dr Chidambaram who passed away on 4th January in Mumbai.
All the TV channels and the X and other social media was abuzz with a tragic incident of stabbing of Saif Ali Khan. Early hours of this morning, brought the shocking news of a brutal knife attack on actor Saif Ali Khan at his Mumbai residence. He was rushed to the Leelavati hospital where he is recuperating from this brutal attack after undergoing surgery. The incident, which occurred around 2.30 AM this morning is deeply condemnable, and I sincerely wish the actor a speedy recovery. Malhotra ji, had called me to upraise me about how this news is getting played out in every single news channel, non stop. What disturbed him was the fact that there was not a single TV channels or reporters from print and other media who were present during the state funeral of Dr R Chidambaram, which we attended on 4 January evening. He was hurt by the neglect of TV news channels, none of who turned up to pay their respect to Dr Chidambaram during his funeral.
The stabbing incident of Saif Ali Khan was getting played out non stop - kind of a minute to minute commentary - across all television channels throughout the day. While condemning the cowardly act by the perpetrator who stabbed Saif Ali Khan, what disturbed Malhotra ji, rightly so since I too echoed his sentiments, is the disproportionate importance that media gives to reel and real heroes. This calls for introspection and reflection. The incessant, wall-to-wall coverage of the Saif Ali Khan stabbing unfortunate event, while understandable given the actor's fame, stands in stark contrast to the TV media's absolute apathy toward an equally significant, albeit less glamorous, occurrence two weeks ago—the demise of one of India’s most eminent scientists, Dr. R. Chidambaram.
Dr. Chidambaram, a stalwart of Indian science, played a pivotal role in India’s nuclear advancements, being a key architect of both Pokhran-I and Pokhran-II nuclear tests. These milestones catapulted our nation into the elite club of nuclear-capable nations, bolstering national security while adhering to the principle of nuclear deterrence, a necessity with two nuclear adversaries in our neighbourhood. A recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, Dr. Chidambaram’s contributions have left an indelible mark on India’s scientific and strategic landscape. Despite his monumental achievements, his passing on 4 January received little to no acknowledgment from the Indian TV news channels and other media. While he was rightfully accorded a state funeral, the somber event saw minimal attendance, bereft of the presence of dignitaries or the fanfare that his legacy truly deserved.
This apathy towards one of India’s greatest minds deeply pained Malhotra ji and yours truly as well. in fact all of us who were at the funeral of Dr Chidambaram we’re sorry to find no presence of any of the TV news channels covering the state funeral accorded to Dr Chidambaram. As a science communicator who had the privilege of knowing Dr. Chidambaram personally, I too was disturbed by the apathy of the Indian media. Having worked for 35 years in science museums, striving to inspire younger generations with the achievements of stalwarts like Dr Chidambaram, I find it disheartening that his death was relegated to a footnote while headlines and endless panel discussions are devoted to a reel hero - I have nothing personal against this end less coverage.
This disproportionate coverage for real and reel heroes in our Indian society brings us to an inconvenient truth: Indian media seems to prioritize glamour over gravitas, spotlighting reel heroes while real heroes languish in obscurity. The adage "all are equal, but some are more equal" sadly applies to the way media chooses its stories and play them endlessly.
Such glaring imbalances raise critical questions about the role of media in shaping public consciousness. How will the younger generation cultivate reverence for scientists like Dr. Chidambaram or aspire to emulate their selfless service to the nation if the media chooses to overlook their contributions? When reel heroes are idolized while real heroes are ignored, we risk perpetuating a culture that values glamour over grit, superficiality over substance, and fame over foundational contributions.
Our scientists, who labour tirelessly to advance our nation in areas critical to its sovereignty and global standing, deserve more than this neglect. They deserve to be celebrated, remembered, and revered, not only to honour their legacy but also to inspire future generations. The media, as a powerful force in shaping societal narratives, bears a responsibility to ensure balanced coverage that reflects the contributions of all those who build the nation—whether through cinema or science.
This is not a critique of the attention given to the incident involving Saif Ali Khan, but rather a plea for introspection. It is a call to recognize that India’s real strength lies in its real heroes—scientists, educators, soldiers, and countless others who work quietly, often thanklessly, for the betterment of the nation.
Dr. R. Chidambaram's life and work should have been an occasion for the media to educate the public, foster discussions on India’s scientific progress, and encourage young minds to dream of achieving similar feats. Instead, his passing was met with an unsettling silence. As someone who has worked in the field of science communication for 39 years and counting, this disregard hurts me deeply.
Let this post, a motivation by my good friend Malhotra, serve as a reminder to the media and society at large to reflect on their priorities. We owe it to the likes of Dr. Chidambaram, and to the future of India, to celebrate our real heroes—not just in their lives but also in their passing. Let us ensure that their stories inspire and endure.
I earnestly hope that this post reaches those in positions of influence and prompt them to introspect. And may we, as a society, learn to honor and celebrate the contributions of those who truly build our nation.
Jai Hind Jai Vigyan
Images courtesy: Wikipedia and Google
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