This is a excerpt of a recent play I was a part of it was an adaptation of Ray Cooney’s “Out of Order”. I played the role of George Pidgen. In the video I am the boy in a blue shirt black suspenders and red bow tie (quite a description)

Most major countries in the world today function in a democratic system. A system which transfers the power to the people of the country. Democracy was perfectly explained by Abraham Lincoln “the government of the people, by the people, for the people”. The question however remains does democracy in the modern world does democracy fulfill it’s meaning and purpose.

Elections are probably entirely what democracy is based upon it’s the literal foundation of a democracy. Seven states in my country are currently gearing up for election day namely Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Punjab, Manipur, Goa, Gujrat and Himachal Pradesh. Being from Punjab, the agricultural centre of India and a state proud of its place in history and its culture, I have more or less experienced the canvassing and propaganda of political leaders first-hand.

Experiencing this ‘process’ if one may call it that, has shown me a lot. It has shown me how politicians have made democracy into a business of sorts. How they have used the weakness of the uneducated and poor as their strength rather than a concern just to ‘buy’ themselves votes. They have used different mediums to buy the vote of the uneducated, ranging from false propaganda, to food stalls locally knows as ‘langars’ and a whole lot of petty tricks. All of these canvassing schemes have left cities in a mess. I talk from first hand experience as I have seen the streets and roads of my city been loaded with garbage from processions, food stalls and local speeches. The political candidates very readily promote their propaganda but never care to clear the mess they have left in the aftermath.

In recent past the state of Punjab has been adversely affected by the use of drugs and other intoxicating substances, to an extent that it has been dubbed as ‘India’s Mexico’ (which in itself is a very foolish comparison). Multiple times it has been found that these drugs have been brought into the state by the people in power. They even shamelessly use these drugs as a method of getting the votes of the people who have been affected and destroyed by these drugs. In a very clever and concealed process these ‘political leaders’ find ways in which these drugs reach the addicts, who generally come from the poor sector of the state, and to these poor men these drugs are more than life, so in exchange of the drugs these men give their vote to the political leaders. Assuring a fool proof plan to get votes.

In all the dark that has surrounded these elections there has been a glimmer of hope, which has come from the youth and young of the country. Having witnessed it first-hand I have seen graffiti encouraging the people to vote, moreover encouraging the educated youth to vote, flyers distributed to provide more information about election dates and centres, articles in the media bringing out the truth and informing the people about all that surrounds the elections. All this is what should be done too because it is the responsibility of the people to be informed about a democracy because it is in there hand that the real power of a democracy lies. Accompanied with all that the people in power should realise their responsibility and know that good leaders work for the progress and well being of the people but not for themselves.

Media is many times related to interviewing and getting to know people up, close and personal. This particular blog is a sort of interview. The interviewer, me, the interviewer also me. Thus the title. I found this to be a very entertaining method of explaining oneself to people. So the following is the interview.

Q. Hi, it would be great if you gave the readers a little insight into who you are.

Hi I am Virain Palta from India, currently a  student almost having completed school, with just to give my Board Council Exams. A crazy sort of person seeking adventure always trying my very best to be funny, though I end up being more silly than funny, very dreamy, sometimes I even dream of being Spider-Man (that’s not possible of course), but that’s me in a nutshell crazy, dreamy and perpetually trying to make people laugh.

Q. Ok, so you have almost completed your school life what would be your take on the whole experience down the years?
It’s been a roller coaster ride throughout school, two different experiences altogether first being in a day school and then facing a huge transition, moving into a boarding school which is one of the greatest ‘milestone’ of my life. Growing up in a boarding school taught me some of the most greatest life values which I will continue to cherish forever. Though school life has been a life mostly of bliss and success it has had its dark moments as well which have affected me in bad ways but have also helped me to come out better than before.
Q. As one grows old one tends to create memories, so what would be the greatest memories or gifts that you have taken from school life?
Being in a school which was more like home to me rather than just school, school life has given me numerous memories, so to pick out a few select memories from the lot would be really tough. In the case of ‘gifts’, I was lucky enough to be a part of an institution that helped me to recognize what was the best within me. I recognised that I was blessed with the skill of presenting my ideas to a mass of people in a manner which made the audience think, with a skill of being able to present myself to the public. Though knowing of the gift would not be enough alone, nurturing it and helping me use my talent to my benefit was the ‘gift’ I got through my school life and is something that will always keep me indebted to my school.

Q. Apart from media what other interests do you have?
I have always been interested in drama and acting. Right since the age of 9 ,in the fifth grade, I have been part of school drama presentations. Though the first time wasn’t very easy as it took a lot of courage and grit to get up on the stage, but ever since then I have always readily taken part in drama presentations, mostly doing comedies. I also have a deep rooted love for football/soccer which I play as well. Although I’m no Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

Q. Alright, so you probably have some favourite actors sports teams and all that.

Yes I do one of my favourite actors out there would be Eddie Redmayne. One of the greatest versatile actors there is may it be being a wizard or Stephen Hawking he does it with great aplomb. Another of my favourites is Ryan Reynolds, the man’s a genius. As for a favourite sports team it is Liverpool Football Club, a club in England the most decorated club in England, though they’ve had a tough time for the last 3 or 4 years but surely now are on a resurgent track.
Q. Lastly what do you look most forward to in your college life?
For me college life will be an entirely new experience as I aspire to study in a foreign country. Everything will be new, the culture, the lifestyle, the people and so on. Thus I expect my college life to be one where every new day is an adventure, full of new learning experiences, within and outside the class. I expect it to be a complete package to nurture my being further into a complete adult in all aspects of life.

Thank you that was time well spent.

Hello , I am Virain Palta a student from Ludhiana Punjab, India. However, I have lived and spent most of my life in Mussoorie a hill station also India where I have received most of my education from Grade 4 to Grade 12, which I have to say was the greatest part of my life so far. This little introduction, of sorts, is a brief summary of my interests in media studies.

Starting from a young age I have always been involved in media related activities, such as acting in dramas, taking part in public speaking activities such as debating, writing for school newsletters and media productions for cultural festivals.

This portfolio shows a little about my interests, it has an excerpt from the latest school drama production I was part of. A little about myself and how my journey has been in life so far, and a little take on something on going in my country and how media affects and shapes these activities.

I have tried my best to express my interests and I hope it makes a good read and experience for all those who give up their time to have a look

Thank you, and have a great time reading and a great day.