Shri Ranjan Mathai, Former Foreign Secretary,

Shri M.G. Radhakrishnan, Editor, Asianet News,

Shri T.P. Sreenivasan, Former Ambassador,

Smt. Divya S. Iyer IAS,

प्रियसहोदरीसहोदरनमारे[Priya Sahodaree Sahodaranmare],

एल्लावरकुमएन्टेनमस्कारम. [Ellavarkkum Ente Namaskaram].

I am very happy to address you all, as Asianet Newscelebrates the successful telecast of 600 episodes ofविदेश विचारम्[Videsha Vichaaram],its programme on Foreign Affairs.

Let me begin by congratulating Asianet Newsand
Shri T.P. Sreenivasan, former Ambassador, on this rare success, since he has been hosting this programme for the last 14 years.

As all of us know, Asianet News, the first and the largest private Malayalam television channel, has been a trend-setter, be it in the free expression of ideas, in recognizing the contribution of people, in highlighting the plight of the marginalized or in leading humanitarian campaigns. I am told that Asianet's commitment to environmental protection had recently marked a Guinness Record.

  The programme, [Videsha Vichaaram],or Thoughts on Foreign Affairs, shows Asianet’s understanding of the importance of our Foreign policy, especially when India is emerging as a global power.  It also indicates the maturity of the viewers who are well aware of the impact of global affairs on their lives. Our Economic Review says that 50 lakh people in Kerala are dependent on Non-Resident Keralites. Their remittances have helped Kerala to ensure for the people, better health, better education and above all, wider exposure, which has triggered a greater interest in world affairs.

I am happy thatVidesha Vichaaramwhich regularly interprets global events, has been satisfying the people's desire to know and understand international affairs.

There were cynics who once decried Television as ‘a 21 inch personality’, which minimized everything to the dimensions of a living room. But, some Television programmes proved them wrong by reducing distances and presenting wider perspectives which opened avenues for a better understanding of the world. I would rate Videsha Vichaaramin this category, since it has brought to the viewers, global experts whom they had never before, seen on the Malayalam mini screen. The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Association, scholars from Brookings Institution in Washington, teachers from Colombia and other universities, television personalities, actors from Italy, students from Japan, public officials – the list of such personalities is too long to be fully narrated here.

This unique programme on foreign affairs has been enriched by a combination of broadcasting skills, deep knowledge of global affairs and 37 years of diplomatic experience of Former Ambassador Shri T.P. Sreenivasan. Here, I must also mention some of his writings, where he presents diplomacy with a touch of literature and mythology.  In one book, he calls Lord Hanumanthe first envoy, because Hanuman-ji was endowed with the diction, poise and conduct of an ideal emissary. Recently, through a Shakespearean looking glass, he has attempted an analysis of the Diplomatic gestures of our Pradhan Mantriji, calling it Modiplomacy.

In fact, very few programmes on Indian Television provide such an immaculate fare of foreign affairs, week after week. The Global Public Square [GPS]of ShriFareed Zakaria on CNN,is somewhat similar, but it was started long after the advent of Videsha Vichaaram.  This programmehas gone through different stages of development, beginning with its initial days as an analytical monologue.

The positive response from the viewers helped it to evolve further into a composite programme, with segments consisting of the anchor’s view of the world, a conversation and answers to questions from the viewers.

Interestingly, some of our Indian diplomats also use this programme as a platform to get public recognition as experts on foreign affairs. I am told that a review in this programme has helped authors on foreign affairs to gain credibility and acceptance.

The success of a programme, which informs and educates, rather than entertains with the usual television formulae, points to the higher levels of awareness of the viewers. I compliment the presenter Shri T.P. Sreenivasan for meticulously choosing global issues for discussion, week after week, by considering their contemporary relevance and impact on the lives of people in Kerala.

This initiative of Shri T.P. Sreenivasangoes on to prove that a true diplomat never retires, for the stage would always be ready for him. I am happy that Asianet Newsprovided the right stage for the right man.  I sincerely wish that the show goes on for many more years.

It is also befitting that a piano concert by
Shri Julian Clef, an internationally known young artiste from Thiruvananthapuram, is arranged as part of this programme. The young Julian, who did a Piano Marathon for 12 hours at the age of 12, deserves our appreciation.

I wish Asianet News, Shri T.P. Sreenivasan, Videsha Vichaaramand Shri Julian Clefall the best.

लोका: समस्ता: सुखिनो भवन्तु

[Lokah: Samasta: Sukhino Bhavantu]

Valare Nanni

Jai Hind

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