The print media was called the Fourth Estate by Thomas Carlyle in the 19th century.

Media, in any form, is a reflection of the society to which it belongs. Its role can be defined using the three E’s – to Enlighten, to Educate, and to Entertain. The role of media in spreading awareness is appreciable at times, but when things like TRP ratings come into the picture, the media resorts to an overdose of spreading awareness, creating havoc and panic as a result.

It was a usual lousy morning on a distant army post in Manipur for me, when I opened my eyes to the feebly shaking mobile which had already encountered seven missed calls. The screen read – ‘Home Calling’. Before I could utter a word, my mother, from the other end, like a burst from a machine gun, fired uncountable questions about my safety, my move, my leave, my health, my posting and….the war with China.