Radio jockey hits the right note

Recently in Mumbai, 93.5 Red FM's radio jockey (RJ) Malishka Mendonsa angered Shiv Sena regarding a video, the #PotholeMix, that the radio channel posted. In the video, Malishka questioned the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over its inability to tackle problems - mainly the issue of potholes - in the city. In a follow-up to the video going viral and gaining immense support from the public, a red-faced BMC apparently tried to get back at the RJ. According to a Financial Express report, after the release of the video, the Yuva Sena leaders demanded a Rs 500 crore lawsuit against her for defamation. The two Shiv Sena leaders alleged that RJ Malishka, in her video unfairly blamed the authority for the problems which did not fall under their jurisdiction.
The BMC later served a notice to Mendonsa's mother, Lily, a day later over facilitating mosquito breeding at their Bandra house in Mumbai. According to news channel CNN-News18, the authority has asked RJ Malishka to pay Rs 10,000 as fine. In the notice issued under section 381 B of Mumbai Municipal Corporation, there is a mention of finding Aedes mosquito breeding site at her house. The notice read that the mosquitoes were breeding in a clay bowl kept under a pot outside the house and inside, in plates kept under house plants.
If one sees the video in question, it stands out for its simple and strong mocking tone. Humour becomes a part of the jibe in a subtle manner, quite unlike some other comedy routines, which in the process of making a point, are unfortunately laced with a plethora of expletives.
Malishka and her team ask rhetoric questions, questions that citizens ask in everyday conversations, and the harmless tongue-in-cheek approach that squarely draws the point home - the utter indifference, insensitivity and ineffectiveness of BMC in particular, and safe to say, of most civic bodies the country over. For decades, the nuisance of malfunctioning and corruption on part of building contractors appointed for such projects have seriously harmed citizens and have enriched corrupt officials.
The video touched hearts across India and rightly so. Amul, famous for its witty banner advertisements promptly made an ad featuring Malishka.
Discussions about basic public rights, like safe roads, have taken a back seat. When numerous complaints fall on deaf ears, it takes a bunch of youth to send the same message laced with sarcasm. But, humour hurts and instead of taking quick cognisance of their shortcomings, those responsible try to find ways to hit back at those raising their voices in unique ways. It is a sorry state to be in, when people actually have to resort to jokes to wake up the state to serious problems causing loss of life day in and out. From people meeting with accidents, to dying by roadsides without any help, human life has been largely devalued.
Another article filed by Rakesh Ranjan reports that according to data compiled by the ministry of road transport and highways, 10,876 people were killed due to potholes in 2015 and there were 11,106 such deaths in 2014.
According to government data, a total of 14,6133 road accident deaths were recorded in 2015. The statistic for Goa stands at 311, for Maharashtra at 13212, Tamil Nadu at 15642 and the highest road accident deaths - 17666 persons - was recorded in Uttar Pradesh. The number has consistently increased since 2003, since when the statistics are available.
Age-wise break-up of those killed in road accidents in 2014 reveals that 1043 underage drivers were involved in fatal accidents. UP again tops with list, with 294 underage drivers killed, followed by 165 in Haryana, 136 minors killed in Andhra Pradesh and 101 in West Bengal. This shows that not enough traffic safety awareness, or infrastructural development and maintenance has been done to keep pace with the growing number of vehicle users.
In Goa too, residents in various areas have repeatedly raised the issue of bad roads. Some patches, ironically falling under prime tourist zones in Baga and Calagute are in a perennially pathetic state due to on-going construction and repair work that never seems to get done with. Monsoon worsens the plight of pedestrians and vehicle drivers alike.
Add to this problem, the issue of the often rash, reckless and rather aimless driving by tourists not familiar with the area who suddenly stop in their tracks to take photos and selfies. Bad infrastructure along with lax traffic management has also made it risky to drive in the state.
Following BMC's unusual, seeming vendetta against RJ Malishka Mendonsa by thinking of slapping a defamation case and by sending a notice for mosquito breeding with a Rs 10,000 fine, the radio jockey responded with a three-minute video in which she asserted that radio was the voice of the people and even in the past they had highlighted several key issues concerning the common man. She thanked people for liking her #PotholeMix and for making it viral.
Comedian José Covaco also supported RJ Malishka and later mocked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in a two-minute video. Standing amidst potholes in Mumbai, Covaco is shown attempting to convince passers-by that the potholes were actually tea vessels and urged them to sample the tea-coloured muck pooled into the potholes. The ridiculous stunt also managed to go viral and gather laughs from people who have lost trust in the BMC and its many excuses in the past.