Mass Media During the 1975 National Emergency in India

As I write this essay, Indian people celebrate their fortieth anniversary of victory over British imperialism. There will be festivities all over the country, particularly in rural schools, where children of all ages parade through their town or village singing patriotic songs created during the freedom struggle. Coming from a family of nationalists, I used to be the lead singer in my school parade in a small village in southern India. As the modem media of communication - radio, newspapers, and television - were practically absent, rallies and parades dominated the political culture. Leaders seldom spoke about "national integration" at these rallies as they so commonly do today. They spoke of social justice in a free India and the struggle to preserve that freedom.