No matter how big or small the neta is or even if he is dead, journalists reap a vicarious pleasure in bringing out the skeletons from the cupboard and as for the general public it mulls thinks and broods to a certain point and then forgets.
Life moves on for the people and for the journalist it's another story, another day and another sensation. .
Well, these were just thoughts which came to my mind while I was on this operation. But I know I am a journalist who cannot keep harping on these points as a story a day is the grub on which our channels feed and that's how we earn our living.
So let's forget and come onto another controversy revolving around the netas and the people surrounding them.
I am sure each one of us when looks at the palatial bungalows in the Lutyens bungalow zone of Delhi at least hopes for a few seconds - " I wish I could also stay in these bungalows,"
Well even if you have not been given that privilege by Parliament, your dream can come true.
We will tell you how we managed to take rooms on rent not in one but many houses in the Lutyens bungalow zone belonging to ministers, Members of Parliament and even vacant houses of senior judges.
Well, the first biggest challenge was to hide my identity as a journalist, as in this zone most of the people recognised me if not by name at least by the gait, candour and the curiosity by which I questioned the people.
We had no clue as to how to go about, therefore the first thing I did was to cover my head, wear a bindi and put on an appearance of a newly-wedded housewife who goes around with her husband looking for a room on rent.
For the first few houses cameraperson Nikhil Rastogi became my husband. We churned a story, which reeked of the everyday problems faced by the couples who come form places outside Delhi.
Therefore the story goes. We have come from Lucknow and don't want to stay with our relatives, therefore please show us rooms in and around North and South Avenue, Tyagraj Marg or Meena Bagh or Kamraj lane.
Well those were the areas we targeted or rather we were led by the people. We said our office was somewhere near Nirman Bhavan - that's how we convinced the people with a sob tale.
You know how the men look at you when a female cries and talks about the safety. My so-called husband Nikhil also emphasised the point that the houses in these areas are safe therefore the preference is this area alone.
Hunting for rooms door to door, we confronted two teenage boys who looked like the residents of the same area.
We stopped them and narrated the painful tale. They said they could help us but what was their gain. We flashed crisp notes of 500 each for them and then came the dimple along with the twinkle in the eyes. They took us to our first landing ground which was 11-A Teen Murti Lane. We entered inside and the two boys introduced us to a watchman from Bihar called Devendra
He looked at us first with suspicion but when both of us started talking and he got convinced that we were not from the press or some investigating agency like CID as he later on told us.
He said that 11-A Teen Murti was under repair as the former governor of bihar Buta Singh was moving in in a couple of days.
He even said he that would have loved to give a room in this house but now he is helpless but promised us help. Therefore he said I will take Rs 1500 but will show you a similar bungalow in the nearby area.
The same day he took us to 3 Meena Bagh which we found was the house of late member of Parliament Madhu Dandvate .
His bungalow was lying vacant and when we entered inside we were introduced to another watchman Vijender Jha another pan-chewing Bihari.
Devender told this watchman to show us the room. Our deal was struck for Rs 2000 and we had to pay Vijender Jha as well. He showed us the entire house and told us that we could stay there comfortably on the condition that we do not disclose ourselves as tenants to any outsider.
Vijender only told us that these buildings are under the CPWD department, we expressed our fear of being caught by these CPWD officials and Vijender quipped immediately.
"Hamari unse baat ho gayi hai pehle se. aap chinta mat karo sirf aaram se raho, jab tak hum is ghar mein hoon mp main hi hoon" Vijender told us that we could get in our luggage.
But we had to postpone this process for few days as we had to go to other houses. I told him that my husband was going out for a week and then we would come after that. he was convinced fully as we had already paid him.
But we also said that along with us was a huge batch of friends and since our deal is done we would like to see more houses. Vijender and Devender both of them promised us.
Since my husband Nikhil was going out of station for a week I told them that I would be now coming with my office colleague.
So now enters our another cameraperson Abhay Kumar as my colleague. Next day both of us first go to 3 Meena Bagh to meet Vijendar again who in turn takes us to show some houses.
We land up at 4-Kam Raj Lane and find that Devender is already there. We are told that is a vacant bungalow where earlier a Supreme Court judge use to stay.
We were shown the servant quarter and were promised a house but yes again not to disclose to anybody as tenants. We struck the deal as well, paid up another Rs 1800 as advance.
Our next stop was 6 Motilal Nehru Marg - the house where the former chief justice of India RC Lahoti stayed but now it was vacant and under repair.
We were taken around the palatial building even went inside to see the house, the plush rooms bathrooms, everything was shown and were finally told that we could choose any room we wanted.
Well, it was a difficult choice as all the rooms were just too good. I immediately told Vijender that I want this house as it is excellent and beautiful as well. they said "madam badi kothi hai, bada paisa bhi hoga phir koi judge aa gaya to halat kharab ho jayegi."
We struck the deal paid Rs 3,000 and told them that we would get the luggage after a few days. In the mean while I and Abhay went as a couple to check some more houses in North and south avenue.
We came across the washerman of this area who promised us garages but then finally decided not to do so as there was an eviction drive on due to the notice by Parliament.
In fact, that was the reason it was difficult catching the MP'S directly on the camera as they had become extra cautious after the cash for query scam. we succeeded in establishing the tenancy in the Lutyens bunglow zone.
For instance, 21 Balwant Rai lane is the house of Minister of State for Railways Naraayan Bhai Rathwa who does not admit that he has tenants but we had people staying in his servant quarter telling us that they were outsiders paying amounts worth 2500 to 3000.
We confronted a cop in uniform, a barber, a washerman telling us the route to take a room on rent but no guarantees as sting operations are on it's difficult relying on the people.
But they did tell us that almost all the MPs have tenants in their servant quarters, garages and barsatis but no one knows them as tenants but guests of the lord.
We took around 20 days to complete the operation but the most exciting adventure was the day we were carrying our luggage to 6 Motilal Nehru Marg - the residence of the former chief justice of India.
We wanted to see whether these caretakers and watchmen in these houses also compromise with the security.
Therefore, we carried a toy revolver put it inside the airbag. We went inside, were not checked. In fact the watchman there said "aapka saman koi nahin chuega".
But we had to pay a price again for keeping the luggage in the room we wanted and guess whom did we pay - the so called supreme court ka chowkidaar.
He said "judge sahab kisi bhi din aa sakte hai is liye thoda dhyan rakhna padega aap bhi hamara khyal karo.
We paid him Rs 500But we did not intend staying there and so had to make an excuse to come out of the bunglow that night
In fact both Nikhil and Abhay were there with me that evening. I made an excuse that I was not feeling well and therefore would need the airbag for keeping the mattress.
The watchman asked us when we would be back. We told them maybe the next day if I go the hospital. They already had started looking at us with suspicion but then could not say anything, as money they had taken was dear to them.
In fact, in none of the houses we went did these watchmen try to verify our identity in any way. At 3 Meena Bagh, one day we just went to that place for taking rest for two hours so that our confidence remains intact and on that very day we confronted the CPWD officials in the same house.
Vijendra told them that they were tenants but yes by now things were clear that the CPWD officials also had a share in the money charged by these watchmen.
So none of the watchmen nor the CPWD officials check who is staying in the house as long as they are getting their share they have no problems.
It was not that we got the rooms on rent very easily in every house we went.
For instance at Sakshi Maharaj's house, we said we were looking for a room on rent. First we waited outside. Then were called in .We met the PA face-to-face. We did the talking and he just heard us.
After a long pause he said, "Do you think we are fools, we don't know how to recognise journalists?"
But anyway we don't have any room on rent. So many sting operations are on therefore it is difficult knowing the reality of the person.
But you can go no rooms available. At some places we were just told at the door to get lost we don't want to entertain you.
Even the property dealers whom we knew use to help everybody in getting such deals refused to help as they were afraid maybe they are caught.
Therefore, all the time we had to be cautious that our identities are not revealed. One day we even had to go with a group of college students to take a room on rent but there also it was hard luck.
One day we took an old lady to help us out getting a room on rent thinking maybe they will sympathies with the granny-looking lady. But there also no success.
We really had to master the art of befooling the people to go ahead with this investigation. Now we just wonder what the watchmen would think of us that we paid and we never came back. There was no use confronting those watchmen as the real culprit is the CPWD.
They have no clue as to this kind of a thing is on these bunglows.
And the best part of the mission was when we confronted the union urban development minister he seemed to have no clue.
He said he was not even aware of such kind of a thing happening in the Lutyens bungalow zone.first published:March 20, 2006, 19:46 ISTlast updated:March 20, 2006, 19:46 IST
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Sometimes, I wonder if politicians were not around, journalists would be starved of stories. That probably is not true, but yes, the colour of journalism looks brighter when stories revolve around netas and their controversies.
No matter how big or small the neta is or even if he is dead, journalists reap a vicarious pleasure in bringing out the skeletons from the cupboard and as for the general public it mulls thinks and broods to a certain point and then forgets.
Life moves on for the people and for the journalist it's another story, another day and another sensation. .
Well, these were just thoughts which came to my mind while I was on this operation. But I know I am a journalist who cannot keep harping on these points as a story a day is the grub on which our channels feed and that's how we earn our living.
So let's forget and come onto another controversy revolving around the netas and the people surrounding them.
I am sure each one of us when looks at the palatial bungalows in the Lutyens bungalow zone of Delhi at least hopes for a few seconds - " I wish I could also stay in these bungalows,"
Well even if you have not been given that privilege by Parliament, your dream can come true.
We will tell you how we managed to take rooms on rent not in one but many houses in the Lutyens bungalow zone belonging to ministers, Members of Parliament and even vacant houses of senior judges.
Well, the first biggest challenge was to hide my identity as a journalist, as in this zone most of the people recognised me if not by name at least by the gait, candour and the curiosity by which I questioned the people.
We had no clue as to how to go about, therefore the first thing I did was to cover my head, wear a bindi and put on an appearance of a newly-wedded housewife who goes around with her husband looking for a room on rent.
For the first few houses cameraperson Nikhil Rastogi became my husband. We churned a story, which reeked of the everyday problems faced by the couples who come form places outside Delhi.
Therefore the story goes. We have come from Lucknow and don't want to stay with our relatives, therefore please show us rooms in and around North and South Avenue, Tyagraj Marg or Meena Bagh or Kamraj lane.
Well those were the areas we targeted or rather we were led by the people. We said our office was somewhere near Nirman Bhavan - that's how we convinced the people with a sob tale.
You know how the men look at you when a female cries and talks about the safety. My so-called husband Nikhil also emphasised the point that the houses in these areas are safe therefore the preference is this area alone.
Hunting for rooms door to door, we confronted two teenage boys who looked like the residents of the same area.
We stopped them and narrated the painful tale. They said they could help us but what was their gain. We flashed crisp notes of 500 each for them and then came the dimple along with the twinkle in the eyes. They took us to our first landing ground which was 11-A Teen Murti Lane. We entered inside and the two boys introduced us to a watchman from Bihar called Devendra
He looked at us first with suspicion but when both of us started talking and he got convinced that we were not from the press or some investigating agency like CID as he later on told us.
He said that 11-A Teen Murti was under repair as the former governor of bihar Buta Singh was moving in in a couple of days.
He even said he that would have loved to give a room in this house but now he is helpless but promised us help. Therefore he said I will take Rs 1500 but will show you a similar bungalow in the nearby area.
The same day he took us to 3 Meena Bagh which we found was the house of late member of Parliament Madhu Dandvate .
His bungalow was lying vacant and when we entered inside we were introduced to another watchman Vijender Jha another pan-chewing Bihari.
Devender told this watchman to show us the room. Our deal was struck for Rs 2000 and we had to pay Vijender Jha as well. He showed us the entire house and told us that we could stay there comfortably on the condition that we do not disclose ourselves as tenants to any outsider.
Vijender only told us that these buildings are under the CPWD department, we expressed our fear of being caught by these CPWD officials and Vijender quipped immediately.
"Hamari unse baat ho gayi hai pehle se. aap chinta mat karo sirf aaram se raho, jab tak hum is ghar mein hoon mp main hi hoon" Vijender told us that we could get in our luggage.
But we had to postpone this process for few days as we had to go to other houses. I told him that my husband was going out for a week and then we would come after that. he was convinced fully as we had already paid him.
But we also said that along with us was a huge batch of friends and since our deal is done we would like to see more houses. Vijender and Devender both of them promised us.
Since my husband Nikhil was going out of station for a week I told them that I would be now coming with my office colleague.
So now enters our another cameraperson Abhay Kumar as my colleague. Next day both of us first go to 3 Meena Bagh to meet Vijendar again who in turn takes us to show some houses.
We land up at 4-Kam Raj Lane and find that Devender is already there. We are told that is a vacant bungalow where earlier a Supreme Court judge use to stay.
We were shown the servant quarter and were promised a house but yes again not to disclose to anybody as tenants. We struck the deal as well, paid up another Rs 1800 as advance.
Our next stop was 6 Motilal Nehru Marg - the house where the former chief justice of India RC Lahoti stayed but now it was vacant and under repair.
We were taken around the palatial building even went inside to see the house, the plush rooms bathrooms, everything was shown and were finally told that we could choose any room we wanted.
Well, it was a difficult choice as all the rooms were just too good. I immediately told Vijender that I want this house as it is excellent and beautiful as well. they said "madam badi kothi hai, bada paisa bhi hoga phir koi judge aa gaya to halat kharab ho jayegi."
We struck the deal paid Rs 3,000 and told them that we would get the luggage after a few days. In the mean while I and Abhay went as a couple to check some more houses in North and south avenue.
We came across the washerman of this area who promised us garages but then finally decided not to do so as there was an eviction drive on due to the notice by Parliament.
In fact, that was the reason it was difficult catching the MP'S directly on the camera as they had become extra cautious after the cash for query scam. we succeeded in establishing the tenancy in the Lutyens bunglow zone.
For instance, 21 Balwant Rai lane is the house of Minister of State for Railways Naraayan Bhai Rathwa who does not admit that he has tenants but we had people staying in his servant quarter telling us that they were outsiders paying amounts worth 2500 to 3000.
We confronted a cop in uniform, a barber, a washerman telling us the route to take a room on rent but no guarantees as sting operations are on it's difficult relying on the people.
But they did tell us that almost all the MPs have tenants in their servant quarters, garages and barsatis but no one knows them as tenants but guests of the lord.
We took around 20 days to complete the operation but the most exciting adventure was the day we were carrying our luggage to 6 Motilal Nehru Marg - the residence of the former chief justice of India.
We wanted to see whether these caretakers and watchmen in these houses also compromise with the security.
Therefore, we carried a toy revolver put it inside the airbag. We went inside, were not checked. In fact the watchman there said "aapka saman koi nahin chuega".
But we had to pay a price again for keeping the luggage in the room we wanted and guess whom did we pay - the so called supreme court ka chowkidaar.
He said "judge sahab kisi bhi din aa sakte hai is liye thoda dhyan rakhna padega aap bhi hamara khyal karo.
We paid him Rs 500But we did not intend staying there and so had to make an excuse to come out of the bunglow that night
In fact both Nikhil and Abhay were there with me that evening. I made an excuse that I was not feeling well and therefore would need the airbag for keeping the mattress.
The watchman asked us when we would be back. We told them maybe the next day if I go the hospital. They already had started looking at us with suspicion but then could not say anything, as money they had taken was dear to them.
In fact, in none of the houses we went did these watchmen try to verify our identity in any way. At 3 Meena Bagh, one day we just went to that place for taking rest for two hours so that our confidence remains intact and on that very day we confronted the CPWD officials in the same house.
Vijendra told them that they were tenants but yes by now things were clear that the CPWD officials also had a share in the money charged by these watchmen.
So none of the watchmen nor the CPWD officials check who is staying in the house as long as they are getting their share they have no problems.
It was not that we got the rooms on rent very easily in every house we went.
For instance at Sakshi Maharaj's house, we said we were looking for a room on rent. First we waited outside. Then were called in .We met the PA face-to-face. We did the talking and he just heard us.
After a long pause he said, "Do you think we are fools, we don't know how to recognise journalists?"
But anyway we don't have any room on rent. So many sting operations are on therefore it is difficult knowing the reality of the person.
But you can go no rooms available. At some places we were just told at the door to get lost we don't want to entertain you.
Even the property dealers whom we knew use to help everybody in getting such deals refused to help as they were afraid maybe they are caught.
Therefore, all the time we had to be cautious that our identities are not revealed. One day we even had to go with a group of college students to take a room on rent but there also it was hard luck.
One day we took an old lady to help us out getting a room on rent thinking maybe they will sympathies with the granny-looking lady. But there also no success.
We really had to master the art of befooling the people to go ahead with this investigation. Now we just wonder what the watchmen would think of us that we paid and we never came back. There was no use confronting those watchmen as the real culprit is the CPWD.
They have no clue as to this kind of a thing is on these bunglows.
And the best part of the mission was when we confronted the union urban development minister he seemed to have no clue.
He said he was not even aware of such kind of a thing happening in the Lutyens bungalow zone.
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