Whenever 'Bandh' call is given, the common man is the worst sufferer. But, the 31st May ‘Bharat Bandh’ call given by NDA and other opposition parties, turned out to be successful, as per the media reports received through various TV channels. Perhaps, people themselves preferred to stay away from traveling, to protest against the steep rise of petrol prices. The shopkeepers in many areas did not open their shops and therefore there was less work for the demonstrators and party workers.

However, as it is rightly said, 'No bandh can be peaceful'. There were many incidences of stone throwing on local transport, especially the passenger buses run by respective Municipal corporations in different cities of Maharashtra. Main damage to buses was in Mumbai and Pune. But, one really wondered, why so many buses were plying, when there were very few passengers traveling on the bandh day? The authorities could have reduced the number of trips, after watching the poor response from the passengers. But, the Government made it a prestige issue to see that the strike was not successful. Even the local trains in Mumbai, witnessed very few passengers.

However, the opposition leaders took advantage of this situation, by demonstrating at different parts of the city for media coverage and got themselves arrested. They said that they had every right to demonstrate in a peaceful manner not resorting to any kind of violence. But, then who damaged the Government property? This will be probed, as announced by the Home Minister of Maharashtra, while speaking to news channels, late in the evening. Now, it all remains to be seen, from whom the Government will be recovering the cost of damaged property?

With the news highlights of ‘Bharat Bandh’, one more news that flashed on few Marathi channels and that was of Vishwanathan Anand winning the World Chess Championship for the fifth time. The Grandmaster had made every Indian proud with his victory over Boris Gelfand from Israel in a closely contested finals in Moscow. IBN Lokmat presented an exclusive report on the victory of Vishwanathan Anand, in spite of the ‘Bharat bandh’ news flashing in between the programme. Many former International level Chess players from India praised his achievement and his application of new techniques to win matches.

A day before the big event of ‘Bharat Bandh’ controversial Bollywood actor and Owner of KKR - IPL team tried to speak to the media persons through a press conference; but refused to speak much on the episode of his reported misbehaviour at Wankhede Stadium. He only spoke in general, trying to explain why sometimes he behaves in a particular way to defend himself. It looks like that the actor is expecting a soft stand to be taken by some of the MCA members against him, in their next meeting.

Now, to say something about the entertainment through serials, Zee Marathi’s two serials, ‘Eka Lagnachi Doosri Goshta’ and ‘ Tu Tithe Mee’ are doing well. Star Pravah’s Police detective serial ‘Lakshya’ continues to offer some interesting stories related to crime world. But, the character artistes are repeated, instead of presenting new faces. Star Pravah’s another serial ‘Pudhla Paul’ is however turning out to be more loud, as far as violent acts by women on other women are concerned. In one of the clipping to show the happenning in the next episode, one woman is repeatedly shown giving electric shock to other woman. What message does that scene pass on to the sensible viewers?