Indo-Asian News Service
(IANS regrets a story put out Friday from Kathmandu, on the basis of local media reports, that have caused unintended hurt and anguish to senior journalist Nalini Singh. The following story clarifies the situation, giving Nalini Singh`s version of the incident involving another Nepali journalist in her TV channel)
Senior Indian journalist Nalini Singh Saturday termed as "malicious" and "baseless" news reports that she had made derogatory remarks about Nepal or its people, as alleged by a reporter in Kathmandu quoted in the local media.
"All comments attributed to me are wrong, malicious, vicious, baseless and motivated," Singh told IANS in New Delhi on her return from Kathmandu.
She said there was "no way" she could have made derogatory remarks against Nepal or its people as she was very fond of the country and its people.
Singh pointed out that at a public function organised by her Nepal1 channel in Kathmandu Nov 24, she had made a speech saying: "I love Nepal, its hard-working people, the language and the music".
Pointing that she had "family links" with Nepal, she said she had made the bulk of the speech in Nepali and that it was heard by a 600-strong audience that included top politicians, bureaucrats, army officers and journalists.
The speech was also televised internationally, Singh pointed out.
Anjana Rawal, a Nepali reporter who is supposed to contribute stories on issues concerning children, women and human rights for the channel, alleged that Singh had insulted her. Rawal`s remarks were picked up by local Nepali media.
Singh said she had only pointed out to Rawal that her work was "irregular, unsubstantiated and not based on research."
Therefore, she was asked not to send any story in the future and that, as such, her services were not required.
At this, the local media reports said, Rawal manhandled Singh. This incident had caused a storm in the Nepali media with sections supporting Singh and Rawal.
"I find it very strange that everything was fine on November 24 and now there is this report," Singh maintained.
The earlier story, datelined, New Delhi/Kathmandu, Dec 22 (IANS).
Senior Indian journalist Nalini Singh Friday vehemently denied "slapping" a Nepalese journalist after an altercation, describing the allegation as "malicious".
"All comments attributed to me are wrong, malicious, vicious, baseless and motivated," Singh told IANS in New Delhi on her arrival from Kathmandu.
She said there was "no way" she could have made derogatory remarks against Nepal or its people as she was very fond of the country and its people.
Singh pointed out that at a public function organised by her Nepal1 channel in Kathmandu Nov 24, she had made a speech saying: "I love Nepal, its hard-working people, the language and the music".
Pointing that she had "family links" with Nepal, she said she had made the bulk of the speech in Nepali and that it was heard by a 1,000-strong audience that included top bureaucrats, army officers and journalists.
The speech was also televised nationally, Singh pointed out.
According to her, Anjana Rawal, a Nepali reporter covering women`s issues for the channel was present at the function and "danced happily in which I also joined".
"I find it very strange that everything was fine on November 24 and now there is this report," Singh maintained.
Media reports Friday accused Singh of "slapping" the reporter after an altercation.