Dissatisfaction over Mastana judging

THE EDITOR: Virtue lies in the struggle and not necessarily in the prize.” This is the statement which Mr Jamal Mohammed usually uses to conclude each programme of Mastana Bahar. However, how can the producers of this programme speak about virtue, when there seems to be repeated controversy and dissatisfaction over the awarding of prizes on this programme, which aims to “bring to the fore the talent of Trinidad and Tobago?”

It is not my aim to detract from the glory of the winners of this year’s programme, nor am I writing on behalf of any ‘‘sore losers,’’ but I would like to join the hundreds of followers who annually express disappointment over the judges’ decisions. Indeed, although I am no professional at judging such programmes, I have been involved in Indian culture for most of my life, and I can identify talent and winners when I see them. Yet, it seems to be the norm that the public favourites never get the judges’ nod in the end. This is why, on behalf of the fans of Mastana Bahar, I would like to ask the Production team to allow the judges to present their score sheets to the public at the end of the programme, in order to satisfy the contestants, appease their fans, and to prevent this type of recurrent public outcry.

To the contestants who placed in this year’s edition of Mastana Bahar, I would like to say congratulations. To the others who did not secure a place, or did not secure their desired position, I would like to commend them for their courage and confidence, and to remind them that they will always remain winners in the eyes of their friends, families and the fans which they would have undoubtedly earned throughout Trinidad and Tobago. To the producers of Mastana Bahar, I would like to ask you to do the show’s sponsors, contestants and fans a favour, and find some way to justify the programme’s results in order to ensure that this remains ‘‘The People’s Programme,’’ and does not lose its ratings to its new, but seemingly fair- ly judged competitor on TV6. To the editor of this newspaper, thank you for providing this forum for me to express my views on this issue.

NADIRA DOOKIE
New Grant