Talented, telegenic television emcee

Punjabi television

By 

Randeep Wadehra

She is talented telegenic and pretty. Although one had noticed her on PTC’s Good Morning Punjab show for the first time Jaspreet Jassi’s curriculum vitae is quite impressive. She has co-anchored on MTV with such VJs as Nikhil Chennappa, Anusha and Ranvijay apart from hosting an episode of Roadies. Jassi has been a VJ on MH1 too. Having emceed several live concerts, beauty contests and corporate shows she has had the opportunity to interview/interact/co-host with the likes of Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Chris Cairns, John Abraham, Tushar Kapoor et al. Among the several interviews taken by her she cherishes the one with Navjot Singh Sidhu. When asked whether the motor-mouth cricketer-MP had allowed her to have at least a word in she giggled and said, “I was able to ask all the questions I wanted to.” Well, that is some achievement! As actress she has worked in the Hindi flick Aapne starring Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Kiran Kher; she has also done theatre in Canada and USA. Presently she is working for ETC Punjabi and Zee Punjabi in such popular shows as Dial-E-Punjab, Phulkari and Sohni Saver.
Manchester Vich Failda Zeher, telecast on 21 January, was an eye-opener. The famed Budda Nala turning black with toxins, the air dense with smoke, fog and other pollutants; the soil poisoned with all sorts of industrial wastes and other chemicals; the roads clogged with hydro-carbons spewing vehicles; a wheezing, gasping-for-life citizenry; and terminal, disabling ailments reaching epidemic proportions. This Stygian scenario is real, brought home to us by Rajesh Indrepall of PTC News. The tellingly eloquent photographs, interviews with pollution’s victims and local pollution control board’s officials, as well as collecting and collating the relevant data require painstaking work, which Indrepall has done brilliantly. This show is a powerful blow against environmental pollution. Harpreet as anchor was competent as usual.
It is well known that despite appropriate laws people in rural areas fall victim to preventable frauds and avoidable disputes where land and property are concerned. The implications of various clauses in wills and mortgage deeds can be interpreted by the unscrupulous in such manner that the gullible and the innocent can be cheated of their due rights and claims. This is where DD Punjabi’s program Kanooni Nukte comes in handy. The episode on 19 January was particularly interesting as the guest advocate Dadwal gave clear and detailed information on the disputes queried by viewers over phone. More importantly, the show’s lady anchor asked questions that were relevant and searching. Obviously she had done her homework and knew her subject rather well.
Another show on DDJ Chad-de Sooraj for youth normally telecasts folk or patriotic songs with an occasional off-beat item. This time the creative dance by Rekha – a university student – was quite interesting. She portrayed the dreams, aspirations and frustrations of a blind female violinist. Her movements were quite fluid and the body language eloquent. Only her face needed to be a bit more expressive. If she continues with her practice she can make a mark.
The late Bhagat Pooran Singh, the founder of Pingalwara institution in Punjab, has left behind a priceless legacy of selfless service. His protégé and successor, Padma Bhushan Dr. Inderjeet Kaur, has proved to be a deserving heir. From what one could gather from the documentary-cum-interview with her the pingalwara inmates are being well looked after. She is a trained medical doctor who voluntarily took up this social service after coming into contact with Bhagatji. Now, perhaps, we have a Punjabi Mother Teresa in the making. Thank you DDJ for such an informative and inspirational program.

THE TRIBUNE