Gopi Krishnan, the unsung hero!

As the 2-G Spectrum scam gained momentum over the past few days, I never suspected that it was a Malayali journalist, with whom I had worked in the past, who had unearthed this gargantuan scoop involving an amount close to Rs 2 lakh crore. To tell the truth, I am pleasantly surprised to see that J Gopikrishnan, a colleague when I was with Jaihind TV, has felled Spectrum Raja with his relentless investigative reports.

The titans who lie bleeding from his arrows include Karunanidhi, Anil Ambani, Ratan Tata and Ravi Ruia. Of course, there are bigger fish waiting to be speared, if one goes by the CAG reports and SC comments. (The SC has made an adverse comment on the delay PMO had shown while responding to some letters which detailed specific anomalies in the allotment of 2G licences.) Not only that, his reports made it impossible for Raja to give away licences at his whim and fancy while auctioning the 3-G spectrum. It was done by an EGom, through which the government neted a cool Rs 1 lakh crore.

Back to Gopikrishnan. As his editor Chandan Mitra said, I found him to be a dogged journalist, who was ready to go to any lengths to unravel a story he was after. He had contacts in the right places and knew the news angle perfectly. But the way he talked and reacted (a little bit of swagger and one-upmanship, his detractors might say) made a section of the people talking behind his back, who even used to say that he was too much of a cynic.

But, Gopi Krishnan has made his detractors eat their words. By breaking the biggest scam story in the history of India, he has shown that a committed, persevering journalist can do wonders even in a world where money matters more than anything.

As the electronic media are busy fighting for the credit for exposing the Spectrum Gate, Gopi's heroic efforts in unraveling the murky deals might not get the recognition it deserves. But, he would remain a true champion of fearless journalism for all time to come.

Bravo Gopi! Our nation is indebted to you!