“I need you to identify a resident I can interact with, preferably a small business owner who has deep roots in Little India.” Sharon came straight to the point with Sasukumar. “I will arrange to meet and talk with him, discuss the impact the riot has exerted on his business and explain some measures I intend to roll out. The resident must be comfortable being filmed by the TV crew and should show enthusiasm and support for the government. You have been a Jalan Besar grassroots leader for over twenty years. I am sure you can recommend a suitable candidate.”

Sasukumar nodded earnestly and promised to come back to her with someone appropriate within 24 hours.

Next, Sharon texted instructions to Masri bin Khairuman, her trusted watchman on social media.

Masri, I know social media has been ablaze with discussions about the Little India riot over the last two days. Unfortunately, I will not have the time to keep track of or to respond quickly enough to comments. Can you be my online eyes and ears for the next few weeks? Sieve through and consolidate the important ones and forward them to me. I trust your judgement.

Masri replied with a thumbs-up emoji and promised to keep her constantly updated.

The next morning, Sasukumar texted to tell her about Nayagam Ranjan, a resident of Little India who ran a provision shop at the junction of Serangoon and Desker roads. Sasukumar had known him for over thirty years. The man was humble and compliant, and thought highly of the incumbent political party. Although Nayagam Ranjan was initially reluctant to be interviewed, Sasukumar convinced him the exposure would be good for his business.

Sharon arrived the same afternoon with a TV crew. Some of Nayagam Ranjan’s customers were curious and hung around to watch the crew set up their equipment. Nayagam Ranjan himself was visibly nervous as the soundman clipped a microphone onto his collar. The Channel NewsAsia producer reassured him that they could always do a retake if he stumbled over his words so there was no reason to be nervous. Nayagam Ranjan grinned gratefully, even as he felt a cramp in his stomach. He looked over his shoulder at his son, Kaustubh, who had skipped class so he could be present to give his father support and encouragement. Nayagam Ranjan’s wife was shy and opted to stay away for the duration of the filming.

After the first take, both Sharon and the producer realised they had a problem. Nayagam Ranjan was horribly ineloquent. His deplorable command of the English language and his conspicuous nervousness reduced him to a fumbling, indecipherable interviewee on screen. The producer suggested that they allow Nayagam Ranjan to reply in Tamil and the editing team would add in English captions to the final cut.