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E-mail from readers the world over
Date sent: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 19:38:46 -0700 It was quite amusing to read this article -- the film must have shown the NDA and the Indian Armed Forces REALLY incorrectly, for them to react to it in such a manner. My Dad was in the Army, and life was filled with colourful evenings -- triggered by the family outings to see a Hindi movie that had anything to do with the Armed Forces. Dad -- always a critic of Hindi movies in any case -- would fume and fret. First, there was the use of military vehicles -- "What do these civilians know anyway?! Do they honestly believe any officer can just commandeer a jeep/ motor cycle so he can pick up his girl friend and take her on a song-and-dance routine? And, in any case, where is the driver?!" Then, and much worse, the hirsute -- "Look at the bloody hair -- he could be mistaken for a female! Now, when I make a movie, mein in sab ko seedha kar doonga! ...." Then, the accuracy of uniforms and general sets -- "How can they call a guy Brigadier and show him wearing a Lt Colonel's epaulets?! Can't they get anything straight??" And so the long evening would wear on, with my sister and I exchanging meaningful glances with Mom. Dad would continue to list the directorial crimes and the list would be endless -- from Shashi Kapoor's ghastly salute, to Dharmendra's paunch, to Sanjay Dutt's long hair, to Dev Anand's unsteady gait ("The man can't even walk -- how can they show him as an Army officer?!!!"). Probably the only people who escaped his wrath were Iftekar and Vinod Khanna -- both for their roles in Achanak. Lately, however, as Hindi movies improved -- at least in terms of their depiction of the Army life, Dad mellowed. "Chalo, at least now they can walk straight!" He actually liked Vijeyta -- with Shashi Kapoor's son playing a perfectly adorable young Sardar. Dad has also started to say some positive things about some Hindi films. ("I could actually sit through this one!" said the wondering man, once!) When Dad retired, and started to work as a (bloody) civilian, I thought he would mellow towards his fellow-civilians. Well, I was mostly wrong! When he saw me and my friends -- as also others! -- drink at company/ private parties, he would launch into a critique of how civilians did not know how to drink and to hold it. He would bemoan the lack of simple social graces such as "ladies and children first" and of wearing polished shoes. He would react with horror to the apathy, inefficiency and corruption of civil officials such as the RTO, the municipal and the local law enforcement agencies. Sadly, he would talk of the corruption at the highest levels in the Army itself! But he gradually came to accept some of my arguments I once had with him just after he retired -- I told him he had led a very protected life, and he had disagreed stoutly, quoting long stints away from family, tough border postings, constant pressure of the strife and danger of life in places such as the North-East. But then he saw and was part of the civilians -- he traveled with them (very briefly!) in the Bombay locals, he sat on the walls of KC College, (Bombay) downing chai and samosas with his much younger HR Management classmates, he stood in line at the RTO offices to renew his license ("I am damned if I bribe anyone" -- he didn't!), he went to the ration shops, he saw cops harass people on trains and on the roads. Then one day, he said "You know, Mahesh, I think I understand what you were saying about my leading a protected life." To his credit, he tried -- three civilian jobs, one travel agency -- he actually ran his own business long before his civilian son even remotely considered it. He did each of them to the best of his ability -- the only way he has known. But he finally got out. He managed to get the job of the commandant of a Sainik School! He's been there for the last eight months and having a ball, "setting the place right" with mom's help, training the young kids and being very much the commandant! He successfully ran two summer camps -- in scorching heat -- and was all praise for "the bright young kids. The girls are smarter, though!" At the end of each camp, there were variety programmes and general entertainment organised for the kids and the staff. Wonder if he will recommend a Major Saab screening for the next one! Bless him! Mahesh Singh
Date sent: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 14:07:27 -0700 I am impressed that the defence department is unwilling to go with the distorted story about NDA. It is high time Bollywood stops producing crappy C grade movies that either has little meaning or too much nonsense. I would still doubt if it is going to be a comeback vehicle for BB.
Venkat
Date sent: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 13:38:29 -0500 When has Bollywood ever projected the Indian Army in correct light? Unlike Hollywood, which milked the Second World War and the Gulf War -- making some excellent movies with technological innovations and with active support from technically competent and experienced defence experts -- hiring actual military equipment at high costs, Bollywood always has thrived on the "sides," like either a love triangle between a hero in the military, or a military guy tackling terrorists in crude and unrealistic fighting scenes. The automatic weapons used in Bollywood movies never run out of bullets unless it is in the hands of the villain, or may be the hero if the movie is supposed to end in a tragedy. Bombs blow up to throw multi-colour explosions in these movies and one has to bite and throw grenades which seem to instantly kill the villain but spare the hero for last minute farewells in Ma ki godh. Bollywood has milked the movie going public for decades, but refuses to spend any money on technological innovations or for hiring consultants experienced in military warfare or police investigations, you name it. But you still have "hits" and awards for "Best actresses and Best actors." Srinivas Murthy
Date sent: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 09:59:02 -0700 (PDT) To Dr Jeyaranjan... I saw your interview in Rediff. When you talk so much about MGR and JJ talking about Hindu gods, why can't you talk one word about MK and Stalin joining the Ramzan function and all other Muslim activities. If a person thinks there is no god, then he has to maintain it across all religions. How can Ramzan be accepted and other religious occasions cannot? I know very well that MK goes to a temple before he goes for elections in my home town which is also MK's home town. Many times MK has said: 'RAMZAN NOMBU ULLATHUKKU NALADHU.' So if you like the DMK, then say it so, don't try and reason it by saying they are totally secular. Arun
Date sent: Wed, 20 May 1998 14:02:49 -0400 "I believe the failure of India’s initial foray into semiconductors through SCL at Chandigarh was due to lack of a good business strategy." Is he sure that it was not due to the influence of a foreign hand? Suresh Mahalingam
Date sent: Wed, 20 May 1998 15:59:14 +1000 If India ever realises its potential and becomes a innovative producer of integrated chips, it will win the war that matters.
Date sent: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 10:50:52 -0700 Absolute bullshit, a hook-up to boost the image of BJP. Wait, let me tell you beforehand, I belong to Madhya Pradesh and I have seen two terms of BJP rule and they are CORRUPT. The constituency I belong to, Indore, is represented by the BJP at both the state as well as Centre, and the corruption is visible. During the Narasimha Rao regime, each MP was allotted one crore rupees for the development of their constituency and the only area developed in Indore was our MPs neighbourhood. I believed this story, till I reached... "But as the ADB offer was about to lapse, the matter was brought to the notice of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who has responded favourably, particularly because his constituency lies in UP and a the BJP government rules the state... Don't you smell the regionalism and a scheme to lure the UPites? Well the author could someday write nice novels or may script a suspense thriller. I am not defending Mr Beni Prasad Verma or any other minister, but your ploy to put BJP as the only non corrupt and patriotic party is just the ploy. Given the predisposition of Rediff towards the ruling party, I don't expect this letter to be published but I feel it as my duty to stop deification of the BJP as much as I can. Don't tell us that the BJP is the only party which is not corrupt and utterly patriotic. The BJP, in all its different forms, was kept out of power for half-a-century and that for a reason, even now they don't represent one third of the population. Saifuddin Arif
Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 16:46:31 -0400 We have been reading in your paper about places to visit in India. Goa seemed to be almost ideal for us. However, after the government started dropping atom bombs, we wouldn't feel safe coming to India. W M Camp
Date sent: Fri, 29 May 1998 11:51:03 -0400 I live in the USA and I do agree that ingenuity and fresh new ideas should sell. Software has a very important place and a lot can be done by encouraging new talent. But at the same time Indian industries cannot be ignored. We do need our cement factories, and our Mafatlal fabrics. Importing everything is not the best idea. Think about it, if today we didn't have our industries, could we have claimed to be a self reliant nation and brave all the sanctions imposed against us by the world? Could we have gone ahead with our nuclear tests and completely overlooked the fact that what will the 900 million people of India eat in the wake of sanctions. Yes, new ideas should be encouraged. Its high time India moved out from from the 20th century and starts doing things the 21st century way. We need multinationals, and we need foreign support, there is no point screaming hoarse over Swadeshi, but do not condemn Swadeshi, because if it had not been for this Swadeshi stuff, we would have been in big trouble today.
Date sent: Fri, 08 May 1998 20:21:17 -0400 Very good article. I appreciate the lucid and clear flow of information. Better still is the coverage of a South Indian state, being kept in the dark for a long time by sinister forces. Already Rediff is one of the leading sources of Tamil Nadu news on the Internet. I request you to include more news from Tamil Nadu to increase your popularity among Tamils abroad. PariVallal
Date sent: Mon, 11 May 1998 13:30:58 -0500 The article was very good. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I hope you will continue to encourage such articles apart from the usual news. Rakesh
Date sent: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 09:52:29 +0530 You come from a METROPOLITAN city, and you know nothing about a family. Nice to read the bombastic language you have used in your entire article but that doesn't mean you have seen all facets of life. Before you write something about INDIAN values (here family values) try to research things, get involved yourself and write something meaningful. With approach to life taking new turn these days you can still go to smaller towns/villages gather information, analyse and then come up with a meaningful article. Write something meaningful... Ravindra Bhat
Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 16:12:00 -0400 I was terribly shocked when I read this special article about the fire in a Delhi theatre. I could not believe that in this age of speed and technology, firefighters hope to fight a fire without checking to see if they have water, and ambulances run with sirens that don't work. My heartfelt condolences to all the suffering families. They must be going through hell and one cannot sympathise enough. May God be with them. Thank you for presenting this incident in your Specials section. Padma
Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 11:45:11 -0500 The facts highlighted by the author in his trip to Sambalpur and made generic to the conditions in Orissa seem exaggerated. The author seems desperate to find a story to write rather than describe the attractions of the places he visited. That I think should be the real motive of writing a odyssey rather than finding the small irrelevant things he came across, which are so very prevalent all over India. Gautam
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 16:31:33 EDT Anvar Ali Khan saheb's Hyderabad makes poignant reading. As a fellow Hyderabadi, I do share his feelings. Apparently Anvar saheb has seen the nawabi lifestyle from very close quarters, which is evident from his reminiscence and visits to all those old familiar places. True every time you go back to Hyderabad for a visit you see something different, the tree or a monument or a shop where you bought your groceries for years or the tea store that you frequented with you father are all gone and in their place you see some unknown concrete edifice coming up. Hyderabad has a long and cherished history and I hope its people do something fast to restore it to its original glory, and at least protect it from the mindless modern influences. Wouldn't I love to see the bangles at Ladbazar and the quiet laid back lifestyle of the Hyderabadis -- the same old place, predictable behaviour, just like going back to your own home where every nook you are familiar with. Sreenivas
Date: Sun, 08 Mar 1998 13:00:44 -0800 I am ever indebted to Rediff on the NeT for educating me on the wonders of the Indian country and its people. This article was yet another joy. Thank you.
John Granville Fisher
An appeal from Seshadri Chari, editor, Organiser By successfully conducting the nuclear tests at Pokhran, our scientists, the research establishments and the BJP-led government have done the nation proud. Despite strict sanctions and pressure from various quarters, the astounding response from within the country and abroad has reassured the nation that no price is too big to pay when it comes to the sovereignty, security and independence of our nation. The Western world and some of our neighbouring countries are trying to bully us. Their reaction does not surprise India, which is now emerging in a new form -- of a rising Bharat expected to attain the glory due to her. During our interaction with a large number of people from different walks of life after Operation Shakti, we have received an overwhelming response. Everyone has assured his support to the present government. 'Stand firm like a rock and we are with you' -- is the common refrain. The five blasts at Pokhran are like five salutes to the five decades of Indian Independence, said one. 'Sanctions cannot dampen our spirits' many say. In keeping with the wishes of a majority of our well-wishers, we at Organiser have launched the Organiser Forum as a nodal organisation with the aim of giving feedback from our readers to the Government of India and assuring our scientists and technologists of our readers and patrons continued support. Shri K S Sudarshan, Sahsarkaryavah, RSS, has kindly consented to be the patron of the Forum. We have limited means and are well aware of our shortcomings, but we have immense faith in our readers, friends and well-wishers all over the world, and our religious, social and political leaders, who have lent their guidance from time to time. Economic sanctions cannot be allowed to slow down, let alone suspending research and development in the field of Science and Technology. The reconstruction of Somnath temple and the edifice on the Vivekananda Rock came up in the form of a rupee each from the citizens of his country and Indians overseas. The Organiser Forum appeals to you to contribute to the fund. The amounts collected would be donated from time to time for the development of science and technology, towards furthering the cause of Shakti and other purposes enumerated in the trusted Organiser Forum. Cheques and drafts favouring Organiser Forum, New Delhi could be mailed to the address given below. We also look forward to your support, your ideas and suggestions, and your continued backing to our endeavours. Let us come together to face the future challenges. No one can stop our march to progress, our march to glory -- the onward march of resurgent Bharat. In the service of the Motherland
Organiser Forum
How Readers responded to Dilip D'Souza's recent column
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