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ASSEMBLY POLL '98 |
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'Varsha Bhosle seems to have taken after her mother'
Readers respond to Varsha Bhosle's last column
Date sent: Mon, 01 Mar 1999 20:34:40 -0500
The energetic but frank and open Asha Bhosle is known to speak her mind if she believes she has been wronged. Some will like it and others won't when you express views. But you still have to say it, is what she believes. Varsha Bhosle seems to have taken after her mother. I find her comments hard-hitting and admire her for it. Continue the good work, Varsha.
Date sent: Sat, 27 Feb 1999 14:35:39 -0000
Varsha is single-handedly keeping alive the light of India. But for her we might have been living under censorship. As for those jokes, swear words and insults, am glad I do not understand them all. Both Maneka Gandhi and Varsha have great damage to the super-secular, democratic and pinko causes by their revelations about Mrs Gandhi and her immediate family, especially Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi. Like almost all Indians, I welcome to India all who rejoice in things Indian, be they Salman, Sonia or whoever. It was when I saw a picture of Sonia reading her Hindi speech written in Roman script -- that after nearly 30 years of living in India -- that I felt there was a need for stricter immigration controls and a literacy test after six months. And she wants to run India, like, say, Churchill and Mussolini ran their respective countries? Imagine how long they would have lasted in politics if they had read their speeches in, say, the Tamil or Devanagri scripts. With my Italian and as a Euro-citizen I hope to contest a similar post in Italy. Will Sonia and her Congresswallahs support my campaign? I will scale down my opposition to her if they do. Jiten Bardwaj
Date sent: Sat, 27 Feb 1999 06:08:44 PST
In her latest column, the redoubtable Ms Bhosle speaks out for "real" women. Apparently, "real" women do not mind adultery in men. "I believe that's no sin... To tell you the truth, Real Women don't wanna know. We love Byron-like figures, insouciant, devil-may-care, humorous, romantic and swashbuckling. Not these pathetic dweebs who, after the shit hits the fan, admit having committed adultery to their wives." I was a bit puzzled because I thought I'd completely lost touch with the "real" women of the world. So I asked a few "real" women (beginning with my wife, who I know for sure is a "real" woman) what they thought about this. I admit it is not a very scientific survey since there was sampling bias, poor statistical validity, reliability etc. Nowhere close to the high standards VB applies to her articles. But these "real" women still did not agree with Bhosle. So who does VB consider a "real" woman? Apparently, any woman who cannot condone adultery is not a "real" woman in VB's assessment. Please don't presume to speak for all women -- "real" or otherwise. To make such casual assertions is infantile -- if any thought or research has gone into this, it isn't there to see. I am sure most women do not see anything "romantic" in a man who slept only yesterday with another woman now professing his undying love for her. Nor do I see any self-respecting woman being regaled by tales -- however "humorous" -- of the "swashbuckling" accounts of their men's sexual conquests. Shankar Venkataraman
Date sent: Sat, 27 Feb 1999 17:15:32 +0530
This is the first time I am reading your column and I liked the way you have described our PM's much-hyped trip to Lahore. The top priority for any PM is to provide security to his people. The people of our country will encourage talks with Pakistan only if it stops helping terrorists in India. Talk of peace without dealing with ground realities is futile and it demoralises our armed forces which fight valiantly for our country.
Date sent: Sat, 27 Feb 1999 14:22:49 +0900
Would you be kind enough to explain "These are no Lotharios -- sadly, a dying breed in this PC age." I mean what relation would this possibly have with PCs? Looking forward to some edification from you on this. Udayan
Date sent: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 05:09:44 -0800 (PST)
I was amused by the similarity of my letter and that of Sajid Bhombal to Indiaconnect about Varsha Bhosle. Sajid specifically mentions he is a Muslim Maharashtrian. I am a Hindu Maharashtrian. I don't know whether Sajid is in India or not, but I can see that a lot of us Indians are really concerned about people like Varsha Bhosle and other thinkers like her throwing India off the track of development. As Sajid rightly pointed out, most people really do not care about new temples or mosques or whatever. In fact if a party had a rath yatra for industrialisation, the people will ensure it remained in power for 20 years. Unfortunately, we do have people who are not really concerned at all about the ground reality in India -- that our economy grows weaker every minute that we spend debating. The rest of the world is mentally in the 21st century already while and we remain stuck in the 18th. All that stuff about being a great nuclear power is pure tripe. We can't even feed our own people! Every minute we think and talk about what I think are irrelevant issues could have been spent better thinking about how to improve conditions in our country. I am really scared that we are losing India and we shall soon be a dead civilisation, like that of the Greeks and the Egyptians. The sad fact is that our electorate has to choose between devils. As has been repeated, every nation gets the government it deserves. Unfortunately, to our detriment, we Indians prove the point. A lot of us don't seem to realise that a temple or a mosque will not feed a single person. Unless people learn to think and talk about relevant issues, we will keep running after pies in the sky promised by our religious leaders, politicians and media monsters. What amazes me is that so many intelligent people do not see through this. How much more of this stink has to be raised before we realise that our Great Indian Civilisation is literally decomposing while we debate?
Date sent: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 17:44:46 +0700
Many readers before me have tried to explain you that there is something called logic. I feel you are still not able to understand it. So let me try. In in your recent column you have tried to tell us some thing about Bal Thackeray versus the litterateurs. You wrote: "Exactly, what service has the present lot of writers and poets done for society?" Well, some times ago Thackeray used very bad language against Pu La [P L Deshpande]. You do know how respected Pu La is in the eyes of any Maharashtrian and how much he has contributed to society, don't you? I can go on to explain the contribution of Marathi writers to society. But for that I should be certain you truly understand the meaning ofsahitya. Reading your articles, I feel that for you Marathi sahitya probably means what we read in Saamna or Marmik. You wrote: "Every state government is totally within its right to refuse/grant monies to public causes as it deems fit: Once we cede tax, it becomes the government's purse". Agreed. But what is a government? I don't have time or inclination to explain that to you or what exactly it means when we say "right to refuse/grant". But I can tell you that a government certainly does not mean Bal Thackeray. Or does it? Sajid Bhombal PS: For non-Maharashtrian readers, Pu La is the shorter form we use (with respect) for P L Deshpande, probably the most well-known Marathi writer and intellectual. Some times ago Bal Thackeray used abusive language against him. Even Nana Patekar, a Sena sympathiser, was upset by Thackeray's remarks.
Date sent: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 01:19:29 PST
Hey, where have you been all my life? :-) Sanjay
Date sent: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 13:57:31 +0530
Loved it. Found it stimulating and witty.
Date sent: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 20:47:34 -0500
I was appalled at the use of four-letter words in the Rediff pages. And they are even used to highlight the story. Can't Varsha Bhosle find some more decent terms or is it that Rediff can't find better writers? Thomas
Date sent: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 11:47:57 -0800 (PST)
I read the response from Gopal Ratnam on Rediff and I must admit that he is correct. I have gone through the article 'A recipe...' and have found that Ms Bhosle has shamelessly fabricated a paragraph, one she never used in that column. I never imagined she was one of those cheap journalists without integrity. Sadly, that seems to be the case. At least she should tender an apology to the gentleman she had derided. If she has any sense of decency left, she would at least do this. This episode also brings into doubt all the 'statistics' she wrote about while justifying the atrocities against Christians. Were these fabricated too? Anyway, I don't expect Rediff to do much as long as she brings in more hits. Arvind
Date sent: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 13:18:23 -0500
Who is this Varsha Bhosle anyway? Doesn't Rediff have any criteria for choosing the kind of people who write articles? I have been reading her articles of late, and their tone disgusts me. I am not talking about the points she raises -- I agree with some and disagree with others -- or the logic (or lack thereof). But the venom she spills and her total one-sidedness and lack of decency shocks me. Why do we have to put up with this kind of stuff. Frankly, I hope Rediff kicks her out, for I do not want to spend my few hours of online time reading this kind of junk. I have strong words to say about her, especially after reading her 'Response to Readers', but I do not want to stoop to her level. Hope Rediff listens to its readers and gives her the boot. Sunil
Date sent: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 12:17:57 -0500
Not surprisingly, Ms Bhosle shows her superficiality and lack of breadth of knowledge with this piece. Does she know about what kind of person Lord Byron was? Behind his angelic looks, he indulged in the worst kind of lechery and gross sexual depravity, one that any good biography on him will make clear. Lord Byron would have made Bill Clinton look like a choir boy! For Ms Bhosle to anoint Byron as the paragon of virtue makes her look awfully naive and ignorant. He was a great poet no doubt, but hardly a virtuous man. Ms Bhosle, please buy yourself a decent biography of Byron, not the two-bit leaflets that you read as a schoolgirl. Also please research your exemplars thoroughly before you foist them on us. Indrajit Sinha
Date sent: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 08:52:09 -0800 (PST)
Indeed, god is in every detail and every action or lack of it, even from those at the fringes of Hinduism (that is, the Bajrang Dal, the VHP, and the RSS). I am glad you realise the importance of the almighty. While several readers have commented on your rabid writing, I take this opportunity to comment on some of the issues mentioned in your article. Your mindset is comparable to that of the saffron-clad fanatics. You mentioned haraam ki kamaai. I am sure this is not restricted to journalists, correspondents, and press bureaus as indicated by you. You are smart enough to know that without it India will cease to function. Look into your own backyard and investigate the Shiv Sena. I'm sure you will have enough material to write. But you will not do it. First, because you have a hidden agenda, possibly to seek political prominence -- maybe the office of a Shakha Pramukh or membership to the Rajya Sabha. Second, the Sena is an outfit run by one of your own. Since a Maratha heads it, you'd better keep quiet. Then, conversions. First of all, it is essential to understand why people convert. You conveniently ignore the years of tyranny, torture, murder, rape, and casteism imposed on the meek, humble, and downtrodden. Why ignore it? Because you conscience hurts. You are unwilling to accept your faults and bear witness to the awakening of the oppressed. The same shroud beneath which Hinduism hid its atrocities has come back to haunt it. Also, is conversion a major issue when there are myriad problems facing facing India? How can Christians and Muslims wipe Hinduism off India's face? Finally, if you think conversions are non-threatening, then why write or make it an issue. By doing so, your behaviour resembles that of journalists/correspondents seeking haraam ki kamaai. And finally you mentioned killing to propagate a religion. Your sanction of the Staines' murders reveals your narrow approach, which is similar to fundamentalist ideology. Is violence the answer to religious intolerance then?
Date sent: Thu, 18 Feb 1999 11:42:57 -0600
How can anyone with a shred of intelligence condone the Staines' murders even if Staines had converted tribals to Christianity? Instead of writing about the murders, Varsha Bhosle instead reels off facts about how many people Staines converted. Come on, two very young boys were killed. Show some compassion! Vitriol Incarnate seems to be an apt title for her. I haven't seen anyone who spews venom like her, reason be damned! Hats off to Rediff for employing her. Sensationalism does sell.
Date sent: Thu, 18 Feb 1999 10:14:48 -0600 (CST)
Nobody in his right mind would believe that the Indian English media is fudging facts to indict the Hindu right wing. But it appears that is exactly what they are doing! This reminds me of a curious incident: During Mother Teresa's funeral, Peter Jennings of ABC News was being helped by a senior TOI correspondent. Before they put on their masks of solemn grief, Peter Jennings said something to the effect: "My colleague here would like to say hello to her son in Bloomington, Indiana." Ms Bhosle, you are fighting a losing battle. Someone called Tunku Vardarajan was The Times, London's New York correspondent. Till last year he was called the "most eligible bachelor'' in NY city by New Yorker magazine. How can you expect him to be critical about Christian missionaries? He has a career to make. Along with Amitav Ghosh and Pankaj Mishra (that ultimate Resident Non-Indian) they are establishing their impeccable secular credentials by portraying India as a land of Hindu fanatics. Sanjay Chawla
Date sent: Thu, 18 Feb 1999 12:03:01 +0000
You can huff and you can puff, Ms Bhosle, but nothing that you say will change my opinion that the brand of fundamentalism that you espouse and the backers of your asinine logic are going to destroy the fabric of the country. Your theories about sinister conspiracies being hatched to discredit the Hindutva movement beg the question... Why didn't these ever happen before the BJP government came to power? The brand of violence and aggression that the saffron brigade has ushered into this country is why we are facing a civil war (your favourite friend, Mr Thackeray, has himself predicted one). And no, it is not people like us who are fatuous when we say we are ashamed of calling ourselves Hindus. We know that Hinduism is a religion that is far above what asinine people like you can ever comprehend. Sadly, it is people like you who have taken over the religion -- with your call signs, the trishul, the saffron flag and khaki knickers. May the true god in heaven have mercy on you. Suresh Ramanathan
Date sent: Sun, 14 Feb 1999 00:45:17 GMT
I enjoy reading your articles. You are right to complain about the Talibanisation of Hinduism under the Shiv Sena. Hindus should always welcome a debate and a more open society. I feel you could write an article on the damage the BJP's high real interest policy is doing to the Indian economy. Industries can't afford to borrow at these rates and make a profit, so industrial output and exports are falling and the trade and budget deficits are going through the roof. There must be an immediate reversal of policy and real rates must be brought close to zero. I write about these items on soc.culture.indian that can be accessed at http://www.dejanews.com. There is also the problem of the increasing Muslim population, which will soon overtake that of the Hindus and result in Taliban rule in India. Please highlight this issue. Only a two- or three-child limit for all will stop an Islamic take over of India. Assuming then that Hindus reach replacement level in 20 years this is the likely break-up of India's population over the years: Year Muslims Hindus and Others 2000 150m 800m 2020 300m 1000m 2040 600m 1000m 2060 1200m 1000m 2080 2400m 1000m
Date sent: Fri, 12 Feb 1999 08:30:10 -0500
"Deliver India from the darkness of Hinduism" -- That's a quote from the monthly publication of Presbyterian Global Prayer Digest, Volume 18, No 1 for January 1999. The entire January issue is devoted to India and is titled: "Tens of millions still wander in darkness in India's Hindi belt". It is published by the Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship. Do check their web site (http://www.uscwm.org) for their "strategy" on India. Perhaps there is enough material on that web site for an article from your powerful pen. I have seen web sites with even more explosive material, which focus on specific strategies to convert Hindus. I would be delighted to give you more information if that would help. Continue your excellent work, Varsha! Ram Narayanan
Date sent: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 12:05:31 -0600
Everyday, when I open Rediff, the first thing I do is look for Varsha Bhosle's article. She is one of the very few who brings the truth out. We need a lot more writers of her calibre and dignity. Ravinder
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