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ASSEMBLY POLL '98
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'The Year of Christ in a Hindu India?'
Date sent: Tue, 29 Dec 1998 08:18:15 -0800
Dear Rediff, I am glad you covered this menace. In a few months, I am to get married in Bombay. We were advised by just about everyone to cancel any celebrations that may be perceived as "grand". We have made alternative arrangements because of this. I don't think anyone in their right mind would, given the state of anarchy in Bombay, sit and say: "Alright, I'll celebrate and let the police protect me!" It is sickening to note that our democracy has deteriorated to a goonda raj. While the police might give well-orchestrated public statements, they have done precious little to either inspire confidence in people or strike fear in the extortionists. Instead, they have voluntarily/involuntarily done the opposite! I don't believe it is the police itself that is lacking. It is the government that is impotent enough to allow someone (or anyone with access to a phone) to successfully run a parallel government. This is downright disgraceful. So, while I celebrate my wedding in some dump, I'll try to remind myself that I am in fact in India and not in Afghanistan, though, given the state of affairs, it'll take a vivid imagination to do that. Thanks once again for covering what IS a very real problem facing us.
Prashant
The Year of Christ in a Hindu India? May I remind you that no such celebration took place when we had 2000 Vikram Samvat? How would the Indian pseudo-secularists, including the wicked press, have reacted if such an honour were to be accorded to a Hindu event? It is time Hindus are put first among equals, having long been denied their due.
Pradip Parekh
Dear editor, I am so happy to see positive reports like this. Also very proud of the scientists and doctors who did wonders to save patients. Thanks,
Haridas Ramakrishnan
Excellent, heart warming, touching.
Rasik Sanghvi
A good article. Mr Naidoo's determination to explore his roots is commendable. If a fourth-generation Indian (or South African?) can feel the need to explore his roots, it only goes to show the strength of the Indian culture and the bonding it provides. Though the earlier migrations were partly forced by the British, today it is more by choice -- for a better life.
If liberalisation does improve living standards even marginally, the migrant Indians might prefer to stay home with their families. If only the men running our country had woken up a few decades earlier...
Dear Gangan, I agree with you cent per cent. I have been going through this again and again!
Dr N Jayanth
Congrats! Irrespective of whether Prof Ashok scores his point, your magazine scores one: for focussing on such issues and giving publicity. If what he says is right, all the educated people of India should stop at nothing to make the govt see sense. I, for one, completely agree with him on the multinationals. They seem to be the newest mafia in India. Of course, the corrupt, disgusting politicians of our country do play hand-in-hand with them.
I think the researchers need to do their homework in marketing too. It is foolish to think that raw technology will cut into the MNCs' clout.
Dear editor, A good article. It has created awareness as how difficult it is for professionals like Ashok Jhunjhunwala to strive in today's world. It is high time the DoT takes some action on this.
Satish Peri
It is nice that we have such a tremendous technology.
Finally! I am so glad that Indians are paying attention to Shekhar Kapur's film! I hope the South Asian channels and Web sites give more attention to this.
A very good column. Kavi Pradeep looked down upon films but got everything (mostly) he desired from life from films. These words are facts of life. You never know what has been laid ahead for you by destiny. We think we will do this or do that but end up in a completely different quarter altogether. I very much support his views that unlike what is shown today in films, written in novels, etc there are lots of different kinds of love. Love for your homeland, for your friends, mother, siblings, and so on. I like these small interviews about film personalities. I mean, they tell us about their lives which go back 50 years and more.
The new generation is taking over. We will be better off if we learn from their mistakes.
Wonderfully written. Keep it up.
I think it's a great feature with interesting possibilities. The feature is good as it is; though it could be spiced up with some more photographs and interviews with the actors/actresses. I would love to have more features of this type.
It is a wonderful slideshow. Truly a nice effort -- in the fervour & spirit of the celebrations in the city.
Shruti
The most beautiful feature. It took me right back to India. Thanks.
Suman
Besides pointing out three errors in your account of Brahmavart alias Bithoor, may I offer further information not contained in your article? Being a professor at IIT, Kanpur, I have lived for three decades on the campus. That is only 13km from the Brahma ghat of Bithoor. It was our place for picnics. Error 1: Nanasaheb Peshwa was not a member of the royal family of Maharashtra, but of the family of Peshawas, the prime ministers of the Martha kingdom founded by Shivaji. The institution of Peshwa was found by Shivaji's grandson in 1705, although Shivaji did have prime ministers whom he called 'Pant Pradhan'. Error 2: Bithoor was never part of the Maratha kingdom, Nanasaheb's or anyone else's. It was only after the Maratha kingdom was annexed by the British in 1848 that he was exiled there. Error 3: The massacre of British women and children did, of course, occur, but there is no evidence to link Nanasaheb Peshwa with it. Further, the massacre has been blown out of proportion by British historians and their Indian followers. Comment: There is more to Bithoor than what your article says. The ruins -- that is, a few bricks! -- of Nanasaheb's palace are a sight of their own, with an old well still in existence. His new (circa 1965) memorial is a nice place with a dainty garden around it. On the little Brahma temple there is a quaint board announcing "Centre of the World"! The panda there exhorts you to do pujaand partake of the milky-watery teertha. Arawind S Parasnis
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