I don't have an opinion on the Shilpa Shetty episode or a hypothesis to offer. Was she a victim of genuine racist barbs or was it yet another complex media ploy to shore up a television programme's ratings? Is a hundred-thousand-pound compensation enough for putting up with the humiliation that she allegedly did? I honestly don't know. Nor do I care. My chest didn't quite swell with pride as an Indian when she won the contest or whatever it was. However, I do confess to following the saga quite closely as did most people I know.
In fact, I would claim that the episode did more to raise awareness among Indians about the phenomenon of racism than anything else that I can think of. The medium clearly remains the message.
Sifting the overflow of commentaries in our local press, I noticed that each commentator has put her own spin on the concept of racism. I work with a simple definition. Racism, to me, essentially refers to discrimination based on the colour of skin and associated cultural differences. To be more exact, whites discriminating against non-whites.
Its most extreme manifestation in the last century has of course been the apartheid regime in South Africa and segregation among white and black Americans in the US. 'Official' racism came to an end with the end of the white regime in South Africa in the nineties. 'Unofficial' Apartheid continues to flourish.
Events of the last six years have added a new dimension to the problem. September 11 and the conflict in Iraq have led to a deep sense of distrust among Muslims and non-Muslims.
In the West, this had led to escalating tension between the white majority and immigrant non-white populations. The victims of this conflict have not been Muslims alone.
From what I read in media reports or hear from friends living in the West, almost all non-Caucasian ethnic groups in the West have seen a rise in racial tension. Thus, despite emerging nuances, the divide between whites and non-whites has remained the core of racism.
The problem with racism is that it cannot entirely be explained by economic logic. The hostility to non-white immigrant groups in Europe and the US is about much more than the threat of job loss.
Ask yourself this question. Why does Turkey have such a problem getting into the European Union when East European countries have had easy entry? Both entail increased competition in the existing members' labour markets.
Unfortunately, while the roots of racism are not 'economic', racism can have serious economic consequences. In fact, I would argue that racist or racial conflict could be the biggest challenge for economic global growth and prosperity going forward.
Let me put this in context. The first wave of globalisation that we saw over the last