Rediff On The NeT: Transcript of the Chitra Subramaniam Chat


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The Chitra Subramaniam Chat

We were worried. It was the first time Chitra Subramaniam was participating in a chat on the Internet. She was using IE2, and we were apprehensive that the browser would crash during the chat late on Tuesday night. But that was not to be.

The chat with the intrepid reporter who would not let the Bofors story die went off like a dream. Chitra handled the questions like a seasoned pro on the Web, responding with -- pardon the metaphor -- rat-a-tat frequency. For everyone who is still unclear about why the government has been unable to solve the ten-year-old Bofors mystery, here's a ready reckoner from Chitra Subramaniam, reporter extraordinaire :

Jaiprakash (Tue Jan 28 22:47:35 1997 IST):

Hello everyone

Jaiprakash (Tue Jan 28 22:48:44 1997 IST):

hI pHANI

Phani (Tue Jan 28 22:48:50 1997 IST):

What is going on? rather what is NOT going on?

Jaiprakash (Tue Jan 28 22:50:05 1997 IST):

Phani: The chat with Chitra Subramaniam is gonna start in another 15 minutes.thats what is going on.......so where are u from , I'm in Australia nd its nearly dawn out here

Jaiprakash (Tue Jan 28 22:54:35 1997 IST):

Hi Kickback

Jaiprakash (Tue Jan 28 22:55:47 1997 IST):

Hi Kickback

Rediff On The NeT (Tue Jan 28 22:56:21 1997 IST):

Hullo, folks. Ms Subramaniam is scheduled to log in from Geneva where she lives with her family.She is using IE 2 and is taking part in a chat on the Internet for the first time. It's wonderful to have her on the Rediff Chat today. Thanks for joining us today.

kickback (Tue Jan 28 22:56:22 1997 IST):

What do you think, folks? Are we going to have any names today? (not again only Hindujas, Chaddhas, let's get to the rotten root)

Jaiprakash (Tue Jan 28 23:00:40 1997 IST):

Hello Ms Subramaniam

Nikhil Lakshman (Tue Jan 28 23:00:55 1997 IST):

Welcome to the Rediff Chat, Chitra. It's great to have you with us this evening. I do hope you enjoy the experience.

dilli Mog! (Tue Jan 28 23:01:45 1997 IST):

I'm just waiting for the ... can somebody tell me the rest of the words of this song by the Rolling Stones??

Ram Shastri (Tue Jan 28 23:02:02 1997 IST):

Thank you, Mrs Subramaniam, for not letting the Bofors story die. India is indebted to you! Did (DO) you despair that the TRUTH will never come out?

sky (Tue Jan 28 23:03:20 1997 IST):

dilli Mog! (Tue Jan 28 23:04:02 1997 IST):

So, madam, it's OK to bust bofors, but how come you don't give us stuff on Jyoti Basu's niece Sharmista Barua's escapades with Swiss law of late?Or do we leave the Leftists alone lately?

Hotu Chainani (Tue Jan 28 23:04:26 1997 IST):

Hi Nikhil, how's it going? When is the show going on the road?

Hotu Chainani (Tue Jan 28 23:05:13 1997 IST):

Oops!

Jaiprakash (Tue Jan 28 23:05:18 1997 IST):

Hotu the chat is already rolling

Jaswant Srikantan (Tue Jan 28 23:05:29 1997 IST):

Joginder Singh says he has not seen the papers as yet. There is talk of getting Swiss experts to decipher the papers. Do you believe the CBI is stalling for time?

SON OF A GUN (Tue Jan 28 23:06:22 1997 IST):

Boooooom!!!

d rINSING (Tue Jan 28 23:06:47 1997 IST):

Hullo, Chitra Subramaniam. Can you tell us whether Rajiv Gandhi is really named in the Bofors papers?

dilli Mog! (Tue Jan 28 23:07:54 1997 IST):

Hello!Anybody seen Zuber/smartt/vcvrbc lately?

Swaminathan (Tue Jan 28 23:08:11 1997 IST):

Hello Chitra! What an excellent job you did ? How soon we can expect the culprits will be booked ? Do you think the Congress party will allow this govt to reveal the names ?

d rINSING (Tue Jan 28 23:09:31 1997 IST):

Why did it take so long to get the Bofors papers? Was it because the Indian govt did not want it so soon? V P Singh promised it in 30 days, so why did that not happen?

Hotu Chainani (Tue Jan 28 23:09:52 1997 IST):

Hi Chitra, we are still waiting for your opening speech

dilli Mog! (Tue Jan 28 23:10:57 1997 IST):

hello madamji? How much does petrol cost in Switzerland? (This is a leading question m'lord...)

SON OF A GUN (Tue Jan 28 23:11:43 1997 IST):

TARGET POSTION: 11 O CLOCK. STAUS: CHITRA NOT SIGHTED YET. FINGER ON TRIGGER.

Rita (Tue Jan 28 23:12:34 1997 IST):

Hello everybody ,is chitra there?

SON OF A GUN (Tue Jan 28 23:13:18 1997 IST):

Hi Rita. Chitra should be in any moment. Where u from?

S. Sankarapandi (Tue Jan 28 23:13:25 1997 IST):

Hello Chitra, I follow your contribution (with N.Ram) from the beginning. I always admire you. Do you think Sonya is putting pressure on UF govt (through Congress) so as not to reveal Rajiv Gandhi's involvement in te Bofors scandal

dilli Mog! (Tue Jan 28 23:14:09 1997 IST):

Madamji? We are no doubt but poor Indians with no concept of matters occidental, natives, lashkars, but wud yer kindly do da honours babe and get on wid da show, eh? Ich lieb din and all that stuff, the media takes the mickey out of us if we are late how 'bout you madamji??

Rediff On The NeT (Tue Jan 28 23:14:09 1997 IST):

Chitra logged in twice, but we believe she is having problems with her browser. She should be with us soon.

lotus (Tue Jan 28 23:14:52 1997 IST):

Hi Chitra! Is it possible for the Supreme Court to force the CBI producing the papers before the court? Deve Gowda has a vested interest here & he is not the one who would not want to use this opportunity to hold on to PM's seat.

Chitra Subramaniam D. (Tue Jan 28 23:15:42 1997 IST):

To the question on whether rajiv gandhi will be named in the papers, unlikely. I mean if you think there's going to be a cheque in his name, nope. but we have got as far as Ottavio Quattrocchi whose rise to fame and fortune in india is linked to his links with the Gandhis. Now, why would Bofors pay somebody who has nothing to with the deal other than have the right political connection?

Hotu Chainani (Tue Jan 28 23:16:15 1997 IST):

Beats me, does this place need jokers? Why do they come here and make fools of themselves. Pal, this is serious stuff, take your unwanted action elsewhere. Thanks.

SON OF A GUN (Tue Jan 28 23:16:26 1997 IST):

lotus: chitra is having trouble logging in it seems. she should here in minutes. the rediff guys just said so.

Rita (Tue Jan 28 23:16:36 1997 IST):

US how 'bout you son of a gun

Hotu Chainani (Tue Jan 28 23:17:23 1997 IST):

Hi Chitra. Nice to have you with us.

dilli Mog! (Tue Jan 28 23:17:47 1997 IST):

Hey!The lady is logged on and listening and not answering... was gibt? Bitte and all that jazz...

ravi (Tue Jan 28 23:18:06 1997 IST):

Hi, Who took the Bofors payoff ? If you knew it for so long why didnt you ever reveal it ?

Swaminathan (Tue Jan 28 23:18:12 1997 IST):

Hello Chitra, Do you think this govt will reveal the names ? Is there any way to collect back the $640 millions looted.

Continued