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ELECTIONS '98
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E-mail from readers the world over
Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 11:03:49 -0800 (PST) An excellent article by Varsha Bhosle. Varsha has taken lots of pains in researching a lot before writing this article. Kudos to her for her effort and hope she writes such articles again and again S Srivatsa
Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 10:43:31 -0800 I completely agree with Varsha Bhosle in this regard. It seems like the Congress leaders still have the slave mentality attitude in them, and are willing to give up every bit of self respect in proclaiming Sonia Gandhi as heir to the throne or whatever. Here is a person who for ten years refused to accept an Indian citizenship, and we have senior Congress leaders saying that she is every bit an Indian as the rest of us. What are they thinking? Wake up guys, we are entering the 21st century, and we are not the slaves of the British or the Nehru-Gandhi family any more. I just hope the crowds that they say she has been drawing is just a curious crowd, and not of the serious variety which wants to proclaim her as the next PM. I hope you will come with more interesting articles in this regard. Sarath Kotamreddy |
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 16:48:30 -0800 Great article Varshaji. You have great knowledge of history and ability to learn from it. Have you thought of getting into politics. "Varshaji ko lao, India ko Bharat banao." Gautam Desai
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 19:17:39 -0500 (EST) Yet another great column by Varsha Bhosle! However, I would like to take up a few things she said in her last column, "Alien Resurrection." Firstly, let me say that YES, Sonia is an alien -- to that extent I agree with Ms Bhosle. However, I honestly do not see the parallel between Sonia and all those medieval plunderers that Varshaji so eloquently points out. I mean, Sonia is *not* out to create a pan-Italian empire. I highly doubt her political decisions are fueled by a latent desire to re-create the Roman Empire of the past. If anything, Sonia's decision to enter politics probably has more to do with her desire to re-create the past glory of the Congress, and more particularly, the dynasty of her family. But even though Sonia is an alien, she is not one in the same sense that Alexander or Ghuri were. After all, they were conquerors looking for another kingdom. Sonia is not. Abhijit Mitra
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 15:45:27 -0800 Is there nobody in our political arena who is a better fit than Sonia! Just because there is a Gandhi tag to that name, she is pulling off something nobody would even dare to. Make sure you news people don't start making the same mistake with Priyanka. Remember she is Vadra and not a Gandhi anymore. Venkat
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 23:22:05 EST This article was worth reading. Very well put. Let me add to it. Just recently I visited India on a pleasure trip and trust me other than those hotels, where I spent most of my time, did I have any choice? (I had to return back to my job without being inflicted by malaria, etc ,etc), the rest of the country is a basket case. Such filth, all over, no traffic discipline, pollution, poverty, and then our pot bellied greedy politicians. I mean whether it is a SONIA or a MANYA, all the same.
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 14:49:26 -0800 Rather vexing to read Ms Bhosle's article -- a view based on paranoia rather than sound reasoning. Let me confess. I am not for Mrs Sonia Gandhi, and indeed wish that the dynastic choke-hold the Nehru clan has on the Indian body-politic, is once and for all gone. But never would I deny anyone the right to contest in an election -- be they native or not, if they are eligible to do so (Ms Bhosle concurs). I am in complete agreement with Cho Ramaswamy in that regard. Bhosle in her piece has cunningly culled aspects of Indian history to make her case. Taken together they remind me of Santayana's admonishment -- "those who forget history are condemned to repeat it." If one believes in a secular India, in the rule of law, where multifarious ethnic, religious and cultural identities flourish, then one has to cast aside her specious reasoning. At best she has not thought through the nuances, at worst she is of the mould "India for non-white native born Indians." The US constitution she points out, does not allow naturalised citizens to run for office -- and she laments: "So tell me, how come the fathers of the Indian Constitution never felt the need to incorporate such safeguards? DUMB question. How could it even occur to a people used to being ruled by foreigners...? " So what? We have a Constitution and laws to safeguard against acts of treason and I'll take my chances. If her worry is with the enforcement of such laws, then her quibble is really with our government and elected leaders. And the other countries (East Asian in particular) she cites in her article are some of the most insular and racist societies. Is that the kind of non-tolerant India she aspires for? Whatever happened to the spirit espoused by the other great American -- the man who lead a movement inspired by our own struggle for freedom: "I have a dream that one day ......... every citizen of our land is judged by the content of their character and not by the COLOR of their SKIN." Her reasoning is as ridiculous as the one I am about to make. "Be it resolved that the Constitution of India be amended, in such a manner, so as not to allow any Maharashtrian to hold elected office for one of them assassinated the Father of our beloved Nation." I rest my case.
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 14:36:17 -0800 I have been following your articles on Rediff for some time. For once you are making complete sense. You are right, betrayal is a glorious Indian tradition almost as old as perhaps the Vedas. By supporting Sonia we are upholding an ancient and sacred tradition. Mind you even before Ambhi of Taxila, we were betrayed by a certain gentleman named MANU MAHARISHI. Yes, I am talking about that person who wrote Manu Smriti. Manu betrayed the Vedas, so the offspring of MANU are continuing the great tradition of Jamboodweepa aka Bharat, Hindustan etc., And what about some of the most respected members of our society today? I mean the Rai Bahadurs and Sardar Bahadurs, that are held in awe by almost everyone, were the best supporters of the Brits. So I will be least bit surprised if an Italian becomes the prime minister. Srikanth
Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 03:47:20 +0530 It seems evident that the writer has resorted to drama to make her article interesting (the article is puerile, but makes interesting reading nonetheless). She has quoted a number of instances when "one of us" allowed an "alien" to defeat Indians.
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 16:45:14 -0500 I think Varsha Bhosle is talking out of her hat. If a foreigner is a citizen of India and good enough to be our prime minister so be it. All this hand wringing about India being handed over on a platter to foreigners is hogwash. Such view reflects the narrow minded thinking of the author. Our Constitution has to be commended for not barring people because of the place where we were born. Why become a citizen if you are not viewed on par with the rest of the citizenry? Rama Challa
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 16:31:42 -0500 Just wanted to say that this article by Varsha is simple magnificent! Wonderful to read. Keep it up Varsha!
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 12:43:39 -0800 Varsha, you never fail to leave my blood boiling. Just loved it. Is there any way we NRIs can sponsor publishing this article as an ad in any of those regular newspapers which carry patented "secularism" articles only? Srinivas Murthy
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 15:41:18 -0500 I concur with most of your views. However, I do believe that the likes of Laloo, Mulayam etc could prove to be more detrimental to India's progress and well being than Sonia. If anyone is to blame for the state we are in today it's the public in general. I think one of the reasons why people are found to lack self dignity, and more importantly lack of pride for India is the way their mentality has been shaped over the years. People are overawed by white skinned people which sickens me to the core. Anything a white person says is regarded profound even though it may be nonsense. I find time and time again in many articles where people (journalists) ask foreign experts what is wrong with India (be it cricket or anything), why things are not working as they should be etc etc. Invariably the answer is: Indians lack pride etc... Anyone can tell you that, you don't need to ask an outsider for that. Everyone keeps saying US is this US is that... Instead of whining, if people gave even a iota of their time to improve India we would be much better off. The reason why India's name is often in poor light in US etc, is not because of them but because of the "us." I prefer not to call those people as Indians, they don't deserve that. Going to the extreme I would like to say either be a proud Indian or don't call yourself an Indian. If you can't help India at least don't ridicule it. Naresh
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 14:39:12 -0600 I find that your columnist Ms Varsha Bhosle seems to be adopting a blatantly pro-BJP stance. Her article on Advani was nothing short of hero-worship. Moreover, she seems to be harbouring some deep rooted feelings towards the Gandhi family. She should be able to balance her articles and not get carried away. Her personal liking for a party/individual should not be seen through in her writings. Hoping that in future I won't be subjected to such articles which smack of personal favouritism, and go against journalistic ethics. Anand Ramamoorthy
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 15:29:22 -0500 Varsha Bhosle for PM! One has to admit that we, as a nation, lack a backbone. The Mughals didn't take it away. The British didn't. We perhaps never had one. It would be a disgrace to hand over our desh to a non-Indian. Admittedly, if a person is good and faithful to my country, his/her country of birth shouldn't matter to me - but when the reason for letting him/her lead the country is that he/she is the pathetic widower/widow of the person whose contribution to the country can at best be described as dubious. Sorry, but the word 'mustard-brained electorate' comes to mind. Mera Bharat has perhaps never been mahan in recent times, but at least it was mera. Looks like it won't be mera for much longer. So what is next? Rename it Soniapuram, I guess...
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 20:15:57 EST Congrats Varsha! At least for me your article, reveals the inner feeling that we Indians betrayed ourselves. We still carry that slave duty with much of pride. I want someone to read this article to all Congress leaders and make them understand its meaning. They all know well that they can't win this election through Kesri. For Arjun Singh, Kesri, Scindia, G K Moopanar... it is a pride for them to work for the Gandhi family. They don't want anybody else other than their masters to become prime ministers. Hope this election sends them a message that dynastic rule will not come return.
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 14:08:59 -0600 It's a GREAT article. Well done!
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 13:34:29 -0600 Excellent article, it is pathetic that we have slogans like "Soniaji, desh buchao." May be, we get what we deserve.
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 14:30:13 -0500 Fantastic! Keep it up. Vijay
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 14:47:25 -0500 There is no such thing as "Indian nation" as opposed to the "British nation" which exists. A nation means "a culture where people follow the same language, same dress code, same food, same songs, dances, etc" So the British is akin to Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi cultures and not Indian culture! Thus India is not a nation-state but merely a "banana" republic state put together by brown sahibs. It will be good if all the states in India are made autonomous. Most self righteous rightist columnists like Varsha Bhosle think in terms of a Hindu nation, which does not exist. The Indian subcontinent is, of course, similar in many aspects just as many European countries like France, Italy and UK share some traits of their common European culture. I hope she gets this point. Sandeep Singh Bajwa
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 13:27:33 -0600 Just finished reading your article. The article had same effect on us as Mr Suresh Bhat's ghazal Punha Ekada Ayushyachya Petwa Mashali. Congratulations! Bravo! Anup Mayekar
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 11:40:29 -0800 I can't believe it's happening!! I always thought that we Indians have relished the pleasure of being slaves for long, and although we still gape at the sight of a gori chamdi, we would eventually come to terms with it. But how wrong was I! So was the lyricist who coined the song Gore rang per itna guman na kar, gora rang do din mein dhal jayega. I always thought no matter how much the Congress shouts, 'Sonia lao desh bachao it would never click. It would die like the Premier Padmini-Fiat joint venture. What we are seeing instead is the Italian influence coming back. This time not as Fiat but as Sonia Gandhi. The irony is that we are taking it down our throats as easily as we digested the anointment of Rabari Devi. It was way back when I stopped getting surprised at the headlines of the dailies in India. But no matter how indifferent I became to the happenings in my desh, the unbelievable was always in store for me. But much to the rhythms of Hota hai, hota hai I eluded them all. But now is the reason to be different from being indifferent. Can we really accept Sonia Gandhi as the prime minister of India? Today I read Varsha Bhosle in Rediff. But her voice would die much like a pebble dropped in the ocean -- an ocean of 900 million people. Would his article bring any change? No. Because such aberrations happen once in a while. This article may enthuse someone like me penning few lines and forwarding it to all the addresses in my address book, but it will never ring an alarm to a dead race -- a race called Indians. Why ? We are really dead, or rather we now believe that we have no belief in our Constitution, the administration, the law, the police. I do think of India. It reflects when Sachin makes a comeback. It reflects when Karisma rolls over the screen in Oregon and reminds me of that talkies in Goregaon. It reflects when after sipping few pitchers I lock myself in the same trivia -- India me aisa hota hai, US mein aisa hota hai. And it reflects when Arjun Singh runs amok shouting, "Eureka !! Eureka !! Sonai lao desh bachao. I know if she wins and becomes the PM we would crib, but as usual would accept it. I won't die if this happens but what would die in me will be the much dwindling hope and faith in India. Ashish Bisariya
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 14:45:04 -0500 The article 'Alien Resurrection' by Varsha Bhosle is an excellent one. The trauma for the author, and for those agreeing with her in this matter is that these words are going to fall on deaf ears...
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 98 11:42:43 -0800 Varsha Bhosle's article is all what I have in my heart since childhood. That we lack nationalism. We lack the feelings to take it as a nation not as a country which is bound by its geographical boundaries. Just for our sake, we can do anything cheap. For our means, we can fool illiterates and educated illiterates. We feel proud in projecting someone like Laloo as our prime minister. We feel happy when a contradiction happens where a communist is being offered the post of a democratic country. We talk about progress where all the paths to development are guarded (read closed) by our politicians. Damn it! We are caught in a loop: It's an infinite loop and the only remedy is that one of these two elements is broken. Either people come to their senses or these anti-nationalist, mean politicians are thrown out. Mukesh Kataria
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 12:10:58 -0800 I strongly feel that Sonia Gandhi should never be made leader (forget PM). The idea of my country being ruled by a foreigner is so outrageous that it's no better than being under British rule. I will never be able to return to my home land as long as she is at the helm (nothing to do with being male chauvinist). It's high time politicians stop licking her feet. We request the press to take the readers views more aggressively.
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 12:41:50 -0800 Sonia may be the nicest person around. But those spineless, boneless uneducated, illiterate supporting her to stand for elections -- I really pity them. India will remain far off from civilisation for long time
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 15:20:18 -0600 Your article was very thought provoking and very apt at this juncture. We Indians have lost self-respect and have been a victim of mental slavery for ages. Anything foreign is excellent for us, anything Indian is bad. Any country which does not remember its history (its mistakes) is doomed to languish in mental slavery for eternity. I hope your article provides some food for thought for Indians. Kiran Kartha
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 16:48:19 -0500 Beautiful article!! I liked it. Keep it up guys. Special thanks to Varsha Bhosle.
Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 10:25:13 PST Hats off to Varsha Bhosle for such a bold article. I fully agree that unless one takes pride in their national and cultural identity they cannot improve. If one has pride in something, only when there is a danger of that pride being hurt or the pride has been hurt, will he wake up and do something seriously about it, else he will be very indifferent to all that is happening. Unfortunately, our education system has only churned out engineers and other English pundits, but has not taught them any social responsibility, or civic sense or national pride. It is due to these reasons, a well educated citizen sees reciting a national song against his religion, but happily accepts the interest paid by a bank even though that is against his religion. I wonder if saluting a national flag is also against a particular religion which is against idol worship? We need many more journalists of Varsha Bhosle's calibre to really educate the masses of India. Sudarshan
Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 11:42:49 -0600 Varsha's articles have been highly jingoistic and that is not what nationalism means. Chauvinism differs from nationalism, in that you support your country even when you know that it is in the wrong. That is hardly something we need to aspire for. The RSS, flagbearers of chauvinism (what they call nationalism), have been known to have no positive contribution to the freedom struggle. She might prefer to have a Phoolan Devi/ Sadhvi Rithambhara leading our nation, but let it be known that we have had enough of criminals, claiming to be nationalist heroes and showing double standards. When you kill innocents, you are as much anti-nationalist as a terrorist. True, the Congress is a highly sycophantic party with very little party democracy -- witness the sudden crumbling and bowing before a scion of the Nehru-Gandhi legacy. But if nothing, they pay lip service to the democratic ideal. I do not see Balasaheb Thackeray and the RSS, who are Varsha's heroes, even considering democracy to be one of their leading principles. Balasaheb worships Hitler, without even fathoming the evil that he stands for. We have suffered for too long due to the selfishness of our leaders. The people will decide what is right for them. If they want Sonia, they will elect her. We don't need Hindutva intellectuals like Varsha telling us whom to vote for and whom not to. I do not believe that we are that stupid. Mihir
Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 16:51:11 EST I and many like me thank you for the wonderful article. For history is to remember, not forget. But after 50 years of Independence there are more of us who are willing to die for Mother India, who understand the game, and yet our army is not ruled by anybody other than us. Our army like British soldiers would not fire on us again when ordered by an alien, no mater what his or her positition might be. Thanks for writing this article. Rajendra Chauhan
Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 12:50:40 -0500 I really couldn't agree with the conclusion that Varsha draws -- what she means is that any Indian is preferable to Sonia at the helm. The facts are that she is the representative of the Nehru family in this generation, until the next generation (Priyanka or Rahul) is ready. It is quite well-known that she tried her best to dissuade Rajiv from entering politics after Indira Gandhi's assassination. She also didn't have any political ambitions for a number of years after her husband's assassination. She has paid her dues at the expense of great personal loss. I don't see her as a European -- she is at heart an Indian. Why not the prime ministership if the people want her? She might do some good for the country. The instability in the government has done nothing but create problems for the country. Bala Subrahmanyam
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 13:29:40 -0500 Ms Varsha Bhosle has once again topped herself with her article. Great work. Govind
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 13:31:15 -0500 I really appreciate this article to its core. You have written what we are thinking now. One lines sums up everything "Goddamn it, even a Phoolan Devi should be preferrable to an European at the helm." I just want to know when would all of us have the pride in saying that yes I am an Indian, and love to be an Indian and no matter what may come I am going to be an Indian. Keep writing. Aditya
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 13:32:38 -0500 I've generally enjoyed reading Ms Bhosle's pieces on this forum. For once I am disappointed that her usually accurate reasoning seems to be a little off the mark. Her article clearly shows (through the numerous examples that she has quoted) that Indians (the native born jewels of this land) are just as prone to betraying national interests as are 'aliens.' Further, she herself points out that the Constitution does not make a distinction between various kinds of citizens. She does not offer an argument other than the examples of some European countries, and the US as to why the Constitution should make a distinction between various kinds of citizens. I certainly do not want the Congress or its casteist cohorts like the RJD and UF to win the election. But Ms Gandhi's Italian origins have nothing to do with my dislike of these parties. As for the lady not taking a citizenship for 10 long years, again I see no reason why this should be a disqualification for holding elected public office, for there could have been a variety of reasons for this, including legal issues of property and asset ownership in Italy. Let me suggest this scenario: What if an Indian citizen born in (the now dead) East Pakistan, who migrated to India in 1972 (at the age of 35) sought the PM's post in say, 1994? Should he be disqualified? What if an NRI's daughter came back to India from the UK or Uganda and after taking citizenship sought the PM's office? I would hate to see to question "who is an Indian" be anwered in terms of the accident of birth or race. Indeed, I wonder if this is even a relevant question to ask. Ravi Aron Jersey City, NJ
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 1026:44 -0800 Sad, but true. As a people, we lack that nationalistic/patriotic feeling that this country is "ours." It cuts across all sections -- rich and poor. A few points with respect to this article. About Alexander and Porus. After the battle, Porus became an ally of Alexander in the latter's subsequent invasions+destruction of other north western republics and tribes. My point is that even some of our heroes are heroes only incidentally and not by patriotism, or any intention to fight an alien army. Same goes with Nawab Sirajudaula, who was involved in another incident with Mir Jafar, this time with Clive on his side. The second point is about the following paragraph: "So tell me, how come the fathers of the Indian Constitution never felt the need to incorporate such safeguards? DUMB question. How could it even occur to a people used to being ruled by foreigners...?" I would like to differ with Varsha on this point. If the writers of the Indian Constitution didn't bar anyone not born in India from becoming the prime minister, it was more because they didn't expect the country to fall into such depths in such a short time and likely, they in their eminent liberalism, decided not to bar any meritorious person on the basis of their birth. It is very likely that they indeed had people like Annie Besant, Madam Blavatsky in mind when they didn't make that bar, and as with all other things missed by the Constitution, apna Congress cannot but exploit what would otherwise have been considered a minor loophole. It is sad and frustrating. But as Varsha says, it is not Sonia who is to be blamed, for that matter not even the assortment of chamchas like Gadgil (who thinks his point about L K Advani not being born in India is the final word on this issue), not even the folks who in the public meeting at Sriperumbudur were reported to have said (she is so fair and white, I want her to be the PM forever) - none of them can be blamed. They are all either thieves or politically ignorant (in the middle classy way, at least), it is people like Cho (who otherwise is quite reasonable in his political arguments) and others who give respectability to this idea that are to be blamed. So, who is next? 20 years from now? I can see a Columbian-born PM for India. Narain Attili
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 13:22:05 -0500 I completely agree with the author. She has made a very valid and strong point. It's time the people of India stopped being servile and pandering to outsiders. The people in politics especially the Congress is so greedy for power and their own wealth, that they are worse in self- respect and dignity than even a beggar on the banks of the Ganges. It's time a stronger and more nationalistic party like the BJP came to power. It pains me to see the state of affairs in India. I think we need a revolution -- something like the French Revolution to cleanse our nation to gain pride and self- respect. Kamal
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 10:20:53 -0800 This was really the best article I have ever read!! The quotes from history and the present situation has been perfectly depicted!! Hope these leaders do not throw away Indians to live at the mercy of foreigners, pushing us back to the ages of the Mughals and British!
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 13:19:01 -0500 This is one of the very good articles I have come across in recent times. I am not against the Congress nor any other party, but to have a prime minister or president who is not born in India makes me feel ...(I can't describe the exact words here). Srinivas Appalaneni
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 18:06:39 EST Very good. Lot of information about Indian history. I commend her for this article.
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 12:02:44 -0600 Bhosle's views only bear out what her better-educated colleagues have said before: that nationalism is "something filled by the void left by failure, impotence..." These are the words of the historian Eric Hobsbawm. But now, after reading her silly refashioned list of historical wrongs, one realises that not only is Bhosle trying to compensate for a massive inferiority complex, but also that her historical analysis is a century out of date. S Roy Chowdhury
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 10:01:18 -0800 All I can say is touche! Sonia Gandhi should NOT be made the leader of the Congress or the next PM. Period. Its really pathetic to see that in spite of the presence of fairly clean and able leaders like Manmohan Singh, A K Antony and ummm well... there aren't many -- the Congress has to project a "foreigner" who is clearly not suited for the top job as the next PM. Let's face it folks, we are a bunch of sorry sycophants and unless we get rid of this "mai-baap" mentality, we are not going to go anywhere. Vivek
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 12:56:44 -0500 "As is the wont of Congressmen, Satyanarayana then compared Sonia to Annie Besant and Mother Teresa... " I was curious to note that unlike other issues, why Varsha Bhosle didn't elaborate on this comparison... Ashish Sharma
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 12:39:27 -0500 I completely agree with her. Being in the USA and having dealt with the US immigration, I can't believe how the Indian Constitution doesn't bar naturalised citizens from key posts. Sonia should never become PM or hold any other key post. So far I have always felt that no matter how inconvenient, I won't give up my Indian citizenship. The day Sonia becomes PM, I will no longer share such sentiments. I would vote for Phoolan or Laloo any day over Sonia. Chandramouli
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 09:38:17 -0800 Nicely written, very candid, talks a lot about our feeling of inadequacy. An excellent article which takes us back to history and recapitulates our similar mistakes, and our failures time and again to learn from our mistakes.
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 14:32:22 EST Bravo Varsha! I must congratulate you for the excellent piece. Indeed, I, as a native Indian felt insulted by Mr Gadgil's comments. How dare he insult my forefathers who had sacrificed their life for the country? You are so right about our Constitution. I hope the BJP come to power with a large majority and amend the Constitution, so that this charade can never be repeated. Even Laloo Yadav and Rabari are much preferred to me than a "foreigner." It is so cynical that Sonia is hoping to rule a people -- a vast majority of whom would be denied a visa to even visit Italy let alone settle there. United States and other European countries have specific rules against naturalised citizens assuming the highest office, and for very good reasons. An immigrant to a country cannot fully understand the ethos of a country, cannot fully identify with its history, traditions, culture and people. The United States is not ready for a female or black President let alone a "foreign" one. Have we become so "eclectic" that a foreigner is preferred than many of the leaders who have dedicated their whole lives to the country? Imagine an Indian trying to become the PM of Britain or Italy. Look at the example of Fiji. For attempting to foster this "foreign rule" on our country, Congress should be charged with anti national activity. Certainly, it is a bankrupt party. I only hope that the electorate see it as such and hand them their true reward. Amit Gupta
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 13:59:10 PST I fully agree with Varsha Bhosle that "good or bad, the leader of the country *has* to be patently Indian." Yes, even a Phoolan Devi should be preferred to an alien. It is not a question of keeping the BJP out or the secularists in or whatever else. It is simply a matter of our identity. The issue here *is* very, very basic. Please consider that the European press has suddenly become interested in these elections only because they see a fellow European about to become the ruler here. Are we ostriches or what? Imagine what the world press will have to say. "Italian widow of Indian prince becomes the new Indian PM." However much we may convince ourselves otherwise, to the world Sonia Gandhi is an Italian and will always remain so. At best, she is a naturalised Indian citizen, but that was her personal life, wasn't it? Was it at all for the love of India per se that she became an Indian citizen? And can't we see what other countries feel about naturalised citizens getting into their top offices? I have been shuddering with helplessness ever since Sonia Gandhi has been pulled into active politics. I have a good lot of respect for Sonia Gandhi, and nothing I write in this letter is meant against her personally. But I cannot simply accept that a European should be allowed to come this close to the most powerful office in our country. After what the Britishers have done to us in the 347 years of presence in our blessed land, the very last thing that I can swallow is another European (or for that matter any foreigner) "ruling" us again. Let a dacoit rule us or a religious bigot for that matter. If I have to choose between the best foreigner and the worst Indian, it would always be my Indian brother or sister, never the outsider. However much that anyone could justify by showing her citizenship papers, the fact remains that she is a foreigner and all of us Indians should simply not allow her to become the prime minister. MP, maybe yes, but PM, NEVER! I was apalled at even the existence of any support for her candidature for the top office, especially from responsible educated people like some journalists who have been trying desperately to justify with arguments of equality and what not? Please spare me the agony and the insult. For it is infinitely insulting to me that our country of 900 million cannot produce a leader worthy enough to rule us, and that we have to beg a foreigner to take care of us. Manish Sinha NY, USA.
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 10:21:30 PST WOW, what an epic of Varshaji's noble thoughts. We should first rewrite our Constitution. I strictly refuse to admit Dr Ambedkar as the father of our Constitution. Well, the good thing was he tried, and we Indians accepted his theory blindly. Now we are suffering. It's time now that we start realising that politicians in India are nothing but some stupid weasels. There are hazaar issues besides Ayodhya, Bofors, fodder, shares..etc..etc..We have children crying out loud in our streets, we have unemployed youth, we have burning women, we have criminals trying to unsocialise our society... The column is a very powerful one, telling us the truth and resemblance between our past history and present. We still have not changed. Haven't we got any chance or what.. Aha.. Excuses ....excuses ...excuses....People are corrupted, they lack patriotism... India is one country where corruption even does not work. Rest you can guess. Ranjan K Mishra
Date sent: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 01:07:27 EST Varsha, excellent piece.
Date sent: Sun, 18 Jan 1998 22:53:46 PST Terrific feature. I wish we have more of like-minded individuals in this country. As an individual, I do not have anything against Ms Sonia Gandhi. She might be a very sincere and an honest citizen. But I don't think that she has done the right thing by jumping on to the PM bandwagon. Is this is how, one repays one's motherland (albeit one's step motherland)? By living on the taxpayers revenue. She has exposed the true corrupt culture prevalent in Italy. I wish she see the writing on the wall and stays off Indian politics.
Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 11:20:12 -0500 This is the worst, I say the worst column I have ever read in my life. You should be happy that an educated, and one of the most decent persons is entering the politics of a nation like INDIA. Look at the politics of India and point at one person who is worthy of being prime minister (other than Vajpayee). You mean Laloo or Mulayam or Deve Gowda or some others like them may be eligible, of course, I forgot your favourite person Phoolan Devi. I want my country to develop. I would support Sonia Gandhi for prime minister. She might be an Italian but after marrying Rajiv she had become an INDIAN. Even if she contests the poll we should be happy. She has the money the power and everything to live happily for the next 20 generations, but she is taking an active roll in politics because she doesn't want the country to go to the dogs. Vamsi
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