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E-mail from readers the world over
Date sent: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 16:03:22 -0400
I agree with one point. Muthiah's cases do not involve direct bribery, ie, there is no "known" scam involving him as of now. It is alleged that he has more money than he showed in his tax returns. Even Sitaram Kesri is in a similar situation. But nobody called him corrupt. I think the BJP made a mistake in applying the corruption principle there.
Ravi
Date sent: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 10:31:07 -0700
I used to see Vir's programme on television before moving on to the US. He has a knack presenting issues without any ideological baggage. The current article When does it become improper... presents the situation in proper perspective, something which is usually missing from the Indian press in the name of platitudes. In Advani, and to a certain extent Dr Joshi, we have India's best politicians and we should give them the opportunity. I completely agree with Vir in that we need to think about the situation and decide when a person is not fit to become a minister. In my opinion, we need to differentiate between personal accumulation of wealth, unfair means used to reap electoral benefits, undue favouritism and espousal of a social or political cause. I would hold Advani only as responsible for Ayodhya events as I would Rajiv Gandhi for the massacre after Indira's assassination or V P Singh for reservation-related deaths and killings. Social and political causes in a democratic setup are decided by the voters. Framing a chargesheet against an individual does not really mean much, as we have seen in the O J Simpson case. The legal system operates on a different plane and premise. Not all the issues related to our social and political life can be treated by the courts on a black and white basis. Politics, especially in democratic system, allows shades of gray to prosper, and makes the voter the ultimate arbiter. We do have a problem as we tend to deify leaders and make holy cows out of issues. This was covertly and overtly supported by Nehru and Indira which effectively muzzled debate or discussion on any such issue. Take any of the hot issues, be it reservation, liberalisation or Article 370 -- no one dares take a different position since he will then be called names and imputed with motives or a hidden agenda. Before I digress too much, I will commend Vir again for his timely column and the pertinent issues raised.
Prabhat K Vaish
Date sent: Wed, 29 Apr 98 13:58:13 -0800
Though I have been reading your articles for quite some time, this is the first article that has made me angry. It makes you seem like any other common citizen of India, except that you have the skill to express yourself. You have made comments about our present ministers. Okay! I will agree partially with what you have said. You also say that Jaya has done the right thing in taking up this issue and that ministers caught in corruption cases should resign immediately. Sir, can I request you to put your paper and pencil to one side, stop thinking about what your readers are gonna like and start thinking about the practical situation in our country? Can I request you to tell me which party is the best of the worst? To think about the condition of the Indian economy -- thanks to the last three years of political instability? Don't we need an able government at the Centre if we want to be in the race, let alone win it? Can I request you to stop thinking about what the most corrupt lady is saying and start wondering why she is saying it? The question is not who is bad, but who is the least bad! Select him. Then start thinking about good guys. Let's take it step by step. Let's not hesitate to accept the fact that Jaya is only trying to get some political mileage out of the whole situation. Please start writing about what our government should do. Please start seeing what we need to do to be able to compete with the rest of the world; then force the government to take steps in that direction with the power of your pen. Please stop wasting your time analysing today's political system and start directing your readers' attention to more important issues that face our nation today. The media has spent the last three years analysing the past. Please stop it! Please!!!
Mukesh
Date sent: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 15:30:20 -0500
How in the world can Mr Vir Sanghvi say, "And though I, personally, have no doubt that the likes of Advani and Dr Joshi were not involved in the Babri Masjid demolition"?!!! Whether they participated in the demolition itself or not is the question, but these are the people who stirred up the passions of illiterate people and led them to destroy the Babri Masjid.
Mansoor
Date sent: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 15:38:31 -0400
I don't understand what Vir Sanghvi is trying to say. He doesn't want criminals in power, but he doesn't want them or their godfather(s) out of power. The Ayodhya episode happened in full public view, and, without going into the right or wrong of it, everybody knows about the involvement of senior leaders. I think Mr Sanghvi is confused. He knows what is happening (and what has happened) is wrong, but cannot accept it as his dreams about BJP would then fall apart. The bottom line is -- one cannot have different standards for themselves (based on convenience) and still claim to be credible. But, given the present circumstances, the Vajpayee government is the best alternative, not because they are clean or credible but because, with him at the head, they seem to be the least of the evils. We had 50 years of criminals ruling us, what is a couple more if they can indeed better the status of the nation? About BJP/Sena/RSS at the state levels, why should pigs have any apprehension about rolling in filth? The cause (power/money) justifies the means (crime/corruption/slander/...) seems to be the motto!
Rajesh
Date sent: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 16:36:13 -0600
I totally agree with Mr Sanghvi. Although Jayalalitha is the last person who should talk about morality, she has (amazingly!) raised a valid point. My view is almost similar to that of Mr Sanghvi's, in that any person holding public office must be entirely honest and must have integrity. Ministers at the state as well as the central level are increasingly taking the tax payers for a ride, and whether one of these crooks get investigated largely depends on the bias of the current government. In such a situation, I strongly feel that a law must be passed to ensure that people who have been convicted or are being investigated for any reason whatsoever, must not be able to stand for any kind of public office. I wish more people would think and express their views like Mr Sanghvi. Great job!
Krishna
Date sent: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 18:17:43 +0900
I feel sorry for India and the way the country is being run. You can see India is running at least 60 years behind time. They did not bother to correct their laws according to time and, today, all of a sudden, they decide that the law is outdated. Of course, it is outdated. It should have been done a long time ago. Now you see the whole of India protesting. Why? Are they earning the same amount that they did in 1940? That would be the only reason why the Rent Act should not change. I am sure everyone knows that India's Rent Act has always been wrong. The government has woken up after so many years, so now they should do something which is fair to both parties. They say this problem can be solved by making the tenants the owners. They must be considering paying the owners the 1940 prices which, according to me, is absolutely wrong. Here, in Hong Kong, the situation is very different. The laws are clear. Though the landlord has the upper hand, it is better than what is happening in India. We are quite used to it now (I am a tenant myself). God bless India.
Deepak
Date sent: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 17:15:04 +0530
Once a customer pays for an Internet connection, it belongs to him and he should be free to surf the Net. The government has nothing to do with what the customer is doing. With the government charging such high rates, no one wants to call through normal ISD lines. Net telephony is cheaper. In other countries, the rates are much cheaper than in India. I think TRAI would oppose the idea of cutting the connection of those customers who use Net telephony. If TRAI does not oppose it, it is clear that India does not wish you to advance in IT industry.
Vivek
Date sent: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 10:02:48 -0800
These kind of policies have killed the entrepreneurship and creativity of the Indian people. Why should a free citizen of India have to get a license in order to start a business in his own country? How does all this regulation help? Can't they see how things work in the US?
Vijay Shrivastav
Date sent: Fri, 09 Jan 1998 17:51:42 -0500
It's great to know that India is gearing up fast in the computer industry. Not only Bangalore and Hyderabad, every city/government should realise the importance of computerisation in improving a country's economy. Thanks a lot for letting us know about such important developments in India.
Harikrishna Duriseti
Date: Mon, 01 Jun 1998 14:57:08 -0400
Nothing more than a "self-fulfilling ego trip" for the author. Suggested reading: Travel logs in Conde Nast and many others written by 'professional' travel loggers, who DO NOT spend precious reader time bragging about their 'zillion business trips' and rental car counter smartness, etc, etc... Please, please get a real travel logger. The ideas are good, but the work -- pathetic!
Date: Sun, 24 May 1998 11:49:13 PDT
It was trip down memory lane for me, a hint about the good times I might have had in India. Last year (1997), our original itinerary was to leave for the US a week before Diwali. But I put my foot down, I wanted to leave only after the festival. My son wanted lots of crackers and clothes, so did my nephews and nieces. I was put in charge of these arrangements. We could not do any serious shopping till the very last day and the day before Diwali found my son and nephew literally in tears since it was raining heavily and the Kamadhenu supermarket in Madras was crowded with people wanting to buy crackers. We had almost lost hope when the authorities opened a counter for assorted packs. We rushed to this counter and bought a huge packet. As we returned home, the kids were speechless. And I remembered my own childhood days, where planning was a vital part. Getting dresses stitched a month earlier to avoid last minute rush and buying crackers at least 10 days before Diwali. The countdown began at least 15 to 20 days earlier and crackers were burst well before the Diwali day. With increasing cost and readymade garments, things have changed. The crackers have become more sophisticated and are burst only on Diwali day -- and maybe a day earlier or later. People sit in front of the television and eat sweets that are not made at home. The charm is certainly lost. Thank you, V Gangadhar, for the excellent piece. If possible, let me know If I can access your articles on Net (I discovered this site only today, even though it is not near Diwali. I hope I can be in Madras around then).
R Satish
Mr Gangadhar is a regular contributor to Rediff On The NeT. His columns are archived at http://www.rediff.com/style/gang.htm.
Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 09:15:01 -0500
Generally, travel articles do not interest me. However, this one was different. "Travelling to new places is travelling to other parts of oneself." I believe this and have discovered other parts of myself in many places. I hope some day to find that part(s) of me that is in India. A terrific article.
Dirk Voetberg
Date sent: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 10:10:42 -0500
I agree. Family and religion have been/are responsible for untold misery. Keep exposing, Farzana, let the light in. Barbara Noble
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