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ASSEMBLY POLL '98
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'The man in uniform should never be the subject of public scorn and ridicule'
E-mail from readers the world over
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 1999 06:11:25 +0530 It is a very dangerous portent that such a senior politician and a former PM chose to comment on a serving General's professional capability. He should have known better than to throw political prudence to the winds and stoop so low. The General is shackled by the rules of conduct in public life and unable to parry and thrust. But is that desirable? Or, will such taunts give rise to demands for freedom to react? The army chief's dignified and restrained reaction and the manner of his bringing this unfortunate trend to the notice of the minister and the President are lessons to politicians like Gowda, who are quick to shoot from the hip. And, what about the gentlemen of the press? The know-alls who could comment on every aspect of the Bhagwat, Harinder Singh, Ghosh, Fernandes occurrences. Why are they silent? They should be out baying for blood at the indiscretions of the honourable MP in dragging a serving officer's name through the debate. What about the ex-servicemen associations? Why are they silent too? Some of them at least should stand-up and be counted. The man in uniform and his leaders should never be the subject of public scorn and ridicule. Enough damage has been done in the last few months. Let there be restraint all round. The honourable Speaker should expunge from the record all remarks about General Mehta. Mr Gowda should have enough sense to apologise to Gen Mehta about the personal nature of his remarks on the floor of the House. And the Speaker should send an "advisory" to leaders of all political parties to cease and desist from such names dropping! As for me, I too would prefer Gen Mehta any day to Gen Gowda. Commander (retd) Arun Saigal
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 1999 15:53:09 -0500 As much as Mr Cho Ramaswamy might try to project Mr R Venkatraman as the best President, the fact that Mr Venkatraman had mutely signed the order for the dismissal of a duly elected DMK government in TN in 1991, stands as a big black mark on his tenure! Rajesh
Date: Sun, 18 Apr 1999 07:58:45 +0530 I have always appreciated what Seema Sirohi writes from USA. Good that you got her to contribute. Keep it up!
Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 21:31:40 -0500 What do I think of the interview with Shashi? Quite a bit actually and it would be a pleasure to elucidate on why. As always his prose both illuminates and enraptures while the startling ease and originality only he is capable of bringing to any issue, serves to illustrate that he remains one of the few intellectuals who remains progressive and yet capable of engaging in discussions that remain both balanced and congruent. Shashi is that rare gem of a writer. Imparting wisdom and entertainingly uplifting us while the thoughts he provokes linger on to light up new perspectives on old issues. Lest this be construed as a paean that veers away from the balanced congruence that I admired so much earlier, let me hasten to add that it is actually more an emotional response to the deep resonance he evokes in me on every subject and issue he chooses to write about especially in regard to India. He has woven such an incredibly variegated tapestry to help verbalise what I've always instinctively loved to be and given me more reasons to feel proud of what I've loved. And in the process not just helped elevate our collective self esteem but provided us with a rich feast for our souls. Of what do I speak? Why, our identity of course. Our Indianness, our motherland all so indelibly stamped now to serve as a badge of honour which is the most enduring legacy any philosopher writer can hope to leave behind. And for that he has my eternal gratitude.
Subash Raman
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 12:14:38 +0530 TRAI has been swept away by private landline telecom companies and most certainly by the cellular companies. Else how does Mr Sodhi justify the Rs 600 increase from Rs 156 monthly subscription to the cell operators -- it is clear that the annual Rs.6000 licence fee to be paid out by the cell operator is covered in this Rs 500 pm plus the Rs 100 pm comfort fee. Also the incoming call air time waiver will be effective Aug '99. So till then the cell companies will milk the customers -- should not any increase in tariff be applicable from the date of the total package implementation? Mr Sodhi you are not fit for the chair you are occupying. Whereas the land telephone private companies are concerned -- the benefit is only to the commercial organisations, the individual public will now subsidise the commercial organisations like MTNL, Hughes Ispat and also Bharati Telecom etc. Maximum 60 days for the government to survive. This government as normally subscribed by the people's views is a purely a pro-business lobby and is also pro-foreign companies -- totally ignoring Swadeshi or its own people. How does the BJP explain the Tata Airline fiasco or the Bangalore Airport Project? The chances of both the projects taking off would have been high had it been promoted by the Mittals or the Hindujas or the Ruias. Unfortunately public memory is short and the government is getting away scot-free. In USA and Dubai, local telecom companies also do charge nil for local calls, thus what is TRAI trying to say -- that they do not know what's happening around in this tiny world.
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 19:36:52 +0530 This is the first step prior to the enforcement of a police state. Next they'll be monitoring all phone conversations and they should also start reading all mails leaving the country. We can't stop the leaks by the criminals and guilty, so everyone must suffer. This is akin to when all cars were forbidden from having tinted glasses of a certain hue. How many more criminals have been caught?? If nothing, crime rates have gone up and murders and dacoities now happen in daylight with impunity. And we're bothered with monitoring email. Every citizen has a right to privacy. If the government wants to track them down, then the onus must be on them. There is no reason why the onus to decode must be on the sender. Give us proof that the data is sensitive to national security. Next we'll have to sleep with the lights on in our houses and install cameras in every room. Where will all this end?? Mehboob Kasim
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 13:53:05 +0530 One step forward, for once, in the right direction.
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 1999 17:53:46 EST This is a very interesting, and enlightening piece. It made for good reading for a Gulzar fan.
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 14:51:23 +0530 I guess not only did Satya deserve an award in editing, but also in various other categories like best actor, director and best background music score, but the foolish jury thought otherwise. Anyway, wishing Mr Asrani all the best.
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 21:28:20 PST I like Shah Rukh for his attitude only. Not because I think he is the next Amitabh or Dilip. But in almost all his interviews, I notice he uses the F-word a lot. It's his life really, but just some time back someone wrote a mail to Rediff saying Shah Rukh was his role model. If you ever meet him again, please do me a favour, ask him why he speaks such foul language? Did he acquire it from some Hollywood star, I never hear them speaking the F-word. Does he think it makes him looks cool or he doesn't really care a shit? I'm just curious. Your travel and movie section rocks. It's because of a site like rediff.com that they say the net is addictive. Keep up the awesome job folks. Dravid
Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 09:50:07 -0800 The review is excellent, however, less said the better about the film Arzoo. It looks as though the 'zero's' are going to go on indefinitely. A great waste of all the talents available. I, being a Madhuri fan, hope her better sense prevails in choosing her films, or else she should retire gracefully and prevent the anticlimax of her career.
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 1999 12:48:20 Just like many many Indians I am a big admirer of Lata. Well, who wouldn't be? She has in the past sung soul stirring songs and lent a new dimension to existing music. There would be hardly any in India who wouldn't love her for what she did to Indian music. Unfortunately, I agree with many people, who in recent years have complained about her voice. You can't defy nature and it is true that in recent years, most people, yours truly included, have noticed her golden voice diminish in charm and vocal power. You may not agree, but try to take a serious poll to find out what people think of her voice now. I am writing this because I loved her songs and her voice. Even now, I get mesmerised by her songs in Amar Prem, Abhimaan and so many many old movies. Since I adore her voice so much I can't get myself to listen to her new songs in films like Dil To Paagal Hai or Hum Aap Ke Hain Kaun, etc. It doesn't make sense if you journalists don't have an objective thinking to go with your writing, although it has been interesting to know some instances of her personal life from the interview. I for one would be glad to see her retire without feeling sorry for her any more. Venkat Peddibhotla
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1999 13:32:13 -0500 Excellent piece, keep it up. Madhu
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 14:39:15 IST This article of yours was really an eye opener. It is sad to see that our cricket administrators and players lack foresight to foresee and understand such a grave problem of the tailenders not getting enough batting practice and on top of them tire themselves unnecessarily. Tell me Prem, is there any way in which your views can be sent to the president of BCCI so that he could appeal the corporate giants to fund extra players. That would be a better gesture of support to the Indian team than just promising funny monetary incentives and others like Mercedes Benz for each player if they win. Let's not be like people of Pakistan, who have to give large monetary benefits to players if they win and stone them if they lose. We are mature people and the players are doing their national duty. Why such stupid incentives. They earn enough by cricket itself. Amit
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 10:59:33 -0500 I have been reading your column ever since you started writing on Rediff during the previous World Cup in 1996. I have always admired and appreciated your writing skills and more than that, just like any other die-hard Indian fan, identified with the burning desire to see the Indian cricket team succeed. Today's column is in line with your style and penchant for focusing on nitty-gritty things along with a broader view. I still remember your column from the previous World Cup (Indo-Pak Bangalore quarter final post- match analysis) where you had so rightly pointed out how Indian spectators present at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore forgot to give a standing ovation to Javed Miandad when he was returning back to the pavilion for the one final time during his illustrious career spanning six World Cup tournaments! Likewise you have rightly pointed out the measures Indian team should take NOW before it's too late. I earnestly feel you should keep faxing your columns to the Board. May be the good wishes of many million Indian fans would make the horse drink water. In all honesty, the Indian team needs a manager/ administrator like you. Keep up the good work!! Amit
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 13:49:08 -0500 I certainly disagree with Sanjay Manjrekar for supporting Azhar. It is the Cup that is more important than the individuals. Sanjay should realise this. Aren't we going to change if a player is injured...? Let Jadeja be made captain for the World Cup who really made a difference at the helm and could win matches without Tendulkar and others. It is never late. Let the selectors correct their mistake. I am sure the Indian team is going to put up a far better display under Jadeja in England. Chandra
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