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May 21, 1998
SPECIALS
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How Readers responded to Varsha Bhosle's last column
Date sent: Fri, 15 May 1998 15:08:33 -0400 Ms Bhosle, Though it is a proud moment for every Indian to be able to tell the world we have the brains and the brawn to take on anyone, I do not think that the timing was right. As rightly put by some politician, the Indian government now owes an explanation to its people for the repercussions of this achievement. I think we should try and solve some basic problems before spending billions of dollars on defence. Trying to make the world believe that we have a threat from Pakistan or China is foolish. We have crushed Pakistan twice and needn't prove our strength again. As far as China is concerned, there are other forces in the world to keep it in check. Just when India was becoming a software giant, we have to face with these government decisions! It definitely is a setback in terms of economic growth. Not that we cannot survive without foreign aid, but this means we have another problem to solve. Let's face it: we still don't have enough highways, telecommunication infrastructure, water, power and proper public transportations in most cities, and we are off spending billions of dollars on defence! Why can't the government set its priorities right? Even in countries like China and Indonesia -- similar to India in many ways -- there are better roads, better telecom infrastructure, water and power. We have a big asset in the software industry, we have brain power. Let us capitalise on them and become an economic giant, not nuclear giant. Let the entire trade of the UAE, Singapore and South Asia be through India. The last thing we should be thinking of is going nuclear, because if we sow the seeds of war then ultimately we will suffer. Victory can be achieved in many ways; but the victory achieved at the battleground is very, very costly. Ms Bhosle, if you want to truly represent Indian thinking, make a serious effort to write about the problems facing Indians. Do not make distinctions a thousand times in your articles reminding each reader that s/he is a Hindu or a Muslim or a Christian or a Jew. Your partisan approach throws black paint on the entire painting created with *maybe* logical arguments. Azhar
Date sent: Fri, 15 May 1998 14:28:31 -0500 I was deeply disturbed by this column. Varsha's writings seems to equate Indian Muslims with that of Pakistan, which I personally take major offence to. I believe she could topple Uma Bharti in her staunch Hindu stance. I am glad that she knows where she stands, but I am afraid her pro RSS/BJP/Shiv Sena stance is not going to get her too far.
Date sent: Fri, 15 May 1998 19:45:29 +0100 Of all the articles in Rediff I like Varsha's the most. She is just superb. She has the guts to call a spade a spade. We need more journalists like her who do not fear being labelled fundamentalist and bravely put forward view points of national interest. Varsha, do not bother about any criticism. Continue your columns with all your usual wit and humour.
Date sent: Fri, 15 May 1998 12:38:07 -0500 I am in full consent with the stand taken by Varsha. It was high time to review our national security. The economic sanctions are there for today. Most of us should shed off that worry about economy, and look forward to strengthening the nation. Hail to the N tests guys!
Date sent: Fri, 15 May 1998 09:47:02 -0700 I surf Rediff daily, but I am reading Varsha's article for the first time. It was very good. Really FANTASTIC!! My congratulations. Nalnish Agarwal
Date sent: Fri, 15 May 1998 12:00:52 -0400 Her writing is totally unmindful of ground realities. The testing of the nukes has nothing at all to do with national pride, it is for the defence of the country. I love my mother and hence am concerned about her security. The defence of the motherland should be looked at in the same light. The false sense of pride that the Hindutva mafia has been advocating is going to bring the same misery that the likes of Hitler and Stalin brought upon their people. Their intentions, as ever, are suspect. The display of vandalism on the Ram Bhumi/Babri Masjid is one such example. They are more dangerous then the Congress because they are more disciplined. They are intoxicated with false Hindutva pride and hence cannot see the real issues (poverty, illiteracy, deforestation, casteism, overpopulation) in their proper light. It is scientists like Dr Abdul Kalam who have really strengthened the defences of our motherland, so that there is peace around and the country can prosper. We have no right to be proud when we have inflicted so many wounds (poverty, illiteracy, casteism, deforestation, and overpopulation) on Mother India. We should all weep for her. Only people intoxicated with the Hindutva drug will not feel the pain of their very own Mother India. When these Hindutva forces talk about Muslim invasions they forget that even Aryans had done the same. They would, of course, have us believe that there was no civilisation existing in India before the Aryans, just as some corrupt Muslims feel that it did not exist before the invasion of Islam. They are no different from some of the jihad-loving mullahs of Islam.
Date sent: Fri, 15 May 1998 08:01:56 -0700 (PDT) I can't help it either, Varsha! I just have to be a typical Ms Bhosle critic and send you this yummy hate mail! First, in the interest of India's security, testing the nuclear devices was right on target. However, your argument that this is a major BJP accomplishment is rot. Vajpayee claims that research for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes have been undertaken for the last 50 years. Moreover, India's stand in the use of nuclear energy has always been transparent (Rediff, May 15, 1998) -- sheer coincidence that it happened during the BJP regime. Secondly, how the sanctions will affect us will have to be seen. In a global economy sanctions require scrutiny as they can have major ramifications on the economic, political, and foreign policy front. Your reaffirmation on this issue based on talking to a local cab driver is completely out of context. Please do not generalise the national mainstream's view based on an isolated example. Local people, deprived citizens, and tortured folks have never featured in your previous articles. Your focus has always been on broad issues concerning the BJP's national agenda and the Shiv Sena's ideologies. All throughout, you have been their spokesperson. Third, your guess about M/s Bidwai and Vanaik being sponsored by some nuclear-deterrence outfit funded by foreign grants may be right. Using the same logic, can I assume that your work has the Shiv Sena's blessings? Perhaps Ms Bhosle is aspiring to be the next Mayor-in-Council or the first lady Shaka Pramukh and create history? Finally, please grow up. India did not test the bomb to create regional tensions. Your suggestion that Islamabad should have been the likely test target is wishful thinking. Amidst poverty, corruption and our dammed politicians, India has proved its might. India cannot be taken for granted anymore.
Date sent: Fri, 15 May 1998 10:38:53 -0400 Great!! It is nice to read the column. Our focus should now be to declare ourselves a nuclear power.
Amit
Date sent: Fri, 15 May 1998 16:23:52 +0300 The article is excellent. It effectively counters the perverted (and perhaps motivated by foreign money) views of fellows like Praful Bidwai and Achin Vanaik. N Ravishankar
Date sent: Fri, 15 May 1998 18:15:58 +0530 Varsha, Your article was excellent, simply out of this world. Let me join you and other fellow countrymen to congratulate our scientists who have done a great job and made the whole country proud. And for Bidwai, I unfortunately saw this man on television trying to convince people that the nuclear explosion was wrong and in the end failed miserably. Why doesn't he and Vanaik get the hell out of this country and preach to China about disarmament? Oh! but sorry, I forgot China is a Communist country and there comes the loyalty..! Keep up the good work Varsha. I, too, have lots of answers to the likes of Bidwais. Do let me know if any pseudo-ideologist wants any clarification on India's nuclear policy. I shall be more than happy to help them think positively and above all patriotically.
Date sent: Fri, 15 May 1998 08:45:35 -0400 Hey Varsha, Would you ever aspire to be a responsible human to promote society? I mean, to actually take charge of affairs, rather than be a hit-and-run freelance writer?
Date sent: Fri, 15 May 1998 10:39:00 +0530 Going through the various mail to Varsha Bhosle's columns, I noticed some of them condemning Rediff for publishing the articles. A few even went to the extent to claim that the survival of Rediff is in danger! Now, I always felt that Rediff is a 'free-for-all' platform, and the editor(s) and others concerned will be only too eager to clarify that the views published in the articles are those of the respective columnists only, and the management does not necessarily support them etc, etc, if such a declaration would satisfy the complainants. But had Rediff not been open to all sorts of views and protests, such adverse reactions would not have been published in the first place!! The bottom-line is, Rediff should continue publishing Varsha's articles. If some people are indeed 'offended' by these columns, they always have the right *not* to click on that link!!!! And importantly, this has *nothing* to do with the reporting quality of Rediff. News and columns are two entirely different sections, and Rediff's reporting has always been very much fair. The coverage of the nuclear tests conducted by India in this week was very, very thorough and comprehensive. I don't see any reason why anybody's anger on Varsha should connect up to Rediff's coverage. Sameer Chivate
Date sent: Fri, 15 May 1998 00:43:34 -0400 Good job, Varsha. You always support your points with facts (usually a quote) which makes you a good reporter. Good job, and we all wish you to be more open and secular, unlike other pseudo-secularists. Hey, Chowdary and Gang, relax and be secular, don't be anti-Hindu -- it won't lead you anywhere! Take care kid!
Date sent: Fri, 15 May 1998 09:51:47 +0530 Varsha Bhosle has given words to the feelings of millions of Indians. Keep it up.
S Lakshminarayanan
Date sent: Thu, 14 May 1998 22:43:34 -0500 Varsha has a right to write her opinions. Many times, she brings out historical insights and facts. Her critics are unfair in demeaning and demonising her. She is an intellectual warrior who fights for the cause she believes in. If you can find mistakes in her writings attack her at an intellectual level... but, no, her critics ask for a fatwa against her and ask Rediff to stop publishing her columns! Shows only their intellectual bankruptcy and cowardice.
T R Rao
Date sent: Thu, 14 May 1998 22:02:36 -0500 Ha.. that was funny, what? All those hatemails she gets! At least one person has the guts to say what we all feel -- and what do we all do? Say she's gone bonkers! Varsha, you mix sarcasm and truth very well. I love you for it. Looking forward for more views. Vikram
Date sent: Fri, 15 May 1998 11:01:28 +0800 Varsha, Your article is superb. I am an ordinary peace-loving man. And I am against any kind of nuking and testing. But there are a few questions in my mind that appeared much before the testing, but is more relevant now. 1. What gives America the right to judge and decide on a country's fate? 2. Who will judge America? 3. There are 5 nations who have tested thousands of nukes. Who will judge them? 4. How can India be wrong (in the perspective of the nuclear issue) if they are right? 5. Why are Cuba, North Korea, Libya, Syria etc suffering because they do not listen to America? (read: do not read or view American pornography, do not beg for money from the US, do not give a damn what the US does!)
Sarkar
Date sent: Thu, 14 May 1998 19:58:30 -0700 Hi, Thanks for your article. I am just curious to know how many Indian politicians have their kin settled or have business interests in Western countries. It will be nice for Indians to know this information. Krishanu
Date sent: Thu, 14 May 1998 22:29:04 -0400 Way to go, Varsha! We're absolutely, 100%, in agreement with you! If some weirdo's angry comments bother you, remember that the silent majority of Indian youth, especially those in the US, are with you.
Date sent: Fri, 15 May 1998 07:57:53 +0530 I COULD NOT AGREE MORE. Sudip Minhas
Date sent: Thu, 14 May 1998 18:52:04 -0700 I would like to take this opportunity to thank Varsha for an excellent article. As an American Muslim with Indian-born parents, I come across many Indians daily. None of them have given me the side Varsha brings to vision. She has real courage and is afraid of no one and nothing. I salute Varsha for this. Hopefully, more Indians will follow her example :-) Shams
Date sent: Thu, 14 May 1998 18:45:56 -0500 There she goes again! It is funny and at times weird to see a person who sees everything in the Hindutva flavour, and credits everything (that's good) to Hindutva. Her misconstrued ideas about the "NORMAL" Indian are laughable. Taking a cab ride to test the pulse of the ordinary people isn't enough, Ms Bhosle. I think that the majority of Indians -- and when I say the majority, it isn't simply the cab drivers or your metropolitan buddies but the millions of rural masses -- do not really care about whether India is nuclear or not. They need a better standard of living, they need social justice and they need to see the end of the caste system -- an inherent part of the great Hindutva culture. Your hatred for Muslims makes you say the real threat is Pakistan and not China. Well, let us not forget that the Chinese have been helping Pakistan build missiles and A-bomb. By the way, don't give us the crap about Hindutva bomb. Going nuclear has been a long time goal of the Indian government and many great scientists like ABDUL KALAM have, and will, contribute to its success. I am not against the explosions. Your false justifications about going nuclear and the people's opinion about going nuclear seem to be bad journalism -- just like the Indian media. Sundar Venkatachalam
Date sent: Thu, 14 May 1998 16:27:57 -0700 Varsha is correct and as usual controversial. Glad that she is writing columns and not given the job of controlling those nukes! Who knows, maybe she loves to generate controvesies. Anyway, keep 'em coming.
Venkat
Date sent: Thu, 14 May 1998 19:41:14 -0400 My admiration for Varsha's brilliant articles knows no bounds. The spontaneity and patriotic outpouring on the so called paid hirelings, naming themselves as neo-Gandhiijis, so that they can comfortably enjoy the benefits flowing from the grants they get to sing the praise of their concealed masters, should make them think that there is a word called patriotism and self-preservation. It is time they learn these holy words. But Varsha should be knowing that unless these people toe the line of their masters and bark at their commands, they can't live in comfort. I heard once that a particular author became rich and always lived in comfort by writing stories of starving children, child labour etc. But never once in his life did he do anything to alleviate their suffering. These leftists and barking dogs belong to that category. The Communist party in India tops the list of hypocrites. Not a single word about their masters in China testing N-bomb after bomb. Not a single word about the capitalist economy in full force, evident from the goods manufactured and sold by their masters in western countries! So ignore the prattle and go ahead writing such pungent and face-slapping articles, to make them hang their wretched heads in shame. The majority of our people are with the tests, let us show that nothing will happen to destroy us. In fact these economic sanctions rejuvenate us and enable us to be strong, self-reliant and remain as a brave and unsubmissive nation.
D Parthasarathy
Date sent: Thu, 14 May 1998 15:53:13 -0700 The reasons behind India exploding nukes are correct. But there are a whole lot of external factors that could lead to a chain-reaction. The US is the one that is caught in a bind. Any number of countries on the threshold of a nuclear status would be closely watching the reactions of Washington. If India, why not us? Pakistan has no choice but to explode its own device now. [God helping they do it safely & not mess-up due to some politically willed & inane deadline!] Big boy China [beg to differ Ms Bhosle!] has been playing the villain all along. If at all there is a showdown between us & the deranged Pakis [let's call them kafirs?], do count on China for supplying arms, funding & increased movement along the border. Count on China stepping on Tibet further. Count on more insurgency in the North-East with a fresh batch of the latest arms. In an extreme case, expect a direct war with China. For all these reasons, the US would find our explosions a most necessary happening. Someone should have the guts to stand up to China [the only nation today that can challenge uncle Sam on the battlefield [or is it air?]. But publicly they are forced to move upon us. We would then be forced to sign the CTBT. The BJP should time this appropriately. There would also be a necessity for stock-piling as many missiles & train them against the evil neighbors. A public announcement of this would also result in some hilarious profanities from these sycophants. Without an actual war, a lot would still be achieved on paper. It could also be a classic case of the grand finale as shown in the movie The good, the bad and the ugly. Any guesses for who the three are? Except in this case each country would be on the pehle aap mode.
Date sent: Thu, 14 May 1998 15:49:38 -0700 Dear Varsha, Amidst all the hatemails you get, just thought that a supportive mail would make you feel better. BRAVO LADY!! GOOD GOING. For once India showed a backbone. I am elated. I am in the US. Hence will stop my cheering at that. We don't want to get Billmama angry at me, do we? Milind
Date sent: Thu, 14 May 1998 22:31:13 EDT For once I really liked the entire article of Varsha. Happy nuke week.
Date sent: Thu, 14 May 1998 14:22:53 -0500 Varsha, Don't give advice in your columns. It's irritating. Jay |
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