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'You Poor Browns Deserve Such Treatment'

Actually, You deserve this kind of treatment, what do you expect more. You people should remember that Indians always represent an impoverished third world country to international community. Yes, there exists some difference, like Japan and South Korea from Asian origin and they are well respected in our western world because they are proved to deserve so. Look at your country, it is fully messy, full of corruption and lawlessness (please refer to the list published recently), poor (please look at the IMF and UNDP report), heavily populated (we call it explosion of potency among poor). My friend Bob and I travelled to India in 1996, we confronted a horrible story from the common life style that an average Indian maintains. Majority of population in India lives in shanty towns with bare minimum facilities. We observed that middle class population in India are torn apart and helplessly desperate to be corrupted because they want better life style but they are also financially down in the country. You got freedom in 1947 right! However, we wondered that what you have done for the country in terms of its overall development viz. ultra modern and systematic health care system, social infrastructure (roads, rails, modern transport vehicles) and most important thing, the economic development of India. So, you poor browns deserve such treatment. If you want a difference, then prove it as other developed Asian countries have done and stand firm with honour among us. Until then, god bless your country.
Eric

Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 06:04:28 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Indian journalists get a taste of US security

Can't we pay back in the same coin when the US President visits India next year?Let us decide about it right now by giving the right feedback to the PM.
Gautam Mookerjee

Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 10:22:35 +0530
Subject: Indian journalists get a taste of US security

That Americans are probably the most arrogant and ignorant of all peoples is quite evident from their actions in the past and present. The fact that especially Indians were targeted reeks of racism and stupidity. If the americans think that its Indians who are terrorists then they are the biggest idiots in the world. Can't they get a simple fact straight? The primary reason why Indians get pushed around is because we are too servile. We ape americans canadians and every single caucasian we descry. Witness the treatment of Indian actors in Canada and journalists in the US. Would they have done the same to Pakistani or Saudi Arabian journalists, who incidentally are the biggest terror-perts around? There would have been an outcry of "racial profiling" etc. And with all this, our dear little lackey of a Prime Minister goes around licking up Bush and Blair. What have we got from supporting Americans or empathizing with them? A lot of stupid advice about elections and kashmir. Who the hell are Americans to talk about Gujarat and Kashmir and democracy. Have they forgotten their own sordid record on slavery? Have they forgotten that Osama Bin Laden was a product of the CIA? Or have they forgotten that they are the only country i the world to have used a nuclear weapon. Indian should not give much importance to Americans and their "holier-than -thou" hypocritical nonsense. We should concetrate on our country and developing it, instead of going over to address the GA of a defunct organization like the UN(of all things). Indians who have studied in India but are working in the US should be stripped of Indian Citizenship unless they return and work in India for a few years. Instead of doing these thinsg we are cosying upto Bush and his cronies, who have made it very plain that India's concerns figure nowhere in the world consiousness? Does the world not know that, Indian has a bigger population of Muslims than even Saudi Arabia or Pakistan? If pakistan's shibboleth about Muslim Kashmir is given weight, do they not realise that the position of Muslims in Indian would become untenable? If the Indians and others get illtreated in the US and other Western Countries, its because of our own stuoidity and the Indian governments lack of courage to stand up and protest against such scum!
Vijay

Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 10:16:43 +0530
Subject: Indian journalists get a taste of US security

as u can see the american way of treating people,the journalists should now start thinking atleast now that"all is not well there in the western world".i personally feel that it is high time that they come out of their obsession with the international events and feel home in india where even a small fault ,and even if done unknowingly ,will be turned into a big issue,by the same journalists. i do accept that our journalists are the best but that does not mean hey will have to follow the american way.imagine if the security personnel doing the same here.then the head lines will quote something this way "journalists beaten.police on a spree",etc., . so, i think the journalists should be more responsible when they write such stories about india atleast as these small things when not written will atleast give some self boost to the hard working police personnel and some uplift for our people wherever they are. Jai hind
Prakash Pichumani

Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 23:05:18 -0700
Subject: Advani Praises Modi's Gujarat Gaurav Yatra

What else can you expect from Advani who has always been at the forefront when it comes to dividing people on communal lines. It seems that BJP is running out of fuel now, and its leaders are back to their old tricks of gathering votes by dividing people. Nonetheless, they are going to meet the same fate in Gujarat as they did in Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal. Indian people need jobs, better living conditions, security (to say the least), and the current BJP government has failed to provide any.
Thomas Ackermann

Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 21:29:16 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Advani Praises Modi's Gujarat Gaurav Yatra

I really feel scared as well as sorry for India since we have elected such horrible politicians to rule us.
Tasnim

Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 11:53:44 EDT
Subject: Gujarat riots embarrass me wherever I go, says Vajpayee

It is amazing how Vajpayee, Advani feel Guilty but the BJP ,RSS, VHP have been directly implicated in the Genocide in Gujrat. The future of India is at stake and if the Indian Fascist parties keep fanning the Religious Tensions then India's image abroad will continue to suffer and its development as a Tolerant and aadvanced state. Rediff has continued to Voice those concerns but a Campaign has to commence to indict Modi and Advani to be induicted for War Crimes and State police in Gujrat to be held accountable for the Genocide.
Hitesh Patel

Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 13:30:44 +0530
Subject: Gujarat riots embarrass me wherever I go, says Vajpayee

With due respect to Mr.Vajpayee,it's surprising it took him so long to realise that the Gujarat riots are an embarassment to India.It's not too late to undo the damage Sir....you can start off by sacking Mr.Modi and trying him for genocide!!!!Not that the innocents who were mindlessly massacred will rise form the dead.....but those who survive can draw solace from the fact that there is an administration worth it's name in our country!
Shankar

Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 20:36:21 +0530
Subject: Gujarat riots embarrass me wherever I go, says Vajpayee

when our prime minister speaks for the nation see what a traveller says about our nation in today's write-up......
"While reading the posts on this forum I'm amazed at the patronising attitude people take towards Indians. As if they didn't create the country they are living in. I agree that there is hardly hope for India, but that is their fault, their responsibility. They make it the shithole it is today. Ofcourse it is popular to blame others such as the British, the Pakistanis or Americans. But fact is that in the 1950 India was the fastest growing economy and now it is the slowest growing economy (apart from Bangladesh that is) Some well to do Indians prefer to see only the modern side of it all like Mumbai or Bangalore and forget the rest(especially the ones on this forum). But who ever visited India knows it is just an endless sea of poverty and pollution. My point is that when you deny them responsiblity none of Indians will take it and everything will remain the way it is. So no more excuses that the country is poor! So was Japan in the 1940's. While they are f****ing up the country they deny the rest of the world an interesting travel experience. Nothing to see anymore then crumbling monuments. Even the Taj is turning black because of the polution and still you pay $20...." Can rediff do something to redress the traveller's plight?
Sukamal Sen

Date: 14 Sep 2002 07:45:11 -0000
Subject: Gujarat riots embarrass me wherever I go, says Vajpayee

It is surprising that the prime minister is merely embarrassed. The dictionary describes embarrassment as "The shame you feel when your inadequacy or guilt is made public" . We Indians are by now inured to these statements of public regret which follow one another with such monotony. In any other country Modi, Advani and their ilk would have been booted out of power by the prime minister long ago if he really felt such regret.
Balasubramaniam

Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 23:43:52 -0700
Subject: Gujarat riots embarrass me wherever I go, says Vajpayee

I wish somebody shows Mr. Vajapayee how Mr. Bush went to the people after 9/11/02 urging them not to target muslims in various TV broadcasts. As a result although 3000+ people were killed in 9/11, only a handful people died as a reaction to it. If the Indian leadership including Mr. Vajapayee and Mr. Advani had taken similar steps then the Gujurat killings (after the train burning) would not have happened. Since Mr. Vajapayee did not take the preventive steps he deserves the blame. He should note that his inaction is not only embarassing to him, but also to all Indians, in India or abroad. Finally, he should worry less about emarassment and more about what is right and what is wrong, and the next time some thing similar happens, he should take *immediate* measures.
Chitta

Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 06:45:39 +0530
Subject: Minneapolis-Las Vegas flight diverted, 2 Indians arrested on suspicion

I have been reading about such incidents in the recent past afflicting Indian/ Indian-origin travellers in the US. These readings have also been supplemented by personal accounts related to me by friends, associates and relatives. So, if you are of swarthy complexion, wear a turban, speak English with a "different" accent, then you, by default, are profiled and pulled up - based on suspicions and paranoia of the culture-deficient American. Wasn't there a book titled, The Ugly American? In light of these incidents I guess the title of the book was apt. I think that we, in India, should have a response to this. I feel that we should do the same with every American traveller in India. He/ she should be pulled up, closely questioned, pushed around, held for sustained questioning - especially on questions as to their religious faith (remember Richard Reid - the Shoe Bomber?) - after all who said that fundamentalism is limited to Islam or Hinduism - Christians too can be fundamentalists and bloodthirsty to boot. Let the Americans feel as harassed as Indians and other innocent Asians do. I think our (Indian) problem is that we are tolerant - be we Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs or that polygot that makes India what it is. Maybe I should add that we Indians too have this weakness for the 'dollar' - and thus perhaps we put up with all this nonsense - myself included for a period of time! I accept that the Americans do have to look to their safety -all citizens of all nation-states do - but I think that their collective national paranoia is monumental (how else do you explain as stated in your article "...When Wander came out, Singh insisted on using the same washroom. That made flight attendant Deborah Summers suspicious...Deborah told the FBI that she was intimidated by the men...") and unfortunately for them it is going to be self-destructive in the long run. Suppose one has an upset stomach and spends more than a usual period of time in the toilet, or is suffering from motion-sickness? Does one sit on one's seat and do the needful? Ms. Summers should visit a psych-doctor and so should Jim Duncan - the fellow passenger, who as reported by you allegedly said "..."The crew made the right decision because we didn't know what was going to happen and neither did they..." If this is not paranoia, what is it? Some one travelling the Middle East in the recent past had told me, and he is a "white" American (I add, a close friend of mine), that the surest way to 'buy a bullet' in the Middle East is by flashing an Amrican passport! He then went on to decry the "attitudinal problem" of Americans wryly attributing it to the superficiality of their lack of cultural depth and sensitivity. I think my friend was and is correct. Americans have produced brilliant intellectuals. They have produced men and women of high ethics. They have produced men and women of extreme cultural sensitivity. They have all, however, been a select minority. Collectively, the average American is base, culturally ignorant, insensitve to other sensibilities, crass and myopic in their world view. I don't blame the Americans for pursuing their national security objectives with single-minded dedication - there is much to learn from them about their thoroughness and efficiency. But that in no way gives them the right to behave in the manner that they do. One might ask on what grounds do I say all of the above? Well, I have lived in America for over 8 years so I do have a feel for ground conditions - all this mind you before 9/11! I would also like to take this opportunity to empathize with the American nation on their national loss as experienced in the WTC attack. Let me again restate that let us fight the spectre of radical terrorism collectively and attempt to avoid what that flight crew did in conjunction with their passengers.
Manav Guha

Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 10:28:38 +0530
Subject: Railway suffers Rs 400 million loss in Rajdhani accident

Adding up the figures mentioned here, I get a value which is much lesser than 400 million. Considering the injured to be paid the same as the dead (though that will not be the case), the total comes to less than Rs. 290 Million. If the injured are paid an average of Rs. 200000, (which is more realistic) the total will be only Rs. 240 Million. Whose pocket is the other 110 - 160 Million lined up for?
S Chandran

Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 06:49:53 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: UP may soon have quotas for liquor shops too

Its ridiuculous to introduce reservations for patients at Super speciality hospitals in UP. Life is invaluable even if it is life of a rich ,poor or an animal.By introducing reservations at Hospitals some upper cast middle class people may lose their lives. can Mayavathi bring back their lives. Anything is ok till some extent. if it crosses the threshold limit its dangerous to the world.The main draw back of indian system is people do not have the ability to choose the right person. The law makes , them selves does not know any thing about its effect on the future. Do not take hasty decisions for political advantage. It will have sever effect on future generation. These people do not have rights to deprive the rights of people.
Surendra

Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 17:59:59 +0530
Subject: UP may soon have quotas for liquor shops too

God knows where all this will end. The day is not far off when just because one is born in a particular caste or section, he or she will be bestowed with all privileges while others will have to struggle in life for two square meal. It is time people wake up and revolt against reservation. Reservation for admission in educational institutions should be OK but not for jobs, promotions etc. Similarly, reservations in police, judiciary etc. should be totally stopped. By appointing / promoting undeserving people, we are encouraging letheargy and corruption.
V R Kalyana Krishnan

Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 11:56:17 +0300
Subject: Bhubaneswar Muslims celebrate Ganesh festival

I am shocked to read this report. I think the persons who are involved in this ritual do not understand what is the requirement according to Islam. Allah(SWT) who is the creator of every thing, so He is the worthy of worship and no one else as all others are His creations. Allah(SWT) does not forgive this one act of making partners with Him. Just read the Quraan and you will find the truth.
Tariq

Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 20:40:29 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Bhubaneswar Muslims celebrate Ganesh festival

I am writing this letter with full passion to say that you have done a commendable job by getting such wonderful news to us even to people in US. Please pass my appreciation to my Muslims brothers that by celebrating this event , they have done a Great job and it will keep on erasing the difference between Hindus and Muslims throughout the world.
Rupesh

Date: 13 Sep 2002 20:02:21 -0000
Subject: Bhubaneswar Muslims celebrate Ganesh festival

It was indeed a great example that the peaceful co-existence that prevailed in the Indian society in the past is still possible if only we have the will. But do we have the will? Even a cursory glance at the responses to the article reveal one thing : I don't see a single Muslim personality among all those who have responded so wonderfully! It is time our Muslim leaders realise that happiness is possible only through co-operation and not confrontation. This is equally applicable to the Hindus and others. Atleast now a beginning has been done. Lets take it up further-all of us together. Muslimsfrom other parts of India should not shy away from this.
KV Thampuran

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