Book talk

Dear bloggers / friends,

Having dinner at a friend's place today, talk centered around books and Indian culture. 

So I would like to broach the same topics here,and see how may responses I get.

First Topic: book by author Arthur Hailey.  The Money changers. A nice topic of discussion, at this time,when banks are failing, due to bad investments. A nice intriguing read, as I have read the book at least 5-6 times in my college days. 

I invite those who have read the book to share their views on it. 

Second topic: Indian culture: Your opinions on :

1. Is Diversity in India really helping India's progress? Or are we further deteriorating due to lack of a unified identity? We rarely identify ourselves as Indians, to any other Indian. its always punjabi, gujrati, tamilian, telugu, malayalee, etc. 
2. Cultural Domination by school textbooks: Until class 8th, I hardly knew anything about south Indian history..Chera's, cholas , pandyas, the literary poets, authors, their works,  Our history books mostly concentrated on Mughals, the slave dynasty, etc...in short, all about north India, rather than south. I grew up in Delhi, and later shifted back to Chennai. In fact, I am myself a witness to, how in the south, we learn about Indian history as a whole, not just north, or only south. 
   

My question: Is it because of the authors of history textbooks in the north? Or is it just that they feel that students in the north should know more about how their ancestors came about? 

Does this propagate the feeling of superiority among north Indians, compared to south Indians? Just because they have fairer skin, and look down upon anyone who cannot speak Hindi fluently?

I am quite ashamed to say that even in my school days, there were comments of "you madrasis" targeting all south Indians. whether you are a kannadiga, Andhrite, Tamilian, or Malayalee, everyone was , "you madrasis". 

What can we do to stem this problem to some extent? 

1. Review textbooks and make sure there is no prejudice against south Indian history, which was equally intriguing and beautifully developed culturally, while people in the north were still fighting invaders.  ?
2. Start telling students to identify themselves as Indian, rather than by state or language? 
   

I would really like to know what others think. So please do respond. 

Enter your search terms Submit search form

Mumbai Blasts Nov 26th, 2008

I have been following the CNN news channel since thwe story began, about 6 hrs ago, on wednesday, nov 26th, 2008.

I have just one comment for now. Why this sudden attention on Mumbai blasts, why only today? Till now, for the past 3-4 months, India has been racked with bomb blasts, in every imaginable and unimaginable place possible.
But only today, CNN has woken up to the fact, and covered it in depth.

Is it because there is a potential hint of injury/ harm to Westerners , tourists, businessmen, etc in India. Especially since the attacks focused on the two top 5-star hotels, where obviously, ninety percent of foreigners stay.

I remember last year, when presidential elections in India were barely covered by US media. We had a woman elected President, of the largest democracy in the world. No coverage. When it hits closer to home, the media wakes up: the state dept sets up a hotline for information about US citizens whereabouts, and major coverage is given.

However, on the positive side, the very nature of setting up a hotline in so little time itself should be applauded. The concern they have for citizens overseas is indeed worth appreciating. Also is the fact that the news anchors here, covering the story, tried to give as much factual information about the city of Mumbai ,as such, to their viewers here.

In India, the ATS chief was clearly shown having 2 others to help him wear his hard hat,and bullet proof vest. Unfortunately, he was himself killed in line of fire.

I hope the government is able to pinpoint the responsibility for this horrific incident on the right people/ group. We do not want more accusations flying back and forth between India and Pakistan, with no resolution in sight.
Please, enforce more security in all cities of India, make the people feel safe again. Use technology more usefully, in detecting such national threats in advance.

One last thing I want to say is: please stop airing ITDC ads for promoting tourism in India, on US news networks. It does sound and feel quite awkward, to be asking people to come visit "Incredible India", right after being told that there were 9 bomb blasts in one city, in one night,and there are Westerners being taken hostages. Without assurance to security of life, who would want to visit India for leisure? When Indians themselves are gettiing scared of stepping out of their homes, is it reasonable to expect tourists?

Enter your search terms Submit search form