Were we to have a recruitment ad for MPs in the Lok Sabha would perhaps look something like this:
R. S. Narayan, Ahmedabad
Wanted
MPs For Lok Sabha
(Vacancies all over India)
The ‘Split India Movement’ is a young organisation comprising ambitious people from various Indian states who have a unique record of having achieved the highest rates of growth in malpractice, organised crime, drugs, scandals, etc. We’re undisputed leaders in all segments of our activities. We’re looking for similar persons as candidates for the forthcoming elections to the Lok Sabha. Candidates must be between 21- 99 years of age and have an excellent track record of non- performance in various fields. Persons with at least 16 police cases against them— preferably across different states— have proven record of cheating and misleading the public, have out standing abilities in negotiating bribes and funds for our party will be given preference. Ability to use crude and foul language in public and in Parliament will be an added asset. The candidate must have excellent skills in booth capturing and generating bogus votes for himself. Those with experience in murders and at least 15 years in the areas described above will also be considered for Cabinet posts. Salary and perquisites are limited only by your ability to loot the country. Foreign nationals will also be considered provided they have established links with terrorist groups and international monetary scam operators. Citizenship of such candidates will, of course, be regularised by us. Perks include five- star accommodation, chauffeur- driven car, and all coffers of the government and public bodies available for exploitation. Candidates fitting the description and looking for substantial growth in this career may please apply within a week to:
The President,
Split India Movement
PO Box 420
Ahmedabad
As Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Leander Paes and a whole lot of young Indian idols vie with each other in endorsing Coke or Pepsi, it reminds me of the Pied Piper ( The Willow With the Hole , April 26). Are these celebs aware that they’re endorsing products which have negligent nutritional value and which help MNC s siphon off precious funds that could otherwise be reinvested for productive swadeshi purposes? Are they aware they’re leading the youth away from healthy life styles to silly Western fads?
Balachandran V.,Thiruvananthapuram
My compliments to Kai Friese on White Skin, Black Mask (April 19). As a cultural historian residing presently in Chennai, I was thrilled to have stumbled upon Lee Falk’s obituary tucked away in a fascinating and well researched study of a small corner of the cultural sphere— the Phantom comic. And so well- written...
Deepali Dewan, Minneapolis
I hope the ministry of defence is watching the developments in the Balkans carefully. Yugoslavia is being systematically destroyed by NATO and the world’s too scared to protest. The new mandate they’ve given themselves to militarily intervene in volatile regions could spell disaster for peaceful coexistence in the world. Russia’s traditional allies will be targeted. How else can one explain the non- action against Turks who have been ethnically cleansing Kurds for years while Serbs now are being bombed mercilessly? I think it’s time we inducted Prithvi and Agni into our armed forces.
Ranita Ray, Noida
Gopal Kamat’s letter from Los Angeles (April 26) should be appreciated for its undying support for Uncle Sam. India’s stance is more so because of America’s paradoxical attitude regarding Kashmir, border killings or the ISI . Kamat says no one in the West cares about India— I’d say "we couldn’t care less". I assume Kamat is an Indian— I don’t decry his comments. It’s natural for NIA s (non- Indian Americans) to send their judgement to India, but we in India don’t care. If India’s stance is wrong, so is America’s on Cuba, Chile, Panama, Vietnam, Iraq, et al.
Kunal Kapoor, on e- mail
Ours is an educated middle class family without access to unlimited financial where withal and with two children in their late teens/ early 20s. They studied in central schools due to a transferable job. We encouraged and participated, within our capabilities, in their academic and sporting pursuits and generally refrai ned from imposing anything they didn’t relish. We’re very contented that both are doing very well in professions of their own choosing today and without the benefits of coach ing classes or finishing schools. Our parenting was based on simple gut feeling and perhaps a bit of common sense. After reading Panic Parenting (April 5), it seems parenting has been complicated by over- indulgent parents suffering from ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ syndrome. Or did we miss out on something?
Khandelwals,Kanpur
I think everyone’s aware of the notoriety of some of our cultural prima donnas ( Fine Art of Street- fighting , April 12), but don’t you think more time ought to be spent on constructive journalism? There is so much positive happening in the world of dance; why must journalism always be negative, destructive, embarrassing or exposing? Why can’t it be constructive, positive, a catalyst and responsible contribution to the forces of society building? In these times of pessimism we need optimists— not a bunch of cribbers, for God’s sake— to take us into the next millennium.
Rajiv Narain, New Delhi
Was no surprise to find Vinod Mehta a great ‘admirer’ of Subramanian Swamy ( Delhi Diary , April 19). After all, the two have so much in common! Both are English- speaking (double- speaking), sanctimonious individuals who can, at any given time, see only one side of the coin. Both believe that they’re always right and their opponents invariably wrong. Both have no qualms in overlooking even ‘murder’ if it’s committed by their friends, but would take a sickening moral high ground for the smallest shortcoming in those who disagree with them. And yes, not the least, both are psychopathic haters of A. B. Vajpayee, who according to the same issue of Outlook , is popular with almost 60 per cent of our countrymen!
Anil Shukla, Allahabad
Your cover story should have been titled ‘Scent of a Woman’ rather than Scent of Power (April 26). April 17 will go down as the darkest day in Ind ian democracy. Vajpayee rightly said: "Just as a fish can’t live without water, so the Congress can’t remain without power for long." It’s regrettable that Mayawati and Saifuddin Soz played Judas and Brutus, placing individual interests above the nation’s. Giridhar Gomango too showed his lack of conscience. Vajpayee, on the other hand, survived the agni pariksha and emerged stronger. If all goes well, Indians will look forward to Vajpayee leading the nation yet again.
S. Balakrishnan, Jamshedpur
The people of India should now be given a chance to show the true worth of these actresses (Jayalalitha & Co), quacks (Dr Subramanian), secular fountainheads (Mulayam- Mayawati- Gowda- Basu & Co) and the reluctant messiahs (Sonia and Congress). The President and the Election Commission should this time ask each party about their political alignment before the elections so that there are no defections, no horse trading and, for Arjun Singh, "no migratory birds".
Dr Prasad S. Thenkabail, Yale University, USA
The Cast of Fraudeville (April19) brilliantly portrayed the contempt with which the com mon man views self serving and corrupt politicians. The only salvation for the country seems to be in hanging its politicians and getting rid of the present system of governance.
T. R. Srinivasan,on e- mail
Vinod Mehta’s carefully worded editorial and the follow ing cover story for the first time showed that Outlook too can be impartial.
Dr Sarojini Bahl, New Delhi
Had Sonia succeeded in her bid to become PM, which she least deserved, she’d have presided over a chaos largely created by the Nehru dynasty. Jawaharlal was at least honest; Indira and Rajiv had no ethics and ran the country like their zamindari.
Ken Lamba, on e- mail
Sudheendra Kulkarni’s column Await Atal’s Third Term must have brought cheer to many Indians. On that fateful Saturday when the Vajpayee government lost by just one vote, was reminded of Mark Antony words to juliush saeser: " Oh what a fall there was my countrymen/ Then you and I and all of us fell down..." It’s ironic that the wife of Nehru’s grandson participated in the deceit and treachery that forced the tallest of men in the political arena to step down. Long back, Nehru had predicted that Vajpayee would one day become PM. Little did he know that one of his own family would cause his downfall. Can Indian voters repose their faith in such deceitful leaders? God forbid.
Kamala Rao,Bangalore
It was sporting of you to permit Sudheendra Kulkarni to write for you even though he hasn’t got you an interview with his boss. Kulkarni blames Jayalalitha and Mayawati for bringing down the govern ment. I can understand his indignation against Jayalalitha. The best and the brightest in Vajpayee’s Cabinet were vying to visit Chennai and prostrate before her. But how can the BJP blame Mayawati after the events in UP? Kulkarni’s words ring truer for what happened in the UP assembly. To quote: "In the end, democracy was reduced to a game of subtractions and divisions vs additions and multiplications. The sum total was a shame." Right. Shame for the BJP .
Ramesh Kumar,Thiruvananthapuram
Sudheendra Kulkarni’s and Prem Shankar Jha’s columns were one- sided. Kulkarni’s phrase "the plot to overthrow" wasn’t in good taste. Again, Jha’s comment—" The Congress’ options— form the government or support a new coalition— will both prove detrimental in the long run"— smelt of cheap astrological prediction.
Arvind Gordhandas, Pune
With a heavy heart we watched the enactment of the theatre of the absurd in Parliament! Just when the glimmer of a uniquely Indian dawn seemed possible under Vajpayee, the President decided in his ‘wisdom’ not to burden the motley crowd of self- seeking, discredited parties like the Congress, Samajwadi Party, AIADMK , CPM , CPI , RJD , TMC , and BSP with taking a political decision! In keeping with his self- styled role of a proactive president, he rocked India’s boat instead of letting wiser counsel prevail.
Somyata Bansal, New Delhi
V. P. Singh has lost none of his flair as the Delphic Oracle who by his wisdom destroys friend and foe alike. From his sickbed he fired just one intercontinental missile and hit two targets. Vajpayee lost his job and Saifuddin Soz his seat in Parliament. The fumbling NATO commanders should enlist this stealth bomber to neutralise Milosevic with one fell stroke.
R. Narayanaswamy, Chennai
Please don’t put Sonia on your cover. I can’t read the rest of the magazine.
Farida B. Lakdawala,on e- mail
