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| Diary |
Magazine | 06 Apr 2009 |
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| Delhi Diary by Vinod Mehta |
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If, like me, you love both cricket and adult franchise, it is not easy to take sides on the raging IPL controversy. Doubtless, there is an element of politics and score-settling in the government’s decision to claim lack of security as the reason. However, when a five-phase election, which will require the biggest peacetime mobilisation of paramilitary forces, collides with a Twenty20 tournament, it is best to err on the side of caution. If I was a jehadi living in the caves of Tora Bora, the prospect of exterminating a handful of star players (including our own) would be irresistible. What better way to demonstrate to the world that India is no different from Pakistan when it comes to terrorism?
There is much talk about the ‘message’ India is sending by cancelling the IPL. I believe it is a good message. The more sane individuals in the international community will conclude that the authorities are being extra cautious in view of the security apparatus being preoccupied with election duties in the world’s largest democracy. We shouldn’t stand on false prestige. At the best of times, our intelligence and police network is in a shambles. The spectacular sea attack on Mumbai just four months ago is testament to that glaring deficiency.
Perhaps nothing would have happened. Perhaps we would have had an incident-free tournament. On the other hand....
Rants and Raves
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My biography of Sanjay Gandhi, father of the Gita-swearing Varun Gandhi, The Sanjay Story (Jaico, 1978) is by no means a great book. However, it is not entirely useless. It would have been slightly better if the subject had agreed to cooperate. "No chance," was the reply I got from Varun’s father. Nevertheless, here is an extract: "At 3 am on a cold Delhi night, Feroze (Varun’s grandfather), Krishna, Indira and the maid drove down to Willingdon Hospital. It was agreed that Jawaharlal should not be disturbed.... The English doctor, who had been informed on the phone, went straight to the hospital and there he spent over six hours with his patient in the labour room. He was not helped in his task by Feroze who had his own ideas on how the baby should be delivered. Just before 10 next morning, the doctor came out—and announced the news. Indira had had a very difficult delivery; she had lost a great deal of blood. She had also at 9.27 am given birth to a son.
"Only the good news was communicated to Jawaharlal. He came immediately to the hospital and was alarmed to see how weak and pale his daughter had become. Indeed, as the doctor informed, in the process of producing her second child, Indira Gandhi had nearly lost her life."
Mr Khushwant Singh’s Illustrated Weekly got a Maharaj Shamdas Udasi to prepare Sanjay’s horoscope, which was duly printed in the August 15, 1976, issue of the magazine. "The man born under these stars has the makings of a world political figure," the horoscope noted and added: "Sanjay is a proud, independent man who completes every project he starts" and does not allow "family or friends to alter or influence his decision. One special achievement will catapult him to international renown. The highest political office could come to him between 1982 to 1983 or in March-April 1986." The horoscope warns: "He must be cautious about women."
Rants and Raves
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In the ’70s, a tiny advertisement appeared in The New York Times saying, "Your last chance to send in a dollar." Tens of thousands posted the stipulated amount. Unfortunately, they got nothing in return. When the angry dollar-despatchers took the advertiser to court, he told the judge: "I never promised anything. All I said was ‘Your last chance to send in a dollar’." He was pronounced not guilty. All of which proves the gullibility of American consumers: they assumed that their "last chance" must be for something big in return.
But that was before the George Bush-inspired meltdown. Now I understand a shop in Manhattan is giving away brand new goods free. Yes, absolutely free. From shirts to coats to CDs to Italian shoes to rare books.... You can pick up any item, go to the counter, sign a bill—and walk out. There is no catch. Another store situated in the heart of the Big Apple is making a clever offer. It is selling expensive business suits with a seductive guarantee: If the customer loses his job, he can return the suit and get the entire cost back.
The United States was till recently the mecca of reckless spending. The country worshipped the cult of consumerism. Whether you actually needed what you were buying was irrelevant.
Rants and Raves
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The Temperature In Murree
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While the proliferating Pakistani 24x7 news channels may not be a patch on ours, their female newscasters and anchors are prettier. Before I get lynched (some of my best friends are anchors!), let me add that the ladies of Lahore are prettier only in the male chauvinist sense. Our girls, undeniably, are brainier and sharper, but they lack oomph!
Rants and Raves
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