Sometime I feel that unwanted controversies grab the limelight and serious issue are sidelined at such time. First of all, the body language of Gudy was not at all British. During the show she was shouting on Shilpa as she is a maniac. But country where the family values are sinking, and market is everything celebrity like Gudy is the only left future of Britain. But, one thing for sure, Britain even today is more democratic, true and equal for all races, religions. Shilpa during the show was looking a heaven damsel among the english nukkadwalas.
Such shows should continue and the ouster of Gudy is a lesson to all those even we Indians who are by birth hypocrates and more racists than anybody else.
I would like to appriacte the C grade programme Big Brother for highlighting the Racism and other related problem in the world. The attitude of English people is also appreciable that they have condemend the racist descrimination.But I would like to ask our brothers in India that is racism is not exist in our society in differnt form.The genocide in Gujrat was also a form of racism, Every day Caste clash in our society is common. We should worried about these problem exist in our society insted od shilpa Sheety who is making money.
RE:Appreciation to Big Brother
by nitin gupta on Jan 22, 2007 10:02 AM
I agree, but in india it is only the politicians who promote racism for their own benefit, rather than the common people. As long as we dont understand that, we cannot live in peace. The law and the common man is least concerned about that, unless the politicians stimulat them. Godhra train burning and its aftermath were all politically orchestrated.
I think this is a scene created by the endemol tv who produces big brother. I had heard that they are planning for starting an Indian version of Big Brother, in some Indian channel. So create some publicity among the Indian community they created a fuzz in this one. Else what was the reason shilpa wanted to do bigbrother, which is an absolutely ridiculous programme, while she pronounce her to be greatly Indian. Well, Whatever be the business tactics, this will affect the life of Asian community in UK. Because the things are pretty delicate.. there is a lot of racial abuse there. I had seen it, suffered it.. so making up a scene will be juz like adding fuel to the fire..
RE:Good work by shilpa, Goody nd Endemol TV
by Harshwardhan Joshi on Jan 22, 2007 09:41 AM
BIGG BOSS BY ENDEMOL... INDIAN VERSION OF BIG BROTHER ALREADY EXISTS ON SONY TV AND WILL FINISH IT'S FIRST SEASON ON 26th Jan, 2007.
RE:Good work by shilpa, Goody nd Endemol TV
by Sridhar Uravakonda on Jan 22, 2007 09:36 AM
Hi Nidheesh, You need to fwd yourself a couple of months...the show is already started by Endemol in Sony TV and it is called "Bigg Boss". It has likes of Rakhi Sawant, Kashmeera Shah, Rahul Roy, Baba Sehgal etc...it has been running atleast for more than 2 months...
After following all this so closely (was part of my job)..I saw that when the controversy was on its peak, Shilpa bounced back from her racist comment and Jade Goody made up with her. There can be two things behind that sudden move from both of them....(1)Either Shilpa & Jade were told that how big this has become and how they should patch up to save the show. (2)Or when Jade was told about whats happening outside, she realised what blunder she has done. Being a celeb she has to be politically correct, and how she is on the verge of loosing everything she gained since she became a celeb 2-3 years back. i think its the later.
All the reviews that I have read from the so called "Patriotic" Indians on this issue are crap! All you guys-99.9% of you would jump to any plane which will take you out of India provided your poor parents can afford it! Just because you guys have to stay in India doesn't mean you love India.It's simply a 3rd world country! I am Indian and it's shit! Cows and traffic and pollution-the list is endless! So, get real and listen to the white people.They are the ones who have made the first world! Relax all you Indians!
RE:Indians are useless!
by kapil arun pawar on Jan 22, 2007 06:51 AM
hey Mr Mehra calm down. yeh i know tht u will find cows, trafic n pollution in India; but my friend dont forget tht India is the second lagested booming economy after China in the world having growth rate way ahead of China. All world is deing to invest in India bcoz of its huge market. And who said u tht white people made first world? For ur kind information India has a civilised culture from very ancient time whn there was no civilization ever in eupore. Dont forget we have produce great number of scientist and even lots of them in Nobel prize list. Even the richest man of the Britan is Indian 'Mr Lakxmi Mittal'. U know I m currently in New Zealand, which called itself a develop country. but the market is filled with all china stuffs. even their sevoniors r been made in china. all cars r exported from japan or USA tht too used cars. the only industry here is food industry; in tht too u will find more thn 70% r aussies. but still they r caling themself develop country. atleast India is far more better thn New Zealand where every thing rght frm needle to rocket is been made by Indians. but still its called 3rd world country n i dont know why? at least i will b happy to live in 3rd world country like India rathere thn so called develop country like New zealand who beg for every thing from foreign country. Now u might think thn why I came here for instead of staying in India itself. Well true speaking I didnt hd any intensions to go abroad for studies, but still I hd too. but dont worry i wont b staying here for long n soon will return to the great country India.
RE:Indians are useless!
by Ratnesh Sahay on Jan 22, 2007 05:33 AM
Listen Mr. Mehra the Indian, relinquish your Indian identity if you are so ashamed of being Indian. Change your name to some Johny or Sammy. Please also change the names of your parents, if they too are of your opinion. There is an Indian proverb :
A crow cannot become pheasant by putting the feather. So what will you do...remain crow or nothing.
RE:Indians are useless!
by Gaurav Prateek on Jan 22, 2007 07:14 AM
Dear Ratnika, You seem to be very angry, but do you think it is a good idea to call four letter words to your country? You have indicated a no. of things to justify your name calling, but there are a number of things that make India a great country.
RE:Indians are useless!
by on Jan 22, 2007 07:20 AM
Where on the earth you live dude? It has become a fashion to blame India for guys like you. Get to know more about India before you say something. Don't get deceived by the looks of foreign land.
RE:RE:Indians are useless!
by Ajith Kumar on Jan 22, 2007 09:48 AM
Hey Friends dont worry.. Its just that Mr. Ratnika Mehera is not well.. dont abuse him by calling him useless or mental.. Its just that he is not well..
RE:RE:RE:Indians are useless!
by Vaibhav Kumar on Jan 22, 2007 06:11 PM
Listen buddy, terms such as "3rd world", "1st world" etc are made purely on economic grounds!! Culturally and socially, I can assure you India is way ahead of any nation that this world has ever seen. As for economic terms, India was the "golden bird" of the world...and that is precisely why the so-called present-day "1st world nations" went to settle in what is now your "3rd world country" to loot and plunder all the wealth out, back to their own nations. The country you are living in, was built upon India's (and many other "3rd world nations'" money. As an Indian living in Australia, I love this country, but this does not mean that I do not love my home country - India. Consider yourself fortunate, Mr.Ratnik Mehra, that you are classified as an Indian (no matter what you do), because Inida has been one of the greatest nations of all time, with it's glory and grandeur spanning thousands of years, which is yet again to return in a matter of a few years. The glory and grandeur of your "1st world" countries is only recent, and shall be overshadowed soon. Be proud to be an Indian. Love your country where you live, but love and respect your home country too. You will be proud to do so, give it a try!
How naive are these viewers! Why don't they realize that they are simply being manipulated by the Channel 4 which simply wants to boost its ratings? Wake up, there is nothing 'real' in Reality TV - it has all been scripted and orchestrated by the producers. Big Brother is undoubtedly one of the most disgusting TV shows ever. Just look at the type of people who go there as inmates - what did Shilpa Shetty or the viewers in India expect? That her British inmates would be discussing Shakespeare and Milton? Get REAL!
U educated indians how much ever get educated still show casteism and if not keep in there mind about casteism. but if u people go abroad face racialism u wont tolerate it. so understand the agony of the lower castes. no wonder we do not have full patriotism in our country. the lower caste people do not like india bcoz of this. so first u b good to the society then start to complain..
RE:CASTEISM IN INDIA
by Ranjeet Kakhandki on Jan 22, 2007 09:43 AM
On ur comment...has any country apart from India got a free lunch for lower caste / less priveledged people...? reservations in jobs/ reservations in education and yet after 50 years of reservations .....what is the status of the so called lower caste....only some rich "creamy layer" people, OBC (other backward caste ....what a strange description....comprising almost 30 % of the population !!!!) The only ones being discriminated against are the non lower castes community and no wonder, the country is losing their best people to countries abroad.... As for racism...it wont matter if u go abroad...u'll be tarred with the same brush of being an asian..so dont gloat about it ....
I believe that I am %u2018civilised%u2019 enough to write this article. The timing just couldn%u2019t be any better than this. After watching the %u2018Celebrity Big brother%u2019 reality show on Channel4, reading articles and blogs in the British and world media, I believe that it is time for all to do some serious thinking. I feel that the western society must come into terms of what%u2019s is actually happening within their so called tolerant society. It is very easy to make an excuse that the reality show is after all a television programme and shouldn%u2019t be taken into account. This show has been viewed all over the world and discussed by the public and media. Sadly, more than 2.3 million kids do watch and follow this reality show. Don%u2019t the housemates know about it? Doesn%u2019t it reveal some reality? In the show, housemates Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd, Jo O%u2019Meara have had %u2018ganged up%u2019 against fellow housemate Shilpa Shetty and made fun of her English accent, nationality, ethnicity, were not prepared to call her by name, were reluctant to eat the roast chicken cooked by her, described her a %u201CPaki%u201D, the disgraced Miss Great Britain Danielle Lloyd even called her a 'Dog', used %u2018very filthy%u2019 language repeatedly, and even asked her to %u2018Go back to the slums and find out what real life is%u2019. If this is not racially motivated abuse, please define what is %u2018racism%u2019? If you say %u2018Oh..No..all this is nothing but just bullying%u2019, go and watch the recorded show in YouTube.com and come back to read this article. Some can argue and dispute that all these were the result of total ignorance, stupidity and playground type bullying. Grow up!! Bullying and racism are not two difference things. They are indeed same wine in two different bottles!! All civilised people wouldn%u2019t disagree to my point.
Understandably, the feelings and emotions are now running high on all corners. The British media regulator ofCom and Channel4, which broadcast the show, had received more than 55,000 complaints from the public in just four days!! This issue heads in all local newspapers, news websites, blogs and posts. Tony Blair was forced to comment on this row. The next British prime minister-in-waiting Mr.Gordon Brown is having tough time in India!! I believe that Indian Prime Minister Mr.Manmohan Singh and Indian President Mr.Abdul Kalam are the only people left to comment on this issue!!!
I live in the United Kingdom, so I would like to see the whole issue in two mirrors. I honestly respect all %u2018Non-Racist British%u2019 in Britain. I am fortunate enough to have few of them as my friends, who understand that the colour of our blood is always going to be red but the colour of our skin is unfortunately not. (We blame it on God%u2019s politics!)
I am not surprised at all on this wildfire racial row. The three Big Brother gang girls are drop of the today%u2019s British society and surely reflect the growing new generation of future Britain. The Big Brother house is actually a small portrait of today%u2019s modern Britain. Don%u2019t mistake me? In a large portrait, this is how the great British society will exactly look like in next 50 years time. I mark my words with a second thought. The abuse and racial comments on Shilpa do 1,000% truly reflect the British and European societies attitude on racism especially on all non-whites. Everyone in the western world must know that racism in all forms and size still does exist in the society. Many who receive everyday racism, usually tend to ignore rather than challenge it out. That doesn%u2019t mean they accept it at heart. It%u2019s a very serious problem. For all those who are not Black, Asian or Chinese, it is not easy to realise how serious racism can be. Asians living and working in Britain such as students, doctors, nurses, solicitors, taxi drivers, teachers, corner shop owners, restaurant waiters, call centre personnel and even community police officers, who often go through more or less the same kind of racially motivated verbal abuse. I swear on my words. I am not exaggerating it. I had gone through the same sort of abuse before and still go through it now and then. I have been called %u2018Indian%u2019 on many occasions in a tone, which is definitely not polite and friendly way that anyone would like to be called upon. I don%u2019t call any non-Asian like that. I will have to digest it without any choice. Once, I have made enough money to live without having to work for rest of my life, I will fly back to India for good from this arrogant, ignorant, economically, ethically and culturally failing western society.
Even the Asians who were born and brought up in Britain are being classified as %u2018British Indian%u2019, %u2018British Sikh%u2019, %u2018British Pakistani%u2019 and %u2018British Muslim%u2019. This is how they are tagged in government forms and documents. How sick these race tags are? Aren%u2019t they British enough to be %u2018British%u2019? This is surely leaving negative impact on the minorities. They think that how much ever British they are, they will always remain as minorities. This is pure racial dejection. Then, what is the point of talking about racial integration? The sad thing is that nobody seems to care about it including the British government. The same British government does celebrate Diwali and Ed festivals!!! Surprised? I am. I personally think that the British government itself very confused about their racial policies or they are playing very tricky double game. This is clearly sending the wrong message. That%u2019s why many think it is OK to racially abuse anybody from the minority community. The result is what exactly world had witnessed in Jade-Shilpa race row. It is time for the British government to wake up.
The reality show indeed reflects the reality of British youth%u2019s attitude towards their society and living. I am not surprised to hear that abusive language on reality show. Certainly you could hear them from groups of young boys and girls on British streets. Well%u2026What else would you expect from boys and girls of today%u2019s British society, where 13 years old lads and girls smoke, drink and use drugs, losing virginity at the age of 14 is just a matter of self-pride, having babies at the age of 15 is OK and becoming common, the average life span of a formal marriage is just over 16 months, many live together unmarried, many don%u2019t know who is their mother or father is and the divorce rate is 40% higher than any European union country. There are various reasons for this social scenario. Today%u2019s young British are not well educated, they distance themselves from Maths, Science, and general knowledge subjects, they are very proud of binge drinking, smoking, sex on the streets and desperate housewives culture (a Popular TV serial), honking the car horns and yelling racist remarks. They are ignorant souls and sadly the face of future British society. Who is going to teach them about racial tolerance and respecting people as humans? Their stupid British prime minister is very busy in saying %u2018YES%u2019 five billion times a day to the arrogant American president on bringing back democracy and peace in Iraq and Afghanistan!!! In this nation, some think that waging war on a country is just like playing a video game in play station. It is OK to think like that in this so called developed country with underdeveloped people. Many British do have big attitude disorder and do think that the rest of the world is still ruled by their great grand fathers & company. They still do believe that the Sun will never ever set on their kingdom. What else I can say? The British public is not aware of what is happening within their country and in rest of the world. They don%u2019t have the urge to learn new skills, acquire knowledge, and stay competitive. They probably don%u2019t want to know about globalisation as long as they can afford to buy fish & chips and pukha pies. All they know is to eat, to do binge drinking in 24 hour pubs (Yes. 24 hour pubs!!), to be illiterate (I bet many can%u2019t read and write English properly) and claim free government benefits to go on holiday abroad.
I could sense their fear of failure in the very near future. Today%u2019s Britain is steadily losing its ground on cultural, economical and social front. The British are losing their obsessed identity in today%u2019s multicultural Britain. The British public and politicians do think that the non-Europeans are culturally and economically invading all corners of Britain. That%u2019s why there is soo much visa restrictions, delay in issuing visas, and recent %u2018motivated%u2019 HSMP revision to keep the %u2018Indians%u2019, %u2018Paki%u2019 and %u2018Browns%u2019 away from British shores. They are getting jealous of dominant Asian minority. There are various reasons behind it. Let me explain. Today%u2019s great British politics, lifestyle, business, economy and national cuisine (Chicken Tikka Masala is the national dish of Britain since 2000!) are being greatly influenced by the Asians. A very remarkable feat that the Scottish, Irish and Welsh trio couldn%u2019t able to do for several centuries and had totally failed. In general, the British are not sensitive to accept and easily adapt other cultures into their lives. Whereas, Asians are far more broadminded, tolerant, patient when it comes to living in multi-cultural, multi-ethnic society such as Britain. Though Asians didn%u2019t integrate 100% into the British society, I would say they are well on their way towards it or realising the necessity to do it. Also, majority of the Asians are college educated, intelligent, beautiful in heart, hard working and above all economically prospering than ever before. If the first wave of Asian migrants helped to revive the shops on Britain's streets, the second and third generation of Asians are now making their mark on the financial and business world. Now, India is the third largest investor in Britain next only to US and Japan. Indian companies are taking over many not-so-profitable British companies and turning them into profitable. Thus, creating jobs for the British. Remember richest citizen of United Kingdom is not a native British but India born Steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal. He has pledged %uFFFD2 million pounds to the cash-strapped ruling Labour party, almost certainly bailing it out of financial crisis. There is a list of endless contributions made by the Asians to today%u2019s modern Britain. It is just impossible to blindly ignore the imposing stature of Asians and Asianism in Britain. Without Asians, the British public services and healthcare will crumble in matter of days. Without Asians, the British economy will not survive for more than a month. So, I am prepared to put a bet that before the end of this 21st century, Britain will have an Asian Prime Minister. I am not joking.
On the other side, this whole issue raises the same questions about our own society. Are we Indians really not racists? Is it OK and justified to racially discriminate fellow Indians? But, it becomes an issue when Non-Asians dish it out on us? We actually don%u2019t respect fellow Indians in India and abroad. Don%u2019t we? We have got several racial problems within our country and society. Don%u2019t we all know that North Indians bully and discriminate the South Indians as %u2018Madarasis%u2019. South Indians bully the North Indians by calling them as %u2018Biharis%u2019. We are the largest racist society on this earth, which practised and still practising all forms of racism, discrimination and bullying in the name of god, caste and culture. We are talking about it for more than 100 years. Nothing has been changed significantly. When are we going to change it?
One of India's strengths is its ability to accept and adapt diversity of culture. That%u2019s what India is all about. It is indeed a very quite remarkable for a country like India, where the majority of the population is Hindu. But, our current president is a Muslim, the prime minister is a Sikh and probably the most influential lady in India is sari wearing Italian born Catholic. I cannot think of any other country in the world that could accept such a diversified political scenario. This is truly remarkable and it works very well in India. Whereas, in the US, the Americans still waiting to have a Black or Hispanic as American president and the US has been a democratic country for more than 200 years. Whereas India%u2019s democracy gained it%u2019s status just 60 years ago. We have already had several minorities as presidents, prime ministers, chief ministers, ministers, military chief of staff, and Supreme Court judges. This is the great strength that India has. We are humans first, then Indians, then Punjabi, Gujarathi, Bengali, or Madarasi. Forget about race, religion and skin colour. So, It is time for us to do some reality test on ourselves. It is time for us to accept that we are really racists and do something about it. When we are going to announce that racism and discrimination in any form, any size is a punishable crime and has no place in civilised India? We can. Let us do it now before it is too late.
Our world will become a happy place to live when we love each other in heart and without discriminating anyone by their race, ethnicity, religion, faith, and wealth. Let's grow up. When we are going to be one big loud and proud Indians? It is shame on us if we can%u2019t do it. Share your views.
RE:THE PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
by Ajith Kumar on Jan 22, 2007 10:17 AM
Well .. I have showed patience in reading the entire stuff.. and it shows the reality in the British society and some facts of our own Indian Society.. We know there is a lot of issues to be resolved before we could become one of strongest and developed nation, but then it is not far and hope the present Indian Generation would get a chance to leave in developed India..
p.s if possible try to share it in rediff blogs too and make it public, and since what you have written is genuine, but do reduce it to some extend..
RE:THE PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
by on Jan 25, 2007 09:45 PM
I was following (and agreeing with) your argument up until the point you started abusing British people. You clearly are very ignorant of British culture. You make the point that racism is born through ignorance- and i agree with you entirely. YOU have shown some very prejudiced and racist views yourself if you think that - and i quote : u2026What else would you expect from boys and girls of today%u2019s British society, where 13 years old lads and girls smoke, drink and use drugs, losing virginity at the age of 14 is just a matter of self-pride, having babies at the age of 15 is OK and becoming common, the average life span of a formal marriage is just over 16 months, many live together unmarried, many don%u2019t know who is their mother or father is and the divorce rate is 40% higher than any European union country
well let me tell you- just because our culture is different from yours does not mean it is inferior. Yous view of british society is false. I am a twenty year old Welsh girl who is currently studying at university. Incidently i do not have any children, I do not have sex on the street- but i do drink and have sex outside marriage (when i get the chance anyway!) but this is part of my culture so don't look down on it. I am not religious but i am a very philosophical and spiritual person that has been educated in many cultures and religions.I have a great appreciation for other cultures and would not for one minute make the false assumptions that you have made for mine.
On the subject of Big Brother you are wrong if you think the youth of Britain share racist views. I'm not even sure if Jade Goody is a racist- i didn't see the program and all news reports since have not quoted anything i would consider racist. I feel quite sorry for someone who is being exploited in such a way. Jade has not had the privilege of the education or life that Shilpa has had; she is not the innately racist person that has been depicted. The real bully in all of this has been the media. They are above everything;they can say and exploit who they want without being accountable.
RE:THE PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
by Ajith Kumar on Jan 22, 2007 09:56 AM
arrogant, ignorant, economically, ethically and culturally failing western society.. These words are the best suited for the so called 1st worlds British society..
