Author: Bharatram Gaba
Publication: The Times of India
Date: January 22, 2003
This has reference to the spate
of media reports on the Naipauls who were in India for Bharatiya Pravasi
Divas. Aren't we giving them too much importance? Agreed, Mr. Naipaul is
a brilliant writer, but I find his unconcealed contempt for India and Indians
a little difficult to digest. My advice to Mr. Naipaul would be either
to come back to India and use his wisdom for our betterment, or else make
the V.S. in his name stand for Very Silent.
As for Lady Naipaul also getting
into the act and patronisingly wondering aloud what India is all about,
well, here's the answer. Ma'am being a Pakistani, you were able to stand
up at a public meeting and demand answers from our deputy Prime Minister
on whether minorities and secularists were safe in India - and get them
from him. That, ma'am is what India is all about.
