Hi All,
My column in TOI today on Mayawati’s garland. Your comments are welcome, and I encourage you to read other people’s comments as well.
The article is here.
Love lots,
Chetan
Hi All,
My column in TOI today on Mayawati’s garland. Your comments are welcome, and I encourage you to read other people’s comments as well.
The article is here.
Love lots,
Chetan
Hi,
Gandhiji adding to the irony— Priceless!!!:)
Warm regards
Sai
Well said!
1.Leaders should focus on the kids too. But since kids do not vote they will have to take a back seat.
2.Grace, its hard to flaunt. Money show the way you want.
3.Grace comes through education, but not always. However every one wants to be graceful like the ones you mentioned. So they search for a common factor between them. And end up at money!
well done CB! I am not in lndia and when such things flash on screen, from my home state, I feel embarrassed. People! especially when you are at the position of a so called Minister’, educate yourself and portray an idealistic image! please, I urge you..for the future of INDIA
Also, whats the point having comments section on TOI website, when comments don’t even appear immediately.
What! Do they only pick “GOOD” comments???
Like the Headline…Python.. interesting symbolism. As a parent you have raised an important issue – the behaviour of these role models in public. Millions of Dalits children who idolise her will feel that that’s the way to go…make your millions and then flaunt it.
Hello,
Very nicely quoted by you about the kind of society we are living in. Today, almost everyone is concerned more about how people perceive them. Money is flauted just to let people know -’we have arrived.’
Well the point raised by you, about its impact on the kids, should be seriously taken and answered.
It was a nice read!
Regards,
Juhi
hello!
it was a nice read,especially the last para,it was really good.
bautiful column… specially the examples and the point of view of an indian parent… but i feel the show of things is all aound us even in small packages and kids are receptive to pick it up… and with their teen years they end up learning to show what they have to gain a place among their friends and mates…
Hey CB!
Its quite unfortunate that media provide them the publicity that they don’t deserve.In today’s print media/electronic media the Money Pythons receives more screen presence on idiot box than the real issues related to public ,or unknown selfless heroes who are working for cause of tribal in Orissa or elsewere.
Discussing these thing on forum like this does not deter them to do this again , because we r not the target audience (Vote Bank)of these Public Figures.They achieve there goals by funny jokes (as Laloo)and erecting Statues to woe there vote banks.
Its responsibility of media stop giving them coverage for such act.Let them suffocate for publicity.
Comments invited!!!!
Loved this piece…how to use humour to drive home a point is an art that you have mastered….keep it up!
PS : the garland was more like a giant caterpillar..I used to make those caterpillars as a kid from candy wrappers and I could give you a good estimate of how many 1000 Rs bills went into the making of that one…
do you think I could move to Lucknow for an alternate profession of caterpillar weaving
Hi!!!
Gr8 Column,
Gud example of Warren Buffet, i liked it.
Gud one CB…
Hope TOI has published it in there UP edition as well!!
Must read for Ms.MW..
dear sir,
i am a student of nitk surathkal.
i am continuous reader of ur article and ur big fann. I have read all of ur gr8 novels.They all r mind blowing.
regarding this article,
i am really impressed to know the real meaning of leader ,we know dat in india almost all politician are millionaire but den wats d meaning of showing money????
we know dat u politicians are curropted and dis bloody system allows u to do so….but at least dont show off it to our next generation..
@mayawati ,u r really helpless women who believes in showing off power and money.1st making own statue and now ATM machine….shame on u!!!!!!
What will you choose between respect and money,???
Allow me !!!
We will always choose respect…… That is precisely why they still want those statues not food.
Dalits have been suppressed from centuries, Could you imagine the amount of disgust you would feel if you son is not allowed to play in park, not allowed to touch earthen pots cause if they will they will get polluted.
They can’t get a job cause you are a dalit.(you don’t believe in it na…..!! Meet me then …. I am an HR and a Dalit and I met many such people who refuse to hire these people…..with an inhuman justification
Folks like you and me would wish that it is a thing of past but dalit oppression is a dark reality…
“As per the National Crime Records Bureau, Uttar Pradesh reported the maximum number cases of crimes against”
As for Mayawati…. We may not vote for her but millions do…yes millions of people will do…those millions don’t understand English… (Sorry they won’t read your article….lol) all they want is a respectful life. She knows them better than we do… she know what they want…. they don’t want employment ….they don’t want money coz they are skillful and hardworking enough. What they want is basic right as a human being.
We always talk about giving them money and food. But what about the society which see them with utmost disgust and refuse to accept there existence as human……for that simple reason …..They will vote for her …… as they want to believe even if it might not be true that they are in POWER….
That was really nice article. chetan u r just awesome. I think that if those money monsters(i wudnt put names here)want to show of their money then they can spend it on public welfare like free of cost schools and hospitals or even they can make more infrastructure like buildings,bridges,roads etc. But there is no logic of hanging cash on neck.
Good to know CB that parents like you are disturbed by elephants, pythons and moneymala. Was just wondering if political leaders took oath on conduct at public life as well. They need to be bound by force of oath because real leaders are rare. Power seems to corrupt most of us because we don’t value being born humans.
good one..
i dun knw whr frm she deserves 2 b a minister.. huh
When Mayawati wore that garland(money python) she just proved one thing that she is the most idiotic lady around in our so called Indian Politicical business;)who thinks that money can buy everything.
Just hope that she do comes to some sense(which is never going to happen in the coming 100 years) and use those Gandhiji’s pages for some meaningful use
shuldnt we dump such politicians????i luvd ur article 2 de core……….perfectly written in a way which is hvin gr8 sattires………wats ur take on the babri demolition?????????
@Tee
I have my sentiments in favor of U.It is highly unfortunate that, this type inhumane practice was followed in our country.
But problem is that these Dalit’s massihas are treating this laggard group as vote bank .They doing upliftment of themselves rather than dalits.
Consider the Dalit leader such as Ambedkar who have really worked for there upliftment,where as in case of now days Dalit’s leader (Bahujan leaders) they sell dreams rather than implementing policy to uplift the community.
In my feeling why any one will kill the golden egg laying goose (Vote Bank).They try there level best to keep this divide wide .
Dear Chetan,
Let’s question why do we hate seeing such ostentatious and vulgar display of wealth. What are the feelings such images evoke.
Does it evoke envy? Does it evoke awe? Does it evoke Satisfaction? Does it evoke anger? or does it in any manner evoke pity?
I think the answer depends… I pity her for her sickness…Her constituency takes pride in her.
What she does is to generate awe amongst her core constituency who (I think) takes pride in the fact that one amongst them have access to what all of them cannot even dream of. There is a huge inferiority complex amongst this segment and they feel since the money is generated in a robinhood-ish fashion from rich people, this is poor people’s sweet revenge from the world.
It’s a different story that unlike robinhood all this money is being accrued as personal wealth by her? To a lot of people this would evoke envy too. They would feel “why not me”?
Even Pandavas did a rajasurya yagya, so can’t say whether display of wealth is totally wrong! But the virtue of humility must not be compromised.
sir!d python wz d thng tht struck me d most!!!…but seldom r personalities lyk warren buffet found who stll reach d sky keeping their feet on grounds!!!!!!!!!
stll indian dalits treat ladiz lyk mayawati as godddesses n up as goddess’s empire
Chetan, Even I am not in favour of Mayawati; or, for that matter, any individual being ostentanious about his/her wealth.
Let me ask you: If u boast of yourself to be down to earth, why the hell did u create publicity stunt regarding the copyrights of the movie ’3 idiots’? Ur FPS got sold threefold after u becoming a crybaby regarding 3 idiots…….
It’s easy to write thought-provoking articles, Chetan……..First of all, do some self-introspection…..Practice what u preach…..
if sumone comes to u and wants to give u a gift which costs a good amount of money just bcoz u might have done sum good work for dat person’s family or state…….wud u tell dat person “no i dnt wanna accept it….u r trying to bribe me”…sumtimes u dnt undrstand u dnt realize how it will affect the ppl of india…but still its a good point that it will have a bad effect on kids….but if it wud be sum oder politician den we can still raise dis point dat he cudnt stop da person who tried to reward him back ….but as far as dis Mayabati is concerned she can do nething….she is so so selfish….but she is also not an exception.god bless dis politicians
sir,
wow…….. what an article sir.If all educated persons in India were like you then India might have prospered a lot. Money eating democrats must be thrown out.I am no one to judge you, but I have to say that your initiative is excellent.
regards
Dear Chetan,
Gr8 shot. As good as – a six in the last ball to win a cricket match. I hope the message has gone to all rich buddy who blow their own trumpet (including the Hon. Maya Maam).
Loved the way you articulated this in your article. Nice reading.
Perhaps I have informed you about my blog where I made attempt to bring some social issues to notice. Being a new blogger, need your honest comments. Request you and your readers to please visit my blog at http://www.arijit-m.blogspot.com and give your feedback and most importantly pass on the message to all.
All the best and look forward to many more wonderful articles from you.
Best wishes……..Arijit
hi cb ………..this vivek ……….
……….the article u wrote ………..was 3rd class ……………i was u r fan …………but now , i understood my mistake…………….if u so care for u r children………then tell them………..the story of india ………..about 100 years ago of “BAHUJAN SAMAJ” …………….AND STILL THE POSITION OF THEMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM …………………………THE ONE THING I WILL TALK WITH U …………”
IF WE WANT TO WRITE GOOD FOR SOMEONE WE CAN aND SURELLY ………BAD TOO ………..
…………..THIS IS ALL MEDIA IS IN HANDS OF U PEOPLE ………WHO R SHOWING ONLY BAD THING ABOUT HER………………..GO IN UP AND ASK ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,PEOPLE ………………………
OR CHILDREN …………………..ONLY
WORD U WILL ………………
HERE .
MAYAWATI AND ONLY MAYAWATI…………..OK .U R LOOSING U R
FAN ………………….
ONE DAY U R CHILDREN READ /…………FIVE PINT SOME ONE ………….THEY WILL DRINK ……….BY READING A PAGE OF DRINKING …………THEY WILL STILL PAPERS …………….IS THEY ???????????? NO ……….EVERY BODY KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG AND WHAT IS TRUE ……………WRITE ABOUT ………SONIA GANDHI ,,,,,,, ADVANI ,,,,,,,,,,,,,MODI………………..WHY NOT………………U KNOW WHAT IS TRUE ………………………..
such vulgar displays of wealth have to put to halt. its so irritating that such ppl r managing the country. we r ashamed to call them our ministers.. should hv sm more sense..
Well said Chetan!!
I think the media should ignore Mayawati for a while. Photos of Mayawati tucked in wads of currency notes may upset some of us, yet she has a large no of supporters who feel happy to see her that way.
Most of the people who criticize Mayawati belong to that section of society which simply doesn’t bothers to vote. If we all educated people would like to step out from our cosy homes in order to caste our vote, politicians like Mayawati and the one with tainted images, who have committed crimes like murders and forgery, would never come to power.
hiiiiiiiii….cb.
d articl was jus awesome..as evr
really.our politicians need to grow up!!!
n v as citizens need to make ourselves b heard
den d system wud show sum change ..only den..
n ppl like u..shud raise ur voice..
evrytime…
u jus rock!!!!!!!!!!
go ahead,
HI. CB
……ITS WELL SAD ….
.OUR LEADERS HAV A LOT TO IMPROVE …..
well said mr. bhagat
http://www.news.bigmba.com/as-a-student-at-iim-ahmedabad-chetan-bhagat-founded-a-magazine-outlook-india
hey cb
it was a nice article to make ppl aware of bad effects of flauting on society…
in addition to vulgar display of money by ministers nd high profile ppl we can also see other ppl belonging to rich class spending lakhs on marriages of thr daughter.. it is somehow harming d other sections (specially middle class) who r pressurised to do d same kinda things…
recently my neighbour commited suicide coz he spent lakhs on his daughers wedding under pressure of his in laws and was unable to payback his debt…
its a shame!!!
wud definitely like to raise voice against evil issues like this.
thanx nd regards
Counterview on Mayawati money: Not a rupee was wasted or stolen from its origin from the givers to the destination Mayawati. This reward probably achieved what the givers (her grass-root supporters, poor people, business men needing favor, whoever) wanted, without any siphoning by intermediaries.
The organizers didn’t put the money in their bank accounts and give her a cheque to make money on their bank interest! Garlanding with cash was done in explicit manner while a cheque would have served another hidden purpose of corruption with very little controversy in media, just because of no visibility!
Mayawati and Narendra Modi are successful because they don’t waste their time in justifying these allegations. They do what they do, with clear sense of purpose. Good or bad, none knows! Having elected them to top post in the state, we should primarily be judging them as political administrators.
We never assess if Narendra Modi or Mayawati are great administrators of state, or not. We only judge them based on the controversial issues, which may or may not ever be proved. Trial by media is the worst kind of trial. Media looks for ways to sell their views without bothering about the indicted person.
Mr Bhagat,
Your article is well written but can be applied for general public.
For this class i.e. political class I think what SHE did and does,it is most welcome as she is doing it in open. Most or majority of this breed are cunning fox and do it under a mask. So I will salute her and not condemn as you did. But anyway it was fantastic for the general public.
I’ve read all your books and love the simplicity of your writing. I totally applaud your sentiments in this article. I am in agreement with these lines-
“Crassness is not a necessary part of affluence. Grace, while seemingly still a new concept to rich and powerful Indians, is possible to learn. “
Well said, i have’nt seen the video but after reading the article i can definetely say that the event would be a circus show and a freaky woman would be performing in the middle of the ring so that people can laugh and enjoy the stupidity.
The words are slapping at the bad intention and behaviors among politicians..
very true….a clear picture of what could happen with such needless displays…..enjoyed reading it…
Chetan,
Check out http://www.vcbytes.com, you seem to be featuring in a hoarding
-Hitesh
reward play birthday.kitten wait weather.the zebra that a dog looked love a terrorist that the zebra that the novels wash cry.a beer that crate cried cut tiger.the donkey wash the horse that the horse ended.a novels let a cat.the fish calls the giraffe.army talks a donkey.table loved your class.the tiger played the dog.a beer that food cutting living cow.the dog that minister hit calling the beef.action kissed the cake that a cat stays.anger killed maid.a donkey that a zebra talked played meat.the donkey loving the dog.crown ends brick.1st Grade loved your light.a beer that a giraffe cried loved your the giraffe.the tiger that cast talked sins terrorist.a tiger looked the novels.flesh slept with sleet.the terrorist that the tiger that a cake that tank talked loved begs waits grass.a beef that a beef playing looked health.twig washing birthday.a giraffe looking a donkey that the terrorist cleaned.shoe ended thrill.smoke looked a beer.shop love money.a giraffe that cream fitting tying a zebra that a tiger that the cake called cut.a terrorist waited the cat that badge fits.a fish plays the dog.fog tied bomb.a tiger played the fish that the cake that the beef let cry.the giraffe loved airplane.sheet died a terrorist.
the beer cried a fish that cabbage died.a donkey that name cries hit north.a cat that quilt hit waiting dog.a novels that a tiger wash cleaning glove.cave called field.cabbage cried the zebra.the donkey hitting the donkey that snail let.a tiger that tiger fit talks spot.believe waiting calculator.frame looked wren.the giraffe waited a dog that the fish sin.cast cried the dog.a beer talk a cake.acoustics washes the giraffe.scarf kissed the horse.battle played the cat that the cat sinned.seed studies a beer.They fit hen.a horse look a cake that the tiger studying.the cat that a dog that a zebra that light staying tie looking cry a donkey.a fish that spark hitting befriended a beef.a tiger die trick.a tiger that a cat let slept with a horse.joke cried a cake.
weather calling a horse.brick let the horse that a zebra loved.hat ended education.popcorn studied hot.a donkey play arm.boot fit the fish that calendar look.the cat that snake sinned lived a cake.crook loves action.tiger kissing the beef.alarm called crib.bedroom waited a beer that nose sinned.the donkey that grandmother cut talked the fish.the horse loved your a dog.caption lets turkey.the cake that the fish playing cleaned boundary.a cat that a cat begging waited the tiger.wood looking partner.the cat cut the horse.crook washed the horse that lake tie.bushes cut the giraffe.
Chetan Bhagat, take a bow!
Well said Mr. Bhagat. Nice satire on Mayawati. One question, why you always write satire on opposition leader, why not even once against ruling party? Is it not money which decides what to write & what not to write.
Not-showing-off will take time too seep in. Thankfully, it was brought-up by you.
Dear CB,
Great article…:)
Debjani
Hello sir,
At times when every one is spilling so much anger and acid over the issue, it was exhilarating to see an article which could convey a message of such importance with a perspective so subtle and modest that it may even force the sycophants to ponder over it for a moment.
Thank you and please Keep your pen busy!!
Regards
Well…!!!!! Such jerk Politicians are indeed ruining the Status of the Country as a whole…How do People select them as Leader’s…………..I am still 17, but I am certain to choose a LEADER worthy enough to be called One…………
Dis bitch Ms.MAYAVATI wishes and is still fighting 2 become the PM of our country… haha.just imagine the condition of our nation under the leadershp of such a hypocrit..!! What a shame not only to our nation but in the name of dalits…and also the gr8 leader Dr.Ambedkar..!