Asian Age Coverage

Superstar INdia Excerpts - 6

I’m amazed that with all our new-found success in virtually every field, including fashion, we are still enamoured of all things Western. Is it just a hang-over from the colonial past? But then, our youth (remember, over 50 per cent of our one billion people are under thirty-five years old) have no recall of pre-Independence India. They neither know nor care what happened sixty years ago. They’re far too busy enjoying the here-and-now. A Shakira concert generates more excitement than if Charles and Camilla come a-calling. It is the grandparents who can still remember a time when the goras ruled. And, shocking as it sounds, a few from that generation speak nostalgically about how wonderful life used to be when the ‘saabs and memsaabs’ ruled India. One feels sorry for them, especially if they happen to be educated. It’s another thing to hear a seventy-five-year-old bearer in one of those ancient clubs in, say, Coonoor, going on and on about what a pleasure it used to be to serve gora tea estate managers, and how well-behaved their baba-log were compared to the junglee bachchas of today’s natives. ‘India was better off under the British’—one can still overhear such comments, spoken without shame or self-consciousness. As and when I do, I seethe a little, bristle a little, but keep quiet. Not because I think every Indian has to be unconditionally pro- India, but because I feel it’s shameful to want to go back to virtual slavery, regardless of how enlightened and terrific the masters were. No self-respecting individual would (or should) want to endorse non-freedom. But such is the paradox in our perplexing country!

Superstar India Excerpts - 5

Oh please—let’s just dump that Kamasutra fixation and be honest with ourselves. Indians copulate. So does the rest of the world. Period. Are we great, even good lovers? I seriously doubt that. Do we copulate more than our global counterparts? Possibly. But that’s also because we have fewer diversions or, at any rate, that was the case till satellite TV ‘happened’ to us. Sex vs entertainment? That’s a nobrainer. Indian are having their most torrid love affair ever— with their TV sets. Nothing is as big a turn-on for us as that flickering image, and of course, the throbbing organ in our hands—the remote control. We can’t get enough from over 100-plus TV channels.

Superstar India Excerpts - 4

Extravagant weddings are such a collosal waste—why not give the young couple a better start to their lives by giving them money instead of an elaborate mehendi-sangeet reception with a cast of thousands of strangers? Big weddings are a nightmare—people come, people eat and drink, people leave, people criticize and people forget. All that effort, planning, anxiety, insecurity, spread over months, goes straight down the tube. A few years later, something goes ‘phut’ and the marriage is called off. But does that matter any more? Last week I received an elaborate, gold-edged invitation to a beautiful young woman’s third wedding! I was bothastonished and delighted … why not? Here’s a gal who refuses to give up, like Liz Taylor. She obviously loves getting married and wants each wedding to be extra-special, with all possible trimmings in place. This is the new India—nobody blinks when the bride says, ‘I do’ for the third time, surrounded by the very people who’ve attended her previous shaadis. She invites former husbands and countless exes who show up sportingly to wish the newly-weds. This is not a Bollywood script. It is happening… and if some sour-puss aunt does not approve … well, she needn’t join the party!

Superstar India Excerpts - 3

Sometimes, when I reluctantly participate in those meaningless TV debates on the New India or Sexy India, I feel like an imposter. Most of the other panellists arrive with personal agendas. They are there to push away …plug their latest product, be it a movie, ad, spiritual mantraor political goal. And me? I’m there to add two vital elements:
1) the token female perspective and
2) a dash of colour/glamour.

All of us bleat away on how fantastic it feels to be an Indian today. How amazing it is that the worldis finally recognizing our real worth and giving us ‘respect’. I feel depressed at the end of all the chest-thumping. And ask myself how much of this new strut is self-delusionary. Whom are we kidding? And, by trotting them out often enough, will we really start believing our own illusions about ourselves?

Superstar India Excerpts - 2

India has to make up its mind on this score—how does it rate on the current cool quotient? I’d say, pretty high. Neo-Indians are highly enamoured of the relaxed attitude. They can identify with it far more thanmy generation could condone the hypocrisies of the pseudo-socialists who preached Gandhian austerity but lived like kings. Am I equally guilty? Neo-Indians love extravagance. Splurge is the bold name of a weekend supplement that encourages readers to indulge without guilt. Another magazine is devoted to spas and spa treatments, some of which are pegged at Rs 6,000 an hour (‘cheap by New York standards,’ says a friend). That used to be, till just two decades ago, the average pay cheque for a salaried professional who’d put in at least ten years of service. I remember my own exultation when I crossed the important Rs 5,000-barrier. I really thought I’d become a millionaire. Today, my driver earns much more than that. And chances are, given half a chance, my young daughters would blow that amount in a single night on the town—infact, the youngest did just that on New Year’s Eve.

Superstar India Excerpts - 1

'Impossible is nothing’, an Adidas ad remindsthe world. In India, we live by that mantra, never mindhow daunting the task! Have brain. Will attempt. Not forus the coyness of saying, ‘Well … it’s not a subject I knowmuch about.’ Rarely will an Indian confess to not knowing something. Ours is a marvellous nation of sabjantawallahs. Everybody is an expert.

We have an opinion on everything. And we aren’tembarrassed to go right ahead—often, recklessly—whereother, more cautious, people sensibly wouldn’t. Corecompetence? Don’t be silly. How restricting is that! All round competence—that’s what we excel in. Often, the consequences that follow from such a gung-ho attitudeare disastrous. But that doesn’t stop a soul from trying.

News Coverages

Superstar India

From my personal experience, it's like an era gone by... from not so glorious days of the 'Raj' to the current scenario, India has seen many a change in culture, polity, wealth creation and last but not the least, attitude.

We survived partition, ushered in the green revolution, managed large scale industries and have brought our country on par with international standards. My personal take is: From dominating hockey right from Olympics (read ‘Dhyan Chand’) to every major tournament we played, to track and field events; who can forget our flying Sikh! – ‘Milkha Singh’, we were just unmatched.

Even the cricket world cup (1983) victory was something special. Cricket - and the whole nation comes to a stand still. No wonder they say, 'Cricket is our religion and ‘Sachin’ is our GOD' the ever smiling assassin (yes, that's the word to describe him) is a treat to watch any day and now ‘Dhoni’ - jisne sabki dhulai kar di. The small town guy from ‘Ranchi’ has done our country proud. He is a true leader in the making and was quite instrumental in our T20 victory. It has amply proved that by trashing some of the world’s best teams - we are no mere pushovers. The following years have just added more Oomph! factor. Both in terms of dare devilry and the right marketing push.

Who can ever forget the great industrialist 'Vijaypath Singhania' flying on a hot air balloon and his famous solo flight just about circumnavigating the globe. And then who's the blue eyed boy of the flamboyant swim suit editions (I heard, the calendars are devovered just as fast as his beer), now he is up to racing cars. Truly Force 1.

Well, let me now focus on some traditional and modern issues. India has a rich tradition about family values, and respect towards women folk (though I would debate on the current scenario), but for me - my mother (‘Aie’) has been my source of strength and inspiration throughout.Coming to Indian women power! We have some of the best in sports, business, leadership and just about any field. We have our ‘Payolli Express’ (aka P.T. Usha) who brought glory in the track and field at the Olympics...and let's not forget one of our youngest and terrific performers both on-and-off-the field. Wherever she goes, she makes waves. Thy name is ‘Sania Mirza’. She has what it takes to be a true champion. Youth icons is what they rightly personify...they sure have the world at their feet.Besides them, ‘Kalpana Chawla’, the ace astronaut rocketed into space. ‘Kiran Bedi’ the IPS officer strikes terror even in the most seasoned criminal. Talking about global leadership, ‘Indra Nooyi’ is the chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo, and recently Forbes group had listed her as one of the top 5 on The 100 Most Powerful Women in the world.

Likewise, many of them are known ambassadors’ promoting child welfare and better living conditions, and even our former Miss World ‘Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’ has pledged to donate her eyes. Nobel deeds such as these leave a positive effect on humanity.And now over to some realityWell, every decade has had its fair share of problems and glorious moments. And as we glorify these sporting events (and personal milestones), we also had our infamous riots (1984) and, prior to that the ‘Maharshtra Samyukta’ movement. States were being carved out on the basis of linguistic identity. Then followed the (92-93 riots) and most recent being ‘Godhra’ (polarisation was at its peak). As if the partition was not enough. Suddenly, it seemed, we are not one country. An Indian in the true sense meant being a ‘Tamilian’, a ‘Marathi’, a ‘Sikh’ and what not. Regionalism seems to be the buzz word.‘Intellectualism be damned!’As if we don’t have enough troubles already, we certainly have criminalization of politics - our elected representatives with criminal background are ruling the roost; it seems what ever good done has been washed down the drain.

Sometimes I really wonder is our India really shining? But, no mater what, though we live in such turbulent times, there’s still hope. We have a ‘Ratan Tata’, ‘Narayan Murthy’ and the ‘Ambani’ household making us realise our true potential. The younger generation is demanding and they sure know what they want. I can definitely say we sure have the world…and there's so much more which I want to discuss: A growing economy, the trials and tribulations of the common man who is trying to make a living in these trying and turbulent times, and coming out triumphant despite the very odds. It shows what 'will power' can do. India shining is now definitely India everywhere..."Ham bhi hain team mein".I can go and on... and on...there are so many issues which need to be taken care of. And for that very reason, I invite you, my friends to share my version of the new India. I know that there is a super star in every one of us. You need not have to be a 'Krrish' or 'Superman' to jump over buildings - all it requires is just a change of heart and something from within to go that extra mile. Come let’s make a difference and be a part of SUPERSTAR INDIA.