PICTURE SPEAK

"Inida Deluxe" November 22

"The rush of luxury brands to set up shop in India shows that the world has woken up to the global Indian and is ready to pamper him."

K. Chidanand Kumar, on e-mail

The Merc of a Man

It is wonderful to have Bvlgari and Mercedes Maybach opening outlets in India ("Deluxe India", November 22). But it is disappointing that not even one made-in-India brand holds a similar luxury quotient for the western consumer. It is time the skilled Indian craftsmen learnt the suave marketing skills of their western counterparts and created a niche market for their products.

-Yash Rathore, on e-mail

Whenever I read India Today, it is like looking at a window called India. This time I saw the glossy side of the country. Developed nations, watch out, India will soon join your ranks. Even developed countries have their share of hunger, poverty, illiteracy and crime. Indians have to resolve to make themselves rich and educated. The story was an eye opener regarding India's potential.

A. Jay, Toronto, Canada

We have a deluxe India, one which flourished with globalisation and the coming of the MNCs. But there is also a dark India that strives for one square meal a day. The gap between these two Indias is widening and it needs to be bridged.

A. Jacob Sahayam, on e-mail

The Diwali Special was informative but it was meant only for the rich and the famous, who by your own estimates consist of just 53,000 crorepatis. Can those of us who belong to the middle class, who spend Rs 15 every week on India Today and keep the sales figures intact, expect a Diwali Special meant for us next year?

S. Balakrishnan, on e-mail

It was a grand portrayal of the economic privileges enjoyed by today's Indians, some of whom have made it to the list of multimillionaires. They give a boost to the country's economy. It also makes people like us aspire for the day when we can afford the price tags of the high-end products.

Aniket D., on e-mail

Although the upsurge in the demand for global brands points towards a rise in the disposable incomes of a few, there are millions reeling in abject poverty. The story unwittingly brought into focus the growing disparity between the rich and the poor.

Siddhartha Raj Guha, on e-mail

The Indian market has all the essentials to promote international brands. However, to flourish here they will have to diversify and cater to the interests of the large middle class for whom value for money is the mantra. Otherwise their clientele will be limited to a small crowd of glitterati, posing beside its Porsche or glowing in its Bvlgari.

Susan K. Joseph, on e-mail

What is on offer in 21st century India is astounding. From Cartier watches to Vertu phones, they are all available-for a price. Meanwhile low-end models of these functional goods are available at throwaway prices. It speaks a lot about the range of the purchasing power and buying habits of Indians.

N. Aravind Rajesh, on e-mail

India is one of the most lucrative marketplaces. The middle class is getting richer, the youth is going all out for labelled products. All that a company needs is the knack to tap into this market. It is hardly surprising then that international brands are making a beeline to Indian shores, and Calvin Klein, Steve Ballmer, Bill Gates and Craig Barrett have India on their itinerary.

Jinu Mathew, on e-mail

Deluxe brands concern only a minority in India. For the majority, these are still a dream-however glorious that is.

Anirudh Govind Rajan, on e-mail

Live Wire

Uma Bharati's walkout in full media glare was a clear indication of the collapse of the BJP, which is supposed to work as a responsible Opposition ("Sanyasin Outcast", November 22). This is not the disciplined BJP we knew. The party should have been cautious not to expose its infighting live on television.

Diana Sahu, on e-mail

OFFICERS' MESS

The present promotional policy, in which a few decimal points can decide an officer's promotion, will cause disaffection and give room for biases to come into play ("A Question of Honour", November 22). The air force must accept it has made a mistake and change the policy. Wing Commander (retd) Rajiv Sood, on e-mail The defective promotional policy shows our high-flying service has hit a new low. Without engaging in courtroom battle with its own senior officers, the air force should try to make amends. Air commodore (retd) Raghubir Singh, on e-mail

When BJP President L.K. Advani invited TV channels to cover the party meeting, he should have insisted that the conduct be formal.

Rajneesh Batra, on e-mail

Bharati was, of course, being impetuous in storming out of the BJP meeting. But her suspension from the primary membership of the party does not augur well for it. Before the BJP fights the Congress, it has to quell the fights within.

Madhu Singh, on e-mail

Bharati was asking for suspension when she crossed the Lakshmanrekha of political propriety. If Advani had not taken disciplinary action against her, it would have sent a wrong message to other party members and dented his image of lauh purush. Anyway he must have rued his decision to let the media zoom in on the inner-party conclave.

H.R. Bapu Satyanarayana, on e-mail

The BJP needs to be a strong secular party in the larger interests of Indian democracy. It should prevent infighting and shun fundamentalism. Democracy can be well served only if there are two secular parties with a huge base.

Dr K.K. Gupta, on e-mail

Two Timing

It was the most candid display of political opportunism when CPI(M)'s Politburo member Sitaram Yechury reiterated that the Congress was the Left party's friend only at the Centre and that they would remain rivals in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura ("Seedhi Baat", November 22).

T.S. Pattabhi Raman, on e-mail

Idle Indian

Reality shows like the Indian Idol seem to exert a tremendous influence on the youth as is evident from the long line of candidates aspiring to become a star ("Reality Check", November 22). Are they drawn by the glitz and glamour associated with a TV show? Or is it just an idle Indian's pastime?

Rajiv Chopra, on e-mail

Court Tales

Why is Zaheera Sheikh taking such U-turns ("Answer True or False", November 22)? The Best Bakery case is a significant one and should not be dependent on the whims and fancies of one individual, even though she was once the "star witness". The case should go on and the guilty be punished.

D.B.N. Murthy, on e-mail

Vote for the Family

Barring a few, the present-day politicians are unashamedly promoting their children's political career ("Me and My Family", November 15). The difference between them and the erstwhile kings is that we vote them to power every five years or so.

Vinay Kapur, on e-mail

Once we zealously abolished privy purse and princely titles but we ended up creating a new line of maharajas to rule the country. Dynastic rule is one thing that thrives in India without opposition.

M.M. Gurbaxani, on e-mail

Index