The article “Non Respected Indians” by Shekhar Deshpande is brilliant. As a naturalized American of Indian origin who has never hid my current nationality or Indian origin, I can resonate with everything the author has written about the double-standards of Indian hotels and Indian airlines.
I do have a difference of opinion regarding the levying of higher entrance fees for foreign nationals at cultural centers, museums and archeological sites, however. I think that since these are supported by the taxes of Indian nationals, it is only fair that they pay a lower entrance fee than non-tax-paying foreigners. But, similar arguments do not hold good for commercially run hotels and airlines. What is an anomaly in this instance is that the Indian Railways, which is heavily subsidized by the Indian taxpayer, does not levy a higher tariff on train travelers with foreign passports, while hotels and airlines are allowed to do so by the government. My tourist agent tells me that this is because of heavy lobbying of the government by the hotel industry and private airlines.
No wonder, a small country like Singapore gets 6 million tourists a year whereas India barely ekes out 2 million. I know of many native born Americans who resent this kind of fleecing by Indian hotels and airlines, whereas no such double-standards prevail in Singapore.
As far as the patronizing of whites by Indian establishments, here too the author is right on the money. I was appalled that even at the Auroville in Pondicherry, I was gently guided away (though I had an American passport) from the beach set aside for “foreigners,” most, or nearly all, of whom were whites. That hurt me more than the pain I felt in 1962 when a diner on the eastern shore of Maryland asked me to eat my sandwich outside the diner.
C. Alex Alexander
Via eMail
The article “Beauty’s Beast” by Swati Sharan is interesting and raises a number of concerns. In the past we believed that there was a close nexus between the film industry and the textile industry, which explained the frequent change of dresses. Now we understand the relationship between the cosmetic industry and beauty contests. Your article reaffirms common sense understanding of issues.
Sanjay Goel
via eMail
The article “Quest for First” by Lavina Melwani is the first comprehensive examination of the phenomenon of Indian success in academic contests that I have read. I am very impressed with the success of our Indian youth in America and the article provided good insight into the efforts put in by these students and the support system that exists within the community to encourage them.
Little India does an excellent job in exploring novel and interesting subjects and reporting them indepth so that we get a thorough understanding. Keep up the good work.
R. P. Singh
Via eMail
While the success of many of these children in contests (“The Quest for First”) is admirable, I hope parents also realize that pushing kids hard into these projects can be harmful to their development and psyche. When I was a high school kid, I often heard of the pressures many of my friends felt from parents to participate and succeed at even the smallest high school contests. I think it is fine if kids enjoy this experience, but it can be damaging to those who simply feel pressured to participate.
G Patel
Via eMail
Congratulations on your powerful indictment of the dysfunctional U.S. visa system in “Unwelcome in America.” The entire system of immigration for tourists and workers coming to America is broken. It is needlessly burdensome and exhausting for ordinary people looking to come to America and harms the country’s image abroad. It is time that the U.S. government revised the process
Vijay Desai
Via eMail
The article “Non Respected Indians” by Shekhar Deshpande is brilliant. As a naturalized American of Indian origin who has never hid my current nationality or Indian origin, I can resonate with everything the author has written about the double-standards of Indian hotels and Indian airlines.