Nerve Endings Firing Away

It has been more than a week since Bobby Jindal was elected the Governor of Louisiana but Rediff, India’s premier news portal still can’t get over it. See the attached screenshot from their website as taken on 28th October. It is not only the top headline but also has a dedicated black link atop all headlines, giving it almost an aura of a great story. I have already talked about the stupidity of such blind love for anything with an Indian name. But then maybe I was missing out on what may indeed be a big story. Sure! Jindal was the first non-white governor of a state known for its racial prejudices. In that case, you would see the state’s primary newspaper The Time Picayune carrying the story for at least as long as Rediff if not more, right? So let us see what does the Picayune have on its website at the same time.

Ah! Ironically, the only Jindal story in its list of headlines is the love of the Indian media for him. Louisianans must be wondering, did we really vote for an American or was Jindal a sleeper Indian cell that somehow got elected as Governor and will now outsource all jobs to India. The headline makes India sound desperate for vindication from the West. Why? Why must Rediff do that? I doubt that even Indian-Americans who check Rediff for news don’t care that much for Jindal. I’m sure, they want to know what’s happening in India and don’t tell me that it has been a slow news week. If nothing, then at least have your columnists write on the recently-released Gujarat riots report by Tehelka. I’m sure people would want to know about that. But apparently even by Indian standards, it is a non-issue. Mukeshbhai superseding Bill Gates makes everyone more happy. Trying to be the next ‘super power’ is not just about economic growth but ensuring your citizens (all of them!) enjoy civil liberties and basic rights otherwise all that prosperity is ephemeral. I know, I can be such a killjoy.