Monday, April 5, 2010

Riots are overrated

Despite warnings from many regarding the dangers of visiting Hyderabad during the riots--"4-day shutdown/curfew of a major Indian city has never happened before"; "Even Al Jazeera is concerned"; "You are insane"; "You're an idiot"; "Make sure you send a copy of all your models and documents before you leave" etc-- I went to Hyderabad for the long weekend. Lo and behold, I have returned to Bombay in one piece.

I attribute my safe return to these two people:




The Hyderabadi Muslim community has been distracted by this couple's saga which is

* Part Bollywood style drama:
Pakistani Cricket Captain Shoaib Malik to wed Indian Tennis Sensation Sania Mirza of Hyderabad. He's Pakistani and she's Indian? They're both celebrities? What, what, what?

* Part Hollywood style scandal:
He's already married to a girl from another prominent Muslim family of Hyderabad. What, what, what, what?

All nine 24/7 Telugu News channels (yes, there are 9 of them) and every major Telugu, English, Hindi and Urdu paper of the city have been covering this story non-stop. All the Qazis from the tony hills to the decrepit old city are weighing in.

Hello? One scandal and they've already forgotten that they're supposed to be rioting for a United Andhra Pradesh/Nationally Administered Hyderabad so that they can retain their significant political influence? Well, guess, I can't complain.
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5 comments:

  1. AndrewApril 5, 2010 at 8:11 AM

    This doesn't mean you're not insane to have gone, just like having successfully attacked a mugger doesn't mean that you're not batshit to have thought of doing it.

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  2. UnknownApril 5, 2010 at 9:30 AM

    I second Seal's sentiment.

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  3. UnknownApril 5, 2010 at 9:55 AM

    What's the saying? Liquid courage?

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  4. bindiyaApril 5, 2010 at 10:14 PM

    Lol!!! Well, we are happy you are back safe...and shall be thanking both Sania and Shoaib for their contribution!!!

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  5. Sri BatchuApril 6, 2010 at 8:32 AM

    Haha, thanks Bindiya! Hope your trip is going well. Are you posting this from a sail boat?? If so, bonus points for you.

    And the rest of you's, one word for you: "So is your face." What's that? That's not one word, guess what? "So is your face."

    ReplyDelete

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