Reality anyone?

Judging by the websites, a reality show seems to be hogging all the space on all news channels and websites. Apparently, Shilpa Shetty got 'racist' comments on a British show. I am still foggy with what the show is about, but I know all about who abused whom and what words they used. So what have we here? A publicity stunt? "Exposure of the nasty underbelly of racism"? A celebrity wannabe taking the quick and dirty way to make some press? I think the producers went too far with a publicity gimmick and it ended up being an international issue.

What I ask is, what is the big deal? Actress goes on a show. Doesn't have a pleasant time. Period. Why are a million people sending anti-racism letters to the producers?And the so called slurs seem to be ill chosen and ridiculous anyway. Like all countries, we have our shortcomings. Pick on a genuine one! Cooking food with hands and being thin.That is offensive!! And calling Shetty a dog-wow! That was brilliant. Maybe we should really make a fuss and levy sanctions on the UK. Stop the Tur Dal exports, I say! And patent Chicken Tikka Masala and don't let 'em have the recipe!! That will teach them!

The British people seem to have used this to go on a voyage of self discovery. Are they racist deep deep deep down? Do they have enough cross cultural tolerance? Well maybe the real question to ask is, are they so hard up for amusement?

The only sensible reaction I can find is that of the Indian press and public. Barring a few people(Notably, Shetty's mom who seems to milking this for all its worth), we dont seem overly concerned with the issue and I even detect a note of amusement in the Indian tabloids when they describe the extreme reactions of the British. People falling over themselves to apologize to us. Thats a new one.While they are at it, maybe they can apologize for having enriched us with their pleasant company for two centuries. But that was not a serious issue. Nor is the Koh-i-Noor theft. But this is. Oh yes!

On second thoughts maybe the issue is not a total loss. A lot of people seem to be profiting from it. First, me. I got a blog out of it. Second, Shilpa Shetty. She is getting to be everyone's poor little 31 year old girl. Third, the British people. They finally have something pleasant to look at in the papers. And finally, all Indians. We get to curl an amused lip at our Angrez friends and say, "Come up with something a little better than that!"