Prof Raj Aggarwala Lt.Col comments : I congratulate Smt Vimla Patil for the article on diamonds for the Indian women. Smt Vimla Patil presents herself as a perfect Indian woman, and her models in the article are very tastefully presented.
I, however, have my doubts about the shape and form FEMINA has taken today, irrespective of its popularity in some quarters. My comments and questions for Smt Patil are as follows
1. Miss India program, as structured today appears to be structured to define Indian women as beautiful from only a western perspective, not Indian. 90% or even more of the ideal Indian women will not even qualify to compete for Miss India contest because of the height restrictions to qualify, and the need to expose their bodies in the world market. My questions
a) Are we selecting the most beautiful, cultured, and talented Indian women in Miss India contest, or are we selecting Indian women that can be marketed for sale in western markets only?
b) Was this also your criterea of Miss India, when you introduced the program organised by FEMINA?
c) Do you see the need for some different Miss India Programs, which will truly reflect the womenhood of India, women who will reflect and represent not only the physical beauty of all Indian women, but also their culture and talents relevant in the lives of Indians as a whole?
2. My other comments and questions relate to the sexual aspects of FEMINA, the excessive body exposure to which most of the models are subjected to, and to the use of western dresses. For the first two or three decades of FEMINA, such exhibitionism of the western dresses, flesh and emphasis on the sexual woman would not have been welcome in the Indian homes in any magazine. My questions are
a) Isn't the present trend of FEMINA not contributing to the sexual permissiveness that is becoming increasingly prevalent in colleges and even schools in India, namely the recent example of an explicit sexual act being transmitted through the cell phones among school children in a Delhi Public School? (Of course there are others in media and Bollywood also contributing it to).
b) Is this sexual freedom or permissiveness not dangerous to the health and well being of our youth and children in the light of the AIDS crisis that is hitting the cities of India?
c) As the originator of FEMINA, do you have any suggestions for the current editor(s) of FEMINA in this regard?
Vimla Patil Responds:
I am no longer associated with Femina in its present form. During my years, it was an instrument of change for women. It inspired women to understand the larger world in which they had to take their share of victories and responsibilities and network together for a better India. To a large extent this purpose was fulfilled - as one can see, India is a very woman friendly country with women at the top jobs in every field. As to Femina, I feel the entire media has become glamour oriented whether it is films, magazines, newspaper supplements or television. There is a strong movement in India against this widespread downfall of media which now works like a 'business for making money' rather than a social instrument to bring about positive change. We shall wait and watch what happens. It is true that sex is becoming the centre of young people's lives but hopefully, this is a passing phase. Indian civilisation and culture have been through more difficult periods and come out successfully. I would have faith in its strength and wish for it to prevail in the lives of this 'quick sex and quick money' generation.
I hope I have answered the questions to some extent.
Vimla Patil.
Prof Aggarwala Lt.Col. comments : Thanks you very much Vimla Patilji. You have answered my questions perfectly. I agree with you, and hope that it is a passing phase, and soon the dangers will dawn on the perpetrators, and good sense will return.
Kanan Mehta comments : Hi, It is an interesting and detailed article but my concern is about the exploitation and child slave labor associated with diamond mining. I have constantly seen celebrities talk about their love for diamonds and the symbolism of diamonds. Some of the major companies are aggressively marketing diamonds to the Indian middle class owing to the rising economy of India. The consumers are usually sold average quality diamonds so that they can have the satisfaction of owning a diamond. I agree with the right to individual choice and taste but at the same time, there should be awareness with regards to the dark side of the diamond business, such as violation of human rights, slave labor and adverse effects of diamond mining. Sapphires, rubies and emeralds are not any less beautiful. Neither are diamonds so rare considering their global availability and sales. To each his own but ignorance is not empowerment.
