Deflating convenient myths

Pavan Varma's new book promises to be the 'first honest portrayal of Indians', writes Nabanita Sircar.

In my last column I argued about the need to start addressing us as Indians, Chinese, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis or Sri Lankans, instead of clubbing us together in a bunch termed as Asians. Last week, it was one of those rare instances when, in the case of the arrest of eight Britons in a suspected Al-Qaeda attack, the media reported the men as being of Pakistani-origin, and not British Asians. Wonder how that happened? Was it due to this new fear that Islamist terrorist groups like the Al-Qaeda are now concentrating on recruiting young, British-born, educated, middle-class Pakistanis to launch attacks on this land, and intelligence warnings that 'homegrown' terrorists pose the biggest security risk for Britain?

At least that has sent some Muslim leaders urging Imams at mosques not to encourage such extremists and report them to the police, but I, like many others, find such appeals a bit too little, too late. I also could not help but note that a large number of British Pakistanis are blaming such extreme activities on the poor economic conditions and isolation of the community, to which one can argue that there are many other ethnic groups in similar conditions but they have not opted the route of violence as a means to being seen or heard. Neither do I find the preachers of terror being deterred by any amount of appeals.

Instead, a mob claiming to be from the Al-Muhajiroun group shamelessly burnt the Union Flag outside the London Central mosque, near Regents Park while chanting, "UK you will pay, Bin Laden on his way" and " Jihad for Blair". Is this really the way to respect the country you belong to? Are we supposed to believe that such a show of hatred is because the community feels threatened?

A reader of The Times rightly argued that if the Muslims in the UK claim to feel threatened then they should spare a thought for Christians living in Pakistan, Indonesia, Sudan and Iran. Michael Gordon wrote that "the so-called 'threat' expressed by Muslims is no more than that experienced by the Hindu population in this country. They have not felt the need to adopt extremist, anti-Western rhetoric." In a country of immigrants it is definitely too difficult to digest that only one community is under threat. The blame game will get no one anywhere. Other ethnic communities have worked hard to become success stories and have made a mark in this country.

Talking of successes I have to tell you of one of a literary kind. He is only five weeks old but he could soon be signed on for the global rights of his latest book. The man is Pavan Varma, who just arrived in London on February 29 and took over as the head of the Nehru Centre in London. But he is already becoming a sought after writer. The diplomat, known for some outstanding pieces of literary writing, is about to launch his latest book - Being Indian - The truth about why the 21st century will be India's. Published by Penguin India, the book will be launched by the British Council in New Delhi on April 14.

But I learnt that even before the launch, literary agents in London are extermely keen to get global and translation rights for the book. Mr Varma admits that the topicality of the book is what makes it so important given the global interest in India. His attempt is to let readers "know who the world is dealing with", he told me. But he warned me that his book will "puncture the convenient myths about ourselves which we have nurtured" and it is the "first honest portrayal". He believes it is time Indians found "comfort in their skin and accept themselves as what they are." That should be interesting Mr Varma, and I will surely look forward to some healthy discussions that ought to follow such a book! I cannot wait to see some myths being crashed!

However, this one is no myth. It may read like a bestseller but its Salman Rushdie's real life stag party in Hampstead. After three marriages, the Booker Prize winning author of Satanic Verses did have a whale of a time - something many young bachelors would desperately dream of. His fourth soon-to-be wife the Indian beauty Padma Lakshmi was obviously absent, being Rushdie's stag night, but the same cannot be said about Rushdie's other female admirers.

The venue was the home of Kathy Lette, writer and wife of QC Geoffrey Robertson. The guests included the gorgeous Danni Minogue, singer Kylie Minogue's sister, Nigella Lawson and Lady Jane Wellesley known for her past connection with the Prince of Wales, to name a few. The evening could be termed as a naughty fantasy for many, but definitely not for those present. Miss Lette had engaged some highbrow entertainment from the 'puppetry of the penis' team with their 'genital geometry' to a lesbian floor show. But the gossip of the night was the party game 'spin the bottle' in which kisses were exchanged. The bottle sure spun right for Rushdie for he got to kiss Minogue, with whom he shares an interest in scrabble. The reportedly 'full-on snog' thrilled many and some even claimed the two drove off together. Well, there are still 11 days for Lakshmi, 31, to lay her marital claim on the 56-year-old Rushdie! And Basere se dur, Rushdie's stag night will be remembered!