Leave Kaavya alone

Considerable white space has already been consumed by Ms Kaavya and suddenly this young 19 something, has become world (in)famous ! Ironically but sadly, the amount of good publicity her original work has brought or would have brought her is nothing compared to the noise, Opal Mehta's kissing work has created for her.
In India , plagiarism often goes unnoticed or probably knowing the legal machinery and the attached costs and pressures , one does not really take on a copier head-on . In educational Institutes , be it report writing or submissions or even books , plagiarism is in a way a part of life often going unnoticed. However, Kaavya should have known better (being in US ) than anyone else, that she was likey to be "caught" stealing - her apology notwithstanding. Like many others including Salman Rushdie or Shobhaa De, , I too dont buy the theory that she is innocent or it was a mistake or was done out of naiveity. Atleast some who has some best sellers to her record should have assiduously eschewed the copying. Nonetheless, one feels extremely sad for Kaavya for more than one reason. Firstly , she has Indian roots so we all genuinely feel for her. Second , she has done a mistake , admitted it and paid a price by being lambasted and has become infamous over the world. She has learnt her lessons at 19 , and would definitely never ever do such an act again. Lastly , and more significantly, people have committed more horrendous crimes from murder to other acts of cruelty and barbarism and yet are walking freely in society. In this context Kavya's "crime" pales into nothing ! Spare a thought for this Indian daughter. Everybody is going for her - some had to be a devil's advocate.

Surya's death - Very very tragic !

In this hour of grief when entire country is mourning Surya's death , comes a pot boiler straight from a Telugu movie. This 'second' wife story of Surya is all sham . Does the birth certificate show that she is Surya's child ? Where was this woman all these months ? If the marriage is not registered it is no marriage and the child cannot be considerd as a legal heir of Surya . Its really really tragic and one feels extremely sorry for Surya's 'real' wife and children. The Indian Government has always been seen as soft targets and Indian Government must show its teeth . India is becoming soft target in the hands of fundamentalists. India must take a leaf from Israel and as Mr KPS Gill said , we must not negotiate with militants .