I whole-heartedly agree with Arecee but fail to understand Dr. Joseph's reaction. Times of India, the internet version, has become so sleazy that I am worried my 12 year old son might one day find it.

In the last two years or so, the articles that have appeared on the cover pages of Times of India include numerous graphic sex-related news, articles, research (done by self-declared experts) - articles that could have been well-buried on some other pages. Words like 'nip--e', 'vag---a', 'mast---ation' continue to make frequent appearance on the front page that also often features almost-nude pictures of women that have absolutely no relevance to the current news or the headline.

The TOI also appears to be in deep love with Bollywood actresses, particularly Aishwarya Rai. It probably holds the current record for publishing the most number of news/article on the blue-eyed actress who is over-rated in my opinion any way but that's for a different time. Now I don't particularly have anything against the Indian actresses but I don't think they deserve place on the front page unless it happens to be of extreme importance. (Death of Nargis was a national event; Aishwarya, or any other actor or actress for that matter, changing her dress 125 times in one song is not a national news!). Why can't they put film news on separate Bollywood section of the newspaper?

Here are just two examples from today's front page: "He had 13 kids from six other women!" and "Sanju surrenders Porsche". Do such news belong on the front page of a national newspaper? I think this newspaper has completely lost its credibility and the gravitas that it once enjoyed. Now it's more aimed towards the hormone-raging teens who will do or give anything for 5 minutes of sex.

Shame on you, TOI.

Just to be fair to TOI, other national newspapers like Hindustan Times are not too far behind the TOI when it comes to sleaze.

As for Dr. Joseph's comment, I am not even sure where does he stand. We all know pre-marital sex (and extra-marital sex as well) does exist among certain people or family or even society. But must we talk about it by putting them on front pages? And so what if Chinese don't like (or can't handle) pre-marital sex? Is it worth discussing in Indian media or reason enough to scoff at Chinese? Maybe the Chinese have much higher moral and family values than our much-touted 'Indian culture and tradition'. Maybe we need to learn a thing or two from the Chinese!

Speaking openly about sex in the name of 'being liberated' is a folly perpetuated by 'junk TV psychologists' and is not appreciated in most countries. The trash shows like 'Jerry Springer' is seen and appreciated only by that kind of people - trash! There is absolutely no redeeming value to it. The new-age psychologists, however, will tell you otherwise. - Aninda Bose - Oct. 31, 2005

Dr. Ignatius Joseph has missed the thrust of my article by a light year. I do not have a problem with the Times of India article per se, but I resent the wording of the Caption!

I thank Ms. Bose for expounding so eloquently on my views. I would encourage every reader to write in and give the issue of degenerating moral values in India a look-over. It is high time we did that.

In the guise of Evangelism, Western missionaries have successfully spread Western values among the youth of India. Religious belief has absolutely nothing to do with how people dress, eat and the kind of music and dance they patronize. An acceptance of pre-marital sex has been encouraged by the Western missionaries among the Christian Youth often as a lure. They have transformed the culture of Goan Christians and Nagas very perceptibly and visibly. Cultural conversion is usually achieved by first inculcating a sense of inferiority about the basic tenets of the original cultural. Western culture is offered as a symbol of "civilization". Suddenly sherwani is labeled as a 'native' - conjuring the image of savages dancing around a fire with skulls in their hands, drinking blood; while the Western suit is seen as suave and respectable. Nothing can be farther from the truth, though. The acceptance of Pre-marital sex, has also been peddled by such institutions, fashion industry and by the forces of consumerism and instant gratification.

Celibacy is still considered a virtue in US and Europe. The priests here are signing up youth for 'abstinence'. A lot of youth from traditional good families are taking up this path. This all is being done in an effort to stem the sky rocketing rates of divorce which results in kids which neither parent wants to pay for.

Pre marital sex has existed and will always exist. The point is, should it become mainstream culture? Considering the many far reaching and unpleasant repercussions that result from it, I think the answer is a resounding "NO !" - Aarcee - Nov. 1, 2005

Mr. Aarcee, very recently you were suggesting Biharis to talk something other than Bihar, were you having this topic in your mind? Your double speak has been proved by your views on the issue of Sania Mirza. India is a free country. If Sania Mirza can wear dress of her choice then even Hindu females should be allowed to wear dress of her choice.

I thought only Islamic Suicide bombers talks about dress code for females.

Your 10 years in America, does not mean that all Americans have started thinking like you. I am not worried about Western missionaries (in fact we need more of them to counter balance Hindu fanatics active in Goa) in Goa but I am worried about some Hindus of Goa who are passing “fatwas” against Biharis in Goa. I remember another savior of dress code for Hindus, Balasaheb Thackrey requesting Hindu Goans to ban Biharis in Goa. I think writing about premarital sex is much better than spreading hatred against Biharis, which Hindu organizations like Shiv Sena and their “Saamna” are actively doing in India. - Dhananjay Bhardwaj, Patna - Nov. 3, 2005

Mr. Bhardwaj's response seems to be written either in a state of delirium or under influence. I do not know where he has pulled out the topic of dress code and mistreatment of Biharis and mixed it with this issue. The thrust of my topic was 'lewdness in Times of India website'. Aninda Bose concurred with me - and so would many other parents and responsible adults.

Mr. Bhardwaj seems to have an axe to grind against the Hindu system. I think such people should not stay tethered to a faith that they resent. Hinduism is magnanimous that it holds no one by their feet, nor does it issue a 'fatwa-e-maut' to anyone who leaves the faith system and finds happiness in another religious philosophy.

In any case, the down fall of a society comes from the erosion of its value system. I have shared my opinions about a few trends that I thought were destructive to society. Those who resent it are free embrace these trends wholeheartedly and encourage their friends and family to follow their path. - Aarcee - Nov. 4, 2005

Mr. Aarcee, I belong to “Sanatan Hindu” community of Aryawart. Sanatani Hindus were Hindus before Bajrang Dal and will remain Hindus after Bajrang Dal. We are Hindus not because of "Ashirwad" of RSS but because we believe in Vedas and our generations have believed in this so please remember your limits before advising people like me to quit Hinduism. In your article, you talked about Western Missionaries in Goa and I reminded you how Hindu fanatic missionaries in Goa are passing fatwa against Bihari Hindus. My "Brahma" says "Aano Bhadra Viswtah", I don’t know about yours. Garbage of Balasaheb Thackeray is not Hinduism and yes, I resent it. Remember article of TOI starts with Bal Thackeray. - Dhananjay Bhardwaj, Patna - Nov. 4, 2005

Quite passionate debate on a purely 'academic' write-up. Anyway the quality of debate is indicative of Bihar's command over 'English' (language). Will politicians give another chance to flourish the language in George Orwell's birth-land. - Sanjay Arun Kumar, Daman - Nov. 5, 2005

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