Hey Shekhar: I like Richard Gere too--because of his acting, but especially because of the efforts he puts forward on behalf of those in need, without any the fanfare you just described.

To me, such actions as handing people condoms is so patronizing that it insults everybody's intelligence--it might be considered that the reason's people "procreate" with such velocity in the conditions of poverty is because it is the only aspect of their lives that is an active affirmation of life--vs. the "death and dying" that is everywhere around them.

I remember when one of my best friends was dying of AIDS and no one in his family would acknowledge him because of his "personal preferences" in life--and I remember when another friend of ours was "chewing him out" for smoking outside in the courtyard of the hospice he was at--and most of all, I remember his spontaneous laughter when he "cackled out" his response with the question, "what, do you think if I'm gonna die from smoking too much!"

It seems to have the same sardonic parallel as giving people concoms, when they live on the edge of survival as their daily reality--maybe what they could really use is a bag of coins that they can actually exchange for something they need, or just want--or a gallon of fresh water, or a beer, or a pack of cigarettes even--and a lighter to go with them!!! Dave

well said shekhar...

everywhere in the world this has been the problem ..it was wrong on Linda part to use this as a publicity stunt ..but i feel even the media,in general ...has to been more responsible and sensitive when it comes to issues like this..

....Or even, Shekhar, maybe Linda could give them the photography equipment intentded for the "photo op," and show them how to use the equipment, and some of them might even go to tourist areas and take peoples' pictures--become industious with their increasing energy--and make it all the way to becoming filmmakers!

...with the condoms, at least they can make water balloons to throw at the tourists, instead of taking pictures of them. Dave--Again!

Yawn. It's so tiring and boring to be alive and aware of what's right and what's wrong. Obviously, what Linda Evangelista did was mere symbolism but was it useless? So what if she's rich and was in India for a junket or a promotion or whatever. Still doesn't mean her distributing condoms doesn't help the people getting condoms, na? Btw, am i really talking to Shekhar Kapur? And why am I talking to Shekhar Kapur? Should Shekhar Kapur have any business being here? Is he here? Thank you, Avi

hmmm, this is what is called as perception gap. one needs to emerge out of glass houses to understand reality.
Condoms finds an ingenious use to polish Banarsi Sarees. Thats where free condoms are being use. Statistics give a rosy picture.

I seriously do not know who Linda Evangelista is. Linda and her PR agency aside, the bigger question is why the media was there to report this ridiculous exercise?

what is more absurd?...a woman distributing condoms for photo op or a blog that cries fowl becoz the woman got the photo op?

we might be intelligent enough to understand that the woman did that for photo op, but somewhere someone must have increased his awareness about Safe Sex by seeing that photo.

if so, even if it was a single person, the artcile was worth its space. if the woman got her publicity, so what? it has saved two lives already

someone, somewhere is wiser.

lets look at the positives, always. especially when dealing with conditions like AIDS.

who cares (and why should someone care) if publicity comes to such a stunt.

shekhar,what do you say abt indian celebrities doing the same thing???you must have come across some inidans also or is it that you are just obsessed with foreigners???can you criticize an indian celebrity in the same tone???waiting for your response.

shekhar,
i feel character assaination of any person is bad.i do not know this Linda,but courtesy your post she appears to me no as a publicity seeking,self centered woman..
do u think we have to be so judgemental of this woman???and generalize her so badly.???

It is in situations like this; that bring to mind how greed and desire and capitalizing on the weaker shades of society; that make or break the differing qualities between an animal and a human being.

On the front; I think we continue in small failure.

Though, i must agree, thatI see heroic and inspiring deeds by others, such as Dave described about RG; but, it is these low-grabbing techniques, such as capitalization(whoring), which sets humankind, apart.

Yet, as always, the other side, of the "fence."

Apart, from perception, we must realize too; that it is the impoverished she gives the condoms too; which can't afford them; which are necessary to control unwanted births and disease?

Always, two sides, of the fence, isn't there?

Sometimes, I wish there wasn't; but, as truth is not always, absolute; neither then, can a one-sided fence, be trusted?

North

Sachin, for a moment; let down the incinuation of discrimination; and perhaps try to see that maybe Shekhar thought Linda's actions to be self-absorbing; and not sensitive to the dignity of the people, to whom she gains further fame, by degrading and demoralizing them, in such a fashion; as to globally "show" how poor, and loose-pro-created, an impoverished nation, is?

It is not always easy; to help the poor; they are human beings, struggling to maintain a form of dignity; in a world, cold with indifference?

I saw absolutely, NO mention of discrimination about race/colour/creed; in Shekhar's post, so why bring it to the table, out of nowhere?

North

Sachin, An Indian celebrity would mean a lot more for the people would know who he/she is and would listen. In this case they have no idea who this tall woman in sunglasses is. Shekhar

Aachin Mithin, This is not a character assasination. This is a point of view on one persons actions - not on ehr personally. shekhar

Sure, it is insulting--patronizing to the people. What can be done though--it has just become a cliche to hand out free condoms. There is always someone who feels they can decide who should be using condoms, etc. I doubt that Linda gave much though to it.

Typo: though should be thought in post above

I agree with Shekhar, such things are obscene and need to be pointed out. Silence in the face of absurdity is pointless. Let's use our voices to cry foul when necessary.

The times of india has hit rock bottom when it comes to decency. each passing day sees the paper plunging newer depths. A couple of weeks back, a report on rape(a guest had raped the lady of the house) had the column heading 'He came He saw He conquered'.
How disgusting and shameless can they get? I am not providing the link here as I have no intention of directing traffic to their site.

On the news here this morning; it showed Richard Gere in India; organizing, hosting and putting on an Aides Awareness Fundraiser.

he said: "is there anyone here with aides? Stand up and be counted. we are not afraid of you; we love you."

I was deeply touched, b/c it seemed genuine from him.

God Bless those "silent" hero's in our midst.

North

We are at war for valued life. Life can never be trivialized, only our conceptual self. Aides means service. Mahalo for being of service by being present, love patty

They do not marry,
They preach words of God,
Godly pedophiles,
Under their garbs.

They love to murder,
They enlist in army
Air force and navy where
They blast others heads off.

They say they care for humanity,
They want to save mankind,
From hunger, from aid;
But they give damn, you know

They are after money,
They put up false fronts,
They will do anything
For a photo op.

WW

what does it matter? she gets her photo op and maybe some people around here will read the byline because of her photograph. while we are quick to criticise others who take advantage of a problem there is no one here doing anything to help solve the problem.
so why not spend our energies where they need to be spent?
a nation of critics...

Dear Shekhar,

You are one of the few thinking individuals left in the our film industry so I know you'll read this rant:

Today our newspapers and TV channels broadcast every asinine and insignificant detail of a Bollywood/Hollywood star/model whilst ignoring important political and social issues.
The media's argument is that "this is what sells". Yes, and so does cocaine and porn.

The Romans did it all before Bollywood and the Page 3 culture came along. We are just the second go around. We are just a dumbed down version of the Roman Empire in its glory days.

"Bread and Circuses" was a phrase used by a Roman writer to deplore the declining heroism of Romans after the Roman Republic ceased to exist and the Roman Empire began: "Two things only the people anxiously desire bread and circuses." The government kept the Roman populace happy by distributing free food and staging huge spectacles."

Let us not forget that the word "orgy" comes from the Roman practice of having enormous parties, where dinners ranged anywhere from three to ten courses. Guests, reclining in couches, gorged themselves on delicacies until they were stuffed. Once full, they would retreat to the vomitorium to induce vomiting and rejoin the party to continue eating (repeating these steps as many times as was desired). As Seneca commented once about the Romans, ''they vomit so that they may eat and eat so that they may vomit''. One could say that the Romans enjoyed the good life, at least for a while. Yet the two-class system with the disparity between the very rich and very poor led to the decline and subsequent collapse of the great Roman Empire. A similar fate befell other empires during the course of history.

Do we live in a command and control world led by the media and the government?
Is our ancient culture drowning in a pool of celebrity drivel?
Will the 90's and 00's be one day judged as a period of inane self-obsession?
What is the true structure of society today?
Whatever you do, you are massively effected by the times that you live in. My question is - what times are we living in? Is this the era of the dumb?
What are your thoughts?

LOL, Shekhar,
I just saw this old post of yours and couldn't help agree with you more on this. Thank you for exposing the hypocrisy of these media stars.

Cheers!
Navin

i cant find Richard Gere mail adress and post. please write my mail adress zuu_100@yahoo.com