Date:10/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/10/stories/2008091055491001.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Colour-conscious?

This refers to the article “Are we a colour-conscious nation?” (Sept. 9). In India, colour-consciousness is supplemented by patriarchy. Even highly educated girls undergo trauma and trial before marriage, if they are dark-skinned. We have a value system that still sees white skin as desirable and venerable.

Dheeraj Pandey,

Ghaziabad

* * *

Our matrimonial columns bear testimony to the allure of the fair skin. All the ads seek fair, good looking, and accomplished brides. The complexion of those who are not fair is described as ‘wheatish.’

Our folklore and traditions pay glowing tributes to swetha varna, hiranya keshi and similar attributes.

The western countries, whom we accuse of racism, are way superior. Many of their fashion shows and movies feature artists who are not necessarily fair.

H.N. Ramakrishna,

Bangalore

* * *

Every word of the article is undeniably true. Colour bias exists not only in the media and related fields but also in other areas, including academic institutions. In the new ‘globalised’ and prejudiced work environment, besides fair complexion, it is also glamour that counts.

We should, at the earliest, wake up to the fact that in the wired world of today, what we need to do is to broaden our outlook and shed our prejudices. Why should dark-skinned women compensate for their skin tone in innumerable ways?

Vani Venkat,

Lucknow

* * *

We ought to be ashamed of using the complexion of girls as an instrument to negotiate in the marriage market. That the birth of a daughter is considered a matter of concern is a reflection of our social attitude. From this attitude stems every discriminatory action against women.

M. Umar,

Palakkad

* * *

If the 90th birthday of Nelson Mandela did not receive much attention in India, it is not out of disregard for him. Gandhiji is held in high esteem the world over. Yet how many people in other countries remember his birthday?

The dissemination of information through the electronic media is fast and effective. The availability of television networks even in remote rural areas has prompted manufacturers of various consumer items to resort to aggressive advertisement campaigns. There is nothing abnormal or unusual about rural girls and women getting carried away by such publicity. The tendency on the part of women and, to some extent men, to make themselves more presentable should not be seen as suggestive of colour prejudices. The mushrooming of beauty parlours is not exclusive to India. Barring perhaps a few, every individual pays attention to his or her looks. India, as a nation, hates apartheid and colour-based discrimination. But that does not mean Indian women, rural or urban, should not use fairness creams. One is irrelevant to the other.

K.D. Viswanaathan,

Coimbatore