This is all these bastards found to write about Hindus and Gujarat, and that too during DIWALI and the GUJARATI NEW YEAR!!!! 
http://www.torontostar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1067121006937&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968705899037
I don't dispute the article but the timing could not be more sinister!!!!!!!!
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Though I am a proponent of taking a hard look at self, I agree! Totally inappropriate timing!!
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I never respected Toronto Star for their articles. It is fashion to write anything against India, Gujarat and whatever it is coming on their way (to remain the best in world)
When India is going to be a Developed Country by 2020, elevating 26 Crore people above poverty line - such kind of articles are totally aimed at focusing stuff to something else.
I haven't gone thru the article in details. I simple can't read it. But I am sure it haven't mentioned that the same Gujarat Kept quite after Akshardham Attack. Why always bad things?
Unfortunately there are some people from our side too - like NDTV and so always wanting to defame our country.
My points is just don't read such stuff and if possible boycott them for ever.
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A Proud Indian Canadian
I agree the Toronto Star usually gives a lot more prominence to sensationalism rather than newsworthiness. I have noticed this time after time in their coverage of issues. I don't think there's much we can do about that though.
However I do think we can do something about this. Keeping quiet about this is not the answer unfortunately, and it will only make matters worse. Our community must learn to be vocal. I urge anybody who feels strongly about this to write a letter to the editor. This is one of the best ways to express your opinion and believe me, it does count.
I emailed a letter today. Maybe it won't make any difference and maybe it will. I'd like to think its better than doing nothing.
If you feel that the timing of this article is nothing short of a downright slap in the face, please write to the editor of the toronto star as well. Please be polite in your letter and stick to the point, do not call anybody names or it will not be read. The email address is
Following is the letter I wrote.
"Dear Sir,
As you and your staff may not be aware, Hindus across the world celebrated Diwali last Saturday (10/25/03), the holiest day on the Hindu calendar. A few communities across India (including the proud Gujarati community) also celebrated their New Year the following day (10/26/03).
I was surprised to see absolutely no coverage of any of these on the STAR website. What do I find instead? "India's 'lab' for divisive politics" by Martin Regg Cohn, dated10/26/03.
There's no denying that Gujarat's riots were a tragedy. And the article is arguably factual. But exactly what were the motives of the writer in publishing this article, a year and a half after its occurence, during the most important days on the Hindu calendar? Is this the STAR's way of saying "Happy Diwali" to the huge and ever-growing Hindu community in our multi-cultural metropolis?
My disappointment is too deep for words!
Sincerely,
APS.
"
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Quote:
However I do think we can do something about this. Keeping quiet about this is not the answer unfortunately, and it will only make matters worse. Our community must learn to be vocal. I urge anybody who feels strongly about this to write a letter to the editor. This is one of the best ways to express your opinion and believe me, it does count.
You are right my dear friend - I also wrote to them.
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A Proud Indian Canadian
I'll write too. I'm not a hindu but I do think that the timing of the article is insensitive and we have to make ourselves heard. The saying 'Stand up and be counted!' comes to mind.
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Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Posted on: 28-10-03 18:44:07
Hindus, Muslims throw open iron gates, hug each other
[Posted on 21st July 2003]
News Source - HindustanTimes.com
For Moinuddin Khan Pathan, Sunday opened the floodgates of a new dawn.
Walking from his residence in Sayed Wadi to Isanpur in the predominantly Hindu neighbourhood of Vatva, he felt he had erased a wall of mistrust.
"For the first time in my life, I felt I have been recognised as a true Indian by my Hindu brothers. They have eventually wiped out the boundary and accepted our locality as part of their society," Pathan, a Muslim, told IANS as tear welled up his eyes.
The boundary in question is an iron gate.
After last year's communal killings in Gujarat, huge gates came up around Hindu and Muslim dominated areas of Ahmedabad to keep at bay mobs from each other's communities.
Fear among the Hindus and Muslims led to iron gates being erected in as many as 13 places -- Vatva, Naroda, Rakhial, Bapunagar, Kalupur, Dariapur, Jamalpur, Shahpur, Saraspur, Gomtipur, Ramol, Meghaninagar and Amariwadi.
On Sunday, the 20-feet high iron gates in Sayed Wadi and Isanpur areas of Vatva were thrown open, and residents from the two neighbourhoods went over to the other side, greeting each other with warm hugs.
The occasion was a meeting organised by Sarva Dharma Quami Ekta Sadbhavana Samiti, a newly constituted conglomerate of voluntary groups devoted to communal harmony.
"It was a challenge to break down the wall of mistrust between Hindu and Muslim localities," said Iqbal Shaikh, the municipal corporator of Gomtipur.
"After last year's communal violence, people of different faiths had decided to live separately, cocooned in their respective localities," he said.
"But separatism only widened the gulf and deepened the mistrust, which was a hurdle in maintaining peace and harmony. So we decided to take this initiative."
According to Shaikh, Sayed Wadi and Isanpur are just the beginning of a change.
"The task is indeed very difficult but we have made the beginning. Today residents of Sayed Wadi and Isanpur have realised that by coming together they can at least grant each other the assurance of security.
"Now this initiative has to be carried forward to other communally sensitive neighbourhoods of Ahmedabad."
Ramharshji Maharaj, the priest of the Jagannath temple in Jamalpur in eastern Ahmedabad, was in the picture too.
Putting his hand around the shoulder of Mufti Abdulla, an Islamic cleric, Maharaj said: "Muslims have been our brothers for centuries. Muslims in India are Indians and follow Indian culture. They are different from Muslims of the world."
Added Abdulla: "Muslims of India never supported India's partition. Since they loved India they stayed here at the time of partition. Today there is no meaning of such barricades between Hindus and Muslims.
"If the Berlin Wall can be pulled down; if East Germany and West Germany can be reunited, why can't the iron gates between Hindus and Muslims of the same area be removed?"
