“Opinion: The Country He ‘Miss’-Understands”, Times Now, July 7, 2025:
“Naseeruddin Shah’s nostalgic ode to a lost Bharat demands a rebuttal grounded in the reality of our vibrant present. His piece paints a picture of a nation unraveling under jingoism and hatred. He weaves a tale of a lost golden era, marred by selective memory & an undercurrent of prejudice that blinds him to Bharat’s enduring strength. I offer a counterpoint rooted in logic & the reality of 2025.
Shah recounts his upbringing, divided between Muslim, Christian and Jesuit influences, suggesting a fractured past that has since eroded. My own childhood echoes his, a blend of cultures in schools and neighborhoods, from Roman Catholic hymns to the call of the azaan.
This diversity thrives today, with children across Bharat still learning side by side in multicultural classrooms. Shah’s portrayal of a lost harmony ignores the pulse of our pluralistic society. His bias leans toward an idealised past, overlooking the unity that persists despite challenges……”
Read the full article at Timesnow.com
