who is this lady named as sheela bhat . never heard of her doing any social work for betterment of poor indian women .is she a house wife living in gujrat bhat. s are kashmiris as far i know, so what she is doing in gujrat on the eve of elections . will some body throw light .
RE:gujrat elections
by Rakesh Mehta on Dec 07, 2007 08:20 AM Permalink
Dude, there are multiple problems with your views (for example, why should it be necessary for a journalist to do social betterment for women? Does not make sense.), but nevertheless.
Sheela Bhatt is a well-respected journalist, in journalism for about 25 years. She is the (ex)wife of noted Gujarati journalist Kanti Bhatt who is known pretty much to every Gujarati through his writings in the Gujarati magazine Chitralekha. They even ran their own magazine called Chetmachhandar and then Abhiyaan.
She started out as a protege of K. Bhatt (when she was Sheela Zaveri) and later married him. She is now in an editorial position at India Today.
Bhatts are typically Brahmins in Gujarat. Zaveris are banias (she is from Bombay, though). Bhats may be Kashmiris (I did not know that) although the Bhat last name is common amongst Manglori community (Tulus?).
Having said that, her journalism credentials are impeccable and she is quite powerful in the journalism circles. However, having read her views on Rediff, I have to sadly say that she is heavily influenced by the Arundhati types and NGOs. Maybe she was bought out by some of them; as Dhirubhai the great Ambani had once said, every person has a price, you just need to know what it is.
RE:gujrat elections
by hanek singh on Dec 07, 2007 09:11 AM Permalink
mr mehta, was it neceesary for you to parapharse your reply with an insult .it only shows the culture you have grown . mine was a simple query . bhat in punjab are considered belonging to kashmir [ muslims] i have been living in usa for over 22 years and yet to come accross a gujrati bhat. you may be a fan of this bhat but you have no manners , using abusive words . gujratis in usa are reputed to be cultured and mild manner people proper way to address a sikh is SARDAR JI not dude
RE:gujrat elections
by Rakesh Mehta on Dec 07, 2007 07:11 PM Permalink
Sardarji, aap to buraa maan gaye. I used "dude" as a synonym to friend. Second, I did not insult you or use abusive language. Please review my response. In fact, I stated that I will refrain from making any comments on the views you hold; see what was written in parenthesis.
Second, it is not easy to know that you are a Sardar, just from your name. I do understand that Sardars have the title "singh" at the end of their name. However, it is necessary but not sufficient to show that one is a Sardar.
Final, how did you assume that I am a fan of this "Bhat" (Sheela Bhatt, that is). Look at the end of my information about her. I do say something about not agreeing with her views, which of course I don't. I am a hardcore Modi supporter, BTW.
Incidentally, your mail does make several remarks to which I too could take objection (you raising the point about my culture, etc.).
Finally, Bhatt is a pretty common name. If you are into Hindi movies, for example, have you heard of Mahesh Bhatt? Your not having interacted with a Gujaratin Bhatt does not prove their not being Gujaratis.
