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August     Last updated: August 12  5:00 p.m.

From Our Correspondent 
                                                                                                                                                AFTER Maqbool Fida Hussain, the frustrated painter-turned artist denegrating Hindu gods and goddesses by painting them nude in this ‘highly aesthetic works of art’, a California-based marketing company has trampled upon sentiments of the Hindus by portraying Hindu deities on a new range of high heeled sandals. Manufactured in China and marketed by Fortune Dynamic Inc. the shoes, costing $5 a pair, bore illustrations of Lord Ganesha, Shiva and Parvati. The Indian-American community rallied behind the National Federation of Indian American Association to put pressure on the manufacturer to discontinue the new shoe style. The American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD), coalition of major Hindu organisations in North America, had earlier issued a statement saying : “It is an age old Hindu custom to remove shoes before entering temples and even homes.

To put images of Gods and Goddesses, which are revered and worshipped by a billion strong Hindu community, is not just a mark of ignorance but seemingly a deliberate attempt to denigrate Hindu dharma and Hindus around the world.” Expressing its outrage at the introduction of the shoes AHAD had demanded that the manufacturers of the shoes immediately withdraw them and extend an apology to the Hindu community for this “inconsiderate act”. Others were more outspoken in their criticism. “Incredible! Ask them to try that with another religion and see what happens.

Salman Rushdie is still in hiding,” retorted an enraged Hindu NRI. In a letter to the National Federation of Indian-American Association (NFIA) last week, Fortune Dynamic's attorney Patrick Huang regretted the manufacture of the footwear. “We understand from communications from those practicing the Hindu religion that the portrayal of the goddess on the shoes is offensive to Hindus. We wish first to inform you that Fortune Dynamic has discontinued the manufacture of this style.

Second we wish to inform you that Fortune Dynamic did not intend to disparage the Hindu religion or to offend those practicing the Hindu religion with the marketing of this style,” Huang said in his letter. Subash Razdan, chairman of the board of trustees of the NFIA, had accepted the apology. “We accept their regrets and their sincerity to promptly discontinue this controversial shoe style,” he said. Shri Razdan urged members of the Indian-American community and people of Indian origin to be forgiving and to refrain from any further defamation or slander of Fortune Dynamic. Very forgiving indeed. Though the manufacturers have recalled the shoes, many a pairs already sold would be worn by the purchasers. Can Fortune Dynamic ask its customers not to use these? Recall the reaction Action shoes received when they introduced a shoe range autographed by the ‘minority’ Captain Mohd Azharuddin as “Mohammed”?