Friday

Beneath the horse's hooves: Ferrari


When you view Germany or China or even Singapore, you do with respect? Perhaps tinged with a bit of fear and awe? These nations are not to be taken lightly. Yet when foreigners seek India, come to India- they walk all over us.

Does your blood not curdle? Are we nationalistic and proud enough as a nation? When someone insults India, why don't most Indians hurt and want to lash out? Any insult to our nation cannot be casual & natural no-more!

Being an ardent Formula 1 fan and at that an ardent Ferrari fan it pains me to see Sports making overtures so obvious, into Politics.

Where or why did Ferrari antagonize its fans in India? A couple of months ago 2 Italian navy sailors killed 2 unarmed Indian fishermen in Indian waters (the Italians dispute the jurisdiction). India arrested and charged these 2 marines. The Italian government wants the Indian government to let the Marines free. Perhaps because they know the Italian connection that exists in the ruling party in the Indian govt? The arrogance and the racist undertones in Italy's stance are obvious to me and many others. The subtext rings loud and clear "Our marines killed 2 of your guys by mistake but what's the big deal. We'll pay a couple of crores, the poor fishermen don’t matter either way” seems to be the disregard for India

My question is, do you think, that if the fishermen were Italians, India would have got away with such a sub text? Or if it had been Americans killed off the coast of America, the Italians would dare be this brazenly arrogant? Does Ferrari foolishly believe that Indians will hear and believe Ferrari, more than their own common sense?

The Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix is this weekend. Ferrari has announced it will carry an Italian Navy flag specifically in support of their 2 marines. It's not like Ferrari has been carrying the flag throughout the season. They're doing this only in India. They're not even using the pretext of just supporting the Italian navy in general. Their statements specifically mention support for the murderers. This is akin to a British team carrying the flag of General Dyer's regiment only in India to express solidarity with his actions in Jalianwala Bagh! 

Beneath the horse's hooves, lies a Ferrari with misplaced intentions  Or maybe not. Ferrari is way out of line in supporting their marines who are murderers, whose crime, I repeat, is not even in doubt. Ferrari is espousing the wrong cause and has embroiled itself in unwanted controversy by declaring support to the accused Italian marines. 


As an Indian, I find Ferrari's stance stupid, misplaced and irresponsible. If Ferrari was genuinely concerned for the truth, it would know how insensitive its support for their Marines who were target practising on our unarmed fishermen, is! What a farce being played out this weekend

India needs nationalism more than any lip service today. This is not a regular incidence to be casual about.. I am a huge supporter and fan of Scuderia Ferrari, BUT, I am a bigger patriot of my country! No way should the marines flag be branded on the car. It’s very wrong. Ferrari’s jingoism is misplaced.

9 comments:

Shweta said...

Ferrari shouldn't be allowed to make a political statement by sporting a naval flag in its F1 cars in the IndianGP over the arrest of the Italian marines. The Indian Govt must take action!

RavneetSingh said...

Am quoting from the Mint newspapers article today "in April, the London-based Business and Human Rights Resource Centre asked companies that sponsor, partner, or own teams in Formula One, to respond to human rights concerns regarding the staging of the races in Bahrain. As many as 42 companies refused to respond – only 29% did. Ferrari, for what it is worth, did respond. But its response was hardly affirming human rights. In a single sentence, it said: “In the last few days facts have already gave (sic) you an answer. A decision has been taken and we respect this decision.” [Disclosure: I’m one of 68 people who are part of the Resource Centre’s international advisory network, which, as the name suggests, is an informal advisory body which never meets, has no formal role in the Centre’s initiatives or activities.]"

This above tells you a lot about the brand. Ferrari is hardly anyone to talk about Human Rights! Such brands are not worthy of our adulation!

sanjiv said...

Allowing the Italian company to openly express support and solidarity to the under trials is a serious lapse on the part of the Indian government and sports authorities of India

melinda said...

Honestly what was Ferrari F1 thinking by placing a flag on their car to support the Italian marines who killed innocent fishermen! Such a bad move!

Aijaz Pitafi said...

Highly deplorable would be if Ferrari go ahead with the decision of flying Italian Navy flag in Indian F1 race. We always falter in such situations. Let's hope you don't!

Mystuff said...

Well its more about us than Ferrari. They have done and are all set to do what they want to.
Its on our Govt to respond now. Do they have courage and will to that or they just won't do it thinking that it does not bother masses in India?
This incident tells us how strongly Italians feel about their forces and nation.
Hope we too will show such strong feelings and will do what is to be done!

Anon said...

Ty for ur prompt response:))Very well expressed as always...
We lack pride as citizens-shame on us. We have sooo much but...:(

Vandy

weisel said...

wt comment do u make or say of this ridiculous gesture by ferrari group!getting a humans right violation nd having the cheek to get it into sports arena?? speaks alot aabout their misplaced patriotism towards their country.
yes they hav every right to support their marines bt do they even realise at wt cost they supporting lrt me put it simlistically" MURDERES" thts wt they are.
wl b very unfortunate likr the previous scenarios wher ind govt. might bucke and release these guys;only for obvious reasons we all know. god save our country!!

Neeraj | www.bharari.net said...

I wasn't aware of Ferrari's support. That's interesting. It's unfortunate, but we tolerate this. No backbone!

Yes, certainly India doesn't get any respect on the international stage. There are numerous reasons for that, including perhaps our own elected politicians whom nobody respects. Everyone knows their words are hollow. India is never going to get respect unless and until it starts to protect its own people. I don't think I need to give any examples of India failing to protect its people.

If India doesn't value its own people, then no one will.