Suhel Seth has just attracted another controversy. The managing partner of an advertising firm Counselage and a frequent television commentator on anything that matters (and much that does not), Seth put his foot in his mouth at the Times Literature Festival in Mumbai on Sunday by asking why former Indian hockey captain Viren Rasquinha had been included on a panel about sports.
An irate Rasquinha described the situation on Twitter.
Rasquinha has captained the India’s national field hockey team and was a member of the squad that played at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. He played in the Indian team from 2002-'08, representing the country in 180 international games. He was also awarded the Arjuna Award by government of India in 2005.
He retired in January, 2008 to pursue management studies at the Indian School of Business. Since 2009, he has been the CEO of Olympic Gold Quest, which "strives to compliment the efforts of the Indian Government and various Sports Federations in identifying and funding the best and most deserving medal prospects for the Olympic games", says its website.
Social media users flew into action.
Suhel Seth finally apologised to Rasquinha:
An irate Rasquinha described the situation on Twitter.
As my session ended, Suhel Seth comes on stage and says "don't know what that bald guy was doing on a panel on sport, whats he done" 2/5
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) December 7, 2014Rasquinha has captained the India’s national field hockey team and was a member of the squad that played at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. He played in the Indian team from 2002-'08, representing the country in 180 international games. He was also awarded the Arjuna Award by government of India in 2005.
He retired in January, 2008 to pursue management studies at the Indian School of Business. Since 2009, he has been the CEO of Olympic Gold Quest, which "strives to compliment the efforts of the Indian Government and various Sports Federations in identifying and funding the best and most deserving medal prospects for the Olympic games", says its website.
It's so disappointing when I am invited by the Times Lit fest to speak and get dissed on stage by a guy who doesn't even know who I am. 3/5
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) December 7, 2014Even more disappointing to have the times lit fest director Bachchi Karkaria behave condescendingly. What's with these cosy clubs 4/5
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) December 7, 2014I really do wonder though how Suhel Seth holds forth on everything under the sun and what exactly is his domain expertise 5/5
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) December 7, 2014Social media users flew into action.
Who was the silver haired guy who was talking about hockey star, Arjuna award winner & Olympic talent hunt extraordinaire @virenrasquinha? — Sachin Kalbag (@SachinKalbag) December 7, 2014Everyone on TL going gung ho about Viren's hockey credentials, but not many still know he's the main force behind so many recent oly medals? — Ball Boy (@fraudballer) December 7, 2014Suhel Seth doesn't recognize Viren Rasquinha. Sharapova doesn't recognize Tendulkar. Too much pressure to recognize every person on earth! — Swamy (@slimswamy) December 7, 2014KRK's reaction when somebody told him Suhel Seth knows him.. pic.twitter.com/SgWPrXhJlR — Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) December 7, 2014
We must not make fun of Suhel Seth - after all he's the last surviving Hobbit — The Bad Doctor (@doctoratlarge) December 7, 2014Every one knows who Suhel Seth is. What no one knows is what he does. — dubash (@dubash) December 7, 2014
Saying this again, You can be sure of losing a debate if Suhel Seth is on your side. — Yogi Scotchynath (@scotchism) December 7, 2014
JUST IN: Suhel Seth and Maria Sharapova are now friends. — The UnReal Times (@TheUnRealTimes) December 7, 2014
Who is Suhel Seth?
— Lion Of The Kashyaps (@sidin) December 7, 2014@sidin God can't be an expert in every field, so He created Suhel Seth.
— Sumit. (@sirpunch_) December 7, 2014Suhel Seth finally apologised to Rasquinha:
Love the roasting I am getting on Twitter. Deservedly even though I had apologised on Twitter and written to Viren. pic.twitter.com/P6Y036x4qu — SUHEL SETH (@suhelseth) December 7, 2014Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!