If days ago, the Government got all worked up over Shilpa Shetty’s tears on UK reality TV, getting two Ministers to even urge action over the alleged racism she was a victim of, today it took a more sophisticated approach.

Tongue firmly in cheek, it asked Jade Goody — Shetty’s co-star on the show and at the centre of the storm over racist bullying — to visit India to experience the country’s “healing nature.”

On a recent episode, Goody questioned Shetty’s ability to speak English calling her a “liar.” As Shetty protested, Goody burst into a colourful, bleeped-out tirade: “You need elocution lessons...you need a day in slums. Go to those people who look up to you and be real. You f...ing fake.”

The “invitation” to Goody has been extended by the London branch of the India Tourism Office — under the aegis of the Tourism Ministry — in an open letter published in The Guardian and the Daily Telegraph.

Titled “To Jade Goody and friends,” the letter is addressed:

“Dear Jade Goody,
“Once your current commitments are over, may we invite you to experience the healing nature of India,” it says. “Being one of the world’s oldest civilisations, our land is one where the ancient and the modern co-exist and a multitude of religions live in harmony.”

The letter, its sarcasm unmistakable, directly appeals to Goody: “As a beauty therapist, you may be especially interested in visiting one of the many spas where you can cleanse your stresses away, enjoy yoga in the land that invented it and experience Ayurvedic healing which promotes positive health and natural beauty.” The letter also tells her about India’s “bustling cosmopolitan cities”, “snow-clad mountains” and “long sandy coastlines.” Its sign-off line: “We look forward to welcome you.”

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