Reflections

The mere mention of the word "Pakistan" is enough to drive an average Indian bonkers with rage, or indignant with passion and anger at the very least. Yes, exceptions are there - with more than a few people being pacifist. And then you have the idealists, who still advocate an India-Pakistan Bhai-Bhai situation in the distant future. The mere word conjures images of war and terror, with the sad history between the two of us driving a wedge in each Indian heart.  Beyond this, of late, there has been an increasing tendency to want to "move on" by a large majority of Indians, self included. At least, among the educated classes, judging from the people I have regularly interacted with. The flavour of the moment is a comparison with China, driven by our status as one of the faster growing economies in the world, current problems notwithstanding.  We (well, at least I do) take pride in the statement that India should de-hyphenate itself; that we are in a differe

THE GENERATION THAT CHANGED INDIA The future is not as dark as it seems; the silver lining in this black cloud is getting stronger each moment The recent past has been very tumultuous for our India; the period since beginning of 2008, from the start of the stock market slide, has been unforgettable- with every week being witness to a new tragedy, a new scam, a new event and a new breaking story. This has been an unprecedented period in the history of our ancient civilization, and our young nation; one that has brought us to the brink of disaster, and has forced us to introspect deeply into what we have become as a nation, and what we want to build for ourselves. It has brought in its wake gut-wrenching change, and a deep sense of disquiet at what we have become as a nation. This recent past has forced us to look at our real selves in a mirror, and realize that the image is not a very healthy one. From politics to bureaucracy, from corruption to negligence – every facet of

 Heartless Kolkata watches woman commit suicide - The Times of India Courtesy The Times Of India: No words, just shock. Read it yourself, and see into a mirror that portrays how uncaring and cruel we have become... we need urgent attention to our  internal value systems, which, far too obviously are skewed up, and screwed up big-time! Our internal compass, which I had thought to be in dire need of correction, is actually lost somewhere; we just lack a moral compass in totality. Read this if you care; move on if you dont!  Jaago, Sonewaalon! KOLKATA: A woman climbed on a lamp-post on Friday evening, took her time fashioning a noose from her dupatta, put it around her neck and jumped off. Heartless Kolkata passed by as she choked to death. It was 4pm, rush-hour on Central Avenue, and no one had the time to stop to save a life. Even when the body hung limply from the lamp-post, no one stepped up to see if there was a heartbeat left. The culture hub ofMahajati Sadan is

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Photographer-gang-raped-in-old-Mahalaxmi-mill-in-Mumbai/articleshow/21987687.cms http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Photojournalist-gangraped-in-Mumbai-while-on-assignment/Article1-1111583.aspx http://www.firstpost.com/india/more-than-68000-rape-cases-from-2009-11-but-only-16000-convicted-611676.html For once, I am at a loss for words... a total loss for words! Yet another morning, and yet another rape... a simple google search threw up the shocking statistic 68000 rapes in our nation just 2 years. I am speechless, and shocked... And I dont buy that nonsense that is oft stated - "rape happens even in the developed world, and at a greater rate". I care 2 damned hoots for what happens elsewhere, and at what rate. We are not discussing GDP Growth figures, for heaven's sake... we are discussing the dignity and life of 68000 women in just 2 years... a statistic that should be enough to jolt even

Some people state that India requires inclusive growth, that we require to support the people through interventionist and populist policies, that we need to shepherd the people with a supporting and guiding hand. Others state with equal vehemence that we require easier competition, that we require to unlock the industry, that we require to give market forces an opportunity... and so the debate goes on; and so the great Indian circus of development efforts continues; and so the great and misdirected Governmental efforts to direct - or misdirect, in reality - India continues. And the fun (or sadness, depending on your point of view) continues, unabated and unstoppable, regardless of who is in power... A cursory perusal of the newspapers will readily bring out the above as simple fact. It is there in just about every daily; in just about every magazine that you would care to pick up and read. Some articles glibly suggest an even more diabolical and dangerous viewpoint, that the correc

Delhi Durbar is the 2nd book of the Raisina Series written by Krishan Partap Singh, a series based on Indian Politics and New Delhi Awesome book, from an awesome series... this one is a real treat. And it is a treat from more than just the plot perspective; the series has taken my breath away with its ingenuity and sheer courage in treading untreaded paths, and going where no book has done before. I have said it before - and I am saying it again; Indian Fiction (Non-Fiction as well, of course) writing is taking massive strides every passing month. The sheer skill, imagination and guts portrayed by Indian Authors is a delight to behold.   The plots and the genres that are emerging are unique and very Indian in their backdrop and approach, which make them a far cry from the pointless and senseless spy thrillers that are the norm from the West. Kudos to all the occupants of the Indian Fiction and Non-Fiction authors club! Keep it up! The book is written in the first person -

The Price You Pay by Somnath Batabyal The author is a journalist with over a decade's experience, followed by a belated entry into Academics in London. He is currently emploted at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and can be found on  http://somnathbatabyal.com . This is his 2nd book and his first fiction venture,.  THE PLOT The plot, which initially - from its back cover - seems a human life story much along the lines of Jeffrey Archer, metamorphoses rapidly into a different genre entirely. You take a ringside seat in the life and experiences of a young but confident man Abhishek Dutta as he makes his way first into print journalism and from there into TV journalism. A combination of contacts, guts and cheek land him his first assignment and his first job, from where he picks up the skills and trade secrets of a crime reporter. The young man, who is a fast learner, soon makes a mark for himself - again, due to his contacts. cheek a

I was waiting for a critical mail to come in - and had been waiting a long time. Before long, hunger pangs struck; and I strolled out to my favourite bhuttaawaalaa (Corn Vendor) for a Bhuttaa. I was, unusually, alone - as I prefer to partake this particular delicacy alongwith my boss. Seeing me alone, the vendor asked me: doosre saahab ke liye ek dun? (One for your friend?). I replied in the affirmative; and thus we started chatting.  Having broken the ice, and fetched the courage to talk to me, he asked me a question that shocked me, floored me and set me thinking. Can a 10th standard pass boy learn computer science? (He meant simple data entry and dtp usage, I suppose). On being asked the reason for this, he stated bluntly: he'll get a job at least. I asked him to educate him further; his answer? I cannot afford to. I have a daughter, and am also taking care of my brother's child. I then asked him to shift him to a cheaper school; the reply was stunning, and a revelatio

So at long, long last our political classes do unite... wouldn't have thought it possible. Silly me. Of course they can unite; but this is for something important. Where is the need to unite for stupid, inconsequential and frankly pointless idiocies such as education, health, corruption, economic scenario et al? Now if you consider the really important deals and ideals like pay for politicians, or criminalisation of politics: and they will unite like a shot! Hey presto! Abracadabra: and before you can blink your eyes, unity! And who the hell says we have a divided house and a multiplicity of parties? Look around you now: you will find only one party!  The main objection raised is that old familiar bit of nonsense: supremacy of parliament. And silly, stupid, idiotic, naive me thought that the people were supposed to be supreme, that Democracy was for the people, of the people and by the people. That politics was about serving people. That the political class exists to serve th