The recent notification from the Indian government curtailing the rights of Overseas Citizens of India Cardholders (OCCs) should come as a huge disappointment to persons of Indian origin living in India or overseas. The bigger insult to injury is that the government will now classify OCCs as ‘foreign nationals’, not even on par with NRIs. …
Need for some critical thinking on Mr. Trudeau’s comments on India
My article published in the India America Today, Washington D.C. The last few months have seen widespread protests by farmers in India over the passage of three farm reform bills by the central government. These protests have now gathered enough support and momentum to draw attention from the international community, especially after some allegedly rough…
The US leaves Afghanistan: Is it abandonment, defeat or realization? My blog in the Times of India
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/mynuscript/the-us-leaves-afghanistan-is-it-abandonment-defeat-or-realization-36917/ Over the last two or three weeks, a stunned world has watched the Taliban sweep almost unopposed across the length and breadth of Afghanistan, while the US scrambles to evacuate its citizens, troops and allies from the country. In almost all such cases, the US automatically becomes the world’s scapegoat. It is being blamed…
How world’s two largest democracies differ in their approach to warfare – my blog in the Times of India
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/mynuscript/how-worlds-two-largest-democracies-differ-in-their-approach-to-warfare-37203/ On Dec 13, 2001, Pakistani terrorists attacked the Indian Parliament, which had been in session and had just adjourned a few minutes back. It was reported that more than a hundred Members of Parliament including India’s senior leaders like Shri LK Advani were in the building. If the police and security personnel stationed there…
The passing of an old man
When I see the kind and number of vicious and malevolent messages on social media about the death of Fr. Stan Swamy, my mind goes back to the time when Indira Gandhi was murdered. She had a lot of haters too, millions on millions hated her, especially after the atrocities during the Emergency. And yet,…
To block or not to block is the question – my article in the Times of India Reader’s Blog
Millions of activists from all over the world make social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter their second home, if not the first. They cover every aspect of human life on earth, be it professional, social, cultural, economic or political. These activists usually position themselves as ‘thought leaders’ for their ideology, cause or political party…
India’s annual Budget a meaningless exertion!
In developing countries like India, citizens expect the government to do almost everything for them. In the process, they end up handing over too much power and control to it. The government has a say in almost everything, from the daily lives of the poor by way of sops and handouts to the productivity of…
Let’s not grab too much credit for lower Covid numbers – my take on Chetan Bhagat’s blog in the Times of India!
I don’t blame any govt for mishandling Covid. This pandemic was sudden and unprecedented. Nobody knew what to do or what was the right approach. It was all trial and error and the jury is still out on what works and what doesn’t. Nobody has established a cause-effect relationship so far beyond a shadow of…
High-tech cricket!
The last few years have seen a lot of technology enhancements in cricket with the DRS in particular. High resolution images and replay videos can present the player with all the information he needs at the touch of a button. With the advent and immense popularity of the limited overs version, there is so much…
Life and washing machines
Life and washing machines Imagine you are one of the Gods sitting on your throne in the Kingdom of Heaven watching your universe below. Do you think you will see these little creatures like human beings and animals and insects and birds all scurrying around like tiny little programmed puppets on strings, moving along in…