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- Archives: June 2006
- Movie Review: Meghe Dhaka Tara (The Cloud Capped Star)
Since his untimely death, Ghatak has become a cult figure for followers of serious Indian cinema, the 'enfant terrible' of the avant-garde.
- Fiction: The Sex Addict: Penultimate Chapter
Jay's obsession with sex was taking him down a dangerous path. A path that led to self destruction.
- Movie Review: Tuck Everlasting - A Peek at Immortality
Tuck Everlasting teaches the importance of understanding life and death. It shows that you should not fear death, but fear an unlived life.
- The Iraq War: The Haditha Massacre
Similar stories have been reported before--collateral damage, as the war hawks call it, a small price to pay for Liberty and Freedom.
- Badminton - A Dying Sport in India
The once very popular sport in India is now walking the road of extinction.
- Book Review: RFID Essentials - An Excellent Text on RFID
The authors introduce the possibility of an "internet of things" by means of RFID technology.
- Canadian Politics: Diversionary Tactics
Talking until you finally hit on the right solution, and making issues vanish - two popular diversionary tactics
- The Story of Indu Devi Sharma
This is the story of Indu Devi Sharma, and in many ways the story of a new and changing India...
- A Lover's Babble
Offerings by a hesitant poet doubtful of the distinction of his compositions
- Reservation Debate: Response to The Hindu Editorial of May 30, 2006.
If we don't oppose now, then the future would be bleak.
- eyes - aankhaiN
can you gaze into my soul?
- Book Review: A Traveller On the Road - A Communist's Autobiography
Sen's "journey" is a narrative of emergence of communism on the Indian political scene and political voyage of Indian communists
- The Cosmic Dance of Shiva: New Evidence
Later I will write about how in Srimad Bhagwat, an incident describes the effect of Theory of Relativity
- Music: UK: The Greatest 100 Albums of All Time
Another meaningless list that shows both diversity and a complete absence of taste, IMHO. Some nice surprises, though.
- Satire: President Rejects Himesh Reshammiya’s Mercy Plea
All the prisoners have demanded that Himesh Reshammiya be moved to a sound proof cell.
- Canadian Politics: Inaction On Native Issues Could Haunt Conservatives
The issues facing First Nations people aren't just going to go away, and neither are the First Nations people.
- Indian Classical Music Explained Lightly
What do you do when an opera singer wants to know everything possible about Indian Classical music from you?
- Book Review: The Age of Kali by William Dalrymple
A collection of essays on Indian life, society and its changing dynamics and how it is evolving or devolving.
- Hrithik's Support For Aamir – Sincere Or Disingenuous?
I can't help myself from doubting and questioning his intentions.
- Movie Review: Darna Zaroori Hai - Factory Goes Bankrupt
After watching DZH, you beg to ask Mr. Varma this question: Who the fuck are the people he is surrounding himself with?
- Iran, You're Next. Here We Come!
Total world domination is what appears to the ultimate goal of the United States of America.
- Co-existing With Unwanted Guests
Sharing my home with those too lowly to be tolerated.
- Sensationalism in Movies
Evolution has made the human olfactory system sensitive to the odor of approaching death.
- Movie Review: Schindler's List - "He Who Saves One Life Saves the World Entire"
An award winning Spielberg film from the holocast and the survival of human goodness in dark times
- Geek-lish
What happens when geek-talk invades English.
- Dyslexics Welcome Angelina and Brad's Famous Baby
Surely there must be better ways to spend your time than in mocking people who are really only bringing Namibia useful amounts of foreign currency,
- Condoms, Needles, And AIDS
Every year that heads remain buried in the sand is another year the numbers increase among the dead and infected.
- Euthanasia: Who Decides When To Call It Quits?
How long should life be prolonged ? A take on the mercy killing debate.
- Getting The Ball Across: Throw Out The Stigma
I've never really understood what prompts people think its so wrong to bowl with a bent arm?
- Reading Shakespeare In Urdu
A sexual twist to Shakespeare ki ek nazm – Love Sonnet No. 4
- The Rahul Mahajan Case and Indian TV
My question is why is MSM devoting so much time on this case? Don't they have any other stories in this land of over one
- The Power Celebrities Wield
Celebrities influence us. They are the new gods and their word has to compete with the Word of Gods.
- Media Manufactures Myths - And News
The electronic and print media decide in tandem what is news and what we should be reading and watching
- The Roots of Religion: Why My Bindi Is Different?
While some religious practises have become routine, we should ask questions about why rituals are done.
- Book Review: The Hungry Tide - A chronicle of the Sunderbans
A novel set in the sunderbans capturing the lives, hardships and culture of its people
- circle / daira
i arrived at the same banyan tree older, greyer, weaker
- Itemized Reductions
Minutes pass on Anwar's collection of antique clocks, as he waits for me outside the store.
- The Slick Emotional Porn Genre Of Story Telling - Example - Raincoat
Raincoat by Rituparna Ghosh is a good example of the emotional porn style of story telling that intriguingly, seems to be a Bengali staple.
- Real Estate market in India and Unitech's Coup!
The property market in the country is zooming and booming!
- Putumayo And The World
Putumayo has to be the most instantly recognizable world music label on the market right now
- Alienation In North East india
Our Kashmir obsession has kept us from concentrating on the alienation of our North Eastern States
- Movie Review: Fanaa - The day I Became My Own Critic
From now on, I shall decide if a movie is good or not by checking with my internal monitor
- But Was There A Need To Say?
We were like children, loud, boisterous / till innocence was drenched one evening
- Movie Review: The Da Vinci Code - What's Missing?
A quick analysis of why the movie invited such ordinary reviews.
- Drugs And The Nouveaux Riche Youth
How drug use is spreading among rich urban youth with no purpose in life and living rootless lives.
- good riddance, dee
but tell me what do we do, what do we do / about these word-pecking, word-blasting poets?
- Reservations: Challenging the Grit of Indian Middle Class and Future of Indian Education!
Under the onslaught of the ill-conceived reservations, they will find new avenues to rise!
- Is Our Constitution Archaic?
The constitution has been amended more than a hundred times since 1950 and still it needs to be amended to address essentially petty issues like
- PVR In Bombay/Mumbai at Juhu Sucks Big Time
Cleanliness can be judged by the people to loo ratio.
- The Hippocratic Oath And Genital Mutilation
Any doctor who willingly participates in one of these procedures needs to re read his Hippocrates
- Satire: Sonia Gandhi’s Little Pasta Book
Random thoughts of the Great White Hope of the Indian pseudo-secularists
- Sizzling Karachi!
The breeze that Karachi is generally blessed with seems to have taken a break.
- Rahul Mahajan's Deadly Ride With Drugs and Alcohol
Frankly speaking the case seems to be crystal clear as Avion sparkling bottled water.
- Outsourcing And The Indian Quality Control Chasm
Apple Computer kills its Indian operations. How bright or bleak is the future for Indian outsourcing companies?
- Beauty Contests: Brawn Over Brain?
When beauty pageants arn't always about striving for world peace.
- Kaavya: Episode I
Kaavya’s expressions went from shock to amusement to tantrum and back to plain hearted joy in next few seconds
- Arjun Singh's Piece de Resistance
We were also looking into quotas for newborns however their survey response rate was too low to draw any intelligent conclusions.
- Book Review: The Priest's Madonna, Amy Hassinger
Through Berenger and Marie's doubts and questions, the book ends up being a rather charming read about faith, belief and love.
- The Scavengers
This story highlights the legal illiteracy of literates and the thought process of an inactive citizen.
- CD Review: Harlan County U.S.A.: Songs Of The Coal Miner's Struggle Various Artists
These songs are a history that most of us will never read or hear about in school or on the news.
- Brian Lara Crumbles Under Dhoni Pressure
"When the going gets tough, the tough gets going", did not gel well with the West Indian captain Brian Lara.
- The Moral Default: Reservation Debate Fading?
A lean-mean non-interventionist state is the way towards a freer, more progressive society.
- Dinner By The Highway
The highway experience was great. And yes, I did skip the breakfast this morning!
- Watching "FIllums" in India Vs. the USA
There is no substitute to watching films in India and I miss it sorely when I am in the USA.
- Fiction : The Sex Addict : The End
So who is Jay Thakore? What do you mean? I am Jay Thakore.
- In Defence of Jholawalas and Walis
Needless to say, jholawala is used as an insult, generally indicating somebody left-leaning, often someone from JNU.
- Kaavya: Episode II
Kaavya called, and all I heard were sobs. I rushed to her house in my pajamas.
- The Chinese Checkmate?
China has a policy of encircling India with strategic interventions in Burma, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan.
- CD Review: Double Dynamite by Sam And Dave
It may not change your life, but it will put a bounce in your step and a grin on your face
- Indifference at its Fatal Best
Have we got too used to unprofessional work ethics of certain Government institutions?
- Guidelines For Writing Reviews
Every artistic medium has specific elements a reviewer should at least consider. You can't cover them all, but you need to understand them all.
- A Directory of Queer Desi Blogs
The idea for this directory was suggested to me by a member of a gay Yahoo! group.
- Satire: Rahul Mahajan Applies for Sainthood
Rahul Mahajan to Pope: I will state my claim to Sainthood very simply.
- Satire: Traditional Families Under Attack, Says The Vatican
If faux Islamic countries like Iran can pretend the freedoms of the twentieth century never happened, why can't we?
- Chor, Chor! - Saved By The Family Dog
What she saw in the darkness in some-way changed her life forever.
- How To Popularise Linux In India
Some suggestions to make Linux popular in India
- French Open: Last Four Preview
It has been a memorable season and the next few days promise much more.
- Desicritics Editors' Picks - May 29- June 04
And do not pay heed to rumors that praising certain poems by a small time poet would get you here.
- Sex, Religion And Sensibility
Do we understand the real meaning of our religion and religious practices or are we blinded by irrational faith.
- cobwebbed cognizance
as memories sidle from catacombs
- Debonair: A Sad Sack Version Of Playboy & Maxim
There was a time when the Indian magazine Debonair was supposed to be a subdued version of Playboy.
- Comment-ary
A comment on Desicritics commenters.
- CD Review: Thrice Upon A Time Charles Mingus
But mainly it's about the music, and wisely they let Charles Mingus speak for himself when it counts.
- On Delhi: Vignettes From a Short Visit
Delhi, the city of Djinns, is slowly falling to the humdrum of commercialization.
- Film Review: The Omen (2006)
Unnecessary remake squanders opportunity to inject any fresh ideas. Still, the classic horror story is still suspenseful and scary.
- Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi Killed In Iraq
The original nationalist guise of the insurgency has been lost in favor of sectarian motivations and in-fighting.
- News of The Heart: Heroic Cardiologist
Physicians are more than money-hungry technicians. Some remember their Greek-inspired oath and show their social conciences.
- CD Review: Texas Roadhouse Favourites by Commander Cody And His Lost Planet Airmen
Texas Roadhouse Favourites is as close as most of us will come to hearing the Commander and his crew live
- Laloo Chocolate/Candy, Anyone? Wanting Them?
The latest "craze" in Bihar is Laloo candy, reports Deccan Herald.
- Jane Meri Jaan
Jane Austen's take on lesbianism, masturbation, whoring, and other basic instincts
- Fussball: Völler, Rijkaard, Gullit And a Spoil-sport Referee
Its interesting to observe the emotions, the celebrations and the controversies in any World Cup Football Finals.
- Kaavya: Episode III
As I walked to Kaavya’s house, I had gone through a whole range of emotions.
- My Investing Journey and the Dollar Cost Averaging Discipline
I cannot say I have been the best of learners but over the years I have invested with a certain discipline.
- The Missing Talents of World Cup 2006
The World Cup will definitely miss out on some of the greatest contemporary players.
- Fact: I Was Inside Pramod Mahajan’s Residence
An eyewitness account from 7, Safdarjang Road where Rahul Mahajan did his fateful snorting
- A Writer's Notebook: A Writer Observed
This (Writers) is a field that cries out for further study and intense analysis.
- Chain Mails and Satya Narayana Vrata
How many rituals present now do not have any meaning at all? How many of them are created based on interest of a group of
- Dilemmas of a DC Reviewer
Reviewing, I thought was a change of mind from the daily humdrum of life until my review got published on the publisher's site.
- Friday Femmes Fatales No 59 (Women Bloggers)
Carnivorous rabbits, camera-friendly ghosts, under-paid cleaners and some yummy food. It is all here.
- New Nano Device Can "Feel"
Terminator-like, self-assembling film has human touch sensitivity and applications for robotics, surgery, military.
- Book Review: Skipping Christmas
A sweet and sour story of a family suddenly discovering the beauty of Christmas in the midst of crass materialism
- Tutti-frutti
slurp, slurp, I begin.
- your heart, my murmur
a few word / from within
- Anderson Cooper and Section 377 of the IPC
It makes me grumpy that we hold on to this portion of Victorian morals having sacrificed so much to rid ourselves of its other imperial
- Fifty Writing Tools From Poynter Online
Writing is a magical craft and demanding, uncompromising mistress, but spells exist to master the craft and win the hand of the mistress.
- Of Categories and People
In my view categories are facilitative and obstructive. Clarifying and obfuscating. Opening and closing. Constructive and constrictive.
- With a Grain of Salt: The Influence of a Teacher Stops at Eternity or Does It?
People think that it's the poor and uneducated who are the terrorists. No, they are not.
- Searching For Beauty
If we learned to appreciate the world a little more and the things we've created, we might take a little better care of them.
- Is India's Security Worth So Little?
Why is the country's interests being compromised to line the pockets of the corrupt ruling class?
- Internet Explorer 7: It Sucks A Lot Less Now
If you are using IE6, then switching to IE7 is highly recommended. If you are happy with Firefox don’t switch
- Book Review: The Point of Return - Siddartha Deb
A story exploring the evolution of a relationship between father and son at one level and alienattion and yearning for roots and stability among displaced
- Crash: Not A Movie Review
A rant inspired by the opening line of the movie
- Indian Stock Markets This Week: Renounce Sensex, Get High On Soccer
As in the past, this fall in the sensex came as a huge surprise and shock for investors. What next?
- CNN-IBN Twists The Reservation Debate
An excellent "command performance" by Rajdeep Sardesai, Yogendra Yadav and CNN-IBN.
- CD Review: Full Circle Walter Trout And Friends
Full Circle is a guitar lovers dream album
- England, Argentina Unconvincing
Favourites have their work cut out.
- Bharatanatyam Dancers: Nataraja's Children
The god of dance may be male, but in today's world, it isn't easy to dance like a man
- first love - pehli muhabbat
the first eye contact, that feeling / from the pits to every pore
- Karan Thapar Please Stop Using One Size Fits All Approach
I hope Karan Thapar will learn from this experience and come out better prepared next
- Concert Review: Bright Eyes, June 10, Winnipeg, Canada
A mostly 20-something and under crowd were wowed by the boy-wonder from Omaha; absence of merchandising was puzzling.
- On The Way To The Office
One part of India that is shining and prospering is clashing headlong with another chunk of the population that is yet to taste its fruits.
- Malls, Multiplexes and McDonald's - The New Communist World Order
How India, and the world, is being injected with an unhealthy dose of consumer-friendly communism
- Movie Review: Phir Hera Pheri
Phir hera pheri follows one of the finest hindi comedies ever. Does it live upto expectations?
- Movie Review - Fanaa
Worth attracting any movie freak to the theaters and even making them spend a hundred bucks for a ticket in black
- Losing The War On Terror
It's still not too late to change from a war on terror to a war on the causes of terrorism
- MBA Admission Interviews – A View From The Other Side
A hapless interviewer’s take on the MBA interview.
- The Human Drift
Our desperate lives entomb fancies
- Kaavya: Episode IV
I waited for Kaavya to come out, put boiling leaves to rest and pour out the tea.
- The Winning Formula - F1 This Year
This year, the team tactics and strategy are making impact than previous years in Formula One.
- Against the Odds
Everyone in the reading world seems to be reading the same 20 books.
- Another Stupid IIT Professor Featuring Story
Another book of this kind and I am going to claim royalty for being injudiciously used by fledgling writers.
- Another Killer Application From India
Well, folks other than Indians - check it out! Another killer application beyond outsourcing, from India.
- Book Review: Under the Shadow of Kamakhya by Mamoni Raisom Goswami
Mamoni always manages to rescue humanism from clutches of the rigmarole, the grind of daily life, misunderstandings and human failings.
- Sholay Vs Don - The Ultimate Bollywood Battle of the Remakes
My 20+ years of experience with Hindi cinema gives me a strong feeling that RGV will turn out to be the winner in this battle.
- Book Review:Identity and Violence: The Illusion of Destiny (Issues of Our Time) by Amartya Sen
Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen's latest book is an attempt to solve global conflicts through a paradigm shift.
- Caledonia: An Oka In the Making
First Nations still being played for fools and their concerns taken for granted by all levels of government.
- Time Magazine Has Blundered And How!
A glaring series of misinformation that puts a question mark on the credibility of the international news magazine
- Buddha As A Vedantin: Buddha And Yagna
Buddha's angst was directed towards the exploitative behaviour in the name of Yagna, and not against Yagna itself.
- Port Blair: Vignettes From The Cellular Jail
The cellular jail is a monument dedicated to the victims of the British Imperialism. But is free India all that benign?
- Buddha As A Vedantin: Some Common Aspects
Continuation of my series on Buddha as a Vedantin.
- Soccer World Cup 2006: Where Is Ronaldo?
Ronaldo, the golden boot of 2002, now resembles the fat, slow banana slugs so common here in the Pacific Northwest.
- Fiction : Soft Wear Biryani : Chapter One
Taking turns to carry the 1.5 million dollars, Sridhar Krishnan and Arvind Swamy kept walking on towards the sun
- Kaavya: V (Second Last Episode)
You guys think that we girls were born yesterday and cannot distinguish between who respects us and who doesn’t.
- The toast is in the toaster
the lovers slept entwined / and dreamt of each other
- Writer's Block & The Unconscious
Writer's block may be nothing more than the conscious mind becoming over-engaged in what is inherently an unconscious process.
- CD Review: Kacey Jones Sings Mickey Newbury - Kacey Jones
Kacey Jones Sings Mickey Newbury is not indicative of either her talents as a performer or Mickey's talents as a songwriter.
- Abu Bakar Bashir – Preacher Man or Sinister Cleric?
Today Abu Bakar Bashir walked out as a free man from the Indonesian prison.
- Book Review: The Book Seller of Kabul, Asne Seierstad
An observant account of life in an Afghan family just after theTaliban fell and Western journalists began to be allowed in.
- The Goggles Mr. Bachchan Wears
Are we losing our sense of propriety with our role models flaunting their wealth obscenely?
- Putumayo's World Part 2/A Short Interview With Dan Stroper, Founder
A remarkable job of introducing the music of various part of the world to the various parts of the world.
- Short Story: Alone In A Crowd
She played those scenes from her life over and over, everyday.. Pessimism seemed to help her from disappointment.
- Sonia and Pramod: Rahul vs Rahul
Rahul Gandhi’s Italian mother has displayed more understanding of Indian sensibilities (parampara) than the son of an ex RSS Pracharak.
- Viva Azzurri: Memories Of World Cup 1982
It didn't matter if you were Italian or not, the Azzurri were our team and Paolo Rossi our hero.
- Radhika Needs Your Help
Radhika is a beautiful 5 years old child. It wouldn't be wrong to say that she is a 'miracle' girl who stands apart from most
- What is Truth? Cardinal Dias May Have The Answer
The Catholic leader through his statement has proven that it is possible to be intellectually honest without diluting your beliefs.
- Little Gypsy Girl
It was around 6:30-7:00 PM, near the railway station in Roorkee (India). I spotted this little gypsy girl in a crowded street.
- World Cup 2006: Spain Was Irresistible
Spain look like they are ready to mount a serious challenge.
- Powergen Quits India: Apple Abandons Plans
India’s outsourcing sector generates over $17 billion in revenues, employing nearly 700,000 people.
- Opinion:Arjun Singh Starring In The Myth
Arjun Singh Starring in the Myth:A graphic tid bit that I created in support of Anti Reservation protesters.
- Movie Review: The Break-Up
Women expect men to change but they stay the same...
- Are Our Indian Idols Hollow?
An unusual music composer cum CEO of a record company can't find any fresh talent among the current idols and relies on veterans to sing
- All The Best, Mr. Tharoor!
Shashi Tharoor as Secretary-General of the United Nations? What Dreams May Come?
- Father's Day From Another Perspective
When the only ritual you feel like doing on Father's Day is spitting on his grave while you're checking to make sure the bastard is
- Could Ask Become The Best Search Engine?
Google is the biggest search engine in the world. Could there be a challenger creeping up from behind?
- Liberalism or Soft Porn In Media?
In Indian society we are content on having kids running around us, but eschew any frank discussions on sex
- Pakistan Likely To Oppose Shashi Tharoor's Nomination
I have nothing against the individual citizens of Pakistan. I am sure they are as normal as any other person.
- Gender Selection Continues In India
Negative attitudes towards female children still prevail - even amongst the NRI communities.
- Celebrity Worship and The Death Of Critical Thinking
People of dubious talent and abilities are being foisted on us and passed off as gifted.
- Book Review: Rajaji : A Life by Raj Mohan Gandhi
Biography of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, 1878-1972, former Governor General of India.
- Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (KANK) by Karan Johar + New York
Watching KANK promos on TV in India reminds me of New York....
- Bill Gates to Retire
"The change we're seeing today is not a retirement, it's a reordering of my priorities."
- The Bangalore-Mysore Highway: Not so NICE Mr HDK
HD Devegowda carries a chip on his shoulder and does not miss a opportunity to lash out against anyone who he thinks have grown too
- India's Marxists at the Crossroads
The CPI(M) is caught in a cleft with some state units espousing hard line old school stalinism and some embracing vanilla capitalism.
- Manufacturing "Merit"
These days, when "merit" is threatened by "dilution", there is some merit to understand how "merit" is manufactured in India
- One More Journalist Bites The Dust
Individuals, organizations, states and governments indulging in terrorism should be held accountable to a uniform system of judgement and punishment.
- What To Do With Unemployed Jehadi's?
I estimate that there are, at this moment, anything between two and three thousand of these chaps
- Football With The Family
Thanks to the prime time telecast slot, Mom and Dad are forced to watch football with their Son.
- Writer's Notebook: Wishing For Quiet
Out of silence ideas are born.
- Fanaa: It All Makes Sense Now
In its greed to make some cheap bucks Bollywood did not care for the hurt sentiments of the Gujarati people.
- Dr. Salman Akhtar on Bollywood and Indan Unconsiousness
Dr. Akhtar talks about the unconsciousness undercurrents of Indian society and culture that are reflected in Hindi cinema?
- Concert Review: Bachman and Cummings, June 17, Winnipeg, Canada
They may never tour again as The Guess Who, but they're still packing 'em in as Bachman & Cummings.
- The Cinematic Road From La Bella Babe To Hamari Bahu
Glimmering on our cinematic horizon is La Bella Belluci as Hamari Bahu
- of ins and outs
pity those whirling / in ignorance and denial / doomed till time dies / unlike those robed ones of konya
- The Parting of Shashi Tharoor's Hair
Pakistan said it would field its own more conventionally barbered candidate to challenge Tharoor
- Indian Stock Markets This Week: The Cloud of Confusion
Sports and stock markets - they never fail to surprise! How does the cloud of confusion get formed?
- Netaji - The Last Dead Man Walking
So many commissions have been appointed to solve the Netaji mystery. It is time to bury this and honor his memory as we should.
- A Trip to Bahrain: It is Cool to be a Mussalmaan
A kingdom of sexy Shaikhas and hunky Sheikhs. A land where Islam rocks.
- Chronic Pain: In Defence Of Morphine
"In this day and age there is no excuse for anybody to suffer from pain."
- Meritocracy And The "Secession of the Successful"
Over-emphasis on "Meritocracy" can result in the emergence of a exclusive social class insulated from the larger section of society.
- Fiction: Kaavya: Final Episode
This was the story of one night that changed the course of our lives.
- Recovery: Memories Of Fear, Fear Of Memories
Each time I conquer a memory it's one less thing from my past that has power over me.
- Gustav Klimt's Adele Bloch Bauer-I Sells For $135 Million, Tales Of A Nazi Past
This story could be told from many different perspectives.
- Four Evergreen Careers for the New Century
Some cool picks for a worry-free employment and sure shot success in the new century.
- Music Review: Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna
Karan Johar's brand of glycerin is soon to smash theaters near you. Will the music make or break this flick?
- Satire: India beat Brazil 5-0
Post half time the SC/ST/OBC players were supposed to take charge due to the policy posed by the Government.
- Don't Trust Strangers
Like you, I too will never know the details of the events that occurred inside the household.
- Chindia + Reopening Old Trade Routes
Chindia. New word, new interpretation and a new world order?
- Desicritics Editors' Picks - June 05- June 11
Some posts you might have missed earlier on or may want to read again
- Women in the Indian Army: Was Pattabhiraman Right?
The Army Vice Chief has made a statement that might almost get him fired. Was he right?
- Small Arms Sales: A Reasoned Response
The problem with the gun control debate is that people react emotionally instead of dealing with facts and reason.
- A Little Progress for Radhika
The efforts to help Radhika enable us to believe in the concept of 'humanity' even in this day and age.
- The Dark Age of Narendra bin Laden
Osama and Modi: Two villains united in purpose; Two sinners complicit in crime.
- Accented Critique: Reporting On The Call Center Malaise In The U.S.
If you thought Delhi was bad, make a call to Louisiana.
- Protest Child Labour In Football!
The children are not paid for what they do. Doesn’t FIFA have a heart?
- NYT misspells Gandhi- Once Again!
In my day the short and crispy youth were able to spell the names of World Leaders and Illustrious Figures
- Why Narmada Bachao Andolan?
The "pro NBA" lobby is clearly mis-aligned with the needs of the nation
- Labor of Love Redux: The Bangalore Childbirth Story
I was surprised at how short the C-Section procedure was and for a moment, felt a twinge of self-pity.
- English Bolna Sikhado
A single story on the silver screen gets people to shed their cynicism and inaction and reach out to another.
- of pearls and swine
wisdom, abandoned yet again between pearls and swine dons a jacket and leaves to play bridge with rhetoric,
- RSS Newsfeeds For Dummies
RSS is primarily useful to collect one's favourite newsfeeds from different websites and present it at one point.
- The Bookseller of Delhi
An eccentric owner; a crazy collection; a secret attic
- CD Review: Pilgrimage: Mississippi To Memphis Aynsly Lister/Erja Lyytinen/Ian Parker
No need to worry about the future of the Blues, just have to look beyond our backyard to find it.
- Once Upon a Time There Was Blogging
Political correctness is for sycophants.
- On Being Men: It Ain't Easy!
I will not grow up. But expect others to grow up. That’s our tragedy – of being men.
- Toyota - A Rising Force In The Home Market
The entry of Toyota promises to bring about changes in this traditional industry to the benefit of the consumer.
- Global Warming: The US, India and Gandhi
Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed.
- Rudest City in the World. Aamchi Mumbai? Nah....
How can you expect people to pick up what you dropped when they are all rushing to catch that train in a crowded railway platform?
- DVD Review: Puppets Who Kill: The Complete Second Season
You'll never look at your stuffed bear collection the same way again.
- Break-up by Association
The whole concept of 'Break-up/Bear-up by association' might sound amusing but can be rather complex and mind-taxing for people who go through it often.
- Book Review: Hippo Eats Dwarf, A Field Guide to Hoaxes and Other B.S., Alex Boese
It is the kind of book you savor over a long period, reading bits at a time, spreading the fun.
- Movie Review: Krrish - Koi Childish Gaya...
Krrish is so clownish that goes all out of its way to have your brain cells punished
- Microsoft TechEd 2006: The Event
The Bangalore edition of Microsoft TechEd 2006, the annual technology extravaganza of Microsoft, concluded today.
- Modern Indian Myths: Liberalisation and "Socialism"
Modern economic "urban legends" of post-liberalisation India do not hold to the reality check
- Microsoft TechEd 2006: The Bloopers
Some humor and bloopers from the Bangalore edition of Microsoft TechEd.
- be gentle
will you be gentle dear – once again?
- CD Review: Crow Jane Alley Willy DeVille
Willy DeVille is one of the greats who have been ignored for too long.
- Nepal: Teetering on the Brink of disaster
Nepal is in big trouble. Just like the Weimar republic paved the way for Hitler and the Nazis to take...
- Sonia Lights Up Wherever She Turns Up
Some places in Uttar Pradesh have no electricity at all , some on the other hand are pampered to death
- Fiction: Love and Betrayal In 21st Century India
The course of true love never did run smooth
- Guru Arjan Dev Controversy and the Manipulated Indian History!
I strongly believe that current population of Muslims has nothing to do with the atrocities of the Mughals.
- Book Review: An Iron Harvest, by CP Surendran
CP Surendran writes of the lure of leftist ideology in the time of fascism.
- Movie Review: Paul Greengrass's United 93: Guts
Almost like being there.
- The Middle East Frankenstein
50 plus years of Israel-Palestine conflict, its about time to step back and say enough is enough
- Book Review: Distant Stars by Roberto Bolaño
Bolaño evokes a series of sub texts that are pregnant with possiblities.
- Rakhi Sawant - You Go Girl !
"Maafi toh use maangni hi padegi". I agree too that the moron has to apologise and Ms. Sawant is ready to fight for it.
- You Know You May Be An Artist...
"it's you – nobody else – who determine your destiny and decide your fate."(e.e. cummings)
- Breaking News: Mittal Group To Merge With Arcelor
It surprises me that Mittal would have agreed to a 45% stake in the merged firm.
- Book Review: The Hitchhiker by Vinod George Joseph
With a Dalit Christian family of rural Tamil Nadu as the backdrop, this novel explores various nuances all at once.
- Movie Review: Souten -- The Other Woman
Saawan Kumar se Karan Razdan Tak: a case of sand dunes, camels and a femme futile
- With a grain of salt: How Do You Define A Citizen’s Identity?
Until and unless the state is committed to treating all its citizens equally, it will end failing all.
- McCoy Tyner Trio, June 22, 2006, Winnipeg
Finest jazz trio that I've seen in years. Elder stateman pianist McCoy Tyner remains a vital force in jazz.
- Concert Review: Paquito D'Rivera Quintet, Winnipeg (June 23, 2006)
An evening of Latin-influenced jazz with the ledgendary Paquito D'Rivera, a child prodigy, and Canadian bassist Robert Occhipinti.
- Omkara: The Moor's Big Thigh
Bollywood's adaptation of Othello is en route.
- Concert Review: Jesse Cook, Winnipeg (June 24, 2006)
Stunning concert of lush, cinematic flamenco-influenced acoustic guitar music with a band of exotic instrumentalists.
- mid october post midnight walk
as all shackled men have learned it is not advisable to argue with the tigers in their cages
- Cadbury Chocolate Recalled in UK for Salmonella
Cadbury knew about the contamination since January but did not disclose it until now.
- To Bleed Or Not To Bleed
New Birth Control Pill will stop women's monthly menstrual cycle.
- Do We Need Women In The Army?
Perhaps the mindset of some women officers is not fully tuned to the rigor and nature of work in the army.
- Blind Faith Darkens Radhika's Future
Be it selfish human needs or blind faith in some age-old ritual, the bottom line is that it will only be hampering Radhika's future.
- Warren Buffett Donates $37 Billion To The Gates Foundation
This is the single-largest philanthropic donation by an individual ever.
- Hubble Telescope Down, Source of Key Space Data Could Be Lost
Thus far, it remains blind in the dark of space.
- Israel: It's Time to Give Victory a Chance
Who raises his hand to greet you, greet him first; who raises his hand to kill you, kill him first.
- Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan
Suketu Mehta gets all riled up on Reader's Digest politeness survery. Chal shaane hawaa aane de!
- How Dawood, ISI, HUJI and Khalida Zia Work Together
The relations between India and Bangladesh have deteriorated since Khalida Zia came into power - which the ISI and jehadi combine wanted for a long
- Tribute to Kolkata
In spite of many deficiencies that are always highlighted, Kolkata still has its humanity left
- An Unsuitable Boy: Shashi Tharoor, India and the UN Secretary-Generalship
Why India should not support Shashi Tharoor's candidacy for the UN Secretary-Generalship.
- Hunting The Muse
Hunting a muse isn't like hunting anything else, cause you don't go out after her
- Israel: Second Kidnapping by Arabs in Three Days
Hamas spokesmen threatened even more kidnappings, until all Arab prisoners in Israeli prisons are released, Arutz Sheva reported.
- "Proper" English & Reservations-of-a-Different-Kind
Does our penchant for "proper" English just a masquarade for another kind of social divide?
- Desicritics Editors' Picks - June 12- June 18
worth a read if you missed them earlier
- Movie Review: John Hillcoat's The Proposition: The Frontier
It's a ballad, it's a novel, it's amazing.
- Book Review: A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters by Julian Barnes
The book is a history of the world written in a seemingly light-hearted fashion, interwoven with fictitious events and characters.
- Thirteen Ways To Change India - Part 1
India has changed a lot and come a long way from our socialist past but we still seem to be limping.
- Nature And Humans: We're Not That Important
As far as the planet can tell we are just another life form
- Ashish Balram Nagpal - Mixing Business with Passion
Be it for your sudden fascination or business interest in Contemporary Art, meeting Ashish should definitely be your first move.
- Feeds for Thought
A feed reader is a magic wand upon whose touch the mysterious and indecipherable codes in an rss or xml document get decoded.
- Book Review: The Little Prince - A Children's Tale?
A timeless fable masquerading as a children's tale, the haunting book resonates with life 63 years after the author's death.
- Book Review: Siddhartha, Herman Hesse
Hesse's book chronicles the quest of the Brahmin Sidddhartha for the conquest of sufferings and fear.
- Two Paths to God
Two men choose to seek the same Force but choose different paths...
- Book Review: Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger
A tale so beautiful, so cunningly real that you would for sometime forget that time-travelling isn't for real.
- The Definition of Conversion
The National Commission on Minorities has called for a definition of conversion. Is this possible and will it solve anything ?
- Inviting Posts: Summer Memories
Desicritics invites posts on all things summer.
- Soccer: Technologically Challenged Sport
One thing is sure, using technology will not have another ‘Hand of God’ coming into play.
- Movie Review: Superman Returns
Yet another disappointing blockbuster, following X-Men 3 and M:I 3. Is this what 2006 will be remembered for?
- Plagiarism: Are We Ever Original?
Let me advance the Teflon theory. Don't get caught.
- World Cup 2006: The Quarter-Finalists - The Old Order Strikes Back!
My predictions for what is going to happen in the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup.
- Upheaval in Jacksonia: Michael Jackson Dumping Financial Advisers, Moving to Europe, Defending Himself in Santa Monica
The blowing sands and billowing hijabs of Bahrain could not hold the "childlike" attention span of Michael Jackson for more than a year.
- Satire: George Bush’s Little Pretzel Book
Thoughts of a President at war
- Dastangoi - The Lost Art of Story Telling
Dastangoi is about 4 things: Razm, Bazm, Tilism, and Aiyyari.
- Website Review: Spiffy Drawings with Gliffy
Gliffy allows you to create diagrams on the fly without the need to download any software.
- Reservation, Cancellation and Discrimination
Reservations, anti-reservations and the behavioral patterns of the mind.
- Canadian Politics: Harper's Ravens Come Home To Roost
Some nasty stuff is beginning to swirl around the Conservative Party of Canada just now
- Since The Beginning Of Time
Religion is beyond all logic and cannot be reasoned out like math or geography.
- Insurgency in North East India
Are the roots of insurgency in North East India religious or ethnic?
- Caste as Indian Foreign Policy Derivative?
An angry rant against a divisive op-ed
- BPO Staffer Steals UK Client Data
Software/Technology competency is no indication that India would make a good BPO hub.
- David And Goliath Version 2.0: Israeli Evil Vs Gaza
When will the global community speak up and demand that the violence and oppression ceases?
- Really Lousy Metaphors to Make a Point
Raja Mohan is not alone in deploying lousy metaphors to make a point. There have been others who have put their foot in their mouths.
- Filth Tumbles Out of Jane Austen’s Closet
Sexual connotations secretly interspersed by England's greatest woman novelist in her writings.
- Insurgency Outside of North East India
Examining the origins of insurgency in post independent India.
- Canadian Politics: Military Spending
...without people you don't have much of an army.
- Sickening Act - Murder of a 10-Year Old
Is the value of a lipstick much more than a human life?
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- Movie Review: Meghe Dhaka Tara (The Cloud Capped Star)
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