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- Archives: December 2006
- The Dark Side of Development Aid
"Why is it that every US dollar comes with twenty Americans attached to it?"
- The Islamic Insurgency In Thailand
Surprisingly, the experts make desperate yet naive efforts to separate Islam from the violence in southern Thailand.
- Hunger and Civil War: Word Usage
Playing word games
- Bharti Yadav - Love In A Time of Terror
Bharti's young romance won the battle initially, but sadly for the late Neeraj he seems to have finally lost the war
- Canadian Politics: The Split Personality Of The Liberal Party Of Canada
Sometimes dealing with the Liberal Party of Canada is like dealing with a creature with two brains.
- A Season for Non Violence and Lage Raho Munna Bhai
The yuppie, urban crowd appears to have embraced a Gandhi with a Market-friendly conscience.
- Ganguly Returns: Back to Dada-Giri...
Everyone knew this was going to happen - it was one of the worst kept secrets of Indian Sports history.
- Don't Rub Me Wrong: Why Sticker Advertising Stinks
I wonder which advertising agency gives such weird ideas to their clients.
- Are Indian Youth The Happiest People In The World?
All these forms of activism convey one message that the young no longer want to be recipients of change but leaders of change.
- Meager Expectations & Unmet Potential: India's Malaise
As a nation, we seem to have tempered our expectations and accept, indeed rejoice, in mediocrity.
- Short Story: A Long Year
I let him do what he likes. Today, I let him weep.
- Indicast: Indian Farmers Vs. Life
We at Indicast try to figure out the reason behind the death epidemic and more importantly what can be done to avert the crisis.
- Startup Websites Should Avoid Spamming for Backlinks
Start-up websites should remember that when they spam they might lose out on the credibility of their brand
- Humanity: Doing What Comes Unnaturally
We can only lose when we come into conflict with nature.
- Social Anachronism: A Tale of Two Mega Families
At an age when an increasing number of young couple are constrained by circumstances the Lokur family represents social anachronism.
- The Ghaziabad Ashram Horror - Give The Victims A Voice
I knew that something was terribly wrong but also realized that we were faced by a sinister enemy.
- Movie Review: Blood Diamond
There are several issues and several levels to the movie.
- Saurav Ghosal Breaks Into The Squash World's Top 50
Twenty year old Saurav Ghosal is making his mark on the world squash circuit
- Movie Review: Dhoom:2 - What A Load Of Crap!
But then again, it looks like I am among the minority, considering the droves of people that were flocking to the theatre to see the
- Bhopal 1984: The Night The Town Turned Into A Gas Chamber
My immediate concern was to find a place that was unaffected by the leaking gas.
- Refugees From Iraq
Paying attention may not necessarily save people's lives, but the chances are better then if we ignore them
- Indian Airports - Bad Symbols Of India
Indian airports are a bad first symbol for visitors to India
- Movie Review: Aquirre, The Wrath of God by Werner Herzog
The strangest thing about the movie, which is full of strange happenings, is Klaus Kinski.
- Movie Review: Casino Royale And The Reinvention Of Bond
It’s not about how good Casino Royale is. It is about how good it opens up the series for the movies to come.
- Dealing With Unprofessional Journalists
Desperate Romeos, VIP wannabes, Copy-Paste writers and Bribe Takers are some of the few types of journalists one encounters.
- Cartoon: Vidarbha's Farmers - A Small Favour
Manmohan Singh announced a 3000 Crore Relief Package for Vidarbha Farmers and guess what they got
- Bengalooru Habba 2006 - Bangalore's Festival of the Arts
"Bengalooru Habba" is a festival that truly represents the spirit of Bangalore.
- Bhutan's Evolving Democracy
After about a century as an absolute monarchy, Bhutan now is about to take its place among the world's democracies.
- Predictive Search and Recommendations - Satisfying the Consumer
"Recommendation Systems" - upcoming trend in e-commerce to tackle the problem of finding needles in a haystack!
- The Anti-Child Labour Campaign - The UNICEF Poster Girl Fiasco
UNICEF's poster girl Chuniya found washing utensils on roadside Dhaba.
- Cartoon: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act - Human Rights or Human Wrongs
Dealing with the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act
- Music Review: Ruf Records Anthology: 12 Years Of The Blues Crossing Over
Two discs provide a sampling of what Thomas Ruf considers the highlights of twelve years of music.
- India's Cricket Defeat - What Did They Learn?
So the whitewash is complete. But what did Indian players and fans learn from this?
- Canadian Politics: Stephane Dion Elected New Leader Of The Liberal Party Of Canada
Stephane Dion could very well be the man to lead the Liberals back to power.
- Kingdom of Bhutan: Measuring Gross National Happiness
"happiness takes precedence over economic prosperity in our national development process".
- Medical Tourism in India: Is it a Good Idea?
An aggressive promotion of healthcare tourism, could price out the Indian middle-class from private healthcare facilities in their own country.
- Movie Review: Virumaandi
Kamal is himself earthily enthusiastic although his acting solidity cannot make up for the fact that he is too old for this role.
- Useful Freewares For Everyday Office Uses
Check out this list of easy, light, and simple freewares for fast documentation requirements at office.
- Poetry: hauteur's hubris
hindenburg ego matching zeppelin imbecility / merrily reassuring the world is not awhirl
- The Washington Times Issues a Correction in Reporting on Domestic Violence Statistics in India
When will Indian Newspapers acknowledge that the data they published (70% of Indian Women face Domestic Violence) has no basis?
- India and the West: Changing Lanes in a Flat World
Building on Friedman's The World is Flat, an exploration of how India needs the west…
- Bangladesh Diary: In This World
Amidst the destitution and grime, there is no self-pity here, no time for despair just grit and resolve
- KBC3 : Shah Rukh Dethrones Big B
Hopefully, the stuttering actor won't subject us, the television viewers, to his filmy antics.
- Vengsarkar Returns Cricket To The Bad Old Days
What were Vengsarkar and his selection committee thinking when they decided to return cricket to the dark ages?
- Emotions: What Are We So Afraid Of?
How much longer can we pretend there's nothing wrong with the world, but something wrong with the person honest enough to cry?
- Film Review: Athadu (Telugu - 2005)
From the very first frame of Athadu it is apparent that Trivikram Srinivas is a promising director.
- Movie Review: Casino Royale (1954) - The Invention of James Bond
This is Bond before the myth, before the glamour and before the girls.
- Cartoon: Shibu Soren Strikes Again - Ministers & Murderers
One year after being inducted, Soren has struck again.
- Film Review: Black Friday (Hindi; 2004)
Black Friday is far from being a morally relativist work, bookended as it is by a quote of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Can Democracy Be Imposed in Muslim Countries?
International policy-makers must understand basic precepts of Islam to grasp the difficulty in instituting democracy in Islamic countries.
- Cartoon: The Indian Military Krasnopol Scam - Be Dud Buy Dud
George Fernandes' contributions to the Indian military
- DVD Review: Destroy All Rational Thought
(Burroughs and Gysin) two men who had openly spurned success and the limelight...were being treated like celebrities.
- Travel Episodes: Visiting Columbus, Ohio
After bathing in the sweltering Chennai heat, I now find myself at a temperature of minus eight degree celsius.
- Gaming Console Review: Sony Playstation 3
A comprehensive look at the Sony PlayStation 3, from hardware to software, and why you would want one.
- Travel Report: Visiting Greece - Quest for Poseidon
The Aegean has no waves, no tides. It is majestically, mysteriously silent.
- Short Story: The Last Hurrah
I flew happily and high that day. The last hurrah was mine.
- The Muslim Demography Of India: Sachar Committee Report
An analysis of the Sachar Committee Report on the Demographic Trends of the Muslim Community in India.
- The Aussies Must Thank Team India For Showing The Way
Remember Adelaide 2003-04?
- Interview with Kavita Khanna, author of Saturday Morning Omelettes
Kavita Khanna is the author of Saturday Morning Omelettes, a novel about immigrants, their experiences, and the perennial longing for home.
- Media Coverage of the Maharashtra Violence - Dalit Rage?
Media coverage of the recent Dalit violence has been somewhat discomfiting for me.
- Poetry: Unending work of a monarch
the waves now rise and fall / an unending percussion / slapping the resolve of the shore
- Restaurant Review: Hard Rock Cafe, Mumbai - Hardly Rocking
Go there for the experience but do have back-up plans
- Eat - The 'Iyer' Way!
If Popeye was an Iyer, his song would start 'I am what I am; I eat, what I can!'
- The Reserve Bank of India – An Independent Central Bank?
India’s central bank is well known for its cautious outlook and conservative approach. But does it function independently?
- Traffic Congestion Surcharge - Skyway Robbery
Private airlines are given to making a big deal of their low basic fare, which, in real terms, costs customers quite a packet.
- Driving, Miz Desi
That was how I came to be at the helm of this car one cold wintry afternoon.
- Fiction: The Young Woman Who Wanted Something To Eat After Midnight
When had it become a world where you didn't exist if you didn't own a car?
- Have You Ever Had a Bloggers' Block?
Please let me know if you have some good tips.
- Movie Review: The OH In Ohio
We are at our most vulnerable at that last orgasmic moment.
- The Absence Of Good Desi Chick Lit
How come us desi girls don't muck about such light material? Lord knows we could tell the world a thing or two.
- Interview: Thomas Ruf of Ruf Records, Part 1
Those old blues guys fitted my social consciousness – they were underdogs that made it through their music.
- Book Review: Saturday Morning Omelettes
A breezy heartwarming tale by first time novelist Kavita Khanna!
- Cube Maketh a Person?
Seeing a thin relation between Rubik's cube and babies, in a twisted way
- Who is Being Abused - the Illegal Immigrant or the Common Man?
Why a humanitarian, supporting an illegal immigrant, is worse than a politician doing the same?
- Dreams of Owning a Property in Mumbai
Can a common man afford to buy a decent property in Mumbai? Read on to find out.
- IDF: Killing Peace - Keeping Misconceptions Alive
The Gaza ceasefire was born in a hurry, Israel’s hard-line leaders want to kill it just as quickly.
- The Sharia Laws Of Cricket
Two contrasting tales of justice in Shane and Shoaib drug scandals. 'Cricket ain't cricket' anymore.
- Of Students and Their PDA
Welcome to the New Age (Indian) Man.
- Why We Love Google
Google has the ability to delight the users of its software and is poised to fundamentally alter the consumer software landscape.
- Interview: Thomas Ruf Of Ruf Records: Part Two
I don’t care how profitable a project potentially could be – It's about the quality between you and your fellows while you walk.
- The Day I Heard About John Lennon's Death
Who knows how many great songs the world was robbed of on Dec. 8 1980.
- Inclusion of Creamy Layer in Reservations for OBCs Defeats the Purpose of Reservation
The "forward" OBCs will be the first to occupy seats reserved for OBCs, defeating the whole purpose of reservation for them.
- It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas
Here's a couple of things I suggest you do to start off the season on the right note.
- Canadian Politics: The Past, Present, And Future Of Native Rights
Who knows we may even end up equal partners in the country.
- Movie Review: What Nayakan Means To Me
Nayakan is a permanent memorial to their efforts, and, like all else about this film, a great one.
- Asian Games Doha Diary
The Squash tournament starts today at the Asian Games
- Concert Review: Wolfgang Haffner's Jazz-Rock Concert in Bangalore
The end result was explosive, as the concert promised.
- Movie Review: Blood Diamond
Delivers its intended comment on diamonds, but is too long and tedious. Oh, yes...there will be blood.
- Conversation: homar al alooj - Sitting On the Political Fence
we correct God...we ascribe things to Him...we interpret His words...we shove intentions down His throat....the created becomes the creator…
- Canadian Politics: Fallout From Inquiry Into Torture Victim Maher Arar Continues
Otherwise there always will remain the chance of what happened to Mr. Arar happening to you and me.
- Cartoon: Think Small - The Singur Small Car Project
Buddhadeb's blind drive towards industralisation of Bengal
- Bangladesh Diary: A Weekend Away (Part One)
A trip back to the town where I first worked here...
- Fiction: Barren Eyes, Roots and Wings...
A person cannot have roots and wings at the same time. You can come back to your roots, now is the time for you
- Somalia Resolution: No Peace to Keep
Peacekeepers shouldn't be expected to create peace.
- Making Magic With Words
There is magic there just waiting to be created and I feel far better for it.
- Asian Games Doha Diary II - Squash Update
Saurav Ghosal and Ritwik Bhattacharya assure India of their first medal in squash
- Dhoom 2 Kissing Affair : Lawsuit Against the Actors
To have a lawsuit filed against the two stars for this one scene is not only unjust but downright idiotic.
- Dr. V. Ramakrishna: A Mysorean Who Didn't Know His Worth
A Mysorean, Dr. Ramakrishna, 82, in the words of his Nobel Laureate friend T S Elliot, "shirks publicity of any sort."
- What's With Those Page 3 Kisses?
So yeah! Cut with the airy-bullshit and be satisfied with a 'namaste'.
- Why the UPA Should Go
Critique of the UPA's overall failure in protecting India.
- Mohawk Land Claims Ignored Again
If you buy stolen propertywhat kind of compensation do you usually get?
- The Take On Art Theft
It is mainly art from the previous centuries that always gets stolen the most. Modern art is trickier to filch.
- Asian Games Doha Diary III - Saurav Will Win a Squash Medal
Saurav Ghosal enters the semi finals of the Asian Games squash championship.
- Life in Britain: The School Nativity Play
One by one, the narrators said their lines, whilst the actors went about enacting one of the best-known religious stories.
- If It's Nominations Time, Awards Season Must Be Coming Soon
Success is only as good as the last accolade, and the rest is silence.
- Understanding The United States By Numbers: The Small Government
The US government's footprint, as measured by percentage of GDP, on the economy seems comparatively much lower than that of developed European economies.
- Poetry: december 12, 2006
murder, mayhem, killing, sadness, joy, accusations and counter accusations - all in a day's journey
- Devika Rani - Bollywood's First Lady
This year marks the 70th anniversary of one of the landmarks of Indian cimema, Achut Kanya.
- Spreading the Green Message - Somnath Style
Somnath has come up with an imaginative way to create public awareness about the importance of trees
- First Week in Ohio: The Cold, The Hot and The Warm
Sometimes twelve thousand miles doesn't seem as far. It's just as far as a few warm words and a warm smile.
- Meritocracy and Government - Learning From Fiji
The absurd is the only possible answer in our own constrained circumstances.
- India: Challenge & Opportunity of a Lifetime
A review of the 3rd Sat Pal Mittal Memorial Lecture, India-Japan Energy Forum, and London School of Economics Asia Forum
- TV Review: Bigg Boss - All's Lost without Rakhi Sawant
Is it really good without the best-test item girl in the country?
- Failure To Protect Critical Habitat Puts Endangered Species At Risk
We aren't the only inhabitants of this world, we share it with numerous other creatures and plants
- Periyar EVR's Brahmin Connection
EVR believed he was sidelined by the Congress party leadership in Tamilnadu for the only reason that he was non-Brahmin.
- The Rajendra Sachar Commission Report: Missing Facts No One Dares to Speak Of
It is the Muslim psyche that has to change if they really want to succeed towards progress.
- The Rajendra Sachar Commission Report and the State of Muslims in India
The Muslim community is not adequately represented in the country's institutions. What can be done?
- Malaysia: Portrait of 'Great Moderate Islamic Nation'
Malaysia is deemed a model of modern, secular and multicultural Islamic Nation. Find out what it takes to be such a nation.
- Health and Environment in India - Where Do We Go?
Need to save our environment and overall health - what can we do ?
- The Rich Get Richer And The Poor Get Poorer
Don't let anyone tell you we live in an equal opportunity society...look at the numbers to see how wrong that is
- On Starting Up in India
We need a lot more people like Mukesh Kumar and Krishna Motukuri if we want to build the Indian Silicon Valley
- The Road to Hell is Paved With Bad Intentions
And they wonder why everyone is leaving the country and running away!
- Destination Weddings - A New Trend in India
How destination weddings can be a couple's friends only event, adventurous, good business, and a boon for city commuters
- The Weight of My Words
It's strange to hold the culmination of years of living with this story...
- Indian Pluralism and Its Discontents
If partition had not happened, would India be so willing to spend blood and treasure to keep this or that North-Eastern sliver of territory within
- Satire: JAM Magazine Apologizes
JAM Magazine has a lot to be sorry for...
- Reservations Policy: The Most Deserving Remain Deprived
The one thing that stands out is that these kids can never get to any of the reserved seats.
- The New World Of Publishing
America is not the only large English speaking market anymore
- Laptop Review: IBM/Lenovo 3000 N100: Avoid Them, They Are Seriously Bad
A terrible customer service from VPs to call-center technicians ruins it all. Avoid Lenovo like the plague.
- Music Review: Spirit Rising Volume I & II
When I listen to gospel music I'm not listening to the "message", but the manner in which it is delivered.
- Images From Bengalooru Habba
When governments are unable to financially support art, is it wrong for private funding to step in?
- Why Do We Have Reservations Based on Caste?
Why are reservations based on caste and not on economic status? Do reservations help anyone?
- Sri Lanka's New Phase of Fratricidal Conflict
Sri Lanka's fratricidal war appears to be entering a new phase of bloodshed as both sides harden their stand on devolution of power
- The End of U.S. Dominance In The Middle East - What Dominance?
Given all this focus on their Middle East policy it is ludicrous that it has descended into such a farce.
- Darrell Hair: A Racist Who Fought To Save The Integrity of Cricket
A racist with no regard for race, nationality and creed.
- Bangladesh Diary: A Weekend Away (Part Two)
Clerks beaver away in the gloom. Some of them look like they too arrived in the 1860s and simply forgot to leave.
- Cartoon: Rock Bottom Cricket
Indian cricket hits rock bottom
- Book Review: A Confederation Of Valor, Tanya Huff
If you like hard science fiction, but have grown tired of the attitudes and clichés that accompany it, this is the perfect antidote.
- Orissa Temple Purified After Dalits Enter
Temple purified after entry by Dalits. In this day and age, untouchability reigns strong.
- Cartoon: Sporting Blues
The over 350-strong contingent was reduced to the also ran category at the continent's biggest sporting arena.
- Travel Episodes: At The Bookstore
It doesn't even matter if I've already read that book, I still pick it up and run my fingers over the cover.
- Film Review: Apocalypto
Chase thriller is not a genius story but is well executed, despite the historical inaccuracies.
- Book Review: Jared Diamond's Collapse - Fodder for Thought
Throughout the book, Diamond tries to argue that the environment and economy are inter-related.
- You are Time Magazine's Person of the Year, Your Life Goes On
The narcissistic social disorder that has enveloped global society takes many forms.
- Will The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Ever End?
The latest Gaza ceasefire shows that peace is still a long way off.
- Medical Procedure Outsourcing: Truly Alternative Medicine
The practice of medicine is also subject to the tidal shift in international economics as a consequence of Globlalisation.
- Book Review: Sacred Games by Vikram Chandra
An epic terrorist thriller of gumshoes and gurus in India, and how to "live every minute and die every moment.”
- EPA Woes: To Trust Or Not To Trust ?
The 'Clean Air Act', states very clearly that the EPA can regulate any pollutant, that causes air pollution
- Is Big Boss Really a Reality Show?
Is there any reality in this "Reality Show"?
- Nuclear Co-operation or Compromise
Indian Scientists have rasied objections to the Indo US Nuclear Deal but no one is listening.
- Why Do We Protest Against Reservations?
Why do so many young students, doctors, engineers and MBAs in India protest so vehemently against reservations-based-on-caste?
- Movie Review: Ondanondu Kaladalli
Ondanondu remains a favourite among millions of Kannada film watchers and Shankar Nag fans.
- Music Review: White Trash Girl Candye Kane
There's a lot more to this girl than just one dimension of the blues.
- The Drought Is Over: India Wins in South Africa
The role of a supporter is to stick with the team through the tough times and the good times, not just the good ones.
- Was It My Turn To Change Diapers?
Both are four-letter words. But beti is an endearing term; bahu, somewhat lower down on saas-sasur's endearment scale.
- TV Review: Big Boss - Revival of the Drama Queen
I don't give a damn about the reasons for Ms. Sawant's revival on the show. The fact is she is back and that's what matters.
- Is The Indian Media Biased in Favour of Popular Interest News?
How many important news items might have been killed because the media had to devote airtime to one particular popular news item?
- The Indo-US Nuclear Deal: A Post-Henry Hyde Act Analysis
When time comes to support Iran or test a nuclear weapon, will India be able to say, "no, thank you"?
- Muslim World Lags Behind In Women's Rights
Equality for women has been on an upward slope for years, except in Muslim countries.
- DVD Review: We Are The Future Various Artists
Buying the disc is not only an investment in good music, but also an investment in the world's future generations.
- Jessica Lall's Murder Trial: A Sister's Fight Against The System
After nearly eight years, Manu Sharma has been found guilty.
- Remembering The Dark Nights Of The Taliban Days
Refugee parents drew small pictures of hills and deserts on tattered pieces of paper hung up on peeling walls for their children.
- An Unqualified Apology to Every Untouchable
I join Navya Shastra, in apologising to the other castes and promise I will raise my voice against this disgusting practice.
- The Practical Guide to Going Digital
Siddhartha gives you the low downs on what to keep in mind when hunting for your first digital camera.
- Interview With An Entrepreneur : Raghu Kanchustambham
Failure is not necessarily a bad thing. What is, however, is if you miss the lesson and fail again for the same reasons.
- Human Rights and Minority Rights: Making the Connection
India’s National Commission for Minorities has chosen Cedric Prakash as the 2006 recipient of its "Minorities Rights Award".
- The Good General: Augusto Pinochet (1915-2006)
The murderous career of Augusto Pinochet is inextricably linked to US involvement in Chilean politics and its economy.
- Book Review: Dream Angus Alexander McCall Smith
It's a lovely way to spend a dreamy evening or afternoon when reality is just a little too much to bear.
- Ho Ho Ho: The Truth About Santa Claus
When my kindergartner came home with a paper reindeer named Rudolph, I realized it was time to tell him the truth.
- Film Review: Thalapathi (1991)
Thalapathi is an overlooked Ratnam film, following Nayakan by a few years and still some time away from Ratnam's magnum opus, Iruvar.
- Season’s Greetings to All: The Season is Here Again
Some e-cards come with music tending to clog your inbox. I can't think of anything more impersonal or so devoid of grace.
- Life in Britain: 'Tis The Season To Be Jolly
Whatever lies in store for us around the corner, enjoy the present for now and have a very, merry Christmas!
- A Tale Of Three Christmases
Three different experiences of the season round the world.
- The Jarawa Reserve: Andaman's Human Zoo
Due to their isolation and consequent inbreeding among an already diminished population, the numbers of the Jarawas are decreasing by the day.
- Al Jazeera English: Is the News Good or Bad?
The latest weapon in the Middle East is neither a missile nor a bomb. It is a Television Station.
- Poetry: A Kooky Love Story
A rather soppy, anti-climax of a romance, especially when seen through modern eyes.
- Interview: Shibani Jain, CEO, Craftsbridge India
A first generation woman entrepreneur, she has stuck through a lot of ups and downs to build a very unique and inspiring business.
- The Magic Of Winter Light
...one of the moments of magic that bridge the span of years between us and those who lived on earth thousands of years earlier ...
- The Cotton Carder
In our rush to embrace modern ways, do we realise the price that needs to be paid?
- Graphic Novel Review: Ramayan 3392 AD issues 3 and 4
Ramayan 3392 AD moves into a higher gear with issues 3 and 4. Has me hooked.
- Jessica Lall Case - A Wakeup Call for Police Reform?
The Jessica Lall case pleads for police independence and witness protection programs
- poetry: verbivore folklore
different holiday musings
- The Drama of Sanjay Dutt's Bail Extensions
When will he go to prison?
- Book Review: Ysabel Guy Gavriel Kay
In spite of Ned and Kate's ages this is not a book that would only interest young men and women.
- Falling On The Tummy Is Serious Business
It took her a couple of weeks to figure out that the top part of her body needed to move too.
- Supporting Peace Is Not Abandoning Israel
Blair and the EU have followed the U.S' line on Hamas for far too long.
- Movie Review: Pursuit of Happyness
Is it so bad to simply want to be in the 'norm' (such as it is) and adopt a simple, albeit secure lifestyle?
- Memo to Prannoy Roy: Wish We Heard More From Narayana Murthy
During the NDTV show there were moments when we had Prannoy Roy butting in with his one-liners.
- Movie Review: Iqbal
Ultimately it boils down to basics - never compromise; be true to yourself; when you are 100% into whatever you do, sucess is certain.
- Movie Review: The Good Shepherd
Cold, cerebral, story of the CIA rewards those with patience but lacks action and leaves tension uncorked.
- Moments Of Magic
I'm witnessing a type of magic that goes beyond anything a human being could hope to create.
- When Men Fail: Israel-Palestine Behen-Behen
We have not brought enough women, specially mothers into the peace process.
- The Books I Liked In 2006
That's the beauty about lists like these, they're only one person's thoughts and don’t have to be agreed with at all.
- Poetry: The Gropher-In-Chief
"Why Isn't I Popular?"
- Poetry: Peace On Board
A new-fangled retelling of the old chestnut.
- Canadian Politics: 2006 Was Preperation For 2007
Who says politics and soap operas have nothing in common? They both always leave you hanging.
- Book Review: Ubuntu Linux For Non-Geeks
An OS like Ubuntu, needs a book like Ubuntu. Plain, fast, gets-things-done. But does Richford Grant's book gets us there?
- The Right To Information Act - An Anti-Corruption Tool
Is the RTI Act really making a difference?
- The Cost of a Handful of Spinach? Three Little Fingers
Nothing can make up for the three tiny fingers cut off in a fit of rage for a few leaves.
- Religion-based IITs, IIMs: Divisive, Unworkable
Why does such an exclusivist minority viewpoint come into being?
- Poetry: Hi Rani
Why the hour glass metamorphoses into a barrel
- “Rapaat” Song of the Year 2006
What's your favourite?
- Clarifying and Re-opening the Ayodhya Debate
Critique of Dilip D'Souza's utterances on Ayodhya.
- Lonely on X'mas!
“Holiday season is the best”, he thought, “so vibrant and abuzz with activity yet comes with peace of mind”.
- International Affairs: We Can't Afford To Ignore Africa Anymore
If we don't start making Africans important, they might just become so for all the wrong reasons
- India's Promise
Institutions are important for a democracy. However, belief in those institutions is essential. Today, we risk loosing faith.
- Cricket: Where Does Australia Go From Here?
Is this the start of the end for the Great Australian team of the '90s and 00s?
- Cartoon: Taking Reservations a Little Too Far
Muslim MPs have demanded exclusive IITs, IIMs & Schools. I hope they are not serious.
- Compassion: The Forgotten Word
...we've been lucky so far, but luck can change for the worse at any time and anywhere
- Of Punch And Shadow, And A Street Dog Named Walker
But, in some respects, they seem more sensible. I have not seen a dog throwing stones at stray men. Have you?
- Boxing Day Earthquakes
Christmas 2006 will be remembered for seismic as well as festive events.
- India Says " Do Not Hang Saddam"
Where does India really stand on the issue of death penalty?
- Cartoon: No Water? Drink Coke!
Coca Cola plants in India are causing ground water depletion and pollution.
- Musical Condom: Music From "Down Under"!
As the sales pitch goes, there is no danger of being electrocuted.
- Cartoon: Hide Act
What the PM is not telling us.
- Music Review: Bahamut Hazmat Modine
...Peel back the essence of a feeling or a moment and put it to music with courage and conviction.
- Travel Scraps: Marijuana
Drugs, Addicts and an Indian...
- Entrepreneurship: Alive and Kicking in Bangalore
I wouldn't be surprised if the number of entrepreneurs per thousand in India is the largest in the world.
- Manmohan Singh's War on Inequities and The Truth about Muslim Economic Status
There is no reason to bypass the Madrasa system…instead it should be managed in a formal manner.
- Travel Episodes: Visiting New York City
Be it the breathtaking skyscrapers or the amazing diversity in culture, New York is one city that you will never stop loving.
- Thought For The New Year: Subduing Narcissism
With merrymaking and celebrating our bounties, the wishes for peace and prosperity ring hollow when thoughts, smiles and wishes betray the actions.
- Poetry: Just Because I'm Dead
Why try to tar a star?
- Book Review: Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore
Maybe that's why vampires are so funny, because reality can bite.
- Being A Liability
An unmarried woman is a liability on her family.
- Satire: How To Write About India
Here are the rule(s) of thumb when writing about India for a Western audience.
- Poetry: prem nagar ki ik aur katha
A quest that perhaps…../ would end / in an eternal embrace / at sojourn's end
- Saddam Hussein Executed - Did He Get the Last Laugh?
This is not a time for chest-beating. This is a moment for us to look long and hard at where Iraq is heading.
- Somalis Given Hobson's Choice for Christmas
Somalis have recently been under a harsh Islamic regime, but the alternatives are much worse.
- Chavez's Petro-philanthrophy: A Slap In The Face Of American Capitalism?
Diplomatic socialist leader, Hugo Chavez wins goodwill among poor americans through petro-philanthropy.
- 2006 Hollywood and Independent Movies: An Overview
50 ratings and mini-summaries for 2006 movies.
- Top Five Profound Things I learnt This Year
Being a witness of your actions and other events is a very useful mechanism for ego-less awareness
- Mamta Banerjee and Singur
Why did Mamta Banerjee go this extreme against the Singur project
- DVD Review: Kitka & Davka In Concert: Old And New World Jewish Music
This music could make stones weep.
- Saddam Hussein Brought to Justice - The Indian Response
Justice finally arrived for the dictator of Baghdad at the hands of his own countrymen
- India Lose the Second Test at Durban Meekly
Indian cricket fans never seem to be too far from a great disillusionment. Most notable victories are followed by humiliating defeats.
- The Moral Dilemma of Saddam’s Execution
The same day, dozens of others met the same fate for more negligible crimes than Saddam's.
- Retirement: How I Spend My Day
when it comes to the media, people are a bit dense on what, precisely, a newspaper correspondent does.
- Indian Cricket - Drop Tendulkar
Endulkar - Seriously
- The Music That Rocked My World In 2006
These are twelve recordings that made a difference in my world over the year...
- Police Brutalities in the Sub-Continent and the Need for Exemplary Justice
The only difference in India would be that at least there could be a small hope for the victims in the justice system.
- India Win Two Gold At Scottish Squash Open 2006
Indian juniors have always done well at the Scottish Squash Open over the years. This year we won two gold, one silver and one bronze.
- Arguments Against the Hanging of Saddam Hussein
Why Saddam Hussein should not have been executed.
- Movie Review: Kabul Express
A road movie in a war zone - what's so unusual about that?!
- Biz/Tech Year-End Roundup
A look back on some of the interesting Biz/Tech posts of the year.
« November, 2006 || January, 2007 »
- The Dark Side of Development Aid
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