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- Archives: April 2007
- Media: The Old vs. The New
I'm reminded of Darwin’s quote: “the species which survived were not the biggest or fastest but the most adaptable to change”
- Stupidity + Arrogance = Traffic Jam
How stupid people can create immense traffic gridlocks
- Does Globalization Cure Crony Capitalism?
Much of the discourse on crony capitalism is associated with Asia and Latin America.
- Back to School: Grappling With Bonnets And Fairy Tales
I set about trying to tap into hitherto undiscovered, and possibly non-existent, wells of creativity.
- Indian First, Tamilians Second
Many newspaper reports state that those who lost their lives were 'Tamil fishermen.'
- UNICEF (India) Chief Accused of Attempted Rape
The biased Indian media is also completely silent as it involves UNICEF.
- The Cradle in Bangalore Really Does Deliver Joy
If you're expecting a baby, and you live anywhere close to Jayanagar, I would really encourage you to check this place out.
- The Cairo Trilogy and A Suitable Boy - Good Old Laid Back Stories
Novels in which nothing seems to happen while an entire world unfolds around you and hook you with their charm.
- India's Cricket Loss - Our Hour of National Shame
Reminiscences of two decades of Cricket watching and true emotions of what happened.
- Bangladesh's Makeover: Democracy Temporarily Set Aside
For conditions to improve, do we really need to have strongmen?
- A Dark Paradise - The Genocide of Sri Lankan Tamils
Beneath the idyllic picture of paradise there is an ethnic struggle raging.
- Stay On OBC Reservations - Our New Summer of Discontent
The reservation issue will never die as no one will allow it to.
- Cricket World Cup 2007: Jayasurya's Memorable Ton Ignites Sri Lanka
The Tigers dismantle West Indies with a clinical display
- Movie Review: The Pursuit Of Happyness
This film did not merely alter the way 'happiness' is spelled, it changed the way it is perceived.
- Saving India's Wildlife Heritage
How to prevent poachers from decimating India's rich wildlife heritage
- Book Review: Learning MySQL
An introductory resource of help to experienced users as well
- Movie Review: Mr. Smith Goes To Washington - Lessons for India
One of the greatest movies about American democracy holds precious lessons for Indian and other great democracies.
- ICICI Bank Accused Of Using Hooligans To Reclaim Car
Can we allow such strong arm action by a bank?
- Photo Essay: Washington, D.C. in Spring and Summer
For a precious few days there'll be no shovelling snow, no scraping ice off the windshield, no salting the driveway or the sidewalks ...
- Short Story: The Constant Companion
It will be always be there with her family, a piece of her, comforting them whenever they needed.
- Movie Review: The Namesake - The Shoes We Walk In
Mira Nair’s adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s book captures that elusive Holy Grail of adaptations: the book's spirit.
- Urban Jungle: Cow Story
I always have fun explaining the sacred cow thing to tourists. But if you look at it a little seriously, cows are an administrator's nightmare.
- Book Review: MySQL Cookbook
Reference and utility
- Restaurant Review: Saigon, Church Street, Bangalore
The waiters actually waited on us rather than us having to flag one down every time we needed something.
- Concert Review: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan & Sons
The three complemented each other perfectly, even though at moments it was clear why the maestro was way ahead of his sons
- Men In Skirts
If we women can wear trousers why can’t men wear feminine clothes without having their masculinity put to question?
- FY2008 H-1B Visa Cap Reached On Day 1
Despite mobility of capital and information, labour and people are still subject to borders and policies and little men in suits.
- Short Story: First Cut, Uncut
Xialong was a carrom-board breast; I, Hiroshi was a dwarf centerpiece in this city full of redlight district display bodies.
- Where Did All the Cricket Fans Go?
The early exit of India from the World Cup separates lovers of the game from the supporters of Team India
- Sachin Tendulkar: Should He Or Shouldn't He?
Anybody who suggests that Indian cricket is ready to progress without Tendulkar is seriously deluded or has an axe to grind.
- Travel Essay: Rajasthan On My Mind
The city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is eight hours via the closest rail link - and worth every minute.
- Multiple Entrance Examinations Work As "Entry Barriers"
Multiple entrance exams for professional courses are taxing all students, more so for marginalized rural students, economically and infrastructurally.
- Traveling with Children - Some Tips and Pointers
When you travel, life becomes extraordinary. There are new sights, new smells, new tastes ...
- Cricket World Cup 2007: Boring Cup continues
Without India, there is no fun. While the team disintegrates back home, the rest of the contenders are making their semi final spots solidified.
- Physically "Challenged" Or Disabled? The Danger With Euphemisms
Do we use euphemisms to avoid seeing the truth? How can we create a more equal society?
- Indian Aviation: First Blood Drawn?
Rising fuel, bad business plan, Airlines run on ego and you get the picture about the Aviation scene in India.
- The Summer's Call for a Joie de Vivre
Remembering the harvests of Karachi's summers, from underneath its trials and tribulations.
- Indian Cricket: Good News At Last!
If the Indian Cricket League launches it would be a boon to the talent search for the next World Cup!
- Indian Cricket: Spiraling Down
Does Gavaskar want Sachin to be captain? Did he pull strings?
- Indian Cricket: Coach Gone, What Next?
How important is the coach to India's performance?
- Restaurant Review: Chilies, Basildon
The only thrill we got was walking off without tipping them for treating us so nicely and making the evening a memorable one.
- Shada Hassoun is an Iraqi Idol
The "Daughter of Mesopotamia," wins Idol-like show by a landslide. What does this mean for Iraq?
- Religion & Violence: Islam, Christianity, Hinduism
The role of scripture in violence
- The Desicritics Feature Columns - the Parenting Paradox, Cricket And Flicks That Clicked
Desicritics invites articles for its feature columns - check out our variety of features.
- Movie Review: Mungaru Male
To me, Mungaru Male will remain one of the finest pieces of poetry on celluloid.
- Singing the Postpartum Blues: The Second Time Around in Minor Scale
As the days wore on, I realized that there were so many things about being a new mom that no one had told me.
- Parenting Tips From Childhood: No Two Fingers Are Alike
I still remember standing in front of my third grade teacher’s desk and looking at my parents apprehensively.
- Sanity Restored Is Insanity Gained
It is just the level of abnormality which a person wishes to project in open public which gives him/her the tag of crazy.
- A Conversation About the Birds and Bees
The author’s eight year old gets his first lesson on sex education.
- Uttar Pradesh High Court Declares Muslims Not a Minority
Will this set off a fire-storm in the parties looking for minority votes?
- Book Review: The Night Watch, Sarah Waters
A simple and delicate story of four people whose past slowly unfolds, revealing how they became what they are.
- Electoral Games
There was a small feeling of satisfaction as the "none of the above" option was included.
- Summer Theater Workshops for Children in Bangalore
If your children are interested in theater, Bangalore is brimming with choices for summer theater workshops this year.
- Formula 1 2007 Preview: The Malaysian Grand Prix
After a wait of three long weeks, the Formula 1 race weekend is finally here for the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix.
- Militancy and Political Trends in North East
India's North East remains an enigma; militancy and politics continue to move in tandem as the trend during March indicates.
- Cricket - When Did it Stop Being About Fun?
Cricket... when did it become so melodramatic? I thought it was all about having fun.
- Perils of the New Maoists Strategy
The Rani Bodli massacre and killing of member of parliament Sunil Mahato indicates unfolding of a new strategy of the Maoists in Central India.
- Movie Review: Blood Diamond
Blood Diamond is the kind of film that shouldn't leave our consciousness when we leave the theatre.
- India: Development At What Cost?
If India does not correct the inequities that are still inherent in her society, one way or another she will implode inwards just like the
- What Ails the Indian Intellectuals?
The Gujarat riots have been exploited to the bottom and it's time to find a more realistic, honest explanation for the increasing terror attacks.Sandeep
OPINION | Politics: Religion | Politics: Laws | Politics: India | Politics: Governance | Politics: Freedom | Politics: Elections | Politics: Corruption | Media: Newspapers | Media: News | Media: Journalism | Culture: Society | Culture: Social Issues | Culture: Religion | Culture: History | Culture: Essay | Culture: Desi | Culture: Books - Non Fiction - BJP In Trouble With Election Commission Over Inflammatory CD
Election Commission hauls up BJP leaders over inflammatory CD release, on the eve of the Uttar Pradesh polls.
- Movie Review: Wondrous Oblivion
What could be more important than cricket?
- Indian Cricket And The World Cup – What Went Wrong
My reasons for India's failure at the World Cup.
- The Politics of Demilitarization in Kashmir
Demilitarize but ensure people's security
- Revisiting 1857
Were the events of 1857 a war at all, or an attempt by a bunch of rich idlers to protect the family silver ?
- Commitment Blues
Who are more commitment-phobic - men or women?
- Gross Negligence: Who Should Pay The Price?
Is there a provision (or shouldn’t there be?) in the service rules of government officials for fixing individual liability for the material damage...
- Neo Nazis in Bangalore?
It got me asking around about peoples' knowledge of Hitler here in Bangalore, and in the end I was pretty taken aback.
- Internet Etiquette: The Bawlers Vs The Moderators
Web 2.0 is made up of ordinary people, who wish to add their voice to the Web's evolving conversation for the sheer love of it.
- Tate Modern Art Exhibition on Amrita Sher-Gil
Amrita lives in each stroke of South Asian modern painting and continues to inspire the art scene rather profoundly.
- Fathers Take On More Responsibility
A father's affection is as important as the mother's for all-round development of the child.
- Cricket World Cup 2007: The Anatomy of Bangladesh's Upset Win Over South Africa
A team that was discounted in the World Cup enhances its growing reputation with another memorable win, this time over South Africa.
- Street Cricket Culture in Karachi, Pakistan
As a cricket lover, the passion in street cricket is heartening, but as a driver, the risks and dangers aren't.
- Movie Review: The Namesake
Mira Nair has brilliantly captured the spirit of the book.
- Mohammad Ashraful - Masterful Cricket Leads To Bangladesh Win Against South Africa
Ashraful looks so good whenever he bats well that his big scores add to the self belief of his team
- Anatomy of a Page One Story
Whoever decides on page one stories must have been hard put to it to find anything better for a Sunday edition bottom-spread on page one.
- Spelunking in Virginia - A Mighty Fine Adventure
This cave was nothing like the caves of my imagination - it was a rather slim, elongated, hole in the wall.
- Cartoon: Surprise! Tigers Can Fly!!
Taking killing to a new level!
- Congress Loses Municipal Elections in Delhi
What are the real problems affecting Delhi ?
- Movie Review: Namastey London - Quite Refreshing
Overall, a good masala movie.
- On Visiting Mysore Again, Two Decades Later
The scent of the sampige flower and the beautiful golden yellow of their petals are stuff of nostalgic reveries.
- No Major Problems for Australia Against England
England fails to capitalize on an open Super 8s, by succumbing tamely to Australia.
- Cartoon: Congress - Non Starter In U.P.
Being a Gandhi can only take you that far.
- Shaheed Bhagat Singh, the Terrorist
Maybe Bhagat Singh was a terrorist and maybe he wasn’t. But he surely lived a full life.
- The Pursuit of Power, Indian-Style
The powerful in India continue to have a fawning coterie, similar to the kings of old, the gora sahibs, et al.
- Broadband Taxation
Unfortunately, Broadband isn't the focus and priority of the media.
- Book Review: Above Average by Amitabha Bagchi
This makes him Everyman in some ways, representing a generation, one that found their homeland and society lacking in many respects.
- The Sobering Influence Of A Tsunami
Why I sometimes like to meditate on a word like "Tsunami"
- Book Review - Everyday Scripting With Ruby For Teams, Testers And You by Brian Marick
An asset on the path to Ruby scripting expertise.
- When You've Had A Child, At Least Try To Bring Them Up!
Children seem to count on parents not wanting to create a scene and so get away with murder.
- A Million Dollar Cat Story
When he died, Dewey’s obituary ran in 250 papers, including USA Today and Washington Post.
- Movie Review - 300
Watch this movie in a theatre, or else you will never be able to concentrate on the nuances and links.
- India's Geo-Strategic Policy - India Adrift?
There is much to be analyzed about the inept handling of terrorism, national security and geo-strategic issues by the current UPA administration
- Review Femina Miss India : Priyanka Dud, Lara Rocks!
Not everything was all that dull and I did find some pretty noteworthy plus points
- Parenting: Double Trouble or Double the Fun
The early days with my twins
- Weekend Jaunts: Climbing the Sahyadri Hills in Western India
Some of Maharashtra's forts are large, strong, cunning affairs. Others like Korigad are small clever mountain hide-outs in the Sahyadris.
- Book Review - The Big Idea by Stephen Strauss
Stephen Strauss profiles dozens of creators who have gone ahead with launching their own innovation.
- The Magic of South Indian Filter Coffee
After months of trial and coaching by my dad, I finally hit upon the right formula.
- The Sari Debate: A Response to Shashi Tharoor's Response
At the end of Mr. Tharoor's second article, I am even more disappointed and angry than I was before.
- Cricket World Cup 2007: How to Bat the Slog Overs by New Zealand
New Zealand’s fleecing of the Irish bowlers at the death holds lessons for all teams
- Making a Film
An account of my experiences as a fresher filmmaker
- Farmers Turn Suicidal in Supposedly Flourishing India
Gathered in Delhi, the wretched of the countryside are full of complaints, accusations, and hope.
- The Day Raj Kumar Died
With the dummy page came disagreements galore on how the article should flow and where the pictures should be placed.
- Why Do We Pigeonhole People?
Looking at our tendency to turn real people into cardboard characters incapable of change.
- The Bahubali in Politics
Parliamentary democracy is a convenient cloak and garb to wear
- The Story of DA from the Upanishads
An interesting story from the Upanishads
- Black Is Beautiful
Why would people want to make comparisons between siblings on the basis of their complexion?
- The Bold and the Beautiful: Daytime Soap or Extended Family?
The author investigates a widespread desi obsession with "The Bold and the Beautiful"
- Eyes Wide Open and Sleepless in Dhaka
The sole advice I can really offer myself is not to worry about it. Like all things, it comes and goes.
- Love In The Time of Camera
If my grandmother was expecting the host to reciprocate her smile, it wasn't coming. The girl was busy freaking out.
- Canadian Politics: Vimy Ridge To Afghanistan: The Lie Remains The Same
It's heartbreaking that young men and women continue to be sent off to die for causes that don't exist
- Now Shot-Gun Aims At Amitabh Bachchan
Nailing the Bachchans just before the big Bollywood wedding and UP elections is as good as killing two birds with one stone.
- Course du Coeur 2007 in France
We humans can help others, even after we have breathed over the last gasp of life.
- The Fundamentals of Asset Allocation
Asset allocation is a smart and sexy word for something as drab and dreary as planning your personal finance.
- Interviewing Barry John, Shahrukh Khan's Mentor
Barry John speaks to Steven Baker on his move to Mumbai, recent successful students, and his most famous ex-pupil SRK
- Weekend Jaunts: Heve(r) Ho!
With acres of flowers, boating facilities on the lake and three mazes, the castle offers something for everyone.
- Movie Review: Watching The Namesake in Ohio
The Namesake made me feel like I was home for a while
- Bazaar Walks: Insider-Outsider
You can choose to get into the heart of a country, or you can choose to be an observer.
- When a Child Dies
Today's world is for the living rich, not for the dead and least of all for the poor.
- British Airways to Compensate Passenger
Another victory for the advocates of Consumer Courts
- Where Have The Earthy Movies Of The Eighties Gone?
An Ode to The Glorious Age Of Indian Art Cinema
- Thank God It's Tuesday, Report From a New Delhi Gay Bar
One place in the capital city where gay people can be gay...once a week.
- Our Man in San Francisco
People generally have in mind a stereotype image of a diplomat. The Indian Consul General is far from one.
- Exploring The Inheritance of Loss
A sense of alienation and loss is always the immigrant’s life long companion....
- Help Teach my Son about Sex
Thoughts and ideas on how to go about giving sex education to my son.
- Koffee With Karan, Ep. 209 : Who The Heck Is Kunal Kapoor?
In plain words, I found it to be the crappiest of all the aired lot from Season Two.
- Cricket World Cup 2007: Sri Lanka Over New Zealand, By A Lot
The battle of the dark horses ends in a crushing win for Lanka
- Scrap the Duleep Trophy
Have a tight 10 team top division and lower divisions with a promotion/relegation system, one each for first class and one day cricket, and that
- The Hurley Show Rolls On
Next stop - jail.
- Self Deception of Islamic Banking
How self-deception of Islamic Banking cures the self-deception of Riba!
- Jewish Holocaust Offensive to UK Muslims?
If you are so voyeuristically intolerant, is it any wonder that Europeans hate you?
- Anil Kumble - A True Champion
The one word that you can associate perfectly with Anil Kumble is perseverance
- Book Review: Of Power and Right
The court is the ultimate defender of the constitution
- India Tests Agni III Successfully
India’s missile program has come a long way since its inception in 1983.
- Child Abuse In The Land Of Child Worshippers
How to tackle the repressive atmosphere in the country, in which many of us live?
- Post Mortem of Indian Cricket Team
The reason for the pathetic performance by Indian cricket team in World Cup 2007
- Government to Appeal Against Reservation Stay
The Government is not really prepared for the hard questions asked by the court, and is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
- Younis Khan Turns Down Pakistan Captaincy
Stating "hurt" and "mental strain" as reasons, Younis Khan has turned down the offer to assume Pakistan's Captaincy.
- The Influence of Hinduism on the Sinhala New Year
It is time to acknowledge the Tamil Hindu roots of the current Sinhalese festivities.
- RTI Act: Central Information Commission Penalizes Govt. Body
If an Indian government functionary refuses to release information, they are liable for fines under the RTI Act.
- Microcredit: You Too Can Be A Banker
Will someone build a similar robust system in India to promote the social lending concept for the poor?
- Book Review: Victoria Cross Winners of India - Till Memory Serves
Soldiers die in forgotten fields, and if their memory is not honored, their valour does not educate future generations.
- Keeping One’s Cool With Nimbu Pani
Other than providing a lip smacking luscious taste, the economics part of it beats the price rise.
- Canadian Politics: Alleged Terrorists Released From Jail
Two men who had been held (without charges) for years were both released in the last two days
- The Fundamentals of Stocks
Stocks have the ability to give the best returns but the time and effort required is high too.
- Should IT Companies Have Tax Holidays?
Why should certain big companies, which have gone public, have a brand name, and are making colossal profits, be enjoying a tax holiday?
- Cricket World Cup 2007: New Zealand Suffocate South Africa
A win for the Black Caps results in a semifinal berth
- Safeguarding the National Honour
National Honour is important, but what really is National Honour ?
- The Fundamentals of Exchange Traded Funds
Despite giving the highest returns last year and also being the least costly, Exchange Traded Funds are hardly known.
- Basic Amenities in India
Providing basic amenities such as power and water are the basic obligations of a Government
- Watching Movies Like Rang De Basanti
My experiences with Indian patriotic movies like Rang De Basanti.
- Are Our Media Women Over-empowered?
Media women have come a long way, but is their empowerment now threatening men hoping to break into the industry?
- Bollywood Bound - Brett Lee & Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson is Fool-n-Final while the Big B recruits Brett Lee
- Book Review: A Tale of Love and Darkness
The autobiography of Israeli writer Amoz Oz, a captivating read.
- A Gift of Cloth
There are two very traditional types of gifts in India: gifts of cloth and gifts of sweets.
- Movie Review: Love, Marriage and Flannel Pajamas
This is when I realized that the view from within a relationship is quite different from that on the outside.
- Bangladesh Diary: The Mechanics of Arranged Marriages
I respect and admire the marriages I have seen here - in the majority of cases this whole system seems simply to work.
- The Age of Silent Movies: When Silence Was Silver
An ode to silent films.
- The Auntie-Factor and the Myth of Indian Entrepreneurship
Given the buoyancy of the economy, and the enormous success of tech in particular, the shocking thing in India is how few real entrepreneurs
- Cartoon: Mobile Rules
Rule No. 1.
- Misrallaneous: Flamenca - A Marriage of Spanish and Oriental Music
Wonderful fusion of Arabic and Spanish sounds.
- Book Review: Alexander Trilogy by Valerio Massimo Manfredi
For all history buffs, Alexander Trilogy is a must read.
- Movie Review: Aa Gale Lag Jaa - An Oldie, A Goodie, and ...
Aa Gale Lag Jaa has most of the Recommended Masala Allowance of family drama, comedy and romance.
- Cricket World Cup 2007: Bangladesh Stumbles Badly Against Ireland
The game that was supposed to showcase India and Pakistan's rivalry ends in sorrow for a different South Asian team.
- Movie Review: Kabul Express - Riding With the Enemy
The script is punctuated by some genuinely moving commentary on the absurdity and brutality of war.
- Poetry: Love Packed In A Green Duffel Bag
When I left town, I packed your memoirs in a green duffel bag / I intended to trash.
- Shift to Ubuntu Linux
Why should you shift to Linux?
- Narayana Murthy, the Anthem, and the Uproar
I don't know why, but when I hear someone play our National Anthem nowadays I think of Narayana Murthy.
- High Inflation – The Silent Killer
Suddenly people are starting to wake up to the disaster happening in Zimbabwe.
- Narayana Murthy and The National Anthem - Whose Faux Pas?
Singing the national anthem, or wearing Indian ethnic dresses is seen as rubbing off too much Indianness onto foreign customers.
- One Billion Indians Are Enough and Other Thoughtless Remarks
One billion Indians are enough but they're not enough for me if it means not having at least one of my own
- Mortal Remains Of An Indian Conscience
The short stories hold a special meaning to me as I recall with certain nostalgia, bitter sweet feelings in the years gone by.
- Paruthiveeran: A Movie of Real Class
My review on recent Tamil hit movie Paruthiveeran
- The Mommy Wars - Mothers of the World, Unite
My take on this issue is this - I say, live and let live.
- Big Daddy Gere's Bollywood Kiss
Kissing, AIDS, and Indian double standards
- Cricket World Cup 2007: Ponting and Bracken Lay the Lions Low
A potential dress rehearsal for the World Cup finals results in a comprehensive win for Australia.
- The Virginia Tech Massacre
Exactly eight years to the same week that the Columbine High School massacre took place, 33 people are gunned down
- Bangalore Diary: Where's My M.G. Road?
Sunset for the boulevard.
- Media: The Old vs. The New