Subscribe to Desicritics
« March, 2009 || May, 2009 »
- Archives: April 2009
- Coaching Classes - The Sweat Shops of Education
The entrance tests to IIT and else where were conceived to evaluate aptitude as even more than merit.
- Breaking News: Justice Dept. Drops Charges Against Sen. Ted Stevens
"It is unfortunate that an election was affected by proceedings now recognized as unfair."
- Memories Lived
If someone was to ask me to talk about my life my scrapbook of memories would be haphazardly presented.
- Indentured Laborers - The First Non-Resident Indians
When we think of NRIs today, we probably largely think of wealthy movers and shakers.
- Flash Comes of Age
We all move on in life. But there are just some things you can't explain to a cat - especially a cat without claws.
- G20 Declares $1.1 Trillion Agreement - The End of The Washington Consensus
The age of regulatory capitalism may have dawned, with the IMF as a gatekeeper for the struggling world economy.
- Mis-representation with Post-Poll Alliances
The Indian political scene is in a state of disarray with the formation of multiple coalitions & the prospects of a hung parliament looming large.
- Jagdish Tytler Given Clean Chit By CBI - Shameful!
This year is the 25th anniversary of the anti-Sikh pogrom and not a single killer has been brought to book so far.
- Book Review: Charlie Wilson's War by George Crile
If it were not for the unintended consequences, and if it were not all real, Charlie Wilson's War makes for a 'fun' read.
- Movie Review: 8x10 Tasveer - Akshay In A New Avataar
Nagesh Kukunoor has walked away from his arty image to an Abbas Mastaan genre. He has succeeded up to a point.
- Gunman on Killing Spree in Binghamton
Killing spree in Binghamton, NY
- My Favorite Time Outs in Cairo
Places to visit, places to shop at and places to eat at in Cairo - off the beaten path.
- India-NZ Wellington Test - New Zealand in Trouble on Day Two
This momentum has sustained them quite well on the second day,
- Book Review: Letter To My Daughter - Maya Angelou
The elegance and honesty that her words conveyed, carried a tangible emotion.
- Periyar - Profusely Nature's Reserve
To be so close to nature, breathing in the serenity of the surroundings and feeling one with nature was a privilege.
- Antarctic Wordie Ice Shelf Goes Due to Global Warming
Amid all the gloom of the world economic downturn, the entire discussion about climate change seems to have retreated into the background.
- Tension over North Korean Rocket Launch
The situation remains tricky, akin to dealing with a neighborhood bully who has bombs that can threaten the neighborhood.
- A Remembrance and a Review - A Way Through the Woods - Aminuddin Khan
I remember the hospitality of the tea estates - sitting around the fire place, the chota peg at 4 pm ...
- Movie Review: Fast and Furious 4 - Feast Of Speed And Power
Watch the movie only for Diesel. Of course, for car racing too.
- North Korea Launches Rocket Over Japan
The enfant-terrible of North Korea is up to his old tricks.
- Book Review: Bitter Chocolate - Child Sexual Abuse in India by Pinki Virani
It is my belief that an adult who sexually abuses a child does not even qualify as a human.
- Indian Elections - My Money is on XXX, Part 1
This is an attempt at doing something I have not done before, at least in written form : predict the outcome of an event, a
- The Problem with Pakistan
'Islamabad is an hour's drive from Pakistan.'
- Consumer Protection: MRTPC Investigates Branded Fuels
What is the reality of these branded fuels? Do their consistent campaigns have any real substance to them?
- Top 5 Lesbian Bollywood Icons
Bollywood stars who make excellent lesbian icons due to their strength, personality and various character portrayals
- Indian Elections - My Money is on XXX, Part 2
Why do almost all Indian parties have three-letter acronyms
- The Cryptic Doctor
A doctor working in the battlefield writes some cryptic notes and misses his family
- Juhu Beach
A refuge for those who crave proximity to nature. The only option for those who can't afford to frequent malls and multiplexes.
- Moments with the Maestro: Pandit Ravi Shankar Turns 89
The man, his music, the world stage and audiences of different ages and eras, are inextricably bound by love of music and love of the
- India Goes to Vote
One of the aspects of the digitized elections that we are seeing is the increasing relevance of technology and media.
- Visiting Ramoji Film City
The day was well spent, and worth the bucks.
- Are Meera Sanyal and Captain Gopinath Doing the Right Thing?
How much of a difference can an independent M.P make?
- The Gameplan (The Perfect Life)
At that moment I knew he had assessed me (right) before I'd assessed myself and he liked what he saw.
- Book Review: Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh
Amitav Ghosh's novels are all meticulously researched and the "Sea of Poppies" is no exception.
- Mobile Operators - Horror Stories From India
An insight into some unfair means employed by mobile operators in India to trick people.
- British Visas for Foreign Students - The Hidden Politics
Most international students in the UK fail to find employment commensurate with their qualifications, experience and abilities when they graduate.
- The Power of the Youth
How kids are being involved in financial initiative based charities and helping make the world a better place to be in.
- Movie Review: Ek Se Bure Do - Double Whammy For Arshad
So, dear audience, if you know what is good for you, stay clear of these trash films.
- Movie Review: Meri Padosan - Beyond Boring
The distributors of this film are in for a shock from which they will not recover easily. If it works for even a day, it
- Poetry: cascading chandni
these crimson rivers / could be profound /instead they confound
- Pakistan's Way Out: Euthanasia?
When a state is made up of a number of ethnic groups, it has a chance of survival if there is equitable power sharing between
- Movie Review: Coffee House - Think, Decide, Vote
No naach gaana here. Only sochna. Socho, socho. India ko badal daalo.
- How Can We Fight Islamic Fundamentalism?
Mud-wrestling with a pig is not a good idea.
- Movie Review: Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat
In India, cricketers, actors and politicians are revered, but when they interchange professions, mayhem occurs.
- Poetry : Loving You
yet we stood / precariously / your saree between your teeth / covering your face......
- Movie Review: School Days - Those Were The Days
You will watch it because you will relive many of your school moments through this movie.
- Why Do We Have a National Holiday on Christmas and Good Friday?
Does anybody have a clue why we last Friday was a National Holiday?
- Movie Review: Royal Utsav - Nothing Royal About It!
Five movies have released this week despite the producers-multiplexes strike. In retrospect, none of them should have been released.
- Tech Mahindra Wins Satyam Bidding
Their first task will be to be restore confidence to the employees, customers, and shareholders.
- Weekend Breaks from Cairo
Egypt has plenty of options for every kind of weekend break.
- Democracy on Trial in Thailand
The Thai middle-class doesn't want to share power with the poor!
- Noriko Calderon's Case - Is Japanese Immigration Law Too Cruel?
Are the Japanese immigration authorities too heartless?
- Indian Elections 2009: The Final Forecast
To summarize, the UPA alliance is well positioned to form a Government in 2009.
- Book Review: Beautiful Teams
Inspiring and cautionary tales from veteran team leaders
- Book Review: Simply SQL
The fun and easy way to learn best-practice sql
- India Moves to Second Place in ICC ODI Rankings
This gives Gary Kirsten and M S Dhoni good ammunition against critics.
- Huge Growth in Telecom in India
From the looks of it, it does not seem that the problem has solved, and TRAI does not seem to be very bothered.
- Book Review: Masterminds of Programming
Conversations with the creators of major programming languages
- Poetry: Remembering Papiya Ghosh
a sky masquerading a poem incised her mind and reason on third december two thousand and six.
- A Follow-Up Letter to the Dalai Lama
The Tibetan community should be able to democratically decide if and how the struggle for Tibetan rights should continue.
- Indian Elections 2009 Get Underway
Naxals struck at polling booths in Bihar, Jharkand, and Chattisgarh, killing at least eleven people.
- Travel Review: A Visit to Chandni Chowk, Delhi
That, she said, was a 'Chandni Chowk' experience. We laughed and went on with our walking and remained upbeat.
- Varun Gandhi Released on Parole, Under Judicial Scrutiny
His campaign will have a strained air and be under close scrutiny.
- IDEART: Peacock
The combination of colours you choose, sets the tone for how you interpret purple.
- Girl Forced to Choose Between Parents and Country
However heart-breaking the story, this is not a story that happens rarely. Such scenes are repeated in Japan and many other countries on a regular
- The Pirate Bay Founders Sentenced in Landmark Copyright Infringement Case
While this verdict will likely not affect file-sharing in any significant way, it will have two pernicious effects.
- MTV Roadies 6.0: Was it The Promised Hell Down Under?
Anything that doesn't go according to script, works wonders for reality shows and they just bask in that glory.
- Gaddar, a Legend
Gaddar the revolutionary balladeer instead carried on with the movement that we all once dreamed of.
- Movie Review: Dasavathar - Ten Tana Ten
He has just proved, even intelligent men reach their nadir.
- Afghan Law That Allowed Marital Rape to be Reviewed
A hard struggle for women's rights
- Movie Review: Chowrasta Crossroads of Love - Pure Nostalgia
A picture that is full of life's tragedies but then it is life and it is almost full. Never mind the tragedies.
- Ineffable Serenity, Part 1
I was sad because I'd lost my cell phone,suddenly I thought I must go to Lucknow and spend time with the love of my life.
- Bollywood: Top 10 Tax Payers Of 2008-09
Bollywood has certainly come a long way since the days when there used to be mega raids on superstars' houses.
- Ineffable Serenity, Part 2
I whispered in her ear, "Tutu, I love you." Just then I saw one of the most beauteous sights of my life.
- The Challenge of Suicide
A bit of a morbid ramble in the thickets of suicide
- Prime Minsterial Candidates - Nomination is the Norm
The war of words between Dr Manmohan Singh and L K Advani has taken an ugly turn.
- Forgotten Voices
The forgotten voices of the people involved in the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai
- Movie Review: State Of Play
This is a class movie. Only three words of advice: Don't Miss it
- The Ten Most Inspirational Books
The top 10 inspirational books. But are they really?
- Movie Review: 17 Again - Oh! What It Is To Be Young Again!
Don't ever desire to be 17 again. Or you will miss a part of your life in your 40s.
- Oracle Acquires Sun Microsystems for $7.4 Billion
The strategic benefits that Oracle gains from this acquisition are far greater than the sum of the parts.
- Ineffable Serenity, Part-3
"I love you too." She said soothingly.
- Language Abused!
What depresses me is the ill-usage of my mother tongue.
- Should India Speak Up for the European Romani?
Hitler killed over a million Romani on account of their South Asian appearance.
- Osama Bin Laden is not a Terrorist
Unless we stop eulogizing terrorism and terrorists on class, creed, religious and ethnic lines, we cannot dream of eradicating it from our country and our
- Top Reasons to Fire Your Employees in the IT Slowdown
Unusually faulty policies followed by IT companies to fire employees.
- Comic: Zen And The Art Of Ice-cream Cones
An idea-toon
- Happy Birthday, Sir!
How can you really greet any one who you have never met in your life and are unlikely to?
- Intriguing Circle of Jihad in Pakistan
Where are the Pakistanis in this? Well, they are patriotic, peace-loving, world citizens who just are perennial victims.
- India Elections: UPA Disintegration Underway
Most trusted ally Laloo speaking out against the Congress
- Ajmal Kasab - Trial and Error
Should we have to decide the weight of a case based on its weight?
- Can the Kolkata Knight Riders Ride Home to the Ultimate Victory?
When any discussion comes up over the team, I defend it religiously. But then the mind does not believe in the team.
- Supreme Court Sets Guidelines for Violent Agitations
This was also a subtle reminder to the authorities that it is their duty to enforce law and order
- Movie Review: Rock On - Tum ho toh... - Celebrating Frindship
We don't have time for investing in relationships that truly last ; for we are too busy networking.
- Ineffable Serenity, Part 4
Lucknow was looking beautiful in the morning like a gorgeous woman with wet hair.
- Poetry: Why the Elephant Was Not Chosen the King
I repeat owl's words, as I loudly sing / The raga of how or why elephant was not chosen the king.
- In My Veins, In My Blood (The Butterfly Effect)
Only the peace, tranquility and imagination Deserve we all, we have paid our dues
- Poessay: Rosary 27- Perceptions
under the same gray skies / differing perceptions
- Sophistry in Indian Media
TOI has mastered the art of sophistry, and their incessant campaigns on every issue are only becoming annoying
- What Goes for the Terrorist Goose Doesn't Go For the Terrorist Gander
At Uncle Sam's place, why do supporters of some terrorist groups get away scot free?
- Strategy and Positional Chess Books
One of the common questions asked by a budding chess player is, which books must he chose to develop his positional and strategic skills?
- Arvind Krishna Mehrotra: From Lahore to Oxford by Way of Allahabad
The dark horse and a new entrant in the race is Arvind Krishna Mehrotra, born in Lahore and a Professor at Allahabad University.
- Schools, Children, and "Personal Fiefdoms"
The wipe-the-slate-clean approach would take far more political courage than can be mustered in the current environment.
- Gurkhas Seek Justice in UK, They Get The Law Instead
The Gurkhas are brave and loyal, but should that give them the right to settle down in the UK?
- Movie Review: Tera Mera Ki Rishta - Tender Love and Relationships
A Punjabi language film with English sub-titles, it is a tender love story set against the backdrop of Punjab.
- Gujarat - Will the Lies Ever End?
For too long has this ideological battle been waged on an uneven playing field heavily tilted in favor of the unscrupulous pseudo-secular forces.
- Regional Movies - Saving Grace Of April 2009
It is solely the loss of the daily wagers. They have nowhere to go or find an alternative vocation.
- Movie Review: Mi Shivaji Raje Bhosale Boltoy - Identity & Regional Pride
This is rightly Indian cinema. Indian in all senses. Bollywood has a lot to learn from the regional cinema.
- The British National Party - Not British, National, Certainly Not a Party
Why the British National Party, a fascist racist party is making gains and what to do about it?
- Book Review: Singing to the Dead by Caro Ramsay
Caro Ramsay deserves to be called the 'female Ian Rankin.'
- Book Review: The Google Way
How one company is revolutionizing management as we know it
- MTV Roadies Hell Down Under: And The Winner Is...
The wrap-up was rather quick, with little of the emo drama one has come to expect from the vote-outs each week.
- What Ticks Indians
What makes or mar you, man? What unites or divides you, woman?
- Naxalbari, a Village Remembered
Naxalbari a tiny village in Darjeeling district would be remembered for spearheading a unique revolution.
- Swine Flu Getting Serious - Is This a Global Pandemic?
The swine flu is not yet an epidemic, but is bothering health authorities and Governments enough that they are taking the necessary precautions.
- Taliban Seen as Robin Hoods by Some
Bring down the Robin Hood image of the Taliban by reducing corruption levels, increasing development in these regions, and also, confronting them militarily.
- Feroz Khan - The Cowboy of the East
You will be missed, cowboy.
- Fighting Fundamentalism With Fundamentalism
Bigotry of one kind cannot counter bigotry of another. Hatred cannot be fought with hatred.
- Delusions of Grandeur Can Lead To Trouble
A Big Brother who is admired and respected, rather than feared, will be able to command his sibling's loyalty.
- The Real Deal - Life on a Dependent Visa in the USA
Ideality is found in realism. Embrace reality, perceptions, prejudices and preconceived notions only isolate you.
- The Fate of Pakistan
Pakistan is at a crossroads. There is a chance that this country will be talibanized, broken up, or end up in a civil war.
- At The End Of The Lane
They leave behind a spacious flat on the top floor of a building at the end of a leafy, shaded lane.
- Ineffable Serenity, Part 5
"I know but I love you," I said, putting my chin on her shoulder.
- Talibanization of Pakistan: Realizing the Dreams of Founding Fathers
Progressive Muslim intellectuals, either out of their ignorance or dishonesty, claim that Pakistan's founding fathers had dreamt of a secular state.
- Naxalite Poet Lal Singh Dil: A Drawing and a Poem
Lal Singh says, 'Social injustice, physical torture and mental agony all motivate me to write'.
- Afghanistan's Shia Marriage Law - A Cleric's Justification and Other Issues
Forcing Afghanistan to adopt western standards may prove to be costly
- Portrayal of Women In Indian Art
A study of Indian art is in fact a study of the changing image of Indian femininity!
- Poessay: Rosary 28 - Waves-Upon-Waves - mauj der mauj
another day, another year / will you still feel this way, or
- Two Washingtonians On Pakistan
The primary threat to Pakistan comes principally from the elected and unelected leaders who are holed up in Islamabad.
- Top 10 Women Politicians of India
They have not only survived in this male bastion, they have carved a niche for themselves.
- Poetry: Calcutta Days
those were calcutta days...
« March, 2009 || May, 2009 »
- Coaching Classes - The Sweat Shops of Education
Top Commenters
Most profilic Commenters for last 24 hours- » Deepti Lamba (3)
- » Aaman (1)
- » commonsense (1)
- » Kishore (1)
- » lawn care Marietta (1)
- » Michael Rice (1)
- » Nishit (1)
Most prolific Commenters for last 7 days