[Continued from yesterday] The democracy in US is of Unitary form, with the President of the country directly elected. But in India, we have a democracy which is Federal in nature though Unitary in character. Flags and songs are symbols of sovereignty and sentiment. What is good for America may be bad for India. I…
Thoughts on Patriotism Nationalism and Jingoism – 1: Inspired by Ramachandra Guha and Art Buchwald
November 8, 2017I was a student of Political Science in the college. Now as a journalist in a democracy I am practising politics-dominated profession — journalism. My mentor Prof. G.T. Narayana Rao was teasing me for my studies in politics. According to him, as a Professor of Mathematics, it is a misnomer to call a dry art…
How to tame politicians?: Waiting for Supreme Court’s oracle
November 3, 2017The lead front page news on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017 reads “Speed up trial of politicians, says SC.” Well, to whom is the gentle suggestion? To politicians? I mean to the Government run by the politicians? If so the Supreme Court is chasing a charade. The Court was hearing a PIL by a BJP leader…
Gone Away: To Germany & Austria – 6: Wah! Munich Oktoberfest !!
November 2, 2017[Continued from Oct. 26] On 17th September we left Berlin for Munich carrying with us the memories of its history, greenery and the several waterfronts: Five rivers run through the city, has six canals that serve as transport routes and I was told it has within its borders 50 lakes. Enough? Do we have a…
Gone Away: To Germany & Austria – 5: Unique Holocaust Museum & Memorial
October 26, 2017[Continued from Oct. 16] “There is a great proverb, that until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” — Chinua Achebe, Nigerian novelist Adolf Hitler, the Fuhrer, was a courageous man. He did not hide himself like Saddam Hussein of Iraq in a hole nor did…
Of Brahma Kumaris & the Dacoit
October 24, 2017Pancham Singh, the notorious dacoit of Chambal Valley who surrendered to Jayaprakash Narayan about 12 years ago was in Mount Abu, attending the Universal Peace Conference and was the star attraction for the journalists. It may not be an exaggeration if I say that he was a good publicity material for the Brahma Kumaris and…
Google Boss takes on NDTV Boss with elan-2
October 23, 2017[Continued from yesterday] But…it is (Artificial Intelligence) better than human beings at analysing, so here is an AI, impartial, non-political machine; learning comes out of the forecast, the worries are big time,” says Prannoy Roy. Hello, is there someone in India who wants a civil war? A big time question! Let it be. If it…
Google Boss takes on NDTV Boss with elan-1
October 22, 2017A politician can fight elections from two seats, but you can’t vote from two places. If you are in jail then you can’t vote. But, a politician can fight elections while in jail. If you have never been in jail then you can never get a Government job. But, a politician could have been in…
Ex-Minister calls Bureaucracy Bad and Repents!
October 18, 2017Last evening I journeyed to Rangayana, like it was a pilgrimage, to see Pandit Rajeev Taranath, the Sarod Maestro par-excellence, whose birthday it was. The venue, a small auditorium Bhoomigeeta, was overflowing with music connoisseurs, Taranath’s old friends and admirers. I was one among them. The programme was to celebrate Karnataka’s celebrated Sarod Maestro’s 85th…
Gone Away: To Germany & Austria – 4: A day out looking for Hitler’s Ghost!
October 16, 2017[Continued from Oct. 12] Our guide Tom, as I mentioned, was a chatter-box, saying, what he thought, was funny or a joke. However, he was smart enough to have not only his say but also his way. We wanted to see Berlin Olympic Stadium, the German Parliament Building and, of course, Hitler’s residence and the…
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