Category: Current/ Political Affairs
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LONE WARRIOR FOR COMMUNAL HARMONY
There is a common belief that by one’s self one can do precious little to bring about societal change. Meet Himanshu Kumar (60) whom I had the pleasure of interacting with a couple of days ago when he pedalled into Kanpur. He was on a 40 day mission to spread the message of peace and…
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ALL FALL DOWN
Let’s go back to our childhood nursery rhymes. “Ring-a-Ring-a-Roses, A pocket full of posies; A-tishoo, A-tishoo, We all fall down”. And again, “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, All the king’s horses and all the king’s men, couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty together again”. This second rhyme is commonly associated…
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NEW DELHI – NEW YORK, VIA NEWCASTLE
# chhotebhai What’s new? In recent times, a lot. Let me begin with the adage “Don’t carry coal to Newcastle”. This is because Newcastle, in north east England, was known for its industry and coal fields. Hence any attempt to send coal there would be superfluous. Can New Delhi send something to New York or…
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AMERICAN – INDIAN ELECTION CONTRASTS
It is said that comparisons are odious; but we need contrasts. We keep adjusting them on our phones, TVs and PCs. Contrasts, however, are not limited to electronic screens. More importantly, contrasts, especially stark contrasts, help us understand many things in life. Comparisons and contrasts are perhaps the best way forward. Over the last few…
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YOUR SLIP IS SHOWING
Let me begin with a frank admission. From school days I have hated English grammar. On the other hand, my wife is a grammarian, knowing Wren and Martin’s grammar like the back of her hand. She compensates for my many inadequacies. The word “slip” is both a noun and a verb. The grammarian tells me…
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CHRISTIANS IN LOK SABHA
Several messages have been doing the rounds (some from highly respected Catholic editors/ former editors) claiming that there are 17 Christians who have been elected to the Lok Sabha (LS) in the recent elections. There are actually 13, not 17, as per the list attached that includes their party and the State from which they…
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IN THEIR SHADOW
Has the dust begun to settle or the temperature begun to rise, despite the advancing monsoon? This weather barometer is political not climatic. With the elections over, the Union Cabinet in place, the Speaker also elected and proceedings in the Lok Sabha having begun, what’s left to write home about? The allegations of arrogance and…
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CRY MY BELOVED COUNTRY
An Open Letter to the Prime Minister Hon’ble Sir, For the last ten years we have been listening to your “Mann ki Baat” (A piece of your mind) on the radio. However, not once in all these years did you deem it appropriate to hold a Press Conference. Hence you could not hear the “Dil…
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VOTING, A CHRISTIAN DUTY
It’s that time of year when we head to the hustings for the great Indian tamasha, the Lok Sabha elections 2024. The present regime at the Centre is so confident of a third term in office that it has invited representatives from various world political parties to observe the unfolding spectacle. This confidence, or possible…
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A MOODY NATION
All of us have our moods, individually, and collectively as a nation. India Today, the nation’s leading weekly, has brought out an “Exclusive Mood of the Nation Poll” published in its issue dated 19th February. I am not a number cruncher or a data analyst; but as a writer I like to read between the…