In Manipur elections, a test for ‘Nagalim'

"When Manipur goes to the polls, there is much for the rest of India to pay attention to."

The upcoming Assembly elections are of key significance because they have the potential to mainstream the demands by the NPF and the Kuki groups and bring them under the purview of political discussion conducted by elected representatives.

Link: The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : In Manipur elections, a test for ‘Nagalim'

The threat to Salman Rushdie's life

Dr. Gurdial Singh Sandhu, IAS, Principal Secretary, Home Affairs, Home Guards & Civil Defence Jail, Government of Rajasthan, defends the state government against the allegations that have surfaced by saying "It seems that complete information may not have been available with you on this incident."

The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : The threat to Salman Rushdie's life

In response the editor of The Hindu defends the editorial “A national shame” in The Hindu on Monday, 23 January, 2012. and other related articles that were published.

Putin's must-read list

"Vladimir Putin has laid out his plans to compile a canon of 100 Russian books “that every Russian school leaver will be required to read” in an attempt to preserve the “dominance of Russian culture”."

The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Putin's must-read list

Censorship won't stop bird flu contagion

"The ‘security threat' posed by H5NI mutations is already out there. What is needed is collaborative research based on the sharing of scientific literature."

The United States National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) decision to “recommend” that Science and Nature journals publish only redacted versions of bird flu research results is nothing but an exaggerated and over-zealous reaction that is bound to fail in its prime objective. The Hindu : Opinion / Lead : Censorship won't stop bird flu contagion

Most of the information the United States government intends to censor is already available in scientific literature. If anything, its decision will only seriously impact legitimate flu researchers.

Australia tour: A failure of leadership, not just batting

Agreed, the Indians performed poorly this time down under and the results of the same are there for all of us to see...

Was it just batting, bowling and the fielding that went wrong or is there more to it?

How bad was our leadership?

Australia tour: A failure of leadership, not just batting

Mamata's memoirs

Mamata Banerjee released three of her books at the recently concluded Kolkota literary festival, (simultaneous to the Jaipur books festival) one of them being her autobiographies, "My Unforgettable Memories".

Sunethra Chawdary explains how the congress can read it to analyse the lady who is throwing so many tantrums at her...

Mamata's memoirs and how to throw the book at her

UGC moots 20 universities, 800 colleges exclusively for women

Times View - It's a pointless move
Counter View - Will ensure gender equity


The Times of India, January 28, 2012

A Ray Of Hope

There are important lessons to be learnt from the Jaipur Literature Festival's success 


A Ray Of Hope

-The Times of India, January 28, 2012

Chetan Bhagat looks at the positive side of things in India, which is to do with the world-famous Jaipur Literature Festival, and its success. He posits six reasons behind the JLF phenomenon.

"Let us rejoice that India, once known as the land of scholars and knowledge, still has the best literary festival in the world."

You're Free To Call Me Stupid

You're Free To Call Me Stupid

India's global status is now under question. Since the last two years, India has seen itself on the wrong side of the good for all the "2G scam, corruption, urban chaos, an administrative near-paralysis on decision-making, a dysfunctional parliament with a do-nothing opposition and an apparent official unwillingness to take up the responsibilities that go with a global role"

And now, freedom of speech and expression in a secular democracy is under arrest. 

Meet Karma Chameleon

Earthly contradictions, yogic calmness, India has it all 

Meet Karma Chameleon

-The Times of India, January 28, 2012

A very colourful and tasty rendition of the Indian madness. 

'Flying before a billion Indians gives immense pride to airmen'

Q&A


Wing Commander Abhijeet Nene and Flight Lt T K Rai of the Indian Air Force participated in the thrilling flypast during the latest Republic Day parade. While Wing Commander Nene led a powerful Jaguar aircraft formation, Flight Lt Rai flew with a helicopter formation showering flowers on those watching. Speaking with Team TOI, the officers explained the dynamics of the intricate exercise, the importance of coordination - and how it feels to fly over a billion proud Indians.

Interview - Q&A

-The Times of India, January 27, 2012

Over The Top

Is Norway the ultimate nanny state?

Over The Top

-The Times of India, January 27, 2012

Anurup and Sagarika Bhattacharya may now breathe a sigh of relief as the their children will be safely brought back to India, and in custody of their uncle. Much of the arguments that the Norwegian authorities presented were based on cultural differences in parenting as opposed to their claim of parental neglect. While it remains true that ill-treatment of children needs to be condemned, an accommodation of cultural differences is a necessity. 

Privacy Concerns

The power of internet multinationals is growing

Privacy Concerns

-The Times of India, January 27, 2012

Google is making changes that facilitate collection of user-data. The user cannot even forestall the collection of their data. There are people who argue that it is an invasion of privacy. To add to this, "There are also questions of how comfortable India should be with the growing influence, power, and information in the hands of foreign companies like Facebook and Google."

It is imperative that a user has an option whether or not to let their personal data be utilised by private companies. 

A Trimmed Idea Of India

Liberals must stop accommodating fringe elements and take a stand on fundamentals

A Trimmed Idea Of India

-The Times of India, January 27, 2012

When JLF opens itself to public, it invites the Indian liberals - not the "manicured handful of intellectuals discussing the Russian or Tamil Stalin at clubs and TV studios" - but "thousands of people from diverse classes and languages, spread over distant cities and towns - often obtaining books from fading libraries and railway carts, debating poets in the low-voltage light of old homes, opposing the unjust hierarchies of Indian life," says Srijana Mitra Das.

"As more Indians show intolerance to anyone who threatens violence, we will have more festivals where liberal and illiberal will use only their words to make points or refute them."

It is these Indians, and the growing numbers, that will challenge book bans, "and show the finger to anyone who threatens violence" in the future.  

Jekyll-and-Hyde India

A suspense drama featuring a rising superpower and a starving nation


Jekyll-and-Hyde India

-The Times of India, January 27, 2012

"Can a country have a split personality? Can a nation be a Dr Jekyll and a Mr Hyde, as in R L Stevenson's classic tale about the good and the evil that coexists within the individual?"

India is at one time Dr Jekyll and at another Mr Hyde, says Jug Suraiya. At one time, India boasts of its large and ever-increasing economy; military and nuclear capability; cultural power, and technical know-how that can humble most people in the world. On the other hand, it hosts millions of people that go hungry, and a large number of people being undernourished, notwithstanding the appalling state of living that children are faced with.

India is too quick to take offence, he says, whenever the truth of its split personality emerges.