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INDIAN SOFTPOWER’S KODAK MOMENT!
In the days to come, there will be widespread discussion on Slumdog Millionaire and whether it reflects the true worth of India and is indeed a representation of life in India. There will be many who will suddenly change their stance now that the film has won eight Oscars. While there will be silly marketing managers and their ilk who will try and ( Read more... ) -
Something is rotten in the State of England
One always looks forward to travelling to London when you are sure you won’t bump into many tourists especially from India: considering one spends a whole year avoiding them, the last thing you want to do is make polite conversation in Hyde Park. This trip however, has been more of a revelation than most!
If we think being saddled with a ( Read more... ) -
WHO’S GOING TO WIN THE NEXT ELECTIONS?
A prominent editor in India has often remarked that parties in India don’t win, instead they lose elections: a not-so-subtle hint at the prevalent fashion with regards to incumbency. The tragedy with our so-called democracy is that we often end up voting out, rather than voting in people who would be good to govern India. So is this real ( Read more... ) -
THE MODERN DAY MAHARAJAS
There was a time when we adored the Gayatri Devis of the world and their mere presence said it all. Blue blood was something that could not be transfused. The royals behaved as they should have. As if they owned kingdoms. Which some of them truly did. Their jewels were the real stuff. Not some silly Italian brand that keeps opening expensive ( Read more... ) -
THE TEFLON TRIBE
In the entire ruckus that followed 26/11, we took every politician to task; we berated the lack of equipment that our defense services were working with; we commented on the apathetic system we’ve engendered but not once did we ask for a bureaucrat’s scalp? Not once did we make examples of their inefficiency and ask for their removal. And the ( Read more... ) -
WHAT’S IN A NAME BILL?
If only Shakespeare lived in India, he would know the importance of a name. For years, the surname has played a critical role. It has defined caste and therefore acceptability as also political hierarchies but for some strange reason, first names were never seen to be very treacherous. My brother was christened Swapan, as Bengali a first name as ( Read more... ) -
Renewing the Vows...
I never imagined things would ever come to such a pass. Where one would need to re-kindle ones relationship; re-affirm the commitment and once again cement a bond that was temporarily shattered. Where the vows of affection and love would be reiterated and only so that one moved forward with unbridled joy.
On November 26, 2008 when I left her ( Read more... ) -
Seven reasons why India needs more people.
The worst thing I have heard over the last few decades is we must do something about thesize of our population. More and more economists will tell you the sheer size of India makesit unviable on many fronts be it social development or for that matter on the sociologicalplatform. But I completely disagree and it is time we are honest with ( Read more... ) -
Bombay's shattered soul.
Bombay is a city that people come to when they want their dreams realized. Many want to be actors and play their many parts. Many want commerce to be their vehicle of recognition.
Many seek the simpler pleasures of just a daily wage, which is denied to them from wherever they come.
In many ways, Bombay is India’s melting pot: where cultures ( Read more... ) -
SHE
I first met her two decades ago in Bombay: I was in college and she had been around for a long long time. She had seen many like me: upstarts, confident and wanting to partake of all that she offered. She had seen billionaires who behaved like children when they came to her; actresses who shed every emotion when they stood before her; ( Read more... )