Today's "The Hindu" has a news item "Fatwa' canceling 'nikah' after joke on Skype sparks debate".
Without going into the right and wrong of the issue raised and the fatwa issued, I will confine myself solely the way "The Hindu" handled this human tragedy.
Firstly, The Hindu did not opine on this subject. They may yet come out with a stand espousing their convictions.
Secondly, the way this was reported, the Correspondent is more worried about the young Quatari facing the prospect of his marriage being terminated than the plight of his wife facing divorce and marriage (hardly willing under the circumstances) to another person for no fault of hers.
Thirdly, is it not sexist to emphasise the dilemma of the man while maintaining deafening silence on the plight of woman? So much for gender justice..
I will be utterly disappointed if the paper chooses to remain silent given its secular and progressive credentials
…ponder
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
The Race
India and China are said to be neck to neck in the race for global economic pie with China having a slight edge over its rival. But it is said that in the long haul, India will outpace China due to its demographic profile. More Chinese are aging with little replacement from youngsters. India, with is slack population policy is said to be more endowed with young blood. Another reason is mastery over English language.
If saying good bye to cultural revolution and taking Hong Kong into its fold propelled China's growth into a global player, jettisoning of the Nehuvian socialism and adopting more liberal economic policies has spurred India's surge. Information Technology further took the country into big league. But, something more is there in this saga, as Glasnost and Perestroika took Russia nowhere.
India's growth story could have been much more spectacular had the Central government had been strong enough to bring some state/concurrent subjects under its wing to set a faster pace. A one-party majority government could have allowed the Prime Minister more room to manoevre his policies and more importantly, allowed him to pick a team of his choice. During the iimes of Nehru and Indira Gandhi who were calling the shots, they could rope in such eminent non-political intelligentia like Desmukh, Chagla, KL Rao, etc as Ministers. Even a Narasimha Rao, in minority, could manage with a Man Mohan Singh as the Finance Minister, as he was running a single party government. Today coalition partners arm twist the PM for plum portfolios for their favourites.
If only we can develop tier-II and tier-III cities with good infrastructure like assured power, connectivity and importantly air ports, the picture could have been rosier. Unfortunately the lobbying power of Realtors has ensured concentration of activity in a few cities thus styming growth elsewhere at lesser cost.
Government could also do well to stop spending on infrastructure creation in the major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkota, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru and instead divert the investments to cities like Pune, Vizag, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Trivandrum, Dehra Doon, Ranchi, etc.
...ponder
If saying good bye to cultural revolution and taking Hong Kong into its fold propelled China's growth into a global player, jettisoning of the Nehuvian socialism and adopting more liberal economic policies has spurred India's surge. Information Technology further took the country into big league. But, something more is there in this saga, as Glasnost and Perestroika took Russia nowhere.
India's growth story could have been much more spectacular had the Central government had been strong enough to bring some state/concurrent subjects under its wing to set a faster pace. A one-party majority government could have allowed the Prime Minister more room to manoevre his policies and more importantly, allowed him to pick a team of his choice. During the iimes of Nehru and Indira Gandhi who were calling the shots, they could rope in such eminent non-political intelligentia like Desmukh, Chagla, KL Rao, etc as Ministers. Even a Narasimha Rao, in minority, could manage with a Man Mohan Singh as the Finance Minister, as he was running a single party government. Today coalition partners arm twist the PM for plum portfolios for their favourites.
If only we can develop tier-II and tier-III cities with good infrastructure like assured power, connectivity and importantly air ports, the picture could have been rosier. Unfortunately the lobbying power of Realtors has ensured concentration of activity in a few cities thus styming growth elsewhere at lesser cost.
Government could also do well to stop spending on infrastructure creation in the major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkota, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru and instead divert the investments to cities like Pune, Vizag, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Trivandrum, Dehra Doon, Ranchi, etc.
...ponder
Contrast
America and India were both colonies of English. America threw out the English after defeating them in a war. India saw the English out after a prolonged not-so-non-violent struggle (you can't shut your eyes to Jallianwalabagh or Partition and its aftermath). America won its freedom when the English were at their zenith. India became independent when the sun was already setting on the British empire. Yet another difference, America became free whereas India merely became independent. The irony is that all Indians, especially some princely states, those opposing of Gandhiji and Congress and certain communal elements did not support the freedom movement, though as a race, they were also different from the white ruler. America, whose predominent population consisted of pioneering migrants from England, were united in their resolve to throw out the English.
Americans think, act and show that they are different. Right from the form of government to day to day life, they showcase their difference in a telling manner.Their switches work the other-way, down means off and up means on, traffic moves on the right and vehicles are left hand drive. Even the way toilets flush is opposite of the British practice.
India chose not to do away with the vesteges of colonial rule, whether it is the form of state structure or Civil Service or Rules and Procedures or the spoils system of ruling the Nation.
I fail to understand why our Founding Fathers did not opt to follow the American model but chose for the status quo. One reason could be that all the intellectuals of India (honorable exception being JP) had their education in England. See Thinkers like Nirad C Choudhury were proud to acknowledge they were more English than English.
Could this be the reason why self interests rather than national pride takes preference? Could people like Deve Gouda, Chandrasekhar, Charan Singh, Gujral become the Heads of Government in a Presidential form of Government? Could Nehru go on and on even after 1962 if popular contest was there one-to-one?
I think that is why we preferred Independence to Freedom.
...ponder
Americans think, act and show that they are different. Right from the form of government to day to day life, they showcase their difference in a telling manner.Their switches work the other-way, down means off and up means on, traffic moves on the right and vehicles are left hand drive. Even the way toilets flush is opposite of the British practice.
India chose not to do away with the vesteges of colonial rule, whether it is the form of state structure or Civil Service or Rules and Procedures or the spoils system of ruling the Nation.
I fail to understand why our Founding Fathers did not opt to follow the American model but chose for the status quo. One reason could be that all the intellectuals of India (honorable exception being JP) had their education in England. See Thinkers like Nirad C Choudhury were proud to acknowledge they were more English than English.
Could this be the reason why self interests rather than national pride takes preference? Could people like Deve Gouda, Chandrasekhar, Charan Singh, Gujral become the Heads of Government in a Presidential form of Government? Could Nehru go on and on even after 1962 if popular contest was there one-to-one?
I think that is why we preferred Independence to Freedom.
...ponder
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Saffron Surge
It was a sea of saffron. More than 80,000 assembled in a sprawling arena, cheering their idols. Men, women and children swathed in saffron. Huge saffron flags were being waved. The proceedings began with Garuda (Eagle) landing in the middle of the grounds. There was a lot of music, marching of massed bands and disciplined drill by hundreds of youngsters. Drill with flags, lathis (batons), gymnastic performances show-casing kushalata (skill), parishram (hard work), deeksha (concentration) and niyam-palan (discipline).
They were united in one purpose - lustily cheering the saffron brigade decimating their opponents. The atmosphere was festive. The police were present in their efficient best to lend their weight in favour of smooth conduct of the demolition.
The whole exercise was a cake-walk with even token fight not being put up. Not withstanding the hot sun, the saffron humanity lustily cheered each breaching egging the storm troopers for further rampage. Walls (defensive) crumbled one after the other. After a couple of hours, nothing was left. The demolition was complete and the victorious gloating.
Date & Time - 2nd Oct 2010 11 AM.
The setting - Auburn University stadium.
Event - football match between Auburn and Lousiana
result - Auburn demolished Lousiana 80-3.
Saffron - the colours of Auburn.
Eagle - Mascot of Auburn.
If anybody (In India), especially secuiarists thought otherwise, they may excuse me. My reporting is faithful.
Moral - Don't jump to conclusions.
...ponder
They were united in one purpose - lustily cheering the saffron brigade decimating their opponents. The atmosphere was festive. The police were present in their efficient best to lend their weight in favour of smooth conduct of the demolition.
The whole exercise was a cake-walk with even token fight not being put up. Not withstanding the hot sun, the saffron humanity lustily cheered each breaching egging the storm troopers for further rampage. Walls (defensive) crumbled one after the other. After a couple of hours, nothing was left. The demolition was complete and the victorious gloating.
Date & Time - 2nd Oct 2010 11 AM.
The setting - Auburn University stadium.
Event - football match between Auburn and Lousiana
result - Auburn demolished Lousiana 80-3.
Saffron - the colours of Auburn.
Eagle - Mascot of Auburn.
If anybody (In India), especially secuiarists thought otherwise, they may excuse me. My reporting is faithful.
Moral - Don't jump to conclusions.
...ponder
Friday, October 1, 2010
Animals to the Rescue
It is news that Hanuman Langur monkeys, 38 in number, are deployed to protect participants and spectators of the Commonwealth Games coming up in Delhi. Reaction to this news, varies from philosophic resignation to incredulity to contempt. Man, in his wisdom, has put animals and birds to his use from times immemorial and their effectiveness is there for all to see. Deploying dolphins to protect naval assets is a routine option. Pegions are used as Messengers. No need to enumerate the various uses of dogs. The first living thing to go into space was a dog. Even insects are used to predict earth quakes.
Naturer intended humans and animals to live in harmony. Earth worms and snakes are farmer-friendly and this delicate relationship is being turned over its head by the unwise and greedy human.
I see the instant case of monkey deployment as a practical, humane and cost-effective and efficient option, not withstanding the sarcasm and scorn with which this is viewed by some westerners.
Especially in the context of many human-made things failing to measure up to the expectations despite their cost, it is heartening to note that these simians, who expect payments in peanuts, will deliver goods without fail and a sense of security envelopes all that there is no room for human failure here.
I hope Maneka Gandhi and Amala will not cry foul over this deployment. This is, any day, a better option than an air rifle.
We in India rever and worship animals too. Here the belief is that God has taken the incarnation of animals too at various ages for specific purpose. So it is in keeping with our ethos too to turn to animals for rescue of humans.
...ponder
Naturer intended humans and animals to live in harmony. Earth worms and snakes are farmer-friendly and this delicate relationship is being turned over its head by the unwise and greedy human.
I see the instant case of monkey deployment as a practical, humane and cost-effective and efficient option, not withstanding the sarcasm and scorn with which this is viewed by some westerners.
Especially in the context of many human-made things failing to measure up to the expectations despite their cost, it is heartening to note that these simians, who expect payments in peanuts, will deliver goods without fail and a sense of security envelopes all that there is no room for human failure here.
I hope Maneka Gandhi and Amala will not cry foul over this deployment. This is, any day, a better option than an air rifle.
We in India rever and worship animals too. Here the belief is that God has taken the incarnation of animals too at various ages for specific purpose. So it is in keeping with our ethos too to turn to animals for rescue of humans.
...ponder
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