Month: February 2010

The Uncivilized Never Weep

This is not a rhetorical question. Have you ever seen any Indian leader weep for the misery and hardship that millions of Indians endure throughout their lives and often die prematurely from natural but preventable causes? Have you ever seen any Indian leader weep for the thousands killed and mutilated by Islamic terrorism in India? If they do, they must do so in private and is not reported by the press. Continue reading “The Uncivilized Never Weep”

The Importance of Committing

That great Indian teacher, Gautama who became the Buddha, had once instructed his followers to stop dithering. He said, “Bhikshus, when you sit, you sit. When you stand, you stand. Don’t dither.” Continue reading “The Importance of Committing”

Open Thread: The Numbers

I was looking at the stats of this here blog and was rather amused by the numbers. Here is a snapshot of how the numbers add up.
Continue reading “Open Thread: The Numbers”

A Wild Conjecture (or ‘What would Gandhi Do?’)

I have often wondered if there is a way to confirm whether or not someone was (is) genuinely good for India, or just inconsequential window dressing, or positively harmful. I have a tentative test. The test has to be tested. Exceptions prove the rule, they say. That is, exceptions test the test. So I am looking not just for instances that confirm the hypothesis but also those exceptions that test the soundness of the hypothesis. But first the hypothesis or what can be termed as a wild paranoid conjecture. Continue reading “A Wild Conjecture (or ‘What would Gandhi Do?’)”

Trains of the World

If you like trains, you would like these pictures. I got them from an email making the rounds. Have fun!
Continue reading “Trains of the World”

Security in the Hands of the Retarded — Part 2

These days it is rational to be mindful of security and be aware of possible threats from bombs and IEDs. We have to be reasonable about the whole thing. Panic never helps and could indeed be counter-productive. I thought the point I was trying to make was transparent enough in the previous post on this matter but going by some of the comments to that post, my failure to communicate is evident. Continue reading “Security in the Hands of the Retarded — Part 2”

It’s the Little Things, Stupid

It is time to come clean and reveal what this blog is all about. The most apt subtitle for this blog titled “On India’s Development” would be “It’s the Little Things, Stupid.” Here’s why. Continue reading “It’s the Little Things, Stupid”

Perhaps Free but Definitely Scared

I posted a comment to Mr Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar’s article “What Pranab will not say in his budget speech” in today’s Economic Times. The comment was “Mr Aiyar, kudos. You have hit the nail on the head. I could not have said it better. Clearly Pranab-da will not say that because of one reason alone: votes and vote banks.” The comment was held for moderation. Continue reading “Perhaps Free but Definitely Scared”

Swaminathan Aiyar on What Pranab will not say in his Budget

Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar, I am pleased to note, has a great column in the Economic Times, What Pranab Will Not Say in his Budget. His points are right on. Continue reading “Swaminathan Aiyar on What Pranab will not say in his Budget”