Author: Atanu Dey

Economist.

Diggy Singh is an RSS Mole

I am certain that Monty Python, the guys who can parody anything under the sun, would be totally incapable of parodying the recent ad by the Pakistani government. Onion News Network will find it impossible to ridicule the attempt at fixing Pakistan’s image. You cannot ridicule the ridiculous, parody a parody. Pakistan’s ad in the Wall Street Journal is a self-parody. One marvels at the people who came up with the idea. They must be the most humorless bunch of retards in the world. But first, here is the ad in question, for the record.
Continue reading “Diggy Singh is an RSS Mole”

Sept 11, 2001: Islam’s Wake Up Call to America

I was pretty upset at my housemate. I looked at the bedside clock — it was barely 6 AM — and he was talking loudly to someone on the phone in the next room. Then he knocked on my bedroom door.

“Wayne, what the hell’s the matter with you?”

“Atanu, my mom called from the East coast. Come out and take a look at this,” he said.

The TV was on in the living room. Evidently, one of the towers of the World Trade Center in NYC was on fire. It didn’t take long for the realization that it wasn’t just a fire. I stood there in my pajamas watching the drama unfold until I had to go to teach class at noon. Continue reading “Sept 11, 2001: Islam’s Wake Up Call to America”

Sept 11, 1893: Swami Vivekananda in Chicago

On this day, Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) spoke at the Parliament of the World’s Religions at Chicago in 1893. He addressed his audience as “Sisters and Brothers of America” and proceeded to introduce them to the dharma — the Sanatana Dharma which is also known as Hinduism. Here’s bit from that speech:
Continue reading “Sept 11, 1893: Swami Vivekananda in Chicago”

What Would Gandhi Do?

That’s the question that my friend CJ asked me. I don’t know, I replied. I am not a Gandhian. We were discussing yesterday’s bomb blast in the reception area of the Delhi High Court which left as of last count 11 dead and scores injured.
Continue reading “What Would Gandhi Do?”

The Three-ring Anti-corruption Circus in in Town

As some of you may have noticed, I have been away. That is why this blog has been dormant. Oh I have not been physically absent. I was only mentally away, taking a break to learn some economics. I was teaching a couple of courses for the Summer term at UC Berkeley. I am sure that teaching is the most rigorous and effective way to learn something. It is impossible to teach the fundamentals without coming away with a renewed appreciation and understanding of what really matters. What did I re-learn this time around? Lots of very interesting stuff, but one thing stands out.
Continue reading “The Three-ring Anti-corruption Circus in in Town”

Manmohan Singh is a Seriously Despicably Dishonest Spineless Toady Who Will Pay for his Crimes Against India

Madhu Kishwar writing in OutlookIndia.com says, “I fail to understand why almost every commentator, every TV anchor, every editorial writer feels compelled to pay ritual obeisance to the “personal honesty and integrity” of Dr Manmohan Singh.” I note that Madhu qualifies the statement with “almost every.” As a blogger, I have been insisting that the appointed prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh is despicably dishonest man, and that he will be remembered for his venality. That he is getting a free pass right now can only be because Indians are not the most clued in people in the world and it takes a few generations for the truth to dawn on the country. But eventually, as the Indian motto goes, satyam eva jayate.
Continue reading “Manmohan Singh is a Seriously Despicably Dishonest Spineless Toady Who Will Pay for his Crimes Against India”

The Coming “Citizen War”

The Citizen at War 

Political freedom must be used to fight for economic freedom

July 2011.

Witnessing the recent skirmishes between some segments of the “civil society” and the central government of India, it is hard to keep cynicism at bay. On the one side there are sincere people with not inconsiderable following who are trying to bring about change in governance and the reduction of public corruption which has reached astronomical proportions. While they may be motivated by worthy goals, not all their means are above reproach. Their passion is not matched by their understanding of what should be done and how.

On the other side are powerful people in the government who are not particularly perturbed about the reports that allege, often with substantial evidence, their involvement in scams that run into billions of dollars. These people have the power of the state on their side and are not hesitant in using overwhelming force to defeat the people on the other side. Not just the police force, but they have used government agencies—such as investigative and taxation institutions—to fight their opponents. Continue reading “The Coming “Citizen War””