The Sardar Patel statue, also called "The Statue of Unity" which is to be unveiled tomorrow Oct 31st, is the biggest statue in the world at 182 meters tall. Built at the cost of Rs 3000 crores, it must be impressive to behold because of its sheer size. It is supposed to represent unity of … Continue reading Sardar Patel, Power, Persuasion and Statue
Freedom
Censorship on the Internet
Freedom of speech, expression, and the press is a distinctive mark of civilization. It distinguishes -- and indicates the degree of civilization achieved among -- the nations of the world. Nations that valued the Enlightenment traditions of the likes of Kant and Voltaire prospered and became culturally (not to mention militarily) powerful enough to profoundly … Continue reading Censorship on the Internet
The Road to Tyranny
Slowly raising the temperature allows a frog submerged in water to get accustomed to its ever-worsening condition until it gets cooked to death. So goes folk wisdom regarding how to cook a frog. Though a pointless exercise, it does serve as a good metaphor for how countries gradually advance on the road to tyranny -- … Continue reading The Road to Tyranny
Freedom is an acquired taste
I am convinced that freedom is an acquired taste, somewhat like dietary preferences. People brought up in a vegetarian households are likely to prefer vegetarian food. People brought up free tend to prefer freedom and those brought up under command structures, prefer that. Muslims apparently prefer the stifling, humanity-denying strictures of Islam that non-Muslims generally … Continue reading Freedom is an acquired taste
India and Foreign Direct Investment
The economic growth of any economy depends on how much is invested in creating productive assets in it. Factories, buildings, ports, the transportation network, natural resource extraction, manpower training, the use of modern methods of manufacturing, energy production and distribution networks -- all require investment. Part of the investment arises from domestic savings, part from … Continue reading India and Foreign Direct Investment
Speaking of Freedom of Speech
"If the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led like sheep to the slaughter." --George WashingtonThe importance of the freedom of speech is underestimated by most people. George Washington stressed the instrumental role of the freedom of speech -- as a defense against oppression. But freedom of speech, … Continue reading Speaking of Freedom of Speech
Quote: Liberty and Government
“Liberty and good government do not exclude each other; and there are excellent reasons why they should go together. Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. It is not for the sake of a good public administration that it is required, but for security in … Continue reading Quote: Liberty and Government
