Category: Random Draws

I have never made it is a secret that I find Bollywood unbearable. But I have to confess that I have watched the 1975 blockbuster Sholay a dozen times at least. Why? Because one particular sequence in it cracked me up something wicked. It is a traditional joke — someone ostensibly speaking in favor of a person but actually doing everything possible to undermine that person’s case. As a rhetorical device, it is deliciously persuasive because the humor hammers home the underlying message more effectively than straightforward speech.
Continue reading “You cannot Parody a Parody”

This piece, published on Niti Central, relates to the Congress’s attempt to prevent people from knowing how badly it is faring in the public’s opinion by banning the publication of opinion polls. Here it is.
Continue reading “Finally some good news from India”

Today, Oct 31st, is the 138th birth anniversary of the man who integrated the various princely states of British India into the India we have today, Shri Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (1875 – 1950) also known as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He was the first “Minister of Home Affairs” and the Deputy Prime minister from 15 August 1947 until he passed away on Dec 15th 1950 at the age of 75.

He was a giant of a political leader and modern India owes him a lot. But as has unfortunately become the pattern, towering leaders of the Indian National Congress are rarely celebrated by the party; instead they elevate Nehru and his progeny — pygmies compared to the Sardar and others — to the high heavens and airbrush others out. Fortunately things are improving, thanks to the access that readers and writers have in this internet age. Now we can begin to glimpse a more accurate picture of how petty, vindictive and mean-spirited Nehru actually was; now we have something to counter-balance the hagiographic propaganda Indians have been fed for so long. Social media is a real treasure in this regard.
Continue reading “Nehru was a Mean-spirited Man”

The Jet Airways Mumbai to Brussels flight is not too bad as far as timing goes for flights to Europe out of India. It leaves at a reasonable 2 AM (compared to flights that depart at 4 or 5 AM) and gets to Brussels at 8 AM local time (11:30 AM IST.) I caught that flight yesterday morning. A few thoughts on that flight in particular and a few on what the experience says about the Indian economy in general.
Continue reading “Home Thoughts from Leuven”

The time has come for me to head back home to California. On the way there, I plan to take two short breaks: one in Belgium and the other in the New York-New Jersey area. I will be visiting my friend Yogananda Saripalli in Leuven Belgium.
Continue reading “Talk in Leuven on Sept 29th”

1947
Bengal….5,000 to 10,000 dead …CONGRESS RULE.

1967
Ranchi….200 DEAD……….CONGRESS RULE.

1969
Ahmedabad…512 DEAD……..CONGRESS RULE.

1970
Bhiwandi….80 DEAD………….CONGRESS RULE.

1979
Jamshedpur..125 DEAD……CPIM RULE (COMMUNIST PARTY)

1980
Moradabad…2,000 DEAD…CONGRESS RULE.

1983
Nellie Assam…..5,000 DEAD…CONGRESS RULE.

1984
anti-Sikh Delhi…2,733 DEAD…CONGRESS RULE

1984
Bhiwandi….146 DEAD….CONGRESS RULE

1985
Gujarat…..300 DEAD..CONGRESS RULE

1986
Ahmedabad……59 DEAD…..CONGRESS RULE

1987
Meerut….81 DEAD…CONGRESS RULE

1989
Bhagalpur……1,070 DEAD……CONGRESS RULE

1990
Hyderabad……300 PLUS DEAD….CONGRESS RULE

1992
Mumbai….900 TO 2000 DEAD….CONGRESS RULE

1992
Aligarh….176 DEAD…..CONGRESS RULE

External shocks — the type that bring about radical change in large, complex systems — is the focus of my recent piece on Niti Central. When things are at their worst, what’s needed is a push to put matters on a different trajectory. I believe that the next general elections has the potential to deliver that for India.

Here’s the text of my piece, for the record. I should also add that in the last paragraph of the piece, I made up an “old Indian adage” just to make it sound profound. Have fun.
Continue reading “Essay: External Shocks and Transformative Change”

The typewriter monkeys in the basement have been slacking off too much. But the riot act has been read out to them. It seems that their pace will likely pick up — and if it doesn’t, they will be fired. However they need to be paid. So if you wish to help out with the bananas and peanuts the monkeys relish, you could mail them in. But it may be easier for you to just click on the shiny new “Donate” button (conveniently placed on the right hand side column) and I will buy the provisions. OK?

Alright. Now if you have anything on your mind, please feel free to say it in the comments. Bouquets, brickbats, kudos and criticisms welcome.

Today marks the end of 10 years of this blog and the first day of the second decade of “Atanu Dey on India’s Development.” On Sept 12th, 2003, I had started this blog with the first post “Inspiration“.

Today is also the start of the first step in “Transforming India.” Not too shabby, if you ask me. Good luck to us all.