Reading Time: < 1 minuteTwo roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveller, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the … Continue reading
Author Archives: Pradeep Kanthan
Endeavours within a democracy: The case of One Rank One Pension
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Reading Time: 4 minutesTo proclaim patriotism is a popular act, at least politically. To make use of patriotism is a plank of a nationalist and is the first recourse of every politician. Who will vote anyone to power if they did not speak … Continue reading
Modi’s Hectic November!
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Reading Time: 8 minutes“Modi! Modi! Modi!” chanted the crowd, which seemed to have learnt from watching the videos of his speech in New York. With hands going up like a slanted salute to take mobile phone snap shots, it appeared like they were … Continue reading
Silky slippery roads: Indian and Chinese diplomacy
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Reading Time: 13 minutesMedieval diplomacy, border incursions and balance of power ideas detract the relations between China and India. There is no end in sight to this game and an underlying distrust frames the relations. This is unlike the how these nations treat western powers, or do they live in their shadow of influence. China and India have a lot to gain by developing a mutual trust. Continue reading
Lone Survivor
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Reading Time: 2 minutesLast Sunday afternoon after a grand lunch the idea of watching a movie came up. Google Play has enough to watch by way of movies, but then most of it has been watched. The latest releases are for the movie … Continue reading
India Isn’t ‘Open for Business’ Yet – Bloomberg View
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Reading Time: 4 minutesI came across this article – (see link below) which echoes a shared feeling that Modi will have difficulty translating his successes at a state level into a national one. Of course he will! Analysts and even sceptics know that … Continue reading
Crony capitalism a big threat to countries like India, RBI chief Raghuram Rajan says – The Times of India
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Reading Time: 2 minutesCrony capitalism a big threat to countries like India, RBI chief Raghuram Rajan says – The Times of India. That the government does good is something that I have held on to almost as a belief, in comparison to what … Continue reading
Gaza: a Just War?
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Reading Time: 3 minutesI came across an article by Ori Nir, who is described as a man of peace from Jerusalem. There are people who speak of peace in that region. Many aspects keep peace away, but I feel the more one talks … Continue reading
Gaza
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Reading Time: 2 minutesOver the weekend I saw two documentaries, which presented two sides of the same coin, i.e.: The Arab-Israeli Conflict. The versions or perceptions come from unexpected quarters, but provide enough information to know that there is a ray, a very … Continue reading
The shooting down of MH17
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How far should India go with Afghanistan?
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Reading Time: 2 minutesTo invest militarily would be foolish. Development is the key for which India must participate in the building up of state institutions in Afghanistan through training, bilateral dialogue and sharing of intelligence. Continue reading
Defence reboot policy: Revamp R&D, simplify weapons purchase – The Times of India
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Reading Time: 2 minutesIs India’s nationalism going to blind its economic growth? The Modi government has moved swiftly to announce new measures which change the way things are usually done. This is a welcome change that dynamic leaders bring in, but how deep are the effects for the common man to grasp is the question. Continue reading
Anzac and India: A shared but forgotten camaraderie
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Reading Time: 7 minutesWorld War 1 continues to be remembered a century later, and the Indian troops who fought in various sectors are being acknowledged now more than ever before. Gallipoli and Anzac has emerged as a unifying national event in Australia and New Zealand and the significant Indian contribution needs to be celebrated alongside. Continue reading
The Bastard Child
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Reading Time: 2 minutesA movie is set to be released by December end. It is about our sub continent’s holocaust which can help in the least to remind us of human failings and prevent such happenings in the future. Getting justice is a different matter … alas! Continue reading
Diplomatic fracas: new dimensions of the Devyani saga
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Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe diplomatic episode has reached new areas from emancipation of women to satirical animation of the event. a bit of an amusement, but at whose cost. What was the MEA thinking in this day and age? Continue reading
Diplomatic fracas – a la Devyani
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Reading Time: 3 minutesDiplomats are meant to build relations and not scuttle them. Individuals and minor functionaries have a role in this buildup, but when they are the cause of discord, they place themselves before the state’s interest. Sad case for Indian diplomacy. Continue reading
Afghanistan a 1000 year war or can it be shortened?
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Reading Time: 4 minutesWilliam Dalrymple’s view on the Afghan issue being a manifest of India-Pakistan conflicts seems to be a statement that will not go down well. It seems to reflect his lack of understanding of the region despite his excellent research reflected in his writings. The future of Afghanistan is on a slender thread. Elections are not far and will they bring Karzai back. Continue reading
Rahul or Modi
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Reading Time: 5 minutesThere is a buzz and news about Rahul or Modi who could be the next prime minister of India. There are many gaps before the 2014 elections. A brief look at the reasons why one could succeed to end up being the prime minister is in trying to understand Indian party politics. Is there a changed international relations expectation from the new prime minster? Continue reading
Prospects of peace in Afghanistan: a Freeperception view
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Reading Time: 5 minutesPeace in the Hindukush has hit a rock. The removal of troops always lead to uncertainty of the host’s future. Do we not know this? Yet there is little regard to the security of those who collaborate with external forces. We hope there is no massacre of innocent lives with the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. It is a troubling thought and there needs to be a amicable solution. Will the US agree to neutral parties negotiating for the,? Continue reading
Six party talks moving on
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Reading Time: 2 minutesIn a cynical view the Six Party Talks seem a charade that takes place like a charade. These talks seek diplomatic and political solutions and really don’t seem to move forward. Continue reading