Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe Pulwama terror attack has brought coercive diplomacy into the public discourse. It must be handled with caution. Coercive diplomacy? There is a need to differentiate it from ‘gunboat’ diplomacy! The article ignores the effect from all sides. In reality, … Continue reading
Category Archives: Archive
Modi’s airstrikes have called Pak’s nuclear bluff
Gallery
Reading Time: < 1 minuteHe has raised the ante after Pathankot, Uri, Pulwama and numerous other Kashmir related incidents. Justified reaction to actions. This means a lot to domestic politics. Though BJP’s unpalatable solution to Kashmir is quite far. This is an area where … Continue reading
Karnataka Elections and after …
Gallery
This gallery contains 4 photos.
Reading Time: 4 minutesDangers of a one-party rule from Panchayat to Parliament will see the demise of democracy. Further, a religion backed ideology will put a strain on minorities, even with all the assurances of the BJP. It is too late for them to shed the self-created mantle of Hinduism. Karnataka elections will impact the future of democracy. Continue reading
Was Doklam to tame the Dragon?
Gallery
This gallery contains 2 photos.
Reading Time: 3 minutesChina’s foreign policy and strategy seek a military supremacy over the US. While it talks of regional leadership and supremacy, it actually challenges the US which is at an economic disadvantage with China. The desire for leadership lie in China’s history and growth. Continue reading
Is North Korea a Diversion for a US-Jordan Invasion of Syria?
Gallery
This gallery contains 2 photos.
Reading Time: 2 minutes Article source : Is North Korea a Diversion for a US-Jordan Invasion of Syria? Most of it is shadow boxing. A storm in a teacup. Here is the reason why. 1. N Korea is incapable of waging war with … Continue reading
BJP claims Modi-Sharif talks ‘a breakthrough’; Congress questions PM’s peace move – The Times of India
Gallery
This gallery contains 1 photo.
Reading Time: 4 minutesThe BJP on Friday claimed major breakthrough in India-Pakistan ties as Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his counterpart Nawaz Sharif. Source: BJP claims Modi-Sharif talks ‘a breakthrough’; Congress questions PM’s peace move – The Times of India Modi waves with … Continue reading
Endeavours within a democracy: The case of One Rank One Pension
Gallery
This gallery contains 4 photos.
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!
Gallery
This gallery contains 1 photo.
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
India Isn’t ‘Open for Business’ Yet – Bloomberg View
Gallery
This gallery contains 1 photo.
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
Gallery
This gallery contains 1 photo.
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
Rahul or Modi
Gallery
This gallery contains 3 photos.
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
Viva la General – adieu
Gallery
Reading Time: 4 minutesThe saga of the date of birth of General Singh though a reality has been used to get a preferred general to the chiefs position. It is an action taken to remedy a previous favouritism. Can one wrong correct another or can this right correct an older wrong. This is a story of revenge or is it of righteousness. The nett result is that maybe a doubtful character is ending up as chief. This alas can not be proved as there is government bias over who can be chief. Continue reading
Viva la General 2
Gallery
This gallery contains 1 photo.
Reading Time: 5 minutesThe saga of he date of birth of the chief has taken another twist, with the PIL being thrown out by the supreme court. A chance has been lost to cleared the sullied image of the situation and justice appears not to be served. Continue reading
The January night Raisina Hill was spooked: Two key Army units moved towards Delhi without notifying Govt – Indian Express
Gallery
Reading Time: < 1 minuteClick here: The Indian Express article This release of this outdated news heightens the rift between the Army and the Government. I hope it is not what I think it is … a bit of izzat taken a bit too far, … Continue reading
Viva la General
Gallery
Reading Time: 2 minutesGeneral V K Singh will go down in history for being someone who will change the nation’s perception of the Armed Forces, hopefully for the better. There have been chiefs ‘disciplined’ by the bureaucracy and the politicians in the past. … Continue reading
No Gurkhas in overseas Armies?
Gallery
Reading Time: 2 minutesI cannot fathom why the Nepalese parliament would ban overseas recruitment of Gurkhas, unless it sees its nationals fighting against each other for two warring countries. In which case a conflict of interest with Nepal’s foreign policy is significant. This … Continue reading
Julia Gillard vs Kevin Rudd
Gallery
Reading Time: < 1 minuteIt is unusual to have a Prime Minister sitting on the back benches. Most finish their terms and fade away into history. This will be the first time where the tie for premiership within the party will be like an … Continue reading
The General’s Date of Birth
Gallery
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe dispute over recording the Chief of Army Staff’s date of birth has come to a head. This has become a matter of Indian national izzat (honour) vs that of the General’s. If one were to go by the credo … Continue reading
9/11 and India …
Gallery
Reading Time: 6 minutesThe recent bomb blasts in New Delhi, the high alert in New York and a sense déjà vu has made the world stand on an edge again because of terrorism. The fact of this asymmetrical war is that a few … Continue reading
Ipaidabribe some statistics
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Below you will find an analysis of bribes paid in lakhs in major cities. Now this is from the website www.ipaidabribe.com
In the first instance the statistics present a skewed picture showing Bangalore to be the most corrupt. This maybe true, but what it doesn’t bring out is the sample size. Bangalore has always been a middle class, educated city … thanks to Nehru’s socialism. Five major public sector firms were started in the 50’s and the current IT euphoria and progress can be attributed to generations of middle class educated living there.
I refuse to believe lower levels in Mumbai, Delhi or Calcutta. They have greater populations, it is just that they are not reported or captured in the statistics. Education therefore remains the key to managing corruption and not an andolan of sorts.