Unfortunately... This is going to happen

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Retributions/~3/ZeOjUBADaH0/

An inspiration

Martin Crowe on Ross Taylor (full piece here)

The moral of the story so far is of a man, humble and gentle in nature, being stung by a painful experience and taking his time to heal and learn from the experience. Many would have succumbed to such an ordeal. Instead, Ross chose to focus on his true essence for living; to love and be loved. His family has been extraordinary. His wife, Victoria, a cricketer herself, has been unbelievable in support. Becoming a father has given Ross the real focus of his life.

Hopefully one can imitate Ross in other walks of life!

He does it once more..

http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/7Qu4UozqNEipJ8u3gduwRO/Why-things-wont-change-in-the-new-year.html

Aakar writes his trashy opinion piece!

As usual most people miss this truth

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/PUjEIQdCxrMBYPyi2GXrcN/Corruption-a-sterile-debate-continues.html

More sense in discussing Modi

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/Fxmh0Vm7JQ12yHdxwXFJRP/Narendra-Modi-autocrat.html

AAP defined..

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/ZRX0y6HJfDTXqpw2a14f2N/The-AAPs-flirtation-with-idealism.html

Read the last para for the real reason of AAP's existence.

I disagree with Deb

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/P2Qk9K1waYXm1m067r7QmO/AAP-knows-its-smart-to-be-patient.html

He is giving too much credit to AAP for some really stupid plans.

What more can one do?

Inspite of how much you put in and how hard you try somethings dont work out (as they should). All you can do is dust yourself and get up to continue again. 

Mr. Kejriwal... Read the last line..

Or the full piece.

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/f6igkRpCpI1GyKgDFoSlwO/Delhi-elections-Will-the-Aam-Aadmi-Party-play-spoiler.html

All good things come to an end..

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/pRBpbL30l66Ndz1xN0FOXN/Viswanathan-Anands-end-game.html

What policy makers ought to have known!

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/tHxiWXqXe6R1m6Z424Vy1K/Dodgy-economics-of-the-rural-boom.html

Wish people read this before complaining about Walmart

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/ZXsr9WGBItBjI0mwxWY3WM/WalMart-is-having-a-very-bad-week.html

Nice article

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/HuIlxXDgWh7C18k249AYQI/Saving-rationalism-from-the-rationalists.html

Something to mull over..

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/hvSH67jrQSg2DUOQdARngN/The-perils-of-plurality-in-India.html

This paragraph encapsulates Tendulkar the best

Here was a man who spoke of cricket in his sleep, who regarded his bats as his fellow travellers, who saw every cricket ground as his temple, and he was now speaking of talking to the pitch. They conferred godhood on him to glow in his glory, but the truth is that he was the biggest worshipper the game could ever find, and in that lay the foundation of Tendulkar's greatness.

Read the full piece (one of the best on Sachin's retirement) here!

I agree... It is uncanny..

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/lhef7Y7yDxs6a6EMObXiuL/Narendra-Modi-historian.html

well cant argue with this

One of the many reasons i loved Virender Sehwag... so elegnatly put..

But it is his approach to the game - his gambler's instinct and his insouciance, the free and easy air with which he plays his slightly chancy game - that is his most charming and attractive quality, made all the more endearing because of the intense and competitive world in which he practises his craft. To me there is no stroke in the game more beautiful than a cover drive or a flick from the bat of VVS Laxman, and yet there is no prospect as pleasurable in general as that of watching Sehwag bat. There is something irresistible about such bravado and dash, such disregard of rules of batsmanship thought to be almost sacrosanct. Even strolling about the crease between deliveries, he appears to be thinking not about the bowler changing his line of attack, or of this fielder going here and that one there, but rather of palm trees and golden beaches.

Full article (from 2004) here

This is quite awesome..

http://www.livemint.com/Consumer/rWhEFtqgI0fJ5z6YhMLt4O/Making-of-Sachin-Tendulkar-in-a-quite-Mumbai-neighbourhood.html

Salil is at it again

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/xPYE2Tk2th4TvAKVG1p2UI/Narendra-Modis-obsession-with-heroes.html

I agree with Tripathi that there isn't a Nationalist icon that Modi can use - precisely because congress made sure the entire country only remembered the Gandhi-Nehru family. So, what Modi is doing is tactical when he is using Patel's name. Congress can hardly complain as they relegated him to the back benches. Now will it result in electoral gains is another issue.

In the article, note the immense psycophancy of Old school Indians to Gandhi. Gandhi asked Patel to step aside for the PM post - and he did. So, if somebody questions that decision why is it wrong? Gandhi is responsible for installing a undemocratic leader. Isn't that a questionable decision for a fledgling democracy? Anyway ..

Probably subjective... But the sentiment is true

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/zOBnVfX30EgdW06QmTh1MJ/Sandipan-Deb--The-ugliest-elections-India-has-seen.html

I think its a smart move..

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/Hisg8JQdIPflijvUnBdlYP/The-curious-battle-for-Vallabhbhai-Patel.html

No wonder Nitish is a secular CM

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/F7DJiXx3CjOE8vcMNgsX6H/A-repeat-terror-story-this-time-in-Patna.html

Arrogance is not enough to describe this..

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/ry7aFRGaQi9j43d4iMrcYK/Sushil-Shindes-politics-of-arrogance-and-incompetence.html

More economics

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/1Ttq4lCPlgIoy7NBOWCi0J/Indias-deepening-economic-mess.html

Must read!

http://greatbong.net/2013/10/27/deconstructing-modi-part-3/

So well put!

Too academic for common man to worry about!

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/B5Dh8evp8LFsv1lqAcnl9K/Food-security-a-battle-won-but-a-war-lost.html

Unfortunately this is what allows the UPA to get away with this. I will hold people like Prof. Amartya Sen responsible for providing academic cover to UPA while being aware of such ongoing negotiations and resulting implications.

So many flaws - which to highlight

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/pLWvymUouyR1sK94OHo3tL/What-Gujarat-can-learn-from-Bihar-and-Odisha.html

The author argues that poverty reduction is lowest in Gujarat - without ever mentioning what it was before and after. If a state has poverty level of 50% bringing a reduction of 10% as one of the states has achieved is so much easier that attaining a reduction of 5% from say poverty levels of 20%. the way the piece has been written it is an intentional omission. I am not supporting the Gujarat model - but to pose such half hearted analysis as a genuine criticism is truly appalling. Now there are 3-5 richer states that performed poorly - so why not criticize those CMs. Oh yes.. They belong to Congress. So there is nothing they can learn from Bihar/Orissa. It is unfortunate that academics provide such poor arguments.

Quite an experience this must be!

The gentleman delivers - oh big time . read the article here

Well put sir...

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/PCElyIm46DURNUfgi4lMGL/Sachin-Tendulkars-lesson-for-50-of-India.html

Many people wont like this

piece by Mukul. But there is more than a shred of truth to the piece. The most telling one for me is this

The team he served for so long with such distinction has been damaged too. If he had left, as Dravid did, in early 2012, after the rout in Australia, India's middle order might have completed its post-Galactico transition earlier. Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma and company might not have set the world on fire if Tendulkar had left then, but they would have been hard put to do much worse than he did during this time.

I have always held on to the view that if he continued playing it should be with the objective of playing in South Africa and Australia. If he did not have intentions to go there, him continuing after the Australian series was pointless, just as it was pointless for him to continue playing one days after winning the world cup. But, well, according to most Indian fans, he earned it irrespective of what it means to the new and younger folks!

To be clear, this is not a criticism of Tendulkar. If fans  (who have a huge investment in the game) and selectors (who are charged with the responsibility), cannot see the right thing, hwo can anybody blame Tendulkar who has invested everything - his life and more - for wanting to hold on to something so dear.

Such a beautiful piece

Excerpts 

 

Part of their harmony was that Laxman and Dravid were similar and dissimilar in equal measure. They were both from southern India - Laxman from Hyderabad, Dravid from Bangalore - and were both gentlemen (south Indians will think this a tautology). Raised on matting wickets, they enjoyed bounce and back-foot play. They were tall, wristy, hit the ball along the ground, and possessed what cricket watchers refer to as "temperament".

Full piece here (Please do read the whole thing!)

This is aakar patels argument?

http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/j8MhIWk5v4IIoGpCQNuAtM/Why-Narendra-Modis-apotheosis-is-a-boring-affair.html

It is unbelievable how Mr. Patel writes such pieces. They completely defy logic. Well its by Patel.. what else was I expecting!

Adieu to the little master

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/PAt6UFEx5YcusonBod9LcJ/Goodbye-Sachin.html

Business as usual for UPA

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/DK3bWywB5Ha5xkBpOYWywN/The-UPA-has-learnt-nothing.html

Exactly my point

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/1LpCwlLhnxfWkuDzdeA8pM/Telangana-and-lessons-for-creating-new-states.html

Instead of getting dragged into emotional discussions my major concern with Telangana formation is presented above.

Very well written

A good critique of why Rahul Gandhi's outburst was wrong at so many levels!
http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/xvCFIP08Y8T14IeClO9xHO/Rahul-Gandhis-misguided-revolt.html

Have to agree on this one

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Retributions/~3/HN7gJ129wHs/

A useful exercise

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/RxnnYkHKBjWcS7OtmjBzZI/CLAIM-CHECK.html

Somedays

it is important to recognize you are happy and let the stress disappear!

A good piece

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/DCrr6B9v1MvR6QTEMGDcJM/Narendra-Modi-as-the-antiNehru.html

But are Indians sensible enough to understand this? well you know!

The truth

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Retributions/~3/ILIPp0mBvaA/

So elegantly put!

The abomination

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/l1kdtHCmDc6Udbib99qeKM/The-corrupt-journey-of-food-transportation.html

I see none of the secular intellectuals complaining about blatantly political bills. Well, what  else do you expect from people who want to push what they think is right for other people. Anyway... The destruction of India continues.

This is the final straw in destroying India...

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/hLwboXhnEZ8uO3Ie9DYN1I/Govt-in-talks-with-private-sector-for-job-reservations.html

Reservation in private sector. You have got be kidding!

Humor... After a while is just disheartening

http://www.livemint.com/Page/Id/2.0.3025966791

Can't anybody see the damage?

Read this.

 

The choice before the UPA is clear: self-preservation or economic mayhem.

Well, well, well, we know what UPA will choose! We have been seeing that for the last 9 years; Apparently it is not adequate for the so called secular peoople!

A nice article

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/fLYAeknlCffrJXwXLVTAxM/India-will-amaze-when-it-finally-decides-to-succeed.html

A must read

http://greatbong.net/2013/08/04/sen-vs-bhagwati

One more TRB

Well, another hectic TRB session. I survived. 

Everyyear I keep thinking it will get better than last year and it just gets busier. I need to figure out a smoother way to work. Lets see. Now I need a break - well who am I kidding I have a bunch of paper reviews to do!

Deb gets it right in his letter to Dr. Sen

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/jzZ7IgpYykSbY4YUMsTDMP/A-letter-for-Amartya-Sen.html

Interesting

http://www.livemint.com/Page/Id/2.0.2721704809

More sensible suggestions

http://www.livemint.com/Page/Id/2.0.2722220537

I just hope people see the sensible option

Dispeling crap claims of Mr.Sen

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/rbpCYAO7OXjuLydprKMG6L/Book-Review-An-Uncertain-Glory-India-and-its-Contradiction.html

The book is basically propaganda for Congress by a once good economist. I hope the Indian electorate recognize this

More on the Sen topic..

http://tgs.nationalinterest.in/2013/07/24/an-ignorant-defence-of-the-ignobel/

I love ignoble :p

More on Sen Bhagwati issue

http://www.livemint.com/Page/Id/2.0.2713677131

Well put..

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Retributions/~3/457GF0zScb8/

Wow... Made my day

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/9Qzg05zypjEUbioqK9N1UM/Why-Amartya-Sen-is-wrong.html

A fabulous piece showing up Sen for what he actually is. I have been dying to write about this issue for sometime now. This piece does a great job at highlighting the damage that Sen and his ilk are doing to India. From what I see in this piece he has been doing that for a while now.

Oh btw .. I have an economist I love - Jagdish Bhagwati!!

Seriously

When will they kick this guy out? Livemint editors please act immediately.

http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/5dNuZib4DsCt87yqj0o4fK/Ten-traits-that-defined-Narendra.html

More drivel from our PM

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/Z61cnohYxqvagy5sxZOnGP/Manmohan-Singh-says-govt-committed-to-cut-deficit.html

DRS

http://www.livemint.com/Page/Id/2.0.2658477823

I agree with author's idea. I feel the number of reviews should be 2 per 25 hours in a test. They reset at the beginning of the 25 over period.

Also even in the current system the review challenge should not be lost if the decision turns out to be umpire's call - which means it was a damn close decision. If the call was very clear and team requested a review they should lose the challenge. This for me is so obvious that its Non-usage is a crime.

After squandering the opportunity to act for 9 years

see here

Then there is the question of timing. The right time to attract FDI is when the country’s growth is on an upswing. A fast-growing economy is a far more attractive proposition than one that is growing modestly. If the investment regime is liberalized during troubled times, any foreign investor will be cautious before committing money. If anything, the desperation evident in Tuesday’s measures will actually prompt a wait and watch attitude on the part of investors.

i cannot imagine what will happen if the UPA returns to power again!

Acts of desperation for sure

http://tgs.nationalinterest.in/2013/07/16/rbi-defends/

Can you argue with the conclusion?

The possibility that the truth about Ishrat Jahan is being masked to facilitate political gain is getting harder and harder to dismiss, and even more disturbing is the fact that this looks like it is being done at the cost of the country’s efforts to fight terrorism.

As Firstpost noted, Like all truths, the whole truth about Ishrat Jahan’s life and death likely won’t please anyone. It’s critical, though, to the credibility of India’s criminal justice system, and the future of our struggle against terrorism. Nothing anyone has done so far, though, suggests anyone really wants to tell the story—and nothing the CBI is doing gives reason to think that’s going to change.

Full piece here

Go for a hike...

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/behugdH9jRQCyXii3FkR4N/Why-Mint-has-been-in-favour-of-a-rate-hike.html

I do hope RBI goes for a rate hike. At least then the government will realize the dire situation India and the Rupee are put in by reckless policy making. Well.. One can hope..

Why the moral argument is flawed

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/XOugwZuTrKNgzsfNTFX0UO/Morality-and-the-food-law.html

Well put Mr. Singh!

The stupidity that happens

in India! I mean, he is an advocate for god sake; you would expect him to be able to at least read!

Nice article

on the Right to Food here

Fabulous piece

by Pratap Bhanu Mehta highligthing the great progress under UPA. Hats off!

A good article when read completely - unlike what the media is trying to do!

here

On immigration reform

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/12/opinion/brooks-pass-the-bill.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Where do you stand?

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/LKb8rZi6t6t7TRYOVKKKyH/Gandhi-vs-Modi-is-actually-Sen-vs-Bhagwati.html

Sen - a nobel laureate - is on the wrong especially making up facts. There is space for both thought processes. However the irony is the more you lean towards Sen's plan the less money you will have to implement his plan. Apply Bhagwati's plan to generate capital and deploy it efficiently towards Sen's ideas. I don't get it why people can't see this.

Emotions are good.. But who will care about implementation

http://www.livemint.com/Page/Id/2.0.2569653093

The reason for arguing against the food security bill is the money could be better spent on infrastructure - that will benefit the poor more than food security. I do agree that a society has to subsidize the poor - but if call for subsidy is politically motivated you should not be blind to that. Moreover, the bill is being introduced by a government that recklessly frittered away money for the last 9 years. Why would i trust them to do this well.

My thoughts exactly

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/rQon0vRQAClWRO7f06Iv2J/Easing-the-policy-logjam-finally.html

Read the last sentence!

You can always hope..

http://www.livemint.com/Page/Id/2.0.2479245549

In my recent India trip this happened many times. Every time I was flying there will be a neatly dressed older gentlemen who try to skip the line. I tapped one of these telling him there are people behind you. He actually gave me a random excuse. I hope to have embarrassed him enough that he will not try that again. Same thing inside the airport; people running to break the queues and the cool person that i am getting mad.

Interesting article

http://www.livemint.com/Page/Id/2.0.2440492673

As always there is never an easy solution.

More drivel from Aakar Patel

"Beyond Narendra Modi’s oratory is a vapid message - Livemint" http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/X6EUiJaewMnIgBvmg6GNBI/Beyond-Narendra-Modis-oratory-is-a-vapid-message.html

So well put

"Indians should separate Narendra Modi from the message - Livemint" http://feedly.com/k/11jQ8j2

I completely agree with this view. India can do without Modi - but to do away with his view of governance will destroy India forever. Congress lost the last decade - we just can't afford to lose one more!

Will anything come of this?

"U.S. hearings on Lashkar-e-Taiba" http://filtercoffee.nationalinterest.in/2013/06/13/u-s-hearings-on-lashkar-e-taiba/

Not a bad piece

questioning Modi's reformist credentials here

Some of the points raised are very important. But, I still feel that there is a sense of market conviction in his speeches and make sense relative to other politicians. But, is it enough?

Isn't this hypocrisy?

Recently, India's most well-known film script-writer Salim Khan (actor Salmaan Khan's father) has said to a senior journalist in an interview: "Does anyone remember who the chief minister of Maharashtra was during the Mumbai riots which were no less deadly than the Gujarat riots of 2002? Does anyone recall the name of the chief minister of UP during Malliana and Meerut riots or that of the Bihar CM when the Bhagalpur or Jamshedpur riots under Congress regimes took place? Do we hear names of earlier chief ministers of Gujarat under whose charge, hundreds of riots took place in post-Independence India? Does anyone remember who was in-charge of Delhi's security when the 1984 massacre of Sikhs took place in the capital of India? How come Narendra Modi has been singled out as the Devil Incarnate as if he personally carried out all the killings during the riots of 2002?" No speck of doubt about what Salim Khan has said.

So why is Modi singled out? I ask all the secularists to ask themeselves this question. I am not convinced Modi is the right person for our country, but the criticism mounted on him does feel uneven (especilly when so many others who watched over communal riots have gone scot free).

Full piece here

Sometimes

things dont fall in place!

A fabulous piece

on NaMo here

Guha on the naxal issue

here

I agree with Guha that the approach taken so far has been incorrect. But will the central and state governments act?

Excerpts from the piece

I entirely concur with Dandekar when he writes that “if even now the policy makers are willing to take the issues of justice to the tribals head-on the extremists will definitely be dealt a bodyblow in the process and their own legitimacy would stand questioned.” A first step here would be for the top leadership of the present government to reach out directly to the adivasis. The Prime Minister and the Chairperson of the UPA should together tour through the strife-torn areas of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Orissa, promising the full implementation of the Forest Rights Act, a temporary ban on mining projects in Fifth Schedule Areas, and a revival of the powers of gram panchayats. That would be a far more effective strike against Naxalites than sending in fighter planes or massed battalions.

I will be surprised

if any of these questions are ever answered

More on the issues with food security bill

"Sen’s many sins" http://tgs.nationalinterest.in/2013/05/10/sens-manysins/

Finally

People are calling out the PM for what he is. See multiple links in the piece below

"Ninan explodes and other links"
http://feedly.com/k/10k0jXf

Something does not seem right

a prochoicer becoming a prolifer. Her story

What worries me is the conviction in how she is sure that being pro-life is the right choice. There are very many sibtelities involved in this decision that any body who is dead sure (prochoice or prolife) is being naive! 

So, let us say parents figure out the child has a disability - severe form of autism - What should the parents do? Is abortion in that situation wrong? The reason they are doing it (if they decided to do it) woulbe be because it is immensely hard to take care of the child and it comes at a cost to other children the parents already have or might have. So, it is far from a simple decison that a person who has no stake in raising the kids can make. So, I believe that the parents should be able to decide - not the government. if you are pro-life good for you - but dont make pro-chocie people as "evil". There is something fishy when you start calling your opponents evil.

Can't disagree with Debt on this one

"A loss of face in the Himalayas - Livemint" http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/X0ReTDp02N2tOQAk4L59II/A-loss-of-face-in-the-Himalayas.html?utm_source=feedly

What the hell is wrong with him?

A truly ridiculous article here

I can't believe how bad this is!

A sensible piece on Bangladesh issue

"In defence of sweat shops - Livemint" http://www.livemint.com/Page/Id/2.0.1815236106

Can't agree more

"Paul Krugman’s proud war on fools, knaves and lunatics - Livemint" http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/PWcAAAvJDHCD8s3RvjqQTN/Paul-Krugmans-proud-war-on-fools-knaves-and-lunatics.html

Easier said... Tough to implement!

"Why the Delhi protests failed to stop rapes in India" http://feedly.com/k/17xIIgC

I only partially agree with the piece

"Rebuilding the map of economics" http://feedly.com/k/17xGduy

The above logic is often put forward by people who are incapable of doing Math. Somehow it is lost on these simple souls that you can take a holistic look and still apply good Mathematical models.

But well people like me are in a minority.

Can't argue with the logic!

"Mint View | Manmohan Singh: Mr Teflon no more - Livemint" http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/HGc7Cblsjzamev7wN2aMVL/Mint-View--Manmohan-Singh-Mr-Teflon-no-more.html

What more can you do?

Somedays it is very hard to answer this. Really hard!

I think

The piece below gets it right on Modi.

"Narendra Modi: right time, right
place - Livemint" http://www.livemint.com/Page/Id/2.0.1751589411

Please leave the sleuthing to the Pros

"How Sunil Tripathi became a victim - Livemint" http://feedly.com/k/15ILnpE

One of the downside of social networking sites - every tom dick and harry feels that they are in a detective video game. Unfortunately mistakes in the real world have ramifications. Well these people do not care for such trivial things like truth/verification!

A must reaffirming

"Discordant note" http://feedly.com/k/17Sycid

Based on doing nothing Rahul Gandhi is good... Wow what great argument!

Interesting discussion of the

Repercussions of the jet deal.
"Jet-Etihad deal and the national interest" http://feedly.com/k/17SvV6K

As usual Aakar Patel churn out drivel

"Why Rahul Gandhi has understood the chaos of India - Livemint" http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/VRs24j7y6rM9fnJOH2PjuN/Why-Rahul-Gandhi-has-understood-the-chaos-of-India.html

Nice one

"DANCING DIVORCEE: Flower power - Livemint" http://feedly.com/k/Yp46mI

Kudos to Bengal

For electing madam. Do read the piece below.
"Delhi not a safe place, says
Mamata Banerjee - Livemint" http://feedly.com/k/14XhG3n

Another Indian neighbour

In the brink of a disaster. I hope the fundamentalist movement is thwarted. 

More here.

"Bangladesh’s medieval urge - Livemint" http://feedly.com/k/10SlopP

More on Thatcher

"Margaret Thatcher: the leader who wouldn’t turn - Livemint" http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/5DSVIqXrHZyN6gwksSat8K/Margaret-Thatcher-the-leader-who-wouldnt-turn.html

The hypocrisy of it all..

"The schizophrenia around Narendra Modi - Livemint" http://www.livemint.com/Page/Id/2.0.1565790743

Sympathy raises some really valid points. But what he misses is the lack of consistency. I would have loved to see these people harp about the Sikh riots as much as they do about godhra riots.

In my personal opinion I do agree that Modi should admit the fault of his administration in responding to the riots that followed the train carnage (remember that). As a CM he failed in his role. Even if you give him the benefit of doubt his inability to acknowledge his failure is wrong. In my eyes, that is a blackmark that should disqualify him from being the PM.

Of course the irony is.. India has past PMs just because they were born in a particular family. Compared to that Modi becoming a PM is less of a travesty. At least, the guy worked hard to get there (even if the path was wrong). Nobody gave it to him because he was born. I personally value a struggle to make it big.. It is for the people to foil it if his struggle is not worth it.

Anyway...

Problems with irrigation and drought in Maharashtra

"Maharashtra’s manmade drought - Livemint" http://feedly.com/k/YfguWd

Free Markets and the iron lady's role

"Margaret Thatcher | The lady who defied all odds - Livemint" http://feedly.com/k/YffukX

Business as usual.

"Analytical lion, prescriptive lamb - Livemint" http://feedly.com/k/14XDgoM
Another speech by the PM that clearly highlights that he does see the problem but has no gumption to act - well we are used to this aren't we.

Interesting piece on the supreme court decision

"Patently unfair? - Livemint" http://feedly.com/k/14XCWpQ

The decision is not as simple as some activists would like you to believe. I don't know enough nitty  gritties to take sides bit see reason on both sides.

More fun on Gandhi's speech

"Hello Sir" http://feedly.com/k/16FJ6ZQ

TGS nails it

"RG at CII" http://feedly.com/k/16wBerI

Good one..

As usual Mr. Gandhi spew some meaningless jargon
"The Rahul paradox - Livemint" http://feedly.com/k/ZedPOd

Interesting times ahead

"The elevation of Narendra Modi" http://feedly.com/k/XVZekf

Do read this

"Surjit Bhalla on Sonia"
http://feedly.com/k/XVYH1Q

Well

The Sanjay Dutt Saga [feedly]

I agree with the piece in that .. Everybody should be treated the same.

The hypocrisy of it all summed up in one sentence

"When I was in the military, they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one."

Full article here

Every Indian should read this

Winning the intellectual battle for economic liberalization http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/hjUdBaLNgjwdQiqpdUp7bO/Winning-the-intellectual-battle-for-economic-liberalization.html

Why we need to bring true liberalisation in India. Truly well written.

Guha gets it so right here

on Sehwag

Wonderful prose. I wish I could write my papers like that!

An excerpt 

As the taxi entered the driveway of my hotel, I decided I must (as fathers tend to) have the last word. "The two people I feel most sorry for today," I said to my son, "are TG Vaidyanathan and yourself." Why, he asked, allowing me to express, in my own voice, the words he knew were coming. I did. "TGV did not watch Virender Sehwag bat. And you did not watch BS Chandrasekhar bowl."

Well I missed Chandrasekhar's bowling too, but at least I saw Sehwag bat to my hearts content!

A must read piece on Modi

The Idea of Modi http://realitycheck.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/the-idea-of-modi/

Unbelievable day

Still cant believe it. I am scared its a dream!

Please read this

Before you decide to vote.

New Delhi should take the blame for high food prices

Can't argue with that.

The Italian job

Well, we have to endure such appalling mistakes

Inflation treadmill

What bothers me is we are undertaking these blunders under a PhD economist

Perfect piece!

on how creating more legislation to enhance government efficiency will fail here

When economics deems public services to be inefficient, legislative measures to redress such inefficiencies become redundant. Yet, what does not seem to decrease is public support for such wasteful legislative actions. The futile chase for an “effective” Lokpal to curb corruption is another example. In that case, too, the votaries of a “strong” Bill ignored these realities. The reason could be both the economic irrelevance and economic ignorance of voters in the political market.

In the democratic political market, the value of an individual’s vote amongst a million others is essentially infinitesimal. What this entails is voters possessing very little incentive to get educated on public policy to shape government action in a positive manner. But some argue that political competition would steer economies towards sounder public policy.

I love the sentence about voters not having the incetive to get educated on public policy - that is so true!

I am not surprised

A Bill that won’t work

The last line of the piece says it all - a law created to win votes.

Harsha gets it right

in his piece here

Age tends to dull ambition. A weary body rebels against being driven again. "The Eye of the Tiger" sounds good in the movies. But if he can summon the desire, there might still be some magic left. I'd love it to be so.

Could not have said it any better. One can hope!

The hypocrisy of the article is quite funny

David Brooks on "Brutality Escapades"

The article is on how the mighty in your surroundings get to set the norm which are what most people abhor but still follow. Now all this is fine, My problem with his piece is this.

Americans and Europeans tend to think it is self-defeating to engage in cyberattacks on private companies in a foreign country. You may learn something, but you destroy the trust that lubricates free exchange. Pretty soon your trade dries up because nobody wants to do business with a pirate. Investors go off in search of more transparent partners.

But China’s cybermercantilists regard deceit as a natural tool of warfare. Cyberattacks make perfect sense. Your competitors have worked hard to acquire intellectual property. Your system is more closed so innovation is not your competitive advantage. It is quicker and cheaper to steal. They will hate you for it, but who cares? They were going to hate you anyway. C’est la guerre.

 

Now this is ridiculous - US was the first country that adopted any form of defeating your enemy - remmeber the CIA and its intervention mechanisms. Now that Chinese have figured out way authors like Brooks start critiscizing them as if the US and the west ahs always been a Saint. Remember English ruling all over the wolrd and plundering money David?

anyway.. 

 

A rebuttal on aakar patel's piece

Damned lies and statistics

How Mr. Patel became a journalist is beyond me. To claim Indians are as safe as Americans in terms of terrorist violence is just laughable.

Anyway...

Debate on minimum wage

Minimum human wages

Well articulated

On Shinde’s Hindu Terror Remarks

Quite cool

Large, prime and beautiful

Yeh!

My single author paper is in!

Shoddy to say the least

Narendra Modi in Delhi

I was eagerly waiting for this piece from Salil Tripati.

Salil's criticism of the speech is its lack of originality. Seriously dude! have you ever heard an Indian politician present a vision for India. And here is guy who made the attempt and you criticize him.

The behavior of some ABVP students was pretty bad. But Modi could not have coordinated or controlled that.

Anyway, it all boils down to this. Salil cannot believe that a reasonable share of the Indian population is considering Modi ad a possible candidate. That just kills him - something that you see in people like Bill O Reilly in US. These people are very smart and provide very good analysis as long as it fits their narrative. However once it slips out of the narrative they come up with ridiculous critiques.

I am not a fan of Modi. But i did like his speech. It was bold and first instance of an Indian politician admitting we want a smaller but efficient government. That is belief too. But i still am concerned about Modi. His is a cult approach. He never gave credit to anybody else for anything. That bothers me.

Let us see how things pan out in the next elections.

Fabulous piece

Gandhi vs Lincoln
If only the secular elites who love MK Gandhi can read this.

Trained to kill

Navy SEAL who killed bin Laden breaks his silence
But untrained to survive a normal life. I mean you would think its the other way. There should be pension for these folks. I mean common. The guy who killed Laden is scared to make ends meet. Doesn't sound fair to me.

Another one

An open letter to Narendra Modi

A very good article

No Balls, No Freedom?
On the issue of free speech in India.

Another article

Indian media houses have started warming up to the national prominence of Modi by putting up pieces that criticize his claims. No problems there.

Another piece here!

I only wish the media houses did the same with Rahul Gandhi's achevement claims. Oh sorry, I forgot he has done nothing to even claim. There seems to be a bias against Modi - well he is that kind of a guy - but throuigh vetting of everybody needs to be the principles behind journalism not your intrinsic biases!

Ramachandra Guha chimes in

on Modi here.

He claims Modi becoming the PM is bad because of his authoritative nature. He compares him To Indira Gandhi who stifled any opposition in the country and party. This might be true. In his speech at SRCC, he talked about HIM only HIM. It was impressive and motivational for sure. However, it still felt that He was the one who did it all. I am not saying that his approach might not work for India. I am worried if does not listen to other people, in a diverse country like ours it will be very hard.

Now, comapre him to Rahul Gandhi who gave an "emotional" speech after being "elected" as the Congress Vice-President. It was a speech full of instructions on how power is poison and corrupts people. Here is a leader who comes from a party that  has ruled India for 90% of the time since indepdence. Now, he claims power corrupts. Simple hilarious. His solution more governement. Government will solve you problems just like they did in the last 8 years. Basically, whether you see it or not, Rahul Gandhi will continue the status quo. I would rather have an authoritarian (not dictator, because we still have elections) man with vision at the head of the government then a "directionless" status-quo head. But, of course, we are getting ahead of ourselves here. There is the small matter of elections!

 

I don't know if anybody is listening

The great Indian toilet scam and the fiscal crisis

A fair article

Narendra Modi’s motivational message
So has he arrived?

She writes well

DANCING DIVORCEE : May I have a divorce please?
Really well

Idiots abound

Now Tagadia responds to Owaisi.

Are you

Urdunama: Tehrik-e-Kashmir
Freaking kidding me. Unbelievable!

So true!

Finally, there is a visible communal polarization happening across the country. Unlike in the 1980s and 1990s, it is not being inspired by Hindutva ideological forces. Instead, the pressure is coming from an upsurge of fringe Muslim groups, which in a bid to unseat the moderate elements are playing a radical Islam card. Recent events relating to Akbaruddin Owaisi and fringe groups in Tamil Nadu bear this out. Overt attempts by political parties such as the Samajwadi Party and the Congress to pacify these groups through policy interventions has only further reinforced the polarization; once again, these interventions have created, at least in the minds of some Hindu voters, the feeling that they are being persecuted. Modi’s visible Hindutva credentials only make him the perfect candidate to tap such sentiment.

full piece here

This is

truly obnoxious behavior on the part of BCCI

Cant they see that some form of technology can be employed to avoid errors in the game!

Can't argue with the logic here

Tax-fuelled utopianism

Why scientists are done after 30

A limit to collapse?
Cool piece.
Humility might help slowing the decay.

Tripathi

Scissors and scared scholars

Is right. The more you fan the flames the more people are likely to be offended.

Shocking

HEADLEY--RANA: COVER-UP OF AN ICEBERG

Read bullets 8 and 9. Simply disgusting!

Hilarious piece

I sleep on Rahul’s charpoy. I am safe
By Deb. Simply awesome.

In the vicinity of -30F

Well, temperatures here are wavering between -15 and -35F for 3 days. I had to go in all 3 days. It is cold - i mean really cold. I feel hair in my nose freeze. I have never even worried much about many body parts freezing. Now i know what people talk about.

Any sensible person

Congratulations Sir
Should think exactly this way about Mr. Gandhi (the new prince). greatbong nails it!

This article is an utter disgrace to journalism

The DNA staff's piece here

No doubt, the way BJP selected their President was poor; but at least there were multiple candidates that could have become the president. The congress on the other hand you need to be the son/daughter or grandson/granddaughter of the Gandhis. How is this even remotely same? Yes, RSS anointed the candidate - but that is not the same as a Gandhi taking leadership by birth. There is a zillion times magnitudes of difference. It is journalists like this that accord credibility to what Congress does by comparing to what BJP does. This is how the so called secualrists support their logic of supporting the Congress party. Unfortunatley most people in India see it that way. Until the magintudes of difference in how Congress and BJP operate is recognized people will never realize how ridiculous it is that a family has ruled the countryf or 80% of the time after indepdence. How can you even call that democracy! Now to compare a party that has selected a president through unanimous choice (Yaswant Sinha and Jethmaline (young) were contesting only Gadkari - once Gadkari was out they were no longer in the fray) with a party that has continuously chosen Gandhi/Nehru family member as President for nealy 50 years is true blasphemy and most importantly untrue! 

Who are we kidding?

The lonely superpower

We are sleeping for the last 9 years and the next year we will see politicians bend over backwards to make it appear that Pakistan is not the problem - Hindus are! Good luck India.

All the pseudo seculars

SHINDE;PREJUDICED & PARTISAN STEWARDSHIP OF MHA

Out there. Please realize the mistake of supporting the congress before it is too late. I am no fan of the functioning of BJP/RSS but to label the entire organizations as terrorists and the biggest threat we face is outright ridiculous. This coming from the home minister of India - in the light of recent skirmishes at the LOC is unfortunate.

Salil tripathi writes a muddled

The vibrant Gujarat myth

Piece on Modi. The piece reflects his antagonism to Modi rather than basing itself on facts. Weird, how smart get affected by their personal opinions. Nothing wrong with hating Modi. But i would rather have it stated upfront than using illogical pieces to make it appear as if s/he is bad without facts.

Heard of the origins of the gay movement in the US

Jeanne Manford a woman who was the co-founder of PFLAG passed away recently. Her story is one of courgae and love! Makes you feel happy such people do leave on this planet!

More on her here

If only UPA government is sensible

Another quick fix tax solution

To listen to this.

Food for thought

Fruits of a regressive culture

Deb makes good points on how we glorified sexual harassing in our epics. The current apathy and idiocy has roots in our own culture. Why point fingers at the west where women are treated with more respect.

Really good sensible piece

Indifference to crimes against women

On how things have to change in India.

Well

Timorousness with Pakistan
If only such common sense prevailed among the corridors of power.

Sehwag

The twilight of Virender Sehwag?

His form over the last two years has been terrible. So its hard to suggest his axing was wrong. But one does miss his free spirit.

Who will protest against this?

While Nirbhaya's brutal gang-rape horrified the nation, the events that followed the crime revealed shocking callousness on the part of both citizens and the police.

Full article here

Change has to come from within

I hope every person reads this.

I feel embarassed reading this. It hurts to realize that I am part of such a regressive society. Police take their time to do their duty. People are scared to help. As the victim claims lighting candles and protesting is of no use when we are so morraly corrupt. I really hope the anger and disgust at the crime changes the younger generation to be more responsible human beings. as a society we cannot elimnate all jerks and animals. However, we still can be a better society that helps people in need and perform their duties. Until that day comes we can only long for it! The only way to honour her suffering worth it is to ensure no other human being has to endure such inhumane treatment. Again I feel stupid saying something can make her suffering worth it. Nothing can and nothing will. It is disgusting and I pray that no other person has to go through this!

2012

Well another year, another annual roundup. This one will be short!

On the personal front there have been multiple milestones. The year marked an improvement in my long-distance relationship. We have altered our arrangment so that we are together at least 50% of the time with one another. This is a remarkably better arrangment than the past. The year marked the completion of one year. This year also marks the beginning of a home for us. We started buying furniture, TV and little things to set up our home. it was hectic but fun. 

In october, my sister gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. I still cant believe it. I am still waiitng to hold the id in my own hands. Another friend of mine also had a baby boy in December. Well, as promised in my last year post, we are moving into the kids phase from the parents phase!

A good friend of mine tied the knot. Well, he had three ceremonies and I was present for 2 of them and had a great time!

Travel this year has been hectic as usual bewteen Austin and Montreal. In addition, there was a trip to India, Wasgington DC, Maine (Bailey Island, Portland with friends), Sodu bay (with family), Tremblant (near Montreal), houston and Pittsburgh.

Added Monk, Friends to my sitcom repertoire. Started watching Sherlock!

On the social front, I have offcially entered the no time realm. I find it very hard to keep in touch with all the travelling (me or my wife) abd work commitments. I dont know if this is a phase or if it is going to be the future. But well, i will wait and see!

On the professional front, things have been mostly lousy! Well, the relationship fell apart. I worked hard to submit the paper and well, things went downhill because of some parallel work I undertook. There is only so much I can do! Then on the funding front I did not have much luck! Mostly unsuccesful grant applications tend to get you down for a reasonable amount of time. In terms of papers, it has been a decent year. I got my first papers without my advisor in this year. That is comforting to get some papers. TRB season was queite hectic and stressful. I will try not work so hard next july. Lets see!

Also, I found myself getting caught up in weird "professional" situations that pushed me to the limits. I would not want be part of such issues, but given how life works out I have to face some uncomfortable people and scenarios. I hope that thse will reduce with time!

Teaching went fine. I found myself having less time for my undergraduate classes compared to last year. But, the semester felt more stressful. I am actively working with multiple grad and undergrad students. The handling of students is another talent I am yet to master!

In cricket, Dravid and Laxman retired from tests, tendulkar from onedays. they will be missed. 

In Tennis, Federer has had a decent year, winning Wimbledon, silver in olympics, wrapping up the highest number of weeks at 1 record. All is good for the GOAT. 

As is evident, it has been a dull year!Hoping to spend more time in Montreal in 2013!

Quite an interesting tidbit

See this quote from Sharda Ugra's piece

It lasted all of a few, fleeting minutes, in Jaipur. This was the match before the Gwalior 200 not out, the first of three 2010 ODIs against South Africa, who needed seven to win with two balls left. On the penultimate ball, Charl Langeveldt pulled one that travelled at speed past short fine leg. Tendulkar, on the boundary, ran full tilt towards the ball and flung himself, diving and sliding along the ground like he was 16, to get his hands on the ball. The batsmen had taken three and Tendulkar saved a single. India won that match by one run.

This is what astonishes me about the man. May be he froze himself at that age of 16!

Welcome to 2013

Happy New Year to one and all. I hope the new year will bring more joy and happiness to everyone!