Sunday, November 24, 2013

What policy makers ought to have known!

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

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

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!

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

I agree... It is uncanny..

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

Saturday, November 09, 2013

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

Wednesday, November 06, 2013

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 ..