Hopefully a future regular

http://cricketwithballs.com/2014/12/28/eyes-wide-rahane

Such idiocy!

http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/9bPcjodNrxhX8bZaj7q2wK/An-introduction-to-the-Gujarati-man.html

Nice article

http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/h1HOB1skosqYXHdCj9lufO/The-rebels-of-Tamil-cinema.html

Let us hope its for the good

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/FbheXsuXJ9XTlBYJXn6LUN/2014-the-year-in-review--The-power-of-282.html

Well put sir! We are still waiting to judge

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/7uds4pLPNfecgFPOwXZEXN/2014-the-year-in-review-Indias-Modi-Modis-india.html

Can't agree more!

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/jEOcEJ0jpWhk9eBy64Ga0K/Narendra-Modi-must-control-irresponsible-MPs.html

Nice post on Philip Hughes

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/yPPe/~3/eY5bgg7KzzU/

Well put

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/lxUqXPK03DvTt3TFfaJ4cO/The-stupidity-of-pushing-Sanskrit.html

Good article

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/Bh1IgkO7ji6Gcmz6qVjLPN/Capitalism-or-crony-capitalism-Adani-Modi-GVK-and-the-Ga.html

Good piece

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/TmFTjx9E48JMtNFgHWZgAL/Did-Kidambi-Srikanth-and-Saina-Nehwal-achieve-an-Indian-vict.html

Awesome to put it mildly

http://www.livemint.com/Consumer/LOB84ObaG29Aa7l3EzIbAM/Saina-Nehwal-and-Kidambi-Srikanth-win-China-Open-finals.html

Hope and joy

Hopefully it works out fine.

Have to agree

http://www.livemint.com/Consumer/xF7qt01X2j9jrkV7uo7D4O/Why-Rohit-Sharmas-264-is-not-really-good-news-for-cricket.html

Interesting to say the least

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/5TIa5p49gjUzHhxsACSOnJ/Compulsory-voting-Will-India-follow-the-Gujarat-example.html

Excellent piece on the false idea of representation

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/Nn3z9upwFXrJrljyFVd0mN/The-divisive-quest-for-political-diversity.html

Sania Mirza - Remarkable achievements

http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/n4XYGvjz60uZEplkRglyGL/Sania-Mirza--Diary-of-a-great-year.html

The problem with Indian Secularism

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/nMZcO7SXgVTV2HKGZf7RwI/The-trail-of-terror-in-West-Bengal.html

Funny!

http://greatbong.net/2014/10/23/a-few-author-stories

Can't agree more!

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/nEtYWLsa6HtEixj5TI5QfL/Narendra-Modi-burnishes-economic-credentials-with-reform-bli.html

Interesting take...

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/BbC2rW52EVTNtjnN4S6QqM/India-working-its-magic-on-Narendra-Modi.html

Nice piece

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/l50sRlpqNXTGWCoJar1FLJ/End-of-a-political-supercycle.html

I hope unlike others Babu from AP will be able to adapt.

Can't agree more!

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/nqkSuvLsUKbFEqhIyjy2fK/The-welcome-death-of-memorials.html

Well

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/Lq74TA4fu7inl2cBvZ9KQM/Malala-Yousafzai-Kailash-Satyarthi-and-the-four-Nobel-trut.html

I sympathize with the author on Malala's award. She is definitely brave and all - but she is 17 and I am sure we could have waited a few more years.

Satyarthi on the other hand has slaved his life for children - a deserving award - if not for anything but publicity.

Could be useful

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/v8NfyIitkanFzGr8Jyw63K/At-work-finally.html

Seems like a good plan

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/PCAb2ws66itgsQbG6rF7NP/Modi-said-to-give-Raghuram-Rajan-veto-power-to-meet-Indias.html

This does not augur well!

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/BTSoNFfBZciuj1ng7S2DsM/Arvind-Subramanian-unlikely-to-be-India-chief-economic-advis.html

Well put

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/Fnbig641yZ32WolplqDt3N/India-and-the-US-a-predictable-script.html

He knows how to make a wave!

Modi writing in the Wall Street Journal here

I did not such Indian libertarians existed!

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/DAunpKTzZxDgQMd2auowrL/The-liberal-moral-police.html

I hope they dont figure this out!

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/95uycdH6iOhYmNAgpTtmWK/100-days-of-the-Opposition.html

A good progress report if Modi government

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/dVIeFpcLHYkEYY8L4MbsHP/Why-this-is-a-good-government.html

More discussion on the Dhan Yojana Scheme

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/BDYvDKqU8rb21doDZx9s5K/The-first-step-towards-welfare-reform.html

Let us see how this plays out

Nice piece on the recent bank account scheme!

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/rEMilAcp1zG5CpV1AUWpPP/Great-Indian-financial-inclusion-circus.html

Nice piece

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/XYFZ8rCgw65w5K9zQyM32J/The-greedy-political-entrepreneurs-of-India-and-Pakistan.html

As always Deb nails it

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/53GM3f1E4E51tZZPy90uqI/Lets-face-some-hard-truths-about-Pakistan.html

Nice piece

Thttp://www.livemint.com/Opinion/DiHHbCmCcR1fYrPTk21M5J/Peace-with-Pakistan-and-other-related-myths.html

Gayatri Chandarasekaran has been doing a great job on foreign policy issues!

Excellent articles on Indian Travails in England

by Monga here

I think its time for Dhoni/Fletcher to step aside - not just purely because he is a poor captain; but you need to find somebody who can give the team a fresh impetus. There is the right ingredients for a good team and if the captain cannot coax it out of the team we need to look for a change. More importantly - the excuse that we had a weak retiring set of players does not work now and the team culture is really poor! May be a new combination will change things around.

Another one by Kalra here. Can't disagree!

As usual an idiotic one sided piece

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/xhpkUXAKEjOQ4fl0xtRefN/Beyond-the-waving-of-flags.html

Awesome!

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/76RVvYHNx7neqcW1gEmCNN/Indianorigin-mathematician-Manjul-Bhargava-awarded-Fields-M.html

Read this one for sure

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/To0mHKInhYcYgqBJltoHfJ/Manish-Sabharwal--Making-India-jobfriendly.html

Harsh Mandar (former NAC) wrote a crap article on why we should not reform labor laws. This is a rebuttal piece and a good one. Just look at the numbers. They tell the story.

240 million people in India produce same amount of food as 4 million in US. If that does not tell you something is wrong nothing ever will.

Sounds great!

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/lP38BmsQE4btyhhHFkSv1K/Is-Rajasthan-the-next-Gujarat.html

As usual.. Crap from former NAC members

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/7ubbAhx2Q8HIsWDg1KrNII/Harsh-Mander--Labour-reforms-of-the-wrong-kind.html

Such a cruel game

http://cricketwithballs.com/2014/07/30/the-woeful-world-of-pankaj-singh

It will be really sad if Pankaj does not get another game. I really hope he does!

Three years and counting

Time flies so fast - it has been 3 years already. Fun times!

There is hope after all

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/VH5XqwOYWfTAh2EVbywE4K/NDA-revisits-the-subsidies-debate.html

A serious solution to the problem

http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/RXGnv5jMGHA8Gxo1QYTTrI/Rape-what-we-dont-know-about-it.html

Cool lessons from Seinfeld

nice piece by Monga here!

How much

One of those days where the question of how many more keeps coming up. Knowing that it doesn't matter at all does not help much. It takes immense effort to let go and live life as it comes. Hopefully it will be ok.

Wimbledon 2014 Final

A tough match! Federer fought hard and yet could not win. But it was great to see him have a sense of realization that he was doing his best! It felt like he realized he too is a mortal and will have to struggle now that he is close to 33. Life is funny that way!

Nice reason why capitalism usually is more preferable

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/hVpvZ1xZVfwWAV04rmfNnK/Rising-corporate-taxes-underline-importance-of-reforms.html

Wimbledon 2014

Well, haven't been following tennis as much as I would like to - but today followed a complete match (with all the shouting that comes with my way of watching tennis). Nick Kyrgios vs Nadal - it was a very good match and also more importantly provided me with the result I wanted. It might be the birth of a new star in Tennis - of course let us wait for 15 months to see how good he will be in the long run!

Excellent discussion on why we should privatize

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/NJucelZ9pOgHGJQP3OF6iL/Unshackling-the-three-behemoths.html

Promising idea

http://www.livemint.com/Industry/df7X2puHIVRl6QQiiLMgBK/NDA-readies-big-push-for-capital-goods.html

Interesting..

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/BxlMEegXOkRkBvvWklvSIO/NGO-An-epithet-in-three-letters.html

I agree with this sentiment

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/7ahxxCbklH0QuwE4dgBlVP/Andhra-tangle.html

For KCR to ask for a package is a joke. I mean seriously - you have nearly 60% of the GDP and great infrastructure - so why do you need a package?

Tennis

While I admire Rafa's great run at the French Open, I only care for one thing in Tennis. I want Roger Federer to have won more titles than Rafael Nadal when they finish. May be it is a mean spirited wish - but well, you can't be nice in everything.

There is a nice analysis on 538.com on the probability of the event (Nadal crossing Federer). It is interesting.

While I don't think statistics hold up in individual stories - it is insightful work.

Buttler Runout

Well, you must have seen Jos Buttler's run out in the one day match by Senanayake. I am not a big fan of the Sri Lankan team. They are more like an Australia team in their tactics - win at any cost attitude.  But I am with them on this one. Senanayake warned Jos Buttler twice in the previous over. With the starts that Buttler takes it is easy to convert easy 1s into 2s. The Sri Lankans noticed that in the previous match he was involved in 22 2's in the last 10 or so overs. So, they realized something was going on. Even at the point of the run-out - you can see Buttle at lest 2 feet away from the crease. He has no business being that far off. In terms if running that is 2 feet he will not have to run not to mention the momentum he has built. This is simply illegal and the bowling team is within their right to run out the batsman. To suggest the bowler is cheating is a joke! Buttler was cheating and deserved to be runout. In fact, he should be run out without a warning. The umpires all should stop asking the fielding captains about the upholding of the appeal. They should send the batsman on his way without any question.

Smriti Irani

I thought the criticism that was thrown out at Ms. Irani was warranted at some level. I mean after all for a HRD minister not to be a graduate is a bad deal. But when I saw her speak in the above video - I am surprised that so many press folks even complained. I mean she might not have a PhD, but she is excellent in articulating her views. I mean, these same folks have no qualms about Mr. Gandhi becoming a PM, but complain when Ms. Irani is made a HRD minister. It is fun to see the free Indian press at work!

Sad.. But true

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/9RIVSFXGmnzmqDCshgFQ1L/Uttar-Pradeshs-heart-of-darkness.html

No doubt he should be criticized for this

http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/Pk38P5IXz1rMbQwTLKDjvL/Whats-behind-Narendra-Modis-governance-slogan.html

Nice discussion on our esteemed past HRD ministers

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/PwVQxqfEWjPw8C2gzl1uHL/Smriti-Irani-as-HRD-minister-Why-not.html

Truly heart warming

Nice to read such stories of grit and determination working out!

Excellent post

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/zMOyxiYzBKrf7BpgAqgk2H/A-singularity-moment-in-Indian-politics.html

Well said.. It is either Modi's way or the highway

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/1tQDFWFOUh2u87SBHoRbZN/India-will-have-to-change-for-Narendra-Modi.html

Only time will tell how this will work.

Principles in Politics

Many educated well to do Indians keep posting facebook updates and blogposts asking for forgiving and supporting Arvind Kejriwal. I have no issue with that. May be he does deserve a second chance.

Some of these posts brought me to think about how much value do I place on non-corrupt ideal non-power hungry politicians. To put it simply not a rat's arse! Let me explain myself. I want non-corrupt political leaders - no doubt. But more than non-corrupt political leaders I want leaders who will work towards policies that will improve the lot of the common man. For example, consider AP from 1995-2004. Hyderabad was not a IT Hub or an educational powerhouse. Nara Chandrra Babu Naidu worked hard to make Hyderabad what it is now. He brought in IT companies that provide jobs to a huge population. I have family members who were reliant only on farming - their kids now earn a good living in Hyderabad because of the work he did. Now, was he non-corrupt - no way. He built an empire of his own (not to the scale of Jagan, but still). I see this as a consequence of  being in a poor developing country. Rich and powerful people will exploit the system and amass huge fortunes - the reason is simple they are in a situation to game the system. Now, so if you stick with principles alone NCB should never be allowed to be a CM. But, I prefer the current scenario where he gains something and does something for the real people. I am willing to forgive individuals who work for others and make money along the way. At no point am I blind to their failings but at the same time I am aware of how their work is making way for the poor people. Remember principles would not put food on their table. For all the well to do folks out there yes - i want India to be corrupt free but i rather have an India that is poverty free before. It is as simple as that. Dont give me idealistic scenarios that both are possible. They are not possible - because only when the size of the poor communities shrinks can we move towards a non-corrupt society.

Now, coming to the national scenario - BJP is no ideal party. There are a number of criminals and corrupt people there. But the alternative we have is Congress which ruled the country for majority of the time and made no reduction in poverty - because they believe in socialism (or to put it bluntly keeping Indians poor to win elections!). BJP, on the other hand, has policies that are directed at growth. See the period from 1998-2004 for evidence of market economics employed under BJP*. So, inspite of the corrupt people in BJP, I will support them because I know their policies implemented will help the poor in the country. Yes, they will make some individuals like Gadkari, or Adani or Ambani or others very rich. Fine by me - they would have gotten rich anyway - now at least we have a lot of poor people who benefit. Now this is a compromise I make everyday. I feel bad that this is the option I have to make. Principles or poverty removal. For me the choice though hard, is rational - I would rather have some people become very rich and others come out of poverty than stick to principles and keep everybody poor. For me it is not worth it. As simple as that.

*PV Narasimha Rao did do good things - but he is not the traditional Congress leader. So that credit cannot go to the Congress party.

Electoral Process

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/H4LgnbVebGL2vZULBBP3WM/Representation-every-time.html

The recently concluded elections have brought the issue of the election system into the discussion. While I don't completely agree with the first past the post system that we have in India - I have an issue with the timing of these articles. I did not see any of these authors complain in 2009.

Anyway, I feel a system whereby seats are allocated proportional to number of votes you win irrespective of whether you finis first or second is a useful system. For example, you could 543 seats being decided by who wins - but then have a set of seats (around 543 to be meaningful) that are allocated to various parties based on vote %s with a minimum  - may be 5-10% in the region the party contests. So this way a party like BSP with 4% vote share will end up with 25 seats in the proportion allocated seats. So this will ensure better representation of the electorate. More importantly voters can stop worrying about the value of their vote. Currently every vote to the losing candidate us a wasted vote - but in the proportional system you can still contribute to the party of your choice. The system is in place in Germany and has been around for sometime. If we apply this system to the current election - BJP will not get such a resounding majority. Of course, in a country like India it will keep throwing up coalition after coalition - so that is the downside to providing improved representation. But it is a process that needs to be discussed in public forums.

Good rebuttal to the crap being doled out

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/dNShxc6zqMvTGOcXilE4kO/Delhis-opiated-intellectuals.html

Seriously dude..

Utter hypocrisy from this man - portraying people who supported Modi as right wing RSS types.

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/hNdjVFTqfkl0nEd690YsDK/Mandate-2014-Triumph-of-the-spin.html

As long as such idiotic analyses are propagated it will get easier for Modi to consolidate his position.

Well put..

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/NZId23tgumr4zpyq6TzwPJ/Narendra-Modis-win-false-predictions-of-secularism.html

Another good piece

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5335290?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

I can't say it any better!

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IUB/~3/zkA-wc8orB8/

Interesting

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/DuPW6mKqICkk4QC1HYz8bI/Time-for-a-postdynastic-democracy.html

Election 2014 - thoughts on AAP

Well, now that the election results are out and the dust has settled it is time to talk about my thoughts on the newest entrant AAP.

I genuinely feel Indian democracy will be better with AAP. But, I just hope they can get their act together. While AAP "offers" transparent and honest government - they are way of the mark in their economic policies. In my opinion, in the next few days, they have a choice to make - establish themselves as a credible party by working hard in the MP seats they won (4 I think) and prove that they can translate their words into action. If they can set up this example of responsible behavior - they can become more mainstream. I think their decision to resign from Delhi came back to bite them. There is a difference between activism and governance. If you take up the reins of governance you will need to learn to compromise - not with ethics - but prioritize and identify things to change. You cannot change everything in one day - patience is essential. They can contribute to Indian democracy by being the torch bearers for cleaner politics. For this they will have to prune themselves in size and focus on clean candidate in select urban locations. They should have focused on 20 Lok Sabha seats instead of having 422 candidate - they lose credibility by taking such steps. While I never see myself agreeing with economic philosophies drawn from communist and left leaning intellectuals, they can provide a true Left of center party (as opposed to the current dynastic culture of congress). But they have to be patient and put in the hard work. If not, it will be one of those blimps on the Indian election spectrum that will die out in a short time.

The results are out

The results of the 2014 elections are out. As I was nervously awaiting the results I realized I was more nervous about Seemandhra results than India.

At the national level - as anybody who reads my blog would know - I supported BJP. Not because I see an all conquering party or leader but because they were the only non-congress option that was close on economic policy to my personal beliefs. Even before Modi was in the frame I wanted BJP to win. The results have exceeded my expectations - I was thinking NDA would get 300 in the best case (prob of 0.1). Now BJP alone is near that number. I am still worried about Modi - there is something about him that is unsettling. Of course, with all the uncertainity I still support BJP - I am a stringent opponent of welfare schemes that Congress and other center left parties espouse. One thing I feel is Modi deserves enormous credit for his hard work and his ambition - whether you agree with him or not - sheer determination to get what he wanted, on its own is admirable. I just hope that he will work for India as he promised. Congratulations and good wishes to the new PM of India.

At the state level, I was happy to see CB Naidu win - I think a new state needs a strong administration and I expect him to deliver.

Now is the more arduous time - people you thought were the candidates have won - you wait to see if they deliver. Hoping they would!

I hope Mr. Singh gets to read this article

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/tXrjOFiKHYLhrEcCW1grDO/No-orchids-for-Manmohan-Singh.html

Have to agree on this one

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/P4dG53Qr02t5HGTq6zBY1H/Voting-for-a-liberal-democracy.html

Power before people - No attention is given to Gagoi

Why are all the secular folks silent on a Muslim massacre? Is it because the CM is from a secular party? As long as i claim to be secular I don't have to take responsibility for riots - great!

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/fiuc2i9VWZOa2Yf4nOB91I/The-killing-fields-of-Assam-and-a-modern-day-Nero.html

People who are over joyed with potential Modi victory

Should read this.
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/9NIOOTsZCFWnuFX5OO9XNL/Narendra-Modi-The-making-of-the-political-leader.html

Finally I and Mr.Patel agree on something

http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/ZzIkwhbE3ijkGKNt9EU6FJ/Exit-polls-Why-Im-watching-Bihar.html

Well put

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/BLK88bBFDlUjCtN43d2ltI/Narendra-Modi-needs-to-upgrade-to-20.html

Fun as usual

http://greatbong.net/2014/05/08/fascism-is-coming

Such a sad state of affairs

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/72zDXx7mpzRVaJnx6eG3gM/Why-there-is-no-stopping-Boko-Haram.html

Over exaggerating as always

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/xXg2gAKusJIzQZBfMAb4xO/Finding-balance-in-Varanasi.html

Well put sir!

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/3ItJCpGwvB4ejtZdmPFWDK/Fearing-NaMo.html

Interesting piece

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/ZZxLifb1BaZpM04GdzOIRN/Economic-inequality-after-Thomas-Piketty.html

Excellent analysis

Of Picketty's book Capital. No wonder Paul Krugman loved it - It is so idealistically socialist it is bound to fall flat.

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/NNureRXe6iqRaWh2NXQudP/Book-Review--Capital-in-the-TwentyFirst-Century.html

Right on target

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/FFOa11Ff7exXSzZDKsXtOL/Why-the-Congress-campaign-is-doomed.html

Random thoughts

What is good enough? In academia I come across so many really smart folks. It makes you realize how minute you are in the large scheme of things (not that you dont realize it any other way). Some times it gets to you - trying to compete knowing very well there is no way you can compete. How do you handle the utter despondency of the effort? I mean there is no way you can start working on cool papers just because they are cool - not without background and effort; I mean real mind numbing and back breaking effort! What do you choose? Give up and do what you can or struggle and produce work that is really cutting edge. The former will ensure a steady stream of "good" quality papers - every paper making you feel even more littler with very low sense of achievement. On the other hand, if you go for the more risky option, you don't know where you will end up and what you will achieve - if successful you might write 2-3 path breaking papers in 5-6 years and you still feel little because there are folks who will publish 50 papers in the same time. Don't forget this is if you are successful - if not you have 5-6 years to show for nothing! I would love to look at my life as somebody who tried - but the effort to try is something that needs a lot of courage and grit. Only time will tell if you have it in you. My only aim when i put my feet up (nice way of saying retire/die) is to be happy that I gave it my all - mental and physical. It does not matter where I fall in the spectrum - all that matters is how you fall there. If only practicing this was as easy as writing it down!

What can we say about this!

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/vygfuPx2tBN0VHlzFXLxAN/The-many-failures-of-Manmohan-Singh.html

Oh lord! Here goes Patel again

http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/dLPCSc8BG725fx5dEB07uK/Whats-the-Gujarat-Model-and-whos-seen-it.html

Hypocrisy ?

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/hfqlLMbqDZYQIzcbJZJTDJ/A-moderate-BJP.html

I agree with the author that the sentence on Hindu refugees is probably intentional - But why omit other parties who make the same promises for Muslims? I have no problem highlighting the Hindu tilt on BJP's agenda. But to call it wrong and not to mention others guilty of the same offence is sheer hypocrisy! Of course, we in India are used to it. If somebody goes against our worldview S/He is communal. It is important to see that there are shades of communalism everywhere - and there in lies the choice (or lack of it) for the Indian voter.

Good one here on AAP

http://greatbong.net/2014/04/07/deconstructing-kejriwal-part-4/

Interesting while a little scary

I am a free market guy - with "some" govt support. But how somebody defines "some" will be crucial. What Congress has been doing is way more than "some". Let us see what happens in the future.

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/vcpbZEvFx439ZxhRDGgNLO/Advisers-to-Narendra-Modi-dream-of-a-Thatcherite-revolution.html

One more frivolous piece from A Patel

http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/NP7LlgqacegDU1PoTm3HKI/The-oneman-armys-forward-march.html

I am no great lover of Modi - but the sheer frustration on display from people like Patel because Modi might be the PM is so funny!

Excellent and rigorous piece!

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/3E1KMpZnD1wSpeykM6rHwJ/The-jobs-debate.html

Well.. Its crystal clear

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/971V4bXb9Un1V85lk88goM/Who-is-really-to-blame-for-growth-slowdown-and-inflation.html

Wonderful

Irrespective of what happens in the world title matchup - what Anand has achieved in the candidates tournament is quite inspirational.

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/XqupgzlngFthpk6ZC9fo4N/Viswanathan-Anand-The-King-isnt-surrendering-just-yet.html

Something for the new govt..

To ponder over carefully!
Aadhar can be very very useful.
http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/NV0Ykr21hoaJxTfyUXwBGK/Why-India-needs-Aadhaar.html

Interesting indeed

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/DKZyXxmqkUKrx0glE7xr8H/The-abstentions-have-it.html

Funny.. To put it mildly

http://tgs.nationalinterest.in/2014/03/28/tip-for-tripathi/

A fabulous piece on what is wrong with "secular" politics in India

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/NjnmAZDTjUMUyZjhETSzIL/Saving-secularism-from-the-secularists.html

A reasonable explanation

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/tNGfqkamTgMZ5lcj9kI7RJ/Indians-see-high-office-taming-Narendra-Modi.html

This is where AAP can lead the way

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/F5eVns8fvmQ6F55rGNGlWJ/AAP-expels-two-members-on-charges-of-corruption.html

A nice piece

Aimed at the people who are slightly uncomfortable with Modi and cannot stand Congress simultaneously (like me)
http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/bMiF7wsOgiAsAYQLbrOCuK/What-sort-of-modification-does-India-need.html

Putting things in perspective..

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/1BGPMaeKhNgwIRksMFhyFL/Is-Russia-starting-a-new-cold-war.html

Can't argue with the last sentence in the article

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/FRa7s1hIGxPtpwEhelOczN/How-different-are-the-2014-elections.html

I am not a great fan.. But his career is phenomenal

http://cricketwithballs.com/2014/03/06/4006-days-of-graeme-smith/

Well...

I feel bad that we lost to Pakistan - but this post makes it easier to laugh it off..

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/yPPe/~3/9cYh-UWQ95Q/

A game changer for reservation system in India?

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/quota-may-go-for-3rd-generation-scheduled-castes-income-ceilings-part-of-proposal-bjp/articleshow/31009886.cms

Let us wait and see if this materializes - but the idea is very appropriate!

Wow... Such a surprise statement from AK

http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/coverage/myindia-myvote/chunk-ht-ui-myindiamyvote-countdownto2014/communalism-worse-than-corruption-says-kejriwal/sp-article10-1187866.aspx

Can't argue with this conclusion

It is out of step with reality and harmful for the credibility of the world's most powerful cricketer for him to maintain silence. His name needs to be cleared, by him or by his bosses. They will not be in contempt of court if they do so but they could be in contempt of the public if they do not.

Full piece here.  

I am not surprised... All they seek is attention with deliberate lies

http://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/DihmGrUbDyyFsJL7LIn5mM/AAP-needs-to-get-it-facts-right-before-making-noise.html

Something to ponder over

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/LYQFmaUSoR4tGikWGCzqeO/Populist-authoritarians.html

So elegantly put..

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/pfK6pksMbV44vp3LbmUMXJ/A-liberal-Kejriwal.html

Can this be brought in?

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/dVix4R8Xq3bSeFh99WHWGJ/A-new-fiscal-architecture.html

What can we do.. It is done now

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/vID3qmr4ZhSWhSx8zLUPiN/Telangana-an-undemocratic-division.html

This might be good for BJP

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/bebBNeflUK3xo1frMztnZM/AAP-releases-first-list-of-candidates-for-Lok-Sabha-election.html

Seems like a nice lad

Ajinkya Rahane reaches his first test hundred! Read the piece here

He is that sort of man, the sort who will give you a hurt look if you politely turn down his offer of tea at his house, the sort who will apologise if he couldn't pick up your call. "So sorry, but I was out with family."...As representative was the muted celebration. He looked as if he felt he would antagonise the world if he displayed a shred more emotion than the low limit he had set. A few of his friends were watching from the wooden benches at the Basin, and they had set no such limits.
They wept openly, and happily. And for once, you could say with conviction that it couldn't have happened to a nicer man.

Arvind Kejriwal

So, the savior of Delhi has resigned. Why? Because his Jan Lokpal was not tabled in the assembly. Let us talk of the series of events that led to this.

AK wants to table a Jan Lokpal bill. The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi asks the Attorney General to review the bill - The AG (and two other experts) get back to the Governor that the bill violates the constitution. So, there will have to be some changes before the bill can be tabled in the Assembly. But, AK refuses to make any changes - if the bill is unconstitutional then the bill would be thrown out in the courts - so what is the point of bringing such as bill? Moreover, in Delhi bills of such nature need LG's approval - well I don't know if that is the best way to handle things - but that is the approved manner. Now, as a CM should you not follow rules? How can you not follow such simple protocols. So, he disagrees and brings the bill and the other MLA's ask him to follow procedure and they will support the bill; He refuses to do so. He resigns because his bill was not tabled.

Simply put it is cheating of the highest order - he knew there is no chance the bill will get passed, he knew that this is not about the bill - it was about him freeing himself from power so that he can campaign all over India. He wants to cash in on the "martyr" syndrome that Indians so easily fall for. Look for the intense campaigning in the next 3-4 months.

I will pose some simple questions to people who blindly support AAP

1. What is the hurry for AAP to move into the whole country - they have not been able to deliver anything in Delhi; why cant they have proved themselves for 5 years and started the national campaign?

2. How will they ensure that the members registering for their party are not corrupt? Most of the people registering now people not sure of getting a ticket in BJP/INC/or other parties - so where is the alternative government? They will not even have time to check on the backgrounds!

3. Why did AAP cancel electricity dues for 25k individuals in Delhi - what about the honest people? The idea that power discoms are colluding to increase prices is possible - but why the hurry in making the judgement? what is the rush (if not for the upcoming elections)? Run an audit and them see if there is a collusion and in that case return the money to consumers (all of them - not just people who attended your rallies).

4. If AAP cannot follow a simple procedure in the Delhi Assembly, how can you expect them to follow the myriad of procedures and tactics involved in foreign policy - Do you think, foreign policy and trade is based on a leader's emotional outburst?

Unfortunately, the truth is there are a number of smart individuals who are caught up in the ideal promised by AAP and are ignoring the "truth" behind AAP. It is time to wake up folks before its too late.

Simply put AAP winning any number of seats above 25 in the coming Lok Sabha election will be more detrimental to India than even UPA forming the government again at the centre. I just hope it does not come to that.

Seriously?... these supporters must be the greatest idiots of all time

AAP's resignation is farce! I hope people don't believe this is the true change they want!

Let us see how this pans out..

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/rizciNDfvoasROK3zgQHmL/An-anarchist-calls-it-a-day.html

Interesting take on the book withdrawl

by Penguin publishers here
it is possible that what Wendy Doniger and other such authors write is drivel - for example see this

Holi [is] the spring carnival, when members of all castes mingle and let down their hair, sprinkling one another with cascades of red powder and liquid, symbolic of the blood that was probably used in past centuries. (the now defunct Microsoft Encarta)Krishna goads human beings into all sorts of murderous and self-destructive behaviours such as war in order to relieve "mother Earth" of its burdensome human population. (A lecture in 2000 entiteld The Complicity of God in the Destruction of the Human Race) Rama had a fear of following his sex-addict father Dasharatha’s footsteps, which made him betray his own sexuality, which in turn made him abandon Sita. Ganesha’s large belly is a proof of the Hindu male's enormous appetite for oral sex. (Paul Courtright, in his book on Ganesha) 

I mean these are seriously ridiculous statements - that should not have been taken seriously. But by banning a book of this nature - you are allowing for the author to achieve notoriety - if the book was actually  in public domain people would recognize her/his lack of academic rigor and evaluate the book for what it actually is - drivel.

But, of course, I also see the authors point - the hue and cry that comes up when the right asks for a book ban is slightly understated when it comes to a ban of minority related books - not everybody but in general. Again, it is critical that there is a uniform application of law and everybody gets to voice their opinion (irrespective of whether it is useful/correct).

Well said ...

Full piece here

Excerpts

In the absence of a political ideology, however broadly defined, this is impossible to do. And what you get instead is a party that speaks in multiple tongues, and hopes to pass off political opportunism as pluralism and the resultant confusion as diversity.

A fun analysis

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/tBKiZQIIfPRAUEKnm0pgVN/Indian-executives-in-corner-rooms-a-math-story.html

Nice idea

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/DYWXolDqyFzIFF6p7s1ZjO/Telecom-auction-money-should-be-used-to-build-infrastructure.html

Wasted Opportunity

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/BDqu4xhDywL6n1cUXlpa5K/MGNREGA-A-decade-of-wasted-efforts.html

One can dream...

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/ZXQp9jwcxaqEnbPhzYK1VO/Fodder-for-government-cows.html

I want to disagree with Mr. Jagannathan

here. But, given the India in which Mr. Nadella would have grown up I would agree he might not have had the opportunity to rise as high as he did at Microsoft.

For individuals born after the 80s I do think the situation has improved - not to the same level as in the US or the west but things have improved. With the large number of private companies there are opportunities for hard working individuals. Also, there are success stories of friends doing well after going back from the US. The India of today is much different from the India of 80s and 90s - so the comparison might not be true now!

At least that is what I really hope - for obvious reasons!

Interesting analysis

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/h9Nxm7OihIuo52yVKjlo8J/Why-voters-are-angry.html

You must be joking..

http://suvojitchattopadhyay.wordpress.com/2014/02/04/the-missing-counterfactual-in-indian-politics/

Yes, we dont have any counter factual data. However, we have the impact of stupid policies. Policies that are different from what BJP is proposing which have led to the large current account deficit and inflation. Can't you see that. I mean personal bias is going to affect anybody's writing. But to put out such biased drivel is .wow. Unbelievable .

Going by the authors argument the sitting government however inefficient or corrupt is the better option because we don't know what the unknown is going to be. I mean common!

Open your eyes folks....

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/zE6EqeLrWogvUcJL05HrDK/Creating-a-blackout-in-three-easy-steps.html

It is very quickly

turning into a farce. Everything that goes against them is a conspiracy! Guys grow up. This is what traditional politicians like Mamata Banerjee and others talk - You are supposed to be the alternative; at least come up with something more smart!

Constructive comments for AAP

http://acorn.nationalinterest.in/2014/02/02/good-ideas-not-just-honest-people/

Hope this pans out well

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/1p2RqEKaZ5CBLXRVCaHTQI/Prithviraj-Chavan-inaugurates-Indias-first-monorail.html

Should everything be this hard

Struggling for everything - It is unbelievably tiresome!

BJP is getting it wrong

on FDI in retail.

Such meaningless prose...

http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/Zd7VBjwyKJy9QMQfSdFqUJ/The-spotlights-on-the-winner.html

Interesting piece of history...

http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/bO9Ma9Sb2g4aUvIUT29fCP/Why-we-love-to-hate-Tipu-Sultan.html

Not the right solution

scrapping long term infra-structure projects to support subsidies - remember how India got into this mess in the first place!

Nice piece...

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/FVyAd9UiwSJP8lT183vOkN/Stanislas-Wawrinka-From-aam-aadmi-pro-to-Grand-Slam-champ.html

As Indians do we have no shame at all

Everyday there is at least one story of a girl raped, assaulted and/or killed. India is a male dominated society - I get that, but what kind of dominance is hurting these poor women. It just establishes that we are a sick society. That's all!

This is such a sorry state of affairs.. it is not worth arguing about

Sambit Bal on the BCCI induced remake of ICC here. Some excerpts

That cricket needs a shake-up is beyond dispute. In drafting this document in stealth, and in assuming they are the fittest to rule and awarding themselves a major chunk of the projected earnings, the Big Three haven't shown themselves to be model leaders, but they may be owed a round of thanks if this draft paper stirs the entire cricket world into action.
However, I am not holding my breath. The cricket world has always been governed by self-interest and expedience. Compromise is easier than confrontation. South Africa are leading the resistance simply because they have been left out of the main table. It is improbable that they would have refused an invitation had it been extended. The voices that have railed against the proposal have nothing to lose. The boards will weigh their risks and cut their deals. The decision will perhaps be delayed and the draft tweaked in some ways.
But that will be that. A revolution is not at hand.

Australian Open

Well, well, well - Stanislas Wawrinka is the Australian Open Champion. When Federer lost the semi-finals (once more.. I know) to Rafael Nadal I assumed Rafa would win his 14th slam and reduce the gap. But I digress - the blog is about Wawrinka - a mere mortal who in his own opinion was never supposed to win a grand slam. He genuinely believed his role was to come play hard, compete and yet never win. I love that attitude - knowing and accepting your fate and yet fighting to your ultimate best. Some days when you least expect it you will be rewarded for your perseverance. Today I have heard somebody articulate what most individuals in this world are scared to admit. Your life, most of the time, has no difference; you will be forgotten in history of time; but you can still live, fight, struggle because you know what you do and that is its own reward.

Stanislas has a tattoo on his body (from here)

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail Better.” — Wawrinka’s tattoo.

More of his interview here

I wish I can emulate this in my life and my career. At least that is the struggle. Oh btw -- congratulations to the new grand slam champion and world no. 3 Stanislas Wawrinka (also the new top ranked Swiss player..). 

Have to agree with this view

as described by Anil Padmanabhan.

In the final analysis, it should be evident that Kejriwal is pursuing a deliberate strategy. The more he is cornered, especially a ganging-up by the organized political parties, the greater will be his appeal to his base and deeper the class conflict—and given the numerical superiority of the bottom of the pyramid, this is undoubtedly a challenge. Acknowledging his political acumen would be the first step for his opponents to derive the antidote for the new force of Indian politics. Mere hand-wringing and public rebukes of the AAP is living in denial and will achieve only the exact opposite outcome.

Arvind Kejriwal is playing clear politics in the name of "removing" politicking from the system. Until the major parties recognize this and handle him carefully Arvind's reputation among the poorer sections (who contribute to majority of the votes) will only be enhanced. At the end of the day Arvind Kejriwal entered into politics to come to power. Moreover, he is very astute in ensuring that happens. So, until the parties play their cards carefully 2014 elections will be a real messy - particularly for the BJP and Modi. There are three possibilities - a) AAP receives very few meaningful votes i.e. 10-15 seats all over the country, b) AAP reduces the Congress votes significantly assisting BJP in two competition seats and c) AAP gathers so many votes from the Congress and BJP groups that it wins a large number of seats (50-70) - becoming the king maker. Scenarios a and b are going to be ok for a stable govt at the center while scenario c will ensure a fractured mandate with a coalition government that will destroy already fragile economic situation in India.

Coming from Hindu... this is a big deal

Read an article here by Vidya Subrahmaniam

Excerpts

This was a fit case for the AAP to sit on a dharna over — but on behalf of the wronged women, not to protect the illegal act of detaining them by a minister too drunk with his own powers. The irony is difficult to miss. The incident reeks of the same ministerial arrogance and highhandedness that till now formed the core of the AAP’s clean-up campaign. The evidence was against the minister but the demand was for the removal of the police officer who insisted on due process. Even assuming there was sex trafficking, the women required being treated as victims and not as offenders.

What else do you expect

Here you have an appeal to a particular community. Why was there no letter for other communities. The wording that now AAP is the non-communal alternative? Seriously. So, AAP is the new congress except that they are more "honest"! This is really appalling - I mean if you stoop down to any level to get votes you have no right to call yourself a real "alternative". But well I might be an odd one, who expects a lot before calling something truly revolutionary - when it is not; I just hope AAP followers realize this before it is too late!

So true

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/pL6DFPSxx6uSaPYeghiquJ/The-insurgent-government-of-Delhi.html

A good read

http://tgs.nationalinterest.in/2014/01/22/media-watchdog/

Good advice

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/BBVkSO3XwJKgMmufQ1SuzH/India-Japan-and-a-broader-Asia.html

Sad

It is sad to hear somebody passed away. Even more so when they are young. It is hard to believe one of our batch mates has passed away. We are just in our 30s and already so many deaths for various reasons. I only hope they are in better places now. I mean these are individuals who are some of the brightest around with a life full of opportunities and in a second it all ends. It makes you wonder. 

So many flaws... Yet it is considered an alternative

http://tgs.nationalinterest.in/2014/01/19/the-meaning-of-a-a-p/

I am sorry but people are intellectually lazy to even think. This makes it hard to go for the best alternative. Seeing AAP .. Maharastra govt is cutting power prices. The irresponsible decisions of AAP have implications everywhere. I mean they are encouraging even more populist behavior.

What about the attack on African folks? Seriously! I am stunned that educated individuals are blind to the obvious and destructive flaws of AAP. Dont even get me started on their Dharna. Oh God - Have some mercy on India.

If Congress is reformist compared to you.. Its definitely a problem

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/HotVNqZjiuzj4ClfbB2hZM/AAPs-decision-on-FDI-in-retail-irresponsible-Anand-Sharma.html

Exactly

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/phNxEyVwOyiHSTqlrLA2qL/Baffling-changes.html

AAP and its future

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/t18yJzmaPbxpBq9MFBfpjN/AAPs-muddled-horizons.html

The lost decade alright!

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/pJn6VtNuSyLCIkQFwx5OqN/2004-to-2014Indias-lost-decade.html

Nice Move

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/nwBND0yZdTlT2YgXAS9miO/AAP-govt-launches-helpline-in-Delhi-to-cope-with-corruption.html

My point exactly...

http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/Zn6oW29Qx494wcCyObi5AL/On-AAP-and-subsidies.html

Well... its official

It sucks but that's life. 

Irrespective of whether you agree or not

Mukul Kesavan has a way with words. Really pleasant reading here.

Excerpts

Cheteshwar Pujara at 25, with an average in excess of 65 after 17 Test matches has them murmuring again about a second coming. After this brilliant series against the best fast bowling attack in the world (that too in foreign parts), these middle-aged murmurings are threatening to become a roar.

 

I dont expect people will learn

but there are at least some sensible people around like this writer

The roadway to hell is paved with the best of intentions and AAP is driving rapidly on that highway and I really hope people are not as blind to it this time as in the past. The idea of honesty in public service is laudable and is something that needs to be an important issue in governance. But the idea of subsidies and the way they are being handed out is purely wrong. The AAP is just replacing Congress's sole approach with another of their own.Well, one can only shout so many times! I am getting tired of the lack of intellectual honesty among AAP members and followers. I agree that there is idealism in the AAP crowd but idealism without a brain is nothing but a route to regressive politics! The idea of an efficient system is one where it does not require individuals to ensure progress - you just need the system to function well - the objective for that is get the state out of services it has business in - this and this alone will reduce corruption. Until Indians relaize this simple truth we are stuck with buffoons masquerading as intellectual leaders! 

Oh BTW ... Happy New Year to all.