Meager Expectations & Unmet Potential: India’s Malaise

Not a day goes by without the newspapers hailing some Indian achievement. In the eyes of the media India is already a great power. And nowhere is this self-congratulation more evident than in discussions of Delhi’s infrastructure improvements and promises of an emerging ‘World City’.
Yet, Delhi is still very far from being anything world-class and [...]

The Land of (Political) Liberty - India

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal
So said the US Declaration of Independence. It may well have added…
Unless, of course, they are born outside the US. Then they cannot be President.

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From Delhi to Chennai - Are There Two Indias?

I was in Chennai this past weekend (made a new friend -see photo) and am convinced that there are two Indias - at least.
The story of two Indias is not new and best characterized by the rise of Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Chennai as the new centers of economic power. The centers of academic and [...]

Should Homosexuals Marry?

I returned today from a weekend in Paris to find this interesting question in my inbox, by way of Desicritics. The ensuing discussion on our mailing list, that consitutes the author’s circle, was both colorful and personal.
This question has been posed with increasing urgency in the United States, where socially liberal states and cities have [...]

A Tale of Two Countries - America and India

Newsweek’s old assertion that emerging India shares much in common with America is spot on.
Late last week the New York Times reported of a growing trend of American’s coming to India to work. This, following a report of a growing local talent shortage (Skills Gap Hurts Technology Boom in India). And it is not only [...]

Questioning Islam

Muslims the world over seem to have a short fuse. If it isn’t cartoons or Vande Mataram, the Pope offends them.
While each of these cases are very different in origin, the outcome has been similar. The Danish newspaper retracted the cartoons and issued an apology. Even European governments lined up to apologize. In India, the [...]

India’s Higher Education Policy - New Rules

The Hindustan Times is carrying a print article today (14 Sept, 2006) on plans to invigorate the higher education system.
Centre plans new ‘ground rules’ for higher education
The Union commerce ministry wants to change the ground rules in the higher education sector through a liberal “playing field” for the private sector, including foreign education providers (FEPs).
In [...]

No Rickshaws in Chandni Chowk?

The High Court, which I thought was fairly level-headed, recently asked the MCD to ban cycle rickshaw’s in Chandni Chowk. Perhaps it was temporary insanity that prompted this decision.
For those that do not know it, Chandni Chowk is one of the oldest and busiest markets in India. In the neighborhood of Old Delhi, it is [...]