My Blog

Democratic Despots

Aug 15, 2024

The title ‘Democratic Despot’ of an article can be a bit uncomfortable for us, especially on the 78th Independence Day of the largest democracy comprising 1.45 billion people.

Can a democratic country have a despot or a dictator as its leader? It seems like an oxymoron and an impossible situation.

What tempted me to write this article was while discussing the state of democracy in our neighbouring countries with whom we share strong similarities of physical appearance, language and culture; a dear friend of mine stated that in India things like military dictatorship and pogroms can never happen because our major religion and culture do not lend any legitimacy to such designs and our strong constitution, judiciary, laws would not allow it.

Vinesh Phogat and The Mules of the Rules

Aug 08, 2024

Vinesh Phogat.

Her comeback victory over Yui Susaki and Yusneylis Guzman Lopez on Tuesday propelled her into the final, igniting hopes of India’s first gold medal in wrestling. Vinesh made history by being the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal bout in the event on Tuesday night.

The nation was euphotic, but everything was shattered in 12 hours.

She was taken off the competition on technical grounds because her weight was 100 grams more than the cut-off weight of 50 Kg in the category she was competing in. She could not take it anymore and declared her retirement from the sport she gave her life to and in a heart-wrenching note on her X handle she posted “Wrestling wrestled a defeat out of me, forgive me maa for not being able to fulfil your dream, I am left with no energy to fight any more.”

Old Rajinder Nagars and many more

Jul 31, 2024

“Safety is when a child sleeps in the back seat of a car with his parents at the wheels.”

After a full day of fun at the beach, a tired child chooses to sleep without worrying a bit about the risks involved in their return journey. He doesn’t think of the risks from the faulty design of the road bend, a missing road sign or a guard rail, the mechanical defects in the car, a tired father who might doze off while driving, and risks from other irresponsible drunk drivers on the road.

Peace, Piece by Piece

Jul 24, 2024

As I prepared myself to return to my routine life, after living almost off-grid for three days at Koraput, I realised that I was in a different state of mind which I had not experienced in the last few months. I was much calmer and in harmony with my immediate surroundings.

I tried to recall what had happened in the last few months. India’s dream run in the Cricket World Cup 2023 and its miserable defeat in the finals, IPL matches, T20 World Cup and Indian win, General Elections and the unexpected results, political uncertainty, garish and overstretched marriage of an Ambani scion, and the Rath Yatra mishaps and this Ratnabhandara commentary have left us feeling lost, defeated, anxious, uncertain, joyful, and irritated in some way or the other. There was hardly anyone who was not affected by these events. We did react to them in our own way, but these past few months can’t be described as peaceful in any form.

Karthik Basanta

Jun 21, 2024

From being the poster boy of the party in the 2024 general election to the most glorious fall guy, no one in the recent past has seen such a smooth rise to the top, enjoyed vice-like control over the state and a dramatic and almost vertical drop to anonymity and infamy. Though his name has seen the largest attempts of mutilation, we will use a decent name `Karthik` to represent that cyclonic political phenomenon he led in the last 8/9 years.

Where Curiosity Ends

May 21, 2024

The morning of 20th May, as I was sharing my morning cup of tea with my mother, she started chatting with me mostly to brief me about the things that had happened in the family and in our neighbourhood.

She broached the topic concerning a recently married relative of ours not going right. After seeing my non-interest to participate in the discussion, she changed the topic to the latest and most happening thing which has captivated the whole nation – the 2024 Election. Realising that most of her observations are a copy of the narrative created by the local TV channels - each of which voices the interest of one of the major political parties, I chose to caution her.

Pakhala – Our new cultural symbol

May 06, 2024

What`s this brouhaha about Pakhala Dibasa?

Pakhala existed wherever there was rice - grown and consumed as a staple. Leftovers were treated the same way to preserve them till the next meal everywhere but called by different names.

Then why are we celebrating it? And why it`s so important to us.

How are you, really?

Apr 21, 2024

Today is the 3rd day since Mohanty Babu passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest. A midlevel executive in a government department, he was to retire in May. These days when we see young people in their thirties, fit and fine with no medical history to worry about dropping dead without notice; the death of an almost senior citizen should not raise any eyebrow.
It was just one of those events which happened every day.
It was quite a shock for his wife as she had never spotted any signs of illness or stress which could be possibly corroding him from within; ditto his colleagues and relatives. His family stand devastated and distraught.

What Do You Do?

Mar 01, 2024

It was still fifteen minutes to daybreak.

Usually, in the winter season, you don`t expect many people in this part of the park unless they are serious morning walkers. And I was preparing myself for a solitary walk in the misty dark morning.

Not so Jawan Anymore

Sep 17, 2023

She refused to buy tickets for the movie Jawan for the 7th time today.
The movie Jawan was released on the 7th of this month and by today the global collection stands to cross 750 Cr. Each time its collection crossed a 100 Cr mark, I would get curious to see what was attracting people in hordes and would goad her to buy tickets. “My friends in Hyderabad have seen the movie and I know you and your taste; you will fret and fume and leave the hall halfway dragging all of us out with you. I don’t want to spoil my evening” was her reply. She was clear and firm on her stand this time too.