Trade unions in India, especially those attached to the leftist parties, are getting more and more militant. Gone are the days when they resorted to indefinite strikes at the drop of a hat. Now, it is “direct action” under the cover of strike. For an outsider, it is the usual stuff. Slogan shouting employees holding …
Month: September 2009
Chandrayan and the moon
Oh Moon, you are bright and cool For a day or two Then you become smaller by the day But you take it lightly and smile Before plunging the earth in darkness Only to resurrect yourself And in a day or two you appear With a baby smile and you become bigger Bigger and brighter …
NO JOKES PLEASE!
In India, you have to be very careful about your words and phrases; more so, when you crack an innocent joke. If you happen to be a minister or an MP, make sure that you don’t deviate from your subject, especially when you are addressing a press conference. “So, you traveled in cattle class?â€, a …
Rahul – on a healthy mission
Though it appeared that the impact of the global economic slump was negligible in India, there is enough indication that things are not all that rosy. To begin with, the country’s export front suffered a setback and this was followed by food shortage resulting from monsoon failure. The prices of essential commodities also began to …
The plight of Indian students in Australia
India and Australia are friendly countries and quite a few Indians, mostly university students are there in Australia. It was cricket, in spite of occasional sledging by Aussie players, which brought the two countries together. But now it is Indian students, in pursuit of higher studies who are making their presence felt. But things took …
Climate change
What’s climate change Dad? The son asked when it looked bad Ask your Mom I am busy He is not busy but very lazy Said the Mom and hugged the Son I will tell you if you promise not to run I won’t run but I must have some fun No fun when I talk …
The evil effects of political rivalry in India
In India, almost all the political parties are of the view that the country should accord top priority to end the terrorist menace caused by religious and political extremists. They have indeed coordinated the services of all concerned towards this purpose, but the trouble arises when they implement their plans. When a trap is laid …
Mr. Obama’s hero
I was on cloud nine when Mr. Obama said that the Mahatma was his hero. Of course, Gandhi happens to be the hero of millions in India and of many outside India as well. But when it comes from Obama who is himself a hero the effect is manifold. In fact, Mr. Obama said this …
An answer to Jaswant Singh’s gimmicks
Jaswant Singh’s controversial book on Jinnah continues to make noise in India. Now the noise is not so much on whether or not Jinnah was responsible for India’s partition but on the decision of the Gujarat Government to ban this book. Of course, the ban order was struck down by the court. The banning of …
In search of greener pastures – the plight of some Indian farmers.
Off they go, bag and baggage They know not where It’s bye-bye to the lands they loved And the houses they lived. They make a beeline at the Bus stands. Or at the Railway stations Most likely to unknown destinations And surely not to toil in Paddy fields But to carry bricks and mortar in …