Thank you for banning smoking

So says Mythili Bhusnurmath, praising Anbumani Ramadoss, the man who is (unfortunately) “out in the cold.” Unfortunately, she’s not being sarcastic- Anbumani Ramadoss, former health minister is out in the cold. Unsung! Unlamented! But there are two things for which the maverick minister will long be remembered: the zeal with which he fought the All [...]

Incredible

The most pro-India and anti-Pakistan piece that I have read in a western newspaper in a long long time. Given the recent disclosure about Pakistan increasing its nuke weapon count, and having about 60 missiles pointed at India, and Musharraf’s comment when he was President that Pakistan would attack India regardless of who attacks it, [...]

Three metaphysical questions

From three different Cosmic Uplink articles. On consciousness- “[What] is equally specific about the release from the curse, it is the touch of Rama’s foot, not the mere sight of Rama or the words of Rama that will release Ahalya (because a stone can’t see or hear!)” At a deeper level, however, the Indian monistic [...]

Hawala or hawalat

Jug Suraiya writes about his wonderful experience with hawala- A very small thing. Namely the amount of foreign exchange Indian citizens were allowed by the RBI to take out of the country, and which in those days amounted to the princely sum of $8. Bunny and i planned to get gainful employment in London, and [...]

Democracy

The biggest exercise of popular will in the history of mankind has produced a government in Delhi after much haggling and massaging of egos. From the looks of it, we are in for another disastrous five years of socialism because the people who matter believe that its the social programs of the previous government that [...]