The Naxal crisis has blown up in our face because of our vanity. We have failed to see it as a valid militancy because at the heart of it is desperate poverty. Extremism is often the curse of the impecunious. While the insurgency in Kashmir can still be seen as a diplomatic tangle, or terrorism [...]
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Paani research pic, under the mumbai flyovers
Cannes diary : Dining in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland
It's very exciting to be on the Jury of the Cannes film festival. Especially when the Jury is headed by the man I affectionately (but also seriously) call 'the Salvador Dali of Cinema'. Tim Burton is a compassionate and gentle person that is so eager to learn about other people and cultures. He is also [...]
Did George Mallory ‘conquer’ The Mother Goddess of the World ? Everest.
George Mallory and Sandy Irvine disappeared a few hundred meters from the summit of Mount Everest in June 1924. In doing so they created the most enduring mysteries and myths of mountaineering. Did they get to the summit before the clouds covered them from the view of his comrades following them through binoculars from a [...]
Shashi Tharoor and the politics of Disruption
Whenever change is coming, the people on top of the pile suddenly let go their own differences and unite against the forces of change. Does not matter where you are. People that have spent their life struggling to the top by fair or unfair means have such a strong investment in the existing system, that [...]
The economics of consumerism
I always wondered the logic of President Obama's economic stimulus package. It was based on restoring confidence. And confidence (whether Obama meant that or not) is measured by the people consuming more. Every Christmas, for example, the economy is measured by the amount people spend in stores. And this is becoming a measure of economic [...]
For Heath Ledger, again
Dear Shekhar, it's always a pleasure read the beautiful words you dedicate to Heath...they make me feel better and I'm happy that every year you write something to remember Heath on this bad day. I discovered your blog after that tragic 22 January. Now I don't know how to express, but my feelings are confused...sometimes [...]
At Isha with Sadhguru
Interviewing Sadhguru on the meaning of God, Love, Shiva and relationships. You should be able to see the interviews on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7uZQZOvCG0
Kaveri with Bruno, her Ski Instructor in a snow storm in Innsbruck