POLITICAL

Why did Narendra Modi allegedly allow horse-trading overtures in Karnataka though he swears to uproot corruption from public life? Which is part of a bigger question: Why don’t political leaders keep their promises? This phenomenon is best enunciated by Machiavelli in his seminal work Discourses on Livy, where he compares how the dilettante politician recognises the impracticality of the pro...

The last I wrote of my expectations from the PM was for his Independence Day speech. Some of the wishes I put forth must have been on his agenda as well, as I see some spur on these. Thought I must come up with the next set of asks from my PM on 69th Republic Day of India. So, for his consideration, here is my take on the top five areas he could focus on: 1. Avoid drastic interventions in Bu...

Any account of how the Modi government has fared on this front should begin with what the BJP promised in the 2014 election manifesto and whether and to what extent has it been able to keep these promises. Staying within the area of my expertise, I will restrict my argument to the medical technology and hospital sector and assess the government’s performance on some of the most important indices....

In his latest ‘Mann Ki Baat’ broadcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked citizens to send him ideas on what he should say in his Independence Day speech. The prime minister did this so that he could set the trend for the next year of governance. So, for his consideration, here are my top five areas he could focus on, both in his speech and administration: #1: Make peace, not war Do not...

A TV channel asked me, “What did I make of the Modi-Trump meeting?” I gave my take based on what they said, their body language and some back ground information I had, as below. When Modi alighted from the car, his and even Trump’s body language (to some extent) was a language of mending the fences. When Modi cracked a joke, the laughter also seemed a bit forced and a bit overdone. This w...

On Saturday, Ravinder, an e-rickshaw driver in Delhi, perhaps inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat initiative, objected to two young men urinating in the open. He requested that they use a public toilet. They responded by returning with a dozen others and bludgeoning him to death. It would be simplistic to attribute their rage to our society’s feudal instinct where offen...

I was happy to read today that so many prominent and well meaning Indians are supporting Kiran Bedi’s candidature for Chief Information Commissioner. Moreover they are asking the Government that if you appoint another person, please let us know how that person is more suitable. That is great. Acche log ghar se bahar nikal aayen hain. Milkar naare lagane lagey hain- ek acche insaan ke liye. Yeh...

It all started with Shashi Tharoor staying in a five star hotel and not his state Bhavan. In my view he was right to stay where he did. In my view it is not just a question of the State Bhavan not having a gym. For many politicians (particularly those who are exposed to the West) it is difficult to stay in the State Bhavans because of the poor hygiene standards. It is common to find bed sheets sta...

Rajasthan CM, Ashok Gehlot has asked the babus to stand up when the neta walks in, to return his calls, and to behave respectfully with him. That this directive has become necessary is a wholesome development. It means that the bureaucracy is challenging the politician’s authority. This is a healthy sign. (Simultaneously the society should challenge the bureaucrat’s authority as all authority i...

The biggest sin is discrimination. Doing it and tolerating it. I am appalled at what is happening in Australia and wish to put before the reader answers to: Why does racism still persist? Why are Indians being targeted again and again? In my view there are several reasons for this. 1. Political and historical reason : The Anglo saxon race still remembers that it ruled us once and some amo...