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- Archives: March 2006
- Movie Review: Aksar - Sar Pakad and Run
After watching Aksar, all movie fanatics need to find some other passion besides movies.
- Newsweek’s India Special
I absolutely loved the picture of three middle-aged ladies with balls.
- Ismail Merchant - A Requiem
An introduction and a tribute to the director Ismail Merchant.
- Big Love - Life Of A Polygamist On HBO
Cat fights, jealous rages and long sullen silences would probably be frequent causes of stress for the husband.
- Book Review: Once Upon a Furore: Lost Pages of Indian Cricket - Boria Majumdar
As we traverse these cricketing memories, we discern a few commonalties that recur through time.
- Abhishek Bachchan Blacked Out of Filmfare Awards?
Was it someone's idea of a prank?
- Throwing in The Towel - The English Cricket Team's Supporters
England will almost certainly lose in India but the way English supporters are giving up is most amusing
- Interview With Jack McNamara - Australian Under-19 Cricketer
Jack McNamara speaks about his experiences so far, on playing for Australia and many other aspects.
- The Face Of Afghanistan
If there is a reason for our armies to be in Afghanistan...Let it be to give that face something to smile about again.
- The Death of the Sari?
All I know is that the sari is a beautiful Indian outfit that I would love to see a lot more of.
- Ek Nanha Daanth (Translation of A Little Tooth by Thomas Lux)
A father comes to terms with letting his daughter go.
- India-England Series: Day 1: India (with a hint of England!)
England did not disgrace themselves on the first day of the first Test. But India still have the upper hand!
- Budget 2006: Mixed Results
Somewhere, in an election year, the Finance Minister seems to have lost focus.
- Book Review: Engaging India by Strobe Talbott
An absorbing account of Indo-US relations during 1990-2000 and beyond
- Movie Review: Transamerica
Felicity Huffman's remarkable performance carries this film about a transsexual's cross-country trip
- "Bring Your Own Film Festival"
BYOFF brings the same independent spirit to the movie world that has made the "Fringe Festival" movement so pervasive and successful in the theater world.
- Book Review: Engaging India - Engaging The Bomb
Being a pre-9/11 book, it might seem irrelevant except to those interested in the political dynamics of the sub-continent.
- Blogcritics Editors' Picks: February 22 through February 28
The music writers were clearly inspired this week; there's also some books, some politics, and a little bit of everything in between...
- President Bush Visits India: Media Roundup
A look at press editorials and op-ed pieces on the Indo-US relationship in general and President Bush’s visit in particular:
- Book Review: The World Is Flat
As Columbus discovered that the World is in fact round, Friedman came to the conclusion that the world is flat.
- am wary
am wary of lines that begin 'if truth be told...'
- Benefits of Yoga for Women
I lay flat on my back in corpse pose. My body lay still, but my mind was racing between memories and plans.
- Blog-a-thon 2006 - Challenge Street Harassment By Blogging
Blog your thoughts about street harassment on March 7th, and draw attention to the problem.
- Midga Power
Loose lips sink ships
- Should President Bush Visit Pakistan?
Despite security concerns, the growth rates of Pakistan have rarely been as promising as currently indicated.
- Eyes Wide Shut
However, no matter the respect I showed or laughed with the African-Americans I met in New Orleans for a brief moment - I failed.
- Where are the 'Wind'ies?
The continual decline of West Indian cricket could well end up with them relegated to a virtual IInd division.
- The Truth About Pets
Abusing trust so badly that an animal ends up dead makes you the worst sort of pond scum in my book.
- Book Review: Running Linux (5th Edition)
This book is very clearly meant for people who have acquired some basic end-user hands-on experience on Linux.
- India-England Series: Test 1, Day 2 - In The Balance
So who has the upper hand in the first Test? Hard to say, really...
- Crash - Could It Happen Here?
With plenty of on-going discrimination in our country, should we be happy that we don’t experience extensive racism as compared to western nations?
- Travel Report: Adventures in Queenstown, NZ
Even crazier than bungee jumping is jumping off a plane. I never dreamed I would do something like that
- Foolproof Plan to Bed Bollywood Starlets
CNN-IBN received an envelope containing conversations between Singh and Bollywood actress, Bipasha Basu.
- Do Indians Also Hate President Bush?
Why the protests in India? Americans, as confused as ever, are forced to wonder why would Indians protest.
- Hijacking of India
As a democracy all viewpoints should be allowed but if we don't respond we'll soon wake up under the crescent moon.
- War Made Easy: A Guide to Attacking Iran
The world is one step closer to an attack on Iran either by the US or by Israel
- Taking Care - Pakistani Protests and Ordinary Pakistanis
Who cares about ordinary Pakistanis anyway?
- Tier II Offshoring Players May Get Acquired
Announcement of intent by Cap Gemini and Atos Origin of plans to acquire India-based service providers.
- An Exercise in Anger - Anti-Bush Protests
One hundred and fifty thousand people cannot be wrong.
- Pseudo-Democracy - The Jessica Lal Case
Democracy cannot be implanted in a society just like a heart transplant or a kidney transplant - stinging examples are Afghanistan and Iraq.
- Most Effective One-Day Batsmen
What is more important for a One-Day batsman - average or strike rate? How about a combination of both!
- Lyrical Limerical
marijuana keeps your pain at bay, medical of course, didn't I say?
- the other side of burning hell
sky crystal clear/cold piercing body and soul we recall whispers nor heart aches
- Live-blogging The India-England First Test
Tell us your thoughts on the first test between India and England in progress.
- Movie Review: Fun With Dick and Jane (2006)
Fun With Dick and Jane is filled with cliched scenes, marked only by Carrey's unbounded energy to fill it with a laughterless mirth.
- Justice for Jessica - The Play
This Mumbai play seeks to raise awareness of the Jessica Lal murder trial. Entry is free.
- Book Review: Bridge Of Rama - Ashok K. Banker
With Bridge Of Rama, Ashok Banker confirms himself to be one of the best storytellers of our time.
- A Hair Raising Story
Not too bothered by these little irritations, I kept quiet. He now picked the scissors. I shuddered, but controlled myself.
- Theater Review: 9 Parts of Desire
'9 Parts of Desire' explores the longing of Iraqi women for love, sex, voice, safety, and representation.
- Just One
Dark Naked Beauty ran across the wild greens As her tresses flowed in the gentle breeze. She came up to me and...
- Sheep Leading Sheep: Blind Faith In Democracy
It is easy to criticize politicians but what minimum personal skills do we demand of them?
- Budget 2006: A TamBram's Dilemma
Now for his nashta, should he have idli or pasta?
- The Other Side Of Blank Noise
The Blank Noise Project: Too Much Noise?
- We, The Living
Have you ever pondered the fact that we often value the people who have made immeasurable contributions to our life only after they've left us?
- A New Bananafish - Business Letter Writing, circa 1910
Sir, I read your letter with the utmost astonishment. I consider it a gross impertinence. Please do not address me again.
- Job Interviews: An Opportunity To Build A Brand
Few interviewees make up as employees, but every interviewee is a potential brand ambassador!
- OzCAR 2005 [Hindi, Filmfare Nite]
Every Movie fanatic cries when his/her list doesn't match with any major Bollywood Awards final list. Not anymore.
- Blogspot Censored in Pakistan
DONT BLOCK THE BLOG
- DVD Review: Bluffmaster (2006)
Bluffmaster showcases Abhishek Bachchan's return to Amitabh-type roles and marks an entry point for Priyanka Chopra as a serious actress.
- With a Grain of Salt: My Hero! Your Hero! Our Hero! Whose Hero?
Afghanistan vociferously complained to Pakistan that all of Afghanistan’s old heroes were used to name various Pakistani missiles.
- Movie Review: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe - The Chronicles of Narnia
Four children discover Narnia hidden in a wardrobe, where the land is banished to an everlasting winter by the White Witch who is battling Aslan.
- Indo-US Nuclear Deal: Mutually Beneficial?
For the US and the larger Nuclear Suppliers Group this agreement opens a huge market. But what about India?
- Soderbergh's Bubble - Piracy's Silver Bullet?
... Or Is It Pure Bull Instead?
- milestones / sang e meel
journey never ending, destination ever elusive
- Thoda logic De Basanti
An unpatriotic take on a movie creeping with jingoistic patrotism.
- Canadian Politics: Prime Minister Defies Ethics Commissioner
Just because Mr. Harper is Prime Minister and wants to change the law, does not mean he can ignore it.
- Vaiko - Playing His Cards Right
This first essay on Vaiko goes behind the TN polls and the media scene to unravel what is happening in the state ahead of D-Day
- Mobile Computing - Could We Do Without It?
At times, I wonder, is a laptop around one’s neck an anthropological reminder of the “millstones-around-neck” punishment of medieval ages?
- AmBUSHed! The Media On The Bush Visit
What do mere mortals like me know about things like body language, diplomacy and that all important word in our vocab. as of now -
- New Age Fuel - Age Old Cow Dung
What is next, flying carpets
- The Rise Of The New Stream : Indian Entrepreneur(s)
Some investors believe India's own high-tech startups are finally ripe to produce explosive returns.
- DVD Review: The Magnificent Ambersons, Time and Regret
Much like we ourselves find our world buffetted by unceasing change, those fin-de-siecle times had a tumultuous zeitgeist.
- The Birth of Vande Mataram
Vande Mataram had become the national anthem during the struggle for freedom.
- Houses Of Horror
Can houses be evil?
- The Divorced Woman as Easy Prey
A personal insight into how sections of Indian society continue to perceive divorced/separated women.
- The First India-England Test - Well, Blimey!
Interesting how India's actions are never tactics, rather only negative play, eh?
- Greg vs. Ganguly: The Saga Continues
Ganguly could well go to court!
- Book Review: Purity Of Blood Arturo Perez-Reverte
To read this book is to listen with your eyes and enjoy the play of the words in your ear.
- N-Agreement: Putting The Cards On The Table
The price India paid for coming late to the party was to offer much more reactors to be open to international safeguards by 2014
- CNN-IBN Wants To Hear From You On Your Broadband Access Experiences
Limiting internet to 256k broadband might kill the concept before it has reached it's logical conclusion.
- Fear in the Society
Be it America or Afghanistan, each society has to deal with its fears.
- Bush Yatra: We Want Full Disclosure!
What did President Bush eat for lunch when he was in Hyderabad?
- Of Old Memories and Sickening Feelings
At that moment, I felt more miserable than I probably had ever felt in my life.
- The Oscars Are Here - Liveblogging The 78th Annual Academy Awards
The Oscars are here - chip in with your opinions and votes as they proceed, and later.
- Guns and 'Romance' - My Vote For The Best Picture Oscar
...the fact that I have seen enough closeted men up-close that I look at most of them with a clinical detachment.
- Sack The BCCI Selection Panel!
Looking at the track record of the past few months, I call for the sack of the selection panel. Is any one listening?
- postcards
one from a long lost friend had two words admonishing me get lost
- A Man Without His Rightful Harem
Is it okay for married men to gawk at women in front of their wives?
- Vintage Sachin
The cameo at the end of Nagpur test gives the impression that Tendulkar's best is yet to come.
- Writer's Notes: What Every Writer Needs
Everyone may be creative, but to be any type of artist requires a certain mixture of characteristics that not everybody possesses.
- Bangladesh nabs 'Bangla Bhai', JMB Leader
To put this in perspective, it is as if the elusive Osama Bin Laden and Ayman Al-Zawahiri were both in custody.
- Why India Does Not Win Oscars
The difference between a nite of stars and a starry night...
- The Rhetoric of Labels
The rhetoric of labels is a great way to end conversations or annul the nuances of different positions.
- Ahimsa of a Fish
What is violent in our meat eating today is that an entire world of organisms has no Being except to be reared for eating.
- Sabeer Bhatia, The Hot Male, Launches BlogEverywhere
Sabeer Bhatia is back on the tech scene with another bloggy dotcom.
- India Does Not Need Oscar Recognition
The Oscars are the epitome of blatant back rubs. It is a North American game. You rub mine, I’ll….
- Movie Review: The War Within
Caballero Oscura find the film a well-balanced study of the effects of terrorism on the individual and the community.
- Little Hands of Today, But What Will They Be Tomorrow?
Every day I am made aware of the frightening reality of young people becoming prey to misguided propaganda.
- When Is It Time To Stand Up and Scream?
What would you do if you saw a woman being assaulted in broad daylight?
- Dr. J.C. Kumarappa - Out Of Suit, Into Khadi - Gandhian Economics
The man behind Gandhian Economics
- Fiction : Desi Souls : American Mall
Meera would never understand why there was an unstoppable flood of sad tears flowing down her eyes throughout that day…
- Has Hindi Lost its Significance?
Considering the fact that Hindi is our national language, one would assume that Hindi Literature should be available everywhere in India.
- A Lesson in Letting Go
When is the right time to let children do what they want?
- A Toast to India
It is only the voice of civil society that can strike the hammer that will call all institutions to order.
- Eve Teasing: A Three-Pronged Approach to Slaying the Monster
It is not so much about how these men view us. It is more about how they view themselves.
- Book Review: The Great Western Divide John Spivey
A journey into our own heart of darkness, with an experienced guide.
- Indian Doctors: Vilified at Home and Unwelcome Abroad
Why do we screw our doctors? Their profession saves lives, right?
- Movie Review: Mixed Doubles
A little mixed up, but worth a dekko.
- Myths about BSNL Broadband Affordabilty
It's a Public Sector Undertaking that's making false, libellious claims.
- Movie Review: Memoirs of a Geisha - The Secret World of a Geisha
The movie is in a way the female version of Gladiator. In the Ridley Scott movie, the Gladiator dares to...
- Movie Review: Brokeback Mountain
A not-so-perfect love and other problems with a good film.
- Bomb Blasts in Varanasi
At least four people killed and over a dozen wounded in two separate explosions.
- The Plight Of The Woman Sportsperson
There are far more barriers a woman has to overcome than just those in the sporting arena.
- Why Do Some Men Think It's All Right to Harass Women and Girls?
We have to curb this lewd behavior and hope our children will inherit a kinder, gentler society.
- Apprehend Hit and Run Drivers
Tomorrow if you see someone getting away with murder, don’t just sit there immobile, do something about it.
- A Letter From Coke And a Response
Coke goes on PR path vis-a-vis allegations of unethical policies and agitation against water use.
- Script Debugging - Nikhil Advani Style
Nikhil Advani's next movie is inspired by a movie which has not yet been made.
- Terror Strikes Varanasi: Handling Terrorism - Plus ça change, Plus c' est la même
Terror strikes the city of Varanasi, India just after President Bush's visit to India and Pakistan
- Barcelona Advance To Champions League Quarters, Take Revenge For Last Year's Loss
Barcelona draw second leg 1-1 versus Chelsea to advance to the quarters of Champions League 3-2 on aggregate.
- Sabeer Bhatia: Too Much, Too Fast?
Who is Sabeer Bhatia? One of India's greatest achievers, or just a flash in the pan?
- tiger striped aunties
she was with a short, overweight aunty nursing a perpetually pregnant posture in a black and yellow tiger striped shalwar kameez
- Sambandam: Women as Utility?
What made Indian society change from one that respects women to one that uses them?
- Desicritics Quiz Time 1
Prizes are up for grabs, are you up to the mark?
- Blog-a-thon 2006: Desicritics on Sexual/Street Harassment
Desicritics examine the many facets of street/sexual harassment of women.
- Canadian Politics: The Kelowna Accord On Life Support
Phil Fontaine and his people have to wait and see how long the grass will be green and the water will run on these treaties.
- Culture: Inviting Restaurant Reviews, Theater Reviews and Travel Essays
We would love to see restaurant reviews, reviews of plays and essays about travel.
- Blogcritics Editors' Picks: March 1 Through March 7
A veritable smorgasbord of treats from our writers - take a break from all that Oscar hoopla and dig in to the best from Blogcritics
- LeT it Be - The Lashkar-e-Toiba And It's Role in Global Terrorism
Know your enemies, and then beat them.
- Varanasi Attacks: Indian and International Media Reactions
"The face is an index of the mind"
- Women's Day: A Celebration of Womanhood
I’d like to think every day in the calendar year should be a celebration of womanhood.
- A Bombay Breakfast - Epitome of the City
Everybody knows what is an English or a Continental Breakfast, but what is a Bombay Breakfast?
- Love, Sweet Love
Let's show the terrorists some love.
- Restaurant Review: Chipotle, The Burrito Of Suburbia
Chipotle: Eat cheap, eat healthy
- Preview: The Second India-England Test
After the draw at Nagpur, every one’s eyes are set on Mohali. One should expect lots of runs for the batsmen and toil for bowlers
- Film Review: Capote
Bennett Miller’s film on Truman Capote is a superb portrayal of humanity being eroded in the pursuit of art
- Wrong Number - Number Portability And Local Calls
Keep your number. Discard your operator. Chaos begins.
- Pebble
I sit here, like a pebble...come...kick me around
- Comment: The LokParitran Public Meeting at Chennai
For the audience, the hopes given by the sprightly young men seemed too good to be believed.
- DVD Review: My Big Fat Independent Movie
Watching Pauly Shore getting his head blown off and Jason Mewes as a sex-starved answering machine are added bonuses to this delightfully intelligent, stupid movie.
- Travel Essay: On the Road - Coorg
When emerald green rice paddies roll out in front of you as far as the eye can see, you know you are in India.
- Completing Partition - Theory and Practice
In our haste to make peace, we forgot that we must make the peace of the brave.
- India Rising - The Big Scare
Did I say the underlying theme is fear mongering?
- Immigrant Dreams - Desis Everywhere Searching For Identity
Indian Americans have the highest median household income of any ethnic group in the country--but the figures are misleading.
- As Light Leads Us From The Earth to The Sun
How did we deduce what the sun is made of?
- Varanasi Bomb Blasts and Causes
A large proportion of Muslim societies have fallen victim to a fallacy that for some reason their salvation is through "traditional Islamic values"
- Collective Selective Amnesia - Indians and Cross Border Terrorism
Why Indians have no right to complain about cross-border terrorism.
- Film Review: Chingari : Self Indulgence B-Mar-E
If anyone has Ms. Kalpana Lajmi’s contact number, please be kind enough to pass it on to me.
- Web 2.0 Strikes India: The MyToday RSS Aggregator
Rajesh Jain is back with his new offering, MyToday, an RSS Aggregator. Will it work?
- Failure Is an Option
Why competition in schools is not such a bad thing.
- Maelstrom
The first time he hit me, I refused to believe it.
- Avijit Chakroborty: Cycling the World, Talking About Sustainability
You can avoid bad people, he says, but you cannot avoid good people.
- Let's Keep File Sharing Safe and Legal
Sixty million Americans use peer-to-peer applications to trade files. That's more people than voted for George Bush.
- Holding Her Hostage
I do not want to hold her hostage. But do I have any other choice?
- Reminiscing Pune
Where's my street? I wanna go home.
- Raj Thackeray's Navnirman Sena - Old Wine, New Bottle?
Raj Thackeray's launch of the Navnirman Sena opens up interesting alliance possibilities in Maharashtra
- Al-Jazeera: Press Or Propaganda?
You and I want to know what our political bosses have to say... why shouldn't the people of Jordan have the same right?
- Varanasi Bomb Blasts: The Message and the Media
Trying to uncover the reality behind the Varanasi bomb blasts: an act of terrorism or communalism?
- The Reactions of a Young Israeli to Terror
Twice, I have been faced with the insouciance with which our younger child deals with terror in this country.
- How to Increase GDP: Learning from Indian Budget
One would do well to refrain from creative acounting pratices.
- Mumbai Food: The Punjabi Connection
No city in India can represent an approximate microcosm of India as well as Mumbai can.
- Film Review: Water : Widows of India
This may not be an earth shattering story, but nevertheless a simple one with a sensitive touch.
- The Desi Network Rocks
The desis come through to help a stranded lady
- Subliminal Branding - Mind Your Manners
'There’s no difference between our rich and poor. They both spit generously on the roads.'
- Interview: Makrand Deshpande on Theatre, Bollywood, Art Films and Life in General
Sitting on tree-shaded granite seating at Prithvi's, it's a delight listening to Makrand Deshpande talk about theatre, Bollywood, art films and life in general.
- Civil Society - The Road Ahead
Civil society should not only act as a remedial instrument but also become aware of its preventive role.
- DVD Review: Traffic
If you love film and don't own the DVD, you don't really love film.
- Kofi Annan and the United Nations Reforms
Today the world needs more than ever a powerful and effective world body. Or it will go the way of the League of Nations.
- Satire: From the Desk of Sheikh Mo, CEO - DP World
Sheikh Mo, CEO of DP World writes to President Bush about his descision to back off from the American Ports Deal in an informal letter.
- My Favorite Dead (Fictional) Characters
Some characters become part of our lives while we experience their virtual lives, and live on after their fictive universe is snuffed.
- Danish Cartoon Controversy: A Muslim's Perspective
In September 2005, Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published a series of highly provocative caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad...
- Lessons from Jammu and Lucknow
It's time LGBT communities everywhere became more proactive instead of reacting to crises.
- Secular Vs. Communal Terrorist Attacks
Just like we have a nuclear doctrine, we should develop a coherent, long-term counter-terror doctrine which has to be followed by EVERY government in power.
- DVD Review: Syriana
Carlito de Corea recommends the film with reservations that its multiple, often obscured, storylines might be too taxing for many viewers.
- Indian Cricket: The Forgotten Men
A Selection Of Eleven Unsung Cricketers
- Formula 1: A Season Of Changes
The 2006 Formula 1 season begins today at Bahrain.
- DVD Review: Deserted Station
If you like your stories spoon-fed and the epiphanies pointed out, then this isn't the film for you.
- CD Review: Der Ring Des Nibelungen - Richard Wagner
If you've always wanted to own the complete Ring Cycle then you may just want to pick this up. You'll be more than satisfied.
- Web 2.0 Applications & Indian Startups
You are setting an example to the several hundred thousand IT wannabe entrepreneurs out in India to take the plunge.
- Oye Russell! "Somebody Gonna Get Hurt Real Bad!"
A rollicking stream of consciousness ride - all the way from stamping a girl's foot to a rant against inhumane humans.
- Barefoot In The Park
I was surprised to discover how little it is that we actually need. Life was suddenly, uncomplicated, simple and peaceful.
- With a Grain of Salt: What Do I Have to Do Around Here to Be a Citizen?
How to become a citizen in various countries around the world.
- Malamaal: Bad Movie, But Money Maker?
What should bad movies do to make money?
- Petals, Toil and Business on Dadar’s Phulgalli
Dadar's Phulgalli (flower-lane) takes your traditional Bombay smells of sweat, toil, paint, iron and turns them into the smell of marigolds.
- Educating Orphans And Ending Up With Talibans
Allegedly the most (in)famous of the Afghan students of Binnori Town is one on the run today: Mullah Omar.
- What Goes Around Comes Around - Waziristan and Pakistan's Karma
The chickens have come home to roost for Pakistan and they have brought Kalashnikovs and IEDs with them.
- The State of Today's Muslims: Reasoning
Hasty generalizations and faltered logic are the reason behind today’s misinterpretation of Islam and its message.
- The Flipper: The English Cricket Fan Edition
The English Cricket Fan is unique. Find out more in the inaugural edition of The Flipper.
- DVD Review: In This World
A poignant tale presented in such an honest and unobtrusive way that I couldn't remember if I was watching a documentary or a work of
- Pucker Up!
Grab a tube of your favorite lip balm--the origins of the kiss can be traced back to ancient India.
- Of Cocktail Names and What Goes in the Glass
Do people buy these drinks because they like the mixes in them or just because the names sound saucy & funny?
- Food Of The Gods
Hankering for a rich dessert? Or in the mood for a filling homemade sandwich? Stroll over to Theobroma in Colaba.
- New Zealand Cricket: Stephen Fleming Snaps At Mark Richardson
Stephen Fleming had a lot to say to Mark Richardson after an interview. Unfortunately for him, it was all caught on camera.
- Pakistan Googled by a Texan
George W. Bush's two-day trip to Pakistan can now sadly be looked back upon more as a state sponsored relaxation trip.
- Coffee Shop Artists
"This table is for artists only, not for published authors. Please leave, you are no longer welcome here."
- My Favorite Movies of 2005
Headwreckers are adored. Intelligent action is expected. Anything that plays with Time or History is enshrined.
- When Will We Wake Up and Say Enough is Enough?
How many...? How many will it take to say enough!
- Law and Justice: When Will These Atrocities Against Women End?
We have to condemn without reservation or feel unworthy of being called humans.
- Cafe Bolero - A Little Cuba in Chicago
If you like your Tapas hot, your Mojitos cold and music boisterous then Cafe Bolero is the place to be.
- DVD Review: Ran (Criterion Collection)
Akira Kurasawa is one of the few artists who could improve upon the work of Shakespeare, which he did with Ran, his interpretation of King
- Non-Verbal Communication 101
Veteran partners learn to read these signals. Or they pay…correction…one of them pays. No prizes for correct guesses.
- An Evening with Balaji
The former India bowler is hungry for a piece of the action again.
- Movie Review: Chingari
Chingari is a true Mithun classic.
- Weekends From Another Life
Sunday mornings were not for getting up late, whiling away time in front of the TV or for lazy breakfasts.
- The View From Chittor, Pune
Post-prandial reflections on a dinner at the Chittor restaurant in Pune.
- The Day Sporting History Was Made
After today, International Cricket will never be the same again. Thank you Aussies and Proteas.
- Non Verbal Communication 102
Am yawning!...Happens every time I read, write, think or see a yawn....how many of you are yawning now?
- Islam Doesn’t Condone Killing Innocent People
As and when more people acquire the balls to accept and openly state that there are major issues with taking religion seriously, and explicitly identify
- Big Love on HBO
One man, three wives and us.
- The Art of Sucking Up
There are many people who happen to excel in the ‘art of sucking up’. It wouldn’t be wrong to assume that, we ‘either suck up’
- Superlative Sunday: An Exhilarating Day of Cricket
Super cricket on Super Sunday as three stars shone in to the lime light!
- Himesh Reshammiya - Get Off The TV Screen
Himesh the singer and a model will die a quick death. He should stick to what he is good at - composing music.
- The Greatest Game Ever
South Africans finally lay to rest the ghosts of Edgbaston.
- Film Review: A History of Violence
David Cronenberg's latest film is an unsettling, complex story that raises issues of identity and our inner potential for violence
- DVD Review: The Port Of Last Resort
There was no denying that Shanghai was unlike anything, any of them had experienced before.
- Load Shedding - How Many Businesses Will Shut Down?
I know there are worse things happening, but this is a sign of things to come.
- Star India Splits Into STAR Group and Star Entertainment
India's STAR Television and related media units have been instrumental in bringing about a media revolution in the sub-continent.
- Wafa Sultan - Rebel, Heretic or Outcast?
Dr. Wafa Sultan shakes up the Muslim world on Al-Jazeera.
- The Indian Economy - Miles to Go
Despite these elephants in the room, the Indian stock market has been behaving like it was the developed market.
- An Italian in Calcutta
Thanks to him, I know what the best Italian food should taste like.
- Movie Review: Arya - Things Fall Apart, The Center Holds
What do lawyers and film critics have in common?
- Living in America: Mango Diplomacy
Mango diplomacy describes the change in the India-US relationship. But, what does this mean for those of us living in the US?
- Supply Chain Management for Beginners
Enjoy your SCM-powered coffee, newspaper, toothpaste.
- The Knowledge Economy - India's Gateway to the Developed World
To sustain this positive development, India needs to invest heavily in two sectors, namely, education and infrastructure.
- Pervert Nation
These mini Chunkey Pandeys know what the ladies want, even if the ladies themselves don't know it.
- Perfect Sunday Evening
Doggy Park, located along the seaside in the suburbs, is a long open-to-air green patch, meant only for our adorable four-legged community.
- TOI Goofs Up Again
I think the Times group, after being voted a superbrand, is taking its Mumbai readers too lightly.
- The Obligatory Commonwealth Games Post
Do we need the Commonwealth (Games)?
- Afghanistan Bomb Blasts - "Don't Worry About The Government"
I believe there is some truth to sentiment, and share it.
- Bringing Up Mother: Nothing Prepares You to Be One
I sat there and bawled. I was the baby and I was the one that needed consoling.
- The Forgotten Mutiny - The Naval Mutiny of 1946
Shockingly this Mutiny in the armed forces got no support from the national leaders and like all mutinies before it, was largely leaderless.
- Should Google Provide Earnings Guidance?
Due to falling below market expectations, Google is being asked to issue earning guidance. Is it really necessary?
- This Is Progress?
We've just become far more sophisticated in our choice of clubs. The grunting hasn't changed much at all.
- The Ghost Who Stalks
Life gets interesting with a ghost stalking Navi Mumbai. And not an ordinary ghost mind you - A Three Headed Ghost.
- Invitation To A Graceful Dinner
Local grocer feels the effects of globalization
- color me water
color me water, this holi day, to blend with clay
- Commonwealth Games: Indian Masseur Charged with Sexual Harassment
Needless to say, this is a highly embarassing moment not only for Indian sport, but for Indian diplomacy as well.
- Investment Advice or Gobbledygook
Investment counselors should be made more accountable for the advice they render
- India's Compassionate Capitalism - Our Imminent Arrival On The Global Stage
Indian entrepreneurs will develop compassionate capitalism. This will be the average Indian's salvation and fodder for this quest for an identity
- (Ir)Rationality and Corporate Madness
I make this mistake often, but am puzzled that on a few occasions that I don’t; my bosses in fact mock me.
- How Islamophobia Breeds Extremism
Perhaps today is the time to ask the moderate non-Muslims to please stand up and make themselves counted.
- Book Review: Untouchables
The book is not only a reflection on Indian society as it existed but an important part of our history too.
- Tamil Nadu Politics - Poll Masala
The seat sharing in TN in both the Dravidian coalitions are over. What are the questions that can be answered now, and what questions remain?
- CD Review: Asha Bhosle – Love Supreme
With this selection, she may be aiming for the Norah Jones audience, but if it were me, I would go for the popular audiences.
- The 'Truth' About 9/11
Why the FBI failed to prevent 9/11
- Argumentation Crisis and The Family
The worst argumentation crisis lies in the family. I would like it if the family is more argumentative and vibrant.
- CD Review: Corinne Bailey Rae - Corinne Bailey Rae
The songs are all well crafted, with lyrics that are of more than average intelligence, but are languid to the point of tranquilizing.
- Will India's Sovereignty Be Devalued?
India's turn under Manmohan Singh is unbelievable.
- The Metamorphosis of Devendra Panda and the Trials of Doosri Radha
In a feat that marries Kafka to the Gita Govindam, D. K. Panda, I.G.P, has mentally transformed into Doosri Radha, Lord Krishna's beloved.
- Truth in Advertising - Indiatimes Shopping - Is It Reliable?
Indiatimes is misleading the readers and potential buyers by non-disclosure of market information
- Is Google A Portal?
It walks like a portal, it talks like a portal, it behaves like a portal...so is it a portal?
- Endulkar?
Find some other scape goat. Sachin Tendulkar isn't finished yet.
- Monogamy's Swan Song - Real or Imaginary
Is the death verdict on monogamy an exaggeration?
- On the Necessity Of An Adversary - US And The Muslims
The Silent Muslim Majority must wrestle their turf away from the hard-line clergy. Do we help or hinder?
- The Woes of a 30+ Bachelor
What happens when innocent 30+ bachelors like me are careless enough to allow assorted relatives to ambush them on the topic of Holy Matrimony.
- Candle-light! - How Rang De Basanti Is Changing Society
The Rang De Basanti-style vigil seems to work. The SMS demands for retrial do seem to matter.
- Popular Sites Running On Limited Budgets
In the modern always-connected world, it looks like websites are expected to go beyond 99.999% availability and reliability in the service of their readers.
- The Flipper: Has England Let the Opportunity Slip?
Has England let the opportunity slip in the battle for No. 2 and for chasing Australia?
- Johnny Cash: Johnny I Hardly Knew You
Looking back now, I think it can be safely said, Johnny we hardly knew you. That's a real pity.
- Are Women to Blame for Rape?
Is it worth considering that perhaps men are "angry" at women for having taken over their bastion as providers?
- Boycott Canadian Seafood?
After all you can't really go wrong with protesting the killing of a living creature, can you?
- Kambleneck or Why Kamble always has the ledger
Journalistic investigations across government offices in India have uncovered what may be the biggest secret of the Indian government.
- The Face in the Reforms
The main hindrance in our fight against poverty is corruption and the institution of the license raj.
- Drool
The naked truth about madness
- Movie Review: Pithamagan
...What it must be to grow up in an environment devoid of joy, to grow up with mourning as a regular event, to become inured
- The Missing Links In Bollywood
If you are a die-hard Hindi movie buff as I am, then surely you must be aware of different trends and concepts that have come
- Britannia & Co, Bombay - Berry Pulao and Good Parsi Food
A restaurant whose philosophy is “There is no love greater than the love of eating," puts everything into perspective for me.
- On Nurses, Stomach-aches And Mini-Me
Sometimes I feel, that all doctors secretly are Suspense movie makers.
- The Always-On Digital Lifestyle - Sereniti's Smart Home Server
What does it take to lead a digital lifestyle?
- The Greatest One Day International Ever?
Was this really the greatest One Day International Ever?
- Social Networking In India - A Marketer's Dream
Social networking in a country like India offers enormous possibilities. Can anyone take advantage of it?
- Show Your Love - Link To Desicritics!
Some banners and buttons to use to link to Desicritics
- Are You Entitled to Love?
Thinking about the story, I realize forcefully how true the maxim (or cliché, depending on your mood) is: truth is stranger than fiction.
- Boycotting Coke: A Rather Late New Year's Resolution
Coke is accused of robbing the livelihoods of the poor villagers in India.
- I Write Romance
... without any success.
- Art is Life: Apni Life Ekdum Filmi Hai!
The relationship between Bollywood movies and the Indian audience is simply mind-blowing.
- Oops!...Bush Did it Again!
President Bush has seemingly learnt more Foreign Policy matters from Ms. Spears than any other available resource.
- Movie Review: V For Vendetta
Mildly interesting tale but it doesn't reveal the conspiracy in a satisfying way.
- Writer's Notes: Fear Of Finishing
Not only will finishing the final draft mark the successful completion of my first novel, but also...the conquering of some old fears.
- Farmer Suicides: Stop Shedding Those Tears
The solution I propose: ask the government to get out.
- Book Review: The Sea, John Banville
His descriptions of the small seaside town are evocative; his characters sharply delineated and intensely personal.
- Food Mania!: Restaurant Reviews and Food Posts Galore on Desicritics
One by one, lip smack-generating, drool-inducing, hunger pangs-evoking descriptions of all manner of food and drink made their way to the front page.
- Global IT Players & India Push -It's Not Even Game Yet
I expect that one/two acquistions would be made by Indian players in the mega deal outsourcing players space in 2006.
- Sri Lanka Turns Back Time
It is a clear case of "the blind leading the blind". It is a very unfortunate position facing Sri Lanka.
- The Art of Missing Phone Calls - Only In India? Pity!
Innovation upon innovation: is it uniquely Indian?
- Anton Balasingham - The Most Seasoned Terrorist Sympathizer cum Negotiator in The World
His boss is India’s most wanted killer and the RAW is well aware of the links that his ‘boys’ have with the Maoists and Naxalites.
- The Date Rape: When Will Men Learn No Means No?
Once again behind this high profile rape case, taken up by main-stream media, hundreds of marital and street rapes would go un-noticed.
- Kosmix - a new Verticalized Search Engine
The search engine scene is heating up again.
- The Impending Market Crash of 2006
Why is the overvalued Indian stock market not correcting? The answer seems to be the Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs).
- Multi-Level Marketing in Indian Slums
The sharks did their work well: they selected two young boys to be the top of the pyramid, local lads who everyone would relate to.
- An ode to Ramanujan
The Michaelangelo of Mathematics, an ode to a genius who died too young,
- Rape: losing face and self-respect
if men are ever shorn of their dignity, see how red they turn in righteous indignation
- On Kasliwal, Crores & Corruption.
To be as good as I can be, lead as good a life as I can lead and not get affected by the pure evil
- "I Do" or "Off Limits"?
A new Ad campaign in UK warns men to not indulge in sex before getting a formal "I Do" from the partner!
- Book Review: Into Thin Air
Mount Everest was once a great goal for explorers. Now: tourist climbers. The story of the 1996 disaster.
- Movie Review: Tsotsi
Fresh from an Oscar win for best foreign film, Tsotsi is a gritty film about compassion and redemption.
- If India had a Marxist PM: My Take.
What would happen if the Left replaced the UPA government at the Centre? Mayank Singhania opens a can of worms as he explores this possibility.
- Date Rape : Yet another victim...
The notion that a decent, educated person cannot be a rapist is continuously challenged in date rape cases.
- ISKCON and I
They asked me to be a skeptic, I became an atheist!
- Personal Data Assistant: Woh Saat Din Aur O2 Atom
O2 was on my wish list. What more could I have asked for?
- Consensual Sex or Rape?
Can there be a watertight definition of consensual sex?
- Cricket For Those Who Wait
"We are still number two and the slot is yours to take and not ours to give"
- On Being A Provider
Considering the demands placed on individuals these days, it is next to impossible to provide anyone with the means of reaching their full potential as
- The Liberals Are Coming!
The possibilty of liberals getting back power in the US is bad news on many fronts.
- An Adventure at Midnight
That's the way the cookie crumbles.
- Movie Review: Good Night, and Good Luck
It was a time of fear, and extreme paranoia.
- Diarists Among Desicritics Unite!
The little girl often used to wonder what she was born for. What was she good at? Would she ever be good at anything at
- Miss India Contest: Pride of Pageantry
Of dumb contests and dumber people.
- The Idea of India
I am still somehow reluctant to grant that there is nothing special about India.
- Islam and the West
A recent conference stressed the importance of reconciliation between the West and the Muslim, but the double standards must cease.
- National Conference of Muslims: Look Who's Talking
Shout some generic words, make a lot of loud noises - the ultimate recipe for a conference that would herald Indian Muslims out of the
- The Mutual Fund Merry-go-round
If two funds have the same investment portfolio their performance should be no different.
- Jamil el-Banna and the Great British Cover-up
Jamil el-Banna is among eight British residents jailed because British officials rendered them into the hands of the CIA
- The Non-Conservative Traditionalist
The words 'conservative' and 'traditional' are practically Siamese twins. It is time we split the difference and freed 'traditional' from its evil twin.
- Exposing Gypsyman
As of today, that's history, gypsyman is history, and I will be taking over the writing of this space.
- Politics and Good Governance
India can change, but not unless the large majority is given its rightful place in democracy.
- Are Stock Markets Returns for Real?
"A person's wealth increases when he can buy more with what his investments generate for him."
- DVD Review: Lolita
Lolita's central theme, both as a film and a novel, is that it potrays a sexual abuser sympathetically.
- yaatra: a smile yaatra down the lane
a smile etched on soul's skin that cannot be placed in the waste-bin nor erased, returned, expunged, obliterated
- English Cricket: The Selection Puzzle
Under-performing in Pakistan with The Ashes heroes, then battling hard in India with a new-look side. Whatever the result of the final test and the
- TV Review: The Job Show
Thumbs down! The only good thing about the show is its name.
- The Indian Demise: Individualism is Communalism’s Ghulam
Has the idea of India been killed by our communal identities?
- Movie Review - A History of Violence
I didn't find it too violent - though there were a couple of very very bloody scenes that I had to close my eyes for.
- A Brief History of Indic Thalassocracy - 1/3
One might wonder why would a ‘great’ and ‘happy’ set of people terrorize the Persians.
- The Dutch Immigration Brouhaha
The keys to your Dutch visa are held by that topless woman or that group of smooching gay men.
- Movie Review: V for Vendetta
Good intentions notwithstanding, the movie sucks itself into a typical trap of Hollywood excessiveness often at the expense of the story.
- The Art of Writing a CV
Is your CV too serious and staid?
- Commonwealth Games: Reminders of the North East
If we look at our contingent of athletes to any international sporting event, one generally sees a lot of faces from the North East.
- Friday is Amish Day
The full extent of my fashion suicide is only apparent to me when I reach the train station.
- In Defence Of Idleness
...there is nothing wrong with doing nothing. So give it a try, after all, you've nothing to lose.
- Maharashtra Politics: Chhatrapati Levi Maharaj Ki Jai!
Raj Thackeray's MNS sheds its old Hindutva line and wants to embrace Muslims and Dalits, and farmers to ride tractors in jeans and T-shirts.
- Letting Go of Children and Parents
Life became a series of heart warming moments in those months.
- The Tendulkar Redemption?
What are the chances of this happening? Not India winning/saving the match, but Sachin Tendulkar winning it for us?
- Why Pay Taxes?
Being just 20 and still paying taxes when you can easily get away without it seems a weird decision.
- Ramanujam: The Man Who Knew Infinity
By midnight they had reached the conclusion that whoever this guy in India was - he was a Mathematical Genius!
- Polio: The Cost Of Arms, Legs Or Life Itself
In India, almost all the polio cases have come from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar’s slums, in Muslim dominated areas.
- The India Buzz & Global Growth
Most leading Western companies are turning toward a new model of innovation, one that employs global networks of partners.
- Life in Bangalore: Garbage Crisis
Lack of infrastructure and residents' attitude to cleanliness are to blame for the severe shortage of civic sense.
- How the Buddha became a Catholic Saint
Stories, like people, have unexpected consequences. This is the (true) story of how the Sakyamuni Buddha ended up an official Catholic saint.
- Sachin Endulkar!!!
Booing Sachin Tendulkar? Come on guys. Just wait till the second innings.
- Book Review: We Weren't Lovers Like That
A marriage gone awry. A job lost to office politics. And now Aftab is travelling to Dehradun to catch up with Rohini, his long lost
- Throw Momma Into Jail
It's all about loving your parents' money!
- A Brief History of Indic Thalassocracy - 2/3
In the 1st century A.D., Roman author Pliny complained that trade with India was threatening their economy
- Ganesh Venkatraman - New Kid on the Block
Ganesh is a Gladrags Man-hunt 2003 winner and was among the top five finalists in the Super Model contest held in Istanbul the same year.
- Desicritics on Sachin Tendulkar: And Breaking News
Is Tendulkar past his prime? Some come to praise him, others to bury him.
- Parsi Community - Role Model for India
I think of the Parsis as a role models for the rest of us. They've done a number of things right since they arrived in
- Why Blogging Works
I believe that blogging more than anything else, helps us achieve both these primary drivers of human beings.
- Supply Chain Management for Beginners - Part II
A deeper view of the complexities & challenges involved in effective and efficient supply chains.
- Google Finance Launches
Google Finance is a good attempt but lags behind Yahoo in lot of vital information on stocks.
- The Attributes of Self-Esteem
If other people were right in the first instance, they must still be right now that they are complimenting you.
- Brand Equity and Bad Advertising
One could argue these are good ads. They do make their point. Forcefully. In a fairly innovative, eye-catching way.
- Book Review: Lord Vishnu's Love Handles
Imaginative characterization is only a start in a tale of CIA mind control, karmic retribution and betrayal.
- I Mahajirzadeh: Mushtaque Ahmed Yusufi - An Introduction
An introduction to Mushtaque Ahmed Yusufi one of the leading Urdu humorists.
- Pioneers at The Breakfast Table
"What?" I bark, weaving my way through the kitchen floor. Another snigger, a snort of suppressed laughter and widely innocent eyes.
- On Wafa Sultan's "There Is No Clash of Civilizations"
There is no 'Clash of Civilizations,' but a misunderstanding of Islam and a clash among extremists on all sides.
- Too Busy to Stay Married?
Denial of company is a good enough reason for divorce.
- Bollywood in April - Part 1
The end of March sees a flood of movies hitting the screens. Time for another hot hot bashing. Desi Train style.
- Movie Review: Lajos Koltai's Fateless: Death and the Children
Fateless, Life Is Beautiful, Naked Among Wolves, Kapò: children's experiences in Nazi concentration camps.
- Music Review: David Gilmour's On An Island
One rediscovers much of the old magic of Pink Floyd, while uncovering new, pleasantly surprisingly aspects of the musician's art.
- Movie Review: Paradise Now - A Must See
A riveting thriller that explores the psyche of suicide bombers.
- Movie Review: V for Vendetta
V for Vendetta is a hard hitting critique of our times in the post 9/11 world.
- Book Review: Engaging India by Strobe Talbott
Diplomacy, Democracy and the Bomb
- Libertarianism Versus Socialism for Dummies
A semi-humourous take on the differences between libertarians and socialists with some sweeping generalizations.
- The Flipper: The India-England Test Series Edition
Persistence, lack of responsibity, a few champions and a few losers.
- The Language Of War
...there are very few examples of language that would serve as a reminder of tranquility used in today's vocabulary.
- Rising Venture Capital Activity In India
Sridhar Mitta’s observation – the situation in hotspots in India may be comparable to Austin or Boston in terms of opportunities that get funded.
- Blogcritics Editors' Picks: March 15 through March 21
The Spring has Sprung edition of the best of the week past!
- Like Day Follows Night
The Indian cricket fan is entangled in a miserable loop. Neither can he bear his team losing, nor can he stay away from the game.
- Zendulkar - The Zen Version
There was a guy called WG Grace/He had a beard on his oval face
- The (In)Significance of Hindi
Before asking "Why Hindi?", it would be better to ask "Why any language?"
- II Mahajirzadeh:Manjhli and Bari
Bachchu Cahacha was the description defying family servant of Haji Uncle. His height and demeanor auto-adjusted to the situation.
- Steve Vaught - Walking To Realise Dreams
His journey of self-discovery is inspiring. I hope his dreams come true.
- Mumbai II - Special Economic Zone on Arabian Sea
Mukesh Ambani plans a new city on the Arabian Sea, across from Mumbai
- Cry Freedom! Bengal And Communism
Bengal seems destined to remain a wasteland for another ten years and that is tragedy for rest of India.
- CD Review: Ben Harper's Both Sides Of The Gun
His lyrics are political, his personal journey deep, his musical influences eclectic.
- Would You Move to India for your Career?
What is a question of "choice" right now, may well become a question of "necessity" in the coming years
- On Holocaust: Anti-Semite or Anti-Human?
Forget entire human history: even our recent history is replete with crimes against peace, humanity and genocide.
- Chinese Admiral Zheng He Circled the Globe Before the Europeans
The Chinese Admiral sailed the oceans green. And discovered America in 1418. Or so the theory goes.
- What Exactly is Google PageRank?
Concerned about the next PR update or getting those last minute link partners up and running? Invest this time instead on building up quality content
- Travel Essay: Prague - A Little City With A Big Heart
If anything vies with the cleanliness of the city for my admiration, it is the fact that this little country produced so many luminaries.
- Nullifying the Effect of Amrit - Sonia Gandhi's Sticky Situation
Mrs. Gandhi suddenly isn't willing to sacrifice her parliament seat now, as she sacrificed her Prime Ministership.
- The Movie Star Goes to the Movies
What is wrong with us as a people that we do not let those who entertain us have a normal evening’s entertainment themselves?
- 'Wrong' De Basanti
A 'wronged' mother decides to go public about the makers of RDB.
- Movie Review: Punching At The Sun
The first South Asian film from the US to be accepted to the ultra-prestigious Sundance Film Festival.
- Writer's Notes: Writing Is Writing
Writing is writing after all.
- Book Review: Carrie, by Stephen King
A loose review of Stephen King's first book, Carrie.
- A Very Warm Day
She kept dreaming about the rain. Of travelling on a wide road with greenery all around and the wind lashing the rain onto her face.
- Shadow City - A Look at Dharavi
Dharavi and many other slums like it are nothing but human ant colonies built by legions of our urban poor.
- Review: India-England Test Series
Taking nothing away from the English team, I believe that India lost out. With a modestly better overall performance they would have won the series
- Remember Bhagat Singh?
Does anyone still remember Bhagat Singh?
- Cow Corner: Why I love Inzi
Zainub Razvi presents the inaugral edition of Cow Corner where she talks about Inzamam-ul-Haq - some one who epitomizes every thing she loves about cricket.
- The Pakistani Taliban Types - Rural Hospitality, Urban Indifference
The ordinary folk are the same everywhere. It is they who offer food and hospitality unconditionally.
- Shivani Gaura Pant: A Tribute To A Hindi Writer
Shivani was a versatile writer had a great eye for details and was a wonderful story teller.
- Book Review: Scarred - Experiments with Violence in Gujarat
With each page you live once again the horror of Gujarat but this time it is not through images laced with impassioned commentaries.
- A Brief History of Indic Thalassocracy - 3/3
India lost its maritime tradition in medieval times when it retreated into its own shell when faced with the onslaught of external invasions.
- Allah or Krishna?
Pray tell me who is the True one?
- Book Review: All Marketers are Liars - Authentic Story-telling
"It's just a matter of how you tell the story. That's all"
- History: Something Old, Something New on Desicritics
This past week was a great week for history buffs and Desicritics readers.
- Overpaid Stars?
Nanda Kishore is infuriated at the latest display by the Indian cricket team. Is it too much to ask paid professionals to deliver?
- Congress and the "Office for Profit" Fiasco: Ab Tera Kya Hoga Madan Mohan?
I love Indian politicians. After all they have provided me with moments of unadulterated mirth.
- All Chappell's Men
As a classic cricket quickie unfolded - last seven wickets adding 25 runs - a gritty bunch of virtual unknowns rewrote cricket history.
- Prolegomenon: 73,000 Chicks Die of 'Revolutionary' Flu in Sri Lanka
Ceylon Biscuits Company has warned that it would suspend operations in Sri Lanka and move away to another country if another strike was launched by
- Global Warming: Wet, Warm And Thirsty
If we don’t do something about global warning in a hurry the coming generations would pay dearly for our lethargy.
- New Age: Cultural Colonialism
Cultural colonialism hasn't ended; it's just wearing a new disguise, and it's called New Age.
- A Tale of Singpura, India as Seen on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Why is it, I wonder, that the Western media rarely pick out any development features to do about India?
- Friday Masala
There are some people who "go out looking for trouble". Sanjay Dutt is one of such people. The other is Salman Khan.
- Judging Baby - My Personal Literary Moharram
She is a very The Devil Wears Prada kind of editor, lean and blasé, sophisticated and weary, full of nervous energy and condescension.
- Do the Taliban have Buddha Nature?
They are teaching the world the truth about what the Buddha said many centuries ago.
- III Mahajirzadeh: Choti and the Siami Begum
Even then we had enough sense to know that the wicket was quite unpredictable and unfavourable for any sustained play.
- With A Grain Of Salt: When Minorities Rule Over Majorities
The problem with power being concentrated in few hands is when they are chopped off the entire edifice crumbles quickly.
- Movie Review - Inside Man
The Inside Man tries to be a clever thriller but despite its admirable intelligence, it lacks in the thriller department.
- Chai Delights at Mumbai's Tea Centre
There were enough combinations and mixes to beat any cocktail menu. Tea with a hint of this and a dash of that.
- Deja Vu: The Strange Case Of Hussain Ali Qambar
Long before Abdul Rahman, there was Hussain Ali Quambar. This is the strange story of how Hussain Ali became Robert Ali and the consequences thereof.
- Akbarallys Closes - Workers Be Damned
Imagine you are on your way to work one morning just to find out that your sole means of 'bread and butter' is snatched away
- Violence at Tamil Nadu Deemed Universities
The student unrest at Sathyabhama University in Chennai is indicative of a deep-rooted problem that affects most deemed universities in Tamil Nadu.
- Meter Down: Living as an Auto-Wallah
Norah Vincent spent 18 months as Ned. Varun wants to spend some time as an auto-wala to know what lies behind their maniacal madness.
- Socialist Social Snobbery
Our society has created the permanent underclass we sneeringly call "White Trash".
- British Petroleum Exits Refinery Plan in India
“If I were in BP’s position, I would perhaps do the same."
- Got Beer? Willing to Travel
You can keep your Chardonnay, your Merlots and your Pinot Noirs - bring me a glass of freshly brewed beer!
- Sri Lanka Fast Attack Craft Blown up near Kudiramale by LTTE
Yesterday's incident is the worst since the Geneva face/off and looks like a signature occurrence before talks.
- Remember Me To One Who Lives There
Things didn’t change much in a day; over months and years, they did.
- Mami, Here's Your Gift - Haggis!
Once my roving eye was under control, we faced another problem. Everything was made in India.
- Catch Bangalore Live on The Web
The country’s first city-centric broadband website for Bangalore goes live
- BSNL Billing Hassles
Surely the media can funnel people's voices to make sure that the accountability sets in.
- triggering memories* at a wayside station
the polluted fog rendered / an eerie magical halo / as i ambled off to stretch / and find a hot cup of tea
- I'm Not a Ho
I just have friends.
- Movie Review - The World's Fastest Indian
Another solid, low budget film strong on acting with a compelling, uplifting true story. Hollywood, take note.
- A Desi Podcast: Indicast #17
Indicast is India's first multi-person podcast and the two resident contributors to indicast are Aditya & Abhishek.
- 55 Word Nano Fiction - Ms. Rita's Starbucks in Ratanpur
Ms. Rita, a fair and lovely coed from Cornell, originally from Ratanpur meets our Dablo at a dhaba. Dablo, a 10 year old waiter....
- Mouse Testicles Just Like Human Fetuses
Mice and Men: our plans for them
- Hostage Crises
Many of my men are good Christians and are highly affronted at seeing their religion being taken in vain in the name of peace
- A Crush at Work
She got married to a guy from my hometown. She is a bit of a juggler, has too many balls up in the air.
- Abdul Rahman: Infidel
Reporting on the Abdul Rahman case is placing unrealistic expectations on Afghanistan and providing inaccurate accounts of Islam.
- Offices Of Profit and Parliament
Two jobs, two women, one parliament
- Afghan Court Drops Case Against Abdul Rahman
Abdur Rahman is free, yet does he have freedom?
- Is Bribing God the Path to Salvation?
But should the priest who is supposed to serve God, differentiate between the rich and poor?
- Software Industry Careers: The Nine-fold Path to Success
Big companies don't provide the bigger picture, small companies don't have the coffee machine in place. How do you get satisfaction?
- Meher Bhargava: Death of a Hero
Hopefully this time around, justice won't be denied nor will it take centuries to come.
- Cow Corner: The Pervez Musharraf, Constitutions and Shaharyar Diplomacy Edition
Pervez Musharraf has no right to take active part in furthering the instituitional paralysis gripping the PCB.
- Book Review: The Ascendants Of Estorea: Book One: Cry Of The Newborn - James Barclay
The only consolation offered were the words "book one" in the title guaranteeing the story will continue.
- The Streets of Philadelphia
My whole perspective of the city changed when I stood at the entrace to the Italian Market in South Philly and looked in.
- Travel Essay: Paris - 'Amorous' is the Word
Notre Dame, one of the most famous of churches, is one architectural masterpiece not to be missed.
- On Grief and Grieving
Her story is arbitrary enough to send niggles of fear and unease down the most cavalier spine.
- Gym Gyan: All You Ever Wanted to Know and More
Gyms are sort of like push-up bras, ridiculous in theory but in practice, a total necessity.
- Movie Review : Inside Man - Chaiyya Chaiyya
Spike Lee making a commercial potboiler is like Satyajit Ray making a Bollywood movie that includes "Choli ke peche kya hai...."
- Movie Review: Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle - Dude, Where's My Reference Point?
And no, I have no problems with the consumption of weed per se.
- Bombay Wanderings in Mahim
What lead me here wasn’t the green lights of the dargah but the slow rising glint of smoke from the charcoal that lit the kebabs
- Mapping Ignorance
On generalizations and foreign perspectives in literature.
- Movie Review: Howl's Moving Castle - Magic, Magic, Everywhere
In Eastern lands far away, paper-and-pen still ruled, and computers were continued to be used just to embellish art.
- Open Your Mouth and Die - Meher Bhargav Passes Away
Let's get together and clap at the wonderful job the politicians of India have done.
- Arranged Marriage 101
The situation is out of control. She has a batallion of four women. I am alone. I SOS my parents. No help.
- maximum security
We live in our self created confinements. They live in our created confinements.
- Sun, Fun and Heat Related Illness
Serious illness or death await the heat. Heat exhaustion/heatstroke are preventable and treatable. Be informed and prevent them.
- A Tribute to Grandpa
He was my inspiration, my life - and now he is no more.
- Hope and Honour
He made it big by writing about Chotu, but what did Chotu get out of it?
- Book Review: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
This feeling of discomfort steadily increases till the denouement where everything - all the little details - fall chillingly into place.
- Israel Election Wrap Up – A Disengaged Nation Goes to the Polls
So the day has finally arrived. Our fates hang in the balance - but nobody seems to care.
- Politics And Education: Social Justice In The IITs And IIMs
An angry rant on Arjun Singh's proposal to hike up reservations in the IITs and IIMs
- Desi Film Dose - Film Reviews From Desicritics
Our bi-weekly round-up of movies. This week read about Spike Lee and Hayao Miyazaki.
- Do Flyovers Solve the Problem of Congestion?
Fly-overs are short term solutions to traffic control. Like roads they will become saturated too.
- Bush Cannot Win The War in Iraq: Here's How He Can Win Peace
America doesn’t needs more soldiers in Iraq to keep peace, but more American media outlets to create an illusion of peace
- What's In A Name?
It's not a crime to want to change your name.
- Bulls in My China Shop
If you’re a woman, you’ve felt those days revving up and then smashing full speed into you. And there’s no built-in safety feature.
- Baarats Never Come To Us
She told us about one village where they had proudly told her that a baraat never came to the village.
- Sentencing Announced in Gujarat Riots Case
"There was governmental and administrative support for the communal riots in Gujarat."
- The Global Information Technology Report 2005, The United States Tops The Rankings
Information and Communications Technology readiness and usage is critical for developing countries. Unfortunately, they appear down the table every year.
- An Indian Aesop's Fable
A fable for the times.
- Our 'Friendly' American Consulate
Any wrong move and the poor victims are blasted with the famous elimination stamp.
- Zarathustra, The Nude Sculpture: How Should Parsis React?
Does this mean that the Zoroastrians and Parsis the world over will go on a rampage?
- Opportunistic 'Theist'
He believes in God only if he gets to be an IIM MBA.
- Dear Jesus Spammer
Goddammit! Well, Jesus Spammer, at least I never lusted after a woman. Her boots, yes. Her, no. Good for me.
- Bangalore: Take Two
Bangalore: Take Two takes a look at the city under the new CM HD Kumaraswamy.
- William Makepeace Thackeray: The Indian In The Closet
On the Anglo-Indian roots of the author of Vanity Fair.
- Lakshya: The Farmer Prince Comes Out
Manav is a royal by birth and an earthworm-farmer by profession.
- C.A.R.E. -- do we really?
C.A.R.E.ing uncaringly
- Irritable Male Syndrome: A Male Version Of PMS?
Male menopause: is it for real or is it New Age mumbo-jumbo?
- The Maternal Instinct
I don't find all babies cute. I don't even particularly notice most of them.
- Karnataka: A Successful State Government?
Who determines the "success" of a state government? And how?
- Handbook of Indian Cricketing Exercises - A Peek
Stretch and Touch, Slash-Slash and French Cricket. We bring you excerpts from the original classic, Handbook of Indian Cricketing Exercises.
- Book Review: A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
Death is serious business, but doesn't necessarily have to be taken seriously all the time.
- Surely Ponting is the Best
Why Ponting is the best batsman in the world and should be acknowledged as one of the all-time greats
- Book Review: Identity and Violence: The Illusion of Destiny, Amartya Sen
This collection of lectures by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen examines the plurality of human identity.
- The Akbarallys Workers Dispute - Another Court Hearing
Each and every one of them thanked me profusely for my efforts. Appreciation glittered in their eyes.
- Internet Censorship the Pakistani Way
The road to hell is paved with good intentions; once the censorship drive to ban all bad things starts, it's a hard animal to stop.
- Quota Raj: Reservations to be Increased for IIT/IIM
The Government is going to reserve 49.5% of seats in IIT/IIMs and other higher educational institutes for SC/ST. Does India really need reservations?
- 3rd I Shorts At SFIAFF 2006 - The San Francisco Asian American Film Festival
A potpourri of short films from desi directors at the recent San Francisco Asian American Film Festival.
- Not At All Kosher, Not Even Slightly Halal, and Oh, So Non-Veg
Pork is the new salmon, heart-healthy bacon, the other white meat swims upstream to spawn.
- Recognition: Riverbend, a Blook, by a Blogger in the Running for a Major Literary Award
I wonder why she is not popular with many so called right wing bloggers; probably because she is against the occupation and writes satires
- The Indian Film Festival in Los Angeles
Naseeruddin Shah will be honored at this year's festival. Naseer will be here for this. Yesss!!!!!!!!
- Baghdad Burning, Riverbend Blog, Nominated for Samuel Johnson Literary Prize
She is a very good writer, and she has been considered for the prize not because she writes about Iraq and war but because she
- Lata Threatens To Quit Mumbai: Will She?
Will Lata and Asha Leave? Comments are open. Please speak up.
- So You Want To Have a Popular Blog?
A lighter take on why some blogs are visited way more than others.
- IV Mahajirzadeh:The Great Hand Car Wash
Human relationships are transitory and can look after themselves, but one has to invest in un-human relationships.
- Then, and Now
Then she held onto your pallu throughout the trip. Now she asks you to message as soon as you land in Bombay.
- fluttering curtains / pardah jo hila
moon looking askance / children muffled, muted
- Why Jimmy Carter Makes No Sense: The India Nuke Deal
There is this unnerving shadow of former Presidents over all things in the political and public life of the US.
- Reminiscing: Ugadi
The Ugadi pickle of all the different kinds of tastes is similar to our lives - a mixture of peaks and nadirs, joy and sorrow....
- Imran Hashmi vs Gobhi Pakoda
Imran Hashmi has definitely made it big in Bollywood. What could be the reason?
- With a Grain of Salt: Equality Is A Value!
In vast swathes of Asia and the Middle East, a boy means security in old age but a daughter is "paraya dhan" (somebody else's wealth).
- Writer's Notes: A Writer's Born
I've discovered that I've written a really good book that deserves to be published.
- 'Non' to English - Chirac's Opposition to Globalization
"You cannot build the world of the future on just one language and, hence, one culture."
- Aditya Chopra: Man Behind the Scenes
Not much is known about this 35-year-old whiz kid.
- Book Review: Imaginary Men - Imaginary Storyline
Imaginary storylines come to be when a writer whips up a concoction that is 50% Mills and Boon, 25% Chick Lit and 25% Expat Desi
- Will Ramu Go To School On Monday?
While jhuggis are leveled the establishment plays flute
- Identity: The Quest for Comfort Within Our Skins
Do we really ever succeed in shaking off any of our multiple identities? Should we even want to shake off any one of them?
- A Strange, Sad Night in Bumbaiya
I wonder what will she do with the 200 rupees. Will she even get to keep it or will some pimp or husband take it
- timeless: ratnagiri upon badin
today i feel like painting a picture that in my mind i've drawn already
- Will Blogging Make You Blind?
Computer use can cause of eyestrain. There are ways to avoid vision problems and "Keep On Blogging".
- The Scientific Balance Of Power
There remains a institutional/systemic roadblock to innovation and research in India.
- We'll Bury Our Past
Balu and Anjana watched solemnly as mound after mound of earth piled on the six cardboard boxes until the well was filled.
- Indian Politics: Soniaji - I Was Wrong
I owe an apology to the person who's one of the few decent politicians in India today.
- A Happy Life
The recipe for a happy life.
- Fashion Weeks and Wardrobe Malfunctions
The Lakme India Fashion Week has already seen two incidents of wardrobe malfunctions.
- Shoe Fetishist Seeks Shoe Fiend
It's nice to see that in spite of all the divorce statistics being thrown at us, people are still looking for friendship, love and the
- A Child's Happiness: At What Cost?
I longed to tell her it was not about money but about principle.
- The Indian Food Processing Industry: The Next Growth Sector
The food processing industry is badly in need of infrastructure and the government is offering several incentives and tax breaks for foreign investment.
- Shakespeare: A Pervert?
A new edition of Shakespeare's collected works reveals that smuttiness is at the very heart of the Bard's plays.
- CD Review: Bob Marley And The Wailers: One Love At Studio One
A chance to hear three great musicians finding their way to their true calling
- Jury Still Out on Whether Praying Helps Gunshot Victims
So prayer doesn't help heart patients. But hey, maybe it could benefit gunshot victims.
- Are You A Feminist?
Here I was, at the mercy of the head honcho of the Chauvinist Collective having mistakenly invited him in for a cup of tea.
- Eyeing Expansion: Intel's Offering to Rural India - the Community PC
Getting wired and accessible is a necessity not an option
- Cuppa Cafe, Mumbai
The furniture is a jumble of styles. Indoors they also sell some knick knacks that are ideal for gifting.
- The Other Side of The Fence
But beyond that was it infidelity on mans part or a means of good doe on the woman’s?
- Cricket: Seniors Nearly Wrecking Matches
Twice in two matches, the Indians have been saved by the lower order and youngsters. What happened to the famed batting line-up?
- Men’s Saviour: Finally Good News For Women
If men cannot behave like men then who are they supposed to behave like – ladies? Or boys?
- Pakistan Blocks Wikipedia
Pakistan blocked Wikipedia.org temporarily, following their earlier blockage of the blogger.com domain.
« February, 2006 || April, 2006 »
- Movie Review: Aksar - Sar Pakad and Run
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