This is my translation of Pratap Simha’s Kannada Prabha piece on 10 August 2013. Comments and criticism welcome as always. Does this nation really have a person called the Prime Minister? Aren’t you bitten by this suspicion? If we really…
Commentary, Indian Politics, Media Watch, Things You Must Hate About Nehruvian India
No Tears for Durga Shakti
by Sandeep • • 9 Comments
You spend a fortune to buy a pet dog of the finest pedigree but you’re surprised that it doesn’t, that it simply won’t roar like a lion. If that sounds absurd let me tell you what’s even more absurd. The…
Commentary
Death of a Language
by Sandeep • • 39 Comments
Let’s face two facts: one, most if not all regional languages are dying and two, for good or bad, Westernization has made, and continues to make deep and perhaps irreversible inroads into Indian society. A language, any language is an…
Commentary, Indian Politics
Self-Inflicted Ignominy
by Sandeep • • 59 Comments
What a way to fall when you’re 86 years old! And yet, as most who had observed the run up to the fall knew, it was only imminent. What primarily led to LK Advani’s graceless exit was a combination of…
Commentary
Announcement: The Grammar of an Indigenous Narrative
by Sandeep • • 9 Comments
And so, the fine folks at Subodhini have graciously invited me to speak at Mumbai. Here are the details: Title: The Grammar of an Indigenous Narrative Date : 9 June’2013 Time: 11.00 P.M. to 03.00 P.M. Registration: 10.30 A.M. Registration…
Commentary, Indian Politics
Dear BJP: Beware! The Lust for Gaddi Will Swallow You!
by Sandeep • • 38 Comments
Note: This is my translation of Pratap Simha’s column 18 May 2013 column in Kannada Prabha. An incident comes to mind. The incident is recorded in Shanti Bhushan’s autobiography, Courting Destiny. The incident occurred sometime in 1978. Morarji Desai had…
Indian Politics
Vishwamitra was a Great Saint Until Menaka Danced Before Him: Or The Story of the BJP
by Sandeep • • 25 Comments
Note: This is a translation of Pratap Simha’s column in Kannada Prabha entitled, Menake Bandu Kuniyuvavaregu Vishwamitra Mahatapaswiyaagidda. BJPya katheyu haage aaytu! published on 11 May 2013. Who do we need to blame amongst these: B.S. Yeddyurappa, K.S. Eshwarappa, Jagadish…
Commentary, Indian Politics
Narendra Modi Rocks Bangalore
by Sandeep • • 56 Comments
He came, he saw, he spoke, and he wowed. He’d already conquered Bangalore years ago. In his 28 April election speech on the eve of the Karnataka Assembly polls 2013, Narendra Modi simply notched up yet another triumph in a…
Commentary, Indian Politics, Media Watch
The Impending Implosion of the Congress Party
by Sandeep • • 17 Comments
In Bhitti, his autobiography, Dr. S.L Bhyrappa narrates an eyewitness account of a series of rallies held in Delhi during the infamous Syndicate vs Indicate episode towards the end of the 1960s. These rallies had but a singular aim: to…
Commentary, Indian Politics, Media Watch, War on Communism
A Legacy of Betrayal
by Sandeep • • 34 Comments
The one word that comes to mind each time the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty’s name is taken is betrayal. Betrayal of trust, decency, hope, values, and the ultimate betrayal of the nation itself. And like with most betrayals after Independence, the tone…