Remembrance 9/11: Reason or Irrationality

Remembrance 9/11: Reason or Irrationality - Time to Choose

I am re-posting this article of mine published in Economic and Political Weekly, immediately after the tragic event.

Some of the intellectually well-meaning criticisms of many policies of US governments have been internalised as hatred of America and Americans in the conscious or unconscious minds not only of the lunatic fringe of religious fundamentalists but also of large numbers of apparently rational people, particularly in the poorer countries. In the aftermath of the maniacal attacks of September 11 the foremost challenge will be to dispel the clouds of hatred if irrationality is not to triumph over reason

Remembrance: 9/11 (2001)Reason or Irrationality: Time to Choose

Today (12th September) as I post this, I also remember my mother, C.A. Annamma, who left us in 2006.

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Indian Space Program and Recent Reporting – Hype vs Facts: A Quick Look

Was planning to write a long note on the inflated hue and cry over India’s space program. This is a summary of my views without going into the details. Of late, every successful event of the Indian space programme is celebrated as if it is a ‘historic’ one. An impression is given as if the whole program is merely a few years old and all that it has achieved has been in a short period of a few years. To be more specific, unlike in the case of the missions of countries like the USA, when Indian media reports on the Indian missions readers do not get any idea as to when the mission was planned and what kind of effort has gone into it. Just like the Mars Mission launched towards the end of 2013 , the various satellite launches are the result of many years of planning to ensure that India has a series of satellites of different capabilities and there are replacements as old satellites are retired. India’s Mars Orbiter Mission that was placed into an orbit around Mars in September 2014

A Pestilence - The Karatified-Left

These days there is a certain brand of unwelcome Leftists who pop up when some of us discuss either the dangers of sanghi fascism or start conversations about building wider unity to defeat these fascists. They appear mainly to question the discussions on unity against the sanghi-fascism and to discredit vehemently the Congress, avoiding the question of countering the sanghi fascists. When we look up their worldviews or the overall demeanour, they appear to be left-leaning. Strangely, they never discuss anything about fighting the sanghi-fascists. When it comes to discussing trends like this, we need some labels or short descriptions for those exhibiting similar traits, expressing converging views, singing consonant tunes, or dancing to the same beats. They fall into the trend of cleverly equating BJP and Congress with all sorts of whatabouteries used by the sanghis , avoiding discussions on countering the sanghi threat, deliberately underplaying the sanghi -fascist threat and

Is there a Spartacus out there? Among the IPL gladiators?

The irony is that film stars 'own' the team – i.e., the players! Our sports icons are now like gladiators. May be, not so brave. In awe and with fluttering hearts they mix with the glamorous stars of the show business and real business. Occasionally they remember: Hey boy! This one really owns me, my God! What have I got into? The gladiator partying with his owner! They do it, not because they always like to party after a bad defeat, but so be it, it is part of the deal, you know. It is the new Compulsive Relaxation Therapy, prescribed by the IPL. Partying in prescribed doses is a lot more than mere fun. Also, it is good to party if the defeat was, perhaps, well and truly expected. May be, even anticipated. You know why! No rewards for guessing! If still in doubt, ask your bookie. It just happens that the celebrations get a bit wilder when the results go against the odds! In this format of the game, both losers and winners can rejoice! It is a great game, come o

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