Yuval Noah Harai, in his book 21 lessons for the 21st Century, gives a beautiful perspective on Nationalism. He says that the nation is basically a story we tell ourselves. No doubt every nation has its geographical boundary. But without those stories, the collective feeling of belonging to a nation would not come. In order … Continue reading understanding nationalism
Category: Nation&Society
protectionism does not pay
I would not call article 370 and 35A as special provisions. I would call them protectionist principles. And in this era of globlisation, excess protectionism does not pay. Like many Indians and non-Indians, I too had not expected this. It was only a couple of days back that in my blog post - A trip … Continue reading protectionism does not pay
The Experts of Hindustan
I do not find any difference between Baba Ramdev's comments on Indian Economics and Amartya Sens's comments on Indian Culture. Both are experts in a particular field. I don't know where do such people get the confident feelings that being an expert in one field automatically qualifies them to be masters of all fields of … Continue reading The Experts of Hindustan
the dronacharyas of our times
I don't think the saying- those who can, do; those who can't, teach - is universally true. It may be true in certain cases. Even then there is no need to view it negatively. Take the case of sports coaches. Successful sports coaches are people who may find it hard to be successful in competitive … Continue reading the dronacharyas of our times
the vikings of our times
There is no waiting list to line up for the last leg of the Mount Everest. The inclement weather sometimes allows a small window of clear sky for a couple of days. Then it is free for all. The peak, that did not see even a single visitor till 1953, is now a place of … Continue reading the vikings of our times
affairs of the homo sapiens
Last week, I voted for two of the topics suggested for Indispire #277. One got voted to be the indispire prompt of the week, the other did not. However, both are related in the sense that both talk about relationships - one neutral and the other unacceptable. I voted for the first one because I … Continue reading affairs of the homo sapiens
munna bhai sadak chhap#2
Continued from Part-1 "Bapuji, one thing I have noticed is that your name has a Midas touch. Roads named after you are doing big business. Movies made on your name are doing big business. Even people who took on your title have done big business. I am not talking of your natural pro-genies though." "You … Continue reading munna bhai sadak chhap#2
The Specialist vs the Polymath: which side are you?
Sherlock Holmes would have nothing to do with information not related to his profession. His companion Dr. Watson is shocked one day when he learns that Sherlock Homes did not know the earth went round the sun. This fictional character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is an extreme example of specialisation. It means the … Continue reading The Specialist vs the Polymath: which side are you?
munna bhai sadak chhap
(30.05.2019 8.58 P.M. It is like deciding in the last moment to appear for the exam. Let me see if In can churn out something on the Indispire Prompt and post it before 9.30 PM. But let me first check to see if someone has already written something on it. Before that let me check … Continue reading munna bhai sadak chhap
Are Inspirational Books Really Useful?
In my earlier blogpost- do self help books help - I was very critical of the self help books available in the market. Some thought I was a bit too harsh while sharing the uselessness of the majority of the self help books. I was thinking of writing a sequel, and this week's Insdispire prompt … Continue reading Are Inspirational Books Really Useful?
PEBBLES AND WAVES 