This post was prompted by an exchange sometime ago on the Freedom Team of India google groups on the subject of “minority protection“.
As we get into the final stages of 2009 Lok Sabha elections, this is an attempt at dissecting this controversial topic and to examine how established political parties have dealt with this touchy subject. I would like to start off with this comment from Sanjeev Sabhlok, in response to points made during the discussion. He wrote (emphasis added):
All of us, each of us, is a minority of one.
Step …

Start the weekend by reading Why these elections may become a referendum on Modi  
Next, read The Acorn on Liberal Nationalism
Here is why entrepreneur, technologist and investor Rajesh Jain changed tack from technology to politics
…and finally, an extraordinary account of evangelist preacher Angus Buchan’s Mighty Men’s Conference.
If you missed last weekend, here is the link: W’end Links: Israel, Terrorist Windfall and a “make-believe world”
Enjoy the weekend. Stay healthy. keep smiling.
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…and don’t forget the “Tell a Friend” button below!

Last Friday (27th), we had the third meeting of a small group of politically active friends here in London.
I shared a few slides on “Liberalism” at the meeting as introduction to a discussion we had about FTI.
Do have a look and do share your thoughts/comments. Rohit has already raised some (very good and valid) points on this and I hope he will share them in the comments section below.
Liberalism Presentation at LBS Mar 09
View more presentations from Shantanu.
Look forward to hearing from many of you,
Jai Hind, jai Bharat!
Related Posts:
Food, …

Just back from a hectic and intense 10-day visit to India.
I did four cities on this visit…and on an average, slept about 5 hours each day…by 7pm on most days, my throat would begin to hurt (from talking too much)…and I actually managed to run down a fully charged phone battery in about 15 hours during one of the days!
Highlight of the visit was an hour I spent with Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s parents. It was a moving and unforgettable experience…I will write more on this in the next few days.
Had …

“Why bother with politics?”
I get asked this question often…and I cannot think of a more succinct response than the one penned by Sanjeev below. Continuing his series of posts…
*** Why bother with politics? by Sanjeev Sabhlok ***
Of the things we take for granted in our lives, politics must surely rank the highest.
Politics determines policy, and policy determines our lives.
It impacts whether our children will be around to look after us in our old age; whether we will be taken quickly to hospital after a hit-and-run road accident – indeed, whether …

.
It is neither the horse nor the elephant
and never – ever – the tiger
It is the goat that is offered in sacrifice
Even the gods slain the weak
.
Can readers please help me find the correct source/reference for this quote? It has been attributed to Chanakya on at least one site but it would be good to have other references and a confirmation.
Thanks.
Related Posts
Clearing the dust off Macaulay’s “famous quote”
(an earlier) Quote of the week
and Quote of the Day
UPDATE:  The quote in Sanskrit:
|| अश्वं नैव गजं नैव
व्याघ्रं नैव च नैव च
अजापुत्रो बलिम …

Most readers may already be aware of this but there continues to be a widespread misconception that the word “secular” was part of the original Constitution drafted during 1947-1950.
E.g. a recent post on Indian Muslims Blog mentioned:
…an India which started out in 1947 with a “tryst with destiny” to build a secular state as Jawaharlal Nehru so eloquently promised…
As far as I know, Nehru didn’t utter the word “secular” in his now famous speech (see here and here).
The word “secular” (along with “socialist”) was introduced in the preamble to the Constitution by the late …

This poll was triggered by the comements of President Pratibha Patil at Tumkur recently where she reportedly said:
President Pratibha Devisingh Patil asked the Union Government to take a re-look at the population policy, just as China did to stabilise its population.
…Quoting a survey that 100 million people are under threat of starvation the world-over, she emphasised the need for addressing food security globally. “The world population shot up from 2.5 billion in 1950 to 6 billion by 2000. It is expected to touch 9 billion by 2050. India’s population is growing …

Those of you who have been long-time readers of this blog will know about FTI (Freedom Team of India).
Some of you would have also read the series of posts by Sanjeev Sabhlok – who is the main inspiration behind Freedom Team of India.
I am glad to have been involved with the team, right since the time of its “birth” (c. 2007)….and it pleases me a lot to see the remarkable progress we have made in this short span of time – not least due to the indefatigable energy of Sanjeev and the 30-odd …

Continuing the series of posts by Sanjeev Sabhlok, I am very glad to present this thought-provoking argument on creating and maximising opportunities.
*** Guest Post by Sanjeev Sabhlok ***
No one in developed countries will be found living off a few coconut slices sold under the hot sun each day. So why is this man forced to waste his entire life in this totally insignificant activity? An answer is found in our politics.

This man could well have been a successful industrialist or entrepreneur given the right opportunities. But today, most Indians are …