First, some “facts”. “Facts” within quotes because no one quite appears to know the “truth”. I am therefore relying on emails, first-person (albeit unverified) accounts, news-reports and of course, the wonderful world of internet..As you will realise after reading this, the whole thing appears mysterious – and raises more questions than answers. Earlier yesterday morning, I was alerted to this news-report (from the HT) by Sh Krishen Kak (emphasis added, throughout):
Over 2,500 refugees from Myanmar have landed right in front of the 13th century tomb of Sultan Garhi — an …

Dear All: It is my pleasure to publish this Guest Post by Anjana Bhartia on Rahul Gandhi’s assets and educational qualifications. Anjana has done a fine job of primary research to dig up facts, link them to sources and come to some conclusions that lead to uncomfortable questions. I doubt that we will ever get any answer to them though – such is the nature of “secrecy” and hype surrounding “The Prince”. But these questions need to be asked – especially because they are uncomfortable; and because they raise the …

A 6-min video snippet in Hindi on how those at the “base of the pyramid” are the worst affected by the stranglehold of ridiculous regulations…
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Comments, suggestions welcome as always.. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!

Dear All: I stumbled on this article a few weeks back and felt that it deserved wider circulation – especially in the context of the recent discussions and decision by SC on RTE.  I was vaguely aware of the discriminatory nature of Article 30 (which by the way, was the reason behind the Ramkrishna Mission to declare itself a non-Hindu “sect”) but its extent and repercussions shocked me. Below, excerpts from a richly referenced and data-rich critique of this article by Dr Moorthy Muthuswamy…Read on.
*** Excerpts from Religious Apartheid in Modern …

I could not believe this piece of *news* when I first read it..You may not too. Thanks to Sh Krishen Kak and Dr Kalyanarama-ji for alerting me to this. Pl have a look at the image below:

The ‘cartoon’ that led to JU professor’s arrest. From top to bottom: 1. Mamata Banerjee points to Indian Railways’ logo and tells Mukul Roy: “See Mukul, the Golden Fortress”; 2. Mukul Roy points to former railway minister Dinesh Trivedi and exclaims: “That’s an evil man!!!”; 3. Mamata says: “Evil man, vanish!”

Apparently, this “image” – …

..compromising national security, India’s defence preparedness, investigations into corruption in high places and probity in public life. This is a lazy post comprising a series of very disturbing excerpts from various articles. It picks up from this post that I published earlier this week. If you think I am over-doing this topic, it is because it deserves to be overdone. National security is something that is fundamental to any country. It cannot be compromised. If questions are being raised about the state of our defence preparedness, they cannot be brushed …

From Prof M D Nalapat’s blog (emphasis added):
*** Excerpts from Gen V K Singh uncovers Armsgate Scam by Prof Nalapat ***
Delhi is the nest of no fewer than six dozen international arms dealers, and they are the most desirable of friends to have in the national capital of what is effectively the world’s fourth-largest economy. Every week, each of them throws at least one if not more parties, at which liquor flows in the same profusion was water into bathtubs. The pot-bellied, ageing politicians and civil servants – now joined …

Those of you who have interacted with my FTI colleague Sanjeev will know that he rarely minces words…And when it comes to the state of affairs in India, he is as blunt as can be..so while this post of his may ruffle a few (lot) feathers, I think it is worth reproducing in full – since I am certain it will provoke some thought… and perhaps prompt some action..
From let us thank our corrupt parliamentarians and blame ourselves…(emphasis as in original by Sanjeev)
There has been, once again, a great amount …

From a link that I stumbled upon during a lazy Sunday evening…
The UPA has gone a step ahead by clearing the decks for a National Data Base (NDB).The NDB will be a central body storing and disseminating all data of all of India’s socio-religious categories. The agency will thus be to all socio-religious groups what the Sachar Commission has been to Muslims. The decision to form the NDB—which may easily be called termed as UPA II’s ultimate political carrot dangled before the minorities—was taken at the highest level, including the …

Courtesy, Freedom First (thanks to Sh SV Raju), here is an insightful article on “India’s Growing Leadership Deficit” – written 43 years ago by Sh M R Pai. It still rings true – which is probably the most damning indictment of our leadership (its failure) and its inability to improve the lives of hundreds of millions in India, 60+ years after Independence. As Sh Raju noted, “Right leadership is the key to good, transparent and effective governance.” This matter therefore deserves continuing attention…Without further ado (emphasis added),
*** India’s Growing Leadership …