US President Barack Obama

Pakistan has been very obsessed with India. They see that as their existential threat. I think that’s a mistake

There is one more (emphasis added)..
Our job is to secure the United States. We are very respectful of the sovereignty of Pakistan. But we cannot allow someone who is actively planning to kill our people..we can’t allow those kind of active plans to come to fruition without us taking some action.
Past quotes are here.. Image courtesy: WhiteHouse

Thanks to KV Sarma J for alerting me to this image. KV mentioned that the image reminded him of “Gada-dhari” Hanuman doing “Ram-naam jaap“. I agree.

Wikipedia informs us that:
The howler monkey god was a major deity of the arts – including music – and a patron of the artisans among the Classic Mayas, especially of the scribes and sculptors…
…it are the two large statues of simian figures shaking rattles (see fig.), found on both sides of the ‘Reviewing Stand’ of Copan’s temple 11, that approach much more closely the standard representation …

Dear All: It is my pleasure to publish this guest-post by Nandini. It is actually an email that she sent Shekhar Gupta in response to his editorial titled, “Jantar, Chuu Mantar“. I am not sure whether it will be published by Indian Express. Nevertheless, it is a thought-provoking piece which I felt needed to be read and discussed widely. As some of you know, I have had my differences of opinion with Anna Hazare’s movement but this piece prompted a serious re-think. Without further ado (emphasis added),
*** A Response to …

Two weeks ago, I spent a couple of hours with a remarkable group of youngsters in Pune who truly lifted my spirits. The experience was humbling and inspiring. And it reminded me – once again – how fortunate most of us are and how little we realise this fact.  These youngsters are part of the Niwant family.
“Melting the thick barricade and the wall that is built between the sighted and the people with no sight (in  just the physical sense of the term)” is the mission of Niwant.
It helps visually …

The Leadership Workshop for Political Activists
Join us for a day of richly stimulating and intensely thought-provoking workshop on “Making the Leap: From Discussing Politics to Changing Paradigms”. This workshop – the first of its kind in India – is aimed at concerned and aware citizens who wish to make the transition to active politics. For those of you who may be wondering why bother with politics?, here is the reason, courtesy my friend and FTI colleague, Sanjeev:
Of the things we take for granted in our lives, politics must surely …

Dear All: It is my pleasure to publish this guest post by KV Sarma J on “Athirathram” – one of the most ancient and sacred ritual associates with Vedic Dharma.  I should confess that if you had mentioned the word “Athirathram” to me before April, I would have drawn a blank on it. Now, I know better – in large part due to the efforts of bloggers like KV and others. Below is a condensed version of the full series that appeared on KV Sarma J’s blog…Please read, share and …