April 2016
My Favourite Bangalorean, The Telegraph
The achievements of the Parsis are well known. A community numbering some 70,000 people has produced some of India’s greatest patriots (Dadabhai Naoroji, Bhikaji Cama); its most prominent and philanthropically oriented business houses (the Tatas, [...]
In Praise Of West Indies Cricket and Cricketers, Hindustan Times
On the last day of March, a friend of mine, temporarily in London, wandered into a pub. It was night in India, but afternoon in England, so there were just the odd drinker around. My [...]
March 2016
The Government Of-By-And For The Slogan, Hindustan Times
At its recent meeting, the National Executive of the Bharatiya Janata Party passed a political resolution, a passage of which read: ‘Our Constitution describes India as Bharat also, [hence] refusal to chant victory to Bharat [...]
The Mysterious Makeover of Mr Modi, The Telegraph
As Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi was known to run a tight ship. He was in total command of his Cabinet, and interacted regularly with senior civil servants. He had some special areas of [...]
January 2016
Why The Dalai Lama May Be India’s Noblest Resident, Hindustan Times
Unlike the airport in my home town, Bengaluru, or the airports in two cities I visit often, Mumbai and Delhi, the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose airport in Kolkata is run not by a private firm [...]
Can Hindu Liberals Criticise Muslim Bigots, The Telegraph
In March 1937, Mahatma Gandhi published an article entitled ‘Need for Tolerance’. This was in response to a letter he had received from a Muslim friend. This man, a liberal and sceptic, wondered why, when [...]