Dear Comrade I write to you as a citizen, so unlike the many eulogies and appeals you have received recently, this will not be sugar-coated. You have received much praise, which is indeed well-deserved. But most of us have done, and are still doing, our duty well, but there is no need to indulge in … More Restore Our Vision of the Future: A Letter to the Kerala Chief Minister
Kerala is the land of my birth, and my life is intertwined closely and inseparably with the lives of all fellow-Malayalis. I will respect and remember this truth and will never think of my life as totally unrelated to nature, my neighbours, and the government that we elect to rule us. I vow to … Continue reading A National Pledge for Kerala after the Great Deluge of 2018
Guest post by BOBBY KUNHU A couple of days back, representatives of a group that wanted a petition demanding death penalty for all the accused in the Chennai gang rape case sought an appointment with me. I had clarified that I will not be part of any process demanding death penalty and would be glad … Continue reading Some Reflections on Rape in India: Bobby Kunhu
This is a GUEST POST by TANNISTHA SAMANTA Although the Indian Hindi film industry has been known to be considerably less gerontophobic than the western popular culture (Hollywood, in particular), our aging Naanas and Naanis have been often represented as either able keepers of family “sanskars” or hyper-ritualized subjects (with added effect if in some … Continue reading Bollywood’s re-imagination of growing old: Tannistha Samanta
Guest post by BOBBY KUNHU On 22nd May 2018, in what cannot be imagined even in a dictatorial regime, the police in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu – a South Indian state opened fire to kill, on a group of peaceful protesters marching towards the district administration office demanding denial of permission for expansion and closure of … Continue reading Thoothukudi Massacre – When State becomes Predator: Bobby Kunhu
Former civil servants have written open letters since 2017 (here and here), expressing their anguish at the unchecked attempts to spread hatred and discord among communities.
Statement by JAN SWASTHYA ABHIYAN The Union Budget 2018-19 makes tall claims, with no clear road map for the health sector, one that is sensitive to the needs of the poor and the vulnerable population of India. The allocations for Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) (including for AYUSH) have increased from Budget Estimate … Continue reading Exposing the mirage of ‘Modicare’: Jan Swasthya Abhiyan
Guest post by AYESHA KIDWAI Happy International Mother Language Day. This day, declared by UNESCO, is straight up South Asia’s alley as it celebrates linguistic diversity and multilingualism. In other words, it celebrates each Indian. Here’s what you can do from now on to celebrate it: 1. Resist Hindi imposition. An official language is not … Continue reading International Mother Language Day: Ayesha Kidwai
Ghalib has fascinated generations of people and they have tried to understand/ interpret his poetry in their own way. For any such individual it is really difficult to recollect when and how Ghalib entered her/ his life and ensconced himself comfortably in one’s heart. This wanderer still faintly remembers how many of Ghalib’s shers were … Continue reading ‘Why Ghalib appears so contemporary even today ?’ : Interview with Hasan Abdullah
Guest Post by Umar Khalid I went to Maharashtra as I along with other activists and intellectuals were invited to come there. I along with others was a guest there. And I would remember fondly the love and support that I received in Pune and Mumbai.
