politics Archives - Page 3 of 4

In An Age of Prime-Time Propaganda, Why Ravish Kumar’s Magsaysay Award Speech is a Must-Listen

In his acceptance speech ahead of receiving the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Ravish Kumar’s appeals to the citizenry’s sense of pride in their rights, despair at being conned, and frustration at being lied to repeatedly. It’s time to pay attention.

Manik Sharma May 23, 2016

POV

From 1947 to 2089: What Will India Look Like in Another 71 Years?

In the India of the distant future, will caste still matter? Will democracy as we know it persist, or be replaced by a newer form of government? Predicting the future is hard, even more so for a country like India.

Sajith Pai May 11, 2016

People

Farewell, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the PM Who Brought Poetry to Indian Politics

Atal Bihari Vajpayee has passed away after a prolonged illness at AIIMS, marking the end of a simpler, gentler era in Indian politics. We bid goodbye to a leader who, more than anyone who followed him, embodied what the PM’s post stood for.

Dushyant Shekhawat May 5, 2016

POV

Independence Day: Is Poetry the Oppressed Soul’s Ticket to Freedom?

Freedom, to most of us, still dates back to the political independence of 1947. But like poetry, freedom too is defined by its individual interpretations. To be free would be to accept everyone’s claim to the same poem, and by extension, the same freedoms.

Manik Sharma April 26, 2016

POV

This Liberal’s Heart Beats For Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Atal Bihari Vajpayee kept humour and poetry and all those softer emotions that keep our politics humane, alive – all the emotions that have so thoroughly vanished from our public life. His tenure is a reminder that political ideology notwithstanding, there is a world of difference between being a statesman and playing one.

Runjhun Noopur April 24, 2016

POV

Why All of Us Need to Start Considering Politics As a Career Option

We, the woke and the liberal, are politically and socially conscious, and have an opinion on everything – from the Congress’s failing fortunes to the future of democracy. We are out on the streets, protesting against hate crime and the unlawful chopping of forests, but why does politics not feature as a career choice for most of us?

Kavya J April 16, 2016

POV

An Open Letter to the Right-Winger Who is Not Wrong

Dear right-wingers, it is time to prove liberals wrong. We know you are so much more than blindfolded acolytes swearing by gomutra. Remember that with great power comes great responsibility. Your job is not over by having voted in someone with an overwhelming majority: Your task is to keep them on their toes for the next five years to prove that your faith has not been misplaced.

Tamira Obrahm April 12, 2016

People

Kyunki TV Bhi Kabhi Real Life Tha

Indian joint families and the Ekta Kapoor brand of TV serials are caught in an endless loop of art imitating life imitating art imitating life. The only difference is we don’t look as pretty as the characters on TV, and we can’t change the channel when we’ve had enough.

Apoorva Singhal April 8, 2016

People

Manohar Parrikar Left a Huge Void in Goa’s Politics. Will Anyone Match His Stature?

In Goa, the BJP was synonymous with Manohar Parrikar. As he rose in stature, the fortunes of the party changed. With his demise, the BJP faces a huge challenge, especially with general elections around the corner.

Anwarul Hoda April 7, 2016

POV

History or Politics, What’s the Real Reason for Changing City Names?

Cities with names that point to India’s real history are an embarrassment to those who wish to rewrite the past. Running out of time before next year’s election, renaming cities and building extravagant statues feels like a relatively low-risk, high-reward approach for the government to leaving a lasting impact.

Dushyant Shekhawat March 31, 2016