Manoj Kewalramani Archive

  • Moreover, covering up statues of Mayawati are one thing, but the elephant? Is the EC really being serious? In similar vein, should we ensure that cycles, images of cycles, lotuses and their images at flower shops also be banned until the polls are done with?

    The ‘white elephant’ of UP

    Posted on January 10, 2012 | 2 Comments
    Moreover, covering up statues of Mayawati are one thing, but the elephant? Is the EC really being serious? In similar vein, should we ensure that cycles, images of cycles, lotuses and their images at flower shops also be banned until the polls are done with?

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  • China’s response to the recent protests for democratic change in North Africa and the Arab world has been one that has mixed caution with aggressive diplomacy.

    China and the Arab Spring

    Posted on May 30, 2011 | No Comments
    China’s response to the recent protests for democratic change in North Africa and the Arab world has been one that has mixed caution with aggressive diplomacy.

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  • In India, we have this ridiculous tendency to paint most international news stories with a desi brush. From NASA space missions to Egyptian protests to insider trading cases; it’s horrendous to read stories that begin with the headline “NRI man,” “Indian-origin woman.” That’s a spin that doesn’t need highlighting the way it is.

    Why news isn’t a pair of Levis

    Posted on March 9, 2011 | 1 Comment
    In India, we have this ridiculous tendency to paint most international news stories with a desi brush. From NASA space missions to Egyptian protests to insider trading cases; it’s horrendous to read stories that begin with the headline “NRI man,” “Indian-origin woman.” That’s a spin that doesn’t need highlighting the way it is.

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  • Without going into the merits or demerits of Gandhi’s statement, what is clear is that such an assertion before a foreign envoy - while keeping in mind that India at that time, and still continues to, was seeking American influence over Pakistan to clamp down on extremists groups targeting India - was not merely distasteful but smacked of naivety.

    Wikileaks, Rahul Gandhi, and terror debate in India

    Posted on December 17, 2010 | No Comments
    Without going into the merits or demerits of Gandhi’s statement, what is clear is that such an assertion before a foreign envoy - while keeping in mind that India at that time, and still continues to, was seeking American influence over Pakistan to clamp down on extremists groups targeting India - was not merely distasteful but smacked of naivety.

    Continue Reading...

  • While the American president declared that India was no longer emerging, rather it had emerged, Cameron asserted that there wasn't an issue in the world that didn't beg China's opinion and participation. The two men also called for both the Asian giants to play a more constructive role in the development and growth of Africa. "It's a huge market too; come now, let us not compete. Rather, we should explore it together," they pleaded. Alright, they didn't say that exactly. But it did sound more or less like that.

    Why did Obama and Cameron visit Asia?

    Posted on November 13, 2010 | No Comments
    While the American president declared that India was no longer emerging, rather it had emerged, Cameron asserted that there wasn't an issue in the world that didn't beg China's opinion and participation. The two men also called for both the Asian giants to play a more constructive role in the development and growth of Africa. "It's a huge market too; come now, let us not compete. Rather, we should explore it together," they pleaded. Alright, they didn't say that exactly. But it did sound more or less like that.

    Continue Reading...

  • Yes it’s a trade; it’s always been one. All it has done is metamorphosed from the practice of a skill to the far more realistic you-scratch-my-back-and-I-scratch-yours stage. Nah, that’s a dirty phrase. It just trivializes the effort that goes into sustaining the mystic of morality while manufacturing opinion.

    This, is “News”

    Posted on May 15, 2010 | 2 Comments
    Yes it’s a trade; it’s always been one. All it has done is metamorphosed from the practice of a skill to the far more realistic you-scratch-my-back-and-I-scratch-yours stage. Nah, that’s a dirty phrase. It just trivializes the effort that goes into sustaining the mystic of morality while manufacturing opinion.

    Continue Reading...

  • Several American Presidents ranging from George Washington to Franklin Roosevelt have known to be members of the fraternity. Researchers argue that while the membership of a number of former presidents is known, even the more recent ones, including Barack Obama, belong to the fraternity, while Bill Clinton (though not a freemason) used to be a member of the Youth Order of DeMolay – a Masonic sponsored youth group. In the Indian context too, several key members of the political, bureaucratic and judicial community along with former Maharajas have been freemasons. The list goes from Motilal Nehru, Dr Rajendra Prasad, Swami Vivekananda to even Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and JRD Tata.

    What is Freemasonry?

    Posted on February 22, 2010 | 1 Comment
    Several American Presidents ranging from George Washington to Franklin Roosevelt have known to be members of the fraternity. Researchers argue that while the membership of a number of former presidents is known, even the more recent ones, including Barack Obama, belong to the fraternity, while Bill Clinton (though not a freemason) used to be a member of the Youth Order of DeMolay – a Masonic sponsored youth group. In the Indian context too, several key members of the political, bureaucratic and judicial community along with former Maharajas have been freemasons. The list goes from Motilal Nehru, Dr Rajendra Prasad, Swami Vivekananda to even Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and JRD Tata.

    Continue Reading...

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