The Shivraj Patil II Call it a shame, a tragedy or an irony - which ever way you look at it - the chunk of India's foreign policy revolves around America and Pakistan and if our polity and the babus of the Indian Foreign Service babus are to be believed, we shouldn't think beyond that. The fact that SM Krishna is not a foreign policy expert can be forgiven, but one of the significant traits of Mr. Krishna is that he talks less. Lesser than other members of UPA-II (say, someone like Kapil Sibal). Unfortunately that's his biggest... Read Blog »

From counting okras to pushing buttons, the way mankind has exercised its voting franchise, across civilizations and ages, has undergone great metamorphosis. A brainchild of the Greeks - the concept of people electing their leaders - probably originated in the post-renaissance Europe and through the British, came to India. While it is now overwhelmingly believed that democracy has done India more good than harm, we need to seriously consider reforms in our system. Regular elections at all levels - from grass root panchayats to the Lok Sabha have ensured that the institutions of democracy in our country remain as strong.... Read Blog »

Being the Prime Minister of India is no easy job. Given that India has a highly fragmented polity with an array of small political parties expert in changing sides faster than a ping-pong ball. But call it the fortune (or misfortune!) of India, there are far too many contenders in the race for occupying 7, RCR. For a first time voter like me, the persona of could-be PM counts as much as the promises, policies and work of his/her political party. Here are some prospective Prime Ministers who may make it to the top post, given the unexpected nature... Read Blog »

"The Prime Minister of India cannot be a Muslim; it is in India's constitution" - The Mullah was loud and clear. It were these words from a Friday afternoon congregation of Muslims some 8 years back that set the thought-process in my mind rolling. Too small to comprehend it, I scouted my History & Civics book thoroughly but couldn't find the mullah's dictum recorded anywhere. With time I realised that he was obviously wrong. The ideals of secularism and democracy that I imbibed from my parents and Catholic teachers, painted a different picture of India in my mind. But the... Read Blog »