Category: Family

Why is science fiction unpopular in India?

The Atlantic recently published this piece, entitled, “Why the West Loves Sci-Fi and Fantasy: A Cultural Explanation.” The story examines why science fiction movies are huge moneymakers in the West, but not in India particularly. The author briefly touches on Japan and China’s embrace of fantasy. However, she seems confused about why India is seemingly… Continue reading Why is science fiction unpopular in India?

Quick Response to Reuter’s Adoption Piece

I am working on a longer post about “The Child Exchange”, Reuters exposé about the underground internet market in adopted children called ‘private re-homing’, and will publish something soon. However, I wanted to get the Adoption Policy and Reform Collaborative’s statement below into the blogosphere immediately. Adoption Policy and Reform Collaborative (APRC) Response to the… Continue reading Quick Response to Reuter’s Adoption Piece

An awesome adoption conference is happening this November. Will you be there?

A group that I belong to, The Adoption Policy and Reform Collaborative (APRC) and the Minnesota Transracial Film Festival along with others, are organizing a two-day conference called “Reframing the Adoption Discourse,” in St. Paul, Minnesota this November. This is the APRC’s first conference and the line-up of presenters is impressive. There is also an… Continue reading An awesome adoption conference is happening this November. Will you be there?

A “game changer for poor people”…?

In January, the Indian government began the ‘Direct Benefit Transfer’ program paying its citizens cash into their bank accounts for scholarships, old age pensions, and rural employment guarantees (100 days of employment doing unskilled manual labor for minimum wage) among others. The Indian Finance Minister P. Chidambaram called it a “game changer for poor people.”

Cricket Unites and Caste Cleaves

India is a land that is really thousands of diverse countries under one flag. Different religions, varying tongues, a myriad of food options, dissimilar dressing styles, sundry climates, a plethora of political affiliations and parties etc… I could go on ad-nauseam. But there is one thing unites this vast nation unlike anything else — cricket.

A Whole Other World–My Dalit Village Visit.

The plastic glass of water teetered precariously on a simple metal tray. An unknown amount of eyes were glued on me, riveted to my every movement. The water before me was mixed with lemon; I could see the seeds floating in the water, along with pieces of pulp. No doubt, it would clench my thirst.… Continue reading A Whole Other World–My Dalit Village Visit.

Still an Outsider-but that’s OK

Hello from Delhi, In puzzling over what my first post from India should say, I decided to be more philosophical, real and shy away from the day to day narrative of my life here. Perhaps that will come later. This post, however, is more of a reflection on my evolution of thought, as an Indian… Continue reading Still an Outsider-but that’s OK

Does Transnational Adoption=Cultural Genocide?

Recently I’ve heard people discuss international adoption and those who decry the practice say it’s a form of “cultural genocide.” Really?! It was referenced here as a reason some people are against international adoption.” I have a real problem calling international adoption “cultural genocide.”

Musings on the “Benefits of International Adoption.”

My apologies for such a long time in between posts! Since I’m a DC resident I’ve been dealing with the snow, and that coupled with my graduate school studies have kept me quite busy. I’ve got some new posts in the pipeline coming soon, so be patient with me. Some of you may have seen… Continue reading Musings on the “Benefits of International Adoption.”