In the wake of continuing police violence against unarmed citizens, I found this piece well worth reading. Why It’s Impossible to Indict a Cop On December 3rd, 1984, the world’s worst industrial disaster took place in Bhopal, India. Most have never heard of it. It’s terrifying and tragic. An author retraces the fateful morning and… Continue reading Stories Catching My Eye
Category: News Stories
Stories Catching My Eye
Starting today, I’m beginning a weekly post listing a few interesting links. I read prolifically and on a variety of topics. I’d love to share some of the good stuff I’ve found with my readers and if possible foster a conversation about them. I will post without editorial comment, unless necessary. Once a week, I’ll share links to… Continue reading Stories Catching My Eye
Hearing a suicide car bomb less than 1/4 mile away
On Oct 12, 2014 at 7am I was getting ready for work here in Kabul, and heard a huge explosion. I immediately went to my window and saw a plume of smoke rising. I knew right away that it had to be a bomb of some sort, even though I’d never heard a bomb blast… Continue reading Hearing a suicide car bomb less than 1/4 mile away
Indian Justice is Sloooow
Two stories came out of the sub-continent recently regarding India’s courts. The first one, details just how many court cases are pending in India. It’s an astounding number. 32 million. Even the 1,000 fast-track courts, many set-up after the horrific gang-rape of the 23-year-old student in Delhi in 2012 haven’t really impacted the court backlog. Fast… Continue reading Indian Justice is Sloooow
Indians just elected Narendra Modi Prime Minister. This news upsets me.
India’s populace spoke loudly. Narendra Modi eviscerated Rahul Gandhi in the nationwide elections. It was Congress Party’s worst showing at the polls in their history. The final result, a landslide victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Narendra Modi has been predicted for months. But the utter annihilation of the Congress party caught many… Continue reading Indians just elected Narendra Modi Prime Minister. This news upsets me.
The largest democratic exercise in human history has begun – India is voting
National elections are under way in India, a nation so massive voting occurs in nine separate phases. The numbers are barely comprehensible. An estimated 815 million people will vote between April 7 and May 12. India is a democracy, meaning both the uber-rich, along with the destitute and illiterate get an equal say in her future. There are… Continue reading The largest democratic exercise in human history has begun – India is voting
‘God’s Own Country’ in the Washington Post
One of my co-workers, a fellow Malayali, forwarded me this story from a freelance writer describing a few scenes from a trip with his girlfriend to Kerala, recently published by the Washington Post. When people ask me where in India I am from and I reply ‘Kerala,’ they are either familiar with it — saying that it… Continue reading ‘God’s Own Country’ in the Washington Post
Seeking Balance When Writing about India
I began this blog more than four years ago, to write mainly about my experience and thoughts regarding international adoption. As time progressed, I became more passionate about my roots, and that means writing and thinking increasingly about India, and her issues. Add to this fact that I married an Indian national and that my… Continue reading Seeking Balance When Writing about India
Against convention: the story of an Indian luger at the Sochi Olympics
Imagine you were an Olympic athlete. Now picture competing in a sport that your home country had no physical infrastructure in which you could practice. Lastly, envision after your hard work, paying your own travel costs, having friends develop your equipment and lastly, due to circumstances beyond your control, being unable to represent your home… Continue reading Against convention: the story of an Indian luger at the Sochi Olympics