Should India seek British Reparations for Colonialism?

Perhaps, but they should look internally as well, realizing they bear plenty of responsibility for their underdevelopment. In mid-July 2015, MP Shashi Tharoor gave an impassioned plea for Indian reparations after more than 200 years of British colonialism. You can watch the 15-minute clip below. Many Indians, both in the country and abroad lauded his words.… Continue reading Should India seek British Reparations for Colonialism?

Proof of Life – Contemplating Mortality in Afghanistan

The majority of my readers will never spend a month in a conflict zone. I’m in Kabul, Afghanistan until mid-August for work, closing down a USAID community stabilization project. I’m staying at ‘The Baron’, a secure compound a few minutes drive from Kabul International airport. Barbed wire, armed guards of various nationalities, bomb blast walls and lookout… Continue reading Proof of Life – Contemplating Mortality in Afghanistan

This blog is six years old. Wow!

On June 15, 2009 I began this blog after much hesitation. I can honestly say it has been and continues to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. My first blog was about my adoption anniversary, and celebrating that special day with my family. I have to thank my readers and commenters, for… Continue reading This blog is six years old. Wow!

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Categorized as India

Feeling like an Outsider at an Indian Buffet

Recently, Sasmita and I went to an Indian restaurant called Woodlands, in Langley Park, Maryland. We rarely eat Indian food outside of our house. Sasmita is a fantastic cook, and she makes most dishes either of us might order out, usually they taste better than any restaurant. She has craved South Indian cuisine for a while;… Continue reading Feeling like an Outsider at an Indian Buffet

We babysat a white girl for a weekend. Everyone thought we adopted her.

The little girl’s name was Lily. Sasmita formerly nannied for the family and they asked us if we could watch her one weekend this past January at their D.C. house. That Saturday we went to a trendy place a few blocks from their house called Union Market. It has a few restaurants and some specialty food stores, but it’s popular for its delicious… Continue reading We babysat a white girl for a weekend. Everyone thought we adopted her.

Stories Catching My Eye

It’s been a while since I posted what I’ve read lately, so I’ll share a longer list this time. The Tragedy of the American Military An insightful piece about the disconnect between ordinary US citizens and the military and the many consequences of such distance and misunderstanding.  The Rapist Next Door This story is about Alaska’s rape… Continue reading Stories Catching My Eye

An Indian-American Speaks on the State of Police in America

In October, the famous New York whistle-blower cop Frank Serpico, gave a long interview to Politico Magazine. As a Serpico fan and certainly of the movie (Al Pacino is fantastic), I read it. Part of the interview is about police accountability and the lack of it when he was in the force and its continuance today. As… Continue reading An Indian-American Speaks on the State of Police in America

The First Christmas Knowing my Indian family

Sasmita and I celebrated our third Christmas holiday season together in 2014. But it was the first Christmas that I actually know my Indian side of our family, the Nayaks. As I wrote about here, Sasmita and I visited them in June 2014. We had an Indian wedding ceremony and stayed in her village, Alligonda at her parent’s house for a… Continue reading The First Christmas Knowing my Indian family

Stories Catching My Eye

The Chinese Government Is Getting Rich Selling Cigarettes A story about China National Tobacco Corporation, the world’s largest. Why No One Remembers the Peacemakers Why do we remember those in War, but not those advocating Peace?  Stop Trying to Save the World A view of the international development machine.  

Stories Catching My Eye

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

A Small Thank You to my Parents this Thanksgiving 2014

For those unaware, this is National Adoption Awareness Month. There has been a lot of social media about this, some good pieces in well-known magazines, like the NY Times and elsewhere. National Adoption Month, was created to raise awareness and celebrate foster care adoption. In recent years it has been co-opted by the Adoption lobby and by those… Continue reading A Small Thank You to my Parents this Thanksgiving 2014

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

The TSA is a push-over compared to security at Kabul Airport.

Everyone told me leaving Afghanistan through Kabul International Airport was the most obnoxious of all security I would experience. They were not kidding! A little background before my narrative; Since 2009, no vehicular traffic is allowed directly outside either the domestic or international terminals, except for a bus that looks like it has survived the 1979 Soviet invasion.… Continue reading The TSA is a push-over compared to security at Kabul Airport.