Bringing readers & bloggers together

One more blast

2008-05-21T00:04:00.005-07:00

Terror Tuesday in Jaipur has once again proved that the common man is not at all safe in India. In fact over the years India has become highly susceptible to such brutal attacks. To make the matter worse every time such tragedy strikes, government has a knee jerk reaction rather than chalking a firm plan to combat the menace of terrorism. What's your take on the whole issue?

Global Food CrisisGeorge

2008-05-09T05:25:00.000-07:00

Bush has loudly blamed the eating habits of India and China for the global food crisis. We are not starving and that is a bad thing according to Bush. Is the USA out of touch with reality? Or are they simply too dumb to care?

Taming the bad guys

2008-05-05T00:20:00.000-07:00

Would banning Harbhajan Singh from IPL matches be able to improve the constantly declining behaviour of the so - called young breed of cricketers? Should cricketing bodies be more stringent in punishing such rouge players?

IPL kaa tamasha

2008-04-22T03:29:00.000-07:00

IPL has taken the cricket world by a storm and for the moment everybody looks happy with the way the League is shaping up. However, on a close analysis there are chances that IPL may ruin traditional cricket and soon Test and one-day cricket may soon become a thing of the past. In fact, IPL is proving more of a money spinner and celebrity showdown rather than just cricket. What do you think?

Flame of controversy

2008-04-15T01:33:00.000-07:00

Do you think that the sanctity of Olympic flame can be maintained in the wake of controversies surrounding the Tibetan uprising? At a time when the whole world is running for democracy, should Olympics be held in a country which has a very poor record of human rights?

Dangerous liaison

2008-04-01T23:25:00.001-07:00

The murder of ACP Rajbir Singh has once again exposed the nexus between top cops and land mafia. His murder has brought many startling facts to the fore. As a matter of fact on many occasions top police brasses have been found indulge in such incidents? Who is to be blamed and what makes these once honest officers deviate from their duty? What should be done to put an end to it?

Sixth Pay Commission

2008-03-25T22:32:00.001-07:00

With Sixth Pay Commission all set to become a reality the salaries of government employees are set to go up considerably. Do you think this would discourage Babu Brigade from demanding bribes and make them more efficient? Or nothing would change in government departments and grease my palm culture would continue to flourish?

I did it again…

2008-03-20T03:51:00.000-07:00

The wardrobe malfunction that India Fashion Week witnessed has confirmed that these flips have become a vital of such events. In fact many designers are resorting to these such tactics just to make their show a hit. Has time come to chalk out some rules and regulation for these fashion events? What else should be done to ensure that these events don't look like skin shows?

Plight of national game

2008-03-11T02:33:00.000-07:00

India, the eight time gold medalist, has failed to make it to the Olympics for the first time since its debut in 1928. India suffered a 0-2 loss to Great Britain in the final of the World Hockey qualifying tournament at Santiago. Who is to be blamed for such pathetic performance by the Indian team? Is it the administration which is failing to lift the standard of our so-called national game? Or is it the step-motherly treatment which is being meted out to them in comparison to the cricketers? Is there any ray of hope of Indian hockey regaining its lost glory?

No more stink, please!

2008-03-05T00:42:00.001-08:00

According to Forbes magazine Mumbai and Delhi are among the 25 dirtiest cities in the world while the four Indian metros and Bangalore are among the 20 dense cities. Also as more and more people are turning to metros to earn their livelihoods Indian cities have a gloomy future. It is imperative that authorities chalk out plan to keep our cities clean. But what are the responsibilities of laymen, who often take the environment for granted. Should they be penalized? Also what should be done to ensure that our cities don't turn a breeding ground for diseases and ailments?

Back in monkey business

2008-02-26T21:19:00.000-08:00

The whole world watched Andrew Symonds utter a few words at Ishant Sharma as he walked away after being bowled by the youngster. Ishant retaliated by pointing towards the pavilion. Rohit Sharma was also fined 10 per cent of his match fee for just standing his ground and walking off shaking his head during Gabba ODI against Sri Lanka on February 4. Do you think the match referees pick on Indians and are generally soft on Aussies? Why is it that it’s an Indian player who is always at the receiving end of match referees’ actions? Could it be possible that the strong arm tactics deployed by the BCCI against ICC and other officials, as exemplified by the Harbhajan episode, mean that several officials are raring to have a go at the Indians?

india has arrived

2008-02-21T22:20:00.000-08:00

Ratan Tata and Laxmi Mittal have made the country proud in the global business arena and the world has every reason to believe that Indians are a force to reckon with in the world of business. This, apart from the fact that we have already proved our mettle as experts in fields of IT, science & technology. And not to mention our yogis and gurus who have a great fan following in the West. All this proves that the Indians have arrived on the global map and brand India is a force to reckon with. But despite creating a niche worldwide, do we (Indians) have what it takes to sustain ourselves in the big bad world out there? Are Indians taking the world by storm? And most importantly, where are we headed towards five years down the line?

Terrorism unabated

2008-02-13T00:10:00.001-08:00

India is in the midst of an economic boom. More people than ever before are benefiting from the unprecedented prosperity. Standards of living are rising, the sensex is rising and even as the world heads for an economic recession, India's economy continues to be one of the fastest growing in the world. Even in Kashmir, after decades, the average Kashmiri has taken to the roads to protest over development and infrastructure issues. So why then are we still witnessing and unprecedented rise in local terrorism? Blasts, suicide bombs, planned terror raids…the list is getting grimmer. What motivates these terrorists? What is their purpose, what are they trying to achieve? Why are so many Indians turning into terrorists? Are they being left out of the economic growth or are they staying out?

Youth, mobiles & sex

2008-01-28T23:16:00.000-08:00

For the majority of today’s youth, sex and mobiles seem to the only things which catch their attention. To flaunt their latest cellphone and to narrate sex escapades have become a norm rather than exception. As a matter of facts today’s generation doesn’t even hesitate to breach the trust of their loved ones if it means that they can move ahead in life. In fact many surveys are talking about growing promiscuity among youth. Is call centre culture is to be blamed for it? Or is there any other cause which is corrupting youth and making them devoid of values?

India on top Down Under

2008-01-23T02:56:00.000-08:00

India had stopped the Australian victory run for the 17th consecutive time at Perth thereby proving to the world that the men in blue can be tough, focussed and disciplined if they wannabe. This victory was special as Indians beat Oz right in their backyard which no team had done for long. In your opinion would Indians continue their winning streak and decimate the Aussies now, for the rest of the series or would they falter again, makinge the same old mistakes?

Nano mera sapna…

2008-01-14T23:40:00.000-08:00

By unveiling Nano the Tata has reinvented the wheel. The most awaited, the most discussed and perhaps the cheapest car has arrived. It is believed that Indians road will not be same again, once Nano hits the road by the year end. However, the question that every one is asking, would Nano be able to live up to the expectations of million of Indians? Or it is just a product that is being introduced to fulfill a promise. What's your take on the entire issue? Would Nano emerge as people's car in true sense or fall flat?

Blunder Down Under

2008-01-08T00:08:00.000-08:00

It is not only Indian Cricket Team that has been meted out such a pathetic and racial treatment in Australia. Even in the past teams from the Asian Sub-Continent have faced a lot of racial discrimination. In fact recently Sri Lankan spin wizard M. Murli confessed that the mere thought of touring Australia gives jitters to him. Inzamam-ul-Haq and a couple of more players have also been victimized. Don’t you think it is high time for Indian, Pakistan and Sri Lankan cricket boards to call off their future tours till Australians learn to behave and respect their opponents?

Is Pakistan being paid back in same coin?

2008-01-03T01:18:00.000-08:00

A country which has been the breeding ground for terrorism--Pakistan--today finds itself at the centrestage of terrorism and ethnic violence. And now after the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto it seems that the wheel has come a full circle, especially as anarchy returns. Do you think that Pakistan is being paid back in the same coin or is it paying the price for cracking down on insurgent groups?

How real are the reality shows?

2007-12-28T19:35:00.000-08:00

The melodrama which followed after the exit of Rakhi Sawant in the final round of Nach Baliye, has put the authenticity of these shows under scan. The way Rakhi sawant cried and howled has raised many eye brows. As a matter of fact many are labeling it as a publicity stunt to increase the TRP rating. How real are these so-called rality events being telecast by many other channels? What is your take on it?

Sex vs. Money

2007-12-11T03:00:00.001-08:00

A team of international researchers has carried out a study and found that sex is better for one's happiness than money. The evidence we see is that money brings some amount of happiness, but not as much as what economists might have thought. What's your take on it?

Melodrama over Taslima Nasreen

2007-12-04T03:56:00.000-08:00

Controversial writer Taslima Nasreen recently said that she would like to return to Bangladesh but if forced to adopt another country, then her first choice would be India since it is a secular country. Should India grant her the citizenship? However citizenship to her may hurt Muslims' sentiments and not to mention the already agitated lot in West Bengal? How should India solve this predicament that would keep its diplomatic relationship with Bangladesh and keep its philosophy of freedom for speech intact?

Blast from the past

2007-11-27T04:28:00.000-08:00

UP blasts have once again proved that there is hardly any place in India which can be said to be beyond the reach of fanatics. Be it a metropolis like Mumbai or Delhi or B-grade towns like Faizabad or Lucknow, terrorists can strike anywhere. Despite the loss of lives time and again why have various governments been failing to curb such brutal attacks?

Bipasha Sexiest Asian Woman?

2007-11-19T23:17:00.000-08:00

In a recent poll by Britain 's largest selling Asian newspaper, actress Bipasha Basu was crowned as

Sexiest Asian Woman in the World. She was also defined as a ‘living embodiment of sexual attractiveness... whose acting ability, beauty and charm are capable of arousing great interest from the world's media.’ Last year, it was Priyanka Chopra who was No. 1 on the list of the Sexiest Asian Women in the World. Is it the popularity of Bollywood films across the UK fetching Indian actresses this title? Do these polls truly represent the popular verdict?

Should teachers perform non-teaching tasks?

2007-11-13T00:36:00.001-08:00

Teachers involvement in non-teaching duties like working in assembly or Lok Sabha elections leads to loss of teaching time. Should they be kept involved in this,despite the fact that it leads to poor results in the government aided schools? Or Perhaps it’s the time to emulate Chhattisgarh’s example which has decided to bar teachers from performing non-teaching tasks.

Naxal Threat

2007-10-30T02:03:00.001-07:00

Many states are in the grip of Naxalite violence. They have spread their terror network in Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and have become highly active. They are also spreading their network in other states. Killings have become a common affair. They fear no rule of law and have access to arms and ammunition as well as have their own training centres. Why and where have the successive state governments failed to check them? Who is to be blamed for their supremacy?

Cattle Menace

2007-10-23T23:59:00.000-07:00

Last week Delhi's deputy mayor S.S. Bajwa had a fatal fall from the terrace of his home after being attacked by simians. But it is not just monkey menace that has assumed monstrous proportions in big cities. Whether it is the problem of stray cattle or stray dogs, it continues to hound the city dwellers. Is there a way out to this problem? What can the civic agencies do to curb this menace?

Blast from the past

2007-10-17T02:40:00.001-07:00

The recent blast in Ludhiana and Ajmer has highlighted the inefficiency of our various intelligence wings. For time and again these agencies have been failing to prevent such attacks, which claim thousands of lives each year. Not to mention their inability to nab the perpetrators, who commit these heinous crimes with utmost impunity. Has the time to come a form a new intelligence agency on the lines of CIA and FBI. Also what can a common man do on his part to stop such brutal attacks?

Does cricket deserve more than other sports?

2007-10-09T01:14:00.000-07:00

India has bagged some prestigious awards in various sports such as chess, hockey, etc., in the recent past, but the entire show was stolen by the winners of Twenty20 Cup. Besides cricket there are other streams as well where players work really hard to make their country proud but when it comes to recognition they are ignored. Recently, some of the senior players of the Indian Hockey Team even announced that they would go on a hunger strike to protest the unfair treatment meted out to them. Non-recognition is the biggest demoralising factor for players.

Is Eklavya’s nomination for the Oscar a fair deal?

2007-10-01T03:48:00.000-07:00

Film Eklavya’s journey to the Oscar is turning out to be more of a legal one. The movie’s selection as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards has been challenged by film maker Bhavana Talwar, whose film Dharma has lost out by one vote in the High court. One of the members of the selection committee, Ranjit Bahadur, was allegedly involved in Eklavya’s making. This has raised question on the credibility of Film Federation of India (FFI) and its selection committee. Do you think selection process was democratic and transparent? What steps must be taken by FFI to make the nomination process more fair?

Incredible or insecure India?

2007-09-24T03:18:00.000-07:00

The rape of Japanese tourists has once again proved that India is not a safe place to visit. With such heinous crimes ‘Incredible India’ campaign appears to be more of a farce. India has also failed to emerge as a secure destination for domestic travelers as well. But why is India failing time and again, and what step should be taken to make India a more secure destination? And what role can a layman play on his part? And what effects would such incidents have on tourism industry?

Mob justice

2007-09-10T04:35:00.000-07:00

For some time now mob fury has become rampant in India. First it was Gujjar unrest, which brought the nation to a stand still. Then it was Kanvars who set scores of trucks on fire and jammed national highways. Then it was mob fury once again in Agra, followed by thrashing of school teacher in Delhi. Not to mention the brutal act of rendering immediate justice to a petty thief in Bhaglapur, where even a cop was also involved. Why mob unrest has become such a common incident in Indian society, which is supposed to be ruled by certain dos and don’ts? Who is to be blamed for this utter absence of law and order all across the nation and what steps must be taken to curb the growing menace of mob fury? And why are masses becoming so frustrating and taking law in their hands?

Is 400 per cent hike in university fees justified?

2007-09-03T02:45:00.000-07:00

Government has been contemplating the idea of 400 per cent hike in university fees. Don’t you think that it would be unfair to students, considering the fact that higher education is still a distant dream for many in India and the proposed hike would further make university education out of reach of many? Not to mention that with the increase higher education is bound to become a prerogative of rich and opulent.

ICL, Indian Cricket League, is a bane or boon?

2007-08-29T06:16:00.000-07:00

Formation of ICL (Indian Cricket League) and consequent inflow of world renowned players in its fold is giving nightmares to the BCCI. The latest announcement of bunch of cricketers who have joined the league and the whopping pay packets and prize money they will be receiving have forced BCCI to review its deals with the cricketers. Is ICL a bane or boon for Indian cricket?

Chakdae India

2007-08-15T22:39:00.000-07:00

Perceiving Indian cricket team's recent performance, do you think that viewers' interest has been revived in cricket, especially Test cricket? Once again cricket lovers are hooked to their TV sets fast forgetting the debacle of World Cup. Or is it that lot more needs to be done by our men-in-blue to enjoy the pre-world cup fan following?

Has Sania Mirza come of age?

2007-08-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

Considering Sania Mirza's recent performance can it be said that she has come of age? Or it just a passing phase of success and soon she will hit the lull period? Her success will not last for long?

What do you say?

Shss…After Dark

2007-08-02T00:37:00.000-07:00

Government has been contemplating to give its nod to adult programmes on TV after 11 p.m. Now as a chunk of people have access to explicit content on internet, TV is no longer the sole source of entertainment. In such a scenario how successful would the move be? Is the decision too late or in sync with time?

Need for sex education

2007-07-23T08:02:00.000-07:00

Do we need sex education in educational institutes, considering the fact that today’s generation has so many avenues to pick up all the nuances of sex and much more…

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Laughter all the way

2007-07-18T07:50:00.000-07:00

Do we have too much of laughter shows on TV? In fact it is too much and that too of sub-standard quality? What do you think?

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Fantastic Trio!

2007-07-11T22:42:00.001-07:00

Have Sachin, Sourav and Rahul taken the right decision by opting out of the Twenty20 world cup? Have the trio reached the zenith of the their careers from where the only way is to go downwards? And would Indian cricket team be able to compete when these three bid adieu to the game?

2007-07-11T22:38:00.000-07:00

Monsoon Menace!

2007-07-03T23:52:00.000-07:00

Come monsoon and problems like water-logging and water borne diseases stage a comeback. It seems that our city lacks the required infrastructure to make monsoon a pleasant season. What should be done to improve the situation and what can a layman do on his part? Who is to be blamed for the mess? Is it indifferent administration or callous attitude of masses in keeping the neighbourhood clean?

Should ragging be allowed in colleges?

2007-06-27T00:29:00.000-07:00

Harassment or fun?

Even as universities across India gear up for a new session ahead there would be no ragging from now on, in the campuses this year. This is by virtue of the SC order that has banned ragging. Should ragging be allowed in campuses or is it just a tool to harass young minds?

2007-06-21T10:38:00.000-07:00

End of days

2007-06-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

Amidst the looming threat of extinction to global flora and fauna, what should be done to minimise the global warming impacts? And what role can a layman play on its part?

Should there be a dress code in colleges as well?

2007-06-13T01:49:00.000-07:00

The new college session is about to begin and once again the campus would be buzzing with life. However, the vibrant and trendy dress of students often irks many self-appointed guardians of Indian culture. One school of thought also believes that a dress code helps in inculcating a sense of discipline?

What do you think?

Is Sania Mirza more hype, less substance?

2007-06-05T03:15:00.000-07:00

Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza always hogs the limelight. However, she makes more headlines off the court rather than performing on the court. In any major tournament she seldom reaches the second round, leave aside finishing on the podium.

What do you think?

Is Generation gap widening?

2007-05-24T02:56:00.000-07:00

Bridging generation gap is more about reconciling attitudes between young and old. Experience of the older generation and the exuberance of the youth, both are significant in their own right.
What do you think?