Posts Tagged “featured”
Rahul missed a trick in his reply to Singapore audience
by Ritwik on March 18, 2018
Rahul Gandhi should remember that when he speaks publicly, he does so as the leader of the Congress party. While it is crucial to appeal to the fence-sitter, it should virtually never be at the cost of demotivating one’s core, articulate, political network. He made that mistake in Singapore.
Continue ReadingFrom Davos to Padmaavat: The Method in the Madness of Modi’s Politics
by Ritwik on January 29, 2018
Either, Modi means well and his government is trying but unable to control the situation. Or, Modi is unable to appreciate that the violence is hurting India’s ‘image’ and nullifying his efforts at attracting investment. Both these hypotheses are unwarranted.
Continue ReadingThe Political Calculus of Demonetization
by Ritwik on November 13, 2016
Modi revels in painting himself as a lone crusader against the established order. He has successfully used this tactic in Gujarat, and against the old guard in the BJP. If the opposition unitedly attacks demonetization, Modi is going to pretend that they want to stop him from doing good for the country.
Continue ReadingOdd/Even rule and fighting Delhi’s air pollution
by Ritwik on December 7, 2015
Kejriwal government’s decision on odd/even car numbers is politically shrewd but a lot more needs to be done to fight pollution in Delhi.
Continue ReadingNDTV discussion on suspension of Uber and other taxi aggregators
by Ritwik on December 10, 2014
NDTV discussion hosted by Ravish Kumar in which I participated. The topic was the suspension of services of Uber and other taxi aggregators in light of allegations that an Uber driver raped a passenger.
Continue ReadingSuspending Uber’s Services is Politically a Good Decision
by Ritwik on December 8, 2014
When a woman who takes a premium cab, ,she believes she is cordoning herself off from the unsafe conditions which prevail. When the company is caught sleeping at the wheel, not having performed preliminary checks, then people do want to see it punished.
Continue ReadingAre all forms of ‘questioning’ of the same importance?
by Ritwik on November 2, 2014
It is my submission that a ‘Rational’ critique is more substantive, powerful and effective, than other modes of critique. A rational critique offers up features that may be missing in other critiques, namely, a framework of analysis, articulation of alternatives and a replicable, universalizable, systematic approach.
Continue Reading1 lakh people came together for Lokpal? Think again
by Ritwik on December 29, 2011
The crowds that gathered in Ramlila Maidan were asserting their right to protest far more than they were uniting against corruption. This is not new. The Indian public has a long history of punishing those who seek to usurp democracy. Even a leader of Indira Gandhi’s stature lost her own lok sabha seat due to the excesses of the emergency.
Continue ReadingSome Notes on Sophie’s World
by Ritwik on July 13, 2011
Sophie’s World can be recommended to all, even if you aren’t interested in philosophy-the story is rich, the writing engaging-and you’ll learn much along the way.
Continue ReadingWhy the BJP is right in expelling Jaswant Singh
by Ritwik on August 23, 2009
To sum up this issue: It is right to expel jaswant singh, but wrong to silence him. You cannot continue in a party unless you accept it’s core ideological position. However, his book should not be banned.
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