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Two men, both singers par excellence, both morbidly obese, both died young in ’97, both among my favourite singers, both soothe in different ways through styles that are polar opposites.
One of them is Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The other is Israel Kamakawiwoʻole. I first heard Israel’s voice while driving through the lush-green meadows of Oregon. Even now I can’t think of a better setting to hear his angelic voice.
Earlier today I realized that I hadn’t mentioned Israel Kamakawiwoʻole in over 3 years and a couple thousand posts. Fixing it right away. Enjoy:
About that Subramian Swamy article:
The National Commission for Minorties is incensed with a hate article by Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy in a national newspaper. The controversial analysis piece penned days after the Mumbai blasts that prescribes how India should deal with Islamic terror.
They are now contemplating legal action against Swamy for his inflammatory comments against minorities.
“We get it checked by our legal advisor. It’s a violation of article 153a, 153b and several others,” said National Commission for Minorities Chairman Wajahat Habibullah.
The thing that frustrates me most is not Swamy’s article or the fact that someone is contemplating legal action, but the very fact that one can take legal action against an ideology that one disagrees with. Swamy’s article wasn’t hate speech. It didn’t advocate killing minorities — which a position that may not seem widespread but one that is shockingly prevalent and revealed in the comfort of homes or fellow Hindu acquaintances.
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Further:
Swamy is also courting trouble at Harvard, where he has been a visiting professor teaching economics at the summer school. A petition seeking his ouster, signed by a few hundred students, parents and faculty members has been submitted, Swamy is unperturbed.
I routinely call out prominent Hindoos such as Rajan Zed for bringing their intolerance to America so it is only fair that I call out what I think are liberals who are seeking his ouster.
The Economist has an interactive graph comparing the GDP, GDP per person and population of every state in India with the statistically closest nation. The interesting thing to me is that they’ve done away with Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and China Occupied Kashmir (Aksai Chin) in the map of India. International news agencies have been going with this map lately. High time, I say. In fact, I wonder how long before we stop calling them PoK and CoK and admit they’re part of Pakistan and China now.
A quick search of maps at websites of Indian news channels shows that they’re sticking with the map of India that hasn’t quite been India for over six decades now.
Link via Madhura.
Scott Adams’ latest is hilarious:
One way to feel smart is to pursue a lifetime of learning. But that’s a lot of work. An easier method is to make the people around you appear dumber.
and then lists ways to do just that. It’s like Choti Si Baat in a blogpost. Go read it.
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But he’s being unrealistic and it’s not even funny.
[Source]
Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has claimed that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is ready to ‘walk the extra mile’ on all outstanding issues between the two countries.
Who wouldn’t, ma’am, who wouldn’t!
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Since someone asked (not really), my dream delegation from Pakistan is Hina Rabbani Khar, Fatima Bhutto and Zeb Bangash.
What’s yours?
This one’s straight out of a brilliant satire: Anna Hazare denied permission to protest in Delhi.
You’ve got to admire Rakhi Sawant:
You had wanted to marry Congress leader Rahul Gandhi but it seems your admiration has shifted to Baba Ramdev now. Why?
I do 200-250 Surya Namaskar, Pranayama and Kapalbhati everyday. I followed Baba’s yoga religiously for six months and lost 15 kilos.
He hates people from this industry and thinks that we cannot be good life partners. I want to prove him wrong and show him that I can be a good wife, actress and a sexy sadhavi too. I don’t know what he thinks about me but main toh unki deewani ho gayi hoon (I’m crazy about him).
But why you want to marry Baba Ramdev?
He is hot and sexy. I am impressed with his stomach. Haven’t you seen his flat stomach?
I love him when he winks and gives yoga instructions. Once I marry him unki aankh fadakna bhi band ho jayegi (he will stop winking) (grins). Every time he winks, mujhe andhar kuch kuch hota hai (I feel something inside).
I feel hot while during yoga as well, so I feel he’s giving me the green signal. I am waiting for him to come and marry me. I will try my best to get Baba, if Imagine TV plans another Swayamvar for me (smiles).
I’d pay to watch her seduce the Baba. It will be so much fun with his thin dhoti layer.
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She also wants to be the first celebrity to wear a C-string (NSFW) on television. In all fairness, one of the grandmothers on Ekta Kapoor’s serials might have beaten her to it. I mean, who knows?
As humans, one worthy pursuit in our lives can be of experiencing various *good* feelings. I’d put runner’s high in the must-be-felt list. Fair warning: It takes a bit of effort.
[Source]
Two girls, hailing from different parts of the district, were allegedly kidnapped and gang-raped for several days and one of them was left in an unconscious state in front of National Commission for Women’s office in Delhi, police said on Wednesday.
