Author: Dilip

I'm a scholar, writer and teacher; and my blog is designed for intellectual exploration. It carries no advertisements and requires no cash subscription

Former student leader Gabriel Boric to become Chile’s youngest president after beating far-right rival

NB: This is a truly historic moment for the Chilean people; and for all of us who are old enough to recall the terrible history of the 1973 coup. I am very happy the wheel has turned full circle after 50 years. I still recall the horror we all felt at the CIA-instigated Chilean coup of 1973; and… Read More Former student leader Gabriel Boric to become Chile’s youngest president after beating far-right rival

Dilip

Bharat Bhushan – Save the Election Commission: Common electoral roll can wait

Modi’s repeated citing of the IAF’s strike on Balakot Pakistan and asking for votes in the name of the Indian soldier did not invite any rebuke from the ECI. Nor did it reprimand him for announcing India’s first anti-Satellite weapon test during the campaign period. It also permitted NAMO TV to launch without a licence… Read More Bharat Bhushan – Save the Election Commission: Common electoral roll can wait

Dilip

Arun Kumar: Articles and discussions on Cryptos, Farmers, GDP and the unorganized, Omicron, Toxic Development and Demonetization 5 years later

Some links to select recent articles, discussions and interviews: Article explaining Cryptos and why they are not like cash. In the Wire on Dec 17 at: https://thewire.in/tech/shedding-a-bit-of-light-on-cryptos-what-are-they  Article explaining that Crypto Promoters are the Very Rich and the Libertarian argument for Cryptos is not correct. H W News on Dec 14  https://hwnews.in/business-finance/crypto-promoters-are-the-very-rich/176991  “Shadows of the Pandemic: What… Read More Arun Kumar: Articles and discussions on Cryptos, Farmers, GDP and the unorganized, Omicron, Toxic Development and Demonetization 5 years later

Dilip

‘The bawdy, fertile, redheaded matriarch has kicked it’: A son’s hilarious obituary makes us laugh and cry at the same time

A loving and unusual tribute to Renay Mandel Corren, who died in El Paso, Texas at age 84    Some obituary notices open with the grand achievements of a life well-lived, or the tender details of a person’s passing with loved ones at their side. The death in El Paso, Texas, of Renay Mandel Corren, however,… Read More ‘The bawdy, fertile, redheaded matriarch has kicked it’: A son’s hilarious obituary makes us laugh and cry at the same time

Dilip

George Pattison: Human, all-too human? Anastasia Filippovna’s ‘Portrait of Christ’

NB: I dedicate this post to the memory of Fr Stan Swamy, S.J., (1937-2021), presumed guilty before trial, denied bail and who died in the custody of the state. Rest in Peace Fr Stan. Nothing you did was in vain, nothing forgotten. DS Christ’s depiction in Dostoevsky’s novel ‘The Idiot’ creates layered religious, historiographical and… Read More George Pattison: Human, all-too human? Anastasia Filippovna’s ‘Portrait of Christ’

Dilip

Richest 1% Took 38% of New Global Wealth Since 1995. The Bottom Half Got Just 2% / India: extreme inequality in numbers

Jake Johnson/Common Dreams    In the nearly three decades since 1995, members of the global 1% have captured 38% of all new wealth while the poorest half of humanity has benefited from just 2%, a finding that spotlights the stark and worsening gulf between the very rich and everyone else. That’s according to the latest iteration of the World… Read More Richest 1% Took 38% of New Global Wealth Since 1995. The Bottom Half Got Just 2% / India: extreme inequality in numbers

Dilip

Pratap Bhanu Mehta: The limits of the Hindu vs Hindutvavadi debate

NB: This is a thoughtful article. The author reminds us that good and evil, better and worse, cruelty and kindness, decency and barbarity co-exist in all cultures, and all communities, religious or otherwise. In brief, these qualities are part of what it means to be human; and they cut across the boundaries of time, place… Read More Pratap Bhanu Mehta: The limits of the Hindu vs Hindutvavadi debate

Dilip

Memories of 1971

NB: December 1971 is a time I remember vividly. I was in Kolkata and travelled to Purnea in North Bihar to meet my dear comrade Lalloo, (Rabindra Ray). We were then amongst the last remaining comrades from amongst our collegiate group who were still in what was known as ‘the underground’. That story has been… Read More Memories of 1971

Dilip