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

'Make America rake again': Four Seasons Total Landscaping cashes in on Trump fiasco. By Victoria Bekiempis

A gardening firm, situated between crematorium and sex shop, played comic role in final throes of president’s campaign. As Donald Trump’s rise was accompanied by branded merchandise – steaks, ties, boxers and red Maga hats – so his descent may come to be known by the stickers, shirts and hoodies now being sold by an obscure Pennsylvanian landscaping company that… Read More 'Make America rake again': Four Seasons Total Landscaping cashes in on Trump fiasco. By Victoria Bekiempis

Dilip

Inside the International Space Station – in pictures

This month marks 20 years of continuous human habitation of space on the ISS. The ISS is an orbiting laboratory for conducting scientific and technological experiments in microgravity. It is an extraterrestrial base for learning how to live and work in a remote, isolated and confined environment to prepare for exploring other planets. It is… Read More Inside the International Space Station – in pictures

Dilip

Bharat Bhushan – Arnab Goswami's arrest: Will the saga lead to introspection in the media?

By ordering Arnab Goswami’s arrest, the Shiv Sena led government of Maharashtra has managed to do that which he had claimed Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was incapable of. The Establishment that facilitated the rise of Goswami has done little more than made noises about championing the freedom of expression while Goswami cools his heels in a makeshift jail. Journalists are… Read More Bharat Bhushan – Arnab Goswami's arrest: Will the saga lead to introspection in the media?

Dilip

Bharat Bhushan – Gupkar Declaration: False narrative creates a 'New Hurriyat' in J&K

The Union government’s Kashmir policy has helped local political forces in J&K crystallise into a critical mass. A new and permanent front has been formed in the Union Territory by the coming together of mainstream political parties of Jammu and Kashmir under the umbrella of the Peoples’ Alliance for Gupkar Declaration. The Alliance has now adopted the flag of… Read More Bharat Bhushan – Gupkar Declaration: False narrative creates a 'New Hurriyat' in J&K

Dilip

Ramachandra Guha: A tribute to ES Reddy, the father of my journey as a Gandhi scholar

After E.S. Reddy died on November 1, I wrote an obituary in the Financial Times, covering the major aspects of his life and work. In this column I offer a more personal tribute, of what he meant to me and to other scholars of Gandhi like myself..    I first met Enuga Sreenivasulu Reddy in New York in… Read More Ramachandra Guha: A tribute to ES Reddy, the father of my journey as a Gandhi scholar

Dilip

Over half a million Australians sign ex-PM's call for Murdoch inquiry // Are Trumpworld and Fox News Headed for a Messy Divorce?

An online petition by former Australian PM Kevin Rudd calling for an inquiry into Rupert Murdoch’s media dominance has got a record number of signatures. More than 500,000 Australians have signed the petition to parliament since it launched three weeks ago. News Corp Australia controls 70% of local newspaper circulation. Mr Murdoch has not commented… Read More Over half a million Australians sign ex-PM's call for Murdoch inquiry // Are Trumpworld and Fox News Headed for a Messy Divorce?

Dilip

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ends truce by warning ‘incompetent’ Democratic party

“So I need my colleagues to understand that we are not the enemy,. And that their base is not the enemy. That the Movement for Black Lives is not the enemy, that Medicare for all is not the enemy. This isn’t even just about winning an argument. It’s that if they keep going after the… Read More Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ends truce by warning ‘incompetent’ Democratic party

Dilip

You're fired ! Americans taunt Trump with his own catchphrase

President Donald Trump faced a predictable taunt from thousands of social media users on Saturday after he lost his bid for reelection: You’re Fired. It’s the catchphrase he used to kick off contestants when he hosted the reality show “The Apprentice” for years – a show that brought him pop-culture fame that helped boost his… Read More You're fired ! Americans taunt Trump with his own catchphrase

Dilip

Book review: How Did Josef Mengele Become the Evil Doctor of Auschwitz?

If anyone embodies the archetype of the evil that was Auschwitz, it is surely Josef Mengele. Dubbed by the inmates and survivors of the camp the “Angel of Death,” the immaculate doctor – with a slight flick of the finger – would casually select those permitted to live and work and those destined to die… Read More Book review: How Did Josef Mengele Become the Evil Doctor of Auschwitz?

Dilip