NB: This is the simplest and most brilliant philosophical reflection on time I have heard. Here is Javed Akhtar’s own explanation of it at the Kolkata Literary Festival, 2022; and here is one of his recent recitals, at the Faiz Festival in 2018. It begins around 4.30 minutes into the video. Javed sahib shukriya. DS… Read More Javed Akhtar recites Waqt, his poem on Time
January 22 has been projected as Victory Day. It is, of course, a victory, but not of the vibrant Hindu religious tradition, but of a majoritarian, exclusionist project that is deadly opposed to an inclusive, modern, and dynamic idea of India. The hurried consecration signifies not any vindication of Hinduism, but its appropriation by a… Read More The idea of Ram and the idea of India
NB: The only book by Greil Marcus that I’ve come across is The Dustbin of History; a set of incisive literary essays, mostly book reviews and cultural cum historical meditation. Well worth reading. As is this essay. DS whatever language is the language of your work, if I can move anyone else as that work… Read More Greil Marcus: Why I Write
GAZA casualties live statistics NB: The only thing I disagree with in this otherwise courageous statement is this: “Our governments’ current policies weaken their moral standing and undermine their ability to stand up for freedom, justice, and human rights globally.” I’ve commented on these issues many times but readers could see this and this. The… Read More Bifurcation point: More than 800 Western officials sign scathing criticism of Gaza policy
DOCUMENTS: BOOKS: IMAGE & SOUND: Editor’s Picks: (Cover Page Artwork Credits: Henri-Laurens (1918))
मध्यमार्ग का अवसान : दिलीप सिमियन (Translated by Suman Keshari)The Broken Middle 1984 की हिंसात्मक घटनाओं को मुख्य रूप से सहमति की राजनीति और साझा भारतीय राष्ट्रवाद के आदर्श के विघटन के रूप में देखा जाना चाहिए। जब साम्प्रदायिक शत्रुताएँ समाज में व्यापक रूप से फैलती हैं, तो वे (प्रत्यक्षतः अथवा अवचेतन ढंग से) सामाजिक चेतना को छिजाते… Read More मध्यमार्ग का अवसान: दिलीप सिमियन (EPW, November 2014)
GAZA casualties live statistics War deaths are not only caused by direct violence, and they don’t stop when the fighting does. Civilians as well as combatants may succumb to earlier injuries, or to hunger and disease in the aftermath of conflict. In the longer run, disruption of food production, damage to infrastructure and suspension of medical services… Read More Guardian editorial: Gaza’s devastation: the suffering won’t end when war does
न्याय व्यवस्था की स्वतंत्रता, जवाबदेही और सुधार” I प्रशांत भूषण I 1,657 views Premiered on 28 Jan 2024 पुण्यातील २२व्या लोकशाही उत्सवात तिसऱ्या दिवशी “न्याय व्यवस्था की स्वतंत्रता, जवाबदेही और सुधार” या विषयावर अॅड्. प्रशांत भूषण यांनी उपस्थितांशी संवाद साधला. #Prashantbhushan I #Demecracy Festival I Democracy Festival 2024 I LokshahiUtsav I #Nyay#Justice#chiefjusticeofindia#Lokshahi_Utsav_Pune#adani#CJI#RanjanGogoi Transcript Follow along… Read More न्याय व्यवस्था की स्वतंत्रता, जवाबदेही और सुधार I प्रशांत भूषण I
NB: I had posted this in November 2022, and am reposting it today because of its prophetic quality. Apologies to those who have already read it. DS First posted January 31, 2015 यह चिट्ठी महात्मा मोहनदास करमचंद गाँधी को पहुंचे. महात्माजी, मैं न संसद-सदस्य हूँ, न विधायक, न मंत्री, न नेता. इनमें से कोई कलंक… Read More हरिशंकर परसाई: महात्मा गाँधी को चिट्ठी पहुँचे (1977)
Mosque’s Imam said the demolition operation was surreptitiously carried out before sunrise on Tuesday. Pieces of debris were meticulously removed to conceal the demolition from the public eye, he said. This shocking event unfolded amidst a broader demolition drive by the DDA and the Forest Department in the Sanjay Van area. Temples, dargahs, and graveyards… Read More No Notice Served: 600-Year-Old Mosque Razed in South Delhi’s Mehrauli Locality
