Monthly Archive for December, 2008

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Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi—the Review

Published on December 18, 2008 in Reviews. 102 Comments

When innocents die on a railway platform lives snuffed out senselessly, the string-pullers behind this massacre arrested and released four days later and when general injustice and inequities abound all around, some people, who still have some hope and believe in imaginary friends, look heavenwards and ask “God , what are you doing?”

According to the Chopras, God (or Rab or Great Flying Spaghetti Monster or Bhagwan or whatever you want to call that person who sits up above) is busy with other things of greater importance.

He is making “jodis”. And that too “halle halle”. [The song "Halle Halle" in Rab Na Bana Di Jodi , for some unfathomable reason, brings to my demented mind memories of the Mammoth Koirala starrer "Market" wherein a lady of commerce tells her client "Zyara hallu hallu kar".]

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The Algebra of Infinite Fundamentalism

Published on December 16, 2008 in Politics. 301 Comments

A few years ago, I was having a telephonic conversation with one of my best friends from high school and the topic turned to Arundhati Roy. She asked me why I never said a kind word about her on my blog and told me to write a post explaining what exactly I found so objectionable about her, something she felt I never clearly articulated even though it was obvious I was not a fan.

So dear friend if you still follow the blog, this is it. The answer to that question asked. Many years ago.

The single line answer to why I do not like her is that Arundhati Roy is that she is a fundamentalist. And I have an aversion to fundamentalists. Of all forms.

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A Few Videos

Published on December 14, 2008 in Politics. 43 Comments

Since we already have had some discussion on the press on our side of the border, it should only be fair that we also analyze media ethics of our friends on the other side.

Alternatively, we can just cut the crap and watch this video ([Highly recommended viewing] of excellent “live” reporting of a Pakistani news channel (link sent in by Bengal Voice and Aditi) which has, as of today, displaced this video of our ex-commando general enjoying a charged dance routine from the top position in the list of favorite Pakistani video nuggets. [This (the seven second itch) becomes now my third favorite and this (overenthusiastic rabble-rouser who shouts out-of-turn) my fourth]

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Press Coverage of 26/11—Some Thoughts

Published on December 10, 2008 in Media. 103 Comments

[Warning: ~~lost~~ Long post]

In my series of blogposts on the Mumbai massacres of November, I have so far avoided dealing explicitly with one issue that has otherwise got a lot of attention, mostly negative, in the blogosphere and in discussion boards and online communities——the coverage of the tragic incidents provided by the Indian television media.

The most common criticisms of the Indian television media coverage of 26/11 may be summarized as follows:

1. By showing live footage of commandos going in and in focusing attention on that hotel guest one can see on the ninth floor, they compromised the security of hostages and of the entire operation.

2. The channels fell over themselves trying to get exclusives, stooping to the level of harrying already distraught victims for their “reactions”.

3. The spotlight was entirely on the Taj and the Oberoi and not on Victoria Terminus because the victims at VT were, to put it bluntly, “low class” in contrast to the glitterati and foreigners at the 5-star hotels.

4. Other important events like the death of VP Singh were ignored in the midst of the 24/7 media brouhaha.

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Comprehension Exercise

Published on December 9, 2008 in Politics. 112 Comments

October 7, 2001: In a last-ditch effort to avoid a military strike, the Taliban says they are willing to detain suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden and try him under Islamic law, if the United States formally requests.Abdul Salam Zaeef, the Taliban’s ambassador to Pakistan, made the statement on Sunday.The Taliban made a similar offer to the United States last weekend, but this time did not stipulate that evidence should first be provided.”Under Islamic law, we can put him on trial according to allegations raised against him and then the evidence would be provided to the court. It is up to (the United States) to come to us. It is their problem,” said Zaeef. [link]

December 9, 2008: Pakistan on Tuesday said any of its citizens found to be linked to the Mumbai terror attacks will not be handed over to India, but tried under the country’s own laws.

“The arrest being made are for our own investigations. Even if allegations are proved against any suspect he will not be handed over to India,” Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said today.[link]

Comprehension question: Find the connection between Talibani Afghanistan (dictatorship, terror state, 2001) and Pakistan (democracy, front-line ally in the war on terror, 2008).