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Squatters, Scavengers and A Gandhian

Some of these people would stand up holding their pajamas or dhotis to protect their dignity at the sight of the approaching train; most would carry on without paying any attention to those seeing them perform one of their most private functions.

Hey America, Come Join The Civilized World!

The US has the least efficient healthcare system which spends most for getting the least results. So, America, come join the civilized world and save some money.

A Non-Muslim Appraisal of Islamic Sharia

Like the Pashtoon, the Sikh did not want to give too much freedom to his daughter; he too did not want her to go out unaccompanied by a male relative or not covered by a chaadar.

A Prescription for the BJP's Revival

You should also take this opportunity to redefine hindutva to give priority to cleanse sacred rivers like Ganga and Yamuna and to rejuvenate forests dearly beloved of ancient rishis and munis.

Obama's Regional Strategy and India

Obama has ignored India in all his important foreign policy pronouncements since taking office. Even the appointment of a US ambassador to India was given a low priority.

The Shrinking Boundaries of Sikhism

The attack on a Sikh temple in Vienna brings into focus the tensions that are being created in the community in the name of maintaining the purity of the faith.

India Votes for Stability

The election sees the passing of Congress baton from mother to son. Rahul Gandhi played a prominent role as a campaigner and seems to have impressed voters with his charm, modesty and maturity.

G-8: RIP?

The G-8 meeting will take place in Italy next year as scheduled but all eyes will be on the April meeting of G-20

Momin Khwaja Case: Canada's Anti-Terrorism Law Tested

Khwaja could not have been proven guilty of criminal charge and would have gone scot-free without the anti-terror legislation; By Oct 29 ruling, he is likely to get life imprisonment.

The Sangh Octopussy

In Kandhmal, Orissa, following communal violence, several hundred Christians are in refugee camps and have been threatened with death if they return without “reconverting�

It's A Deal After All!

In the long run, however, it will be difficult to ignore Pakistan’s demand for a similar deal once it establishes a clean record of nuclear safety and non-proliferation.

Save Me From Charismatic Leaders!

I am not against Obama because he is Black because I think that it would be wonderful for the US to have a Black President; not because his middle name is Husseini

It's Politics Uber Alles In Kashmir ..... And India

The BJP, while paying lip service to maintaining peace, did nothing to calm the situation in Jammu; instead, its troops have taken to the streets in other cities in India.

From Marx to Mao to Jintao

The world's eyes are focused on China today as Beijing plays host to the 2008 Summer International Olympics Games.

Government Wins Manmohan Singh Loses

The way is now clear to officially approach the Board of Governors of the IAEA to approve the agreement reached between the Government of India and the IAEA officials.

Aamir - A Film Review

Most of the film is shot in the rough, mean streets of Mumbai and captures the cold, indifferent character of the city and its people.

The Deoband Declaration on Terrorism: Why Now?

On February 25, 2008 an “All India Terrorism Conference� was attended by over 10,000 Islamic clerics, scholars, muftis and teachers.

Pervez Musharraf and India Pakistan Rapproachment

Eight years of the Musharraf era has seen a sea change in the Indo-Pak bilateral relationship. Musharraf, in my opinion, can take a large measure of credit for this change.

What is Hinduism? A Personal View

There is no word in the Indian native languages for Religion, or its Arabic equivalent, Madhab. It is commonly and erroneously translated as “Dharma�.

Limits of Multiculturalism

The question of reasonable accommodation with cultural minorities has erupted with increasing frequency and friction in almost all countries with multicultural minorities

Jaane kahan gaye voh din!

But a new generation of the young and restless cine fans had replaced the old generation and they had neither the time nor the taste to savour the slow intoxication of the old style of music.

Saving the Female Fetus

Dr. Kartar Singh and Anil Sabhani were caught on tape with their bloody red hands after aborting a female fetus. The evidence and the punishment have come a generation too late

Rethinking Foreign Policy -- Can Pakistan and India Agree?

Musharraf has presented numerous proposals on Kashmir without receiving any favourable response from the Indians. It is time for Indians to show a willingness to reveal their cards.

The Uncertain Future of India-Pakistan-Iran Pipeline

Mani Shankar Aiyar’s removal from the cabinet is a surprise. His approach was to enter into agreements with neighbouring countries to build pipelines to secure India’s future energy needs as well as improve fractured relationships with these

Remembering Munish

Munish had gone to Bangalore to attend an international conference on Operations Research. He took the bullets aimed at Lalitha and fell to the ground.

The Amazing Khatris of Punjab

It is probable that Khatris were indeed soldiers who, after the Muslim conquest of Punjab, turned to lower caste occupations

Bye Bye NAM, Hello Realpolitik!

India’s change of policy towards Iran must have been one of the most deliberate, albeit agonizing, decision by the Indian government.

W(h)ither BJP?

His departure may placate the RSS apparatchiks in Nagpur but it will not resolve the internal contradiction in the BJP. These contradictions will be resolved only by a split in the party.

The US Democracy Initiative and Israel

For 60 years, my country, the United States, pursued stability at the expense of democracy in this region, here in the Middle East, and we achieved neither

Shatranj ke Khiladi

So, where does it leave India and Pakistan? They are at a critical juncture where they have to decide whether they want to be pawns or players

My Family Reunion

My mother handed over both me and her gold ornaments to her sister. The arrangement was that if my mother made it safely across to India, she would take back both me and her gold, if not, my maasi was to use the gold to help her raise me.

Employment Equity in India’s Private Sector

While I am indeed in favour of introducing greater employment equity, I believe that there is a better alternative to the government enforced quotas.

Indira Gandhi Bunaam Bush!

Let us hope that the administration has the capacity to learn from other people’s mistakes instead of making their own and turn the Iraq misadventure into a bigger tragedy than it already is.

Dev - The Anatomy of A Communal Carnage

... if Gujarat is not to be repeated, it must never be forgotten!

My Pakistan Diary: Roots! A Spiritual Journey

“This is where” Alam said, “your grandfather used to read from Guru Granth Sahib to the veiled Khatri women of the village”.

My Pakistan Diary: A Rich Heritage Neglected

Ahsan has tried to reinterpret the two nation theory which created Pakistan. According to this ex-post interpretation, the Indian subcontinent can be divided into two nations because of a civilizational divide.

A Bold Agenda for United Progressive Alliance (UPA)

These proposals are driven by common-sense and not by any ideology. They are pragmatic and intended to create social harmony and improve general social welfare without causing any disruption to the engines of economic growth

My Pakistan Diary: Retracing the Conquerors’ Steps

“Janab, they will vote for you also if you are against America”, he quipped

My Pakistan Diary: The Feudal

If the professional politician has to penetrate those bonds and win the confidence of the people, s/he will have to not only make promises but deliver them in the way the feudal does.

My Pakistan Diary: Lahore Aaya Main Othay Dil Chhod Aaya!

If it is true that puritanical Islam abhors fun and frolic, then the Mullah has met his match in the Lahori

My Pakistan Diary: A Bus Trip Like No Other

The bus traveled like a VIP motorcade. It was not required to obey traffic lights.

The Case for Sonia Gandhi!

A reader at this point may be excused for wondering whether this article is meant to praise this government or to bury it.

Yesterday’s Failures are Today’s Successes

Nehru would have turned in his Samadhi on knowing that the alumni of his highly subsidised institutes of learning ended up serving the very multinationals from whose clutches he wanted to protect his socialist India.

Outsourcing Torture

I too was born in a Muslim country. Should I carefully try to recall who I came in contact with during my 35-year stay in Canada and be careful not to transit through an American airport?

Adam Smith’s Invisible Hand and Kashmir

Indians have an uncanny knack for sniffing out an NRI. Mr. Butt was no exception. As soon as he identified us as the migratory birds from a distant land, he upgraded the product on display.

Two Phases of Indian Secularism

The second phase of Indian secularism started at Somnath (Gujarat) in a Toyota pick-up converted to look like a medieval Rath (chariot)

Hey Ram, What Have You Done to My Religion?

The way I saw it, it all started with Ram. Back in the 1980s, when the official Doordarshan TV channel was the only game in town, it telecast an immensely popular serial on Ramayan. The serial was so popular that all businesses and social visits came to a

The Jihad of a Humanist

Eighteen years ago today, the Air India Kanishka plane flew from Toronto enroute to London with its full load of over three hundred passengers. It never made it to its destination. Kanishka was blown to bits in mid-air above the Atlantic Ocean off the coa

Yesterday and Tomorrow in India Today

Here was, then, the India of yesterday: poor, hungry, mired in poverty, highly dependent upon the vagaries of weather and yet full of life with colour, dance and music.

The Beginning of the End of the Kashmir Problem

Do not underestimate either the love or the hatred that the peoples of the two countries are capable of having towards each other

In The Valley of Gods: A Personal Journey

Our honeymooning co-passengers were understandably more interested in exploring each other than in us or even in the beautiful landscape outside

In Praise of A Government Enterprise

Back then, like the Hindu caste system, they used to have four classes: Ist, IInd, Inter and IIIrd

Deepa Mehta’s Bollywood/Hollywood

What happens when you cross Bollywood with Hollywood? You get Toronto, that's what!

Gandhi, Godse and Geeta

Who was following the message of Geeta in the true sense? Gandhi, Godse or both?

In Memory of R.K. Narayan

There are few people dead or alive who could tell stories the way Narayan did

Dost Mittar

• Articles on Chowk: 55
• First article: May 24, 2001
• Latest article: Oct 22, 2009
• Times read on Chowk: 1135151