tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.comments2023-08-04T17:34:49.094+05:30A New Praxis in a changed worldSrinivasan Ramanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13620263203764236450noreply@blogger.comBlogger319125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-31310804484239569542011-06-26T21:46:43.494+05:302011-06-26T21:46:43.494+05:30wonderful video of Sri Sainath thanks for sharing ...wonderful video of Sri Sainath thanks for sharing -KBKrishna Baaluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12334726725534023971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-43810248265857138212011-04-25T18:53:18.193+05:302011-04-25T18:53:18.193+05:30i am happy for u da
http://www.thehindu.com/news/...i am happy for u da<br /><br />http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1762821.ecer80srhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10159581446922655738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-59927799886817066262011-04-19T14:15:41.597+05:302011-04-19T14:15:41.597+05:30Is this the Sriram who studied in college with me?...Is this the Sriram who studied in college with me? Been trying to get back in touch for eons. You have my email id. Ping me anytime.Srinivasan Ramanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13620263203764236450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-90266187001118592022011-04-19T12:53:22.500+05:302011-04-19T12:53:22.500+05:30http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi...http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/special-report/Challenge-science-with-fact-not-jingoism/articleshow/8001995.cms<br /><br /><br />No I didnt misread Antrix to be Anthrax to post that link. But just wanted to know if, just as the author of that article who is recognized as a "Social Scientist" you have also become an acclaimed "Socio-political scientist" or a "Socio-economic" scientist already!! <br /><br />sriramr80srhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10159581446922655738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-47729470531501250452011-03-24T13:57:20.768+05:302011-03-24T13:57:20.768+05:30Have you ever seen a map of Pakistan? The IPI pipe...Have you ever seen a map of Pakistan? The IPI pipeline was supposed to pass through Balochistan (adjoining Iran). Is there any specific opposition to the pipeline (which should pour in money for tribes in the area) in the region? Who is being naive and half-educated?Srinivasan Ramanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13620263203764236450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-49676288198230086082011-03-24T13:54:39.161+05:302011-03-24T13:54:39.161+05:30>> even as the extremists themselves would r...>> even as the extremists themselves would realise that demand-fulfilling projects such as these cannot be a target for sabotage, as the stakeholders are common people.<br /><br />You really believe that even despite hundreds of terrorist bombings in markets, trains, etc ?<br /><br />I am afraid you are being rather naive about Pakistan and its extremism. I don't see the IPI happening till Pakistan gets some sort of normalcy and retains that for 3-4 years at least.SundayThotshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14444752236654506439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-13391077914447056052011-03-17T14:30:16.597+05:302011-03-17T14:30:16.597+05:30so glad i discovered this spaceso glad i discovered this spacenadihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02711626442171954187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-55662930925527343912010-12-20T15:17:55.710+05:302010-12-20T15:17:55.710+05:30sir, i ve been aware of the fundamental issues in ...sir, i ve been aware of the fundamental issues in piracy in somalia for 2 or 3 yrs now, thanks to a tamil magazine that highlighted it, that apart everyone else indicted the reason for piracy as looting alone.. 2 days back, one mr rajiv bhatia wrote on hindu endorsing the same view.. only then i looked for some article in epw and found ur article.. really good sir.. i m an avid reader of epw for the past 1 yr.. i missed this one becaus it has been written in2009.. i guess another article on this issue is really necessary.. after all u r on eof the few voices of the 4th pillar who ve not been boughtAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-85009247854649741742010-12-20T10:53:49.548+05:302010-12-20T10:53:49.548+05:30I am happy to write this piece, just for the reaso...I am happy to write this piece, just for the reason that it elicited a comment from you, Simha!.Srinivasan Ramanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13620263203764236450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-48376517352998393622010-12-19T23:08:27.215+05:302010-12-19T23:08:27.215+05:30Good write-up.
The AIADMK government between 199...Good write-up. <br /><br />The AIADMK government between 1999-2004 enjoyed popular support and was in marked contrast to Ms.Jayalalitha's 1991-96 corrupt stint. This was why AIADMK won 60+ seats - since 1991 no incumbent has managed to win so many seats. <br /><br />Mr.Vijayakanth's new party played spoil-sport in the 2006 State election by splitting the anti-DMK votes because his DMDK wooed the MGR-followers, the same cadre that AIADMK banks on. <br /><br />Even the 1991-96 corrupt stint of AIADMK fares much better when seen beside the DMK's mass corruption. Since DMK has access to or able to influence all TV channels and media pubs in Tamilnadu, my retrospective view is that even the 1991-96 AIADMK corruption was blown out of proportion by DMK-surrogates like magazine Nakkeeran, The Hindu etc.. (Note the calculated silence of The Hindu in Mr.A.Raja's telecom scam for the past 2 years until he was removed from power last month).<br /><br />The truth is that DMK has been the most unprincipled party - it clung to power for 2 years after the Godhra riots with the BJP and then suddenly became secular and joined the Congress bandwagon, to cash in on the anti-BJP votes.<br /><br />It is a party that never had any principles after Mr.Annadurai. All that one can say of Mr.Karunanidhi is that he is extremely lucky (to have a 30% gullible vote-base) and extremely unfortunate (to have missed out an opportunity of a life-time to transform a state - no other politician can boast of such demi-god status).<br /><br />AIADMK is not the best party but it certainly is the only alternative for now (better than DMK in all perspectives) - I wish Mr.D.Pandian from the CPI had a great following but unfortunately that is not the case and hence the people have only binary choices for now (AIADMK or DMK).<br /><br />Thanks<br />VarahasimhanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-15525772491629317472010-12-09T23:46:38.723+05:302010-12-09T23:46:38.723+05:30While the nexus between politicians-corporates-bur...While the nexus between politicians-corporates-bureaucrats and how this elite section plunders this country in the name of democracy was well known, some people, many of them well intentioned, still had some hope that this 'democracy' would work in favour of the ordinary people, resting their hope as they were on the institutions such as media, judiciary, armed forces etc. The hope of all such people seems to be dwindling in the wake of the events which unfolded this year, be it Bhopal judgement, CWG scam, Adarsh scam, 2G scam or now the startling revelation from Radia tapes.Its high time that all those who genuinely believe in the dream of an egalitarian and democratic society must vigorously support the building of the foundation of an alternative socio-economic and political system through a revolutionary process rather than pinning their reformist hope on a dacadent system which in any case is going to be thrown to the dustbin of history on account of its gruesome crimes against humanity.Anand Singhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00146923007469562772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-33303221290754067932010-10-09T00:09:37.158+05:302010-10-09T00:09:37.158+05:30With each passing day, the non-secular character o...With each passing day, the non-secular character of the Indian State is getting thoroughly exposed.If the demolition of Babri mosque was not enough, if the connivance of adminstration in the communal riots and fake encounters of the members of minority community was not enough, we now have the Indian judiciary - the so called last hope of Indian democracy - openly decaring its majoritarian inclinations through this verdict. So a modern secular democratic republic is trying to imitate a medieval theocratic state following the standards and logic of the latter.Am surprised that still some people carry this pious hope that some day this dynastic majoritarian State would behave as a secular republic!Anand Singhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00146923007469562772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-13797124963030251212010-10-08T01:54:05.730+05:302010-10-08T01:54:05.730+05:30"(1)There existed a temple-like structure und..."(1)There existed a temple-like structure underneath the so called Babri masjid."<br /><br />Even if it is true (which is dubious), that is not proof that it was Ram's birth place as is made out to be the claim for the property dispute. <br /><br />"(2)Hindu groups have been claiming this place for centuries."<br /><br />Without rational basis. <br /><br />Long term claims cannot be justified on the basis of the fact that they are long term unless the are rational.Srinivasan Ramanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13620263203764236450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-37576627097138359382010-10-08T01:24:59.366+05:302010-10-08T01:24:59.366+05:30The important point is not the exact location of R...The important point is not the exact location of Rama's birth. The two important points are:<br /><br />(1)There existed a temple-like structure underneath the so called Babri masjid.<br /><br />(2)Hindu groups have been claiming this place for centuries. <br /><br />Have an unbiased look at the evidence available (ASI findings + other evidence put together), and you can convince yourself that these claims appear true.<br /><br />About the ASI survey : As far as I understand, the survey was done under careful supervision of the court, and the judges are convinced that the survey is not dubious.<br /><br />I am not questioning anybody's academic credentials. I am pointing out that many of the pet theories of these historians have been proven wrong. In the example I mentioned, they ended up with a wrong Aryan theory mainly because they brushed aside all those facts that are not supportive of their world view!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14177466323485946431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-3704218170494503442010-10-07T23:55:14.630+05:302010-10-07T23:55:14.630+05:30Ranjith,
Your argument is extremely poor. The Va...Ranjith, <br /><br />Your argument is extremely poor. The Valmiki Ramayana's assertions about Rama's birth and presence of Ayodhya in the Treta yuga do not need a Romila Thapar or a Irfan Habib to be disproved on factual basis. It requires anyone of minimal common sense to do so. <br /><br />That some pillars, and other paraphernalia were found by a dubious ASI survey set up during BJP rule, suggest that it is a conclusive proof that there was a temple over which the Masjid was built; of course requires a Habib or a Thapar to give it certitude through accepted practices of peer review; but to reject outright is silliness supreme. <br /><br />To demean the academic credentials of these peerless historians of ancient and medieval India, whose findings and methodology have hardly been questioned by relevant peers (instead of myth makers and Hindutva foot soldiers) is even more stupidity. <br /><br />Only half baked believers in mythology and irrational belief would want to give credence to the Hindutva-vaadis' grand claims about Ayodhya and Lord Ram. I am afraid that you are doing incredible injustice to your chosen profession as a scientist by making such assertions as above.Srinivasan Ramanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13620263203764236450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-60739533095431377912010-10-07T22:26:03.907+05:302010-10-07T22:26:03.907+05:30Srini,
It is clear that historians like Thapar an...Srini,<br /><br />It is clear that historians like Thapar and Habib have political leanings. Therefore they often misinterpret facts; reading/quoting them wouldn't take us anywhere. ASI findings + other historical evidences put together there is a strong case to conclude that there was a temple. And that is reflected in the verdict. <br /><br />Left-leaning historians, based on their prejudices, argued for an Aryan invasion/migration theory, for ages. Now with genetic evidence also available, their theories have no takers. This is an example showing how these historians can get things terribly wrong. So I wouldn't put my money on their arguments.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14177466323485946431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-65287891840719330762010-09-05T08:24:59.595+05:302010-09-05T08:24:59.595+05:30Dude, Iniesta is not Catalan, he is Castilian...Dude, Iniesta is not Catalan, he is Castilian...Huckleberry Finnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03555988609673432039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-54701389328005917282010-06-01T16:21:14.455+05:302010-06-01T16:21:14.455+05:30**But this is mainly due to the absence of "c...**But this is mainly due to the absence of "class" in the resolution of the caste question ... Ambedkar himself said so ... But in contemporary dalit Political Discourse, there is no mention of class ...**<br /><br />Typo in the last comment.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18376734877882914303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-68404439330503538492010-02-08T17:55:10.619+05:302010-02-08T17:55:10.619+05:30http://caricaturehome.blogspot.com/2010/02/to-b-or...http://caricaturehome.blogspot.com/2010/02/to-b-or-not-to-bt-bringal.htmlMinanath Dhaskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12888329603203723364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-76727164579358607342009-09-01T19:47:57.153+05:302009-09-01T19:47:57.153+05:30Nice article Srini. The other day, I attended the ...Nice article Srini. The other day, I attended the lecture of Kancha Illiah, and he gave two reasons for this statue drive -<br /><br />1) The famous hindu temples that were built, were also built through public funding and hence, this is more of a cultural project, whereby, they want to create "an alternative culture" or iconography as you rightly put it.<br /><br />2) The Prime Minister of India's photos come in the major Newspapers of the country, full page advertisements about his achievements, so why can't mayawati do so? (We can add the Rajiv Gandhi fixation of the Congress these days, they are trying to cultivate for him a Nehru-like image... :P)<br /><br />But this is mainly due to the absence of "class" in the resolution of the caste question ... Ambedkar himself said so ... But in contemporary dalit Political Discourse, there is no mention of caste ...<br /><br />I hope she doesn't get away with such criminal waste of public funds, especially when UP is facing a drought ...<br /><br />Nice article, as always ...Anshul Trivedihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03764891402948203735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-77311597926946341482009-08-13T17:47:07.090+05:302009-08-13T17:47:07.090+05:30Its really a good article covers all the aspect an...Its really a good article covers all the aspect and give a complete picture of LTTE's and Srilankan Government.<br />And the most important aspect which you touch at last paragraph, is about the proper rehabilitation of minor communities or Tamilian otherwise it will take a another half decade to build another LTTE or any other such organization.Relocate Easilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14811689382496918752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-24406001897872101442009-06-24T11:18:00.916+05:302009-06-24T11:18:00.916+05:30An indepth analyses of a fraction of what Tharoor ...An indepth analyses of a fraction of what Tharoor has written. Good work from an academic point of view.<br /><br />From the view of influencing people's decision for and against a personality I think your blogging should be more comprehensive. I agree Tharoor is 'Indostalgic'....but there is one common thread he maintains in any comment he makes about India, and that is the 'Pluralism' in India. His cliched example of Abdul Kalam , a muslim President, swearing in a Sikh Prime Minister, whose party is headed by a Roman Catholic in a country where 80% are Hindus....is what I guess he was trying to portray on the glimpses of Infosys and Puttaparthi.<br /><br />I am not a big fan of the God Man either, but I have nothing against a person not disrespecting a God man since our country allows its so.<br /><br />In front of Tharoor all other choices were anyways hopeless, so there is no point even debating on that.<br /><br />I liked your view on the State's responsibility vs the onus what the God Men are taking. I would request somebody with your journalistic skill to write a separate blog on this, it would be a good read. I thought your views on that was a good take away for me in this blog.<br /><br />MohanMohan Kannanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01086989466133591349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-90781350314344400382009-06-20T20:29:00.142+05:302009-06-20T20:29:00.142+05:30returned to this blog after some time to see my g...returned to this blog after some time to see my good friend making a largely honest assessment of the 09 elections. few more things I would like to point out. <br />as far as the Congress party is concerned, the efforts at rebuilding the party structure at the basic level is proved possible. many people including the its own supporters doubted the party leadership's decision to go it alone in states like Bihar and UP regardless of possible adjustments. Rahul Gandhi's ideas of rebuilding the party structure has finally started showing some good signs, and it has enhanced his stature within the party, particularly among doubting workers and supporters. <br />in the BJP, its all over the place at the moment, and party has lost its national face. it has been reduced into a club of regional chieftains. the powerful and performing has delivered well, while others have lost out. in all that, LKA Rajnath and the entire national leadership seemd out of place. the Modi as PM show also added further trouble. <br />in the left camp, WB has come as a shocking pointer, and may be its time to really rethink. in Kerala, the SNC Lavlin case and its aftermaths, the prolonged strifes with the organized christian minority, the factional strifes within the party that ultimately affected the working of the government, and very importantly, a point you missed out, the open relationship with the PDP of Abdul Nasar Maadani have brought about humiliation. <br />at the national level, the CPM seriously need to rethink about the old school thinking of its national leadership, in particular Prakash Karat. the idea of the 3rd front was considered as the result of Mr. Karat's bitterness against the PM more than anything else. it was Harkishan Singh Surjit under who's leadership that the CPM and the left managed a significant national presence after the early 1970s. that presence came with a closer relationship with the congress, and so going back to an anti-congress platform was a huge mistake. <br />on all those power hungry 4th-5th and all other fronts, the electorate have put them in their rightful place. <br />Srini, generally our exchanges on political issues have been nothing short of acrimonious, but for a change I find most of your assessments absolutely to the point.Mahesh S. Panickerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15488735570028639953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-46931417105914623602009-06-11T16:28:54.509+05:302009-06-11T16:28:54.509+05:30I partially agree with your analysis of the downfa...I partially agree with your analysis of the downfall of the Tigers in you "End of a Civil War." But I disagree with you projecting the demise of the Tigers as the "death of a cause."<br /><br />Prabhakaran and his Tigers represented certain ideas. They were icons. But the idea of Eelam is larger than icons - it is a dream. Like Palestine, or Kashmir, or Tibet. Or even like Communist utopia. In Lenin's own words, a revolutionary movement is guided by its own more or less mysterious laws. And the objective conditions in Sri Lanka foster the development of a new organization, one that would've learnt from the mistakes of its predecessor, after a termporary period of lull. They say that the darkest hour is before the dawn. I think it is too early to write the obituary for the cause. <br /><br />http://karthikrm.wordpress.com/2009/05/30/is-eelam-over/<br /><br />(PS Yeah, I am the same Karthick who used to make absurbd arguments on TNP, Orkut)Karthick RMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00843141160010228246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381909.post-6559846771925761252009-05-16T17:48:00.000+05:302009-05-16T17:48:00.000+05:30the extreme left did not participate in elections....the extreme left did not participate in elections. So they themselves rejected .. themselves. And I am one of those people who are skeptical of the term, "centrism". The Congress has a choice to stay "left of centre" - welfarist or continue with the reformist policies. Their mandate is for the former but their DNA goes along with the latter.Srinivasan Ramanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13620263203764236450noreply@blogger.com