Stories about India from February, 2007
India: On Islamic Banking
Cuckoo's Call on the tenets of Islamic Banking. “Very few people know what Islamic banking is or what interest-free economy means. Only some devout Muslims who try to adhere strictly to the Islamic stricture against interest follow Islamic economics. We do not find mainstream academic institutions working on this subject.”
India: Quattrocchi in Argentina
Varnam on the politics played to avoid extraditing a man who could end up ruining the reputation of some very important people. “Remember Ottavio Quattrocchi? The middle man for Bofors who represented Snamprogetti and big pal of ex-dead-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi? He was arrested in Argentina on Feb 6th and...
India: On Paan Waalahs
Swajana has a video post of a paan waalah. (Paan seller). “Theoretically a Paan can be compared to an after dinner mint, but culturally it plays a far more significant role. Thereby the maker of the Paan takes on a key sociological role. His role can be considered akin to...
India: India as a destination
the shad king on the discovery of India becoming a destination for people other than nirvana seekers. “There is a significant population of Ethiopian immigrants in Washington DC, a vast majority of whom support their families (and often finance their own higher education) by driving a cab. As I grumpily...
India: Dealing with Delhi
Feringhee on dealing with Delhi. “I don't see why people grouse so much about Delhi, but then, I have never had to live, commute and work here. As a stopover it is really quite civilized.”
India: On Duty
The Delhicate Constitution on duty and politics. “On the other hand you may say that you have been placed there because the majority of people have faith in your decision-making, and that they trust you to do the right thing for them. Doing what you think is right will not...
Hindi Blogoshere: Going Places, Tag Epidemic & Indibloggies!
Sorry for the late update, I've been busy off late & then went to a weekend holiday, so wasn't able to do my fortnightly roundup of the Hindi Blogosphere. So without much ado, lets have a crack over the happenings of Hindi Blogosphere in the last fortnight! Disturbed with the...
Pakistan: Online freedom of speech as collateral damage?
This flash animation is converted from the Powerpoint Presentation made by Dr Awab Alvi for “The Battle for the Internet.” conference (His presentation can be viewed here-original file .ppt) One year ago, on the 27th of February 2006, when the Danish cartoons controversy exploded, spawning waves of protest, anger...
India: On Corporate Political Responsibility
The Indian Economy Blog on corporate political responsibility. “But where are the think-tanks, the public policy schools, the social science research endowments and sponsored professorships? To its credit, corporate India has foundations working on setting up village schools or improving rural infrastructure. While these are commendable, they are no substitutes...
Bangladesh: Celebrating the Mother Language day
Today is the International Mother Language Day, an annual event in UNESCO member states to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. This is mostly the international recognition of Language Movement Day called ‘Ekushey February’, which is commemorated in Bangladesh since 1952, when a number of Bangla-speaking people were massacred...
India: On maps, thumbs and sexual harrasment
Known Turf on a recent exercise with the Blank Noise Project. Helping map experiences of street harassment in Delhi. “This was the idea. Mapping the city. Getting women to fill in the blanks – create their own letters to strangers, based on their own experiences. Involving them in ways that...
India: In conversation with Ameen Sayani
Kamla Bhatt Show talks to a living legend – Ameen Sayani in her podcast. “Legendary broadcaster Ameen Sayani talks about his early days, his brother Hamid Sayani and Bournvita QUiz Contenst in this first part of our conversation.”
India: On the Indian Television Industry
To Each Its Own points to the launch of a new blog – DesiDabba. “It is an effort to be your one-stop guide into one of the world’s most lucrative entertainment market – The Indian Television Industry.”
India: Microfinance in Rajasthan and Maharashtra
Trivial Matters has a wonderful photo-essay on rural microfinance and microenterprise in Rajasthan. “The women inside of the mud walled room are filled with a new found sense of empowerment: through their small self help co-operative they have successfully found a voice and a hand to change the society they...
India, Pakistan: 66 people killed on the “Peace Train”
66 people were killed on the Samjhauta Express with homemade bombs last night. According to Wikipedia, The Samjhauta Express is a bi-weekly train — Tuesdays and Fridays — that runs between Delhi and Attari in India and Wagah and Lahore in Pakistan. Until the reopening of the Thar Express, this...
India: A broom seller
Swajana profiles a man who sells brooms. “Once a family business has been started it will very likely be handed down from generation to generation. Our video here is about one such enterprising young man who sells brooms and mops – going from house to house – he uses his...
India: A positive peace
Cuckoo's Call on building positive peace between the Hindu and Muslim communities. ‘Positive peace’ is rooted in shared recognition by Hindus and Muslims of the all-round destructiveness of the communal divide, and the need to act purposefully to address this. Positive peace goes beyond tolerance, to embrace ongoing dialogue, mutual...
From Lebanon to India
Respect for the rule of law is what separates Lebanon from India, according to Lebanese blogger Ms Levantine.
India: Traffic Signal disaster
Cribber has a video of a traffic signal that badly needs some intervention from the government. “This particular traffic light is on the crossing of D3 Vasant Kunj crossing. The light pole which you see is specially tilted for people to be able to see the traffic signal. This is...
India: On Valentine and Culture
A little sarcasm and great humour by the Great Bong on Valentine's Day and people “protesting” Western Culture. “An assault party from the Sawarana Samaj Party started hurling IEDs (improvised explosive devices) which burst open releasing rose thorns, hot caramel and debris from broken perfume bottles everywhere.”
Haiti, India: The Perils of Having Girls
India-based Haitian blogger NatifNatal writes (Fr): ”For certain families in rural parts of India, doom can hit in many ways: natural disasters, financial difficulty or simply the birth of a girl.” She then posts an article from the India Times to that effect.
