Delhi Metro: The New Lovers’ Paradise? - India Real Time - WSJ
Interesting article - after the parks got too many stares, now it is the turn of the Delhi Metro to be the hangout place for lovebirds...
Showing posts with label Asia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Asia. Show all posts
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Delhi's Battle Against Bribery
Delhi's Battle Against Bribery - SUBCONTINENTAL - Current Intelligence
When Arjun, a Delhi-based photographer, was attempting to relocate his family overseas earlier this year, he found himself breaking a cardinal rule he had set for himself.
He had never paid a bribe in his life, but now he needed a ‘Letter of Good Conduct’ from the police that would allow him to apply for residency abroad, and it quickly became clear that this would not happen without money changing hands.
“I’ve always refused to pay bribes in the past,” he said. “But every time I went to the police station, they would tell me that it would take a few more days.
“We needed the letter in a hurry. There was no choice. In the end, I handed over 2,500 rupees before they would give me the letter.
“It was crazy – having to pay a bribe to prove you are a person of good conduct!”
Friday, September 9, 2011
More Than Taste: Indian Women Turn Westward to Stock Up Their Wardrobes
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| www.SilkThreads.com |
More Than Taste: Indian Women Turn Westward to Stock Up Their Wardrobes | Knowledge@Wharton Today:
According to Satyajit Majumdar, a professor at the School of Management and Labor Studies of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, this trend in clothing is a subset of larger social phenomena. “Society is now more open to women making choices which were earlier not considered favorably. For instance, girls are now moving to different cities for higher [education] or career opportunities, and taking up independent accommodation if hostel facilities are not available.”
He points to another aspect. “As individuals, [Indians] are now becoming more sensitive to the concept of the ‘self’. This includes various aspects like looks, health, clothing and lifestyle. So all businesses which cater to this notion of the ‘individual’ and the ‘self’ are getting more pronounced in the market.”
Monday, July 25, 2011
BBQ Salmon with Watermelon and Jicama Slaw?
Top Chef Contestant Suzy Singh...one of our own!
"Susan Singh was born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, in a town called Buffalo Grove. Her parents, Shashi and Gagan gave her the name Susan, but she has been nicknamed by her grandmother as Aman. Since the day that she was born, her family and close friends have called her by the name of Aman. Both of Suzy Singh’s parents originated from Punjab and moved to the United States one year before Suzy was born. She has spent her entire life finding the balance between both Eastern and Western culture as well as cuisine..."
There is also an interview with her on Sepia Mutiny...
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Parents in New India: Abused, Abandoned, Betrayed - a global dilemma?
Parents in New India: Abused, Abandoned, Betrayed - New America Media:
His mother was sitting in the outpatient waiting area at the hospital for hours - did she not have a ride? No, her son and his wife were at work, and did not want to pick her up till they got done...
Shocking? Not really? In India? Possibly...but this was in the United States...
Is our instant-gratification society making us shy away from what is inevitable for all of us? As the article linked below comments, elder abuse is rampant - and we still bury our heads in the sand..."Countless adults are victims of abuse through self-neglect, and institutional abuse often receives the most media attention; however, by far the most common abusers of the elderly are family members, especially spouses and adult children. The low reporting rate of elder abuse therefore makes unfortunate sense: Victims would often prefer to endure the abuse rather than risk the loss of independence, being removed from their family, or possibly being forced to move into a nursing home.
Americans' inattention to this issue has many causes, and high among them is fear -- the fear of seeing ourselves in the victims, of facing our own inevitable future of vulnerability and death. With its focus on youth, consumption and productivity, and living for today, our culture is complicit in this turning away. The tragic result is our inability -- or unwillingness -- to imagine ourselves in the distant future, potentially alone and unprotected. So we don't see that helping protect the elderly today helps protect us tomorrow..."
We have talked about this issue in the Tribe Desi newsletter before - and we asked for suggestions, or how South Asian Americans across the country are coping with this issue - and didn't get very many responses, except a Indian retirement community in NJ...comment below if you know of any good initiatives...
"Not everyone is pushing their old mother down the stairs. But we brush older people aside in ways we don’t even realise. A survey from the Agewell Foundation in New Delhi found that 87 percent of elders in the 70-80 age group complain of isolation. And that happens even when they are living with family, at home. They just find themselves shunted off to the back bedroom.
In 2050 400 million people will be over 80 all over the world. 48.1 million of them will be in India. That doesn’t mean India will become a sea of grey. The median age of Indians will still be only 38. But 48.1 million people can’t be shoved into the back bedroom either."
His mother was sitting in the outpatient waiting area at the hospital for hours - did she not have a ride? No, her son and his wife were at work, and did not want to pick her up till they got done...
Shocking? Not really? In India? Possibly...but this was in the United States...
Is our instant-gratification society making us shy away from what is inevitable for all of us? As the article linked below comments, elder abuse is rampant - and we still bury our heads in the sand..."Countless adults are victims of abuse through self-neglect, and institutional abuse often receives the most media attention; however, by far the most common abusers of the elderly are family members, especially spouses and adult children. The low reporting rate of elder abuse therefore makes unfortunate sense: Victims would often prefer to endure the abuse rather than risk the loss of independence, being removed from their family, or possibly being forced to move into a nursing home.
Americans' inattention to this issue has many causes, and high among them is fear -- the fear of seeing ourselves in the victims, of facing our own inevitable future of vulnerability and death. With its focus on youth, consumption and productivity, and living for today, our culture is complicit in this turning away. The tragic result is our inability -- or unwillingness -- to imagine ourselves in the distant future, potentially alone and unprotected. So we don't see that helping protect the elderly today helps protect us tomorrow..."
We have talked about this issue in the Tribe Desi newsletter before - and we asked for suggestions, or how South Asian Americans across the country are coping with this issue - and didn't get very many responses, except a Indian retirement community in NJ...comment below if you know of any good initiatives...
"Not everyone is pushing their old mother down the stairs. But we brush older people aside in ways we don’t even realise. A survey from the Agewell Foundation in New Delhi found that 87 percent of elders in the 70-80 age group complain of isolation. And that happens even when they are living with family, at home. They just find themselves shunted off to the back bedroom.
In 2050 400 million people will be over 80 all over the world. 48.1 million of them will be in India. That doesn’t mean India will become a sea of grey. The median age of Indians will still be only 38. But 48.1 million people can’t be shoved into the back bedroom either."
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Comparison of Coke Studios Pakistan and India
Recipes for jams - Culture - livemint.com:
If you haven't heard Coke Studio Pakistan's Arif Lohar and Misha Shafi's "Alif Allah...", you are missing something - amazing!
And the "Kangna" qawwali is impeccable fusion between traditional vocals and modern instruments...
Compared to some of the Coke Studio India pieces I have heard with Richa Sharma, Sunidhi Chauhan and Bombay Jayashree, they sound far superior - but we have to realize that with the Indian side, the producers are trying to match multiple languages, styles, and beats - so we might be comparing apples to oranges...
If you haven't heard Coke Studio Pakistan's Arif Lohar and Misha Shafi's "Alif Allah...", you are missing something - amazing!
And the "Kangna" qawwali is impeccable fusion between traditional vocals and modern instruments...
Compared to some of the Coke Studio India pieces I have heard with Richa Sharma, Sunidhi Chauhan and Bombay Jayashree, they sound far superior - but we have to realize that with the Indian side, the producers are trying to match multiple languages, styles, and beats - so we might be comparing apples to oranges...
Saturday, June 4, 2011
SRK, Akon, a "leaked" song, and a dissection of Hollywood and Bollywood collaborations
Does SRK Really Need Akon? | MTV Desi | Latest Updates and Videos | Exclusives, Music, Film & Bollywood, Celebs and Fashion
So some of you might have heard the "unofficial", early version of Akon's Chamak Challo song in SRK's upcoming Ra.One movie (I was not impressed) - this article gives opinions on previous collaborations and how successful they were (remember Snoop Dogg/RDB/Singh is King? )...
So some of you might have heard the "unofficial", early version of Akon's Chamak Challo song in SRK's upcoming Ra.One movie (I was not impressed) - this article gives opinions on previous collaborations and how successful they were (remember Snoop Dogg/RDB/Singh is King? )...
Friday, May 20, 2011
The Dancing Boys Of Afghanistan
Watch The Full Program | The Dancing Boys Of Afghanistan | FRONTLINE | PBS:
"In The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan, Afghan journalist Najibullah Quraishi (Behind Taliban Lines) returns to his native land to expose an ancient practice that has been brought back by powerful warlords, former military commanders and wealthy businessmen. Known as 'bacha bazi' (literal translation: 'boy play'), this illegal practice exploits street orphans and poor boys, some as young as 11, whose parents are paid to give over their sons to their new 'masters.'"
"In The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan, Afghan journalist Najibullah Quraishi (Behind Taliban Lines) returns to his native land to expose an ancient practice that has been brought back by powerful warlords, former military commanders and wealthy businessmen. Known as 'bacha bazi' (literal translation: 'boy play'), this illegal practice exploits street orphans and poor boys, some as young as 11, whose parents are paid to give over their sons to their new 'masters.'"
Friday, May 13, 2011
Bipasha Basu rubbishes vulgar talks with Amar Singh
Bipasha Basu rubbishes vulgar talks with Amar Singh
If it is true, from John Abraham to him?? wow...
If it is true, from John Abraham to him?? wow...
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Divorces rise as taboo falls in urbanizing India
Divorces rise as taboo falls in urbanizing India - FoxNews.com
With 8-9% GDP growth, and fast urbanization and westernization, would this be far behind? According to the article, the number of divorce courts in Delhi has gone up from 2 to 16 in the last two decades...
"Hindus, who form nearly 80 percent of the country's population, can seek divorce for adultery, insanity, abuse, impotence, desertion or the uniquely Indian grounds that their spouse is a leper or "renounced the world" to enter a religious order. A divorce by mutual consent requires a cooling-off period of six months..."
With 8-9% GDP growth, and fast urbanization and westernization, would this be far behind? According to the article, the number of divorce courts in Delhi has gone up from 2 to 16 in the last two decades...
"Hindus, who form nearly 80 percent of the country's population, can seek divorce for adultery, insanity, abuse, impotence, desertion or the uniquely Indian grounds that their spouse is a leper or "renounced the world" to enter a religious order. A divorce by mutual consent requires a cooling-off period of six months..."
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
On metro, heroines of female workforce
On metro, heroines of female workforce
"...Young urban women say they battle daily discrimination and harassment, including what is known in South Asia as "Eve teasing," or leering or grabbing. Although many women hold high-ranking political positions, Indian women still struggle for dignity in daily life..."
"...Young urban women say they battle daily discrimination and harassment, including what is known in South Asia as "Eve teasing," or leering or grabbing. Although many women hold high-ranking political positions, Indian women still struggle for dignity in daily life..."
Saturday, October 30, 2010
How Obama Will Address Outsourcing in India
How Obama Will Address Outsourcing in India - India Real Time - WSJ
There is no question US views India as a strategic entity - but what should be its added value to india? According to a report by Center for New American Century, it should be "In order to chart a more ambitious US-India strategic partnership, we believe that the United States should commit, publicly and explicitly, to work with India in support of its permanent membership in an enlarged UN Security Council; seek a broad expansion of bilateral trade and investment, beginning with a Bilateral Investment Treaty; greatly expand the security relationship and boost defense trade; support Indian membership in key export control organizations, a step toward integrating India into global non-proliferation efforts; and liberalize US export controls, including the removal of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) subsidiaries from the US Entity List."
But what about the curbs on outsourcing? Read this article for more details...
There is no question US views India as a strategic entity - but what should be its added value to india? According to a report by Center for New American Century, it should be "In order to chart a more ambitious US-India strategic partnership, we believe that the United States should commit, publicly and explicitly, to work with India in support of its permanent membership in an enlarged UN Security Council; seek a broad expansion of bilateral trade and investment, beginning with a Bilateral Investment Treaty; greatly expand the security relationship and boost defense trade; support Indian membership in key export control organizations, a step toward integrating India into global non-proliferation efforts; and liberalize US export controls, including the removal of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) subsidiaries from the US Entity List."
But what about the curbs on outsourcing? Read this article for more details...
Saturday, October 16, 2010
India: Where have all the young men gone?
India: Where have all the young men gone? - thestar.com
Interesting article - deals with several issues, primarily focused on Punjab, but could be anywhere in India. Immigration - legal or otherwise, youth moving to distant lands to find better opportunities, empty nesters, migrant workers, and the deep divisions which exist in society.
Add to that the state of elders who move abroad to be with their children and their families - and you have a very complex situation. There is no easy fix - but I'm sure the community would like to know if there are any successful models in places like UK and Canada...
Interesting article - deals with several issues, primarily focused on Punjab, but could be anywhere in India. Immigration - legal or otherwise, youth moving to distant lands to find better opportunities, empty nesters, migrant workers, and the deep divisions which exist in society.
Add to that the state of elders who move abroad to be with their children and their families - and you have a very complex situation. There is no easy fix - but I'm sure the community would like to know if there are any successful models in places like UK and Canada...
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Why is India in the Commonwealth? - By Juliet Lapidos
Why is India in the Commonwealth? - By Juliet Lapidos - Slate Magazine
Well, even if it is a big club, membership has its privileges - other than infrastructure improvements in the host country and hope for its recovery, there are voting benefits for people from member countries living in the UK...
Well, even if it is a big club, membership has its privileges - other than infrastructure improvements in the host country and hope for its recovery, there are voting benefits for people from member countries living in the UK...
Commonwealth Games - In Commonwealth Games, Businesses Test India
Commonwealth Games - In Commonwealth Games, Businesses Test India - NYTimes.com
Search Amazon.com for trade with india
"But the games, a quadrennial competition of nations from the old British Empire, may be closely watched by economists and business executives around the world nonetheless. As India emerges as an economic player, the business world will view the games as something of a management competency test.
“It is India, and India is a rising power,” said Arvind Subramanian, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington.
India, with its nearly 9 percent economic growth and rapidly increasing middle class, has become the latest popular destination for global companies and low-growth Western governments. That is why many of the same Western nations that were publicly upset by India’s lack of sports preparedness have recently stepped up their trade efforts with the country.."
Search Amazon.com for trade with india
"But the games, a quadrennial competition of nations from the old British Empire, may be closely watched by economists and business executives around the world nonetheless. As India emerges as an economic player, the business world will view the games as something of a management competency test. “It is India, and India is a rising power,” said Arvind Subramanian, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington.
India, with its nearly 9 percent economic growth and rapidly increasing middle class, has become the latest popular destination for global companies and low-growth Western governments. That is why many of the same Western nations that were publicly upset by India’s lack of sports preparedness have recently stepped up their trade efforts with the country.."
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Khosla, Sun Co-Founder, Uses Capitalism to Help Poor - NYTimes.com
Khosla, Sun Co-Founder, Uses Capitalism to Help Poor - NYTimes.com
A good article by ex-DMNer Vikas Bajaj. To put CK Prahlad's principle of "bottom of the pyramid" into action, as well as using principles from organizations like the Grameen Foundation - and make money at that!
An analogy could be what the French company Dannon is doing - targeting developed markets with a new spin on probiotics, and developing markets with specialized, cheap, but healthy products like Misti Dhoi in Bangladesh...
A good article by ex-DMNer Vikas Bajaj. To put CK Prahlad's principle of "bottom of the pyramid" into action, as well as using principles from organizations like the Grameen Foundation - and make money at that!
An analogy could be what the French company Dannon is doing - targeting developed markets with a new spin on probiotics, and developing markets with specialized, cheap, but healthy products like Misti Dhoi in Bangladesh...
Monday, September 27, 2010
SUPERSTAR Rajinikanth!: The biggest movie star you've probably never heard of.
SUPERSTAR Rajinikanth!: The biggest movie star you've probably never heard of. - By Grady Hendrix - Slate Magazine
Ok, so the article is written in a little condescending manner, the analogy to Chuck Norris is funny ("Rajinikanth was bitten by a cobra. After four days of intense suffering, the snake died"), the gripes aboutBollywood stars are true ( Hrithik is a little boy, Shah Rukh Khan is spoiled, Amitabh Bachchan wears a toupee..)
...but the ending is amazing: "Laugh at him all you like, but on Oct. 1 Rajinikanth is going to play a robot onscreen in Enthiran, and it is going to gross all the money in the world. Because Rajinikanth, like a Tamil Nadu Cyrano de Bergerac, is the epitome of manly Indian style and, like Cyrano, when one day he goes to his grave, he'll cling to the one thing they can't take away from him, the one thing that has mattered most to him in his life: his panache..."
(The actual quote from Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac is
" ... yet there is something still that will always be mine, and when I go to God's presence, there I'll doff it and sweep the heavenly pavement with a gesture — something I'll take unstained out of this world ... my panache...) ".
Ok, so the article is written in a little condescending manner, the analogy to Chuck Norris is funny ("Rajinikanth was bitten by a cobra. After four days of intense suffering, the snake died"), the gripes about
...but the ending is amazing: "Laugh at him all you like, but on Oct. 1 Rajinikanth is going to play a robot onscreen in Enthiran, and it is going to gross all the money in the world. Because Rajinikanth, like a Tamil Nadu Cyrano de Bergerac, is the epitome of manly Indian style and, like Cyrano, when one day he goes to his grave, he'll cling to the one thing they can't take away from him, the one thing that has mattered most to him in his life: his panache..."
(The actual quote from Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac is
" ... yet there is something still that will always be mine, and when I go to God's presence, there I'll doff it and sweep the heavenly pavement with a gesture — something I'll take unstained out of this world ... my panache...) ".
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