Editorial

Poverty and death amidst diamonds – the story of Western exploitation of Africa and its links with 9/11

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 was different for the Americans. The decade-long wait is over and even the perpetrator of 9/11 is dead. This 9/11 was also the first anniversary when Americans felt contented by the very fact that their revenge is over and they have again proved their supremacy over the world.

Special Story

Campus chaos

On July 30, 2009, SN Sharma's joy knew no bounds when he got a letter from Mumbai University vice-chancellor Vijay Khole informing him that “he has been selected as lecturer in the University of Mumbai and after clearance from the state government, the appointment letter will be issued.''

Batla House effect

If Delhi cannot be protected, how do you save the country? The 13 deaths and 92 injured near the Delhi high court gate on September 7 came a few months after a low intensity blast had rocked the same premises on May 25, 2010, leading to injuries.

Musings

Tax the wealthy

In most of my columns, I intentionally bring in comparatives as it always helps to build perspectives. I have always believed that these contrasts and comparatives have so much to teach. So while a lesson or two on social upliftment and commitment to ones nation can be learnt from our western counterparts then it is just the reverse in India.

Typos

The Unlikely Losers (Or So You’d Think!)

Every good story, I’m told, has a set-up, then a problem or a hurdle if you will, and then the climax. So this one is not going to be a good story, because the problem is the set-up, and we can’t talk about the climax. It’s a family magazine after all.

Arts

Chords, camera, action!

'My soul is a musician. when I was shooting…I wouldn’t just sit idly and wait for my shot. I’d instead start jamming with my guitar…'

Movie Review

“I don’t understand this SMS generation of yours,” says the father to his younger son who is entrusted with the job of finding a bride for his elder brother. In the same fashion, to enjoy this film, one needs to switch over to SMS sensibilities, thereby stripping oneself of all the attempts to seek meaning out of the proceedings on-screen.

Undercover

In uncharted waters

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s recent visit to Dhaka has added another chapter of diplomatic failure. India was supposed to sign a treaty with Bangladesh about sharing the water of river Teesta.

It's bad to be a Bully

The coming into existence of the State of Israel in the Middle East may still be a hallucination to many Israelis residing outside, but the world cannot simply ignore the concerted efforts put in by the Jews from various parts of the world to own a piece of land in the region.

Life

Talent, chalk-a-block!

Scaling the staircase leading to the top floor of the modest house in one of the bylanes of Mattancherry, old Kochi, I entered the artist’s lair. There sits A.B. Zainudheen, an arts teacher who took voluntary retirement and now devotes his whole time to some artistic expression all of his own.

Indian Echoes

Villagers say no to nuclear

When the Indian government had signed an agreement with Russia in 1988 to build a nuclear power plant at Koodankulam in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, it would not have imagined that the project would face opposition from the villagers living around the place.

Killing them young!

A newborn girl's body was found in a canal near Naugama, a small village in Banswara district, in January this year. The police claimed that the baby was dumped as it was a girl child and died of hunger.

ICTT in Cabotage rules tangle

India’s first International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam, Kochi, is unlikely to achieve the target of container handling set for the first year.

Rear Window

Will there be an end to it?

Is it the lot of a common man on Indian roads to be killed for no fault of theirs? Like so many other black days, once again a black Wednesday came when a bomb blast took a heavy toll of human lives in New Delhi on September 7.

Column

A view from Dhaka

Bangladesh was left disappointed and frustrated as the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrapped up his two-day visit to our nation’s capital this week.

Far Pavilion

The great Chinese soft landing!

By the time the world began to notice China's political and economic accomplishments, it had became difficult to describe the process which had facilitated the unprecedented growth in the first place.

History Mail

King Vidor to Jim Murray

In a bid to draw some high-profile attention to an issue which is clearly aggravating him, Hollywood director King Vidor writes a letter to renowned L.A. Times sportswriter Jim Murray and speaks of the "disgraceful" public toilets on offer at the Dodger Stadium, public toilets he claims to be the worst in the world.

Dear Editor

The winners of Rs 3000 are...

In the article “A trial for clinical trials”, Prasoon S Majumdar has raised the crucial issue of drug test and experiment at the cost of thousands of innocent lives (TSI, Sep 12-18).

Letters to Editor

Your story “The valley beckons” by Haroon Reishi (TSI, Sep12-18) has re-kindled in us the hope that Kashmir is going to be a land of peace and tranquillity once again.

Extras

Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri

Planman Motion Pictures has done it yet again by winning the most prestigious award of the country, the National Film Award for their movie Do Dooni Chaar!