Electric China – Part II

Capitalism coated with some token Communism. Is China a shining example for India?
Electric China – Part I

Prabhudeva in Tianjin. Han bao. And a state channel which can teach Doordarshan a thing or two. Welcome to China!
Shuffling The Deck

Why is a lawyer a Finance Minister, a bailiff a Home Minister, and an economist a Forest Minister?
Not Just A Pretty Face

Manish Tewari – wordsmith, ulcer-buster, his master’s voice. We love you like we hate you.
In The Heat Of The Night

In the dead of night, a parallel TV industry has sprung up for those who wish to lead parallel lives.
16 Aug 12Laundry News-Alert
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Stain on turban – Manmohan sues RoyalClean.
In a startling development, Shri Anand Sharma, the Union Textiles Minister held a late night press conference where he confirmed that RoyalClean, the oldest dry-cleaning shop in Delhi, was being sued for an undisclosed amount in damages.
… Read more 11 Aug 12Fab Four & The Stunt Doubles
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Even Arnab, Rajdeep, Sagarika and Barkha need a break from rabble-rousing! Enter – the weekend doubles.
28 Jul 12The Year of The Election
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2014 cometh. The golden year of ballot dreams. And public and media pardon.
20 Jul 12Bad News, I’m Afraid
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When was the last time you heard good news? And remembered it?
09 Jul 12The Rat Eater
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Extract from the author’s book, The Rat Eater, on a musahar and his family.blockquote
05 Jul 12Teri Keh Ke Loonga!
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Our “liberal”-hating internet trolls can learn a thing or two from Gangs of Wasseypur.
02 Jul 12Es-chewing The Fat
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Where have all the chunky monkeys on the telly gone?
For months now, I’ve been on the lookout for a fat news anchor. Without luck.
I have come across fat anchors, admittedly (most of them anchor food shows – it almost seems like a prerequisite).
… Read more 23 Jun 12Reshma Ki Jawani
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The missed opportunity of being India’s Deep Throat.
18 Jun 12Menschheit über Alles!
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When mankind isn’t above all else.
13 Jun 12Janpathville
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Who said cherry-picking the Indian President was an easy task?
29 May 12To Kill a Mocking Bug
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Haarmaan Lee’s mystery thriller starring gangster bug NDM-1 and his moll, E Kohli.
Inspector Chaubey dislodged a dhania seed from his molar with the sharp-end of a matchstick. He narrowed his eyes and gave the suspect sitting across the interrogation table an almighty stare.
… Read more 29 May 12Rise of the Desi Superbug
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A recent article on Indian superbug NDM-1 reminds you of early Naipaul’s biased, but riveting writing.
On May 8, 2012, Indian business newspaper Mint carried a two page article on NDM-1, syndicated from Bloomberg and reprinted untouched by Indian editors.
… Read more 26 May 12The Laughing Buddhu
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The trials and tribulations of being an original wit.
A sense of humour is no laughing matter. This sounds too much of a well worn- out aphorism to have originated from my keyboard, I fear. But, damn it, must I Google every funny and clever little thing I come up with, just to make sure some smart Alec hasn’t thought of it before and exhausted all available plaudits for it?
… Read more 07 May 12Chota Baba Is Watching You
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Stasi, Gestapo, Big Brother. Get with the Newspeak. There’s a new desi Ministry of Truth in town.
02 May 12Agent Vinod
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Three Vinods, always on TV, all agents. Which one would you want on your team?