I first saw the news story this morning in the Times of India mentioning that "postmenopausal women are prone to fractures." The story highlighted research presented at the European Congress on Osteoporosis & Osteoarthritis. Curiously, the research was also mentioned in a press release by the International Osteoporosis Foundation comparing the prevalence of bone fractures … Continue reading Passing off wrong numbers concerning public health →

For nearly a week now I have been watching the tragedy caused by the earthquake and tsunami unfold in Japan. I have also been following the incredible human tales of suffering, heroism, fear-mongering, and apathy widely reported in its aftermath. Some experts have loudly proclaimed that the destruction is punishment for some grave “sin” that … Continue reading Ramblings on earthquakes as “punishment” and the rescue of survivors as “miracles” →

o·bit·u·ar·y (-bch-r) n. A published notice of a death, sometimes with a brief biography of the deceased. I must have been no more than thirteen when I last saw my paternal grandfather at our ancestral village, nestled in a corner of eastern India. Generations before me including my grandfather and father had grown up there … Continue reading The dictionary: an obituary →

“Sir ji, did you call for me?” asked Mishra as he entered Mirza’s office. Mirza was twirling a round glass paperweight on the rectangular slab of cut glass covering his oversized mahogany desk and staring intently at the screen of his computer. In the right corner of the desk was a stack of files, each … Continue reading India: where there are 300 ways to cook a potato →