(Because we all just love stereotypes). Your national element is Indium (In), very malleable and soft, but not useful for building long-lasting structures. You find it normal for random people to get close on buses, but find the idea that two potential life-partners be allowed to talk unsupervised before being thrust into wedlock, preposterous. You … Continue reading You know you’re part of the Indian middle-class when…
Diplomacy in the age of glacial relations
Today, I saw a column in the Sunday Times of India on Indian foreign policy by none other than Indian novelist, Chetan Bhagat. Mr Bhagat takes a very hawkish line in a whiny tone after the collapse of the India-Pakistan peace talks between SM Krishna and Shah Mahmood Qureshi. If it now acceptable for non-experts … Continue reading Diplomacy in the age of glacial relations
Dreams, the “subconscious”, and Inception
Christopher Nolan’s Inception is an exceptionally ambitious film about the journey of thought-thieves who enter into the dreams of others. The film intertwines multiple story arcs into one viewing experience. The main character in the film, Dom Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, is a thief adept in the art of extracting thoughts from the dream-state … Continue reading Dreams, the “subconscious”, and Inception
A series of open letters
It is the season for ranting. Actually, every season is the season for ranting. Not wanting to be left out, I've decided to post a few open letters to choice individuals. Every situation is true unless it it addressed to you (in which case the resemblance is purely fictional). ____________________ Dear Paul: I appreciate your … Continue reading A series of open letters
Apologizing means never having to say you’re sorry
(With apologies to Erich Segal) As you probably know, Joel Stein wrote a piece entitled "My Private India" for the July 5 issue of Time that created a lot of anger in the desi community. To put it mildly, Stein brusquely stated his beef with the fact that so many Indian immigrants had decided to … Continue reading Apologizing means never having to say you’re sorry
Are Indians Asians?
Well, are Indians Asians? You're thinking what kind of idiot poses this silly question. You look at a map or globe and point out India smack in the middle of a humongous landmass marked Asia. Indians are Asians and that is all there is to it. Or is there more? You’re mileage may vary, Dear … Continue reading Are Indians Asians?
Why Bollywood movies are better than racist Hollywood movies like The Last Airbender
The cable TV network Nickelodeon airs a popular animation series called Avatar: The Last Airbender. Last week, The Last Airbender, a cinematic version directed by Indian-American M. Night Shayamalan, hit theaters worldwide to nearly universal derision. Besides being critically panned for content, the film also ran into a storm because of the casting of white … Continue reading Why Bollywood movies are better than racist Hollywood movies like The Last Airbender
A marketing primer for Indians
Are you currently interested in marketing products? Then this primer is for you. You may enjoy marketing products that customers are already interested in. You may have done your homework and identified the need for a product. Marketing a product in which there customer interest is fine, but where is the challenge? The real challenge … Continue reading A marketing primer for Indians
New products that every Indian needs!
I am as lazy as the next person, so when Telesky Shopping Network comes on and the TV remote isn’t within foot-length, I sit there and watch the commercials touting products with religious and cultural overtones. In previous posts, I’ve come up my own versions of Rudraksh and Nazar Suraksha, but these products only augment … Continue reading New products that every Indian needs!
A desi take on corporate English
Do you use any of the terms below? I know I use many of them, but I thought it would be fun to poke fun at the way we talk and write in a professional environment. Business casual: Explain this to me please. A collared shirt is "casual". Now, add a man with a stick … Continue reading A desi take on corporate English
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