Worst Valentine’s Day gifts in India

Valentine's Day is almost upon us. I know there is a big fuss in India over whether anyone should be allowed to celebrate it because it is a foreign import. Me? I personally draw the line at World Toilet Day (even though it is for a good cause). As a public service, I've gone out … Continue reading Worst Valentine’s Day gifts in India →

Shri 419: the Nigerian scam

Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code has given us a lively term for cheaters - the "420". If however, you search for "419,"  you will find that this number refers to a section of the Criminal Code of Nigeria dealing with various types of advance-fee fraud. Why does this matter to you? Well, you've … Continue reading Shri 419: the Nigerian scam →

Five important questions technology can’t answer

An hour-long internet outage today made me feel ashamed of myself. I was ashamed because I felt helpless without the connection even for the short period of time. While a vast proportion of humanity lacks basic amenities such as clean drinking water, nutritious food, and proper shelter, I've made my life so complex that I … Continue reading Five important questions technology can’t answer →

Bt brinjal bharta – a saga of lau and whylence.

I couldn't fail to be amused. India's Environment Minister Jayram Ramesh calls for the introduction of a genetically-modified insect-resistant crop plant dubbed the Bt brinjal and the nation goes crazy. First, I owe my global readers an explanation. What is known in Indian English as the brinjal is also known elsewhere as the eggplant and the … Continue reading Bt brinjal bharta – a saga of lau and whylence. →

Quotas for the underprivileged in the Bollywood Hindi film industry

There was a rather peculiar question in the All-India Pre-medical and Pre-dental Entrance Examination a few years ago. The question in the biology section asked if children of doctors were genetically inclined to become doctors themselves. I am sure that there were some students who filled in the "b" or "c" circle with their No.2 pencils  for all … Continue reading Quotas for the underprivileged in the Bollywood Hindi film industry →

Monkeys can do math so let them solve the oily bamboo problem

A research article published this week in the prestigious scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences caught my attention. Two German scientists report that monkeys have the brain structure to learn and apply basic mathematical rules. Chartered accountants and theoretical physicists thought they were unique, but now  this article shows that non-human monkeys … Continue reading Monkeys can do math so let them solve the oily bamboo problem →

Pappu can’t bake… because there are no ovens in Indian homes

You may have heard the story before. Clueless desi chap fresh off the boat from India (or any other country in the South Asian subcontinent) arrives in the land of frozen pizza and burritos. He enrolls in graduate-level classes, rents an apartment with a few other clueless guys from his homeland, and finds some "hand-me-down" … Continue reading Pappu can’t bake… because there are no ovens in Indian homes →

Why your New Year’s resolution to lose weight will fail

Happy New Year. Welcome to the Tenties. Are you one of the gazillion people who resolved to lose weight this year? Well, you will fail and there is a scientific reason why you can't lose weight. Sure, there are a few lucky ones who will lose weight in 2010 and keep it off. Maybe you … Continue reading Why your New Year’s resolution to lose weight will fail →

Taking a leap into quantum jumping?

I just found this interesting website that promises to provide tips on how you can transform yourself into a "universe-hopping utopian being." It is about this technique called "quantum jumping," by which you can enter into a parallel universe and get insights from alternate twin versions of yourself. The Digital Silver Version costs only $97  … Continue reading Taking a leap into quantum jumping? →