open Democracy News Analysis - openIndia - Comments

sagarika on "India’s primary duty"

sagarika — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:09:12 +0000

And surely there is something wrong with Chinese society with its aggressive horrible and regular upheavals like the Red Guards, with the UK for having mercilessly impoverished countries by theft and colonization, with Canada, Norway, France and Russia which depend on killing people with arms sales,, etc.

What is required is not lamenting about what is wrong 'with Indian society'. We need good ideas for action and change, less criticism and more action.

Re Indian education, just about every successful Indian abroad did all his/her basic education including the first degree and was admired for his/her knowledge and ability to learn and do things.

What we really need is excellent birth control to bring the population down and to export good people worldwide to countries that can use young settlers to support their economies.

I am sick of Indians, usually privileged, venting for publication. I see you are a teacher and appreciate that. I know that no other country has managed to create a middle class of 350 mill which can afford most things in 50 years without major wars, genocide or exploitation of other countries.

If we had but birth control as a major social policy! No, this has to be done not by the govt which will then be accused of every ill but by society, by the media, by schools, by art, by employers, by unions, by religion.

rajit2202 on "Bangladesh government seeks a return to secularism"

rajit2202 — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:13:29 +0000

This article provides hope to the restoration of secularism in Bangladesh. However, will that be a reality? IN the ideal world, yes, but in a backward Islamist nation that acting like it cares, absolutely not !!! No matter, how much Bangladesh say it cares for the restoration of secularism, that what us Bengalis call "mithe kotha"... a lie ! Look at how many articles are published such as in the Daily Star, a English based Bangladeshi newspaper, and one can read reports of how Hindu girls are mercilessly beaten and raped... and no justice is being brought upon the perpetrators. Why? because irrespective of the political party, the goondas (bad guys) have politcal patronage in this case with the Awami League, and the police are recieving money under the table from the party leaders not to prosecute members of their party. So unless minority oppression stops and the draconian Vested Property Act repealed, secularism will never again reach the shores of Bangladesh.

shareiqS on "Pakistan: the road from hell"

shareiqS — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:28:36 +0000

Pakistan is in deep trouble. Consipracy theories are rife with the imminent failure of the country. But nothing , almost nothing seems to be working in the country rightnow anyway. But still people, politicians and diplomats in Pakistan are in semi denial, starting from complete denial. Things would get worse , before they get any better. But Pakistan would not fade away like some of the ex-communist countries. It has , by sheer luck or destiny, got the attension of the worlds only Super power. People say China, can challenge US, not in another 50 years. Chinese need to sell to the US to feed its billions, they won't risk taking on US. Pakistan would finally, after years of beating around the bush, come to terms with the harsh reality. It would have to sort its mess out on its own. Pakistani's aloways blame the entire world BUT themselves. They have ruined the entire muslim religion , with their unique brand of Taliban style islam, which suits only the rulers, and no one else. Enough talent exists in Pakistan, BUT it needs a vision, which Jinnah gave them. Most capable Pakistani's spend their time infront of the visa offices of western countries, to get out of the mess themselves. You are only left with the same feudal politicians, who are there in the country to ruin it even further.Moment the country follows its own founding fathers vision, everything else would fall into place. Otherwise, it would continue to be the play ground of the rouge, terrorists, heroine & illegal weapons dealers. Terrorism training camps & suicide bombing training institutions. No one dares question the army in Pakistan. Which has got an entire country to itself. Its certainly the most corrupt but also the ONLY working institution in the country. Tame the army, get accountability in the country, stop treating people as individuals, and rest would follow.

sms gateway chennai on "Digital Bangladesh: virtual dreams, real lives"

sms gateway chennai — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:17:47 +0000

I think it`s possible.so it`s a very good news.

Indian by birth on "India’s Christians: politics of violence in Orissa"

Indian by birth — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:23:25 +0000

A lesson of History for all of you. India has always been a country of people belonging to Sanatana Dharma and its branches - Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains. These are the indegenous people who never attacked any other country and never forced other people to convert to another religion.

Christianity and Islam are the two religions that forced people to convert either by force or through money. They invaded India which was a peaceful country for ever. Of course just like in any other country if you mess with the majority there will be consequences and hence Babri Masjiid and the attacks on the recent Christian converts.

Let us not forget, the ONLY reason India is secular today is because majority of the Sanata Dharmis are tolerant people because Hinduism preaches tolerance towards not just human beings but also animals. In Christianity for instance there can only be one god - Jesus otherwise you go to hell.

I believe that for true peace to prospoer India should become a Sanatana state, so the majority does not feel undermined and minorities are respected yet not meddlesome and disrespectful.

Banjib Saruah on "Northwest by northeast: a tale of two frontiers"

Banjib Saruah — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:34 +0000

Starting off with a correct map would be a better way to persuade readers about the legitimacy of your article's contents for starters.

Rawl Paudgers on "Afghanistan’s twisting path"

Rawl Paudgers — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:47:18 +0000

It is disheartening to see the authour view the good relations of India and Afghanistan with trepidation, and also almost with a sense of deep apology. What should be heralded as being a positive development in the region due to the sharing of the intelligence and counter-terrorism methods is seen as a possible nuisance to Pakistan. Since when did the right to fight terror become Pakistan's prerogative? Going into a battle based on uncompromising principles against brutal, heartless and inhumane jihadis with a fear of upsetting Pakistan is neither the right way, nor the right attitude in extinguishing the persistent evil of terrorism. Mr. Rogers, suffice it to say that your view is derivative of the American policy in the region. Short-sighted, misplaced and consequently, unfortunate. Tsk Tsk.

N Kumar on "Lashkar-e-Taiba: a profile"

N Kumar — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 11:39:25 +0000

Raja's article and your comment as well as your piece - Polarization Breeds Terror made for interesting reading. Mumbai 26/11, as it is commonly referred to now, was unique in that it was the first time a metropolis was targetted by fidayeens adopting classic urban guerilla warfare tactics. They displayed skills normally adopted by well-trained army or naval commandos. Unique, also because a handful of terrorists held the city to ransom for nearly 60 hours.

you may read my blog in
kumar-theloneranger.blogspot.com

bromacleanse on "Kashmir's democratic catharsis"

bromacleanse — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 09:53:00 +0000

I can't believe this is happening to our world.

Rohit on "India takes a step out of the closet"

Rohit — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:24:36 +0000

I think part of the reason this entire incident is so important is that it forces the Indian legislature to come to terms with its moral conscience. Taboo and "morally questionable" issues have long been subject to antiquated laws because Indian legislatures (both at the state and government levels) have been reluctant to bring them to a public forum. With this Supreme Court ruling, the courts is essentially forcing the legislature to discuss this issue. There is no doubt that homosexuality is still a contentious issue, but there will be no progress on this issue unless its is brought into the open. Perhaps the courts can fulfill this role, because the legislative bodies certainly have not.

Not logged in on "Afghanistan’s twisting path"

Not logged in — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:21:00 +0000

The [Pakistanis] are providing excuses for not doing enough on the PakAf border. The Afghan general came to India to seek help for training officers and soldiers - which is a goal the US Administration shares and understands. Problem is some US analysts with little knowledge and good contacts with [Pakistani] diplomats continue to put out simplistic analyses and offer solutions that actually make the situation work. One reason there is this mess in Afghanistan in the first place is because the US government, military and the CIA went along with Islamabad's views during the war against the Soviets. The [Pakistanis] chuckledm used US money to fund jihadis and created a terrorist infrastructure to sue against India. They later created the Taliban using the same terrorist infrastructure. Even now they are using the same groups. But some US analysts will never learn. Sad.

jessicaconway on "India takes a step out of the closet"

jessicaconway — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:55:53 +0000

I had no idea about this thanks for the article

vvcshekhar on "India’s Maoist dilemma: the case of Lalgarh"

vvcshekhar — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:51:57 +0000

West Bengal does not share a border with Chhattisgarh

Constin on "India votes"

Constin — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:25:48 +0000

Mallus are NOT the only kind of Indians who love meat ..and besides, many of us- mallus- who have migrated to other parts of India are pure vegetarians..

jdubow on "Afghanistan’s twisting path"

jdubow — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:50:58 +0000

I am impressed with this short article by Paul Rogers. It is an insightful analysis of the tactical and strategic implications of Indian moves in Afghanistan on the US surge in that country and the Pakistani cooperation needed to make the surge a success. No snide put downs of the US. Not one single comment about George Bush. US media analysts still fixate on Bush and may be mentally locked in for the rest of their lives in the way some Republicans were fixated on FDR.

Not only that, but the analysis is creative and the type of material that one usually finds on Stratfor or related publications. I hope Rogers continues in this path so I can begin looking forward to reading him again.