How the Big Lie can become historically accepted fact in the future
When I was in high school in the late 50’s my favorite subject was history and it is still my favorite subject. I scored high in history due to an impressive memory capacity. I could recall all the Moghul emperors of India followed by all the British Viceroys. The text book used in my high school was World History by a forgotten British historian. All the high schools used the same text book that in a few chapters dispensed with centuries of India’s history before the Moghul and British empires and proceeded to highlight the impressive accomplishments of foreign rulers…
Coming of age in 1950’s Bombay
I lived at 99 Apollo Street, Fort, Bombay from the age of 5 to 11 or six of my most formative years. Our large joint family of 14 souls over 3 generations had moved into a former brothel in the business district of Bombay, the most cosmopolitan and leading city in India at the time of independence, by paying the landlord the princely sum of Rs. 10,000 which is equal to $130 today but probably was worth $3000 in those days. This amount was paid as a “pugree” which is a deposit to rent…
The functioning of endemic corruption in the US and India
Having lived in four countries over the more than seven decades of my life I have concluded that corruption is endemic in all of them. I have lived in India for 22 years, Egypt for 4 years, Singapore for 9 years and USA for 43 years. I present my views on the differences in government tolerance and complicity in institutionalizing corruption between the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy.
Endemic corruption exists in different forms and enjoys different levels of acceptance and instutionalization in both countries. In the US corruption has been codified and legalized at the highest…
The steady erosion of a unique human trait
When I was growing up there was no television or any other form of entertainment. Our entertainment was either from reading or telling each other stories. When friends congregated they told stories rather than stare at small screens. Family gatherings were fascinating as the adults always had stories to tell, about work or neighbors or an event from the past.
I believe the oral story telling tradition is being lost rapidly as few feel the need to actually relate a story and when they do they make it so boring that the audience tunes out. I recently heard a couple…
Cultural norms affect our group behavior
During the vice presidental debate of 2020, VP Kamala Harris smacked down Mike Pence when he interrupted her saying she was still talking. I cheered her quick repartee and wished more folks had the guts to do the same. In the culture I grew up in the tendency to interrupt others is endemic. In India people interrupt constantly when listening to someone relate a story or discuss an event adding anecdotes or jokes and non sequiturs to what the speaker is talking about.
I recall family gatherings where everyone seemed to be talking at the same time. How we managed…
My knee pain resulting from doing a simple task has made me question one of life’s challenges during my childhood
The other day I had to change the seat on the toilet to a soft seat as it was getting a bit uncomfortable to use a wooden seat. I checked on Youtube where I learn about how to do anything around the house and it seemed easy so I ordered a soft seat from Amazon. When I started to remove the old seat I realized that I would have to get on my knees between the toilet and the wall as the room is so narrow that I could not reach under the seat to unscrew the old seat. After…
The unrivaled feeling of joyous relief from scorching heat and stifling humidity
California is in the throes of another mulityear drought. The rainy season from November to March has been disappointing. In the Bay Area where I live the rainfall so far has been less than half the normal amount. Every time there’s a forecast of rain we gaze hopefully at the skies for signs of clouds and we get some sprinkles or a gentle silent mist like rain. Throughout the rainy season this year, I have dreamt of the torrential thunderstorms of Bombay ( now Mumbai) where I grew up. A teeming city full of shocking poverty, astronomical wealth, stray animals…
A fabulous underrated travel destination
Most Americans associate Mexico with drugs and crime. The reality is far different at least in Mexico City the capital of the country and the first globalized city in the world. For a historical perspective the book 1493 by Charles Mann is a treasure trove of factoids on how civilizations changed, morphed and evolved since the seminal voyage of Columbus. It describes in vivid detail the consequences of The Columbian Exchange. In this book he demonstrates that Mexico City became the first globalized city in the world and held that distinction for almost two centuries after Columbus. After reading the…
The US needs a national masking mandate immediately
The CDC director Rober Redfield told the Senate yesterday he believed face masks were “the most important, powerful public health tool we have” to combat coronavirus. “This face mask is more guaranteed to protect me against Covid than when I take a Covid vaccine” he said.
When Covid emerged in China in December 2019, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore all acted swiftly to impose wearing masks and social distancing before any significant cases were observed. Japan did not shut down the economy and most other countries in Asia shut down only parts of the economy for short periods…
I will miss the life affirming exhilirating experiences
I often recall gazing at a stock picture of the Golden Gate bridge on an old calendar on a cracked wall in our tiny apartment in Bombay at age 16 when I suddenly developed an urge to travel the world. I yearned to expand my limited view of the world and daydreamed of visiting distant places and cultures. I started exploring the world through old copies of National Geographic on loan for a quarter rupee (5 cents US in those days) from the corner second hand book store that served as the local library.
I have relentessly pursued that dream…
