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Writing in the Hindustan Times, an alarmed Prem Shankar Jha says that given the Chinese sensitivities vis-a-vis India, "the immediate need is to persuade the Dalai Lama to postpone his visit to Tawang":
The resulting confrontation has now acquired a life of its own and is leading the two countries towards a war that neither wants. The calibrated escalation of China’s demands and actions suggests that the point of no return will be the Dalai Lama’s visit to Tawang in November. Wen Jiabao’s request for a meeting with Manmohan Singh in Bangkok should, therefore, be seen as a last ditch effort to avert war...
Fortunately for India, reversing the escalation does not require making humiliating concessions. All that New Delhi needs to do is clear up the misapprehensions that have taken root in the Chinese leaders’ minds.
Read the full piece at the HT: It's a Dim Sum Game
Such suggestions seem to be of a piece with the recent “strategic reassurance” given by Barack obama to China by his refusal to meet the Dalai Lama during the latter's visit to Washington. While Obama may have been bestowed with a Nobel Peace Prize soon thereafter, Maureen Dowd in a recent column quoted Vaclav Havel to put it in perspective: “It is only a minor compromise. But exactly with these minor compromises start the big and dangerous ones, the real problems.” Gabbar Singh had put it pithily in Sholay, "jo Dar gayaa samjho mar gayaa".
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON Oct 22, 2009 AT 06:54 IST
POSTED BY Sundeep ON Sep 28, 2009 AT 23:55 IST
Pankaj Mishra writes in today's the Hindu: "Obama’s bulldozer risks turning the Taliban into Pakistan’s Khmer Rouge."
I think almost all sane people would share his outrage at the "collateral damage" caused by the US drone attacks supposed to be aimed at Al Qaeda/Taliban. Most would also share his concerns that the refugee crisis resulting from SWAT operations, apart from its colossal humanitarian dimensions, could also strengthen the Taliban. Nobody would dispute the American culpability. But I am not sure how putting something as facile as the following, which is after all nothing but the old US State Department line -- and current Obama dream -- at the very core of his argument, such as it is, would help him get taken seriously:
"The U.S. has the opportunity to shrink the ISI’s malign role and redeem its standing among Pakistanis by urging India and Pakistan to a comprehensive political solution in Kashmir and by explicitly acknowledging that Pakistan, which shares a long border and a large Pashtun population with Afghanistan, will never tolerate a hostile ruler in Kabul, especially if backed by India."
More here
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON Jun 18, 2009 AT 22:09 IST
Hitch too isn't too thrilled with Obama's Cairo speech ("some of what he said was well-intentioned if ill-informed"):
Take the single case in which our president touched upon the best-known fact about the Islamic "world": its tendency to make women second-class citizens. He mentioned this only to say that "Western countries" were discriminating against Muslim women! And how is this discrimination imposed? By limiting the wearing of the head scarf or hijab.... The clear implication was an attack on the French law that prohibits the display of religious garb or symbols in state schools.
He goes on to quote "from an excellent commentary by an Algerian-American visiting professor at the University of Michigan Law School, Karima Bennoune who says:
I have just published research conducted among the many people of Muslim, Arab and North African descent in France who support that country's 2004 law banning religious symbols in public schools which they see as a necessary deployment of the "law of the republic" to counter the "law of the Brothers," an informal rule imposed undemocratically on many women and girls in neighborhoods and at home and by fundamentalists.
More here
Also See: on the same speech: B. Raman ! Arif Mohammed Khan ! Noam Chomsky
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON Jun 12, 2009 AT 22:27 IST
MJ Akbar is, as always, in great form when discussing such matters and here he joins issue with our man in Cairo:
Dear Brother Hussein,
I am certain about two things. I am a Muslim, and I live in this world. Now the uncertainties begin. On June 4 you gave what was heavily advertised as a major speech to the ‘Muslim world’. Does that mean that while every Christian believes in the divinity of Jesus, he can be legitimately and widely varied in his political interests, but Muslims must have both Allah and politics in common?
... The conflation of Islam and Muslims is precisely the kind of misconception that encourages pre-nation-state fantasies like the revival of a Caliphate. One might add that while every Muslim was deeply committed to his faith, political disputes among Muslims began with the election of the very first Caliph, Hazrat Abu Bakr. Muslims see themselves as a brotherhood, not a nation-hood. If Islam is sufficient glue for nationalism, why would Arabs be living in 22 countries? That should have been obvious while you were snacking on Arab cookies and Islamic lemonade in Cairo.
Read the full piece here
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON Jun 08, 2009 AT 04:29 IST
Some of the initial reactions to the speech:
Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan, President, All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat (AIMMM):
President Obama has opened a new leaf with the Muslim World after eight long and agonising years of Bush presidency which sought a totally unnecessary clash with the World of Islam which shares with the United States of America many of its cherished ideals like freedom, brotherhood and equality. President Obama has been forthright and candid though he failed to acknowledge that while Iran has signed the NPT, Israel has not done so while keeping a huge stockpile of nuclear warheads. President Obama was rather mild on Israel and did not tell us what he proposes to do if Israel rejects peace with its neighbours and continues to subjugate Palestinians and occupy their land. President Obama’s plans for a new engagement with the Muslim World, especially through investment in education and healthcare, is welcome but one has to wait and watch what will be possible for a tottering American economy. President Obama’s announcement of a timetable for withdrawal in the near future from Iraq and Afghanistan too is welcome but we will believe it only when we see it happen. Close cooperation is in the interest of both America and the Muslim World. America can take a lot and benefit from the Muslim World through peaceful engagement. In general, Dr Khan remarked, President Obama has made a good beginning but only future will tell how far America is ready to go to mend fences with Muslims from Morocco to Indonesia after eight years of a totally uncalled for war on Islam and stupid talk of clash of civilisations.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader:
"The nations of this part of the world ... deeply hate America because during many years they have seen violence, military interference, rights violations, discrimination ... from America... Even if they give sweet and beautiful talks to the Muslim nation ... that will not create a change...Nothing will change with speeches and slogans."
Mark Liberman points out in the Language Log:
Instead of "wear the hijab", he said "wear the hajib". A "hijab" is a head scarf, while a "hajib" was a sort of vizier or chamberlain in Muslim Spain and Egypt. This was a normal and understandable sort of speech error. I don't expect much reaction, or even commentary — nor should such errors be a focus of political discussion, in my opinion. But can you imagine the reaction if the speaker had been the previous president?
Huffington Post says it got standing ovation while Roger Simon in Politico makes much of the bits that drew an applause from the crowd and those that didn't:
When Obama quoted the Koran — “As the Holy Koran tells us, ‘Be conscious of God and speak always the truth’ ” — or praised Islam — “Throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality” — he got applause.
But other lines, such as when Obama vowed to protect the American people from violent attack, were met with stony silence.
...And when the president talked about the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on America, he was met with only stares from the audience.
...Similarly, when Obama talked about “America’s strong bonds with Israel” and said that bond “is unbreakable” there was no applause.
...Obama’s speech was a complex one and it got a complex reaction. When it comes to speeches, you win some, you lose some, and sometimes you just move on. Obama did all of that in just one speech Thursday.
The NYT's Lede points out some of the dissenting voices in Arab blogosphere
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON Jun 04, 2009 AT 21:22 IST
Comedians have yet to figure out how to mock Barack Obama, the Economist reports. Christopher Hitchens, a polemicist, remarked that “when comedians flatter the president, they become court jesters, and the country becomes a banana republic.” Thank God, there is the Onion:
The writers of the Onion are unencumbered by any obvious party loyalty. To fit in, you have to hate everything around you, muses Joe Randazzo, the editor. Hence the headline that greeted Mr Obama’s election victory: “Black Man Given Nation’s Worst Job”. The Onion News Network, an online video venture, did a segment entitled “Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters to Realise How Empty Their Lives Are”. The camera showed pitiful young campaign volunteers lying comatose on a couch or wandering aimlessly through a park. “Who will take care of these people?” asked the anchor. “We really don’t know. Many have already driven away their friends and family with months of endless praise for Obama’s latest speech and constant reminders to vote,” said the breathless correspondent on the scene. “That does sound annoying,” said the anchor.
Full article: Read it and weep
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON May 22, 2009 AT 16:18 IST
...the Republican Party does not qualify for a bailout. (Laughter.) Rush Limbaugh does not count as a troubled asset, I'm sorry. (Laughter.)
Dick Cheney was supposed to be here but he is very busy working on his memoirs, tentatively titled, "How to Shoot Friends and Interrogate People." (Laughter.)
More here
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON May 10, 2009 AT 22:23 IST
At the Obama G-20 London summit press-conference on April 2:
OBAMA: I'm going to call one foreigner -- (laughter) -- actually, I'm the foreigner. That's why I smiled. One correspondent not from America. And then I will -- (loud commotion) -- we're not doing bidding here. (Laughter.) But I also want to make sure that I'm not showing gender bias. So this young lady right here -- not you, sir, I'm sorry.
Q: Hi, Mr. President.
OBAMA: How are you?
Q: Thank you for choosing me. I'm very well. I'm Simrat [Ghuman] from the Times of India.
OBAMA: Wonderful.
Q:You met with our Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh. What did you -- what is America doing to help India tackle terrorism emanating from Pakistan?
OBAMA: Well, first of all, your Prime Minister is a wonderful man.
Q: Thank you. I agree. (Laughter.)
OBAMA: Well --
Q: I agree.
OBAMA: Did you have something to do with that, or -- (laughter.) You seem to kind of take -- take credit for it a little bit there. (Laughter.)
Q: Really proud of him, sir.
OBAMA: Of course. You should be proud of him. I'm teasing you.
I think he's a very wise and decent man, and has done a wonderful job in guiding India, even prior to being Prime Minister, along a path of extraordinary economic growth that is a marvel, I think, for all the world.
Read on his actual answer to the question at the White House Blog
HT: Srinivasan Lakshman
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON Apr 04, 2009 AT 23:47 IST
From the White House Briefing Room Blog:
With the G20 meeting approaching on April 2nd, this morning the President published a rare "simultaneous op-ed" in thirty papers around the world, calling for a collective effort to address the economic peril found in all corners of the globe. "The United States is ready to lead, and we call upon our partners to join us with a sense of urgency and common purpose," he writes. His op-ed appeared in the following publications
[It goes on to name the Hindu and the Hindustan Times, but obviously given the time-difference, it means that the op-ed will appear in tomorrow's papers in India.] Obama calls for a a coordinated approach to three central issues:
- the need to "stimulate growth" (pointing to the Recovery Act as an example);
- the need to "restore the credit that businesses and consumers depend upon" including an "honest assessment of the balance sheets of our major banks" (pointing to the plans laid out yesterday);
- and extending "a hand to countries and people who face the greatest risk" to help emerging economies remain stable and avoid plunging the global economy into deeper trouble.
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON Mar 25, 2009 AT 06:31 IST
It was his first speech since leaving office and he was full of his usual cheer: “I actually paid for a house last fall. I think I'm the only American to have bought a house in the fall of 2008”:
Bush included a little recycled reminiscing: “So I had [Russian then-President Vladimir] Putin to Camp David one time, and I introduced him to Barney. And he kind of looked at Barney like, ‘Oh, man, he looks like a Monopoly piece. I'm crazy about Barney, by the way. I love the little guy. …
“So fast forward to a visit to Putin's dacha outside Moscow. He says, ‘You want to meet my dog?’ I said, ‘Sure, I would like to see your dog.’ And out bounced this huge hound embracing all over the ground. And he looks to me -- honest to goodness -- and says, ‘Faster, stronger, and bigger than Barney.’
Whereupon [Canadian Prime Minister Stephen] Harper says, ‘At least he only showed his dog.’ I thought Harper's got a good sense of humor.”
Early in his remarks, Bush made his point about his successor.
“I want to say something about Barack Obama. Now, he was not my first choice for president. But when he won, I thought it was good for the United States of America. I was deeply touched and deeply moved when I saw African-Americans weeping on TV saying, ‘I never thought it was possible.’ I want the president to succeed. I love my country a lot more than I love politics. I think it is essential that he be helped in the office. …
Read the full article: Bush promises not to attack Obama
First we had Narendra Modi likening himself to a Hindu monk in a white dress, and now we have George W. Bush reminding us here that he "was a compassionate conservative". There's something about this self-image thing that makes me wonder....
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON Mar 19, 2009 AT 00:49 IST
Zadie Smith in the NYRB:
Obama can do young Jewish male, black old lady from the South Side, white woman from Kansas, Kenyan elders, white Harvard nerds, black Columbia nerds, activist women, churchmen, security guards, bank tellers, and even a British man called Mr. Wilkerson, who on a starry night on safari says credibly British things like: "I believe that's the Milky Way." This new president doesn't just speak for his people. He can speak them. It is a disorienting talent in a president; we're so unused to it. I have to pinch myself to remember who wrote the following well-observed scene, seemingly plucked from a comic novel:
"Man, I'm not going to any more of these bullshit Punahou parties." "Yeah, that's what you said the last time...." "I mean it this time.... These girls are A-1, USDA-certified racists. All of 'em. White girls. Asian girls—shoot, these Asians worse than the whites. Think we got a disease or something." "Maybe they're looking at that big butt of yours. Man, I thought you were in training." "Get your hands out of my fries. You ain't my bitch, nigger...buy your own damn fries. Now what was I talking about?" "Just 'cause a girl don't go out with you doesn't make her a racist."
More Here
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON Feb 14, 2009 AT 18:37 IST
I missed this earlier:
Obama Obama tuune kar diyaa
duniyaa meiN hungaama
Obama Obama tuune kar diyaa
duniyaa meiN hungaama
ab to White House kaa hakdaar
hai Obama
har tufaan se laRne ko tayyar hai
Obama....
hanuman ke wo bakht haiN
gandhi ko maante haiN
kyaa haiN bharat kii garimaa
wo ye bhii jaante haiN...
"This unique concept by Chirag Thakkar of complimenting the first coloured President of USA has been musically arranged by Jayesh Gandhi, Lyrics By Kiran Chauhan (Sagar) and sung by both versatile artists(Chirag & Jayesh).
Just as Mr.Obama has become synonimous for CHANGE, as musicians we hope, this will bring India and USA closer in all terms.
Hope english sub-titles at the bottom will help convey our message internationally..."
(link thanks to Navjot Sandhu)
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON Feb 01, 2009 AT 21:42 IST
HTML clipboard
[pedantic, nitpicking mode begins]
The White House blog for Monday, January 26th, 2009 says:
"58 years of Indian democracy
"Today is India Republic Day, the 58th anniversary of India's independence and the adoption of its Constitution.
And we thought there were enough Indian hands at the Whitehouse. And even if we grant the confusion between the Independence and Republic days, how does 26 January 1950 to 26 Janyuary 2009 make it the 58th. anniversary?
[pedantic, nitpicking mode ends]
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON Jan 27, 2009 AT 19:11 IST
Mukul Kesavan in The Telegraph:
“We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and non-believers,” said Obama, halfway through his speech. “We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth. And because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself.”
.Substitute partition for segregation and these words could have been written for India, only I can’t see the man that Mittal, Ambani and their fellow billionaires want for our next prime minister, saying them. If these hatreds were to pass, who would elect him?
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON Jan 22, 2009 AT 14:56 IST
Theresa Rebeck in the Guardian sums up the Obama inaugration ceremony:
These were my favourite parts:
1. Our new president, who is incredible
2. Two million people on the mall, also incredible
3. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts messing up the oath of office, also incredible, but in a different way
4. Michele Obama's avocado-coloured gloves, fantastic
5. Dick Cheney in a wheel chair
6. Aretha Franklin
7. Aretha Franklin's hat
However, I have to admit two things that would be on my least-favourite list, if I were to make one, would be the string quartet and the poem.
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON Jan 22, 2009 AT 01:49 IST
POSTED BY Sundeep ON Jan 21, 2009 AT 15:21 IST
Christopher Hitchens says he is not sorry that Bush beat Gore and Kerry, but he says he wouldn't reconsider his vote for Barack Hussein Obama:
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON Jan 20, 2009 AT 18:34 IST
Like Dreams From My Father, many of the novels Mr. Obama reportedly admires deal with the question of identity: Toni Morrison’s “Song of Solomon” concerns a man’s efforts to discover his origins and come to terms with his roots; Doris Lessing’s “Golden Notebook” recounts a woman’s struggles to articulate her own sense of self; and Ellison’s “Invisible Man” grapples with the difficulty of self-definition in a race-conscious America and the possibility of transcendence. The poems of Elizabeth Alexander, whom Mr. Obama chose as his inaugural poet, probe the intersection between the private and the political, time present and time past, while the verse of Derek Walcott (a copy of whose collected poems was recently glimpsed in Mr. Obama’s hands) explores what it means to be a “divided child,” caught on the margins of different cultures, dislocated and rootless perhaps, but free to invent a new self.
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON Jan 19, 2009 AT 18:05 IST
Christopher Hitchens in the Atlantic
I have a small wish of my own in this season of public and private Utopias. It is that the emergence—or should I say ascendance?—of Barack Hussein Obama will allow the reentry into circulation of an olBd linguistic coinage. Exploited perhaps to greatest effect by James Baldwin, the word I have in mind is cat. Some of you will be old enough to remember it in real time, before the lugubrious and nerve-racking days when people never knew from one moment to the next what expression would put them in the wrong: the days of Negro and colored and black and African American and people of color. After all of this strenuous and heated and boring discourse, does not the very mien of our new president suggest something lithe and laid-back, agile but rested, cool but not too cool? A “cat” also, in jazz vernacular, can be a white person, just as Obama, in some non–Plessy v. Ferguson ways, can be. I think it might be rather nice to have a feline for president, even if only after enduring so many dogs. (Think, for one thing, of the kitten-like grace of those daughters.) The metaphor also puts us in mind of a useful cliché, which is that cats have nine lives—and an ability to land noiselessly and painlessly on their feet.
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POSTED BY Sundeep ON Jan 17, 2009 AT 19:19 IST
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