Tag Archives: India

In My Hands Today…

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Magnificent Delusions: Pakistan, the United States, and an Epic History of Misunderstanding – Husain Haqqani

The relationship between America and Pakistan is based on mutual incomprehension and always has been. Pakistan—to American eyes—has gone from being a quirky irrelevance to a stabilizing friend, an essential military ally, and a seedbed of terror. America—to Pakistani eyes—has been a guarantee of security, a coldly distant scold, an enthusiastic military enabler, and is now a threat to national security and a source of humiliation.

The countries are not merely at odds. Each believes it can play the other—with sometimes absurd, sometimes tragic, results. The conventional narrative about the war in Afghanistan, for instance, has revolved around the Soviet invasion in 1979. But President Jimmy Carter signed the first authorization to help the Pakistani-backed mujahedeen covertly on July 3—almost six months before the Soviets invaded. Americans were told, and like to believe, that what followed was Charlie Wilson’s war of Afghani liberation, with which they remain embroiled to this day. It was not. It was General Zia-ul-Haq’s vicious regional power play.

Husain Haqqani has a unique insight into Pakistan, his homeland, and America, where he was ambassador and is now a professor at Boston University. His life has mapped the relationship of the two countries, and he has found himself often close to the heart of it, sometimes in very confrontational circumstances. This has allowed him to write the story of a misbegotten diplomatic love affair, here memorably laid bare.

In My Hands Today…

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Whole Numbers and Half Truths – Rukmini S.

How do you see India?

Fuelled by a surge of migration to cities, the country’s growth appears to be defined by urbanisation and by its growing, prosperous middle class. It is also defined by progressive and liberal young Indians who vote beyond the constraints of identity and, paradoxically, by an unchecked population explosion and rising crimes against women. Is it, though?

In 2020, the annual population growth was down to under 1 percent. Only 31 out of 100 Indians live in a city today, and just 5 percent live outside the city of their birth.

As recently as 2016, only 4 percent of young, married respondents in a survey said their spouse belonged to a different caste group. Over 45 percent of voters said in a pre-2014 election survey that it was important to them that a candidate of their own caste win elections in their constituency. A large share of reported sexual assaults across India are actually consensual relationships criminalised by parents. And staggeringly, spending more than Rs 8,500 a month puts you in the top 5 percent of urban India.

In Whole Numbers and Half Truths, data-journalism pioneer Rukmini S. draws on nearly two decades of on-ground reporting experience to piece together a picture that looks nothing like the one you might expect. There is a mountain of data available on India, but it remains opaque, hard to access, and harder yet to read, and it does not inform public conversation. Rukmini marshals this information—some of it never before reported—alongside probing interviews with experts and ordinary citizens to see what the numbers can tell us about India. As she interrogates how data works and how the push and pull of social and political forces affect it, she creates a blueprint to understand the changes of the last few years and the ones to come—a toolkit for India.

This is a timely and wholly original intervention in the conversation on data, and with it, India.

Festivals of India: Chemrey Wangchok Festival

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Over the weekend, enchanting Ladakh celebrated the festival of Chemrey Wangchok. Often referred to as “Little Tibet”, Ladakh is renowned for its stark yet mesmerizing landscapes, monasteries perched atop rugged mountains, and a culture that seamlessly blends Tibetan Buddhism with the natural beauty of the region.

Also known as the Chemrey Angchok Festival, the Chemrey Wangchok Festival is one of Ladakh’s most cherished cultural events. Held at the Chemrey Monastery, which is perched dramatically on a hilltop overlooking the Indus Valley, this festival offers a window into the spiritual and cultural heart of Ladakh.

The Chemrey Wangchok Festival is celebrated on the 28th and 29th day of the ninth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar, which this year was this weekend, 11 and 12 November. Typically falling in November or December in the Gregorian calendar, the festival marks the victory of good over evil and the ultimate triumph of the Buddhist teachings. Chemrey Monastery’s white-washed walls glisten brilliantly against the clear blue Ladakhi skies, and the aura of serenity envelops this sacred site. It’s a place where time seems to stand still, and every stone whispers stories of devotion.

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The festival kicks off with the Cham dance, a traditional masked dance performed by the resident monks. This intricate and colourful performance reenacts ancient Buddhist stories and teachings, inviting the audience to contemplate their deep meanings. Beyond the visual spectacle of the Cham dance, the Chemrey Wangchok Festival provides an opportunity for spiritual teachings and reflections. Monks share wisdom and insights, guiding attendees on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment.

The air reverberates with the soothing sounds of traditional Ladakhi music and chants. The melodies played on traditional instruments like Tibetan horns and cymbals, add a mystical and enchanting ambience to the festival. The masked performers, adorned in elaborate costumes representing various deities and supernatural beings, are a sight to behold. Each mask tells a story and adds depth to the festival’s spiritual narratives.

Throughout the Chemrey Wangchok Festival, offerings are made to deities, symbolising the reverence and gratitude of the people of Ladakh. These rituals serve as a reminder of the deep connection between the spiritual and everyday lives of the locals.

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Chemrey Wangchok is a testament to Ladakh’s commitment to preserving its rich cultural heritage. It serves as a reminder of the importance of passing down traditions and rituals from one generation to the next. The festival offers a moment of pause in our busy lives, inviting us to reflect on the deeper aspects of existence. It encourages introspection, mindfulness, and a connection with the spiritual dimensions of life. For visitors to Ladakh, the Chemrey Wangchok Festival provides a unique opportunity to engage with the local culture and forge meaningful connections with the Ladakhi people. In a world often divided by differences, this festival reminds us of the power of unity and shared values. It transcends barriers of nationality, language, and background, fostering a sense of oneness among those who attend. The colourful Cham dance and the profound spiritual teachings inspire attendees to seek inner peace, wisdom, and enlightenment in their own lives. It serves as a source of motivation and a reminder of life’s deeper purpose.

In a rapidly changing world, festivals like Chemrey Wangchok play an essential role in preserving cultural heritage, fostering spirituality, and celebrating unity. They remind us of the beauty that lies in tradition and the profound wisdom contained within ancient rituals. Festivals like these offer a respite from our often-hectic lives, inviting us to slow down and reflect on the deeper aspects of our existence. In an era of constant distractions, they serve as a sanctuary for inner peace and self-discovery.

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This festival, with its Cham dance, spiritual teachings, and cultural richness, is a radiant celebration of Ladakh’s soul. It reminds us that amid the hustle and bustle of modern life, there are places where tradition thrives, where spirituality is woven into the fabric of daily existence, and where unity is celebrated. The Chemrey Wangchok Festival is a testament to the enduring beauty of Ladakh and the timeless wisdom of its people—a legacy that continues to shine brightly against the backdrop of the Himalayas.

In My Hands Today…

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Spy Stories: Inside the Secret World of ISI and Raw—Adrian Levy and Cathy Scott-Clark

From 9/11 to 26/11, Burhan Wani to Kulbhushan Jadhav—the India-Pakistan relationship told from the perspective of the R.A.W. and the I.S.I.

With unprecedented access to the R.A.W. and the I.S.I., the world’s most inscrutable spy agencies, Adrian Levy and Cathy Scott-Clark describe the workings of bitter rivals, mapping their complicated history from the 1960s to the present day. From the Parliament attacks to Pulwama, 9/11 to Osama bin Laden’s assassination, the rise of terror’s shadow armies to the fall of Kulbhushan Jadhav, here are some of the key events that have shaped the region, told from the split viewpoints of duelling enemies.

Levy and Scott-Clark also uncover a darker seam—the destructive impact of C.I.A. interference and how the I.S.I. fought for its life against dark forces it once funded, while the R.A.W. created ghost enemies to strengthen its hand.

In My Hands Today…

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Ambedkar’s India – B.R. Ambedkar

Ambedkar’s India is a collection of three of B.R. Ambedkar’s most prominent speeches on caste and the Indian Constitution.

“In the fight for Swaraj, you fight with the whole nation on your side. In fighting caste system, you stand against the whole nation—and that too, your own.”

Annihilation of Caste is one of Ambedkar’s best works in putting together how caste as a system has been eating up the roots of a rich cultural melting pot like India. “Bhakti in religion could lead to salvation. But in politics, Bhakti is a sure road to eventual dictatorship.”

The Grammar of Anarchy reflects Ambedkar’s ideas on how we need to pave the way for Independent India. It reflects his deep love and aspirations for India and its people. “…the sub-divisions [of caste] have lost the open-door character of the class system, and have become self-enclosed units called castes.”

Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development is an in-depth study of how classes went on to become castes and sub-castes to dot the Indian social system. This powerful narrative is a radical eye-opener.