debater

Unprecedented is the word to describe the way TVK stormed into power  in Tamil Nadu  – some might even say crawled into it with the help of other parties in a post-poll alliance - supposedly a state with a progressive mindset, only in comparison with the dismal records of other states. While change is permanent and welcome, the aura built around an individual is a serious cause for alarm. What propelled him to power is not necessarily the misgovernance of the past government, but rather the cult carefully developed around him. Let me decode some of the traits of a cultic figure and impending disaster for all. 1. It’s all about me, and I can make no mistake This, in a way, is a variant of narcissism. Self-obsession and invincibility are dangerous traits in any leader. From the start, Mr Joseph Vijay has consistently manifested a narcissistic tendency in his dealings. He declared that people should consider him as if he were a candidate in all the constituencies. It was ridiculo...

The election results in five states and a union territory are quite shocking in India, especially those of Tamil Nadu. Three sitting Chief Ministers – Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal, who championed the cause of federalism in trying times - have lost their own constituencies, not because there was any palpable anger simmering against them! Let me refrain from commenting on a process so dubious for all to see. I assume, for a moment, the process is fine. Political parties vie for power, and it’s normal to lose. However, whom do people en masse choose? What has shocked, rather, is the kind of celebration among the young not only in Tamil Nadu but also in Sri Lanka. Having been in Sri Lanka and having become closely associated with students, I feel sorry to see the kind of celebration. Don’t we need to care about youth in Tamil Nadu? We have to. But for a long time, academic campuses across Tamil Nadu cultivated uncritical youth addicted to cinema. Every institute of higher learning s...

  “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery is a beautifully enchanting story that I've just had the pleasure of reading for the first time this year- something I've been wanting to do for quite a while! I'm happy I started the new year with this lovely tale. It begins with the idea that “All grown-ups were once children,” setting the stage for a charming adventure. The story follows an aviator who unexpectedly crosses paths with the Little Prince, a little traveller from his tiny asteroid B-612, after the Prince finds himself stranded in the vast Sahara. Curious and longing for home, the Prince embarks on a journey that takes him across the universe- visiting a wide array of fascinating characters: an emperor with no subjects, a proud man craving admiration, a drunkard hiding his shame, a businessman eager to own the stars, a geographer who's never explored his own world but wants accuracy, and a lamp lighter forever burdened by his duties on a spinning planet th...