Salutes. "Seven decades later, the injury has deepened. The load has shifted away from equality. Globally, moneyed and big tech elites gnaw at democracy like arthritis in the joints. In India, caste offers a ready-made substitute, a parallel anatomy that resists reform and keeps a few of them muscled." No one could have put it better.
The pun in "interesting" is discernable from a mile, and yes, we must, an absolute must, write about it, talk about it and debate the negativity that has engulfed us making some worse than animals.
This is deeply conscientious writing at its very best, and creatively resonant too. A truly brilliant example of how blog writing can be turned into an art form. It's a piece that demands to be read with time on your hands. The sharp visual imagery complementing the writing is an added bonus.
My respect and admiration for this blog and for what you do, is second to none, Gopal. Besides the fact that the writing itself is of an inordinately high order, the moral compass it holds on to, is a constant reminder to all of us about the oft-used cliche that eternal vigilance is our only defence against a complete ethical and institutional collapse.
Hi, this post is so well-written. I absolutely love the metaphors for resistance! What would you suggest one does when faced with, not strangers with Hindutva ideologies, but friends and family? It makes sense to start conversation with the people closest to you but this can be much harder than talking to a stranger.
That’s a very tough one and there is very little we can do to make them see your point of view. Maybe talk about things we love because there are a million more interesting topics that can change the world away from the constant hate and othering in social media and real life by people with that purpose.
And If you start a conversation we must have enough patience to sustain. I don’t think I have enough.
Only solution seems to be to Listen, let them say what they need to, and we test our own threshold of patience and do the best to avoid confrontation. Since it’s something larger than just the individual, Sometimes the best we can do is create the space where change can arrive on its own.
And to be honest, I find it very tough to open those topic, it’s easier to write here. :(
Salutes. "Seven decades later, the injury has deepened. The load has shifted away from equality. Globally, moneyed and big tech elites gnaw at democracy like arthritis in the joints. In India, caste offers a ready-made substitute, a parallel anatomy that resists reform and keeps a few of them muscled." No one could have put it better.
Thank you. I wish that we didn't live in interesting times, but now that we are, may as well write about it. :)
The pun in "interesting" is discernable from a mile, and yes, we must, an absolute must, write about it, talk about it and debate the negativity that has engulfed us making some worse than animals.
True!
This is absolutely brilliant writing. A true artist expressing his dismay with the use of metaphors and photography!
Thank you, Ajay. Dismay yes. But also hopeful.
Should’ve added something on strong legs that your trainer / friend talked about to kick a strong donkey kick. :)
This is deeply conscientious writing at its very best, and creatively resonant too. A truly brilliant example of how blog writing can be turned into an art form. It's a piece that demands to be read with time on your hands. The sharp visual imagery complementing the writing is an added bonus.
My respect and admiration for this blog and for what you do, is second to none, Gopal. Besides the fact that the writing itself is of an inordinately high order, the moral compass it holds on to, is a constant reminder to all of us about the oft-used cliche that eternal vigilance is our only defence against a complete ethical and institutional collapse.
Thank you, Vispy!
Hilarious!
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Here's to a strengthened Core (of the citizen and the collective)!
Desirable outcome: what that large X over the C-year poster of the cartel suggests.
:)
Hi, this post is so well-written. I absolutely love the metaphors for resistance! What would you suggest one does when faced with, not strangers with Hindutva ideologies, but friends and family? It makes sense to start conversation with the people closest to you but this can be much harder than talking to a stranger.
That’s a very tough one and there is very little we can do to make them see your point of view. Maybe talk about things we love because there are a million more interesting topics that can change the world away from the constant hate and othering in social media and real life by people with that purpose.
And If you start a conversation we must have enough patience to sustain. I don’t think I have enough.
Only solution seems to be to Listen, let them say what they need to, and we test our own threshold of patience and do the best to avoid confrontation. Since it’s something larger than just the individual, Sometimes the best we can do is create the space where change can arrive on its own.
And to be honest, I find it very tough to open those topic, it’s easier to write here. :(
Imaginary book that I wish was real. Fantastic writing as always
Thank you!