On 31st of August, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India organised the National Conclave on “Unleashing the potential of Agritech Startups for the benefit of Farmers” at NASC Complex, Pusa , New Delhi. For the first time, the Ministry partnered with all major industry associations, PHD Chamber of Commerce and industry, FICCI and Confederation of Indian Industry to organise day long deliberations on diverse farmer issues and the role digital technologies can play to alleviate the same. I was fortunte that PHD…Continue Reading “Social Innovations to make Agtech Solutions accessible to Farmers”
Someone remarked today that crimes by the dalits and muslims are not highlighted in the media. But cow crimes are reported everywhere. It’s just media bias. I tried to explain cow related mob lynchings are hate crimes. I don’t think I got across. So here is a short explanation. It’s a hate crime is one in which the victim is identified and targeted because of his/her identity. Normally, the victim has physical and obvious markers of belonging to a community. Beard or skullcap, skin color,…Continue Reading “Does India need a hate crime primer?”
In legal system, there is a theory that not one innocent should be punished even if ten guilty get away. In economics, there is a cost benefit analysis. In politics, there is something called gullibility. All fancy folks in office talked about their uber drivers and maids having bank accounts and digital payments. I wonder how in a country like ours there are people who are so detached from reality – it’s the poor people’s fault they are so backward na, ab kuch bada karoge…Continue Reading “The merit of currency ban”
We were on the topic of Nehru a few days back. How he is blamed for every wrong that the nation faces today. But his biggest failure goes unnoticed till date. His passing the reins to his daughter. It was one act that turned a massive people’s movement into a family property. It gave India its worst prime minister. That may change three years down the line, but till now she ranks way above others. It also brings his own lineage into question – for…Continue Reading “Nehru’s Biggest Mistake”
We have always known this as the night of the rowdies, bikers and general nuisance. Law and order wise, it is the Islamic equivalent of the navratras. Over the years, public sentiment and a proactive police department have brought about some sanity to these nights, but the elements have not been completely sanitized. So, when I decided to set out on a night of photography, I had expected a certain amount of trouble. And, given that I was not being a phono-grapher but going with…Continue Reading “Shab e Barat – An account of the night from Delhi roads”
Most of us look at wine as an intimidation. We don’t understand it. We feel compelled to appreciate it. The ones that are known to be really good, most of us can’t afford it. The wine consumers are worried about how much to age a wine, the cork and how much is ideal to pay for a wine. Unlike the west, in India, wine remains strictly in the connoisseur’s domain. And, everyone wants that to change. So far, I had stayed clear of the wine…Continue Reading “Jacob’s Creek Reserve table, Delhi edition”
I have bought deals from Groupon. Apart from one where the restaurant initially refused to honor the coupon after giving a reservation on phone, all others have gone really smoothly. But what about shopping? Does it make sense to shop from Groupon, do they even have the delivery network, why not buy from one of the established ecommerce sites instead? Price. Ecommerce companies hate it but customers in India have shown zero brand loyalty. Online shopping is decided by who offers cheapest rates and it…Continue Reading “My experience with online shopping: Groupon Review”
The average Indian has a short memory, a big heart and the gullibility of a child. No matter how much the MNCs crib about our efficiency, we are easy to work with. Show us a video on whatsapp and we will kill a thousand, you kill a thousand and we will make you our prime minister. Individually, may be, not. But as a nation, we are extremely forgiving. Especially, in the matters of faith. I have heard eleven years olds talk passionately about coal scam…Continue Reading “The forgiving Indian”
Old cities are like celebrities. You form a thousand preconceived notions about them even before meeting them. Sometimes, they are flattering, most of the times, not. For instance, I am a reluctant explorer when it comes to these relic towns. Though I have taken a thousand walks in Old Delhi, I love sitting around Connaught Place more. In spite of being amazed by the crowds and the 24/7 life of Cuttack, I have always preferred the orderliness of Bhubaneswar better. So, I was not exactly…Continue Reading “Hazratganj, Lucknow (I)”