the communication revolution

Well, enough has been written and talked about the communications revolution that has swept across the country and the planet in the first decade of the 21st century. The internet, internet telephony, international calling cards, messanger services have made the world(actually, much of this revolution is restricted to the developed world and urban regions in the devolpeing world). When i was buying a new mobile phone last week, i was thinking about my excitement nearly 14 years ago when smug guys from the state owned MTNL had installed a landline connection in the house. The creation of a global village has ensured that i am apprised of how my friends and family, studying abroad or working in other cities are faring. We do live in a turning point in the history of the species. It is the beginning of a new era where electronic communication will rule the roost and other forms of correspondence like writing letters may soon go out of vogue, barring some including your's truly who believes that the virtual meetings cannot replace the fun of writing and posting postcards or letters, adorned with the gandhi stamps. However, having said that, the revolution is indeed a huge step.. hope it gets even better

North Korea- a tinpot republic

I have been reading alot about the situation in North Korea over the past few days. Account after accounts have talked about the empty streets, the penetartion of all aspects of life by a tinpot dictator, years and years of complete indoctrination by one of the planets most ruthless regimes. North Korea is cut off from the rest of the planet. There is no internet, no cel phones or other information devices. The country has faced horrible famines from time to time and most of the population lives in absolute poverty, even as the leader maintains a lavish lifestlye. millons are put to death in the many 'labour camps' run by the regime. Yet the world turns a blind plight to the problems faced by nearly 22 millon north koreans. The US is wary of needling the north, primarly due to their military concerns in Japan and South Korea. The international community must step up pressure and maybe inavde the country, under a UN force to depose the current regime. Or else pressure must be put on Kim Il Sung to accept reforms or be booted out. Unless the international community steps up and takes immediate action, the boundaries of the civilsed world will end at the Korean borders. The Korean people need much better

America votes

As the world watches the US elect yet another 'leader of the free world' i have began to develop an admiration for the manner in which the candidates are elected. The system of conducting primary polls to select even party candidates may be expensive but does make the race a free for all in many ways. The argument about moneybags winning the polls( both primary and general) is also true, but that happens in elections across the world. The primary system is helpful as it allows any candidate to reach the pinnacle of the nations political system...

the boy in striped pyjmas...

Seldom does a ficticous book make u think about the importance of learning history and erstwhile events. The boy in the striped pyjamas is the story of a nine-year old german boy, whose father, a top ranking officer in the nazi German army is posted as a commandant of a concentration camp. The book manages to narrate the events as seen from the eyes of a previlaged child, who wonders about the sad and 'dirty' people who live close to his quarters, merely separated by a fence. The child, Bruno, initially apprehensive about the new arrangements soon starts to explore the area and befriends a child from across the fence. The basic insecurties faced by a small child are also beautifully described. Bruno also notices something strange about the place and is baffled that their head waiter also happens to be a doctor. He thinks that his father was furnished by the supreme authority' the fury' and belives that they could move out to their old house in Berlin if he apologies. The friendship between Bruno and the boy from the other side of the fence, Shmuel forms the backdrop of the story. The basic contrasts in their lives are constantly highlighted, as the story moves on. However, the book ends with a briilant and well thought out climax, which enhances the experience more. The book may not be a literary masterpiece but tells a great story of the darkest of times, all from the standpoint of a young child.