NGI Opinions

NGI Opinions

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Environment NGI Opinions

The Incredible Wildlife of Odisha

Biswajit Mohanty scout forests, wildlife sanctuaries, lakes and high seas of Odisha and get his breakneck life back in action Odisha is a paradise for wildlife! The Olive Ridley sea turtles who arrive every year to breed on the Odisha coast have put the state on the international wildlife map. Many of my wildlife friends envy me for belonging to Odisha which is the only state in the country and the second place in the world where this unique event occurs. Turtle lovers throughout the world eagerly await this wonderful natural event when thousands of turtles congregate in the Odisha ...
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NGI Opinions Politics

All eyes on Modi now

  The BJP has crossed the half-way mark in the Lok Sabha on its own. Its stunning performance has been propelled by the landslide victory. Narendra Modi tsunami began to blow, says Rohit Kumar It was a clean saffron sweep and mud in the eye for the congress. As the election commission (EC) went about the giant role of tallying the votes of 563 million Indians, the exit polls and projections gave an early indication that the Narendra Modi wave had soaked up the highest majority ever. Sailing high on the anti-incumbency mood vis a vis the Congress, (similar to what had ...
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Entertainment NGI Opinions

The ‘Disconnect’ Within Us

Naatak’s Harish Agastya in conversation withleading Indian playwright Anupama Chandrasekhar What is the first thought that comes to you when someone says call centers? Someone named ‘Mike’ you talked to at some point on the phone with a not-so-faint Indian accent? An opinion piece you read in your local newspapers about how outsourcing to countries like India was contributing to the unemployment rate here in the U.S.? That is, of course, the point of view most of us are used to. Until we come across Disconnect, Anupama Chandrasekhar’s brilliant play about the call center generation of India that turns the ...
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Editorials by Kanchan NGI Opinions

India: At The Turning Point

In the post-independence history of India there have been few ‘departing’ events which had great impact. These ‘turning points’ have affected the fortunes of the country.

With the death of the guardian of nation’s conscience – Mahatma Gandhi, came the first turning point. The Mahatma gave absolute power to Jawaharlal Nehru (who was not a Gandhian at heart) and the country got steered  into a direction which is seen by many today, to be the wrong path to development. An era of true statesmanship and undiluted patriotism in civil society ended with the death of Sardar Patel, the true designer of modern India.  With the passing of Shyama Prasad Mookerjee,  the era of daring political astuteness was over. Yes, Smt Indira Gandhi dared to bring Sikkim within Indian boundaries and, also destroyed the backbone of Pakistan by helping to create independent Bangladesh.  Her death marked the end of an era of absolute power politics;  it ushered in freedom issues and also marked the beginning of an era of financial greed in politics.

But, there are few leaders since then, who made huge difference to India.  Jayaprakash Narayan,  Ram Manohar Lohia and Narasimha Rao. Much hope was pinned on Rajiv Gandhi, but India did not embark on the road to true progress. Atal Bihari Vajpayee dared to conduct the nuclear tests, despite threats and then created the much-needed highway network and infrastructure-related development work. But, unfortunately, the past ten years  is simply a tale of non-governance, scandals and scams - to benefit the elite political classes and associates.

India has been waiting for a leader, who would show that India is indeed ‘shining’.  A leader who would utter the words of Swami Vivekananda  -  “Hero, take courage, be proud that you are an Indian”, a leader who would say in pride, " I am an Indian, every Indian is my brother," and that " the ignorant Indian, the poor Indian, the Brahman Indian, the Pariah Indian, is my brother.” The world started to look at India after his 1893 Chicago speech. India needs to grab the spotlight again, for the right reasons.  


Then, hope sprung as another name entered the arena – Arvind Kejriwal, who made a Gandhi-like effort to fight the corrupt polity and politicians. Kejriwal and his cohorts stole the thunder and became popular by arousing people’s sentiments. But time has revealed  that he and his gang are no better than ‘anarchists’ and India deserves much better. His flip-flops on many vital issues have proved that the character of Kejriwal is no match for changing the dark side of India. We are too aware of the ruling party and its leadership. It now seems that even the hope sparked by AAP, needs to be fulfilled by a true national leader.

India is at crossroads today. India needs a leader who can fathom the pain of the poor, deprived, hungry and the downtrodden. India needs a leader who would understand what price rise really means to the ‘aam admi’. India needs a leader who perceives  what sustainable development is and yes, the importance of safeguarding her ecosystem. India needs a leader who recognizes  what good governance is – where corruption is curbed; someone who can head an efficient government that works for the needs of the people, and not the people in power. India needs a leader who would appreciate  what it means to invest in research and development, to make India self-reliant and a global manufacturing hub. A leader who knows how to reposition India and reclaim the role of  ‘Jagad Guru’.

So, if it is not Narendra Modi, at this point, then who is it?  

...
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Interview NGI Opinions

The Enchantress!

A power house of talent, angelic looks, smouldering eyes and captivating smile has stolen millions of hearts. Vidya Balan, the award winning actress needs no introduction to Bollywood lovers. Kavita Shyam gets a whiff of the dainty diva’s winning formula… Title of the films is apt, you are happily married. What would you say are the side effects of marriage, has anything changed even with the offers? Honestly, no. Nothing has changed post marriage, if at all has gotten better. The offers have got nothing to do with marriage, it’s the kind of films I have done so far and ...
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NGI Opinions Spirituality

Decoding the Beauty

The festivals of Bodh Gaya, Rajgir are the special attractions to mingle with the enormous confluence of humanity, experiences Vineet Kumar ‘Non-Violence’, the most enchanting thought in the history of mankind first emanated from this land of Bihar. The Buddha and Mahavira, the pioneering propagators of this idea, pronounced this solemn solution of human suffering about 2600 years ago and resonate even today to brace humanity. Bodh Gaya and Pawapuri have become symbolic places to engage to this uplifting mood. The numerous stupas and pillars that were built mostly by the Great Emperor Ashoka as a tribute to the Buddha ...
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NGI Opinions Spirituality

Lagao India Polish!

Avadh Kishore shares a fun chat with an Indian shoe shiner You could never miss him. If you walked down from the Chowringhee end of Park Street and crossed Flury’s he would be there, well settled in the corner. Throughout the day he would call all pedestrians with his cry “Lagao India Polish!” descending from highest to lowest notes his chords would allow. He would call twice at a well calibrated frequency in the middle of the shoe shine and that was his trade secret to maintain the flow of customers. He had a unique location to operate from. He ...
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