Tag: india

Posted in Economic

The small and big of the things in the world.

Posted on by veeskitchen

What an inspiring speech by the Singapore PM on tariffs imposed by the US! One could be smaller in stature but tall and imposing when it comes to honour,dignity and shame. How should a head of a state be at all. Class is character. Elegance is the grace of our soul. How reassuring this great man sounds to his abject population. This tiny independent nation stands to lose a lot because of reciprocal tariffs. But remember, we live in a world where the west condemned India for manufacturing and distributing Covid vaccine for free to third world African and Asian countries, because it impacted the sales pitch of their pharma industries. This is also why India cannot be the next China or America ever in history. We are a nation guided by our Dharmic values NOT CHRISTIAN. You do WHAT IS RIGHT WHATSOEVER.

As for Singapore, they buy even their water from their neighbour Malaysia. They have a sound economy and are a center for academics and medical sciences and technology. A peaceful model nation from who advanced first world countries can learn a lesson. Singapore also faces the immigrants issue. A multi cultural secular society, I would hate to see Singapore suffer.

Larger nations like India have a moral responsibility toward smaller unstable nations who have a heightened sense of insecurity about their very existence because of the limited extent of their geographical territory and overt dependence on foreign trade. Until the very recent Bangladesh turmoil, millions of Bangladeshi muslims received free or very subsidized medical treatment in any corner of India they chose to, a concession not even extended to fellow Indians. This included critical care for heart disease, cancer and even organ transplants and eye treatment. India has supported and keeps supporting Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Maldives – because that is what a big brother does. Magnanimity is what must be the character of an elder brother. Generous is how he must be toward even his wayward younger brothers. You lead head and shoulders over them with your solid character, motivating them, inspiring them. We could be a poor nation ourselves but that never stops India from lending a helping hand to the weaker vulnerable countries.

America does what it is best for them ECONOMICALLY. The price that America pays will be in terms of UNIVERSAL GOODWILL. America also forgets that, as Singapore PM says, things are fluid by nature, which means it won’t take a minute for the Democrats to restore things to how they used to be. When a government flouts or changes laws or challenges judges, they are setting a precedent for future governments to follow in their footsteps.

Falkland Islands get slapped with 42% tariffs by the US. Now this is a very small island country of mere 4000 residents where fishing accounts for 60% of the local income. Marine exports to America constitute their chief source of income. Steep tariffs have been imposed on African nations as well, Lesotho taking the worst hit.

India may suffer a loss of income to the tune of 15$ to 35$ billion which we do have the capacity to bear. India has trade surplus with the US as our exports amount to about 80$ billion. The lowering of tariffs in India can make our own local manufacturing more competitive. My nation is colossal! Mammoth! We are 1.4 billion. We can take any shock or jolt and we can survive and outlive anything and everything! Nothing can unsettle us or rattle us. We are battle hardened, scarred, and very rooted country with ancient history and vibrant local economy. Even so, I admire the negotiating skills of my PM and foreign minister. Do not underestimate them. They are merely playing along, doing their best in the circumstances.

Its not that America is not feeling the pinch either. Their markets have reportedly skimmed a neat 6.5 $trillion already since the tariffs were announced. Mumbai’s Sensex shed around 3000 points the following morning. But India’s loss once again compared to other world nations was less alarming.

Stock markets on April 7, 2025 across the globe 🔴🔻

🇭🇰 Hong Kong: -13.6%
🇹🇼 Taiwan: -9.6%
🇯🇵 Japan: -9.5%
🇮🇹 Italy: -8.4%
🇸🇬 Singapore: -8%
🇸🇪 Sweden: -7%
🇨🇳 China: -7%
🇨🇭 Switzerland: -7%
🇩🇪 Germany: -6.8%
🇪🇸 Spain: -6.4%
🇳🇱 Netherlands: -6.2%
🇦🇺 Australia: -6.2%
🇫🇷 France: -6.1%
🇬🇧 UK: -5.2%
🇲🇾 Malaysia: -4.5%
🇵🇭 Philippines: -4.3%
🇮🇳 India: -4.1%
🇷🇺 Russia: -3.8%
🇸🇦 Saudi: -3.3%
🇹🇷 Turkey: -2.8%

America is pushing consumers around the world to become more discerning and not choosing American imports as it is seen happening already in the European countries and Canada. Finally, is this all worth it. Will America’s gains outweigh their losses in the long run? Time will have the best answer.

Posted in Pictures Desi

Review : Lubber Pandhu (Rubber ball)

Posted on by veeskitchen

This is a must watch for cricket aficionados. Picture made with the backdrop of rural Tamil Nadu where the game of cricket is like religion, there is not a moment of lull or what we call ‘thoivu’ in Tamil, in the entire film. Not sure when this flick was released. Another thing is, the story dwells upon the life and times of SC or scheduled caste people whose plight has remained very backward for centuries. As notified communities, they receive government quotas in universities and jobs which has come under flak from forward communities of India. In reality, in spite of the sops that came their way, the community drew courage to come out in the open only after the 1970s or so. Kudos to the film director who obviously must come from a rural setting himself. This picture to me came across as a classic – as classical as the Carnatic music and the dance form Bharatnatyam. Only the form of creativity is different. But the spirit in the picture is so invigorating. Nobody plays the victim card unlike in ‘Pariyerum Perumal’ (which is of different genre under same category), and the entire picture is on a positive note which is a welcome change in attitude for this community that is emerging from darkness that cloaked them for generations. After Dhanush’s Asuran, I swore never to watch a picture of theirs. Neither can I stand those directors like Pa Ranjith who made ‘Kala’ with Rajnikanth. You cannot justify by any act of violence, whatever injustice was historically done to you.

The forward communities of India are like the over-cultivated farmlands that have lost their soil nutrients. The notified communities of India are the freshest brains that when tilled can yield mindblowing yields. Super bumper harvests. Its like farming on a fresh parcel of alluvial soil that has never been sowed upon before. This is how I see the reserved categories of this country. They hold so much of promise for a bright future with their untapped potential. Backward communities are the future of the world as the forward progressive ones go stale with time. This is the law of nature and that is how civilizations rose and fell for eons.

The hero Harish Kalyan comes as a breather. This is my second picture of him, the first being ‘Parking.’ I get to watch such offbeat films only with my son who being the next gen knows what to pick. Otherwise, I am kind of blank on the current filmy scene in India except for the blockbusters. In fact I came to know that a hero called Harish Kalyan exists only 3 days back! He is a refreshing face. Not sure if he has some filmy background or support system. If he is a newbee who is completely on his own like Siva Karthikeyan, then my heartiest congratulations to him. He is a natural and he has a great future. In fact he could be the next Siva Karthikeyan.

A realistic film that totally caught me off guard. The fertile rural Tamil Nadu is brimming with innocence. Look at the most backward pockets in my state – and they are still doing absolutely well! It shows the healthy lifestyle of not only Tamils but also Indians in general whose lots have improved with times.

As a cricket lover, I enjoyed this picture. Without the knowledge of cricket, you may still watch it but you could miss some subtle nuanced cricket plays and terms. Some delightful interchange could be lost on you.

Highly recommended.

Watching a bevy of pictures with my son: PS1, PS2, Mei Azhagan (these 3 were repeats for me), Parking and then this one Lubber Pandhu.

This low budget picture which I learn was a box office grosser proves that you don’t have to be flashy, glitzy, sophisticated etc., to succeed. A shoe string budget can still give a slick flick with perfect script, story and screenplay direction.

Before I close, my heartiest congrats to the entire team and especially ‘Gethu!’ Heartwarming film. I especially appreciate the spirit and sensibility of the director in not playing the SC victim card but just throwing a hint to those who may not be aware of the community (that is notified in gazette by govt of India. ) Indian muslims can take a leaf out of this picture to appreciate the blessings that come their way being born an Indian citizen. The blue passport is much respected around the world.

Plus, wherever whichever corner of the globe you may go today, you see injustices. All historic injustices cannot be undone overnight. We have to accept reality but at the same time take care that WE DON’T TURN MONSTERS WHEN WE GO FOR WITCH HUNTING. This is what I liked about this picture the most. For scheduled castes of India, this must be an important reckoning. India a lot fairer country. Enjoy the motherland with open heart. Being part of the largest democracy in the world with the kind of inclusivity we have for the most marginalized, is not something you can find even in the first world nations.

Of course we can watch this picture for JUST CRICKET. Wholesome family entertainment with ABSOLUTELY ZERO VIOLENCE CONTENT OR VULGARITY. Characters have strength. And what a subtle sense of humour that flows like a steady stream throughout the picture! We can leave out the politics. My views are my personal observations, that’s all.

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Wrapping up the week with ‘Good night’ – another low budget family friendly lighthearted feelgood flick and ‘Thiruchitrambalam’ – surprise one from Dhanush who I steadfastly avoid. Along with ‘Thalaivettiyan Paalayam’ remake of ‘Panchayat’ in Prime, screen comes down for interesting tv show with my son in the US.

Posted in Food For Soul

Justice for Sushant Singh Rajput

Posted on by veeskitchen

Updated March 23rd: Shocked to note that closure report has been filed by the CBI in Mumbai High court on Sushant Singh Rajput case. A very sad day for justice in India. I for one DO NOT BELIEVE THAT SRI DEVI OR SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT OR JAYALALITHA died a natural death.

For some of us, afterlife is of most significance than the earthly life. Imagine having a brief celeb life on Planet earth and then suffering miserably to eternity in afterlife. People refuse to see through the Maya. They all think this is their permanent station in life. In the very next birth they could be born as serial rapist or a man in asylum or a homeless living under a river bridge begging for livelihood. The more you think the indispensable you are, the more humbling will be your next birth.

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Finally the Sushant Singh Rajput case is reopened along with Disha Salian’s. Why should a leading hero of Bollywood commit suicide. Hopefully Sri Devi’s suspicious death case also is reinvestigated. Some ten popular Maharashtrian suspicious deaths were reportedly during the covid period. Sunanda Pushkar, Jayalalitha Jayaram – the list is long. If this can happen to the most successful top people in this country, then where is safety or security for mere mortals like us. Someone mentioned about reopening even Divya Bharthi’s case. Actor Shoba of Tamil film industry too supposedly committed suicide. Prime suspect in this case or who we call as ‘person of interest’ is no more. This is a very old case from 1981. Its so sad that these women who were top stars and best of those times could be disposed off so easily and nobody is bothered. What about even our former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri who died in state. Marilyn Monroe! Sushant Singh Rajput is a tragedy. He was not cunning enough to perhaps conduct himself like the Khan mafia. Paid dearly with his life.

Was listening to this psychic, and yes I do believe in all that, where she said, among the lost souls still hanging around without making their way to the light of passage – there still remained Sri Devi, Sushant Singh and Divya Bharathi. As per Hindu Karma, only those who have unnatural death or death by accident linger, not knowing their way. The day I listened to this podcast, I wanted their poor atmas to get some shanthi that can finally enable them to get satgati. Imagine being a topstar of her lifetime like Sri Devi and then suffering miserable afterlife. I am sure anyone who reads me will think I am crazy, I don’t care. This is what I believe in.

The parents of this girl Sudikha Konanki in the US are asking the Dominican Republic police to declare their daughter as drowned. Why? Only Hindus can understand the logic behind this request. It means they can perform her last rites that can ensure that, if she is no more, she can PASS OVER. Does that make sense. My heart goes out to her poor parents. Its not my intention to sensationalize this post by mentioning her. This is to show why its necessary to have ABSOLUTE CLOSURE about an Atma, for Hindus. Please someone give the girl and her parents a definitely closure. Om Shanthi.

People talk about political reasons, political contexts. For me its always spiritual connection. People and governments talk about immigrants. To me they are souls or atmas. Just like transgenders. I don’t have political views. Its not my political standing. Its my spiritual take that’s all. Well, you may find that hard to believe in!

Please allow Sushant, Sri Devi, Divya and even Sudiksha passage to light by giving them closure. Om Shanthi.

Posted in Political

Will Bhutan merge with India.

Posted on by veeskitchen

This Himalayan kingdom is not carbon neutral but is actually carbon negative. Welcome to Bhutan.

Bhutan is India friendly because we have shared culture. While India is the cradle of both Hindu civilization, the only unbroken culture of over 10000 years, and also Buddhism, Bhutan is a Buddhist country. Bhutan relies on India for defence especially in the light of Tibet occupied by the Chinese. Why should Dalai Lama flee to India when there were so many developed first world nations where he must have been welcome with red carpet. Its not always about material wealth, the west must understand this. The common ancestry of the Indian subcontinent keeps these nations united like a single umbilical cord connecting these communities. Bound by blood and trust, can America understand this?

We in India respect Bhutan’s independence. India will always be there for this landlocked nation on earth, that is a paradise of peace. This is how humanity must live. NOBODY WANTS YOUR FAST CARS AND YACHTS AND HOLIDAYS AND BLOODY CONSUMERISM! Bhutanese practise dharma and their entire lives may be steeped in Dharma. Dharmic way of life means living life the right way with principles in pursuit of one’s spiritual goals. We don’t want to force Bhutan’s merger with India. But if they want it on their own accord, India may respect their wishes. Same holds true for Nepal, another Himalayan kingdom, basically Hindu. Nepal fell under the false charms of the Chinese and became communist. But Nepal could be around the bend now after that lapse. Nepal used to be the only Hindu country in the entire world as even India is a secular nation, not YET constitutionally Hindu.

Christian missionary mafia from the US enter Nepal under the garb of tourism and convert the rural Nepalese and those who are poor, weak and vulnerable. Nepal is only now waking up to this ugly truth. Bhutan, Nepal, India are nations where NATIVES live and rule, not occupier-settlers.

Bhutan does not recognize most world nations especially the invaders and occupiers. This is not because they are opposed to anyone. It is because they are not only believers in Dharma but also practitioners of Dharma in true spirit. Bhutan recognizes the old world order and mostly don’t recognize the new nations that came into existence in recent world history. To hell with the material pursuits of the west. Bhutan wants none of that! Its not surprising that Bhutan does not even recognize the US, UK, France, China, Russia etc. Bhutanese are happiest and most peaceful buddhists on earth. They don’t NEED the west. In short, CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM are NOT recognized by Bhutan, something India must be following! Bhutan is spot on on recognizing wherefrom the problems of the world stem from: the greed of the Abrahamics with their acquisitions and conquests of others’ possessions and wealth. World is in such a chaos because of the Abrahamics. The courage to underscore the real neck in the pain for the world! Bhutan merits a standing ovation for that alone!

India holds responsibility over Bhutan. Bhutan permits only limited tourists per year and that applies to Indians too. Even if in future the merger of Bhutan can happen with India, we in India would want their visa rationing to apply to India as well. No Indian citizen must be permitted to move to Bhutan while Bhutanese can receive free education at all levels in India. Bhutanese can freely work in India. Bhutanese can be allowed to invest in real estate, industry and business in India. However we in India don’t seek reciprocal rights in Bhutan. Bhutan is our responsibility. Yet, seeing Bhutan as an independent nation will make us happiest.

Long live dear Bhutan! Love and respects from India! Eschewing the Abrahamic west and most of Middle east and their material wealth lacking humanity is your formula for peace! Stay happy and blessed always.

I was watching You Tube videos where I found funnily comments bashing India and Indians for our backwardness comparing us to China and the US. The truth is WE DON’T WANT TO BE LIKE CHINA OR THE US. India is not a developing nation but a redeveloping economy after we were run over by muslim and christian thieving occupiers and marauders for 1500 years straight. We stood the onslaught and here we are. We Hindus spend hours every day in our spiritual pursuits that you cannot even dream of the chinese or the americans. We are aware how differently we are made compared to them. When we have no complaints, why should the west bother?

Bhutan or India or Nepal are not 300 years old like America. Not here without a reason for minimum 10000 years as the only continuous unbroken civilization of the world – when the Egyptian, Sumerian, Mayan, Greek everything perished. World did not come into existence with Christ or the prophet. Only the ambitious, the materialistic youth from India want to emigrate to greener pastures, not everyone. And this migrating young people percentage is very slim – in decimals.

Imagine Bhutan being there from time immemorial but REFUSING TO LEAVE CARBON FOOTPRINT ON EARTH. This is what is civilized culture not mindless consumerism and highways and skyscrapers and luxury sedans. Good for Bhutan that America put them in the travel ban list! I couldn’t stop laughing! Bhutan does not even recognize the legality of the USA and here they are instituting a ban on Bhutan! Funny. But seriously it is hometruth if you let that sink in dear America. Living the right way is DHARMA whether you see it or not. Please let not even the shadow of the west fall on this beautiful peaceful paradise called Bhutan. Let them be. God bless Bhutan!

Posted in Political

Are the grandkids of Tamil Nadu CM attending Tamil schools.

Posted on by veeskitchen

What is the meaning of the name ‘Udayanidhi.’ It is pakka Sanskrit word. Who gave him the name? Karunanidhi and Stalin in their fullest senses. So why not change the name to a Tamil one.

Waiting for Tamil Nadu CM to enrol all his family kids in corporation run Tamil schools. Why Hindi, not even English in there beyond a bare minimum.

It is also time for the Tamil Nadu CM to publicly embrace Christianity or Islam. Leave wife Durga alone as he always saves her saying its her private matter. Lets come to the question of Stalin and Udayanidhi. When are these 2 guys converting in front of the national media. Also convert your (il)legal half sister Kanimozhi with you. By the way sister, why don’t you erase the bindi from your forehead, for its like a siren announcing your Hindu roots.

The nerve the guys have to replace the hindi denomination for rupee with Tamil initials. Its ILLEGAL. It can invite court action.

Stalin is to be here for 5 years maximum.. India will go on to eternity. Hindu Dharma is eternal. This is pest at the best. Just ignore him, rest of India, and move on. On behalf of the entire global Tamil population, I seek your apology for this NONSENSE and nuisance.

Was watching this adaptation of ‘Panchayat’ in Prime in Tamil from original Hindi. There was this cruel joke: the secretary of the panchayat office goes to TASMAC to get himself a liquor bottle. The shopman asks him whether he is IT staff. He says he works for government. So the salesman quips, ‘so you are government staff like me?!’ How is this. Shame of Tamil Nadu! The nerve these guys have to give lecture or represent us Tamils. Stalin or Udayanidhi DON’T REPRESENT ENTIRE TAMIL NADU OR TAMIL POPULATION. We are waiting for the day this family will be done with completely in Tamil Nadu.

We Tamils disown Stalin, Udayanidhi, Maran and DMK totally. Kindly excuse their excesses and stupidity dear India.

Posted in Political

Kick both Ambani and Shein out of India.

Posted on by veeskitchen

Why is Reliance getting back the Chinese Shein to India at an investment cost of 80,000 crores of rupees. Can Modi ji answer that please. Is this ‘make in India’ for you ji. Is this ‘atmanirbar Bharat’ for you ji. This is like selling India totally. Ours is a textile country. We in India EXPORT TEXTILES AND APPARELS don’t you know that. You see the apparels and underwears with made-in-India tag on par with those from Vietnam and China among international brands. In fact the quality of the Indian apparels is far superior to those from the other two Asian nations. Then for what nonsense reason is this Ambani getting Shein to India on such a massive scale. Modi ji, better gas our small sellers and seal our retailers. Let them die in masses so that your Ambani and Adani can prosper and become 3rd richest and 4th richest in the world. Dig our mass graves with your own hands. Will that make you happy for Adani and Ambani?

Already there are retail chains like Zudio of Tata etc., apart from foreign brands such as Marks & Spencers, Zara, H & M, Mango, Mustard etc., that are doing healthy business in India. West side of Tata can give them a run for their money with their contemporary western fashion. What is the need for Ambani to get Shein to India. He is not even manufacturing anything at his company. Marketing fellow who gets fatter everyday sucking the blood of the working middle class. Look at the garish show of his son’s wedding. Such a poor taste and a horrible human being displaying his wealth so vulgarly in a third world country like ours. That gaudy Nita Ambani who is the attention stealer from anyone and everyone so shamelessly including Olympic medal winners ! The fat useless son got a business out of sick imported wildlife. You can smell rat in the whole family. Reliance is total fraud. Let them answer what happened to their landline venture kicked off with a great fanfare. What happened to their Krishna Godavari basin oil explorations. None of their businesses is reliable. They should not have even been given licence for retailing in apparels or in the supermarkets segment.

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/jairam-ramesh-on-the-krishna-godavari-basin-scam/article8486493.ece

https://www.outlookbusiness.com/corporate/why-govt-is-demanding-281-billion-from-mukesh-ambanis-reliance

Looks like our prime minister went to Vantara, at the Ambani kichdi and signed approval for Shein Reliance without a thought to our country’s economy or our masses.

May be our pm Modi ji is becoming too old to run this country and must step down. He seems to be more at ease at Ambani wedding and Vantara resort where he must be spending his retirement. No more support for him if he is going to allow this crook Ambani to get Shein back to India. This business people-government nexus is a dangerous trend, very unhealthy. It can prove to be cancerous to India.

There was no necessity for Modi to go to the US if he could bag only a BIG ZERO there for India. If Modi govt is to allow American alcohol and GM food of theirs in an already impoverished country such as ours, then even I WILL VOTE FOR THE CLOWN RAHUL GANDHI RATHER. We can take our chances. We don’t want Modi or BJP again ever. What are you doing as our prime minster unable to control the spread of dope in this country. You are in power for almost 15 years Modi ji. What concrete steps have you taken to tackle the drug menace. Can’t you see the lower middle class already drowning in alcohol? That will be the end of the road for BJP – take it from me. No more Modi, no more BJP. On the other hand, we can import from America, what will add value to Indian economy, what will enrich our lives better. India should do this homework: what is best imported from the US that can do good for both of us without damaging either party.

Its time to unseat BJP at the center. Three continuous terms have made them weak and corrupt. Like America, an Indian PM should not be allowed to be elected for more than 2 terms. Remember how Indira Gandhi kicked both Coca cola and IBM out of India. India lost nothing. India became nobody’s stooge. Grow some spine Prime minister. JUST SEE HOW EUROPE, CHINA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA everyone is fighting bravely the Tariff wars imposed on them by the US government. See how Canada reacted by blocking Alaska access to the US. America also buys electricity from Canada. India can settle this issue amicably and wisely. Choose your imports into India intelligently.

Already the govt has unilaterally approved Tesla and Starlink entry into India without consensus. Tell me which car company entered India at such a breakneck speed? Is the government that sure that the nation’s security is not under threat with starlink? Only 2 days back, Tesla disabled the Chechen cybertruck at their will. F35 key will be forever with the US. And you are allowing this kind of technology that can control us from America so easily into India? What is the problem with Indian internet. Its fastest, better than what we have in middle east and is CHEAPEST. Do you even have an idea how much people shell out for internet bills in the US or what even we NRIs pay in middle east for our broadband connection? The internet bill in India is less than a quarter of what we foot in middle east – and for better speed and connectivity. Problem in India is NOT INTERNET but erratic power supply.

Let us remind ourselves: India needs neither Tesla nor Starlink or F35s or American alcohol or their GM food. We are going to have Tesla and Starlink because they are FORCED on us, NOT WILLINGLY. My heart goes out to my poor third world nation that is yielding without a fight, betraying the BRICS and giving up all hope for survival with dignity as a bold independent fierce nation.

Hope BJP thinks a 100 times before embarking into this kind of mad misadventure. I am not bothered about Tesla. As someone posted in a comment, they will leave on their own accord in 5 years like Ford did! India is not an easy country. Unless they start manufacturing they stand no chance in India. But if they do, its win-win for both America and India. Its a long shot. Lets wait and watch. I am okay with Tesla only because it is green energy (as if anyone is waiting for my approval!).

Its very testy time for India as the country is sold piece by piece by BJP. Totally disillusioned with the center. As a tax paying citizen of iNDIA I want my prime minister MODI to kick out Shein and never get it back to India. Otherwise, I will be happy to see you go in 2029 prime minister. Remember, I am such a huge fan of yours. And if this is how you have let me down, just imagine the drop in your popularity across the country.

This post is not about China or America. Its all about MY INDIA.

Posted in Science Engineering Technology

India’s Chandrayaan 3 finds MORE WATER on the Moon.

Posted on by veeskitchen

https://www.livemint.com/science/news/isros-chandrayaan-3-hints-at-ice-deposits-on-the-moon-and-water-reserves-11741339518602.html

https://www.space.com/the-universe/moon/water-mining-on-the-moon-may-be-easier-than-expected-indias-chandrayaan-3-lander-finds

So India goes down the history as the first nation on earth to document the presence of water on Moon surface. Thank you ISRO!

Posted in Indian Art Culture Music

What is in our clothes.

Posted on by veeskitchen

Zelensky was asked in the White House why he couldn’t he wear a suit. Why should he? Our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji hardly wears a 3 piece suit. He is wearing kind of national official dress for men. Our confidence level is good wearing comfy clothes. There is pride in wearing clothes reflecting our culture and heritage. Plus, wearing the regular national clothes puts you at ease. To give the national dress an official makeover, Modi ji throws a Nehruvian jacket over it. That completes the look. I don’t think Trump ji ever had a problem with that or referred to it. So its not the clothes that can be a problem. Its the personality that you are. Clothes are an external endorsement, that’s all. But we don’t need that if they know who you are.

Smt. Indira Gandhi, ex woman prime minister of India draped saris and never wore the western clothes. She headed India from before Margaret Thatcher arrived on the scene. Her casual elegance in sari is what impresses me the most. As a woman I can appreciate her taste in her saris, the prints, the ethnic motifs, the weaves of India mostly handloom. She was a picture of understated elegance. I adore the statement she made as a woman of India, head of the Indian state and as a powerful presence as a woman. Sadly she was assassinated when I was still in school, after she ruled India already for over 17 years. She made a mincemeat of the US president Nixon and Henry Kissinger and neatly cut Pakistan into 2 pieces. Iron lady, the original one. I miss her era and don’t miss her at the same time because she was authoritarian. But the power she held was immense. For me, its the Nari shakthi – the feline female power that men had to grudgingly respect and even admire. Sari is the unstitched garment of Indian/Hindu women for millennia. It has come under flak for the national fervour it represents from nothing less than NYT. Western clothes are popular but its Indian clothes that rule the Indian heart.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nyt-cuts-a-sari-figure-after-attack-on-indian-attire/articleshow/61651281.cms

Me, I am an average Indian nari and I love draping the sari. Nothing comes closest to it be it in elegance or the cultural heritage equated with it. Secondly, the salwar kameez dupatta ensemble, the Indo-Mugal dress comfortable work clothes for Indian women next to sari, is my choice. Its the typical office wear of Indian women mostly who ride 2 wheelers to work as staple practice. Its easy and practical and breezy wear. Western clothes I wear so as not to stick out in a group and draw attention to myself when I am abroad. The main purpose of me wearing the jean and the t shirt is that: to mingle with the crowd for my own safety and security. But I do enjoy the western clothes as well. Unless I am comfortable in something I don’t wear it.

Its sickening to read that the sari, that has been around for not less than 10,000 years, is easily dubbed as ‘nationalistic symbol’ by the NYT, promoted deliberately in India (by the BJP).

Indira Gandhi, Pm of India, so graceful and elegant in sari, representing and defining the feminine power long before it became global fashion and woke people carried placards.

First you lose your native clothes, then your native languages, your native FAITH, then you lose your native culture, you lose your native cuisine – and then finally you lose your ORIGINAL IDENTITY, self respect, self esteem, dignity, honour and at last the sense of belongingness and nationhood. Just look at Pakistan. Clothes are not mere clothes. Indian netas REFUSE TO WEAR WESTERN CLOTHES IN PUBLIC.

Sushma Swaraj ex foreign minister of India
Nirmala Sitaraman, finance minister of India
Smriti Irani, cabinet minsiter of India
women scientists of ISRO who made the India success story at first attempt to Mars
Jayalalitha Jayaram, ex CM of Tamil Nadu for 3+ terms

To me, my saris are mostly hand woven, printed with national/ethnic motifs, with vegetable dyes. I am head over heels in love with handblocks.. My clothes are of natural fibres such as cotton or Kanchi or Benarasi or Tussar silk from India, the finest on earth. The cottons and weaves of India are of myriad threads. District to district, state to state, they vary and I enjoy best my Indian cotton. My kurtas are the Indian cotton, bit coarse and at times softest like the mul mul. Anything but the imported lawn cotton from across the border. My Indian clothes cannot stand machine wash or dryer mostly. They need handwash. They will bleed colours initially because of the vegetable dyes used in them – not to be judged for quality by that. They will have imperfections natural to manual labour. But I believe my Indian clothes have a strong unflinching character about them, that is lacking in my expensive branded western attire that are standardly mill or machine made in batches and with not much of uniqueness about them. The finishing of the western clothes is what makes them special. They are neatly tailored and can be least clumsy. The perfect fit of the branded western wear is the other highlight about them. Fast colours lend them the durability. Indian clothes require maintenance care. Western clothes I wear are all synthetic fibre such as rayon, polyester etc. Even if these artificial fibres flood Indian market too, they are not too popular. Western clothes are easy maintenance, no doubt. Their imported cotton can be pricey. Western wear are machine washable and suited for dryers. My Indian clothes are my soul. Represent the real me. My western clothes may be the global contemporary me keeping with times. Its transient me but not the permanent me.

Posted in Political

Tesla over F35

Posted on by veeskitchen

Tesla anyday because its EV and it can give good competition to Mahindra and Tata in the same segment that are local manufactures. India does need foreign investment and participation to optimal level. Whether Tesla is necessary I am not sure. But we do have some foreign brands, that adding Tesla to the list cannot hurt. In fact it can give good value for money for the Indian consumers by forcing others to update themselves. Yesterday there was news that Tesla was looking for plant locations in Maharashtra. Its better than selling 100% imported cars in India. No worries about tariffs. High end customers in India do not bother. Voting for Tesla only because it is environment friendly. It may not fit the middle class budget but there is a huge market in India for this kind of premium automobiles. If they have long term plans, they must come to India, not otherwise. As someone put it, India is not a car country – rather motorbike country. But I have relatives and friends who will lap up Tesla from Chennai whatever the price. Business community people. We the regular salaried class just can’t afford the luxury.

Presently carless, we are looking for a hybrid though for our next. Prefer Tata or Mahindra because they are easily serviceable in the country. For highways in India, Mahindra and Tata are the best with proven track record. Use local steel. Honda, Hyundai, MG etc., have carved their own space in Indian car market. I am sure, Tesla too will. I don’t have the car fetish. Just something comfy and parkable in our street will do for me! We of all things look at the turning radial! Just watched a Tesla in Doha for the first time on our way to airport. Did not even imagine in my dreams even then that Tesla would make a foray into India. It looked huge on Doha roads like a boat! Its just 2 weeks back! Never in Indian history foreign investments happened so fast, to my knowledge! Tesla is win-win for both America and India, in case they are to enter India.

Pollution in India is mainly due to stubble burning. Stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring states of Haryana and Punjab is the reason for Delhi air pollution. 2030 is our deadline to go electric or hybrid totally I guess. So its a wise move to have Tesla EV in India. Water pollution is a different thing already.

Hyundai made in India have an export market. In the long run, this is a distinct possibility for Tesla. May be they will be in India forever like Suzuki and Honda. While at it, is it even possible for Mahindra or Tata or Tesla to make an EV within 15 lac rupees budget? I know its asking for too much! Hopefully Tata can make it for us. I am saying this because this is our maximum budget ceiling for our next car! If they can, they will be runaway success even with the burgeoning middle class. Even in Chennai, we have the 2 or 3 car owning middle class families mostly.

I got this from Google:

* In 2022, India exported $6.68B in Cars. The main destinations of India exports on Cars were South Africa ($1.24B), Mexico ($941M), Saudi Arabia ($579M), United Arab Emirates ($400M), and Chile ($355M).

*Leading the Made-in-India export vehicle charge is the PV market leader Maruti Suzuki India. Between April and December 2024, the company has shipped 245,642 vehicles, up 21% YoY (April-December 2023: 202,786).

*Indian car export to the US: Mahindra, the only brand.

They say India is not a car country. Our highway network is good but in-city roads are pretty bad. Luxury cars have scope only outside city limits. Yet look at what stats reveal: This stat is from the link from below. This is November 2024 figure alone which is festival season in India. A total of 351,592 cars got sold last November in India. Festival season in India peaks with Ganesh Chaturti, Navratri and Diwali – the three grandest Hindu festivals. Car sales are maximum at this time.

Car Sales Nov 2024 – Maruti, Hyundai, Tata, Mahindra, Toyota, Kia, MG, Honda, VW, Skoda

F35 not advisable. Or India must take her time to study the pros and cons. The next US govt if it is to be Democratic, won’t cooperate with intelligence. Won’t even deliver on time and would go back on the agreement. I don’t know specifics but is it true that you need a daily password for F35. I am also aware that never will a Democratic govt offer F series to India. This is rarest of rare chance. Its also expensive and may burn a hole in India’s pocket. May India take her time to decide on that.

I welcome anything that is green energy into India. We want less pollution, less damage to environment and least usage of fossil fuels.

Posted in Political

Indian media: Professional jealousy and rivalry at peak

Posted on by veeskitchen

I am following Beerbiceps for 2 years now in You tube. I like this young guy Ranveer Allahabadi. He may be only 2-3 years older than my son. But his level of spiritual maturity always amazes me. The way he conducts his interviews, his deep knowledge and understanding of the intense subject matter the guests speak of, and how he lets the guests speak not trying to impose his will – all that make Ranveer a great you tube success story. Self made millionaire, Ranveer covers a range of topics on spirituality and psychic/tantra traditions which are a hit with his followers. Its rare to see someone with this kind of spiritual flair at such a young age. In one of his shows Ranveer admitted to taking to Mantra Japa himself. Nowhere in his podcasts have I watched him slip or sync out of tune. He has always maintained his respectful approach coming across as a thorough gentleman.

Now this ‘India got latent’ is something I have not watched. The name Samay Raina rings a bell. May be I have watched him too, not sure. I didn’t exactly see this controversial episode, but our media made sure that we were all well educated on the matter. Looks like all the vultures of Indian media have swooped down on the hapless fellow for one slight slip wanting to draw blood. All said, Ranveer is not even 35. A kid, no more. When he became this self-made millionaire bypassing even mass media TRP rating tv new channels with his curated podcasts, when he hardly into his 30s at that, he must have forever made enemies. Yes, mistakes happen. Given his age and station in life, this is hardly surprising. What Ranveer joked about is hardly inconsistent given the kind of reality/dance shows that plague our entertainment scene now.

Why the same Arnab can’t go and poke his nose into mysterious deaths of Sri Devi or Sunanda Pushkar or Sushant Singh Rajput. Why is there no censorship for Netflix where even last week I watched nude/sex scenes in ‘One hundred years of solitude.’ What happened to the Kolkata rape case? If Beerbiceps must be discussed in parliament, then it means we have no better job to do in India and that explains our backwardness. To what mean extent our media can stoop and how utterly jealous they can get to the level of completely wrecking someone to tatters – we can see now happening in reality. What is there to summon someone to police station, for his views whether dirty or crass. FIR filed for what nonsense?Who asked you idiots to listen to him in the first place. This Arnab Goswami who I used to watch once upon a time even if he has been big b*llsh*t right from the start is retirement material now.

All in the day. Young Ranveer probably is learning life lessons finally, out of his studios. I shall stay subscribed to him and I shall continue to watch his interesting and out-of-box thinking podcasts. Who I have NEVER subscribed to are Wion and Republic among others. Big loud mouths full of bullsh*t nothing more. Its not sensationalization that gets you views dear Indian media. If you have REAL substance, there won’t be a need to go after TRP ratings. For now, Beerbiceps is the king. Just gulp that down and go to sleep you sore losers.