Ruchi Gupta

I think, therefore I dither

In Personal/Random on February 27, 2009 at 4:31 pm

Is it just me or have things taken a decided turn towards alice in wonderland-esque surrealism. Like a kaleidoscope, the events of one’s life are seemingly determined by external movements, people like bits of colored glass significant only in the patterns formed by their repeating mirror reflections. The force of events that upturn people’s lives is breathtaking, and completely beyond the scope of most to foresee, let alone control/alter. There is both absolutism and arbitrariness, and the individual is left with a galling sense of powerlessness.

Telangana, KCR and the Insidious Political Fast

In Politics and Government on December 10, 2009 at 10:51 am

The separatist Telangana movement, which can be traced back to 1969 (and earlier), is front page news again ‘cause of K. Chandrasekhara Rao’s fast.

As a tool, fasting is one of the most insidious ways to achieve ones political ends.

The Politics of Identity

In India Inc, Politics and Government, Poverty in India, Terrorism on January 13, 2010 at 1:28 pm

First published in the Indian Express

In February 2011, India will become the first country in the world to issue its residents biometric-based numbers (UID) to establish identity. For this purpose, the Central Government has constituted the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) under the Planning Commission. The UID number is marketed as a fundamental enabler for efficient delivery of government services and inclusive development. As per the Authority, benefits of the UID number include elimination of leakages in welfare programs like PDS and NREGA, and facilitation of targeted education and health interventions for underprivileged children.

A less publicized purpose of the UID number is to improve national security.