Tag Politics
Responsibility for the Balasore Tragedy
This is a part of the series on the Balasore triple-train tragedy. In the previous parts, we looked at the different technical aspects of the Indian Railways, the audit observations from the CAG report, which pointed out the areas that need significant improvements, and looked at the politics of the matter. Handling of the case Inconsistencies A possible precedent The way forward If you did not read the the previous parts, I suggest you do:
The Politics of the Balasore Tragedy
This is a part of the series on the Balasore triple-train tragedy. In the previous parts, we looked at the different technical aspects of the Indian Railways, as well as the audit observations from the CAG report, that are relevant to the context. If you did not read the the previous parts, I suggest you do: Do you know Indian trains Operational Lapses in Indian Railways Here is what we will talk about in this part:
Operational Lapses in Indian Railways
This is a part of the series on the Balasore triple-train tragedy. In the previous part, we looked at the different technical aspects of the Indian Railways, that are relevant to the context. The part explains each of the terms you may come across when reading any story regarding the Balasore train tragedy. If you did not read the the previous part, I suggest you do: Do you know Indian trains In this part … well, everyone is talking of the CAG audit report; why not us?
Do you know Indian Trains
I have, like millions of Indians out there, been travelling long distances by the Indian Railways since infancy—since I was about six months old. And over these past three decades, I have read about tens of crashes including derailments. Even seen that odd wreckage during my train journeys. What happened on the 2nd of June was terrible, and I cannot possibly express what I feel about it, in words. I turned to TV news for updates, thinking for once they could be useful.
To wear or not to wear the Hijab
Let me start this by saying that the school of thought within Hinduism that we follow at home, teaches us to be not disrespectful of any school of thought. This does not mean we agree with everything, though; we instead appreciate the fact that there are more-than-one ways of seeing anything. Philosophy aside, I am a man of science. Scientific thinking partially goes in line with the school of thought we follow, but digresses a little, in that scientific thinking allows every form of questioning.
How Should Politics Work
Often, we find ourselves criticising one or the other government institution or organisation. In a country with such a population as ours, we have millions complaining every day. But after complaining and screaming and getting frustrated about the futility of talking about it all, we place the issue on the backburner for a couple of days, and unless we receive fresh stimulus, the issue fades away in the coming weeks.
The Problem With Government Jobs
Happy 2022! May this year keep us all in a much better shape than the last two; in better health—physical, emotional and financial—better relationships, better work–life balance, better everything. (Holding your breath for the Budget, anybody?) Of course, not all is rosy in the country at the moment. We are looking at elections in three states, with politicians going around being all nice, making promises, and trying hard to apply chalk to the blemishes on their images, and of course, defecting.
Are We an Independent State
Political fads come and go. More so when the elections are around. National level fads peak at the time of the Lok Sabha elections. Having said that, they are not confined to those times. Before we begin, let me state that this is not a political post, even though it starts with the word “political”. This post is about a political phenomenon. Also, this post does not state the obvious for most people, because history from a couple of centuries ago has taken a back seat in our heads (as is evident by some of the responses that I saw on social media).
Can Governments Control Prices
Elections are going on for five of our State Assemblies: Tamilnadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry (पुदुच्चेरि, not पुडुचेर्रि). I have not followed the elections in West Bengal, Assam or Puducherry, but have been watching the progress in Tamilnadu and Kerala. And this post is about Tamilnadu. One of the claims that one of the contesting parties is making is about the price rise. They say that the prices have shot up, and that their party—if it comes to power—would work to regulate the prices.
Farmer Protests
I have been following the farmer protest for weeks now, but did not pen down anything because I am not one to form opinions on such complex issues without first understanding the different facets of them—I am not that loudest Bollywood actor after all. I have a day job, and my weekends are busy with chores, virtual socialising (which includes reading WhatsApp messages), hobby coding, and experiments in the kitchen. I take my time to understand issues and form lasting opinions about them.