Sunanda K. Datta-Ray

May 16, 2011

Shield of anonymity

One aspect of the Delhi gangrape that touches a chord in London where several high-profile sexual offence cases are in the news, is the question of naming the people concerned.

Spurious case for war

The sword of Damocles hanging over Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s head is reason enough for Asia to close ranks.

Cruise can’t wait to begin Top Gun sequel

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has revealed that superstar Tom Cruise is excited to make the long-delayed Top Gun 2. A sequel to Top Gun has been touted for nearly 30 years, while work has recently commenced on getting the project made.

Kin ostracised, Girl jumps before metro

A 24-year-old girl allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the Dilshad Garden Metro Station on Tuesday afternoon.

Our swadeshi reality

Asians and Europeans view life differently. With dowry deaths and bride-burning rampant, family values must defer even more to a son-in-law than to a son. Joint families mean an open society in which there’s no such thing as insider information.

The perks of being a VIP

It’s tough being a minister. When I bumped into Dinesh Trivedi in the Taj Hotel lobby the other day he was grumbling about the tiresome things he had to do when he was in charge of the railways. “Why should the minister have to approve when some official goes abroad?” he asked. Later, I heard him reiterate on TV that 99 per cent of the files he had to sign were unnecessary.

Karuna demands that India boycott CHOGM in Lanka

DMK president M. Karunanidhi today described as “important” Queen Elizabeth II skipping the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka in November and once again demanded that India boycott the meet.

Touchy diplomats

The controversy over what can and can’t be done to Italy’s ambassador exposes Indian bungling as well as the shoddy reputation abroad of all our institutions. Daniele Mancini might have lied but the two marines may not have absconded if our police, administrative and legal processes inspired confidence.

What’s the age of evil?

It was with shocked disbelief I learnt that only five of the six men accused of committing one of the most bestial crimes of recent years had been formally charged. Although it was obvious the authorities were playing safe over the sixth, I still hope they will respond to the demand for justice rather than hide behind the letter of an outdated and alien law that has been set aside when necessary even in its country of origin.

Way ahead for Rahul

Since William Pitt was only 24 when he became Britain’s Prime Minister, I can’t get all excited about a bunch of middle-aged politicians masquerading as the Congress Party’s youth brigade. In any case, the challenge Rahul Gandhi faces as the new vice-president of the Congress has nothing to do with age.

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