Learning India

Making sense of the subcontinent

Filed Under: #PowerPlays, Politics

How did Modi do in the US?

People outside the country often ask if India is any different now that Narendra Modi is in power. Some are nervous that he will be a Hindu nationalist ruler. Others are concerned about stability after the fall of the Gandhian dynasty.

It’s still a bit early to say if his policies will have any major effect, but one thing is certain: India got its leader. Modi is a strong, powerful, never-tiring, proud-to-be-Indian man who prefers to speak only in Hindi, and whips out memorable quotes like Rajinikanth.

But perhaps Modi’s best skill is being able to tell an audience exactly what they need to hear. And there is no better example than his recent visit to the US.

 

Welcome Back Tour

Welcome Back Tour

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Filed Under: #PowerPlays, #TimeIsEternal, Politics

Why is Amma in Jail?

If you follow Indian news, you may have seen that the (former) Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa, is currently in jail after being convicted of corruption charges. Here’s an overview of the case and what we can learn from it.

 

Who is Jayalalithaa?

Jayalalitha

Jayalalithaa, often referred to as ‘Amma’ (mother), started off as an actress in South Indian cinema, appearing in more than 140 films. Her political career began in the 1980s, closely associated with the then-Chief Minister and semi-divine MGR, head of the Tamil political party known as the AIADMK. After MGR’s death in 1987, Jayalalithaa positioned herself as his successor, challenging MGR’s wife for power over the party. She eventually won the confidence of the party and the public and became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the first time in 1991. [Read more…]

Filed Under: #PowerPlays, Politics

10 Questions You Might Have Asked About the Indian Elections

Narendra_Modi_in_BJP_National_Executive_Meet_in_Goa

Here’s a recap of the largest democratic exercise in the history of humanity, also known as India’s national election.

 

What was this election?

This election was for Members of Parliament (MPs). Each voter had a list of candidates to choose from to represent his/her district.

 

I thought they were voting for a Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister is not an elected position. He/She is selected by the party or alliance that has a majority of seats in Parliament.

 

What is an alliance?

[Read more…]

Filed Under: #GreyIsWhite, #PowerPlays, Politics

Why India Supports Russia’s Move Into Ukraine

india-russia-ties

India recently announced that it does not support the West’s sanctions against Russia for its actions in Ukraine. While not completely aligning with Russia, India has been the first major nation to offer any public support. 

It might sound surprising given that India usually comes out with a very neutral stance on these kinds of issues, and often in favor of the US/European position.

It might also sound surprising given that India’s most sensitive border issue is with Kashmir.

Traditional ethics might cause India to come to this logical conclusion:

  1. We have a small area of our country that is ethnically and linguistically similar to a neighbor who can be hostile (Pakistan).
  2. We do not want Pakistan to come and steal Kashmir from us.
  3. Therefore we will not support Russia’s advances into Ukraine in case the same happens to us.

 

However, in India, relational ethics (not situational or logical ethics) prevail in all circumstances. It’s not what is involved, but who.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: #PowerPlays, Into India, Politics

Whoever I Hit Will Become a King!

Vijayakanth_0

 

With election time coming near in India, I wanted to share one of my all-time favorite stories about power and politics.

In 2011, one of the local party leaders in Tamil Nadu was on the campaign trail, meaning that he was driving around a large van and speaking to crowds using a public address system. All of a sudden, the microphone stops working. The leader then yells at one of his own party candidates, and proceeds to beat him over the head with the microphone.

In certain countries, that is the end of your political career. Not in India.

 

The #PowerPlays guide to overcoming an embarrassing PR event:

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Filed Under: #GreyIsWhite, #PowerPlays, #See1See100, #ThinSkinned, Into India, Politics

Why India and the US are in a fight that won’t have a winner

us-embassy-india

The current issue of the Indian diplomat being arrested in the US gives one of the clearest pictures of a cultural clash that doesn’t have a good solution. 

The Basics:

Here are just a few of the skeleton facts in case you haven’t followed along:

An Indian diplomat, Devyani Khobragade, was arrested for visa fraud, essentially because her Indian domestic staff was paid far below the amount stipulated on her visa application.  Ms. Khobragade was handcuffed in public and subjected to a private strip-search by the US law authorities as per their norms.  A later development was that the domestic help’s husband and children were evacuated from India with the help of the US.

What India Thinks:

[Read more…]

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© Neil A. Miller, LearningIndia.in, and Madras Media Marketing LLC 2013-2015. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given.