Saturday, January 16, 1999
Seize the initiative
The Indian History Congress, now under attack from several quarters, remains a premier body of historians. During its long innings of over five decades, it has weathered many a storm to affirm its commitment to a 'scientific' and secular reading of the past.
I, the President of India, decree ...
A couple of years ago, a well-connected industrialist was facing serious problems when some government-owned undertakings refused to grant the concessions he wanted. Driven to desperation, he told his political friends, why not get a presidential decree? After all, the president is the eventual owner of all these undertakings, isn't he?
Unscientific ban
If there was a Kafka Prize to be given away it would be very hard to decide which of two US government departments was the more deserving. As the name might suggest, the award would be made for bureaucratic rules or practices that do most to offend common sense.
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