Category Archives: Columns

Imagine a world with easy visas on arrival…

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Venky

(This column was published in DNA edition dated January 5, 2011.) Venky Vembu The ex-Beatle and irremediable peacenik John Lennon, who was murdered 30 years ago last month, wanted us to imagine a world without countries (or religions or possessions). … Continue reading →

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When Barkha joins Sun TV, it’s time to eat your noodles

Posted on January 3, 2011 by Venky

(This column, intended purely in jest as a turn-of-the-year satire, was published in DNA edition dated January 3, 2011.) Venky Vembu A year ago, I gave expression to my wish-list of 10 whacky things I’d like to see happen in … Continue reading →

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China’s might versus the power of an empty chair

Posted on December 8, 2010 by Venky

(This column was published in DNA edition dated December 8, 2010.) Venky Vembu At the ceremony in Oslo last year to award the Nobel Peace Prize to US President Barack Obama, China was given a platform to showcase an element … Continue reading →

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Rahul Mao and Modi Zedong

Posted on December 4, 2010 by Venky

(This column was published in DNA edition dated December 4, 2010.) Venky Vembu It is hard for anyone but the most fawning supporters of Congress dynastic politics to fathom precisely what distinctive skills Rahul Gandhi has that qualifies him for … Continue reading →

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WikiLeaks proves the world isn’t run by robots

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Venky

(This column was published in DNA edition dated December 3, 2010.) Venky Vembu A couple of months ago, Sha Zukang, one of China’s top UN diplomats, made sensational news when, in a fit of alcohol-induced garrulousness, he told his boss … Continue reading →

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Petticoat politics and the drawstrings of the 2G scam

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Venky

(This column, discussing privacy issues arising from a recent big-money corruption scandal in India, was published in DNA edition dated November 24, 2010.) Venky Vembu Tamil Nadu’s former chief minister and leader of the Dravidian movement C.N. Annadurai once invoked … Continue reading →

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5 reasons why Obama’s visit was a colossal flop

Posted on November 19, 2010 by Venky

(This column, intended entirely in jest, was published in DNA edition dated November 19, 2010.) Venky Vembu Reading media narratives of US President Barack Obama’s visit to India last week leaves me wondering if these commentators and I are on the … Continue reading →

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Obama’s visit marks the end of India’s innocence

Posted on November 10, 2010 by Venky

(This column was published in DNA edition dated November 10, 2010.) Venky Vembu Former external affairs minister Jaswant Singh once noted wryly that gaining admittance into the club of Big Powers was like jostling in a crowd to get into … Continue reading →

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Light a Diwali diya, Obama!

Posted on November 6, 2010 by Venky

(This column was published in DNA edition dated November 6, 2010, the day US President Barack Obama arrived in Mumbai at the start of a three-day official tour of India.) Venky Vembu Dear President Obama By now, you would have … Continue reading →

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Why China’s voice thunders, and India’s is a whisper

Posted on November 5, 2010 by Venky

(This column was published in DNA edition dated November 5, 2010.) Venky Vembu As I write these lines, I’m watching a satellite television news and entertainment channel beamed in Hong Kong that has a pretty interesting selling proposition. The programming … Continue reading →

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