Tag Archives: India

Imagine a world with easy visas on arrival…

(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

(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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Wen a neighbour comes calling…

(This article, a curtain-raiser to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s upcoming visit to India, was published in DNA edition dated December 12, 2010.) Venky Vembu A chill wind is blowing across Beijing, but it isn’t just a momentary meteorological effect that … Continue reading

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China’s might versus the power of an empty chair

(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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Flash News: ‘No-panty’ Yana shows India is booming

Venky Vembu In the Vanities No one wears panities —- Ogden Nash, Theatrical Reflection   In the early 1990s, when the Indian economy was opening up to the world, foreign consumer brands, in the first flush of excitement, came tripping … Continue reading

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Rahul Mao and Modi Zedong

(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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Behind China’s ‘bamboo curtain’ is an amoebic God

(This review of two books on China was published in DNA edition dated November 28, 2010.) Venky Vembu Prince Charles, whose own personality is far from sparkling, once described Chinese leaders as “appalling old waxworks”. The validity of that judgment … Continue reading

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How China ‘punishes’ countries that receive the Dalai Lama

(This interview, with a research scholar who identified a ‘Dalai Lama effect’ on international trade with China, was published in DNA edition dated November 27, 2010.) When jailed Chinese political dissident Liu Xiaobo was awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, … Continue reading

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Petticoat politics and the drawstrings of the 2G scam

(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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We’re in Phase 2 of a multi-year bull market: Anthony Bolton

(This report, incorporating Fidelity’s star fund manager Anthony Bolton’s outlook on global equity markets and the Chinese stock market, was published in DNA edition dated November 23, 2010.) Venky Vembu A year ago, Fidelity’s star fund manager Anthony Bolton was … Continue reading

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