In recent days, we in India have been witnessing people throwing caution to the winds, in the name of religious fervour. This, even as the Covid-19 pandemic ravages the country, with the discovery of a new, highly transmissible variant first found in India, the B.1.617. Whether it is the Maha Kumbh Mela, or the celebration… Continue reading Reading Russell During the Pandemic
Category: The Whistle Library
Ovid in the Time of Covid: Self-absorption
As the Covid pandemic rages in India, one cannot help but think of how our leaders were gloating over having controlled the pandemic just a few months ago. In many other countries too, populist leaders - especially strongmen – were either in complete denial over the virus and contagion, or else were too absorbed in… Continue reading Ovid in the Time of Covid: Self-absorption
Protected: Reading Through Yet Another Pandemic Summer
Periyar – The Great One – on Brahminism and Social Reform
As we await the results of the state assembly elections on May 2, 2021, Tamil Nadu in particular would be one to watch for various reasons. One would be to see if and how the BJP improves its score card in the state, even if in alliance with the AIADMK. The other would be to… Continue reading Periyar – The Great One – on Brahminism and Social Reform
Writings on The Wall #19: Dining Out
As countries go in for mass vaccination drives, the hope is that they may soon be able to reopen parts of their economies that have been severely affected. Like dining, entertainment, travel and more. And while technology has certainly come to the rescue of many, allowing people to shop online, stream films and concerts, and… Continue reading Writings on The Wall #19: Dining Out
Ovid in the Time of Covid: Flying High
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to rage around the world and millions continue to die, its effects on different sections of society are widely different. And even as vaccines roll out, access to them and the speed of vaccination programmes too vary widely across the world. Meanwhile, the economic impacts of the pandemic are making… Continue reading Ovid in the Time of Covid: Flying High
Protected: Jabs, Literal and Metaphorical
Cold War Ghostly Presences
Since I haven’t been earning an income in years and am going broke, I have to be careful about buying books. Such a pity really, since I tend to devour them. Yours truly decided to read books that yours truly had gifted father on his birthday last year, instead. The master of spy fiction, John… Continue reading Cold War Ghostly Presences
Writings on The Wall #18: Travelling Solo
While most of the world is still under strict travel restrictions thanks to Covid-19 and travel will take a while to revive, here are my thoughts on travelling solo. As a woman, it's not something I would myself try or even recommend in India. But having travelled alone on leisure overseas, I have to say… Continue reading Writings on The Wall #18: Travelling Solo
Ovid in the Time of Covid: Listening
In times of terrible crises, it helps to listen to those who know better. The Covid-19 pandemic has pitted the science skeptics against the believers and we must be thankful that for the greater part, the view of science has prevailed. Not least, for the marvelous efforts of the vaccine developers who have come to… Continue reading Ovid in the Time of Covid: Listening










