All stories by AAKAR PATEL
Are we really different from Pakistan?
Rediff.com16 Dec 2019'We have done majoritarianism through other means.' 'The Citizenship Amendment Act, read together with the National Register of Citizens, will prove what I mean,' notes Aakar Patel.
How far will the Cybertruck go?
Rediff.com12 Dec 2019'The unveiling of the Cybertruck seems to me the turning point in the design and manufacture of automobiles in much the same way as American skyscrapers were the turning point of architectural design in the world,' says Aakar Patel.
Does India need 'encounter specialists'?
Rediff.com11 Dec 2019'India has a conviction rate of about 25% for serious crimes. This means that 75% of the time the police probably get the wrong suspect, and this makes murdering them in an encounter more morally problematic for the officers concerned.' says Aakar Patel.
Removing Gandhi's SPG cover is a dangerous game
Rediff.com28 Nov 2019'If there is a vulnerable family anywhere in the world, it is the Gandhis,' notes Aakar Patel.
How boringly good our team has become!
Rediff.com27 Nov 2019What has changed to make our team so much more lethal, asks Aakar Patel.
Why Congress-NCP must be wary of the Sena
Rediff.com18 Nov 2019'The Sena can quickly reduce most solutions to violence.' 'When in power, it will revert to this gene which is coded into it and we will no doubt produce entertaining and frightening moments,' says Aakar Patel.
Veganism will be the norm in the not-so-distant future
Rediff.com14 Nov 2019'Like public smoking, like the decriminalisation of homosexuality, like the acceptance of medical marijuana, veganism awaits its generational change,' says Aakar Patel.
Nehru's vision for India was unique
Rediff.com14 Nov 2019'No other leader in our history, or that of our neighbours, has been able to produce anything of the quality that Nehru did,' says Aakar Patel.
Ayodhya verdict: Doctrine of Necessity
Rediff.com9 Nov 2019'What the long term repercussions of the Ayodhya judgment are will unfold in time.' 'And I hope the consequences are not going to be as damaging to us as they were to Pakistan,' says Aakar Patel.
Why the WhatsApp hack must scare all of us
Rediff.com4 Nov 2019'The Modi government did not deny it had acquired the NSO platform, and did not deny it was spying on its citizens by hacking into their phones,' says Aakar Patel.
Is he the greatest Marathoner of all time?
Rediff.com1 Nov 2019Eliud Kipchoge's story is unusual because when he came into competitive running it was not in the marathon. Fortunately for himself and the rest of us, he then turned to the marathon. Aakar Patel salutes the great runner's incomparable spirit.
No defence against the false patriot who peddles slogans
Rediff.com30 Oct 2019'The facts have become unimportant and useless.' 'What is important is the constantly shouting of patriotism even as one undermines the interests of the people.' 'And the abusing of rivals as being traitors,' says Aakar Patel.
How our lives will change in 10 years
Rediff.com25 Oct 2019'Even for those of us who are not driven or hardworking, life will be much more interesting and vastly different from the way life is today,' says Aakar Patel.
Why is the IAF still buying fighter jets?
Rediff.com14 Oct 2019'We spent Rs 59,000 crore on acquiring 36 Rafales and we do not know if we will ever use them. The chances are that we never will,' argues Aakar Patel.
Who is a terrorist?
Rediff.com10 Oct 2019'There is no acceptable definition of what terrorism is and who a terrorist is.'
Is 9% growth possible? The answer is yes
Rediff.com25 Sep 2019'The goal is achievable. What is stopping us from getting there?' asks Aakar Patel.
Let us have a trade Akhand Bharat
Rediff.com16 Sep 2019'We have not been able to use the potential of our location in the region and the world and our strength as a nation and an economy to establish an EU-like structure in South Asia,' points out Aakar Patel.
ISRO's attempt is the attempt of all mankind
Rediff.com9 Sep 2019'Space is dangerous and there will be many failed attempts as we try to use mankind's ingenuity to take the next evolutionary step.'
Mammoth challenges India faces
Rediff.com4 Sep 2019'As a nation we are tearing ourselves apart through decisions we have deliberately chosen to take,' argues Aakar Patel.
What is a decisive and strong leadership?
Rediff.com28 Aug 2019ially powerful ones, usually find themselves surrounded by people who will not oppose them. 'This is because those who are cautious and of a different view will not find satisfaction serving an individual so different from them, producing results they do not agree with,' says Aakar Patel.