Kpowerinfinity also discusses India at 60, by linking to and commenting upon seemingly unconnected news and articles. Like this article in India Together which refers to a handbook released by the capital’s cops laying down ‘dos-and-don’ts’ for women (purportedly for their own ’safety’) from the Northeastern states visiting or living in Delhi:

“When in rooms do as Roman does” (whatever that means). Under security tips: “Revealing dress to be avoided.” “Avoid lonely road/ bylane when dressed scantily”. And “dress according to sensitivity of the local population.”

I have only read excerpts from the booklet. For all its good intentions, it is clearly inappropriate and offensive to the sensibilities of women from Northeast India. Not only does it give gratuitous and useless advice to women but it also proceeds to tell everyone from northeast India how they should behave in Delhi.

And his take on another article, by Amartya Sen, is interesting:

While I do agree with Sen that India should brandish its new position of importance in the world economy and take a moral leadership position, I also believe that we have made rapid progress in the times when we shut our minds to meddling in other people’s affairs and concentrated on cleaning our house instead. And if we try to stake claim to moral leadership, we might just be held in the same negative light as the United States, which has made its mission to cleanse the world of anything George Bush doesn’t like.