It was more than a couple of decades ago when I met Dr. Das in a fishing suburb of Bombay. Jyoti Basu, the Communist Chief Minister of Bengal was his idol, and I, then a chronic patient of malaria, his favourite patient. Das charged the fisherfolk Rs. 2 in the name of consultation and Rs. … Continue reading The Good Doctor and the Focking…
WIN OR LOSE, WAR IS NOT AN OPTION
In the autumn of 1962, Flight Lieutenant Ghosh who flew a reconnaissance single-engine Otter to places beyond where Dakotas and Packets flew, had hinted that a war was imminent; our preparations were woefully lacking. I was a 22-year-old low-ranking aircraftsman hoping somehow to be called in to take part in the imminent war in the … Continue reading WIN OR LOSE, WAR IS NOT AN OPTION
US Declaration of Independance – An Indictment of British colonialism
The Declaration of Independence Action of Second Continental Congress, July 4, 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America WHEN in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, … Continue reading US Declaration of Independance – An Indictment of British colonialism
Is This Universe a Giant Living Organism?
If one could perceive our universe as a computer simulation projected from a superior universe elsewhere, or by a future and far more advanced generation in this very universe (see THE ALIEN GODS : ARE WE COMPUTER SIMULATIONS? ), I do not see why one must not explore the possibility that our universe is a living organism. … Continue reading Is This Universe a Giant Living Organism?
WHY A GROUP OF THINKERS CHUCKED ME OUT
My young friend, Dr. Shankar, wrote to me: "I want you to join a WhatsApp group called Young Thinkers. They are very interesting. You'd like their short but brainy blogs on the WhatsApp." " Beautiful, and why not," I wrote back, "I could even hone my own blogging techniques by reading their WhatsApp posts." . … Continue reading WHY A GROUP OF THINKERS CHUCKED ME OUT
Why We Fought on Our First Night
"Tell me a story, " said my brand new wife just as I was trying to pull the pullav of her sari: "I love religious stories." "Mr. Ali next door told me a story this evening while we were waiting for the guests to depart. It's an interesting story. And very religious." "Tell me, " … Continue reading Why We Fought on Our First Night
Is your microwave oven dangerous?
A Mexican friend of my daughter refused to eat rice that was heated in a microwave oven. "Microwave causes radiation, which is dangerous to life," she said knowledgeably. I tried to explain the fallacious ignorance behind her belief. Her mind was made up, she didn't want an explanation. Perhaps this post could be of help … Continue reading Is your microwave oven dangerous?
Pakistan’s dirty smart bomb
Why is the Pakistan minister saying that they have a smart bomb, and how do they have smart nuclear bombs? This is proof that the tendency to jabber is not limited to India’s BJP ministers. However, our military intelligence would surely take note and would not discount the possibility of such a foolish adventure by … Continue reading Pakistan’s dirty smart bomb
Big Bang Theory For the Layman (though not for Dummies)
In the days when science, philosophy and theology came packed in one envelope, our ancients conceived a substantially common model of the universe which only differed a little from place to place, from time to time and from one concept of God to another. The model was the most obvious and easily conceivable – a … Continue reading Big Bang Theory For the Layman (though not for Dummies)
Science simplified : Meaning of E=MC^2
Susana Prieta, a good Facebook friend of mine, asked me: “So, Vishu Menon can you explain e=mc^2 to me in easy to understand terms." This is Einstein’s equation that relates energy content and mass of any body (which Einstein qualified as inertial body, but all bodies that we shall ever encounter are inertial bodies. The … Continue reading Science simplified : Meaning of E=MC^2
