DC

Researcher, music enthusiast

[Erik Solheim @ErikSolheim]

Why is the West not curious on the great Indian 🇮🇳 civilization?

This week Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Norway. The government rolled out the red carpet. King Harald invited for lunch. All bigwigs of Norwegian business turned up. This is of course as it should be at such a historic visit.

Rather different was media. No curiosity, no real attempt to understand India. When the third most powerful man in the world visits Norway, you may expect some real interest? An attempt to understand the world’s third largest economy, a global green leader, one of the world’s brightest civilizations??

It’s not that Norway is overrun with visit at this level. Last Indian top visit was Indira Gandhi in 1983. Last Chinese president visit was 1996, last American president was 2009.

Here are some taste bits from Norwegian media:

* Aftenposten the largest newspaper printed a caricature of Modi as a snake charmer, many found it racist and derogatory. The accompanying article (written by an otherwise brilliant journalist) described Modi as a “slightly annoying man” and simply showcased that India is not high on the papers reading lists.

* Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK), the state broadcaster, explained “why prime minister Støre is clearing his desk to receive Modi”. From everyone outside Norway I got exactly the opposite question: Why did Modi use his valuable time in such a small and insignificant place?

* Dagsavisen, a left of center daily, sent a young journalist to throw questions after Modi - claiming that India is 157 on a global democracy ranking. When a ranking is so contrary to common sense - why doesnt she ask those who created the ranking why they spread such nonsense?

I am not aware of one Norwegian journalist closely following India. NOT ONE! How can the public learn more?

Unless you believe democracy only fits a handful of small, homogenous, ultra rich western nations, India is the miracle of democracy. The large, complex, lingustically and religiously diverse nation with many poor people - which has etablished a vibrant democracy and is much less violent than Europe or America.

India can in fact make a claim to be the worlds most homegrown and impressive democracy.

We are entering the Asian century. Unless we Europeans become more curious - to civiliazation, history, politics and economy in the Global South - we will become the big losers of history.

[DC @dc670616]

@dadaostephen @SuellaBraverman Sensible post, but why bother about Suella? Who listens to her!!

[Aquib Mir @aquibmir71]

"Youth angry over poor civic sense." 😡

He was peacefully walking on the footpath, but a large number of bikers kept honking at him to move aside for an easy pass.

When will people in India understand that the footpath is for pedestrians, not bikes?

[DC @dc670616]

@raghav_chadha Remember your highest loyalty is to the country. That focus should remain, party is a medium to deliver. Please align yourself with a party that allows your thinking, your principles to develop, progress and support you in public service. Even Churchill switched parties.

[DC @dc670616]

@DailyMail It is no shame if a stupid idiot mocks you. He knows nothing better

[DC @dc670616]

@Microinteracti1 Great piece, good to know we live amongst humans

[Raghav Chadha @raghav_chadha]

₹19,000 crore.

That is what Banks collected in last 3 years just for not maintaining ‘Minimum Account Balance.’

Not from the rich. Not from big borrowers.
From the poorest accounts in the system.
Their crime? They didn’t have enough money.

A farmer misses the minimum balance - Penalty.
A pensioner withdraws money for medicine - Penalty.
A daily wage worker falls short by a few hundred rupees - Penalty.

The poor keep money in banks for safety. Not to be quietly fined for being poor.

Financial inclusion should protect small savings, not punish small balances.

In Parliament today I proposed ending minimum balance penalties so the banking system stops charging people for their poverty.

[DC @dc670616]

@raghav_chadha it will be good for NRI, OCI to be eligible for adhar card even if you deny them any benefits. Adhar ineligibility prevents NRI from a lot of investment products

[DC @dc670616]

Hi @manairport congratulations on a major overhaul of passenger facilities in terminal 2. Compared to 3 years ago the experience was phenomenally better. Thank you. Please consider moderating your parking charges please

[DC @dc670616]

@DalrympleWill He is a master media manipulator, suddenly no one is talking of Epstein papers but a racist video...he does it intentionally..

[DC @dc670616]

@MsRiyaMukherjee Riyaji what will it take to get RR reborn on Spotify. We can crowdfund to get it restarted... let us know

[DC @dc670616]

@MsRiyaMukherjee what would it take for you to restart riya's retro on Spotify. We can crowdfund to get it restarted #riyasretro

[Ram @ramschander]

If the opponent is an inflexible arrogant,the best diplomacy is to keep cool. Confronting irrationality head-on often backfires, so patience, emotional control, and strategic calm are key to outmaneuvering them, denying them the emotional reaction they seek, and letting their own folly reveal vulnerabilities.

[Himanshu Jain @HemanNamo]

@priyankac19 India’s silence isn’t weakness. It’s strength.

PM Modi doesn’t respond to taunts or theatrics.
He responds with results—capability, partnerships, and national interest.

Mature nations don’t trade insults.
They move forward with confidence.

That’s leadership.

[DC @dc670616]

@AnilAgarwal_Ved No one should have to face this. As a father myself I can understand your agony Sir. With time the grief may not be visible but there will always be a hole in the heart. Words of consolation don't help. Let Him show you the silver lining behind this dark cloud if there is one!!

[DC @dc670616]

@felixprehn Japan

[DC @dc670616]

@ShashiTharoor you are one of the select voices of reason, understanding and progressive politics. We need you and similar in government. Don't know if you need to move parties or start one.

[ANI @ANI]

#WATCH | Delhi: On DoT's directions to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi App on mobile handsets, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "Common sense tells me that these apps can be useful provided they are voluntary. Everyone who needs them should be able to download them. Making anything compulsory in a democracy is troubling. I need to look more into the logic of the government. The government should explain everything to the public instead of just passing an order via media reports. We need to have a discussion where the government reports the idea behind the decision..."

On ED notice to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, he says, "... The notice is for an individual and a government, to which we are in opposition. I don't think it is for us to give an answer... I am assuming the CBI and the ED have a reason for doing what they do. We have not always been convinced about the merit of ED's reasons. But in this case, it is not for my party to answer. It is for their party to answer."

[DC @dc670616]

@ShashiTharoor @narendramodi @IndianExpress I commend you @ShashiTharoor for your non-partisan politics where you express your views for a progressive India. Wish there were more politicians with this mindset.

[DC @dc670616]

@TimesAlgebraIND No one is asking you to return, trump is throwing you out and your home country is willing to have you back despite your complete lack of loyalty..