Annie Zaidi's Blog, page 15
February 17, 2019
The ‘M’ in Aligarh, the ‘H’ in Banaras and what’s at stake
Days before being slandered as a university of terrorists, Aligarh Muslim University was in the news for a letter written by the local unit of the BJP’s youth wing to the vice chancellor. It sought land for a temple on campus and threatened that, permission or not, an idol would be installed and a temple built.My first response was to wonder if the youth wing of the BJP would support the
February 14, 2019
A new mobile fantasy
I don't know what made me think of
pedal-boats. Perhaps it was the whiplash of January rain. Perhaps it
was the feeling of being cramped and under-exercised. Recently, I
began to think of how much fun it would be if cars could run on a
pedal principle, the way boats can.
It would also a good way to hold onto
an old motor vehicle, especially one whose body is more or less fine
but which
pedal-boats. Perhaps it was the whiplash of January rain. Perhaps it
was the feeling of being cramped and under-exercised. Recently, I
began to think of how much fun it would be if cars could run on a
pedal principle, the way boats can.
It would also a good way to hold onto
an old motor vehicle, especially one whose body is more or less fine
but which
Will she, won't she? Maybe?
It had begun at Rajiv Gandhi’s funeral, when pictures of the grieving family were published in every newspaper and magazine across the country. Through the shock of his assassination, there was an urgent need for a transfer of leadership that would minimize conflict. Drawing room conversations veered towards the next generation. Young Priyanka drew a great deal of attention, with her striking
February 9, 2019
A mobile fantasy
I don't know what made me think of
pedal-boats. Perhaps it was the whiplash of January rain. Perhaps it
was the feeling of being cramped and under-exercised. Recently, I
began to think of how much fun it would be if cars could run on a
pedal principle, the way boats can.
It would also a good way to hold onto
an old motor vehicle, especially one whose body is more or less fine
but which
pedal-boats. Perhaps it was the whiplash of January rain. Perhaps it
was the feeling of being cramped and under-exercised. Recently, I
began to think of how much fun it would be if cars could run on a
pedal principle, the way boats can.
It would also a good way to hold onto
an old motor vehicle, especially one whose body is more or less fine
but which
February 7, 2019
Park at your own risk
There is a rumour afoot that the
authorities – in Delhi at least – might do something about
parking norms, like insisting that people park only on their own
property. If enforced strictly, this could bring welcome relief.
Doubled parked streets are starting to be the norm in most cities and
I see cars and private buses parked on public property as a theft of
valuable space.
This does not,
authorities – in Delhi at least – might do something about
parking norms, like insisting that people park only on their own
property. If enforced strictly, this could bring welcome relief.
Doubled parked streets are starting to be the norm in most cities and
I see cars and private buses parked on public property as a theft of
valuable space.
This does not,
January 10, 2019
Unacceptable, but so very accepted
If I was a builder who built a
sub-standard building that collapsed and killed a few people, or if I
was an engineer who inspected and certified such a building as safe,
I would be arrested. If I was not very rich, I would probably do some
jail time too. I think it is also safe to assume that the state would
chip in and offer compensation for the deaths. It does so in cases of
accidents, fires,
sub-standard building that collapsed and killed a few people, or if I
was an engineer who inspected and certified such a building as safe,
I would be arrested. If I was not very rich, I would probably do some
jail time too. I think it is also safe to assume that the state would
chip in and offer compensation for the deaths. It does so in cases of
accidents, fires,
January 6, 2019
How far to Auschwitz?
There is a curious object available online these days. “Hitler Germany” is a cheap plastic electric extension board. The company selling it is called Freedom Fashion. The strip costs between Rs 199 and Rs 399, after an appropriate discount. Someone noticed the offer and wondered aloud on social media if we should be reporting it. But what would we report? A gadget plugged into fascism?This is a
December 30, 2018
Odd end
So, starting this year (2018), I had begun to feel nervous about saying things out loud/in public. This wasn't just the nervousness of saying politically incorrect things, or things that would make me lose friends. It was the nervousness of thinking, will I trolled for this? Will I be called names and will my ancestors' chastity be called question? Worse, will I have to defend myself from state
December 21, 2018
Double sighted
Double sighted
After years, I hopped onto a double
decker bus. I'm not sure why I say “hopped”. Hopping was as
unlikely as gracefully waltzing in. A more accurate thing to say
would be that I lunged desperately at the bus and that, somehow, I
didn't fall. That I was forced up the stairs and onto the upper deck
because there was nowhere else to go. That I managed to sit for ten
minutes,
After years, I hopped onto a double
decker bus. I'm not sure why I say “hopped”. Hopping was as
unlikely as gracefully waltzing in. A more accurate thing to say
would be that I lunged desperately at the bus and that, somehow, I
didn't fall. That I was forced up the stairs and onto the upper deck
because there was nowhere else to go. That I managed to sit for ten
minutes,
December 17, 2018
New book out now
So, three of the plays I've written over the last decade have been published in one volume.
This includes the first full length script I ever wrote 'Name, Place, Animal, Thing', which was shortlisted for The Hindu Playwrights Prize in 2009, and 'Untitled 1', which won the same prize in 2018. The third script is a radio drama, 'Jam', which was the regional winner of the BBC International
This includes the first full length script I ever wrote 'Name, Place, Animal, Thing', which was shortlisted for The Hindu Playwrights Prize in 2009, and 'Untitled 1', which won the same prize in 2018. The third script is a radio drama, 'Jam', which was the regional winner of the BBC International
