AmreekanDesi

So Shahrukh Khan says that My Name Is Khan, and that is the reason for being hassled in Newark. That incidentally also happens to be the title of his upcoming film. Not saying anything here, but people have been known to do some rather interesting things to promote their movies.

As always, we jobless Indians are up in arms against the ill treatment of a popular icon who has done a lot for India. Like what? Do his job well? Pay a few crores in income tax every year?

We have a minister calling for tit-for-tat action. Because that’s why we elected a government? Making sure that the pride of India is not bundled up in a room by people who would not bow down in subservience to an actor who is such a big deal that he is above the law?

Reacting to the incident, civil aviation minister Praful Patel on Sunday said that the government will take up the issue with the US government at its highest level. [link]

“Had it been for ten minutes or even twenty minutes (of detention for questioning), one can understand it. But one fails to understand how could they hold him for two long hours?” said Chidambaram, talking to reporters. [link]

If anything, this could have been an opportune time to take up the case for racial profiling. But no, we don’t care about the scores of minorities who face immense discrimination traveling across borders. This isn’t about those ordinary people.

What is this about, then? The pride of an actor who suddenly got a dose of what life outside the bubble feels like? Or is it just our beloved media blowing things out of proportion, in their own animated style?

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The bell rang, and two fighters went out at each other. Jon Stewart and Jim Cramer squared off on the Daily Show last night, and Stewart ripped Cramer apart.

Jim Cramer is the host of a show on CNBC called Mad Money which is a rather, um, crazy show. It is loud and dramatic, and i have never been able to watch a complete episode.  Stewart is probably one of the smartest guys on American television. His Daily Show is a funny talk show where serious news gets presented in a funny way.

You could say they are both entertainers in their own way.

Anyway, Stewart ran a bit criticizing CNBC and their apparently poor (and irresponsible) standards of coverage of financial news. Cramer took offense, and said some stuff about Stewart. This went back and forth for a few days, and for some reason, Cramer decided to appear on the show last night.

Mr Stewart seemed pissed, and he laid it on Cramer. I don’t think i have seen Stewart as serious ever.

The full interview is available online. Here’s part 1 of the three part series. Watch an intro video about the whole thing here.

For those who did watch the show last night, they didn’t show the entire interview on TV. This is the complete thing.

Part2, Part3

(more…)

Here’s how it used to work.

You come to the US on a work permit (most often the H1B visa). You work for a few years and find an employer willing to file for your green card, which sorta makes you less of a bonded laborer. Once you get the green card and have been living in the country for about 10-12 years you could hope to get citizenship, which makes you superman. You still remain a FOB though.

This was is the path millions have aspired to take. Some got there, some got laid off en route, some took more time, and some took less. But this is how it has been.

Not any more.

Here’s a new fast track path towards becoming superman citizen. Join the US military and serve in the ongoing wars. If you came back on your feet, you will be a proud American citizen. The US military is going to allow immigrant workers to join the military, following which they could get citizenship in as less as six months.

In a far reaching proposal, the US military will open its doors to skilled immigrant guest workers (such as those who hold H-1B visas) who have lived in the US for a minimum of two years. [link]

So friends, go for it. This is a once in a lifetime offer. After all, you have just a one life to gamble away.

Big day for America, and potentially, all mankind. America’s first black president got sworn to office today.

The still underway inauguration gala is a huge show, run at a cost of some $160 million, and witnessed by several million people live in Washington, besides many more viewers of the televised event.

Funnily enough, Obama’s presidency began with a fumble as he was being administered the oath by Justice John Roberts. Was it a rare show of nerves by the great man? Was it a last Bush-ism as the baton got passed over?

An interesting part of the Obama speech was the shoutout to Hindus, while mentioning some assorted religions. Interesting because apparently just about 0.4% (1 milion) of the american population is Hindu.

Obama’s love for hinduism goes deep.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee has announced that a Hindu priest will be among the spiritual leaders who will participate in the national prayer service to be held on January 21, the day following the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States.[link]

America is excited about this president. And for a reason.

Here’s hoping that the next four years will bring forth the change everybody is so eagerly expecting. Hopefully Obama will be able to make the world a better place to live in, like the Superman he is percieved to be.

Today is a historic day for America. The country just elected it’s first Black president after 43 White ones.

The US has come of age.

Leave alone the glass ceiling, the steel door has been blasted open.

Makes me think of India. When will we Indians rise through petty barriers to appoint leaders based on merit and not their race, religion, or gender?

Oh wait…we have already had a Muslim president who became a much revered leader for the masses; a Dalit Behenji heading a predominantly Hindu state; an Italian leader of the Congress; and a woman president.

Never mind. America still has some catching up to do.