Why I do not subscribe to a newspaper

For the last eight years, I have not subscribed to a newspaper. Many reasons:

1) I get deep satisfaction that I am not contributing to more dead wood, especially when the need for a newspaper is not high as I get my news from other sources.

2) As mentioned, I get my news from other sources - online news portals, blogs and very relevant articles shared widely by influencers on Twitter, etc.

3) Except for publications such as WSJ, Economist, Economic Times, etc., that package the information relevant to me in an efficient manner for me to browse through, all other publications are inefficient for me to browse through the pages. I need to 'search' for useful news and this in fact wastes my time and reduces my consumption experience.

4) I also do not subscribe to an online newspaper because I read specific articles and not random news. I prefer paying per article (any entrepreneur listening?!)

I have many friends who consume news in the same manner as I do. Yet, most of them subscribe to a newspaper, because it is an old habit. I request them, and all those with similar habits as mine, to stop buying a paper newspaper. For the sake of environment.

Of course, if you enjoy consuming news from a physical newspaper, please go ahead. Even for me, I enjoy reading a physical book over an ebook. So I buy a paperback.

Demand for referendum in Kashmir quoting the example of Scotland is foolish

There is an enthusiastic section in Kashmir and elsewhere who are demanding that there should be a referendum for independence in Kashmir now, pointing to the referendum for independence of Scotland. Such a demand is foolish.

In very simple terms, Scotland was a different nation historically before it became part of United Kingdom. So, there is some merit to their demand to hold a referendum for freedom. But Kashmir was never a separate nation. It has always been part of Bharat since time immemorial. So, the demand for a referendum does not arise.

Kashmir belongs to every Indian living elsewhere just as much as it belongs to those living in that area. So, if at all a referendum needs to be held, then all the Indians, including myself, should be able to vote!

To all those ungrateful flood victims in Kashmir

Dear cousins,

Firstly, my heartfelt condolences for the misery you are suffering due to the flood situation in Kashmir. We all, which includes the Indian army, have been and will continue to pitch in with all our strength to make sure that you are comfortable.

That said, I am personally dismayed by your ungrateful nature. You have the disgusting behavior of throwing stones at the army personnel who are risking their lives to comfort you. I think that the core reason for your dismay is that you consider yourself a different people. But please note that the land on which you are living belongs to all of us, including me.

May be you are weak in history. The capital city name 'Srinagar' itself suggests its link with Hindustan! The land on which you are living, every single hill, every single river is part of the rich Indian history. Just because of the growth of a particular religion in Kashmir, due to invasions few centuries ago, does not mean that it is not part of Hindustan.

The land on which you are living belongs to me as much as it belongs to you. If you hate me, no problem! You sit silent or get the hell out of the place to a country that might welcome you. But do not do the disgusting act of throwing stones at army personnel who are trying their best to help you.

Have some decency!

RIP Bapu garu

You are a legend. You leave behind a legacy. You have redefined and added immense value to Indian art.

Just as we think of NTR's face when we think of Lord Rama or Krishna, your illustrations (bommalu) come to our mind when we think of traditional, respectful and creative art depicting human beauty.

Your illustrations now personify and represent how Telugus would prefer to depict their traditional style of artful expression.

Very few people are capable of defining a culture. You are one among them.

I hope that in coming decades, your style will be identified and embraced by lot more cultures of India.

Rest in peace.

Wish you all a very happy Ganesha Chaturthi

Today is the day we celebrate the Destroyer of obstacles. He is extremely intelligent, learned and has a sense of humor. He is powerful and makes things happen! He has his stories, hobbies, preferences. He is popular.

Not so long ago, He became a reason for people to come together, step out of their homes, mingle, so that they develop a camaraderie necessary to fight against the foreign rule during the Indian freedom struggle.

So, today, let us all do good. And celebrate. Happy Ganesha Chaturthi.

Dialogue of the day: On capability versus skill-sets of a person

Tony Kueh: That's like telling Elon Musk that he can't build cars, solar panels, and send people to the moon because he's more of a "financial payments" guy. This is ignorance.

Bombing ISIS forces to prevent genocide is a welcome step by the U.S.

I am happy that the U.S. has decided to bomb ISIS advancement forces in order to prevent the genocide of people belonging to various other religions. Let us be very clear on one thing -- there should NOT be any genocide in this world. Our societies should never allow such a dastardly act. So, the act of U.S. is a welcome step.

Ideally, this should have been executed by the United Nations forces. But we all know that the governance at the global level is broken. So, it is heart-warming that the U.S. has taken the initiative to come forward to ensure a genocide or the highest order of the violation of human rights is prevented.

I hope that India grows in strength so that Indian security forces too can join in future in such initiatives to prevent genocides across the world.