At a speech during Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini’s imbizo on xenophobia in Durban on 20 April, South African President Jacob Zuma criticized the press for publishing pictures showing the murder of Mozambican Emanual Sithole. Speaking in Zulu, Zuma suggested that it is patriotic to hide news from the world. This is nothing new. Last year… Continue reading Zuma Blasts Press for “Making South Africa Look Bad”
Destination: Kashmir (1957)-3: Shopian & Gulmarg
Around the time we were in Srinagar two artists from Gwalior also happened to be there. Both of them were reputed artists. One of them, who used to be a friend of my brother, decided to visit Shopian, probably, to take in the Pir Panjaals from closer quarters. We all decided to go in a… Continue reading Destination: Kashmir (1957)-3: Shopian & Gulmarg
The Lakes of Killarney – Ireland’s Crown Jewels
The good people of Ireland’s County Kerry call their land “The Kingdom,” and if that’s so, then the Lakes of Killarney must be the Crown Jewels.Killarneys lovely lakes have long been immortalized in song and story for their breathtaking beauty. Indeed, Queen Victoria and her court were so mesmerized by the panoramic vista from a… Continue reading The Lakes of Killarney – Ireland’s Crown Jewels
Destination: Kashmir (1957) – 2
From Qazigund it took around 2 hours to be in Srinagar. In doing so we travelled through some idyllic country in the Valley. The green fields were bathed in brilliant morning sunshine with distant blue hills in the background made the whole Valley very seductive. No wonder Kashmir became for many years the favourite location… Continue reading Destination: Kashmir (1957) – 2
Wealth of the KMT and Democracy in Taiwan
Taiwan’s Kuomintang, or KMT party, was once again named the world’s richest political party. This year the KMT, also known as the Chinese Nationalist Party, registered its total assets at 26.8 billion NT, or 892.4 million USD. This comes as no surprise to those familiar with Taiwan’s political history. Since fleeing from the Chinese mainland… Continue reading Wealth of the KMT and Democracy in Taiwan
Indonesia’s military crackdown on the West Papuan independence movement
Home to 3.5 million people, daily life in West Papua is characterised by widespread violence, intimidation and political suppression. On July 9, a boycott against the Indonesian presidential election was organised by activists – 14 of whom were reportedly tortured by the military and now reside in prison. Officially named Irian Jaya Barat until it… Continue reading Indonesia’s military crackdown on the West Papuan independence movement