Last week, India and the world paid homage to India’s former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, who passed away, on July 27. And my thoughts went back to those occasions when I had had the honour of meeting with this legendary personality. In February this year, in this column, I had welcomed to…
Each minute, some 300 hours of video is being uploaded to YouTube; And YouTube has more than 1 billion users. Each minute there are 3,125,000 ‘likes’ on Facebook posts; And Facebook has more than 1.39 billion monthly active users. Each minute 350,000 tweets are posted on twitter; And Twitter has over 302 million monthly active…
On the Iran deal – between six world powers and Iran – the online news magazine ‘Vox’ uses two tweets to summarise opposing views. First, a pro-deal tweet: “Sorry to everyone who was looking forward to another big war”. The tweet was by Murtaza Hussain, a journalist at The Intercept. Second, an anti-deal tweet: “The…
This week’s discovery of a clay tablet, with inscriptions dating back to 503-504 BC, at an archaeological site near Qalat Al Bahrain, in Karranah, surprised a lot of people. The inscription on the tablet shows that it was a contract, written in the 19th year of reign of King Darius I. Written in ancient cuneiform…
I was privileged to attend ‘Vibrant Gujarat’, a high profile event in Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat State of India, in January this year. It was here that I heard the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thank the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, who was present there, for declaring June 21 as the ‘International Day of Yoga’. As I heard Prime Minister…
Islamic State’s claim – that Friday’s mosque attack in Saudi Arabia, by a suicide bomber, which killed 21 people and injured 81 others, was their own doing – cannot be taken lightly. The fact that Saudi authorities have now arrested 26 members of a cell affiliated to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS),…
What is the outcome of the United States-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meeting held at Camp David, in the mountains of the Maryland State of USA, last Thursday ? This question can be answered by simply quoting Obama himself, who said: “I am reaffirming our ‘iron clad commitment’ to the security of our Gulf partners.” So,…
Defying all odds, and debunking all opinion polls, David Cameron, of the Conservative party, secured a second term as Prime Minister of UK in the elections held last week. What is surprising me, and to all of us, is the difference – in what the opinion polls had predicted, and what had actually happened. Opinion…
Just ten days ago, I was in Kathmandu in Nepal. My wife and I had spent a wonderful time during April 14-17 , visiting places of tourist interest. Briefly, for almost four hours on April 14, I was hospitalised for a minor case of food-poisoning, in a good private hospital. But now, after Saturday’s massive…
Bahrain’s participation in talks on Saturday , hosted by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on a GCC Strategy to combat regional security challenges is once again a display of this nation’s priorities in ensuring security. Yemen’s political situation was the main topic of the GCC leaders’ talks at Al Auja Palace in Riyadh,…
Our king’s presence in Egypt to attend the Egypt Economic Development Conference (EEDC), this week, is a clear display of the strong ties that Egypt and Bahrain enjoy; and of Bahrain’s commitment to contribute to Egypt’s stability and growth. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi had invited His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa…
Last week, citing ‘objectionable content’, India banned a documentary on the fatal gang rape of a young woman in New Delhi which had created a huge storm, in the national capital in December 2012, and drew international attention. Readers will recall the unprecedented public protests which had then first erupted in New Delhi, and soon…
We can see that Yemen is “collapsing before our eyes”, said the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, as he appealed to the Security Council for action to halt Yemen’s slide toward anarchy. We have “temporarily suspended our embassies’ operations and evacuated our staff for security reasons” in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, said announcements from…
The gruesome act of ISIS, of burning alive in a cage, the Jordanian Pilot Lt. Moath Al Kasasbeh has shocked and horrified the world. Therefore, the immediate reaction of the Jordanian leaders is being termed as justifiable anger and understandable retribution. Soon after the grisly video of the killing appeared on the internet, Jordan swiftly…
A journey of devotion from Rameshwaram to Raisina Hills Big dreams are prerequisites for big achievements. And strong leaders not only dream and achieve what we think is impossible, but also inspire us to dream big. The 6th President of USA, John Quincy Adams said these words : ” “If your actions inspire others to dream…
“When our two democracies – the world’s largest democracy and the world’s oldest democracy -stand together,” Obama said. “Both of our nations will have more jobs, more opportunities; our nations will be more secure, and the world will be safer; and a more just place.” US President Barack Obama’s address at Delhi’s Siri Fort Auditorium…
As the baton of leadership has now passed on to the new ruler King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, the late King Abdullah’s short reign from 2005 to 2014 has been under much debate and analysis. For the last two days, various newspapers and news TV channels have been incessantly discussing the…
It is not even eight months since he took over as the Prime Minister of India, but the way Narendra Modi has been making waves, is simply astonishing. The global attention he has drawn is totally unprecedented. His trips to USA, Japan and Australia, saw him garnering foreign investment that was hitherto unthinkable, and his…
Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die,” said Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of US. We cannot deny the truth in that statement. The youth suffer when their leaders make bad decisions. The corollary is this; the youth develop if their leaders make wise decisions. Yesterday’s issue of…
Oh No! Not again! Millions of people around the world must have exclaimed like me, when they heard the news of another plane missing. As I write this on Sunday evening, Air Asia flight QZ8501 is still missing. And search and rescue missions are abandoned till this morning due to increased darkness and rough weather.…
Obama shocked the world last Wednesday. Despite his unpopularity on many other fronts, I think, he will now go down in history as one of the boldest Presidents that USA ever had. By calling the current US approach towards Cuba as “outdated”, and by condemning the US policy of isolating Cuba, “a failure”, he called…
A nation with resolve can keep going undaunted, and can keep its momentum unimpeded. When the leadership has a clear vision for collective growth, and when the people have a firm focus on conquering future, the country can keep-up its onward march, unhindered. Now, as we celebrate the Kingdom of Bahrain’s 43rd National Day, we must…
The Royal Address yesterday, at the opening of the 1st session of the 4th legislative term of the National Assembly, touched upon various aspects which, I feel, have immediate relevance. From national security to global terrorism, from youth empowerment to foreign investment, and from Bahrain’s growing economy to GCC-wide defence strategy, the law-makers were not…
When I landed at the Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan, on 10 November, I never imagined that I would come out of the country with an amazing eye-opening experience. In over three decades of my journalistic career, thanks to my profession, I had had the privilege of visiting XX countries,…
The words of Bahrain’s Crown Prince at the opening of the 10th IISS Manama Dialogue, which ended at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Bahrain yesterday , suddenly attracted the attention they deserve from the global media. And on radio shows and news channels like BBC and CNN, I see strategy-analysts discussing the crux of the…
A company called WiTricity is a pioneer in wireless electricity. Very soon, I understand, we can all charge our laptops without the need of a wire. And our lamps, TVs, and music systems can all pull power to themselves, without wires, from a central charging base. It will be just like how we are connecting…
Bahrain has once again proved to the world that it will not flinch from its goal of making this nation a stronger democracy. The massive turnout in Saturday’s polls indicates the nation’s resolve in moving ahead with reforms. An interesting outcome can be seen from the results of Saturday’s Parliamentary elections in the country. According…
Two accidents in one week have put a big question-mark on the commercial space industry now. The crash of Virgin’s SpaceShipTwo on Friday and the explosion of the unmanned Orbital Sciences Antares rocket on Tuesday makes us wonder if all is safe with the dream of space travel. Movies of science-fiction and the rise of…
It was a pleasant surprise not only to a few Indian families, but also to more than 350,000 Indians living in this country – when His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister , visited them last week, during the festive occasion of Diwali.…
The latest issue of TIME Magazine has two cover-stories. One is titled ‘Chasing Ebola in West Africa’ and another is ‘Chasing Ebola in America’. Since 1976 when Ebola virus was first discovered, a few outbreaks had occurred in Africa. But never did the number of deaths reach as high as now. As of yesterday, World…
Two countries received a pleasant surprise – of a Nobel Peace Prize – on Friday. Both, India and Pakistan quickly celebrated the announcement of the prize shared by two people, on either sides of their shared border where military-clashes were going on for days. Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai, the advocate of girls’ right to education,…
Yesterday, while watching on TV the powerful address of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United Nations General Assembly, my mind went into the past. It went back into time when I first heard with shock that the US government had denied him a visa. That was 2005. Barely nine years ago. And…
Being trapped in a hotel on top of a mountain in Kashmir, of northern India, was not the only horrendous experience for the two Bahrainis caught in the region’s worst flood in hundred years. Avoiding the surge of those merciless flood-waters battering their place of shelter, struggling to survive for almost six days on just…
As we start the celebrations of Eid Al Fitr today, let us not forget our Muslim brothers and sisters in the troubled regions. The end of the holy month of Ramadan, and of fasting, ushers in, once again, the joyous festivities which bring families and friends together. But let us not forget those who have…
Barely 131 days have passed since the Malaysian Airlines flight MH 370 went missing. But now, the shooting down of another of their flights MH 17, is a news-story that is truly heart wrenching. 298 Innocent lives have been lost simply because a surface-to-air missile was apparently launched by some ignorant Ukrainian rebels, who may…
Over 154 Palestinians have been killed and 1,000 others injured as Israel’s military strikes on Gaza continued into the sixth day on Sunday. More than 70 Palestinian homes have been completely destroyed, according to the United Nations, and another 2,500 housing units have sustained damages, as of yesterday morning. And the onslaught is going on…
One of the greatest examples of diplomatic success in a very dangerous war zone, I think, is how the Indian government got its citizens out of Iraq this week. On Saturday, over 120 Indians were airlifted from Erbil – including 46 nurses who were held captive by the ISIS militants for several days. A total…
By afternoon, yesterday, Rutba, another town in Iraq’s western Anbar province, was captured by ISIS. It is the fourth town – after Qaim, Rawah and Anah – that they had captured in two days. Many more had been taken earlier. And I believe that what is happening in North-western Iraq, and what is likely to…
The month of Ramadan has begun again. And yesterday was the first full day when Muslims around the words fasted. Now, as the month-long fasting and prayers go on, I cannot but think of the people suffering and dying in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and many other places. Many do not really have to start…
By afternoon, yesterday, Rutba, another town in Iraq’s western Anbar province, was captured by ISIS. It is the fourth town – after Qaim, Rawah and Anah – that they had captured in two days. Many more had been taken earlier. And I believe that what is happening in North-western Iraq, and what is likely to…
Excited host Brazil has beaten Croatia in the first game. Defending champion Spain was thrashed by Netherlands. Last night’s excitement came from XXXX versus XXXX. Today’s attraction would be the game of Germany versus Portugal. Yes. The quadrennial global excitement and extravaganza began last week, yet again. It will now enthrall and enchant the spectators…
Held yesterday, in Cairo, was the inauguration ceremony of Egypt’s new President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. And present along with several other heads of states from around the world, was our leader His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. I believe that the assembled world leaders had all witnessed yet another historic moment in Egypt’s…
How can our beautiful Bahrain, considered as most forward-thinking in the region, suddenly decide to go backward? This was my first thought when I heard that Bahrain’s Shura Council has given the green-light to the controversial new traffic law that will bar expatriates from driving unless their job requires it. According to the Interior Ministry…
A ‘Clean Sweep’ would be an understatement. By winning 282 seats out of 543, the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) which projected Narendra Modi as its Prime Ministerial Candidate, became the first political party in India, in 30 years, to get the required majority of 272 to form the new government. It had only been coalitions…
Receiving the Media Pioneer Award this week, from the Prime Minister His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, was indeed a very special privilege and honour to me. I found myself as the only Indian journalist among the awardees. To be recognised this way by a country where I worked as a journalist…
With a 5000 year history spanning the civilizations of Dilmun, Tylos and Awal, from which this vibrant modern Bahrain itself emerged, I believe, our island-nation qualifies as the perfect location, for this much-needed and timely conference. Held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, it is definitely a landmark forum…
And, what a proud moment it was for Bahrain when Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC), was announced as the grand winner at this prestigious event! At this event, GPIC bagged three of the world’s most coveted awards constituted by the British Safety Council, by leapfrogging at least 500 top global companies to emerge first. “No…
Yesterday morning, when the world woke up to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection, Bahrain woke up to mourn some heartbreaking deaths. When from the Vatican, the world around was hearing the news of Pope Francis’ Easter message of peace, we in Bahrain were hearing the news of tragic deaths that once again shattered peace. I was shocked…
These were the words of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa while receiving the Duke of York Prince Andrew and a group of expatriates at the Sakhir Palace on Saturday. The King also said: “The sizable expatriate community today continues to play a constructive role in our vibrant and growing economy and works…
Last night, the win of Lewis Hamilton at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, in Bahrain Grand Prix, was a delight to watch. The first night race here, in the 10th year since Bahrain became the centre-point of motor sport in the Arabian Gulf, turned out to be a huge success. A big salute to…