July 11, 2020
Article

Democracy’s Handmaiden: Humour. In today’s India, we need more of a funny bone in our public life

In these dark times, there is no harm in easing up with some sharp humour. Like the coronavirus, humour is infectious, but can spread much needed joy. The world over, social media is lighting up with witty memes around the pandemic. Bumbling politicians have been prime targets, and especially President Donald Trump. “Calm down, everyone,” […]

March 26, 2013
Panel

IIHS-UC Berkeley Conference | Building Urban Infrastructure in India

The “urban” economy plays an increasingly vital role in India’s economic development. The joint two day conference hosted by IIHS and the University of California, Berkeley on 26th and 27th March, 2013, brought together leading scholars from India and globally to discuss the many critical questions relating to the effective and equitable functioning of the […]

November 1, 1986
Article

HUMOUR AND THE PRESIDENCY – A recent conference takes a serious look at how funny US presidents have always tried to be

Henry Kissinger, as us secretary of State, once asked his security guard what he would do if someone tried to kidnap him. “Don’t worry,’’ the guard replied, “we won’t let them take you alive.” View PDF