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Valson Thampu

Valson Thampu

Academic

vthampu@gmail.com

The writer is former principal of St Stephen's College, Delhi and former member of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI).

By Valson Thampu

Rahul Gandhi and the many strengths of a ‘weak leader’

History betrays a sense of humour when it makes the weakness of a man mightier than the strength of his adversary.

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Arvind Subramanian calls note ban ‘draconian shock’: This is why wisdom came late to him

Like a lot of wonderfully articulate Stephanians, the former CEA seems to think words are a substitute for actions.

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Allahabad vs Prayagraj: Why current re-naming spree is a comic exercise

What’s in a name? Everything!

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Kerala nun rape scandal shows it’s church vs its own people

In trying to serve the establishment, some priests have shown the church in darkest light. The only silver lining comes from brave nuns and honest parishioners.

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St Stephen's canceling Mamata Banerjee's event is a blunt political statement

The invitation to West Bengal CM could have gone out only after the principal granted permission. If otherwise, the principal needs to state it upfront.

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How RSS is doing Rahul Gandhi a solid favour

The Congress president has, thanks to the defamation case, entered the theatre of rebellion that Modi has had to vacate.

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Adi Shankara through the eyes of Pavan Varma

The author leaves no doubt about his conviction that the Advaitic vision offers the ideal matrix for the unity and integrity of India.

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Why I think Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto has committed one more grave blunder

The one thing that he should not have done is to have loaned out himself to this factory of misrepresentation.

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Why I disagree with Delhi Archbishop and his 'pray for 2019' letter

The Indian Christian community is at its worst-ever state of spiritual disarray and vulnerability.

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Ex principal of St Stephen's asks whether college will be damned by autonomy?

Examinations and evaluations conducted by external agencies — our ludicrously glorified education boards — are a slur on education.

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Ex principal of St Stephen's College responds to vandals defacing chapels with 'Mandir yahin banega'

The chapel does not matter much to the Christians either in the college or outside.

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The inspiration that is Arun Shourie

There is only one reality in the end. We belong together. We are vulnerable. We need each other.

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When 9 children died after being run over by Bihar BJP leader

The victims should have known the roads belong to the VVIPs.

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Forget bringing black money back, Modi couldn't even stop Nirav Modi from looting banks and fleeing

From UPA to NDA, the Indian middle class continues to live precariously between mega scams.

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I saw PM Modi's interview on TV recently and I'm shocked at the state of Indian journalism

When journalists conduct themselves like courtiers, they damn journalism.

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Why withdrawing haj subsidy is a progressive step

To assume that one has to go to a certain location to have a date with God, who is omnipresent, is the choicest superstition imaginable.

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No hugs for Congress for making fun of Modi on social media

Rahul Gandhi would do well to dissociate himself from this video and apologise to the PM.

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How our overexposure to media is affecting us

The more aggressive and irrational, the more reassuring.

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For a PM like Modi to allege Pakistan interfered in Gujarat elections is sad and disappointing

The Election Commission needs to address this issue upfront.

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Rahul Gandhi's St Stephen's College teacher remembers him to be 'just another' student

The more the BJP ridicules the Congress president-to-be, the more it betrays its anxiety.

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Controversy over Padmavati is merely politics of convenience

It begs the question if issues should be settled on streets and statements made through dead bodies.

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How my book exposes everything that is wrong with St Stephen’s

The system degrades even the best talent put into it, into an embodiment of mediocrity.

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Hardik Patel 'sex CD' - who would benefit from such depravity?

The prospect of gaining electoral profit from this 'gunpowder plot' – with ammunition photo-shopped, or otherwise - is too tempting.

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I'm a religious minority in India. My advice to everyone like me

The worst disservice minorities can do to themselves is to shrink into victimhood.

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BJP is a better party than Congress. You can tell by how it spins its disasters into windfalls

The party's profit and long-term loss is the overpowering oratory of the prime minister.

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I am a product of love jihad. This is the only holy war

If it makes a few or many insecure, so be it.

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Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool? Jai Hind, Jai Hind, three bags full

Madhya Pradesh minister who wants students to answer roll call with ‘Jai Hind’ is a brilliant political master.

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Murder at Ryan International: Private education system needs abolishing

Education and health must be a monopoly of the State.

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Why Rahul Gandhi shouldn't have blamed BJP/RSS for Gauri Lankesh's murder

The Congress vice-president could have spoken on the killing after the guilty were brought to book.

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From BJP to Congress, will political parties shun babas like Ram Rahim who exploit followers?

The State must keep such frauds and freaks on a tight leash.

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