Book review: Exhaustively researched, deeply moving —by Afrah Jamal Sahib: The British Soldier in India By Richard Holmes HarperCollins; Pp 572 They came for the trade. And found something better. When the dust settled, an empire had changed hands. The architects of the change, who bore witness to the rise and fall of the mighty empire, imprinted their impression upon their adopted homeland. The land, in turn, left an indelible mark on the newcomers. Richard Holmes, himself a soldier and a leading military historian, looks beyond the empire carved from the remains of another civilisation, steering past the colonial designs … Continue reading The British Soldier in India

VIEW: Giving up power in Pakistan —Tarek Fatah The man lampooned unfairly by the country’s powerful establishment as “Mr Ten Percent” has in fact given “One-Hundred-and-Ten Percent” back to the country Few leaders have emulated Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, who in 1985 relinquished all of his powers and voluntarily stepped down as president of the country. At a time when African dictators, Arab Kings and Latin American generalissimos adorned themselves in bizarre military uniforms, medieval costumes and got appointed ‘life presidents’, Nyerere, known to his people simply as Mwalimu or “teacher”, quietly passed on the torch. Other Afro-Asian leaders have … Continue reading Zardari – Mr One-Hundred-and-Ten Percent?

analysis: Unfinished business —Salman Tarik Kureshi Although the worst of Musharraf’s distortions have been removed, the hypocritical innovations of the illegitimate Zia regime still continue to work their malign effects on the nation “Observe the end of work; contrast, The petty done, the undone vast” — Robert Browning. After massive efforts and the mighty heaving of multiple political muscles, the omnibus 18th Amendment has finally become the law of the land. The parliamentarians to whom the people entrusted the nation’s destiny (most notably, the good Senator Raza Rabbani) have taken a giant stride towards restoration of popular sovereignty and federalism. … Continue reading Bidah of the illegitimate Zia regime still continues to work

An Indian hotel staff serves a preparation of prawn to guests during the Britain Curry Festival in Kolkata, on April 23, 2010. – AFP dawn.com KOLKATA: Britain exporting curry to India? The idea seems ludicrous but a group of chefs are in the subcontinent determined to teach locals about British versions of traditional Indian recipes. Indian food has become a mainstay of the British diet, eaten in vast quantities across the country, but few people in the homeland of the curry have ever heard of the dishes that pass off for their national cuisine in Europe. Chicken Tikka Masala, known … Continue reading Britain teaches India about curries

China is the superpower, Cameron Cameron’s warning of a Chinese threat is illustrative of a cold war mentality that fails to recognise the vast disparity in power James Denselow guardian.co.uk The People’s Liberation Army of China has more than 3.4 million members. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images The Conservative leader David Cameron insisted last week that Britain must spend almost £100bn to maintain its independent nuclear deterrent as “we don’t know what is going to happen with Iran [and] we can’t be certain of the future in China”. The foreign secretary, David Miliband, described the comment as showing “appalling immaturity“. The Conservatives … Continue reading Cameron’s warning of a Chinese threat is illustrative of a cold war mentality

Im Tirtzu: delegitimising the ‘delegitimisers’ A campaign to suppress all criticism now extends to smearing Israeli human rights activists as hostile to Jewish statehood <!–Topsy–>  Antony Lerman guardian.co.uk The word “delegitimisation” has become the most significant weapon in the rhetorical arsenal of those defending Israel against external and internal enemies. In Israel, rightwing policymakers, thinkers and Zionist groups are deploying the word to describe the underlying motives of the country’s critics. Outside Israel, pro-Israel groups and Jewish defence organisations use it to attack those who protest when Israeli officials speak in public, promote boycott campaigns and accuse Israel of apartheid … Continue reading Smearing Israeli human rights activists as hostile to Jewish statehood!

A Belgian face-veil ban would be senseless Belgium’s attempted veil ban is another case of politicians’ failure to talk directly to Muslim women Intissar Kherigi guardian.co.uk Belgium appears to be the leading contender in the race to become Europe’s first country to ban the face-veil, on the grounds that it is “not compatible with an open, liberal, tolerant society“. France, Italy and the Netherlands, meanwhile, are also contemplating their own laws on the issue. The proposed ban makes little sense, whether looked at from the perspective of principle or pragmatism. On the level of principle, it seems somewhat paradoxical to be upholding our European … Continue reading Should Belgium be abolished?

Student Islamic societies are radical, not extremist Muslim groups on campus radicalise members by inspiring civic and political participation, not by breeding extremism <!–Topsy–>  Faisal Hanjra guardian.co.uk I was radicalised by my student Islamic society (Isoc). It started as an innocent means through which to meet down-to-earth and like-minded people. Then we started to break fast together in the prayer room, one thing led to another and before I knew it, I was raising money for orphans and contributing to interfaith campaigns. Inspired by all of this, I have gone on to delve in national student policy, campaign on free … Continue reading Muslim groups on campus radicalise members…..

Nick Clegg’s rise could lock Murdoch and the media elite out of UK politics At the Sun, we deliberately ignored the Lib Dems. The cosy pro-Cameron press may now be left floundering David Yelland guardian.co.uk I doubt if Rupert Murdoch watched the election debate last week. His focus is very firmly on the United States, especially his resurgent Wall Street Journal. But if he did, there would have been one man totally unknown to him. One man utterly beyond the tentacles of any of his family, his editors or his advisers. That man is Nick Clegg. Make no mistake, if … Continue reading Nick Clegg’s rise could kill Rupert Murdoch