IMF/WORLD BANK sanctimony exposed
Palash Kamruzzaman
The World Bank and IMF have proposed the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) framework for all poor countries as a condition of receiving unconditional debt relief under the HIPC Initiative. The PRSPs will also be the key vehicle for the World Bank and IMF and other donors for various assistance packages, [...]

By Chitra Sundaram
Sringara – A Journey of Desire: Seeta Patel/Mavin Khoo June 14th ROH
When, instead of vocalised thavil syllables, the svara-s of a mallari composition fill the air, we know that the evening’s presentation of Bharatanatyam will be different. At the far end of a diagonal corridor of muted light, the dancer comes into soft [...]

By Chitra Sundaram
So who doesn’t want to be a millionaire? A slumdog millionaire? No cheers? Not in India, not quite.
The Indians are ambivalent in praise, or protesting the film: “The ones who love the film are all outside! Even the ‘Indian’ hero is British! They’ve exposed, exploited and appropriated our poverty! They think they are [...]

By Chitra Sundaram
A fierce argument was averted at a gathering of Indian classical and contemporary dancers late last year.
Ms. W, A young white performer of Indian classical dance, announced that she had not bothered applying for a job requiring a ‘contemporary’ dancer only because she wasn’t sure that the recruiter, a world-renowned British dance conservatoire, [...]

By Chitra Sundaram
So, the election results are out in the world’s largest democracy: the “communists” are out; the Hindutva brigade is out; and dynastic rule may well be on the cards if the scion proves himself. For now, as the Bollywood number turned victory anthem of the Congress goes: Singh is King.
But up until last [...]

By Chitra Sundaram
“Everybody has their grievances,” remarked the taxi driver on Easter Saturday. He was taking me and my groceries home from what some of us have taken to affectionately calling ‘Little India in Central London’—a quarter-mile strip of a quietly busy road next to Euston Station. Here, you can take in the Indian grocery [...]

By Chitra Sundaram
Renata is a fringe-sporting, burgundy-headed, well-presented woman in her new 40’s. She is my weekly maid, and a meticulous one. She is Brazilian and working here ‘illegally’.
She came to me via my other Brazilian maid, Valeria, who has worked for my friend for years. Valeria left after a few months because her son [...]