Across the World, Let our creed be
Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram (Truth, Goodness, Beauty)

Articles by VT Joshi

Click here to see the resume of VT Joshi (1925-2008).

Thar Express - A Delicious Irony

VT Joshi
6 March 2006

Thar Express - the train that links Khokrapar in Pakistan and Munabao in India is a step forward in the relationships between the two neighbours. VT Joshi reminisces about the past attempts to start this rail link and wishes good luck to this welcome development.

Stop This Demolition Madness

VT Joshi
8 February 2006

Demolishing illegal structures may be perfect as far as strict reading of the law goes. But, can we ignore the human angle? Is a destruction of national wealth justified? An article that goes beyond law and looks at the enthusiasm of law-enforcers from a human and national perspective.

The Congress Saga: Second Sacrifice Needed

VT Joshi
30 January 2006

While congressmen fall over each other pleading for Rahul Gandhi to lead them, VT Joshi hopes that Sonia Gandhi will resist their demand and show that she is indeed different from run-of-the-mill politicians.

Third Front Mania - Wanted: A National Government

VT Joshi
24 October 2005

VT Joshi argues that Congress and BJP must reform and reorient themselves by jettisoning their bogus ideological baggage. He argues for a purposeful national government with a broad understanding between the two main political forces of the country.

Land Acquisition without tears

VT Joshi
24 October 2005

Acquiring land of poor farmers and tribals for industrial projects has been a perennial problem of development. Indian state should get over the colonial mindset and treat the problem with empathy, engaging the affected persons through a consensual approach rather than a violent one.

Secularism vs. Communalism

VT Joshi
12 October 2003

As the assembly elections approach and the campaign warms up, the BJP seems to be trying hard to show the Congress as "anti-Hindu" while the Congress is at pains to paint BJP as "anti-Muslim", and both the parties are at each other's throat!

KASHMIR STALEMATE AGAIN?


INDO-PAK PEACE: PROSPECTS AND PITFALLS


FAZLUR REHMAN: A PAK HAWK ON PEACE ODYSSEY!
VT Joshi
26 May 2003, 17 July 2003 and 26 July 2003

Three articles that take a pragmatic dispassionate look at Indo-Pak relations as they evolve through fits and starts. A cool-headed approach from someone who has lived in Islamadabad and knows Pakistani politics from the inside.

STRAY THOUGHTS ON A DARK POWERLESS NIGHT
VT Joshi
4 April 2003

As electricity plays truant and nights are dark, VT Joshi tries to look at the brighter side. Is it optimism tinged with cynicism, or is it the other way round? Judge for yourself.

SAVING MEDIA FROM ITSELF
VT Joshi
25 March 2003

As power of media increases, it becomes hostage to commercial and marketing forces. There is a need to save the media from itself.

TOGADIA'S MONKEY TRICKS AND SECULARISM
VT Joshi
14 February 2003

Indian polity has to bear with two extremes. On one hand is the extreme and virulent form of Hinduism espoused by Togadia, VHP and Narendra Modi. On the other hand are the extreme secularists who equate secularism with Muslim-appeasement. A moderate voice that condemns both.

HINDUTVA VERSUS "MODITVA" : A LETTER FROM AHMEDABAD
VT Joshi
22 December 2002

Results of Gujarat elections have sent shockwaves through Indian polity. Hindutva and Moditva seem to be the new buzzwords. Liberal Hindus need to assert themselves and stop the Islamisation of Hinduism.

A CRUCIAL "THREE IN ONE" WEEKEND
VT Joshi
14 March 2003

The first week of March 2003 saw three major events in India - defeat of BJP in HP, government budget and cricket madness. An article that reviews the week and pleads for reason and sanity.

GOOD GOVERNANCE - A DISTANT DREAM
VT Joshi
6 December 2002

Indian political parties promise good governance just before elections and forget all about governance as soon as elections are over. Some are now of the view that governance does not get votes. So, politicians make hay while the public is left to dream. An article that stops just short of cynicism.

JETHMALANI IMPLORES GIVE UP "WOODEN HEADEDNESS"
16 August 2002

Eminent Lawyer Ram Jethmalani has advocated international mediation in Kashmir dispute. VT Joshi supports the contention and argues for converting Line of Control into international border.

NEED TO EVOLVE A NEW PARADIGM OF POLITICAL ACTION
VT Joshi
6 October 2002

Bandhs, traffic blockades, effigy-burning etc. have long outlived their utility. It is high time that new ways and means of expressing people's sentiments are evolved.

A NATION OF MINORITIES !
VT Joshi
26 August 2002

Half a century after partition Pakistani Muslims make attempts to justify partition. On the other hand in India, Muslims have become the only majority community as every other community acquires a minority mindset and claims to suffer alienation. A very short article (about 730 words).

INDO-PAK NUCLEAR DRAMA OR FARCE!
V.T. Joshi
16th June, 2002

Pakistan has been trying nuclear blackmail of India for more than a decade. This article gives an account of Pakistan's history of playing the nuclear drama and ends with some Pakistani voices of sanity and hope.

LIBERAL DEMOCRACY AND DRAFT OF AN ALTERNATIVE CONSTITUTION
V.T. Joshi
18th September, 2000

A critical analysis of the Draft of Alternative Constitution in the light of the basics of Liberal Democracy.

UNIVERSITIES & DEMOCRACY
VT Joshi and Anil Chawla
Year 1999

French Revolution produced a bunch of leaders who were no different than the conceited, egoist, hollow, corrupt leaders that India has today. Democracy could flourish in Europe only after the universities and the academic community were given a role in governance.

TRAIN ACCIDENTS & GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY IN INDIA
VT Joshi and Anil Chawla
17 August, 1999

A major train accident that killed hundreds; a Govt. hospital that is dirty beyond imagination - Symptoms of a diseased system.

INDIAN JUDICIARY AND REVIEW OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA
VT Joshi and Anil Chawla
10th November, 1999

An article that takes a critical look at the state of Indian judiciary and argues against giving responsibility of review of Constitution to members of this sick institution.

PAKISTAN - A NATION AT WAR WITH ITSELF
Anil Chawla & VT Joshi
2nd October, 1999

Internal Contradictions of Pakistan make it a classic case of schizophrenia and a danger to the whole world as well as to its own countrymen.

INDIA - THE GOLDEN SPARROW
VT Joshi and Anil Chawla
25 August, 1999

The love for the yellow metal is a hazard for Indian security and is an impediment to India's economic growth. An analysis based on historical as well as economical facts.

INDIAN TALENT CAUGHT IN THE COBWEBS
VT Joshi & Anil Chawla
9th September, 1999

An essay on the way Indian talent is caught in socio-cultural cobwebs.

SELECTION OF CANDIDATES & DEMOCRACY
VT Joshi and Anil Chawla
25 August, 1999

An appeal to change the ad-hoc and opaque system of selection of party candidates for various elections.