Ashwin Medhekar

Hanoi Diary

It will be hard for a first time Hanoi visitor to miss two unmistakable facts; the Vietnamese are a friendly bunch and they must be loving their karaoke. As you make the drive from the airport to city center you start seeing a series of Karaoke bars. My conjecture turned to fact when my hostsContinue reading “Hanoi Diary”

Republican’s NaMo moment

A disclaimer first…I couldn’t care less if Donald Trump becomes president or Hillary Clinton does; it is the prerogative of the American people to elect their leader. I have been following the presidential primaries and I can’t help but say that the Republican Party is having their Narendra Modi moment. Firstly, some Republicans are distancingContinue reading “Republican’s NaMo moment”

If Busybee were “Round and About” Today

The wife told me today evening, “I am ashamed to say that I am your wife; you are such a disgrace to society”. I explained that I was a respected editor and a model citizen who filed returns every March. “That is the problem”, she complained. “The list of Swiss bank accounts is out andContinue reading “If Busybee were “Round and About” Today”

The Barcelona Airport “Near Miss”

The near collision between a Russian and an Argentinean aircraft at the Barcelona airport filmed by an aviation enthusiast and posted on social media went viral with close to a billion hits. The Argentinean aircraft committed what aviation crcles describe an incursion. We are told that incursions on runways are common place and not allContinue reading “The Barcelona Airport “Near Miss””

An Open Letter to Prisoner 3642

So, you were exposing a corrupt politician and you have ended up in jail? Did you not see “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron”, where the two central characters are out to expose the system; however the unholy nexus of government, crony capitalists and press victimize the duo. The nation has seen you play the victim inContinue reading “An Open Letter to Prisoner 3642”

Made In Manipal

My dentist in Dubai is an affable, warm and welcoming sort. One of the measures of a good doctor is the time that it takes to get an appointment for a consultation. It can, at times, take up to 1 to 2 weeks to get his appointment. Once you do make it to his clinic,Continue reading “Made In Manipal”

Winnability Without Ability

This was written before the elections Election season is a marketing exercise and the Central Election Committees of political parties are the Product Managers. The candidates waiting to get tickets are the products. The CECs are in an unenviable position walking a tight rope to determine which product is going to hit the market andContinue reading “Winnability Without Ability”

The Glass Half Empty

BJP and Narendra Modi’s election win has been some sort of a traumatic experience for a large number of people. It is with a sense of disbelief and grudge that they are reacting to the results and in the process spawning some strange theories. If Modi were to succeed and the minorities were to sayContinue reading “The Glass Half Empty”

Confessions of a BJP Supporter-2

This was written by me after the results of the 2014 General Elections I had never been a “Narendra Modi for PM” fan. It was BJP first for me and then the personalities. And then there was this millstone of 2002 that Modi carried with him. I had always wanted BJP to come to powerContinue reading “Confessions of a BJP Supporter-2”