The PM’s speech in Toronto contained the analogy that while India and Canada growing separately would be a2 + b2, when joined together in friendship they would be (a+b)2 which equals a2 +2ab+b2, with the synergy giving an extra 2ab.
Articles by Manas Chakravarty
Make a clean sweep in the Indian sweepstakes
I'm worried that merely a moral call to clean up may soon fizzle out. Instead, we need a scheme that will ensure sustained interest in the campaign, writes Mint's consulting editor Manas Chakravarty.
Updated on Nov 01, 2014 11:45 PM IST
Let them have Jalebis, Rasmalai and Rasgullas
You must have heard of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme by now. It’s been shouted about so much you couldn’t forget it even if you wanted to.
Updated on Oct 25, 2014 11:11 PM IST
On life support now, but the patient may wake up
Mr. Congress been suffering from chronic dynasty-itis, acute kowtowing and high corruption-pressure for a long time. Recently he also suffered from driving-the-economy-down-the-tube-itis and inflationosis, writes Manas Chakravarthy satirically.
Updated on Oct 18, 2014 11:27 PM IST
An Orwellian dilemma in the Maharashtra polls
It’s a tough decision. Earlier, we in Maharashtra were faced with clear alternatives, writes Manas Chakravarty.
Updated on Oct 11, 2014 11:59 PM IST
Buffaloes should lead the ‘Make in India’ charge
Buffaloes can expect no justice from you, for your society is rabidly racist. It is simply animal apartheid, writes Manas Chakravarty.
Updated on Sep 28, 2014 02:01 AM IST
Hee-Haw works heroically for our foreign policy
The prime minister’s pro-active foreign policy is taking a tremendous toll on foreign ministry mandarins, said a chap smoking something interesting outside South Block, who claimed he was a big shot there. I couldn’t disbelieve him, as he was wearing a Nehru jacket. This is his story:
Updated on Sep 20, 2014 11:08 PM IST
The night Mr Menon gave his jacket to save money
Et tu, Kerala? Who would have thought that Malayalis, of all people, would ban booze. It’s terrible, of course, but it does give me an excuse to tell the story of Mr Menon, my favourite Malayali tippler.
Updated on Sep 14, 2014 12:05 AM IST
Let the dear man provide us bread and circuses
Practically everybody has been airing his views on our new prime minister’s first 100 days in office. I, on the contrary, think it churlish to expect the prime minister to do things in a mere 100 days. Manas Chakravarty writes.
Updated on Sep 07, 2014 09:32 AM IST
Heavenly idlis cannot sustain a love jihadi
It's really tough being a love jihadi. If you're considering it as a career option, I would strongly advise you against it, writes Manas Chakravarty.
Updated on Aug 31, 2014 12:00 AM IST
When 'ness' is more in the battle of the suffixes
Folks have been spending sleepless nights wondering what exactly Hindutva was and it’s now been clarified, by guys who know about these things, that it’s Hindu-ness.
Updated on Aug 23, 2014 10:33 PM IST
Facing each challenge with an open mouth
After the academic discussion about Bengal’s decline last week, readers have been clamouring to know what other terrible secrets lie within the pages of the National Sample Survey’s report on ‘Household Consumption of Various Goods and Services in India, 2011-12’.
Updated on Aug 17, 2014 01:20 AM IST
If bengalis can’t have fish, let them eat potatoes
What is the first thing that comes to mind when we think of Bengalis? That we are a race of proud and prodigious fish-eaters. Alas, no longer, writes Manas Chakravarty.
Updated on Aug 09, 2014 09:58 PM IST
A model paper in elementary jingoism
I would like to cash in on this trend and outline here a model question paper in elementary jingoism writes Manas Chakravarty.
Updated on Aug 02, 2014 10:21 PM IST
Well, we are no longer whistling in the dark
Ever since former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju blew the whistle on shady goings on in the judiciary, we have realised the glaring lack of rules and procedures in the whistle-blowing business says Manas Chakravarty
Updated on Jul 26, 2014 11:58 PM IST
None | Manas Chakravarty
A plot to deny us our chicken tikka masala
Loony leftists have dominated the study of Indian history, blighting the lives of an entire generation.
Updated on Jul 19, 2014 11:56 PM IST
Landless farmers can farm landless farms
Total sanitation is not just a toilet in every home, but also soap and toilet paper. In a masterstroke, the move dovetails into the increase in the free baggage allowance, allowing travellers to get even more soaps into the country, writes Manas Chakravarty.
Updated on Jul 13, 2014 01:22 AM IST
None | Manas Chakravarty
Cheques and balances by star economists
Why should footballers and politicians and film stars hog the news on TV? With budget week ahead, this is the right time for economists to become celebrities and get into the limelight. Manas Chakravarty imagines what a typical broadcast should be like.
Updated on Jul 05, 2014 10:35 PM IST
And now, let’s see how the star striker scores
We’ve barely started, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Pricing reform, labour law reform, the works, just wait and see what star striker Arun Jaitely does on Budget Day. Victory will be ours, writes Manas Chakravarty.
Updated on Jun 28, 2014 11:37 PM IST
Bhutan: Dodgy geography, but great alliteration
The speech was a big hit. The Bhutanese only clap to ward off evil spirits, so they didn’t clap, but showed their appreciation in the traditional way.
Updated on Jun 21, 2014 11:00 PM IST
Change the goalposts for the beautiful game in India
What do economists have to say about India’s lowly 154th FIFA ranking? They point to irrational expectations, low velocity of circulation of the ball, zero-sum games, indifference curves and general disequilibrium. I personally think the Indian game needs structural adjustment, writes Manas Chakravarty.
Updated on Jun 15, 2014 09:43 AM IST
Administering a (Comrade) Karat chop to the Left
You may be under the impression that Prakash Karat is responsible for the utter and abject defeat of the Left in the elections and he should resign. You could not be more wrong, writes Manas Chakravarty.
Updated on Jun 08, 2014 01:23 AM IST
HT Edit: Six things PM Narendra Modi must do immediately
Everybody has been pontificating about what Narendra Modi needs to do now that he’s Prime Minister. Mr Modi is a world leader now and he needs to study what great world leaders do.
Updated on Jun 01, 2014 11:26 AM IST
Helpful tips from the election agony uncle
Here are the answers to important questions I have been asked about the elections. Writes Manas Chakravarty.
Updated on May 24, 2014 09:15 PM IST
None | Manas Chakravarty, New Delhi
The supermodel who won the election
Gujarat model: I believe I’m the first ever economic model in the world to win an election. Manas Chakravarty has a toungue in cheek take on the model that won thr general election 2014 for BJP.
Updated on May 18, 2014 01:54 AM IST
Slumming it among the yokels; it’s a tough job
We politicos are the most hard-working species ... The least they can do is make me a minister. Manas Chakravarty elocutes.
Updated on May 10, 2014 10:12 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manas Chakravarty
We’re not quite wits, we’re more like half-wits
India’s politicians trash-talk their rivals: With the race for India’s general elections at full pace, political leaders have stepped up personal attacks and mudslinging: Wall Street Journal.
Updated on May 03, 2014 10:37 PM IST
Essential FAQs for the father of the bride
Ever since my daughter got married last week, I’ve been flooded with questions from prospective fathers-of-brides, urging me to share the wisdom I have gleaned. Here are some frequently asked questions, writes Manas Chakravarty.
Updated on Apr 26, 2014 11:23 PM IST
It’s time to take sides. Vote for my leader
Dear voter, the choice is before you. Make no mistake, this is an absolutely critical election. In centuries to come, historians will talk in hushed tones about the 2014 polls and how they changed the entire course of the universe.
Updated on Apr 19, 2014 10:37 PM IST
The untold myths of Bal Narendra
Once upon a time, Bal narendra was doing Narendra Leela by eating mud. When His Mum scolded Him, He opened his mouth to show, not mud, but the whole universe.
Updated on Apr 05, 2014 10:45 PM IST
Should the country shut down to abide by the EC's rules?
The best thing would be for the governments, at both the Centre and the states, to shut down totally before the elections and let the EC run the country, writes Manas Chakravarty.
Updated on Mar 30, 2014 02:14 AM IST