I met with Sathiya Moorthy, the director of the Observer Research Foundation, a public policy think-tank in Chennai, to interview him for my independent research on Hindu nationalism and Indian foreign policy. Sathiya and his wife, Lakshmi, had a lot to say about the BJP, politics, security and defense, and a whole range of other […]
Wrapping up our time in Chennai
One of the highlights of our trip in Chennai was the fact that we were so close to the ocean. There were a few days in which I walked with others down to the beach, usually accompanied with fresh juices or milkshakes made right outside of our hotel. Chennai is known for the struggle of […]
Rose, Bud, Thorn.
Today Caroline reminded me of a little tradition that I like to do at the end of a long day of hiking or backpacking. You go around in a circle and explain what the rose, bud and thorn of your day was. The rose represents the best part of your day, the thorn represents the […]
But Wait—
Based on all of the experiences I have had living in Chennai, I’m making the conclusion that my own understanding of the city looks like one straight line, endlessly expanding in two ways, and I am stuck in the middle looking in both directions, but seeing nothing. Our hotel is situated on a literal line, […]