Writing Hindi in Roman Alphabets: Observations on Spelling and Consistency | Sachit Murthy Have you ever paused and really looked at a Hindi sentence written in Roman alphabets? It happens every day — in movie titles, advertisements, SMS messages, social media posts, and even news headlines. And yet, I feel very few people actually pay attention to the correctness of the spelling. Perhaps that’s understandable, because there is no standardized dictionary for Hindi in Roman letters. The variations are fascinating. Regional accents and pronunciation nuances seep into the spelling. In South India, for example, the 'th' sound is often written as in Devatha . In rural North India, the 'z' sound can become 'j', giving us words like Jahaaj . In Eastern India, the interchange of 'b' and 'v' is common — Bidya instead of Vidya . These quirks make Roman Hindi feel alive, messy, and unpredictable. Despite the chaos, I still ...
The Dirty Picture Review: Vidya Balan Shines in Bold Bollywood Biopic | Sachit Murthy The Dirty Picture (2011) is one of those rare Bollywood movies that combines audacity with solid acting. Vidya Balan, as the fiery Silk Smitha, is nothing short of a revelation. The way she owns the screen — unafraid, unapologetic, and utterly convincing — is a masterclass in commitment to character. Ms. Balan must have been on top of the world, awash with awards and accolades. Her fearless embodiment of a controversial figure rightfully earned her comparisons to Rekha, the queen of sensuality and mystery in Bollywood. And honestly, she deserves every single bit of it. However, my personal vote for the best actress of the year goes to Priyanka Chopra . In 7 Khoon Maaf , Priyanka delivered a performance that was sheer versatility — displaying a range of emotions, looks, and shades of grey that only a few actors dare to attempt. Remember What's Your Rashee? as wel...
How long does it take the Karnataka Government to provide electricity to a farmer? 3 years. And how much is provided? 2 hours per day. Pathetic, really pathetic. But will this ever change?
Chemical Castration: Humane Punishment or Moral Evasion? Chemical Castration: Humane Punishment or Moral Evasion? I came across this phrase in yesterday’s newspaper. Apparently, it is an alternative, “humane” method of castration. Wikipedia describes it as a chemical treatment that reduces sexual drive or libido. The Language Already Raises Questions I have two immediate issues with this description. The first is the word “treatment.” Treatment implies reversibility. Once stopped, the recipient can potentially regain what was suppressed. The second is the word “reduces.” Reduction is not elimination. It leaves room — however small — for recurrence. When the punishment in question is meant to address crimes involving minors and infants, this distinction is not semantic. It is fundamental. Punishment, Not Rehabilitation The intent behind castration, in such cases, is not therapy. It is not reform. It is punishment — aimed at ensurin...