Homesick Reflections from Abroad, as the News Worries

While cooking familiar dishes in a foreign kitchen, the author felt homesick and worried about the news coming from India. The prime minister had declared a period of “Amrit Kaal/ Kartavya Kaal”, but the author saw signs of a gathering sickness and looming murk.

First, the violence and displacement in M

anipur continued unabated, with the prime minister and chief minister seemingly indifferent. Journalists struggled to report on the situation without getting trapped in communal divisions or being suppressed by the government.

Second, the familiar virus of communal hatred raged on, with incidents such as the cancellation of a Canadian artist’s tour due to pressure from trolls.

The author argues that the Indian media needs to do a better job of reporting on these issues without getting caught up in the government’s narrative or being intimidated by trolls. They call for a more honest and nuanced understanding of the challenges facing India today.

Rewritten in simpler language:

The author was homesick while cooking in a foreign kitchen, but the news from India made them worry. The prime minister had said that India was entering a golden age, but the author saw signs of trouble.

First, violence and displacement in Manipur were getting worse, and the prime minister and chief minister didn’t seem to care. Journalists had a hard time reporting on the situation because they didn’t want to get caught up in religious fighting or be silenced by the government.

Second, the old problem of religious hatred was getting worse. For example, a Canadian artist’s tour was canceled because of pressure from online trolls.

The author thinks that the Indian media needs to do a better job of reporting on these problems without getting caught up in the government’s story or being scared by trolls. They want people to see the real challenges that India is facing.