Articles written by Firoze Hirjikaka

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About me - Firoze Hirjikaka

The author is a retired Civil Engineer, with a Master's degree in Structural Engineering from London University. He follows the religion of Zarathustra and is a Parsi. After a professional career spanning 35 years and culminating as Head of the Civil Engineering

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Politics, News & Issues > Climate Change How developing countries are adapting or preparing to adapt to the impacts of global climate change: 1 of 31
As someone who has lived most of his life in Mumbai, India, you could say I am intimately concerned about global warming and climate change. My 13 million neighbors should be too, but most of them appear to operate under the axiom that ignorance is bliss. For the benefit of those not familiar with my city, I should explain th... More..
Entertainment > Celebrity Biographies Hollywood actor biography: Don Cheadle - Person of Courage: 2 of 34
Donald Frank Cheadle was born on November 29, 1964. There was nothing remarkable about his birth or his early career.It took the movie "Hotel Rwanda", when Cheadle was almost 40, to make him an international star."Hotel Rwanda" - which was filmed in South Africa - changed Cheadle's life in more ways than one. Apart from gaini... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Terrorism The war on terror: A different enemy, a new reality: 2 of 24
Mention the words Al Qaeda or terrorist; and chances are that you will conjure up images of swarthy, bearded men with cold, ruthless eyes who never smile. Well you are far from being the unique. This is the image implanted in the minds of airport security guards; and these are the type of individuals inevitable singled out an... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Elections (Other) US elections 2008: Qualities of a genuine American president: 3 of 35
There seems to be an Obama mania sweeping across the United States at the moment. He is being variously portrayed as the new Messiah, the new broom that is going to sweep away the sorry legacy of George Bush; and the brand ambassador of a vibrant, young America.I am not so sure that all this euphoria is justified. In Obama's ... More..
Society & Lifestyle > North American Culture Defining the American dream: 5 of 51
Why do so many Americans believe they have exclusive rights to "the dream"? Margaret Thatcher, a grocer's daughter, went on to become one of the longest serving and most successful Prime Ministers in Britain's history; but she never claimed to be living the British dream. When a lowly corporal named Napoleon Buonaparte procla... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms Society has its priorities confused: 7 of 70
It is one of the many ironies of the age we live in, that promiscuity and sexual activism are advancing hand in hand. Almost anything that has even a tenuous sexual connotation constitutes sexual harassment these days.I am certainly not condoning sexual harassment in any form. However, I do believe we are overdoing it. I am q... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Religion & Spirituality (Other) Reflections: Recognitions of faith: 1 of 10
Religion usually stirs up strong emotions. Religion is more often experienced with the heart, rather than the head and why not? Faith is not governed by intellect, but by a perception that there is a higher power guiding us; and it is not given to us mere mortals to question it. This can have dangerous ramifications, of cours... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics in Asia Reflections on India's 60th year of independence: 1 of 9
Let me state, at the outset, that I probably possess the minimum credentials for writing about Mahatma Gandhi. Yes, I have seen Richard Attenborough's movie, but I have not read a single book written by the Mahatma, or even one about him. The only attenuating solace is that this probably puts me in the same category as a majo... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Dark Poems: 52 of 425
RageRaucous and rantingAngry and pantingWhere is thy sting?You come with a roarViolent and ravingNever behavingArrogant and vainThrashing and flailingYou wound without thinkingFixate without blinkingInflicting painYou destroy without mercyBrimstone and fireWhat is your desire?What is it you gain?Fool that you areYou believe y... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms Judging others only divides society: 2 of 14
I am often surprised by the hypocrisy displayed by India's print and electronic media. They make gratuitous folk heroes out of total nonentities; and then they appear pained at the excesses perpetrated by them.The latest example of this is the ridiculous fuss and the media hype being created over the film "Jodha Akbar". A hit... More..