It is being argued that the famous divide between ‘wine-drinking’ Democrats and ‘beer-drinking’ Democrats threatens the party’s fortunes in the run-up to the presidential nomination this year. While Bill Clinton during his race for presidency reportedly managed to successfully bridge the divide, it is an altogther different story this time. The Economist describes the Democrats’ dilemma… Click here…
While some seem worried at this fierce (even describing it as suicidal) wrangling match between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, there are also those who believe that this process (warts and all) is essential to test the candidates.
As one newspaper puts it: “Contrary to the worries of some Democrats that the Obama/Clinton dustup is damaging their chances of winning the White House, it is essential preparation of the contenders and their campaigns for presidential prime time.
“As the record-busting Texas primary proved, the continuing struggle for the nomination has focused public attention on the candidates and their issues and drawn hundreds of thousands of new participants into the political process. Rather than trying to shut it down prematurely, Democrats should savor an exciting ride that’s good for the party, its eventual presidential candidate, and our country.” More here…
Swaraaj Chauhan describes his two-decade-long stint as a full-time journalist as eventful, purposeful, and full of joy and excitement. In 1993 he could foresee a different work culture appearing on the horizon, and decided to devote full time to teaching journalism (also, partly, with a desire to give back to the community from where he had enriched himself so much.)
Alongside, he worked for about a year in 1993 for the US State Department’s SPAN magazine, a nearly five-decade-old art and culture monthly magazine promoting US-India relations. It gave him an excellent opportunity to learn about things American, plus the pleasure of playing tennis in the lavish American embassy compound in the heart of New Delhi.
In !995 he joined WWF-India as a full-time media and environment education consultant and worked there for five years travelling a great deal, including to Husum in Germany as a part of the international team to formulate WWF’s Eco-tourism policy.
He taught journalism to honors students in a college affiliated to the University of Delhi, as also at the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication where he lectured on “Development Journalism” to mid-career journalists/Information officers from the SAARC, African, East European and Latin American countries, for eight years.
In 2004 the BBC World Service Trust (BBC WST) selected him as a Trainer/Mentor for India under a European Union project. In 2008/09 He completed another European Union-funded project for the BBC WST related to Disaster Management and media coverage in two eastern States in India — West Bengal and Orissa.
Last year, he spent a couple of months in Australia and enjoyed trekking, and also taught for a while at the University of South Australia.
Recently, he was appointed as a Member of the Board of Studies at Chitkara University in Chandigarh, a beautiful city in North India designed by the famous Swiss/French architect Le Corbusier. He also teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students there.
He loves trekking, especially in the hills, and never misses an opportunity to play a game of tennis. The Western and Indian classical music are always within his reach for instant relaxation.
And last, but not least, is his firm belief in the power of the positive thought to heal oneself and others.