Ask Dr. D: After Tim Apple, are you ready for Satya Microsoft and Sundar Google?
A few days back, Donald Trump referred to Tim Cook as Tim Apple.
By ET Bureau |
Agencies
From left: Tim Cook, Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai.
Dear Dr D, The president of the United States recently referred to one of us as ‘Tim Apple’ — fusing his first name with his company.
We Indians in Silicon Valley think this is a good way of getting him (the president) to stop mispronouncing our names. At the government’s tech meetings he sees one of us desis and shouts “Hey Koothrappally!” And then giggles.
Admittedly, this is a problem that we have only with him. The others we work with have little difficulty with north and South Indian names.
Tim Cook and Donald Trump at an event together.
So, we have decided, tentatively, to be identified with our inventions and our companies. It will make life easier for the president for sure and it might even pave the way for desis working in the West in the future. What do you think?
We have managed to get Australian commentators and players and spectators to say “Vangipurapu Venkata Sai Laxman” and we have succeeded in getting Englishmen to correctly say “Laxman Sivaramakrishnan”. After those two the rest of it will be easy. Let the world adjust and educate itself about us.
(The author is one of the leading doctors in the country. He values his privacy, but not of his clients.)
STATUTORY WARNING: This humour column is not for the weak-kneed or the thin-skinned.
Donald Trump, Navjot Singh Sidhu & Jack Dorsey: When A Power Trip Goes Wrong
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A small misstep can turn a political or business-inspired visit into an international incident. Here’s a look back at some of the big blunders in recent times.
A small misstep can turn a political or business-inspired visit into an international incident. Here’s a look back at some of the big blunders in recent times.
In July 2018, President Trump’s remarks during a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the US-Russia summit in Helsinki, Finland, shocked everyone back in the US. Trump contradicted US intelligence agencies and said there had been no reason for Russia to meddle in the 2016 presidential elections. “They [the agencies] said they think it’s Russia; I have President Putin, he just said it’s not Russia. I will say this: I don’t see any reason why it would be...” After facing backlash, Trump backtracked saying he meant to say ‘wouldn’t’ instead of ‘would’.
In July 2018, President Trump’s remarks during a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the US-Russia summit in Helsinki, Finland, shocked everyone back in the US. Trump con..
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The 73-year-old Filipino President, Rodrigo Duterte, attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) annual meeting in Singapore last year. He, however, remained absent for four out of 11 events he was scheduled to attend on one of the days of the summit. His office then released a statement saying he had been taking power naps due to insufficient sleep the previous night. When questioned about it, he asked reporters “What’s wrong with my nap?”
The 73-year-old Filipino President, Rodrigo Duterte, attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) annual meeting in Singapore last year. He, however, remained absent for four out of 1..
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In November last year, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey (centre with the poster) became an easy target for trolls during his maiden visit to India. During a meeting with activists and journalists, Dorsey was photographed with a placard that read ‘Smash Brahmanical Patriarchy’. As the picture went viral on social media, Dorsey and Twitter were forced to issue an apology.
In November last year, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey (centre with the poster) became an easy target for trolls during his maiden visit to India. During a meeting with activists and journalists, Dorsey was..
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and family visited India in February 2018. But during his stay in the country, Trudeau was widely mocked for his over-the-top sartorial choices and visits to well-known sightseeing spots. However, what drew serious flak was the news that the Canadian high commissioner had extended an invitation to convicted Khalistani separatist Jaspal Atwal for a dinner reception. The invitation was later rescinded and Trudeau offered a formal apology.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and family visited India in February 2018. But during his stay in the country, Trudeau was widely mocked for his over-the-top sartorial choices and visits to w..
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Punjab’s cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu was criticised for hugging the chief of Pakistan’s army General Bajwa at the swearing-in ceremony of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. Sidhu was also seen sitting next to the ‘president’ of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir at the event. Sidhu said he had hugged the general after being told that efforts were being made to open the Kartarpur Sahib corridor to facilitate pilgrimages.
Punjab’s cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu was criticised for hugging the chief of Pakistan’s army General Bajwa at the swearing-in ceremony of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. Sidhu was also ..
