Data centres in India

India’s A.I. Future Requires a New Approach to Groundwater Governance

The implications of mismanagement extend far beyond groundwater depletion. Foreign investors have withdrawn a record $30 billion from Indian equities so far in 2026. Regional data suggests investors have relocated their withdrawals across Taiwan and South Korea’s AI and semiconductor ecosystems. 

Erasing Colonial Symbols Won't Feed India's Families: A Call for Economic Pragmatism

But tearing down a clubhouse will not lower a family's grocery bill or write a line of exportable code. India's chance to close the gap with the economies that outran it will not wait for a hearing date in September, and neither should the country's attention.

Taslima Nasrin’s Return and the Politics of Selective Protection

Taslima Nasrin’s homecoming deserves to be welcomed. A writer should be able to return to a city she considers home without fearing violence. The harder test will come when the symbolism fades. Will the government protect her if her criticism becomes inconvenient to the people now celebrating her return?

Jewish Footprints and Connections that Shaped Sri Lanka’s History

Today, the Chabad Houses in Colombo and on Sri Lanka's southern coast have attracted considerable attention amid a rise in anti-Semitic incidents and rhetoric. It is noteworthy that Colombo once had an active synagogue, which served as a regular place of worship for British Jewish servicemen World War II

More on Soft Power, Culture and Society

A new destination for Nepal's art, literature, and culture

Nepal's Chaudhary Group, through its Chaudhary Foundation, has established a Unnati Cultural Village (UCV) at Harkapur, Nawalpur, the goal of which is to offer a place where Nepali artists and writers can visit and create their art and literature

Himalayan Bodhisattva tradition at the centre of upcoming New York exhibition

Bringing together a group of paintings, sculptures, ritual objects, and illustrated manuscripts from the 11th-18th centuries, made primarily for Nepal and Tibet's monastic institutions, an upcoming exhibition at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art will spotlight the Himalayan Bodhisattva tradition

Lahore University expels couple over video of girl proposing to boy on campus

The administration of the Lahore University in Pakistan expelled two students for what they call the “gross misconduct and violation of the University’s rules”

A statue stolen 37 years ago returns to Nepal

Thirty-seven years after it was stolen and subsequently landed in the US, a stone stela of Lakshmi-Narayan depicting Hindu deities of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, is finally returning to its original home in Patan, a city located just across the Bagmati river from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal

Bangladesh gets first transgender news presenter, creates history

For 29-year-old Tashnuva Anan Shishir and the transgender community globally, it was indeed a historic day. The woman, who survived bullying, assault and suicide attempts, has become the first transgender to become a newsreader in Bangladesh

Livelihood impacted by COVID, famous blind Nepali singer finds solace in music

He led a very tough life. Orphaned at the age of one and losing his eyesight due to a serious head injury, he lived with his grandmother, who would do menial work or beg for survival

Shyam Benegal's biopic 'Bangabandhu' to immortalise Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, bolster ties

The 50th year of Independence is special for Bangladesh as lakhs of Bengalis died fighting for the cause of freedom. It is equally important for India as it played a pivotal role in helping them to overthrow the tyrannical rule of West Pakistan

Wildlife conservation in Kashmir: Changing attitudes

The role of wildlife conservationists and rescuers such as Aaliya Mir is increasingly becoming important in the wake of frequent human-wildlife conflicts in Jammu & Kashmir

Amitabh Bachchan to be honoured with 2021 FIAF Award

Indian megatart Amitabh Bachchan will be conferred upon with the prestigious 2021 FIAF Award by the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF), the worldwide organisation of film archives and museums from across the world, at a virtual showcase scheduled to take place on March 19

Canada's dancing Sikh spreads positivity through bhangra

A Canadian Sikh has gone viral, and not surprisingly it is bhangra that has made him a darling of social media

Pakistani rapper releases new song to highlight harassment, injustice against women

Ali Gul Pir, Pakistan’s famous rapper, television, voice actor, and stand-up comedian, has released a new song that has become quite a trailblazer with its strong message on domestic violence, and everyday harassment women face in Pakistani society

Sri Lankan artist shots to fame after directing Eminem’s 'Tone Deaf' animated lyrical video

Sri Lankan animation artist Randy Chriz Perera has shot to fame after he directed the animation for the lyric video of internationally famed American rapper Eminem’s new song 'Tone Deaf,' which has already gone viral

Kashmir's top ice-skater who did India proud

In the winter of 2014, Basharat Ahad Mir, barely 12 then, would pedal 50 odd kilometres from his home in Parimpora on Srinagar outskirts all the way to winter resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district to practice ice-skating there in sub-zero temperatures

Nepal’s stolen ancient artifact set to return after 40 years

The months-long joint investigation, involving several agencies of the United States and Nepal, led to the return of Nepal’s rare artifact, Patan’s status of Vasudeva Kamalaja, to Nepali authorities

Malala Yousafzai tells her favorite movie and TV shows

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, in an Instagram post revealed her favorite movie and TV show