Bhutan and its people

Where Happiness is a Measure of Governance: What Bhutan’s Democratic Consolidation Can Teach Global South Nations

As democracies around the world confront public dissatisfaction, Bhutan reminds us that the health of a democracy cannot be measured only through the ballot box.  It must also be evaluated through the well-being, dignity, security, and trust experienced by citizens.

India's Education Deficit: Real Reforms Lie in Making Coaching Redundant

India's digital infrastructure can certainly deliver free coaching to millions. But an even greater achievement would be to build an education and employment system in which families no longer feel compelled to buy coaching in the first place. Making bottled water cheaper is useful. Making the water from taps trustworthy is the real solution.    

India’s Education Report Card: Student Retention, not Enrolment is Key to Success

The message is clear. India needs not merely more children entering classrooms, but more children staying, completing and learning. Achieving the ambitions of NEP 2020 and SDG 4 will require sustained public investment, stronger secondary-school retention, better support for vulnerable learners and a sharper focus on completion.

For a Developed India, Its Young Need to Be Instilled with Civic Values First

The virtues like civic discipline or gender sensitivity in India are not at premium. Basic civic sense is conspicuous by its absence. It gets manifested as indiscriminate littering, spitting, traffic indiscipline, vulgar or derogatory comments against women etc. Such attitudes find manifestation in foreign destinations as well.

More on Education and Gen Z Voices

What causes the Eureka moment in the brain?

During relaxation of the brain or when one is not thinking about a problem, some other neural pathways are made and these may create the trigger resulting in the Eureka moment, writes Anil K. Rajvanshi for South Asia Monitor

Nagaland killings: CHRI urges speedy investigation and bringing the accused to trial

Welcoming the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) notice to authorities seeking a detailed report on the recent killing of 14 civilians and one security personnel by the Indian Army, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) has also urged the apex rights body and the State government to set up the long-pending state human rights commission in Nagaland

India may have to do balancing act at Summit for Democracy

The summit could change South Asian dynamics considering how it draws a line between China, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on one side and India, Pakistan and Nepal on another, writes Divyanshu Jindal for South Asia Monitor

Stifling legitimate protests in Balochistan may spark violence

In a shocking move, Balochistan Governor Syed Zahoor Agha issued a Criminal Law Balochistan Amendment Ordinance which bans meetings, rallies and sit-ins on national highways to ensure free movement of people

World needs spirituality now more than ever

All over the world we are witnessing the rise of dictators, strong-arm rulers and corrupt leaders

Bangladesh can gain by taking part in Chinese trade fairs

Like Bangladesh, South Asian countries can use Chinese expos to promote their brands and build a new trade image

The spirit of South Asia: Remembering Kamla Bhasin

Sapan is a coalition of individuals and organisations that places India-Pakistan relations in a regional context and calls for a visa-free South Asia

How people 'fought' the 1971 war: A reminiscence

The Prime Minister said that shortly after 5.30 p.m., Pakistan “launched a full-scale war against us”, its Air Force striking eight Indian Air Force stations and its artillery opening up on several fronts

World must pressurize Myanmar on Rohingya repatriation

The world backs Bangladesh and wants Myanmar to take back the Rohingyas but repatriation is not taking place

In repeal of farm laws, Modi showed statesmanship

With Pakistan and China wanting to fish in troubled waters in India, the Modi government has attempted to douse the fire by withdrawing the farm laws

Border killings of Bangladeshis by India’s BSF must stop

Indian security agencies should respect the sovereignty of Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi people, writes Hafizur Talukdar for South Asia Monitor 

Mica art: By Indians, of Indians - for the English

Mica paintings were attractive to many Englishmen because they documented life in 19th century India

Remembering the Indian soldiers of Flanders Fields: And their unsung Belgian commemorator

A truly unsung hero of the Indian diaspora, Hans Vermeersch deserves some recognition for his lifelong dedication to India. 

Glasgow climate meet: A lot of tall talk - and deafening silence

The world climate did not become better after the Paris meet and it will not become better after the Glasgow meet too

Women in Cloud and Indiaspora launch community fundraising campaign in US to support women in India

Women in Cloud and Indiaspora have announced the launch of a community fundraising campaign in the United States to provide cash assistance to women in India who have lost the primary earning member of their family due to COVID-19