Ikkis move poster

Ikkis: An Ode To A Valiant Indian Soldier

The story of Arun’s role in the Battle of Basantar did not end on that day, or even after the cease fire of this two weeks war, resulting in the demise of East Pakistan and the announcement of the newly liberated Bangladesh. Major Khwaja  Mohammad Nasir, then a Squadron Commander of 13th Lancers, the regiment pitched against Poona Horse, who came bandaged the next day to collect the dead bodies of his fallen comrades, wanted to know more about “ the officer, who stood like an insurmountable rock” and whose troop of three British World War II vintage Centurion tanks  was responsible for decimation of his entire squadron of  fourteen American Patton tanks.

Stop Suffocating Childhood In The Name of Education

Education must be age-appropriate, climate-sensitive, and child-centred.A child rubbing sleepy eyes in the freezing dawn, dragged toward a coaching centre, is not a symbol of discipline. It is a warning. When homework and early classes steal rest and play, education stops nurturing and starts impacting childhood.lets remember that childhood is not a race to be won early. It is a foundation to be built carefully.

Ring Out ABC From Life, To Ring In XYZ In Life

In an age of constant noise and hurry, we can reclaim balance by cultivating positive habits. Dropping ABC can help us in developing an attitude of serenity, contentment, letting go, and gratitude. With this mind, quality time with nature, or other soul-uplifting activities, can heal us. All this, in turn, can create a sanctuary of tranquility, peace, and happiness within us.

The Untold Story Of Sweet Sorghum: Needs To Be Promoted As Food And Fodder Source

Sweet sorghum is also an excellent fodder crop, and we feel that leafy and high-sugar yielding varieties like Madhura-2 can be very suitable for this purpose. India has a serious green fodder production deficit. What is needed is good R&D to evaluate and market sweet sorghum in this segment. This may  help position sweet sorghum as an industrial crop and may provide the necessary incentive to grow it. The Indian government has to make a policy decision on promoting sweet sorghum as an excellent food and fodder source. It is already promoting millet as a healthy food and with better support price, sweet sorghum can flourish.

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A daughter's emotional cross-border journey

It is unbearable to even imagine being forced to leave your hometown or risk being slaughtered simply because you belong to a different religion. But I did not find any bitterness in Bani Singh's eyes for Lahore or my country, Pakistan.

How a Boston museum inspired Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animation film

The connection between Isabella Stewart Gardner and two Pakistani filmmakers highlights the universal power of art. As Gardner's museum inspires visitors, The Glassworker seeks to expand Pakistani cinema and animation, globally presenting the country’s artistic heritage.

Bollywood’s Islamophobic turn: Hindu mythology with Muslim villains

The excessive demonisation of Muslims in Bollywood in the last decade is quite well documented. The heightening of communal tensions in recent times has been cashed in by Hindi filmmakers who have developed an incessant need for Muslim villains in their films. Whether the script allows it or not, filmmakers like Vanga Reddy and Rohit Shetty have proven that the plot can be bent over and around to make sure that the antagonist is a Muslim. 

The enduring magic of MT, a master storyteller

Such a scene would likely face significant resistance in contemporary Kerala. The prevailing climate of communalism and sectarian divisions within Malayalee society would likely lead to demands for a ban on the film, with critics citing it as blasphemous. This highlights the increasing intolerance towards artistic expression that challenges religious sensibilities.

India should recognize Allama Mashriqi for his contribution to mathematics

As India celebrates Mathematics Day, it is crucial to recognize figures like Allama Mashriqi, whose contributions to mathematics and society continue to resonate. While Ramanujan’s genius is rightly celebrated, the exclusion of Mashriqi—a Muslim mathematician of extraordinary talent—is both unjustified and a missed opportunity for inclusivity.  

Tsunami 2004: A survivor's tale of grit, determination and resilience

Discussions with various senior Pakistani diplomats in Colombo as well as Sri Lankan diplomats in Pakistan led to my first visit to Pakistan in September 2023 to participate in the people-centered initiative ‘Enduring Friendship’ events in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Sri Lanka-Pakistan diplomatic relations.

Shyam Benegal: A maker of pathbreaking movies

Benegal came across as a man of refined sensibilities and great empathy for the human condition, which clearly reflected in his cinema.

From Pakistan to China for a network of English language teachers - in Beijing

Singaporean, Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Arabic – in fact all varieties of English are acceptable as part of ‘World Englishes’ as long as they serve the communicative purpose of language.

Overcoming the fear of pain and death

Fear of death has also been drastically reduced in people who have experienced near death experience (NDE). NDE seems to happen when a person is declared clinically dead but after some time returns to life. Quite a number of people during the NDE episode have also reported that their whole life flashes by and almost all their past actions become visible.  

Sufism's ethos can be instrumental in healing societal rifts, fostering a culture of coexistence

Sufism’s relationship with other religions is characterized by respect and recognition of shared values. Sufi leaders often participate in interfaith initiatives, promoting cooperation and understanding. This engagement not only builds bridges between communities but also fosters a sense of secularism, where religious authority does not dominate public life.

When festivals become tools of hatred not harmony

What needs to be understood for prevention is that most of the time these processions, which are well armed, deliberately decide to pass through Muslim majority areas, with loud music and provocative and abusive slogans. It has become a pattern that someone will climb over the mosque and replace the green flag with saffron flag and the crowds down below dance and give a big applause.

'Blasphemy' fears threaten centuries-old interfaith harmony in historic Pakistan district on India border

"Hindus and Muslims are one Sindhi nation. No extremist can divide us. We Hindus do not show disrespect towards the Kaaba," said Hindu teacher Khushal Premee. “We do not even sleep with our feet pointed in that direction,” he said, listing other ways in which his community shows respect to their Muslim neighbours in Umerkot

Ratan Tata: Business with a gentlemanly grace

Minus any of the JRD charisma, and in fact distinctly uncharismatic as he was, Ratan Tata still stood out as a gentlemanly leader who kept a sense of grace and an understated manner in a business world that has gotten all too loud and flamboyant

Ratan Tata: A business legend who set an example in humility and altruism

To my mind Ratan Tata’s greatest gift to the group was that he consolidated all the Tata companies under one umbrella with tighter control and mandated them to do more social work.

Two Indian Navy women on an epic voyage, set to challenge the high seas

Navika Sagar Parikrama II will cover more than 21,600 nautical miles (approx 40,000 km) in five legs with stop overs at four ports for replenishment and maintenance as required. The broad contour of voyage will be (a) Goa to Fremantle, Australia, (b) Fremantle to Lyttleton, New Zealand, (c) Lyttleton to Port Stanley, Falkland, (d) Port Stanley to Cape Town, S Africa and (e) Cape Town to Goa.