India’s museums and heritage institutions are at a crossroads. The digital age offers incredible tools to preserve and promote culture, but it also demands clarity, intention, and collaboration. The future lies in building a community of professionals who understand both the value of tradition and the power of technology.
If you have ever felt the dopamine rush from a like or comment, or have scrolled past your bedtime, you are one of the millions entrenched in this system. According to recent studies, the average person spends two hours and 24 minutes on social media daily. Each interaction—whether it’s a curated ad, a filtered photo, or even a friend’s post becomes material that subtly shapes how we see ourselves and the world around us.
So, what is the smell of autumn about? Is it the change in weather, from an otherwise hot tropical condition or is it the festivals, the food, the lights and the colours? What is it that really makes this feeling so special? Perhaps it is a realisation of moments of loss and happiness and a sense of comfort - all strung across the same thread
Our daughter, Ileana Ann, was born in Dubai. However, now, at two years old. She’s being taught to know the anthem of India better than “Dil Dil Pakistan”. Just beginning to string together words, tottering between rooms with a giggle that sounds the same in any language. Born with a passport that bears the tricolor — yet half her heartbeat echoes from across the Wagah border.
His tenure at SIAM was characterized by a commitment to excellence and innovation. Notably, he played a pivotal role in developing India’s first Automotive Mission Plan (2006–16), which laid the foundation for the country’s robust automotive industry
For me, a Pakistani, this road in Delhi holds special significance, because my father lived here, growing up in a house on this road before Partition, when Karol Bagh was a predominantly Muslim area. In fact, most of the houses here once belonged to his extended family. Even the masjid on the road, I believe, was built by my father’s Bare Abba — Agha Abdul Aziz, his father’s elder brother.
Our present Indian society has very little respect for teachers. Today in India teaching as a profession is generally looked down upon. Unless that changes, we will not get great people to teach. Today in India the situation is such that when people do not get good jobs in industry or other trades, they go into teaching. For most people it is just another job for making money.
How does a Mumbai-based curator create an act of peaceful yet powerful protest in New York? By taking a space long dominated by the patriarchal system and filling it with artists and poets whose work goes beyond traditional feminism. Most of the artists in the show were born in other countries. Including the South Asian diaspora of Pakistan and India
Was Aurangzeb anti Hindu? One can say that Aurangzeb was neither Akbar nor Dara Shikoh. He was orthodox and did not welcome Hindus and non Sunni sects of Islam at one level. At another level he was master of alliances as he had a number Hindu officers in his administration. As medieval historian, Prof Ali Athar, points out Aurangzeb had the highest number of Hindu officers in his administration (33%).
It is axiomatic that whatever greatness he accomplished would have been highly unlikely if he stayed in the local university system in Sri Lanka, which reached a state of mediocracy after 1956. Gananath Obeyesekere enters the pantheon of Global Sri Lankans such as CG Weeramantry, CF Amerasinghe and Stanly Tambiah whose greatness is still revered by the world
With limited data on women journalists pursuing legal action in both India and Pakistan, predatory behaviour continues to escalate. Regional governments must stop using online harassment as a political tool as it not only takes a psychological toll but also makes it difficult for journalists to do their jobs effectively. Taking serious steps to protect them must be treated as an urgent priority.
The 8th Global Conference on Creating Value will be held in London, UK at the Imperial College in October 2025. The 7th was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil on October 2-4, 2024. The first was in the UK, the second in New York, the third in Paris and the fourth (virtual) from Florida, the fifth in Japan, the sixth in Washington DC.
Adolescence is a stark reminder that fostering emotional resilience, rather than repression, is vital for a healthier society. Schools and parents must prioritize social-emotional learning, equipping adolescents with emotional regulation, empathy, and communication skills. Trained teachers and counselors should offer early intervention for emotional distress.
When many worlds fell apart on September 11, 2001, Mansoora Hassan the artist embraced the pain and ensuing horror across the globe. Like a penitent for all, she donned a burqa (itself a valiant and conspicuous act) and stood in front of emblematic American monuments like the White House, the Lincoln Memorial and Ground Zero, her hand outstretched - as though begging for alms.
To alleviate drinking water woes for rural schools, a unique clean drinking water technology (CDWT) has been developed by the Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), an NGO, in Phaltan, Maharashtra, India. The clean drinking water technology (CDWT) can provide 100-200 liters of clean water per day to about 200 children in rural schools.
e-rickshaws are a very common sight in Indian cities. They clog the roads and in most places create a nuisance. AI can help them to become Uber e-rickshaws. They provide last mile connectivity and Uber or Ola model for these rickshaws can help everybody. However to develop this model good and hard data on their numbers, their characteristics, road topography and conditions are needed.
Despite earnest rhetoric about safeguarding women’s rights, the world’s oldest democracy India remains indifferent to the safety and welfare of half its population – women and girls. Sexual violence and the incidence of rape is on the increase and what is cause for deep despondency is the manner in which state and society in India are accepting this as a kind of new normal.
While there are rumours of back-channel dialogue taking place currently, when one of these two nuclear-armed neighbours behaves reasonably, the other one throws a tantrum and vice versa. What will it take to bring them on the same page? What can we, the people, do to move the needle?
India, with its rich history of natural healing, is uniquely positioned to lead the world in the practice and promotion of naturopathy. As chronic diseases continue to rise globally, naturopathy offers a solution that is affordable, environmentally friendly, and free from harmful side effects. With its focus on prevention and a healthy lifestyle, naturopathy aligns with the needs of both individuals and society at large.
