How AI, Media, and Visual Shape Our Sense of Threat

Whither Commitment to Truth? How AI, Media, and Visuals Shape Our Sense of Threat

The social media takes advantage of the reward systems in the brain, especially the dopamine circuits within the basal ganglia and the prefrontal cortex. Using signals of micro-engagement, including the duration of time a user hovers over a video or the number of times a user rewatches a clip, algorithms develop a feedback loop that over time redirects the feed of a user to more intense or provocative content.

To Mediate - or not to Mediate: Not Necessary for India to be at Head of Table at Peace Talks

To step into the role of mediator in a conflict of this nature would inevitably test that balance. It would invite scrutiny, of intent, of tilt, of perceived bias. Even the most well-intentioned effort could be interpreted through the prism of existing relationships. In such a situation, neutrality is not merely a matter of policy; it becomes a matter of perception, and perceptions are notoriously difficult to manage.

Large-scale Voter Abstention: Was Bangladesh's Parliamentary Election a Genuine Democratic Exercise?

One notable point is that Awami League (AL) supporters and minority community voters reportedly did not vote for any of the contesting parties. This narrative may have been constructed to justify inflated vote counts. It may also suggest that none of the contesting parties—including the BNP, Jamaat alliances, and others—command the level of public support often claimed. Additionally, it can be inferred that communal politics has not achieved the level of social penetration in Bangladesh as was talked about.

Mental Health in Schools and Colleges: An Ignored Chapter in Bangladesh's Education System

The loss of 403 young lives is a stark wake-up call for Bangladesh. Schools and colleges are meant to nurture dreams, not silently witness the suffering of students. A collaborative effort involving the government, educational institutions, and families is urgently needed. With empathy, awareness, and institutional support, many of these young lives can still be saved.

More on Perspective

Vizhinjam Port Project: A Turning Point in India's Communist Movement?

The commissioning of the Vizhinjam Port under a public-private model reflects a progressive shift in the Indian communist movement without compromising its core values. It demonstrates that modern communism in India can adapt pragmatically while upholding its commitment to equity.Can one then say that the Vizhinjam Port is a symbol of ideological transformation and a turning point for the communist movement in India?

Can Indus waters issue be de-linked from historic grievances? (Reproduction of a 2010 piece by late Harvard professor and water resources expert John Briscoe)

If Baglihar was the only dam being built by India on the Chenab and Jhelum, this would be a limited problem. But following Baglihar is a veritable caravan of Indian projects – Kishanganga, Sawalkot, Pakuldul, Bursar, Dal Huste, Gyspa. The cumulative live storage will be large, giving India an unquestioned capacity to have a major impact on the timing of flows into Pakistan

IPKF denied official battle honours for 35 years for Sri Lankan operation

In 2019 the National War Memorial was at long last constructed in Delhi and from 2021 IPKF veterans and their family members began getting together there in March every year to commemorate the sacrifices of their comrades.  This year, marking the fifth get-together since 2021, the response for the get-together was well over hundred Veterans, Veer Naris (widows of personnel killed in action) and various family members, including some grandchildren of the IPKF personnel.

'Terrorists enjoying safe havens today can easily turn against their hosts tomorrow'

Islam is a great religion, and its followers have a responsibility to ensure that extremists do not continue to tarnish its image. While the global community must persist in its fight against terrorism, the voice of the Muslim community carries special weight in this context. It is imperative that Muslims around the world help reclaim their faith from those who misuse it to justify violence.

Will the lament of a crash-killed fighter pilot’s mother move the nation to act?

IAF is also the only major air force that operates seven different fighters – Su-30MKIs, upgraded MiG-29 Ms, retrofitted Mirage 2000Hs, Jaguars, MiG-21s and Rafales, making their maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) an ordeal.

Ambedkar had warned of potent dangers to India's democracy

Thanks to Ambedkar, India adopted modernity via an extremely enlightened constitution which is a living, throbbing document, open to amendments. But constitutional morality is not in our genes. It has to be cultivated as a habit. In our actions and administration; the spirit of the constitution must not be forgotten. This is but one of innumerable exhortations of one of the tallest leaders of modern India

Reaching healthcare to a rural, remote world: Doctor sensitisation is the key

Doctors from India, Australia, America, New Zealand, Norway, Nepal and Sri Lanka discussed rural healthcare challenges at the three-day World Rural Health Summit in Bengaluru

Dilemma of dealing with a fractured America in a disrupted world order

This is not the new world order that was envisaged when the WTO was formed, or indeed when the series of multilateral institutions took shape in the aftermath of the chaos of the World Wars, or indeed the world in which countries like India agreed to go with frameworks like the new intellectual property rights regime 

A New Era of Regional Unity under Yunus’s Leadership in BIMSTEC?

At the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, Dr. Muhammad Yunus assumes leadership, signaling a transformative era for regional cooperation. His four-point proposal emphasizes people-centric growth, climate action, digital equality, and youth leadership—offering a visionary path for South and Southeast Asia.

Modi’s visit to RSS headquarters: Reinforcing political commitment to an ideological agenda

The RSS’s infiltration into civil society and political institutions has long been underway, but this influence has intensified since the BJP came to power in several states and at the Centre. Beyond shakhas, the RSS now organizes community groups for women, children, and the elderly to keep them ideologically aligned. Recently, a picnic was organized in my area; when a Muslim woman expressed interest in joining, she was bluntly told she would feel uncomfortable due to the nature of the discussions and activities

Trump’s tariff blitz: Cutting the nose to spite one's face?

When the dust settles, Trump may find that most imports continue unabated—only now, U.S. consumers are paying more. Yes, the higher tariffs could marginally boost government revenues, but the burden will ultimately fall on the American public. And there’s more: once other countries respond with reciprocal tariffs on U.S. exports, American producers will struggle in overseas markets. Competing against countries like China—who often leverage non-transparent pricing and generous credit terms—will become even tougher.

For battle readiness need to keep morale of Indian soldier high

The apathy of the authorities and civil society in a recent incident when drunk policemen in the Indian state of Punjab assaulted a serving colonel of the Indian Army  at an eatery is appalling to say the least. Such public apathy, surely, does not enhance the morale of a soldier.

US policy shifts signal end of globalisation? India as outsourcing destination might be nearing expiry date

The first is that India can no longer hope to build or become a manufacturing hub by copying the Chinese model, getting companies like Foxconn to bring their factories to Indian sites and manufacture for American giants. The game of building that kind of a manufacturing base is past its expiry date. 

The unchecked menace of noise pollution is aggravating environmental degradation

Despite multiple Supreme Court and High Court rulings condemning noise polluters for disregarding public inconvenience, sound pollution continues unabated. The Supreme Court’s judgments on loudspeaker usage were intended to protect citizens from becoming a ‘forced audience’ to noise; yet enforcement remains a challenge.

Can India turn Trump's tariffs into an opportunity?

India is the world’s largest producer of milk, has the highest population of cattle, is among the top two or three producers of fruits and vegetables, and has one of the longest coastlines. How well does that translate into export of milk products, cheeses, confectionary, meat, poultry, fisheries, fruit juices, nutraceuticals, organic foods? There is no use in hiding behind the excuse of “protecting the small farmer”