BIMSTEC leaders

BIMSTEC’s Strategic Challenge to Pakistan: Geopolitical Recasting or Regional Fracture?

Pakistan’s absence is not without costs. Diplomatic exclusion is only one facet of the spectre that looms over the country: limited transit access, reduced prospects for integration into Bay-centric supply networks and weakened soft-power influences across the Indian Ocean littoral.

Proxy Village Governance: The Pradhan Pati Problem in India's Democracy

It has been formally recognised in the Report of the Advisory Committee on Women Pradhans, Transforming Women’s Representation and Role in Panchayati Raj Institutions: Efforts to Eliminate Proxy Participation, which recorded that elected women representatives are often “represented by their husbands or male relatives” and recommended the imposition of stringent and exemplary penalties to curb such practices.

Students Must Study; But They Must Also Ask Questions and not Ignore Injustice

When the university community itself has not succeeded in resolving many serious problems confronting higher education, on what moral basis should students simply be asked to remain silent and trust the system?

The Ganga Water Treaty Needs More Than Renewal: It Needs Reinvention

The treaty that once symbolized diplomatic success should now become a model for climate-resilient hydro-diplomacy. The river has changed, the climate has changed, and the needs of both nations have changed. The treaty must change with them.

More on Education and Gen Z Voices

Wanderlust

Wandering is never a bad thing

A military commanders’ meet that was packed with significance

The idea to hold the Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) at Kevadia, Gujarat is packed with a significance which strikes those aware of India’s post-Independence history, which was swept under the carpet

Quad puts environment and climate on global front burner

The Quad meeting of leaders on March 12, 2021 has sprung a surprise. From what it has been earlier called - a 'four-member grouping', 'a loose coalition', an Asian NATO and even 'a security dialogue', the Quad has evolved into a robust construct after last week's meeting

What Is Beautiful?

‘Tell me what is beautiful, Mother

After Quad, will India, US resume trade talks?

Proposed talks on free trade agreement (FTA) between New Delhi and Washington is set to gather steam in the coming months as the Quad or the Quadrilateral group, which held its much-awaited meeting on Friday, indicated that the focus of the member countries, India, the US, Japan and Australia, will encompass economic co-operation besides strengthening security ties

Hinduism remains strong in Trinidad and Tobago

Hindus in Trinidad and Tobago - like in many other countries in the Caribbean - celebrated Maha Shivaratri, an annual festival organized in honour of Lord Shiva, one of the Hindu Trinity, with great gusto

India can only survive as a secular democracy

There are many in the western world and many in India who are expressing doubts about India continuing as a democracy

Desiderata

Roses in bloom, Daffodils besides

Remembering Albert Einstein: He changed the course of human history

March 14 is the birth anniversary of Albert Einstein. He has been one of my heroes and I have been inspired by his work and his life. So I thought of paying him a small tribute

Gentle Words Are Like The Zephyr

Words that flow from a gentle heart

India’s vaccine diplomacy: Earning global accolades, serving humanity

The grave impacts of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic have been so humongous that it has caused massive human sufferings across the globe

India's campaign for gender parity: The riveting history of women's empowerment in India

While celebrating International Women's Day, it is worth pondering over India's historic contribution in pioneering women's empowerment that has its beginnings in the early 19th Century

Pakistan’s darkening shades of grey

In its Plenary held on February 22, 24, 25, 2021, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)  decided to retain Pakistan in its listing of Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring – the ‘grey list’ – along with 18 other countries

The Candle of Hope Must Never Die

Live in the present with no thoughts of the morrow 

Doubt, Life’s Eternal Song

Reveal Yourself, O Lord, to me