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.
The most elaborate and multi-layer security cordon for the Dalai Lama was given when he visited the northeastern border state of Arunachal Pradesh - which is disputed by China - in 2017. His high-profile visit was considered a major risk having global and diplomatic implications due to unresolved and tense border flare-ups between the two neighboring Asian giants.
The Kerala Festival draws inspiration from the state’s rich literary and historical tradition. This year it hosted more than 500 speakers from 15 countries - although there were few participants from neighbouring countries. With an eclectic mix of literary discussions and cultural performances, the landmark event had a footfall of more than 600,000 visitors over the course of four days, according to the organizer’s estimates.
While the U.S. and China both suffer from the oversupply of solar panels, it has spurred growth in energy capacity in India and Pakistan. Until China had resolved its production issues in 2022, India’s solar electricity generation had grown at a linear rate. Upon the supply glut, the growth turned exponential. Just this year, 71% of the energy capacity added by India was renewable, thanks in large part to the record low price of polysilicon.
Users in Pakistan who communicate in Urdu, Pashto, Sindhi, or other regional languages frequently experience misunderstandings or incorrect flagging of their posts. This restricts their capacity to articulate their thoughts, particularly regarding local matters openly. Posts that critique societal norms or address regional problems can be flagged as inflammatory because the algorithms may not fully understand the context behind them.
Besides Sapan, Tapan Bose was instrumental in shaping numerous civil society initiatives, including the Pakistan-India Peoples’ Forum for Peace and Democracy, the South Asia Forum for Human Rights, and the Rohingya Human Rights Initiative. His commitment to defending the rights of refugees, displaced communities, and oppressed nationalities remained steadfast until his final days.
Arshad Mahmud has been doing this work for decades now, including under two military dictators. Today, as political agitations and unrest continue to rock Pakistan, he continues with dedication, good humour and drawing in more and more people, like his ustad Shoaib Hashmi.
