Venu Naturopathy

 

Wedding photo of Desiree Francis and her two year old daughter Ileana Ann. Photo supplied.

A Marriage Across Borders: A Pakistani Mother Raises Indian Daughter Amid Love, Fears and Yearning

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.

Indian military bands whip up patriotic fervour with their entrancing musical repertoire

Over the decades since the 1950s many Indian Armed Forces band masters composed numbers based on Indian folk music sourced from different parts of the country. After almost five decades, there has been slow phase-out of Western tunes and more works by Indian composers, many of whom are from within the armed forces themselves.

How deep dive in AI can help Mankind, but AI can't replace human intelligence

We are aware that the change in information is proportional to the total accumulative existing knowledge on a particular subject and hence this leads to its exponential growth.  Yet no matter how much the processing power of AI is, it will still remain bound by the existing knowledge and the environment which produced it. 

From Herat to Hyderabad, Jaffna to Jhapa, Young Voices Reimagine South Asia

Together, these voices converged on common ground: universal education, ecological cooperation, equitable trade, soft borders, and a revitalised SAARC that works for people rather than politics. Or, as one participant Ayesha Ahmed Quadri from India put it: “In the hands of South Asia lie the seeds of unity, compassion, peace, humility, and growth, ready to blossom beyond borders and history.”

More on Medley

Are The Values and Ideologies Of 19th And Early 20th Great Bengalis Relevant At Present?

With the deviousness associated with a feudal culture, the highest standards are being set for a system that employs blatant untruths, hypocrisy, double standards, and fake news through large sections of the communication media influenced by the party to form the basis of a totalitarian political system characterised by the extreme Hindu fanaticism of northern India and north-western India, with the rest of India utterly disregarded.

A Call to Healing: Honouring Earth, Mothers and Ourselves

In a world plagued by deepening social, spiritual, and ecological crises—and amid an escalating environmental breakdown marked by climate collapse, deforestation, biodiversity loss, pollution, and the reckless overconsumption of finite resources—the Earth still holds a profound, forgiving strength that sustains life.

Banu Mushtaq: Exceptional Tale Of A Spirited Human Journey

To appreciate Mushtaq and her work is to celebrate the diversity of South Asian languages, culture and many minorities. Over a century ago, the iconic poet Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel for translating his own work from Bengali to English. However, seldom do we take time to explore works in other regional languages, for example, Tamil, Telugu, Assamese or Balochi. Kannada is estimated to be spoken by 65 million in a region of nearly two billion people.

Walking For Peace And Harmony In Times of Conflict And Violence

The fear of the police and trolls makes our hearts beat faster each time there is a phone call from an unknown number. What will it be -- a First Information Report? Lock up? Or some other horrible punishment for what we believe is the right and the only way for human beings to live with each other -- in peace, with love, harmony and unity. No amount of trolls or state repression can change our minds.

Reimagining South Asian womanhood through art and activism

Through this powerful convergence of artistic voices and institutional support, "Feminist Futures" not only documents the present state of feminist discourse in South Asia but actively participates in shaping its future. It stands as testament to art's capacity to challenge, transform, and reimagine social realities, creating spaces for dialogue and change in a region grappling with questions of gender justice and equality.

Never too old: Two Indian veterans on a 7800-mile sailing expedition to boost maritime adventure

The arduous voyage of the Tystie across the Pacific and Indian oceans to Visakhapatnam will instil a sense of pride for Andhra Pradesh, home state for the two intrepid sailors. The Andhra coast has a hoary tradition of maritime connectivity with South-East Asia since the BC period during the reign of  the Satavahana dynasty

Save trees to protect the economy, culture and human lives

Hyderabad will be lifeless without its tree cover. The city needs its green cover, oxygen, and natural look to sustain economic activities. According to the World Economic Forum's recent Nature Risk Rising Report, more than half of the world’s GDP ($44 trillion) is highly or moderately dependent on nature. 

Race for AI Solutions: Need to Temper With Responsible and Ethical Approach

There is significant pressure to implement AI solutions fast in response to market demand, but there are also hazards associated with using the incorrect technology or doing so carelessly. Due diligence on AI is a strategic precaution, not a delay tactic.

George Keyt: Icon of cultural modernism in South Asia

The latest study of Sri Lanka’s most internationally acclaimed painter offers a detailed portrait of the artist, shedding light on previously overlooked aspects of his life and work. What emerges is a vision of George Keyt who continues to be celebrated for his bold fusion of Eastern themes and Western techniques

The bite that shouldn’t kill: Need to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030

So what should you do if you get bitten, even by a vaccinated dog? The answer is simple: treat every bite seriously. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Apply an antiseptic, and seek medical attention immediately. Do not rely solely on the dog’s vaccination status. Rabies is unforgiving. Once symptoms appear, there is no cure

Reawakening Our Humanity: Celebrated in Words, Abandoned in Deeds

In an age of rising division and dwindling empathy, Debasish Bhattacharyya's stirring reflection challenges us to reawaken our shared humanity—not in grand speeches, but in everyday actions. Through the extraordinary journey of Thor Pedersen and a sobering critique of global indifference, this piece is both a wake-up call and a call to care.

How a national art gallery was born in Islamabad: A lesson in perseverance and tenacity

A recently published coffee table book by architect Naeem Pasha documents the social and cultural forces behind the nearly-30 year long process that culminated with the inauguration of Pakistan’s monumental National Art Gallery in Islamabad

Madhur Bajaj: The lesser known Bajaj who raised Aurangabad’s profile

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

The house on Faiz Road: Once home, now history

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.

Motivating India's youth: Why students remain largely disconnected from the India story

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.