The biggest victims of heavy snowfall are often invisible in public conversations.They are the daily wage workers. laborers, construction workers, street vendors, load carriers, and small service providers who depend on daily earnings to feed their families.When snow blocks roads and markets shut down, their income stops immediately. There is no work from home for a daily wager. No paid leave. No savings cushion for many. Each snowbound day means an empty kitchen, anxious parents, and children who may go to bed hungry. Winter for them is not scenic; it is a season of survival.
Breaking from the tradition of only marching columns, the Indian Army showcased a "phased battle array" for the first time, mirroring real combat-zone deployment. This included a sequence of new military, technological, and specialized units, highlighting the country's defence self-reliance and modernization.
In a world that often tries to simplify what’s complicated, Mother Mary Comes to Me captures the South Asian reality where a woman’s power is often carved out of the very detachment that causes pain. Arundhati Roy’s latest work maps a difficult legacy where a mother’s refusal to be a vessel for others, however costly to those around her, unwittingly clears the path for a daughter to reclaim herself.
The story of Arun’s role in the Battle of Basantar did not end on that day, or even after the cease fire of this two weeks war, resulting in the demise of East Pakistan and the announcement of the newly liberated Bangladesh. Major Khwaja Mohammad Nasir, then a Squadron Commander of 13th Lancers, the regiment pitched against Poona Horse, who came bandaged the next day to collect the dead bodies of his fallen comrades, wanted to know more about “ the officer, who stood like an insurmountable rock” and whose troop of three British World War II vintage Centurion tanks was responsible for decimation of his entire squadron of fourteen American Patton tanks.
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.
How did everybody forget that India prospered and flourished only because its armed forces ensured that it continued to exist as a State? Did anyone remember that when the nation was celebrating the New Year, thousands of soldiers were patrolling the troubled Line of Control, guarding the icy heights of the Line of Actual Control, fighting an undeclared war on Siachen, and combating proxy war in J&K? Keeping our sea lines of communications secure and preventing piracy? Guarding our air spaces from spying unarmed vehicles or aircraft?
Very divisive narratives are being created in the country with a strong possibility of the situation flaring up and leading to breakdown of law and order.
People will always cross all kinds of barriers for love. A 19-year old Pakistani woman and a 26-year old Indian man who fell in love after interacting online couldn’t get visas to each other’s countries. So, they met and married in Nepal, then went to live in India where the man worked as a security guard. They ended up in jail. The woman was deported to Pakistan. The man was imprisoned for bringing a Pakistani into the country illegally.
