Bhagat Singh and Valentine's Day: A message that circulates in the social media every year in the weeks preceding the Valentine's Day calls upon us not to forget that "the hanging of the great freedom fighters - Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru happened on 14th February". A few friends share the message "as received". Obviously,... Continue Reading →
Pollution in Delhi – Time to seek Divine Intervention?
Photo credit: Internet Even a decade ago, winter in Delhi used to be quite different. Once the Diwali festivities were over, Sunday editions of newspapers would publish articles talking about the nip in the air, on ways of enjoying the winter - the picnic spots to be explored, trips to the zoo garden with the... Continue Reading →
In Managing Foreign Relations Foreign Office’s Advice should matter
The entire country breathed a sigh of relief at the news of India and China withdrawing their forces from the Doklam plateau. The way the tension was rising, one wrong step could lead to a war between the two neighbours, with far reaching regional and international ramifications. Diplomats in both New Delhi and Beijing... Continue Reading →
Independent Think Tanks – Specialists or the Government’s Spin-doctors
In the early days of the sudden government decision to withdraw from circulation the old 1000 and 500 rupee notes, one of the popular national TV channels aired an interview with an economist of international eminence on the reasons for and likely effects of the financial blitzkrieg. The professor, a known advocate of market economy,... Continue Reading →
A Tribute to “The Teacher”
When I think of the grand manner in which 5th September, the Teachers' Day is celebrated now, I feel sad for the teachers in our school days. Back then, beyond a hand-made card there was little more that we could give our teachers on this day to express our love and respect for them. Teachers'... Continue Reading →
Jaya Hey, Bharata Bhagya Vidhata
Myths seem to die hard. Especially so in this country where it is a popular pass-time of some people to find faults with anyone of great stature. As it happens, the common man, who has neither the time nor the desire to probe deep to find the truth, tends to believe a well-spun myth.... Continue Reading →
Communal Polarisation of West Bengal: An Effort Fraught With Danger
Monday, July 10, 2017 The otherwise quiet and little known hamlet of Baduria, and the small sub-divisional town of Basirhat in West Bengal have suddenly caught all India attention for all the wrong reasons. Analysts are trying to get to the genesis of the communal eruption, especially because such incidents are relatively rare in Bengal.... Continue Reading →
To Eat or Not to Eat ……
In his columns in a national daily a very well known journalist has discussed at length the genesis of some Hindus eating the prohibited meat as a display of their liberal and progressive attitude. He flashed back to the days of the Young Bengal, focused on ‘beef festivals’ of more recent times and has concluded... Continue Reading →
ভয়ংকর সুন্দর মার্চিসন ফলস
শহরের সীমা ছাড়াতেই দুপাশে ঘন সবুজ ক্ষেতের বুক চিরে চলে গেছে কালো ফিতের মতো পীচের রাস্তা। দূরে আবছা দেখা যায় ছোট ছোট পাহাড়ের সারি। আমরা চলেছি পূর্ব আফ্রিকার উগান্ডার অন্যতম বিখ্যাত মার্চিসন ফলস ন্যাশনাল পার্কে। কাম্পালার পাশে বিশাল ভিক্টোরিয়া হ্রদের ধারে পিকনিক করে আর জিঞ্জায় নীল নদের উৎস বেড়িয়ে আরও একটু বড় সফরের জন্য উসখুস... Continue Reading →
Bangladesh PM’s Visit – Let the Friendship Flourish
Beginning tomorrow, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh will be in India on a 4-day State visit. It comes at a crucial time, and is of considerable importance for both the countries. New Delhi-Dhaka ties are at their best, and the present government in Bangladesh is the most friendly for India in many decades. Be... Continue Reading →
