To my mind Ratan Tata’s greatest gift to the group was that he consolidated all the Tata companies under one umbrella with tighter control and mandated them to do more social work.
Goals Beyond Borders: Can Bangladesh Leverage its Football Craze as a Soft-power Tool?
Beyond the ambassadors of Brazil, Argentina, and Norway, the ambassadors of France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Morocco, and Egypt have also been drawing on their countries' football heritage to deepen cultural engagement with the football-crazy people of Bangladesh.
Name Change and Memory Archives: Striking Divergence Between India and Pakistan
Ironically, while India continues to rename roads and institutions associated with its medieval and colonial past, Pakistan’s Punjab province has begun moving in the opposite direction.
Protective Parenting: Raising Safe Children or Fragile Adults?
Unfortunately, a growing number of parents appear apprehensive about their children becoming proficient in their mother tongue, believing that greater exposure to local languages may somehow hinder their command of English or other global languages. This perception is both unfortunate and unfounded. A strong foundation in one's mother tongue strengthens cognitive development, improves learning outcomes, and facilitates the acquisition of additional languages.
When Poison Enters the System: Impunity, Vigilantism and South Asia’s Internal Security Failure
Across South Asia, the difference between prejudice and collapse is not the existence of hate. Every society has it in varying shades. The difference is whether the majoritarian state internalizes hate against the ‘other’, whether FIRs get diluted, trials get delayed, mobs get garlanded and impunity driven violence against minorities becomes low-cost. When that happens, the poison is not outside the system. It becomes the system.
More on Soft Power, Culture and Society
Two Indian Navy women on an epic voyage, set to challenge the high seas
Navika Sagar Parikrama II will cover more than 21,600 nautical miles (approx 40,000 km) in five legs with stop overs at four ports for replenishment and maintenance as required. The broad contour of voyage will be (a) Goa to Fremantle, Australia, (b) Fremantle to Lyttleton, New Zealand, (c) Lyttleton to Port Stanley, Falkland, (d) Port Stanley to Cape Town, S Africa and (e) Cape Town to Goa.
Hilsa diplomacy and the prized fish that animates a Bengali conversation
How Bangladesh has used the weakness of Indian Bengalis for the 'Padma ilish' to pursue its hilsa diplomacy with India was seen as far back in September 1996 when I K Gujral, then external affairs minister in the government of Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, visited Dhaka to tie up the loose ends in the Ganga Water Treaty that the two countries were negotiating.
India's DRDO working on multiple cutting-edge military technology areas, says its chairman
‘DRDO is looking to restructure itself to better leverage this ecosystem for national good. In doing so, DRDO is aiming to be leaner, faster and more impactful’
So near yet so far: An aborted rendezvous of Indian, Pakistani peace activists at Wagah
What is so threatening about letting a few hundred peace activists in a combined population of over a billion meet for a few moments at a heavily guarded border?
A new paradigm of development: Technology guided by spirituality can lead to sustainability and happiness
With the wisdom gained through spirituality, we will use technology judiciously to use nature’s resources wisely and live sustainably. Living sustainably and in tune with nature will give us peace and happiness. This in a nutshell can be the new paradigm of development for the world.
How the Rescue and Restoration Act of 1947 failed the subcontinent's women it intended to serve
Sharma joins the ranks of writers like Urvashi Butalia, Aanchal Malhotra, Vazira Zamindar, Anam Zakaria, and Kavita Puri who are contributing to the scant literature around Partition
Indian teenager with autism disorder creates history with English Channel swim
Jiya was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of two. Jiya’s parents, Indian Navy MC at Arms II Madan Rai and her mother, Rachna Rai, a teacher, took her swimming to overcome taunts for her disorder by other children and even adults.
South Asian peace activists gear up to converge at India-Pakistan border
The friendship of javelin throwers Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan and Neeraj Chopra of India and the large-heartedness and nobility of their mothers has already warmed hearts around the region and the world. Another young athlete also holding up flags of both countries expressed similar sentiments.
Sigma Huda: Bangladeshi lawyer who was a passionate fighter for justice and a fairer world
In 2007, she was awarded Pope John Paul II Wellspring of Freedom Award for dedicating her life to upholding human rights and combating injustice.
Sri Lankan vignette: Grassroots education thrives amid rural poverty
With free education for all between five to 16 years instituted since 1945, Sri Lanka boasts the highest literacy rate, nearly 99 per cent , in the South Asian region.
What is the purpose of life?
It is the nature of the human brain that when we go deeper into anything then we all discover the truth and beauty in this world, and this process helps us understand the purpose of our existence and life.
Ravindra Randeniya: Thespian of a bygone era of Sri Lankan cinema
As I heard Ravindra’s colleagues reflect on his life, his work, and his character over time, I couldn’t help reflecting on where Sri Lankan cinema had been and what it could be. In the 1980s and 1990s, and even earlier, Sri Lanka had been a top destination for international productions. Steven Spielberg had come here with Harrison Ford. So had Gregory Peck, William Holden, Elizabeth Taylor, and Bo Derek.
Remembering a Pakistani peace activist, a staunch proponent of friendship in South Asia
My grandfather’s journey across Wagah is a story I have heard Karamat Sahib narrate many times. As I write, I can hear his raspy voice recount it to me, as he did when I joined him for the immersion of Kuldip Nayar’s ashes.
A deep understanding of the economic behaviours of the poor
"Poor Economics" serves as a call to action for policymakers, development practitioners, and researchers. By demonstrating the power of small, well-designed interventions, Banerjee and Duflo inspire a more humble and patient approach to fighting poverty.
