Afghan women in burkha in markets

The Empty Chair at Islamabad: When Taliban Saw Women's Rights Subordinated by Islamic Law

The Taliban, therefore, is not challenging whether Islam should shape women’s rights. Both the OIC and the Taliban begin from that premise. The disagreement is over what Islamic rights mean and, more importantly, who has the authority to define them. 

Who Defines Where Home is? Confronting Partition Trauma and its Aftermath Eight Decades Later

As of January this year, at least 296 Bangladeshis have died in border areas over the past decade, as India’s Border Security Forces (BSF) pushes “illegal Bangladeshis” across the border in the dead of night.

'The Election Commission Expose': A Seminal Moment for Indian Journalism

It is true that only a handful of newspapers have the resources and persistence to pursue big stories of the kind that came alive in the EC exposé. Nevertheless, to the extent that it inspires others to pursue even smaller news stories with steadfastness this could potentially redeem the otherwise sordid state of affairs in the Indian media.

India-Mongolia Buddhist Partnership: A Civilisational Bridge Linking India’s Buddhist Heritage with Mongolia’s Contemporary Revival

The profound emotional connection was vividly evident in 2022 when, as the Indian delegation accompanying the relics entered the Gandan monastery, members of the crowd reached out to touch them, expressing their reverence for those who had come "from the land of the Buddha".

More on Soft Power, Culture, Society and Gender

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.

'A chorus of voices poised to ignite transformation' through art

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

Selective historiography of communal historians fueling divisive politics

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%).

Gananath Obeyesekere: A scholar who plumbed the depths of the unknown

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

The rising threat to women journalists in South Asia

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.

Value Creation: Path to zero complaints for companies and organizations

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.

Building a more emotionally resilient generation: Netflix series on adolescence offers a lesson for every parent, teacher and policymaker

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. 

The timeless legacy of Mansoora Hassan, the Pakistani artist who merged identity and tradition with politics

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.

Clean drinking water for rural schools: India-developed technology can be scaled up, shared with other countries

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.