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The Narendra Modi government’s decision to include caste enumeration in the next Census is one that is bold, transformative and commendable. Counting caste is not capitulation to identity politics. It is a mirror to the lived realities of millions. It marks a vital step towards evidence-based policymaking to build a more just and inclusive India. … Read more
Standing: Paul MacCartney and John Lennon. Seating: Ringo Starr and George Harrison. | Photo Credit: Getty Images ABOUT 500 WORDS The Beatles won a Grammy this year. It is 55 years since the group broke up and 45 years since John Lennon was shot dead. George Harrison died in 2001, and here we are celebrating Now and … Read more
The morning after the Pahalgam massacre, we remembered the laughter that vanished mid-air. Children looked for faces that will not return, mothers dreamt of voices that the wind had stolen. And still, the men who plot wars draw their maps in silence, remaining unshaken by the wailing. For me this is not just grief, but … Read more
The role of a mentor is to ensure ethical practices and qualities that align with societal values. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Recently, I was fortunate to be invited for an Odissi dance performance as part of the Odisha Day celebration. The dance was named Kalpa Rupa, an interplay between Sakhi and Radha based on … Read more
The dissonance between the real life and online identity can ruin self-esteem and overall mental health. | Photo Credit: Getty Images The social media platforms designed to bring people together often become more oriented towards reflecting back the self rather than serving as a window for common connection and social belonging. Social media’s original goal … Read more
A mammoth exercise. | Photo Credit: Getty Images The grand spectacle of the Indian wedding season is here. Just when you thought you could peacefully transition from Holi and Sankranti to summer, the floodgates open — lavish invitations arrive in golden envelopes, WhatsApp groups start buzzing with blurry PDFs, and distant relatives you haven’t spoken … Read more
One of the most immediate and visible impacts of urbanisation is habitat loss. | Photo Credit: Getty Images The rapid expansion of urban centres across India, while a testament to economic growth, is casting a long shadow over natural heritage. The insatiable demand for land to accommodate burgeoning populations and infrastructure development is relentlessly chipping … Read more
The mountain peak in Kudremukh. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto After a 10-hour, 6,207-foot-high, 34,000-step trek, it took hours to catch my breath. I joined the trek only because one of the regular trekkers, a good friend — I doubt it now — had invited me for a pub hop and a poker night on … Read more
For women, Pope Francis has brought revolutionary changes to the Catholic Church. This is not solely a matter concerning the Church; every woman should be aware of it, to affirm that even sacred rites can be reformed. Pope Francis will be remembered not only for his deep humility and inclusive spirituality but also for steering … Read more
“I was told to kill as many Hindus as possible. We were told that Muslims in J&K are not allowed to pray,” confessed lanky Mohammad Abdullah, his jawline shadowed by the sparse, hesitant beard of his teenage years. Abdullah was involved in the killing of 28 slum dwellers, including many children, in Qasim Nagar on … Read more