Letters to The Editor — April 7, 2025

Bill and debate I see the path taken, though individually, by some Members of Parliament, in challenging the Parliament-voted and approved Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Supreme Court of India, as the rule of law. It is also reported that more parties are set to follow the route. If the allegation of there having been … Read more

A paradigm shift in mental health policy

It is a major crisis in public mental health ethics that psychologists align with counter therapeutic institutional policies that violate existing constitutional and statutory safeguards. File. | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam On March 24, the Supreme Court of India formed a National Task Force to prevent the increasing deaths by suicide of students on … Read more

Bridging gaps, building resilience – The Hindu

By capitalising on its youthful population, digital infrastructure, and pharmaceutical sector, India has the potential to emerge as a global health leader. | Photo Credit: M. Vedhan World Health Day, celebrated on April 7, serves as a global call to action for accessible and fair healthcare. The theme for 2025, ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures’, emphasises … Read more

Prescribe preventive medicine for a healthy India

India stands at the cusp of economic glory, aspiring to become a $5 trillion economy and a global powerhouse. However, there is a “silent epidemic” of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that threatens our economic and developmental ambitions. Today, NCDs are the leading cause of death in the country, accounting for roughly two-thirds of all deaths. To … Read more

Women in space – The Hindu

Space, the ultimate frontier, has fascinated humankind for centuries. Yet, for decades, it remained an arena dominated by men. However, that is changing, and women have been steadily carving their rightful place in the cosmos. The return of veteran NASA astronaut Sunita Williams from a challenging 286-day extended stay aboard the International Space Station has … Read more

Women’s power of deterrence – The Hindu

A woman can shift her stress response from her instinctive maternal ‘tend and defend’ and upgrade it to the destructive ‘fight mode’.  | Photo Credit: Getty Images I watched the Republic Day parade on television on January 26, showcasing India’s firepower and hair-raising aerobatics with great pride. The demonstration of such military might is aimed … Read more

Travails of a guest at a big, fat wedding

The couple often takes time to emerge from their preparations, leading to that inevitable feeling of awkwardness as guests stand around, waiting.  | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto As a Chennaiite who has been to numerous weddings, I can’t help but notice the stark difference in the celebration now and back then. In my childhood, weddings … Read more

Scene shifts to biopics – The Hindu

The tension between historical accuracy and cinematic storytelling is a constant struggle.  | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Indian cinema is at a crossroads. Beyond the dazzling song-and-dance routines, a powerful new force is emerging: the historical biopic. These films plunge into India’s rich, often turbulent past, resurrecting iconic figures. This isn’t just a trend; it’s … Read more