Author: Dilip

I'm a scholar, writer and teacher; and my blog is designed for intellectual exploration. It carries no advertisements and requires no cash subscription

The Commodification of Indian Education and Loss of Moral Accountability

Both centralisation and privatisation have dismantled the future of higher education in India and the lack of moral positionality of the state has come out as a catastrophe for millions of students who aspire to follow higher education pathways. Vidyasagar Sharma Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (UGC-NEET) examination, the… Read More The Commodification of Indian Education and Loss of Moral Accountability

Dilip

God’s Ghostwriters: did enslaved scribes write the New Testament?

The theologian and journalist suggests that slaves in the Roman empire contributed to the core texts of Christianity in this refreshingly readable book God’s Ghostwriters by Candida Moss Peter Stanford Graham Greene, who wrote so much about Catholicism in his novels, was regularly asked whether he was still a believer. It was listening to the… Read More God’s Ghostwriters: did enslaved scribes write the New Testament?

Dilip

An answer to a mystery surrounding these 1,000-year-old trees

Baobabs can live for more than 1,000 years, acting as the keystone species in dry forest environments in Madagascar, a swathe of continental Africa, and northwest Australia. Known as “mother of the forest” and “the tree of life,” nearly every part of the tree can be used by humans and animals, meaning they’re of enormous… Read More An answer to a mystery surrounding these 1,000-year-old trees

Dilip

Afghan girls accuse Taliban of sexual assault after arrests for ‘bad hijab’

Reports surface days before UN summit on Afghanistan that will exclude Afghan women and debate on women’s rights Ahmad Ahmadi*, Zahra Nader and Farshid Aram* Teenage girls and young women arrested by the Taliban for wearing “bad hijab” say they have been subjected to sexual violence and assault in detention. In more than one case the arrests… Read More Afghan girls accuse Taliban of sexual assault after arrests for ‘bad hijab’

Dilip

Indira Jaising on implications of the Modi years. Report on a talk at SOAS

NB: A perceptive talk by one of India’s most experienced constitutional lawyers. I will add that there are certain grievous matters that democratic-minded persons the world over should take note of, viz., the regular deployment of mob violence and political assassination in India (as also the rest of South Asia), which has been ongoing for… Read More Indira Jaising on implications of the Modi years. Report on a talk at SOAS

Dilip

Ten Holocaust Survivors Condemn Israel’s Gaza Genocide / Gaza’s Hospitals Are Empty, and Patients Die in Silence

GAZA casualties, live statistics Holocaust survivors say using the Holocaust to justify genocide in Gaza and repress student protest on college campuses is a complete insult to the Holocaust’s memory. Ten Holocaust Survivors Condemn Israel’s Gaza Genocide The dehumanization of Palestinians, describing them as “human animals,” the killing of tens of thousands of civilians, indiscriminate… Read More Ten Holocaust Survivors Condemn Israel’s Gaza Genocide / Gaza’s Hospitals Are Empty, and Patients Die in Silence

Dilip

Ayesha Kidwai: The National Testing Agency is a scam – shut it down now! Punya Prasun Bajpai on scams and leaks as business model

With the latest educational scandal of the UGC NET exam being cancelled because the National Testing Agency admitted to gross violations of confidentiality, we see everything come to pass, that teachers all over the country foretold regarding the drastic changes made in the education system over the past ten years. Reasonably robust public universities have… Read More Ayesha Kidwai: The National Testing Agency is a scam – shut it down now! Punya Prasun Bajpai on scams and leaks as business model

Dilip

Arun Kumar: Articles, talks & discussions on aspects of the economy

1.      Interview on Economic situation and policy changes required. Jan Chowk June 19. It is at: https://www.youtube.com/live/p8_PXswKwlo?si=KrNqNc2yYNeAfXbQ 2.     Article on Policy Change needed post election results to avoid instability. The Wire, June 15. It is at: https://thewire.in/politics/narendra-modi-policy-change-election-results-2024 3.      Article on what is a mandate and what is it in 2024?. The Leaflet June 11. It is at: https://theleaflet.in/general-elections-2024-what-is-the-mandate/ 4.     Federalism article: Centre is… Read More Arun Kumar: Articles, talks & discussions on aspects of the economy

Dilip

In a Delhi heat ward, two workers fight a lonely battle for life

Unconscious, frothing in the mouth, holding ice packs: Migrant workers are the biggest casualty of India’s worst heatwave Anumeha Yadav New Delhi: On Thursday afternoon, the busy campus of Safdarjung hospital had patients and attendants trying to protect themselves from the searing heat in the shade of the building and under trees. A tall security… Read More In a Delhi heat ward, two workers fight a lonely battle for life

Dilip