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 Atlantic is at risk of circulation collapse – it would mean even greater climate chaos

Amid news of lethal heatwaves across the Northern Hemisphere comes the daunting prospect of a climate disaster on an altogether grander scale. Robert Marsh New findings published in Nature Communications suggest the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, or Amoc, could collapse within the next few decades – maybe even within the next few years – driving European weather… Read More The Atlantic is at risk of circulation collapse – it would mean even greater climate chaos

Dilip

Tipping point

Mukul Kesavan The violence in Manipur exhibits two symptoms – The impunity with which Meitei mobs have been allowed to loot police armouries and the instrumental use of rape to announce the end of Kuki citizenship Meiteis make up more than half the population of Manipur. They see themselves as Manipur’s defining majority and their claim… Read More Tipping point

Dilip

MN Roy was to Marxism what Vivekananda was to Hinduism. He separated spirit and form

DENNIS DALTON When Michael Borodin baptized Roy into Marxism in 1919, Roy came from Indian nationalism to the new faith with the zeal commonly found amongst fresh converts. ‘Marxism is a wonderful philosophy, is it not?’ he exclaimed to a fellow comrade in 1923. ‘It has made of history such an exact science. Roy’s first… Read More MN Roy was to Marxism what Vivekananda was to Hinduism. He separated spirit and form

Dilip

Israelis’ defiance of Netanyahu holds a lesson for anyone who cares about democracy

Jonathan Freedland Beware the strongman leader who fears jail. Donald Trump is running for president in part because he sees a return to the White House as a literal get-out-of-jail-free card: reinstalled in the Oval Office, he would be able to pardon himself for the mounting pile of serious federal crimes for which he is indicted. His… Read More Israelis’ defiance of Netanyahu holds a lesson for anyone who cares about democracy

Dilip

Bollywood film accused of trivialising Holocaust with Auschwitz scenes

NB: The mind-numbing historical illiteracy and moral vacuity of some of our artists and members of the intelligentsia is embarassing, were it not also predictable. Adolf Hitler is much admired amongst many educated persons, Mein Kampf is freely available even though Rushdie’s Satanic Verses is banned. The ideological icon of India’s current ruling dispensation –… Read More Bollywood film accused of trivialising Holocaust with Auschwitz scenes

Dilip

Global boiling has arrived

Global warming has ended and “the era of global boiling has arrived”, the UN secretary general, António Guterres, has said after scientists confirmed July was on track to be the world’s hottest month on record. “Climate change is here. It is terrifying. And it is just the beginning,” Guterres said. “It is still possible to… Read More Global boiling has arrived

Dilip

RIP Bhiku Daji Bhilare: the man who saved Gandhiji’s life in 1944

Subhash Gatade First posted August 06, 2017 For a section of people – whose number is diminishing fast – it is a moment of nostalgia when idealism was in air and sacrificing oneself for the cause of emancipation of humanity was looked at with respect, whereas for a larger section which is being intoxicated with… Read More RIP Bhiku Daji Bhilare: the man who saved Gandhiji’s life in 1944

Dilip