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

Colonel Sa'ab

One day a Colonel Sa’ab from the Army fell into a well. The soldiers would throw a rope into the well and pull the Colonel Sa’ab out. The moment the Colonel would come up, the soldiers would leave the rope snap to attention and salute. The Colonel Sa’ab would fall back into the well. This… Read More Colonel Sa'ab

Dilip

Ian Sample: How a handful of scientists developed Oxford vaccine at breakneck speed

At the heart of Oxford’s effort to produce a Covid vaccine are half a dozen scientists who between them brought decades of experience to the challenge of designing, developing, manufacturing and trialing a safe vaccine at breakneck speed. Prof Sarah Gilbert, the Kettering-born project leader, arrived at Oxford in 1994 to work with Prof Adrian Hill, a senior member… Read More Ian Sample: How a handful of scientists developed Oxford vaccine at breakneck speed

Dilip

Ramachandra Guha criticises BCCI officials for conflict of interest

Historian and columnist Ramachandra Guha is a man who minces no words. And so, when the 62-year-old historian, in his memoir ‘Commonwealth of Cricket: A Lifelong Love Affair with the Most Subtle and Sophisticated Game Known to Humankind’, points to what’s ailing the game today in India, you know that he is talking about the… Read More Ramachandra Guha criticises BCCI officials for conflict of interest

Dilip

Kerala Puts On Hold Controversial Police Law After Severe Backlash

A controversial move in Kerala to enable arrests for content or social media posts deemed “offensive” has been put on hold after a severe backlash. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said today that the amendment to the Kerala Police Act “will not be implemented”. According to ANI, Pinarayi Vijayan said, “With the announcement of the amendment,… Read More Kerala Puts On Hold Controversial Police Law After Severe Backlash

Dilip

France's Sarkozy goes on trial for corruption. By Richard Lough

PARIS, Nov 23 (Reuters) – Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy goes on trial on Monday accused of trying to bribe a judge and of influence-peddling, one of several criminal investigations that threaten to cast an ignominious pall over his decades-long political career. Prosecutors allege Sarkozy offered to secure a plum job in Monaco for judge… Read More France's Sarkozy goes on trial for corruption. By Richard Lough

Dilip

Pope Francis encourages young economists to learn from the poor

In a video message Saturday, Pope Francis encouraged young economists and entrepreneurs from around the world to bring Jesus to their cities, and to work not only for the poor, but with the poor. Addressing participants of the Economy of Francesco online event, the pope said Nov. 21 that changing the world is about much… Read More Pope Francis encourages young economists to learn from the poor

Dilip

The President of the USA is trying to rig the election in order to prove the election was rigged

Robert Reich: America is being subjected to a stress test – and Republicans are failing  America is being subjected to a stress test to see if it has enough strength to withstand Donald Trump’s treacherous campaign to discredit the 2020 presidential election. Trump will lose because there’s no evidence of fraud. But the integrity of… Read More The President of the USA is trying to rig the election in order to prove the election was rigged

Dilip

Damian Carrington: Megaprojects risk pushing forests past tipping point

 Infrastructure megaprojects risk pushing the world’s remaining forests past a “dangerous tipping point” and making climate targets unachievable, a report says. Tens of thousands of miles of roads and railways are planned alongside mines and dams, opening up the forests of South America, south-east Asia and central Africa to destruction, according to the report by a… Read More Damian Carrington: Megaprojects risk pushing forests past tipping point

Dilip