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

On VE Day, remember the war – but can we resolve to honour all who fought in it?

The heroism of soldiers from India, Africa and the Caribbean is too often airbrushed, as is the struggle of those who resisted colonial powers… About 2.5 million personnel from the Indian subcontinent, more than 1 million African-Americans, 1 million people from Africa and tens of thousands of people from the Caribbean fought for the allies during the… Read More On VE Day, remember the war – but can we resolve to honour all who fought in it?

Dilip

General Munir is losing a far more fateful war within Pakistan / Arif Jamal on the Pakistan military and it’s misuse of Islam (2022)

Praveen Swami The new political movements do not seek secession. They demand a nation ruled not by generals, but by its constitution. Their grievances have not made them enemies of Pakistan. Nationalism continues to be a powerful force… A genuinely democratic Pakistan, however, would be one where the generals’ jihadist proxies no longer enjoy state… Read More General Munir is losing a far more fateful war within Pakistan / Arif Jamal on the Pakistan military and it’s misuse of Islam (2022)

Dilip

Juan Cole: As Israelis Blockade Food to Gaza, 9,000 Children have been Admitted for Acute Malnutrition

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said Friday that “Malnutrition is … on the rise. More than 9,000 children have been admitted for treatment of acute malnutrition since the beginning of the year.” At least 10 NGO aid kitchens have closed in recent weeks for lack of food, and 25 UN… Read More Juan Cole: As Israelis Blockade Food to Gaza, 9,000 Children have been Admitted for Acute Malnutrition

Dilip

Hindu body moves Supreme Court against Waqf Amendment Act

Sofi Ahsan Kerala based Hindu organisation, Sree Narayana Manava Dharmam Trust, has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, arguing that the law threatens the very existence of the Muslim community in India. The trust, established in 2023 to study and dissemination of the values and teachings of the sage and philosopher… Read More Hindu body moves Supreme Court against Waqf Amendment Act

Dilip

Castles in the Sky

Castles in the Sky: by A Flock of Seagulls I used to want to touch the sunBut it can’t be done, you can’t touch the sunI used to want to walk on the moonWhat a fool, I can not walk on the moon WhoaJust building castles in the skyWhoaYou never know until you try You… Read More Castles in the Sky

Dilip

The kindness of strangers: I was injured and using crutches, when a group of scary teens offered to help me

Richard Munoz I wasn’t especially good at basketball, but I loved it. One day while playing, I broke my ankle. I needed corrective surgery and would be on crutches for months while I recovered. Getting to and from work, and running errands, was suddenly a huge struggle. I could order groceries online, but there were… Read More The kindness of strangers: I was injured and using crutches, when a group of scary teens offered to help me

Dilip

Vietnam celebrates 50th anniversary of victory against US imperialism

Thousands of Vietnamese have waved red flags and sang patriotic songs as a grand military parade held in Ho Chi Minh City concluded Vietnam’s 50th anniversary celebrations of the end of war with the United States. Wednesday’s event commemorated the first act of the country’s reunification on April 30, 1975, when communist-run North Vietnam seized… Read More Vietnam celebrates 50th anniversary of victory against US imperialism

Dilip

Supreme Court Orders TISS to Reinstate Dalit PhD Scholar Suspended Over ‘Anti-National Activities’

A year after the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, had suspended a Dalit PhD scholar on the charge of “misconduct” and “anti-national activities” because he took part in a protest rally against the Narendra Modi government, the Supreme Court has given him relief.  Though a two-judge bench of the apex court comprising Justices Dipankar… Read More Supreme Court Orders TISS to Reinstate Dalit PhD Scholar Suspended Over ‘Anti-National Activities’

Dilip