Gets under the skin

The last decade, defined by Narendra Modi’s prime ministerial tenure, has seen a concerted bid to make the rhetoric of Hindu supremacy normal. From the prime minister to the sangh parivar’s social media trolls, to frothing film stars, the right to be publicly hostile to minorities, particularly Muslims, has been energetically exercised. I notice that public… Read More Gets under the skin

Dilip

The Palestine Laboratory: How To Make Friends And Influence People, Israeli Style

Israel has made many friends in the international sphere by selling countries state-of-the-art defence technology that it ‘battle tests’ on Palestinian people Saleem Rashid Shah In February 2022, against rising tensions in the region, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz visited Bahrain to sign a landmark security cooperation agreement with the Kingdom. Bahrain was among the… Read More The Palestine Laboratory: How To Make Friends And Influence People, Israeli Style

Dilip

In Bangladesh, the Government Agenda is Taking an Alarming New Direction

Bharat Bhushan The political dynamics are moving into uncharted territory in Bangladesh as the agenda of the leaders of the student movement becomes clearer. It seems to be shifting towards an accommodation of Islamic ideology within the structure of the state. In a strategically significant move, the political guru of the students’ movement, Mahfuz Alam, a 26-year-old… Read More In Bangladesh, the Government Agenda is Taking an Alarming New Direction

Dilip

India and the End of Empire. Selected Writings of Daniel O’Connor

NB: The Rev Daniel O’Connor was pastor of St Stephen’s College during the years I was there, in the 1960’s. He and his dear wife Juliet befriended me and my comrades, at a time we were considered trouble-makers. They did not agree with our politics, but for all that, never withdrew their affection. One of… Read More India and the End of Empire. Selected Writings of Daniel O’Connor

Dilip

Paul Fussell, ex-soldier, literary scholar & critic of war (1924-2012)

First posted May 27, 2012 Out of the mass experience of pointless death, a new way of speaking and writing, devoid of euphemism, arose, a plain style we associate with Hemingway.. The Great War chronicles the loss of the old rhetoric, of high pieties, of sacrifice and roseate dawns, in favor of “blood, terror, agony, madness, shit,… Read More Paul Fussell, ex-soldier, literary scholar & critic of war (1924-2012)

Dilip

An artist made scathing sculptures of Mao over a decade ago. Now, he’s detained for slandering China’s heroes, family says

Under Xi, the ruling Communist Party has vowed to eradicate “historical nihilism” — or any views that question or challenge its official version of history, including glorified images of sanctified national heroes.China passed a law in 2018 banning any insult or slander of national “heroes and martyrs,” including military personnel. The offense was added to… Read More An artist made scathing sculptures of Mao over a decade ago. Now, he’s detained for slandering China’s heroes, family says

Dilip

शिक्षक दिवस: गरीब बच्चों की पढ़ाई – कुछ प्रयोग

Dear friends, We are happy to announce our Teachers Day special online talk for school students, teachers, and parents from Smt. Indrani Balan Science Activity Centre, IISER Pune. Thursday, September 5, 2024; Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Title – शिक्षक दिवस: गरीब बच्चों की पढ़ाई – कुछ प्रयोग  Speaker: Arvind Gupta (Renowned Science Communicator… Read More शिक्षक दिवस: गरीब बच्चों की पढ़ाई – कुछ प्रयोग

Dilip