India, Brazil and the human cost of sidelining science

Last week, Brazil’s total death toll from COVID-19 passed 400,000. In India, the pandemic is taking around 3,500 lives every day and has prompted a global response, with offers of oxygen, ventilators, intensive-care beds and more. Although these two countries are thousands of miles apart, the crises in both are the result of political failings:… Read More India, Brazil and the human cost of sidelining science

Dilip

Myanmar to Israel, what are Offenses of ‘Apartheid’ and ‘Crimes Against Humanity?’ How can we Make sure they are Prosecuted?

Human Rights Watch – The use of the word ‘apartheid’ in its legal meaning can sometimes, but not always, generate considerable power and attention. The related crime against humanity of persecution never seems to attract the same interest. Our finding in 2020 that the Myanmar authorities were committing the crime against humanity of apartheid against ethnic Rohingya received… Read More Myanmar to Israel, what are Offenses of ‘Apartheid’ and ‘Crimes Against Humanity?’ How can we Make sure they are Prosecuted?

Dilip

Harriet Sherwood: The man orchestrating climate protest … from a shed in the Hebrides

In the past year, Roc Sandford has left the tiny Scottish island which is his off-grid home only once, to get a Covid vaccination. The rest of the time he has been alone with the birds, sheep and open skies. His days are busy but evenings can be lonely; cooking for one is “very sad”,… Read More Harriet Sherwood: The man orchestrating climate protest … from a shed in the Hebrides

Dilip

Colette: The French resistance fighter confronting fascism – Oscars 2021 Short Documentary Winner

90-year-old Colette Marin-Catherine confronts her past by visiting the German concentration camp Mittelbau-Dora where her brother was killed. As a young girl, she fought Hitler’s Nazis as a member of the French Resistance. For 74 years, she has refused to step foot in Germany, but that changes when a young history student named Lucie enters… Read More Colette: The French resistance fighter confronting fascism – Oscars 2021 Short Documentary Winner

Dilip

Swati Chaturvedi: It Was BJP Who Made It Mamata vs Modi. Too Far

NB: There is another comment on the recent election in the same portal, by Ashutosh, which avers that the RSS will be happy with Mamata’s victory because it wants to Hinduise Indian political culture. This is how he puts it: “Modi and BJP are political entities. Their endgame is winning elections, forming governments. But for… Read More Swati Chaturvedi: It Was BJP Who Made It Mamata vs Modi. Too Far

Dilip

Bharat Bhushan – Covid-19 drugs: Eager beavers of BJP play God

Recently the former District Communication Chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for Delhi tweeted “There is fire everywhere in Delhi, has any Dilliwala seen BJP Delhi? Where is BJP4Delhi? Or is the state body dissolved?” Rajendra Tuli’s question could as well be put to the BJP and its leaders, generally missing from the fight… Read More Bharat Bhushan – Covid-19 drugs: Eager beavers of BJP play God

Dilip

Public Appeal by Hindus for Human Rights, USA

यदचेतनोऽपि पादै: स्पृष्ट: प्रज्वलति सवितुरिनकान्त:  तत्तेजस्वी पुरुष: परकृतनिकृतिं कथं सहते yad acetano ‘pi pādaiḥ spṛṣṭaḥ prajvalati savitur inakāntaḥ tat tejasvī puruṣaḥ parakṛtanikṛtiṃ kathaṃ sahate Even an inert crystal  blazes with heat  when touched by the sun’s rays.  So how can brilliant people  stand idly by when  others commit atrocities? – Bhartrihari (5th century CE, translated… Read More Public Appeal by Hindus for Human Rights, USA

Dilip