Who was Frank Thompson / A Very English Hero: The Making of Frank Thompson by Peter Conradi – review

Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters revives interest in British major shot in Bulgaria by Kristen Ghodsee When former Pink Floyd front man, Roger Waters, visited Bulgaria in August, one of his must-see sights was the grave of Major Frank Thompson, in the village of Litakovo outside of Botevgrad. If you are exiting from the Sofia Metro… Read More Who was Frank Thompson / A Very English Hero: The Making of Frank Thompson by Peter Conradi – review

Shahab Ahmed, prominent Islamic scholar (1966-2015)

Beena Sarwar Prominent Islamic scholar Shahab Ahmed, originally from Pakistan, was laid to rest on Saturday morning at the historic Mt. Auburn cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts, his adopted home. Born in Singapore on Dec 11, 1966, he passed away on Sept 17, 2015 in Boston. Dr. Ahmed’s former student Suheil Laher, currently a lecturer on… Read More Shahab Ahmed, prominent Islamic scholar (1966-2015)

Dadabhai Naoroji at 200: The Grand Old Man Who Exposed an Empire’s Loot

Santhosh Mathew “History often rewards those who speak for the voiceless,even when their words are unwelcome.”On his 200th birth anniversary, Dadabhai Naoroji stands tall not merely as a nationalist icon,but as a polymath, thinker, parliamentarian, social reformer, and above all, the conscience-keeper of colonial India. If today Shashi Tharoor reminds the world that India once… Read More Dadabhai Naoroji at 200: The Grand Old Man Who Exposed an Empire’s Loot

Dilip Hota. Jan 11, 1946 – Aug 12, 2025. Friend, comrade; companion of the underprivileged.

Dilip passed away at the age of 79, in Pune, after an eventful life. We first met in Kolkata in the mid 1970’s; and were comrades for over fifty years. He was a teacher of physics in Kolkata, always supportive of students; an active fighter for Adivasi rights and the Jharkhand movement; for contract labourers… Read More Dilip Hota. Jan 11, 1946 – Aug 12, 2025. Friend, comrade; companion of the underprivileged.

“But children are the same, In Paris or in Goettingen.” The song that made history. Will someone sing for us?

They’re really sweet, they don’t look Palestinian.’ First posted January 22, 2013 When Barbara sings “Dis” to an absent lover, she is not just asking when he’ll return. She is showing she can get by without him. Alone is not that bad. There are other consolations. There is always music, that deathless hope. Barbara was… Read More “But children are the same, In Paris or in Goettingen.” The song that made history. Will someone sing for us?

Remembering Guru Dutt in his birth centenary year: A resurrected genius

Visionary filmmaker of eight Hindi movies, Guru Dutt (1925 – 1964) whose socially conscious work explored various human experiences left a cultural impact that continues to inspire generations. Jinhen Naaz Hai Hind Par – Guru Dutt, Mohammed Rafi, Pyaasa Song By C. Uday Bhasker / Sapan News As film aficionados around Southasia and the diaspora remember… Read More Remembering Guru Dutt in his birth centenary year: A resurrected genius

When you get old, you become young again: Fauja Singh, the marathon man (1911-2025)

After a life shaped by grief and resilience, Singh began running at 89 and became an icon of endurance and joy: “an icon of humanity and a powerhouse of positivity”. He died on July 14, at the age of 114 after being hit by a car in Beas Pind. Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru Esther Addley The… Read More When you get old, you become young again: Fauja Singh, the marathon man (1911-2025)

Non-violent Action and Socialist Radicalism: Narendra Deva in India’s freedom movement

First posted July 07, 2015 Anil Nauriya NB: This is an important contribution to the historiography of Indian nationalism, and of socialist theorising in India. The paper is available online here: Non-violent Action and Socialist Radicalism: Narendra Deva in India’s freedom movement IntroductionThe dynamic that linked non-violent movements for Indian freedom in the first half… Read More Non-violent Action and Socialist Radicalism: Narendra Deva in India’s freedom movement