February 4, 2026

Power First, Diplomacy Second? Ethiopia Launches Mega-Dam as Egypt Protests

Ethiopia has inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam, on the Blue Nile. Built over 14 years with domestic financing (about $5 billion), the GERD has a 74-billion-cubic-meter reservoir and can generate up to 5,150 MW of electricity theguardian.com. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hailed the project as a …

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The NIRF Dilemma – Balancing Reputation with Reality

The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) has become a pivotal tool in India’s higher education landscape, offering a structured approach to assess and compare institutions across various parameters. Introduced in 2016 by the Ministry of Education, the NIRF aims to provide transparent and credible information to students, parents, and educators. …

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From Persepolis to Pataliputra – Tracing the Timeless Ties Between Iran and India

Iran and India, two ancient civilizations with rich histories, have shared a long-standing relationship that spans millennia. From the early interactions along the Silk Road to the cultural exchanges during the Mughal era, the ties between these two nations have been both profound and enduring. In recent times, as both …

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Devastating Cloudburst Strikes Uttarkashi — Entire Dharali Village Swept Away

On August 5, 2025, a sudden and violent cloudburst struck Dharali village near Harshil in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. In mere minutes—around 1:45 pm—a torrent of water and debris, estimated to be unleashed by over 100 mm of rainfall, cascaded down the Kheer Ganga catchment, transforming a peaceful settlement into a zone of …

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India’s Next Frontier: Why Digital Sovereignty Demands Center Stage

Imagine India’s digital landscape as a bustling metropolis at night—skyscrapers of data centers, neon trails of e-commerce transactions, and humming subway lines of mobile payments. Yet behind this vibrant skyline lies a hidden question: who controls the power grid? In our city of code and clouds, that power grid is …

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Rising Seas, Shrinking States: Can Democracies Survive Without Land?

When seas rise, land doesn’t just vanish—it carries away homes, identities, and democratic foundations. At the United Nations Security Council in 2023, Secretary-General António Guterres warned that sea-level rise poses “unthinkable” risks to nations such as India, Bangladesh, the Maldives, and the Netherlands—and imperils the life‑support systems and sense of …

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State Budgets Are the Macro Barometer We Keep Ignoring

While national GDP and central budgets tend to dominate the headlines, a closer look at state (or provincial) finances often reveals the real vulnerabilities—or strengths—of an economy. In India, state governments now together account for roughly 60% of general government expenditure, yet collect only about 37% of total tax revenue. …

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Invisible Invaders: How Microplastics Are Reaching Our Brain

The announcement in Nature Medicine in early 2025 that microplastics and nanoplastics have been detected in human brains finally shattered the myth that the blood–brain barrier is an infallible shield. In one large-scale study, researchers examined 52 brain samples from cadavers and found levels of polyethylene plastics equivalent to a …

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From Earth to Insight: NISAR’s Promise for India and the Planet

India’s newly launched NISAR satellite—short for NASA‑ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar—is more than just a technological milestone. It represents a paradigm shift in how India can understand, protect, and manage its environment, disasters, agriculture, and climate infrastructure. Co‑developed with NASA and worth roughly USD 1.5 billion, NISAR scans the entire land and ice …

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The Digital Panopticon: Navigating Privacy, Spectacle, and Sharing in the Age of Surveillance Capitalism

In the digital age, the boundaries between private and public spheres have blurred, giving rise to a society where personal data is both a commodity and a tool for surveillance. The omnipresence of social media platforms, coupled with the insatiable appetite for sharing, has transformed individuals into both the observers …

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A More Receptive Industry: Can Women Finally Thrive in STEM?

In an era of technological disruption and innovation, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) professions are shaping the global economy. Yet, even in the 21st century, the underrepresentation of women in STEM careers remains a critical concern—not just of gender equity, but of talent utilization, innovation potential, and inclusive growth. …

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Healing Within Limits: The Permissible Scope of AYUSH Practice

India’s healthcare system is one of the most diverse in the world, not only because of its vast population but also due to the coexistence of modern allopathic medicine and traditional systems under the AYUSH umbrella—Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. AYUSH practitioners serve as vital health providers, …

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Saving Gaza: The Urgent Next Steps Beyond the Joint Declaration

The Gaza crisis has emerged as one of the most pressing humanitarian emergencies of our time. In response, a growing chorus of international voices—including governments, civil society organizations, and humanitarian agencies—have issued joint statements calling for an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access, and a path toward lasting peace. But words …

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Reimagining Early Learning: A New Script for Childhood Education

Early childhood education (ECE) is a critical foundation upon which children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development is built. Yet many traditional ECE programs rely heavily on standardized benchmarks, rigid curricula, and limited play-based learning—approaches that can inadvertently stifle creativity, widen developmental gaps, and overlook individual differences. In this article, we …

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Misled Nation? Truce Controversy and Trump’s Brokering Myth Trigger India’s Defense Reckoning

India’s recent confrontation with Pakistan — culminating in Operation Sindoor, ensuing diplomatic wrangling, and a hastily brokered ceasefire — has exposed significant gaps between official narratives and on‐ground realities. As facts emerge from military briefings and news reports, it becomes clear that the government’s portrayal of events has often glossed …

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Operation Sindoor: A Call for Transparency and Accountability

In a significant development, General Anil Chauhan, India’s Chief of Defence Staff, has publicly acknowledged that the Indian Air Force (IAF) suffered aerial losses during Operation Sindoor, a four-day military conflict with Pakistan in May 2025. This admission came after initial denials by the government regarding the loss of fighter …

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Language Imposition: A Threat to India’s Demographic Diversity

India is a nation of linguistic diversity, with 22 official languages and over 1,600 dialects spoken across states. Unlike many countries that function with a single national language, India thrives on its multilingual heritage, where regional languages play a crucial role in governance, education, and cultural identity.

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Beyond Borders

Beyond Borders: Strengthening India-Middle East Relations for a Shared Future Introduction India and the Middle East share a relationship that spans centuries—rooted in trade, culture, and shared history. Today, this bond is evolving into a dynamic partnership that extends beyond oil and energy into technology, security, climate action, and cultural …

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