SPRINGBOARDS and WALKING STICKS

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Why Do Some Nations and Establishments Fail?

The article, A Nobel for explaining why nations fail by Prashanth Perumal argues that the story of human progress is not written in stone but in the institutions we build. As the 2024 Nobel laureates have shown us, the difference between prosperity and poverty lies not in geography or destiny, but in the fundamental choices societies make about how to organise themselves. Like architects designing a home, our ancestors and current leaders craft the institutions that shelter our collective dreams. Some build inclusive structures, with strong foundations of democracy and private property rights, creating spaces where every citizen can contribute to and benefit from economic growth. Others construct extractive systems that may glitter temporarily but ultimately fail to provide sustainable shelter for their people's aspirations. The beauty of this understanding is its empowering message: nations aren't permanently destined to be rich or poor. The United States transformed from a

AI, Art, And Creativity

In the article, AI in art" Creativity or Conformity? Ritwik Kaikini says that in the grand theatre of artistic expression, we stand at a fascinating crossroads where human intuition meets artificial intelligence. While some view this intersection with trepidation, perhaps we're witnessing the birth of a new renaissance—one where technology doesn't replace creativity, but amplifies our human capacity for originality. Consider the artist's hand making those first tentative strokes on a blank canvas. Each irregularity, each imperfect line tells a story of human experience, emotion, and the beautiful flaws that make art truly magical. These aren't mistakes to be corrected, but rather the very essence of our creative soul speaking through the medium. The rise of AI in art shouldn't be seen as a threat but as an invitation to evolve. Just as a musician doesn't lose their artistry by using new instruments, AI tools can become extensions of our creative vision.

Agricultural Success Is Not Just About Great Yield

The article ‘Yield’ can’t be the sole indicator for agriculture by Abhishek Jain and Anjaly John opines the following: For decades, we've measured agricultural success through a single lens—yield. Like a businessman fixated solely on profits while ignoring sustainability, we've chased higher yields at the cost of our future. But just as business has evolved to embrace triple bottom line thinking, it's time for agriculture to undergo a paradigm shift. Imagine a future where we measure farming's success not just by the quantity of food produced, but by the smiles of well-nourished children, the health of our soil, and the preservation of our precious biodiversity. This isn't just an idealistic dream - it's an urgent necessity. When we learn that one-third of our children are stunted and two-thirds are anemic, we realise that maximising yield alone has failed us. The story from Andhra Pradesh shows us a beautiful alternative—farmers growing sugarcane alongside ch

UAPA And The Case Of Prof GN Saibaba

The article, Why does this gigantic state fear our hopes, our dreams? by YSR Murthy discusses the case of Professor G N Saibaba, a political dissident and prisoner of conscience in India. Here are the main points: Prof. Saibaba, disabled since childhood, became an activist and academic despite physical challenges. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2017 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for alleged Maoist links. In October 2022, the Bombay High Court initially acquitted him, finding no valid sanction under UAPA. However, in March 2024, the High Court re-convicted him on merits. During his decade-long imprisonment, Saibaba faced harsh conditions and health deterioration. Despite this, his writings showed optimism and a refusal to give up on his ideals. The author argues that how the state deals with political dissidents and prisoners of conscience is a test of civilisational strength. As a country we are as weak and groundless as the laws that we have; and as

Pursuit Of Material Success And Mental Health

Mental Health in India's Material World , by Soumyajit Bhar and Kalpita Bhar Paul, sheds light on a critical issue facing modern society, particularly in India. It highlights how our pursuit of material success often comes at the cost of our mental well-being, but also offers hope for positive change. The article reveals the growing mental health crisis in India, where relentless productivity demands and materialism are leading to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and a sense of purposelessness. However, it also presents a powerful vision for transformation. At its core, the piece calls for a fundamental shift in how we define success and happiness. Instead of chasing material wealth and status, it encourages us to prioritize deeper, more meaningful aspects of life: Community Connection: By fostering strong social bonds and supportive communities, we can combat isolation and create environments of belonging and purpose. Redefining Success: Moving beyond materialistic measu

The Protection of Journalistic Freedom in India: Challenges and Progress

The article, SC steps in to protect journalists , underlines that the recent Supreme Court ruling in India against criminal cases for critical journalism marks a significant milestone in the ongoing struggle to protect press freedom and freedom of expression in the world's largest democracy. This essay examines the current state of journalistic freedom in India, the challenges faced by media professionals, and the implications of the Supreme Court's decision. Freedom of the press is a fundamental pillar of democracy, enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution. However, as the article highlights, journalists in India have faced numerous obstacles in recent years, including intimidation, harassment, and legal challenges. The use of criminal cases against journalists for their critical reporting has been a particularly concerning trend, potentially stifling free speech and investigative journalism. The Supreme Court's ruling reaffirms that journalists should not

Building Mental Resilience: Your Personal Happiness ATM

The article, Building strong mental reserves , by Naveen Khajanchi prescribes that in our fast-paced world, mental health is increasingly crucial. The article introduces an innovative approach to maintaining emotional well-being—the "ATM for happiness" concept. This powerful metaphor encourages us to view our mental health as an account we can actively manage and grow. Just as we make regular deposits into a bank account, we can nurture our mental reserves through positive actions, relationships, and mindset shifts. Mindfulness practices, gratitude exercises, and supportive relationships are like deposits that strengthen our emotional resilience. While life's challenges may force withdrawals from our mental reserves, consistent self-care and positive inputs help maintain a healthy emotional balance. This approach can prevent burnout, stress, and poor mental health. Key strategies include: Practicing mindfulness to stay present and reduce anxiety . Cultivating gratitude

Lying: The Silent Destroyer of Happiness

The article, A lie and its deleterious effects by T.K. Mishra provides a compelling examination of how dishonesty can profoundly impact our well-being and relationships. While lies may seem harmless or even beneficial in the short term, they often carry a heavy psychological toll that erodes our happiness over time. Lying affects us on multiple levels. Personally, it generates guilt, anxiety, and fear of discovery. The mental effort required to maintain falsehoods creates cognitive dissonance - an uncomfortable state where our actions contradict our values and self-image. This inner conflict chips away at our peace of mind and authenticity. The damage extends beyond the individual. Families and even entire nations can suffer when deceit takes root among their members or leaders. Trust, which forms the foundation of healthy relationships and societies, becomes fractured. Ironically, many lies are told with the intention of preserving happiness or avoiding conflict. However, this short-

Art And The Dangers Of Religious Pieties

Sonu was one of the most promising students in that batch of under graduate visual communication students. I say she was promising, not for the results that she achieved, but for her innate talent for things visual, like photography, design, etc., and at the same time had a passion for the same; and was ready to work hard. She hardly finished her first year; I used to find her absent for classes, and I asked her friends about her. They told me she started working. I, presupposing that her family could not afford her education, wanted to ask the college to wave off her fees at least partially. Then I came to know that she has moved out of her family and is working to support herself. I was curious and enquired further, only then did I know that she belonged to a particular Christian sect and their religious beliefs and piety did not permit her to study or pursue careers in media related fields. She had tried getting out of the house and pursue, perhaps she is still not strong enough to

Blessed Is Womb That Bore You

There was a holy jealousy among the women of Judea towards Mother Mary. It is different from the ungodly, selfish jealously. They admired and looked up to Mary for giving birth and bringing up a son who exhibits so much kindness and compassion. A woman seeing what Jesus was doing and saying, cries out in holy jealousy, blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that nursed you ( Luke 11: 27-28). Blessed is the mother who gave birth to you and looked after you. It was in some sense the same words of Elizabeth, “Blessed are you among women.” To be blessed is to be granted special favour by God with joy and prosperity as its result . From God's promise to Abraham that He would bless him and his children, to Mother Mary whom the angel of the Lord called blessed, to the thief on the cross to whom Jesus promised the paradise, all have received special favours from God. In the New Testament in the light of the Beatitudes, however, the emphasis is more on spiritual rather than

Clarity Is Power

Jesus was accused by some saying that he drove out demons, or worked mighty works by the power of Beelzebul, the chief of demons (Luke 11: 14-23). Today with the luxury of 2000 and more years of time in which we could witness and experience the indisputable truth and authority of Jesus, the discussions and arguments whether Jesus worked miracles through witchcraft and black magic does not affect us; we can easily leave them behind; for we know the truth. Even levelheaded Non-Christians esteem and respect the divine and benevolent intentions and powers of Jesus. However imagine those days, when the prominent opinion makers of the time accuse Jesus of allying with the devil. It must have confused and startled the faith and religious commitment of the people who had accepted Jesus as their master, and were following him, especially the apostles. This is a repeated challenge in societies to distinguish between truth and falsehood. There are times when the virtuous is misunderstood; and th

Never Give Up Prayer

Knowing a prayer, or knowing what to pray, is not enough; one must persevere, endure, and persist in prayer; in other words, one must grow in praying (Luke 11: 5-13). The gospel says, “ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” God will never disappoint someone who asks something good, goes after it, and does all in his/her capacity to get it. The passage places in it two stories relationship; one is between two friends, another is between a father and a son. Friends and parents have many things in common, one, we can approach them as many times as needed, the relationship only grows with it; two, they always wish and give the best for the other. The gospel ends in suggesting, earthly friends and parents are great in giving, if then, how much more our heavenly friend and parent will give us good things. Persistence in prayer is growing in prayer. Persistence at some level is sheer discipline of doing things. Things that seem diffi

The Our Father 24/7—Pray Unceasingly

Prayer is the most potent, most creative and most fruitful force in the world. Persistent and enduring prayer is a weapon that would change even a heart of iron. Pray continuously even when we do not see a result immediately, but believe that at the appropriate time God will respond to our prayers. He will lead us on. Our persistence in prayer, endurance in prayer or perseverance in prayer is like a stonecutter breaking a big hard piece of rock. He keeps on hammering even when she is not able to see the slightest crack on the rock. He keeps on hammering 10 times, twenty times, fifty times, a hundred times etc. and perhaps at the 150 th blow the stone breaks into two. Now with our logical mind we would say that the stonecutter should have made that last blow first. But the stonecutter knows that every blow that went before that last blow is as important as the last blow; though they made no cracks in the stone. St. Augustine lived a very immoral and sinful life before his conversion.

Death And The Living

This article, titled " Making Sense of Death ," discusses the author's reflections on mortality after experiencing two deaths in quick succession - his father and a colleague. The author, Arun Sahu, recounts personal experiences with loss, including conversations with his father before his passing and memories of other deceased family members and friends. Death, an inevitable part of existence, often arrives unexpectedly, leaving profound impacts on the living. As we navigate life's journey, the untimely passing of loved ones can shatter our world, forcing us to confront our own mortality and reassess our priorities. Personal encounters with loss shape our understanding of death. From the passing of elderly parents to the shocking departure of younger colleagues, each experience adds a layer to our perception. These moments, though painful, offer opportunities for reflection and growth. The fear surrounding death often stems from its ability to disrupt the lives of t

Till Death Do Us Part

No Christian is a stranger to the expression, till death do us part . Some us have heard in standing on this side or around the altar; and others have said it and heard it standing on the other side of the altar. At least at your marriage, when you were close enough to the alter, you have heard it. This phrase is even part of our popular culture today—indicating the seriousness and the profoundness of marriage. Till death do us part is a responsibility statement. It is like the ‘yes’ said by Mary of Nazareth as the angel proposed to her to be the Mother of Jesus. In Christian weddings, it is taking responsibility for one another, come what may. Reading the full text of the promise states the particulars of the responsibility, I take you as my wedded wife/husband and I promise you love, honour, and respect; to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, to love, and to cherish; till death do us part. So help me

St. Francis Of Assisi—Take His Stories Seriously

From 2023-2026 we have a series of centenaries of St Francis of Assisi. Though lived only for just 44 years, the size and reach of his life is still growing. He has many names; we call him a brother, and at the same time, a mystic. A mystic is someone who does not operate from a place of faith, instead he has moved on to a place of knowledge, experience, and living; he/she does not need faith anymore. A mystic already lives what people of faith are only believing. This year is the 800 th anniversary of the Stigmata of St. Francis—he was a mystic and he was already there. Francis was born in 1181. He lived an unconscious, unattended, normal life, like any other, for first 24 years. Returning home from the Assisi-Perugia war, as a loser and wounded, Francis went through an awakening moment. One of the existential philosophers has a story of a stonecutter, whose only tool on which he trusted was a hammer. One day, as he was at his work, the hammer breaks, and the stonecutter fell on his

Who Is The Greatest?

The disciples of Jesus disputed among themselves, perhaps not for the first or for the only time, about “who is the greatest among them” (Luke 9: 46-50). Most people do this at least in their mind. Many of us are fake great people. We just feel that we are great, and act as one. Feeling great without being great is a dangerous thing. Jesus gives them two parameters to measure one’s greatness. How do you treat insignificant people? Jesus takes a little child and places her in the midst of them, and tells them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name is the greatest.” Greatness depends on one’s capacity to accept people who are poor, handicapped, slow in understanding, etc. with our constant exposure to religious activities we are able to empathize, spend time with those who are less privileged than us. How do we deal with people who are equal to us? John brings up a serious matter to Jesus, their master, namely, he saw someone driving out demons in Jesus’ name and they tried to