SPRINGBOARDS and WALKING STICKS

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Human Empowerment Vs Technological Determinism

This article, Seeking truth in a barrage of biases , presents an inspiring call to action for maintaining our intellectual autonomy in the digital age. Written by J Jehoson Jiresh, it addresses the critical challenge of navigating through algorithmic biases and misinformation while offering hope and practical solutions. The author beautifully frames our modern predicament - how even a simple online search for running shoes can shape our digital landscape - and transforms this everyday observation into a powerful message about reclaiming our agency in the digital world. What's particularly inspiring is the article's emphasis on human empowerment rather than technological determinism. The article presents three key strategies for hope and change: Active critical engagement to question assumptions and challenge biases Seeking diverse perspectives to break free from our echo chambers Demanding transparency and accountability in algorithmic systems Most uplifting is the article'

Universities Must Promote Universal Learning

This article, Universities are different from religious institutions by Faizan Mustafa highlights an important legal and philosophical discussion about the unique nature of universities versus religious institutions, focusing on the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) case. What's particularly inspiring is how it emphasises that universities must transcend communal boundaries and operate with broader, more inclusive principles. The article discusses a 2024 Supreme Court judgment that reinforces a crucial idea: educational institutions, even those with minority roots like AMU, should function as spaces of universal learning rather than being limited by religious or communal considerations. It references historical figures like Sir Syed, who established the M.A.O. College in 1877, which later became AMU, showing how educational visions can evolve and grow beyond their original scope. Universities are different from religious institutions by Faizan Mustafa. In: The Hindu, November 2024

Stand Tall

Zacchaeus overcame the obstacles of being short in stature and being in the middle of a huge crowd around him. They are interrelated. If he were not short crowd would not have mattered much; if there were no crowd his shortness would not have mattered. Our deficiencies are amplified by the deficiencies of people with whom we are associated and the inadequacies of the system that we live in. A short man amidst a large crowd is doubly short. A man's shortness of stature is relative to the crowd in which he finds himself. We must stand tall with the wealth and possessions that God gives us. As the people of Zacchaeus time, we too may laugh at Zacchaeus for his short stature. But in truth, though 5.8 or 6 foot tall, most of us are short like Zacchaeus in our moral, spiritual, and social size. Zacchaeus had the courage and grace to run ahead of the crowd that is towering around him (Luke 19: 1-10), which was making him not see injustices and exploitations that he was associated with or

Zacchaeus’ Last Will

Zacchaeus, as we know, was a chief tax collector and a rich man (Luke 19: 1-10). He, as any tax collectors of his time would do, used to collect much more than due, even by force and violence. Now we might say, in a very self-justifying manner, that I am not a tax collector, thus this gospel does not concern my life and me. The figures of a survey done on taxes; taxpayers and tax collectors could be quite embarrassing. 72% people do not pay taxes fully or partially. They cheat the country and the government. 26% of people pay the full tax, not because they love their country and its development but because of fear of being caught and punished; they are in a search of completely safe ways of evading taxes. The rest 2% are involved in collecting taxes. They cheat the country and people by collecting more and not correctly accounting for it. That leaves us with a 100% of ‘Zacchaeuses’ in our societies. Thus most of us stand in need of salvation for our families and ourselves. Zacchaeus r

Wealth Can Corrupt Us

The scriptures are clear about the moral and spiritual dos and don’ts; from less harmful lying to one another to killing another. There are numerous laws, and more the laws in place better the hold such religions and establishments have on people. In Biblical tradition, the Ten Commandments give articulations to such dos and don’ts. But when it comes to accumulation of wealth, the Ten Commandments are quite silent, except the last commandment that says, do to covet others’ goods. That establishes that accumulation of wealth is not intrinsically bad. And therefore wealth and the idea of being rich could be quite deceiving. The story of Zacchaeus meeting Jesus (Luke 19: 1-10) could throw some light on to this dark terrain; it tells us how not to become rich, and what we shall do with our money. The gospels give no indication of whether Zacchaeus gave up his profession of being a tax collector. I would imagine that Zacchaeus has continued his old profession of tax collecting. He might ha

If You Find No Meaning To Live By, Create One

People who think that there is nothing to live for and nothing more to expect from life, should realise that life is still expecting something from them, opined Victor Emil Frankl, an Australian neurologist and holocaust survivor. His book, Man's Search for Meaning is a powerful testament to human resilience, born from his experiences as a Holocaust survivor and his insights as a psychiatrist. It provides a vivid account of an individual's experience as a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp . The book focuses on love, hope, responsibility, inner freedom, and the beauty to be found in both nature and art as means that help one endure and overcome harrowing experiences. The book's core message is that while we cannot always control our circumstances, we retain the freedom to choose how we respond to them. Through his observations in Nazi concentration camps, Frankl discovered that prisoners who maintained a sense of purpose—whether it was reuniting with loved ones, comp

Diwali Is About Finding Lighthouses

Diwali or Deepavali is a people’s desire, effort, and some success in eliminating darkness, ignorance, and evil. What is darkness, ignorance, or evil may be questionable. But that there are situations where there is an absence of light, absence of truth and knowledge, and absence of good is quite evident. It is a good day to light a few lamps in our lives, read a book to dispel ignorance, mend a conflict, and promote good. On 9 October 204 India lost one of its finest citizens and industrialists, Ratan Tata; and in the same breath, he was perhaps India’s finest philanthropist too. As the news about his demise and condolences poured in on every social media and broadcast media, there was another face that was appearing on the margins and even being highlighted by many—Shantanu Naidu. They met in 2014, when Shantanu Naidu was just 21; their common interest was love for dogs. Shantanu Naidu, as living and working with Ratan Tata has written a book of his experience with Ratan Tata, I Ca

Knowledge and Imagination

Knowledge and imagination are partners, each playing a vital role in humanity's progress. While knowledge provides the foundation—the solid ground upon which we build our understanding—imagination soars beyond these boundaries, asking the transformative question: "What if?" The article, Knowledge and Imagination by Sridhar Sachidananda beautifully illustrates this relationship through the metaphor of a cardiologist. While one can master every known aspect of heart ailments, this knowledge remains bounded by current discoveries. It is imagination that dares to venture beyond these limits, envisioning new possibilities for healing and advancement. Yet neither force is complete without the other. Knowledge without imagination is like a boat without a sail, anchored in place. Imagination without knowledge is like a rudderless vessel, drifting aimlessly in the vast ocean of possibilities. It is the marriage of these two forces that has driven humanity's greatest achievem

The Path To True Inclusive Leadership

In today's dynamic workplace, inclusive leadership isn't just a buzzword—it's the cornerstone of organisational success. As in the article How to be inclusive leader , Saundarya Rajesh eloquently explains, when leaders champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), they create an environment where every employee feels genuinely valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. The impact is remarkable: research shows that leadership's commitment to inclusion can make up to a 70% difference in whether an employee feels truly included. This isn't just about making people feel good—it translates directly into enhanced productivity, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The journey to becoming an inclusive leader begins with self-awareness. By acknowledging our own biases and actively seeking diverse perspectives, we create the foundation for authentic inclusion. But awareness must be paired with visible action—through participating in employee resource

Leadership Is Holding Up a Mirror to Others

The true magic of leadership lies not in the stunning personal achievement, but in the quiet moments when we hold up a mirror to others and help them discover the giants within themselves. Like a masterful curator in a gallery of human potential, the greatest leaders walk among their people not wearing a cape of superiority, but carrying a lantern that illuminates the dormant greatness in every soul they encounter. Consider the orchestra conductor who steps back, allowing the violinist to find her own crescendo. Or the teacher who plants a seed of curiosity and watches, with knowing patience, as it blossoms into expertise. These leaders understand that their role is not to cast the longest shadow, but to help others step into their own light. When we lead by showcasing our own brilliance, we risk creating a galaxy with only one star— bright perhaps, but ultimately lonely and limited by time. But when we dedicate ourselves to unveiling the extraordinary capabilities hidden within other

Learning Disabilities: A Call for Systemic Change

The article, Tackling learning disabilities head-on by Saravanan Murugeson and Anukrati Nigam, highlights the complex challenge of addressing learning disabilities in India's education system, where an estimated 8-15% of school-going children (50 million) face some form of learning disability. The authors emphasise that learning disabilities extend far beyond simple communication difficulties, affecting how students process, think about, and engage with the world around them. The piece identifies several critical issues in the current system. Many schools lack the resources and training to properly support students with learning disabilities, and teachers often misunderstand conditions like dyslexia, viewing them as simple reading problems rather than complex cognitive differences. This situation was further exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many teachers struggling to support students with learning disabilities in an online environment. The authors propose a

Choose To Understand Than Judge

In a world quick to condemn and eager to judge, there exists a profound truth that sets the empathetic apart: they seek not to judge but to understand. This principle, simple in its statement but revolutionary in its application, marks the difference between reactive thinking and true response. The impulse to judge is deeply human. We are pattern-seeking creatures, constantly categorising and evaluating our experiences and the people around us. This tendency served our ancestors well, allowing them to make split-second decisions crucial for survival. However, in our complex modern world, this same instinct often leads us astray, causing us to draw hasty conclusions and make decisions based on incomplete information. Wise individuals recognise this limitation. They understand that every human being is the product of countless influences: their upbringing, their struggles, their victories, their fears, and their dreams. Each person's actions, no matter how seemingly incomprehensible

Subtle Manipulation Can Often Be More Damaging Than Overt Rudeness

Considering toxic behaviour, we often focus on the obvious offenders: the loud, the rude, and the overtly disrespectful. These individuals are easy to spot, their toxicity worn like a badge that warns others to keep their distance. However, lurking in the shadows of social interactions is a far more insidious form of toxicity – the soft-spoken manipulator. In psychology, manipulation is defined as an action designed to influence or control another person, usually in an underhanded or unfair manner for personal advantage. Manipulation is generally considered a dishonest form of social influence as it is used at the expense of others. Consider the classic tale of the sun and the wind competing to remove a traveler's coat. While the wind blew fiercely, causing the traveler to clutch their coat tighter, the sun's gentle warmth ultimately succeeded in making the traveler willingly remove it. This parable perfectly illustrates the power of subtle persuasion over brute force, but

The Imperative of Active Peacekeeping: Moving Beyond Bystandership

The article, The world needs blue helmets who act as blue helmets by Hermanprit Singh is about importance of peacekeeping and the failure of it. In an increasingly complex world marked by escalating conflicts, the words of Holocaust historian Yehuda Bauer ring with profound relevance: "Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but, above all, thou shalt not be a bystander." This principle, when applied to international peacekeeping, challenges us to reconsider the role of the United Nations and its blue helmets in global conflict resolution. The UN's peacekeeping operations, established through Chapter VI and VII of its Charter, were designed to be a powerful force for maintaining international peace and security. With over 1,000,000 peacekeepers deployed throughout its history, the UN has achieved notable successes in places like Cambodia, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone. However, the organisation now stands at a critical crossroads, where its effectiv

Secularism and Indian Constitution

The news report, Secularism is part of Constitution's basic structure; it's unamendable: SC, by Ashish Tripathi underlines that in the grand edifice of India's Constitution, secularism stands as an immutable pillar, woven so deeply into its fabric that it transcends mere amendability. The recent Supreme Court declaration affirming secularism as part of the Constitution's basic structure reflects a profound understanding of India's foundational principles. What makes this judicial pronouncement particularly significant is its timing and context. As the nation grapples with questions of identity and constitutional values, the Court's assertion serves as a powerful reminder of the wisdom embedded in India's constitutional framework. The bench's observation that "secularism" has evolved differently from its Western conception demonstrates India's unique approach to harmonising diversity with unity. The beauty of Indian secularism lies in its i

AI And The Foresight Of Its Outcome

The article, AI’s Cassandra moment , written by Jacob Koshy, reminds us that history has a peculiar way of offering us parallels that serve as powerful lessons for the present. Just as Einstein and Szilárd faced their moment of moral reckoning with nuclear technology in 1939, we stand at a similar crossroads with artificial intelligence. The story of these two moments, separated by nearly a century, reveals humanity's persistent challenge in managing transformative technologies. Geoffrey Hinton's recent actions echo Einstein's historic letter to President Roosevelt. Both scientists, celebrated for their groundbreaking work, felt compelled to sound an alarm about the potential dangers of their field. Hinton's departure from Google to speak freely about AI's risks mirrors Einstein's eventual regret about the atomic age he helped usher in. These parallel stories remind us that scientific progress must be coupled with ethical foresight. Yet, this is not simply a ca

India, A Constitutional Democracy

The Article, An approaching milestone in constitutional governance , by C. Raj Kumar is about India's journey of 75 years under constitutional governance stands as a testament to the triumph of democratic ideals in the face of immense diversity and challenges. From a nation where life expectancy was merely 32 years at independence to a vibrant democracy with 85.79% voter turnout in recent elections, India's transformation embodies the power of constitutional values to shape a nation's destiny. What makes India's democratic experiment truly remarkable is not just its scale but its soul. Five core constitutional values have woven themselves into the fabric of Indian society: the people's unwavering faith in democratic institutions, peaceful transitions of power, protection of fundamental rights, commitment to federalism, and the vital role of a free media and civil society. Perhaps most inspiring is how India has maintained its unity while celebrating its diversity.

Education Must Help In Meeting The Other

You are at the threshold of a ‘new you’. At a juncture like this, mixed emotions of excitement, anticipation, and maybe even a little bit of nervousness are perfectly normal. Be open to the new—a new you is possible. There have been many National Education Commissions in India, starting from Radhakrishnan Commission in 1948. The Third, perhaps the most popular, education commission was the Kothari Commission in 1964. It was known for 10+2+3 structure, three language formula, scholarships, co-curricular activities, etc. The first sentence of its long report started with the sentence, the destiny of a nation is shaped in her classrooms . India/nation etc. seem very distant and far realities, they seem to be for the politicians and the bureaucrats. Let me slightly rephrase it, the destiny of a person is shaped in her/his classrooms. Classrooms are a place where ideas are generated, character is shaped, connections are formed, and once destiny is written. We enter a classroom, a campus, o

Patriarchy Repackaged

In the tapestry of modern society, an insidious thread still weaves its way through our interactions, expectations, and aspirations. This thread - the permeating patriarchy—has evolved from overt oppression to a more subtle, praise-wrapped form of gender inequality. As we gather around dinner tables and in living rooms, the dynamics described in the article play out in countless homes. Women juggle careers and household responsibilities with seeming effortlessness, while their contributions are both expected and subtly diminished. Men "help" with chores as if it's a favour rather than shared responsibility. These patterns, ingrained over generations, can be hard to recognise, let alone change. However, awareness is the first step toward transformation. By shining a light on these dynamics—the unspoken codes, the gendered expectations, the way we value different forms of contribution—we create an opportunity for change. We can start to question why a woman's interest

The Power of Plurinational Nations

The article, In praise of plurinational revolutions by Chandan Gowda, says, in the tapestry of human progress, few threads shine as brightly as those woven by plurinational revolutions. These movements, exemplified by the Indigenous Revolutions in Ecuador and Bolivia, remind us of the transformative power that lies in embracing diversity, plurality and honouring ancestral connections to the land. For centuries, indigenous communities have been marginalised, their voices silenced by colonial powers and economic interests. Yet, as Jeffrey Paige's work illuminates, these communities have not only persevered but have risen to reclaim their rightful place in shaping their nations' futures. The elections of 2002 and 2005 in Ecuador and Bolivia marked a watershed moment, ushering in a new era where indigenous leaders could finally guide their countries' destinies. These plurinational revolutions challenge us to rethink our notions of governance and human rights. They ask us to c