Trump and Hillary dominate the debate
In the first Republican debate of the the 2016 elections Donald Trump stood out as the biggest winner. However, the lack of any outstanding Republican candidate means Democrat Hillary is the real winner
Courtesy: MEA Flickr
International yoga day
The growing popularity of yoga across the world—highlighted by the International Yoga Day on June 21—is a triumph for those seeking to promote holistic knowledge systems and therapies for human well-being, and the recognition by the UN could strengthen public spending in support of such therapies across the world
Geopolitics & Byomkesh Bakshi
Novelist Sharadindu Bandopadhyay created fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi in exciting geo-political times, in Calcutta, then an interesting global city. The movie Detective Byomkesh Bakshi , directed by Dibakar Banerjee, tries to capture some of these fragments
Courtesy: YouTube
India, China and censorship
In the past week two documentaries that went viral in China and India were banned. In China, a documentary about pollution. In India, a documentary about the Nirbhaya rape incident in 2012. India's decision to ban the film suggests that the government's approach to censorship is starting to look more like China's
Courtesy: NPR
Mexican inspiration for Bollywood
Mexican director Alejendra Inarritu’s Oscar for his work on Birdman comes after his compatriot won the same category award in 2014. This is a matter of pride for the Mexican film industry which is undergoing a renaissance in the last fifteen years. Although Indian cinema dwarfs the Mexican film industry, Mexico’s success in Hollywood should hold as inspiration for Bollywood
Courtesy: Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
The legacy of Dara Shikoh
The story of Darah Shikoh, heir-apparent to the Mughal throne in the mid-17th century , enacted by the National Theatre in London, offers insights on how to get beyond the increasingly polarising global discourse on faith, reason and Islam
Courtesy:
Latin American lessons for AAP
The nature of the sweeping victory of AAP and Kejriwal may be unprecedented in India but not in Latin America. In Brazil, Mexico and Colombia, there are lessons for AAP and Arvind Kejriwal as they assume power in New Delhi – and also for the Congress Party as well as the BJP
Courtesy: Newscom.com
Rousseff reelection: lower expectations
The reelection of President Dilma Rousseff means continuation of the slow growth of the Brazilian economy and a lower likelihood of much-needed, major political and economic reforms. India should lower its expectations on a global partnership with Brazil
Courtesy: wikimedia commons
The rise of Marina Silva
Brazilian president Dilma Rouseff's bid for re-election has been ambushed in just two weeks by activist Marina Silva who is now predicted to win the October elections. If elected, Marina is likely to continue with the pro-poor policies of the current government, and she has already shown a keen interest in foreign policy. PM Modi will find Marina more proactive and forthcoming than Rouseff
Courtesy: cdfwatson
The tussle for Hong Kong
The stage has been set for protests by pro-democracy groups in Hong Kong’s financial district following Beijing’s rejection of open civil nominations. This decision has angered pro-democracy groups, but the debate represents a continued effort to define the scope and limits of Hong Kong’s autonomy under China