Category: Perspectives

The recent arrest of an IPS officer on charges of cheating in a UPSC civil services examination, throws up serious questions on the kind of police officers we recruit.  The arrested officer was a probationary IPS officer serving as an assistant superintendent of police in Nanguneri, Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. He is also the proprietor of a civil services training institute in Kochi and Trivandrum, according to the Times of India. In 2015, he had ranked 112 in his second attempt. His arrest brings up larger questions of the role…

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In their book ‘The invention of tradition’ by Terence Ranger and Eric Habsbaun, the authors say that invention of tradition had been evident across time and places. The invention of tradition becomes more frequent when the old traditions are not able to effectively address the demands of the rapidly transforming society. The old traditions have to be eliminated when they are not sufficiently flexible or adaptable to the current needs of a society. The rapid and large changes on the demand and supply scenario in the last two centuries had…

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During the rule of princely states in India, many princes sought European women. Some sought them for teaching while some for pleasure. However there were princes who fell in love and sought their hand. The rajah of Pudukkottai is one such prince who stood by his Australian love, even if that love meant his fall. The first Portuguese women entered India around 1510, settling in picturesque Goa to become the brides of lonely Portuguese officials living a solitary life in majestic palaces. This was followed by the East India Company…

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Most people are confused between a serial murderer and a mass murderer. A serial murderer is one who kills sequentially over a period of time while a mass murderer is one who kills many at one time. Mass murders are easily identified on the spot and are generally overpowered, negotiated to surrender or killed in action. Like the shootings and hostage taking that frequently occur, even in schools and colleges, the mass killers behind these are instantly recognized. A serial killer on the other hand is one who commits two…

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India has a rich heritage, deeply associated with values and beliefs. Philosophy was an inseparable aspect of ancient Indian literature. Spanning across Sanskrit, Hindi, Tamil or probably all Indian languages that have a literary history; philosophical renderings run through the center. But philosophy was never part of the academic curriculum. Is it time to bring philosophy into Indian schools as research however highlights the importance of philosophy in high schools. The curriculum of an average Indian school education is becoming complex each day. The educational system is only reflective of…

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The mentally ill people of today have their own rights and liberties. You cannot execute an individual for any crime, if the individual is proved to be mentally ill. They have their asylums, caretakers and therapists to ensure their well being. The sane men are keen to do much for the insane among them. However there was a time in history when people believed that the insane didn’t feel pain and discomfort. The condition of the insane was pathetic all over the world. For instance during the 18th century, the…

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Man as a species can be rightly said to have socially evolved into various subspecies. This view of new species evolution in man is justified technically as it meets the criteria for new species identification. Today the capabilities of man have become so vast that it can even qualify for new species evolution. Today a species of man can fly to reach far off places, or travel fast on land to reach distant places, while some can cover only walkable distances. Man is the only creature that uses another one…

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The Indian film industry is one of the most competitive one, with its top stars in every genre demanding a fee commensurate with their standing in the industry. With the growth of the film industry in India, a new global market too developed for them, and film makers were soon targeting a global audience. The costs of film making and that associated with box office hits soared to new heights, together with public frenzy. A new breed of super stars emerged, the icons of public passion.  A film crazy India…

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Its forty years since  Bruce Lee’s first big film, Fist of Furry (The Big Boss) introduced him as a major star in Asia. Although Bruce Lee’s life was a considerable short one, it was nonetheless spectacular, and he continues to be a inspiration for many. In this e-age era of increased fitness and health awareness, the relevance of Bruce Lee is only increasing. His impact on popular culture is easily evident all around us. Even as young as six, Bruce was fast developing into a star. Bruce went on to…

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An eternal father’s forgotten son – Harilal Gandhi – I “Each morning I shudder to think what disgrace the newspapers would bring about you.  I keep wondering where you are and what you eat. I want to meet you but don’t know where you would be. You had changed your religion which is your private affair, but you go asking ignorant and innocent people to follow your example. What do you know about religion?. People are liable to be led away because of your father’s name.  If you continue like…

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