Monthly Archives: May 2013

Savior or Hitler?

modi_youngThe Weimar Republic was established in 1919 in Germany. Although started with good intentions, in fourteen years, the governance was marked by an overall lack of direction, hyperinflation and rampant corruption. In 1933, the Weimar Republic was overthrown by Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich. Although a well known extremist, Hitler was a very popular leader, who spoke of modernization, industrialization and militarization of Germany. Hitler did what he promised, but at what price?! Continue reading

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Doctor Who

doctorThere was a time in cinema where almost every film would have a scene where a doctor would make a house visit to see the bed-ridden patient. On his way out, his leather bag would be carried by the patient’s son, and the doctor will stop at the door, and reveal in hushed voice about the patient’s suffering from tuberculosis, or cancer. Those gray haired doctors were accessible over phone and often themselves called the patient, just to know how was doing. Continue reading

Science, society and dialectics

vitruvianFrom Galileo to Einstein, scientists who have questioned the popular thinking, have faced the wrath of the establishment. It is also interesting to note that wars have had a tendency to accelerate the process of scientific inventions. May it be the atomic power, or computers, wars have been the reason behind the great leaps in technology. The point is – society and science are inseparable. While philosophers of the past have tried to build bridges between the two, the complexities of modern science seldom allow to so. The gap between science and philosophy is growing fast. Continue reading

Liberating Jharkhand

jharkhand-tribal-artWhen the people of Jharkhand fought for a separate state, their goal was liberty and greater control on their lives. But ironically, the formation of Jharkhand has, over the years, given greater control to their oppressors and consolidated the hold of corrupt politicians, industrialists and contractors on the masses. It is even more unfortunate that the leaders who were at the forefront of the liberation movement have turned into oppressors. Continue reading

Materialism and sacrifice

perspectiveI remember reading Anton Chekhov’s ‘The Bet‘ in school. The story brilliantly emphasizes the idea that human life is far more valuable than money. It begins with an argument at a party over which is more moral – capital punishment or life imprisonment? A rich banker believes that capital punishment is more moral. A young lawyer at the party argues any life is better than no life at all. The banker, feeling insulted, bets the lawyer two million rubles, that he cannot last fifteen years in solitary confinement. As the years pass, the lawyer discovers the significance of human life. Continue reading