There is way too much fake and misleading laden ‘history’ floating around on social media and other corners of the Internet, deeply influencing people’s opinions and evaluations of events and personalities. [For one worrying example, see here.] I think, like many others, that we need to radically change the way we talk about the nation… Continue reading Creating a reliable, accessible resource for knowledge about India
Recently the Maharashtra state govt hiked the user charges and fees in government hospitals. In a country where more than 60 million persons are pushed below the poverty line because of healthcare expenses and many millions more have to take huge loans, government hospitals raising their fees – while at the same time government employees… Continue reading Why Indians need to abandon the ‘Gujarat model’ style of thinking
Fake news is a worldwide problem. In India it has proliferated since the national elections campaign of 2013. I have a good idea about this as I myself have been deeply involved in the social media discourses on politics that arose after the 2011 “anti-corruption movement”. What is of particular concern is that the fake… Continue reading Donate to ‘Alt News’ – A nonprofit working to make India less violent and less intolerant
This piece was published in The Wire on Independence Day 2017. Here is the link, and below is an extract: “While some may argue that it is possible to be ‘proud and responsible at the same time’, pride is too personal and egoistical to allow for the nuance that responsible citizenship entails. Besides, when we… Continue reading We need to teach kids to feel responsible, not proud, to be Indian
[Original post June 2017, Updated June 2020] The recent book I am a Troll: Inside the secret world of the BJP’s Digital Army was instrumental in exposing a trend in India which had been going on for the past few years – that of the BJP (and its co-ideologists like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh – RSS)… Continue reading Saving yourself from govt propaganda and fake news in India
This was published in HuffPost India on May 22, 2017. Here is the link, and below is an extract: “As responsible digital citizens, we need to cautiously tread the maddeningly insane social media. Instead of jumping to conclusions about serious issues in a matter of seconds, we should make our conclusions only after weighing all… Continue reading How confirmation bias dictates our social media responses, and what to do about it
This piece was published on the platform ‘The Logical Indian’ on May 4 2017. Here is the link. Below is an excerpt: In his most crucial insight for our times, Dalrymple argues that many of modern India’s rich industrialists have amassed wealth in ways similar to Robert Clive’s, the EIC’s ruthless official who had won… Continue reading William Dalrymple explains how corporations today, with their powers, resemble the East India Company
This appeared in theWire.in on 15 March 2017. Here is the link. Below is an excerpt: While the medical community regularly (and rightfully) demands and expect protection from mob violence, is it morally justified that it looks the other way when other citizens are subjected to similar violence? Mob bullying and violence are among the most deplorable aspects… Continue reading Doctors, Academics, and Artists Bear the Brunt of Mob Violence in India: Here’s How They Can Help Each Other
CARING FOR INDIA 