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Why Bangladesh Is Burning: Inside a South Asian Crisis the World Can’t Ignore

For much of the last two decades, Bangladesh was viewed internationally as a quiet success story. It emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, lifted millions out of poverty, and became indispensable to global supply chains through its garment industry. Western brands, development agencies, and regional partners often pointed to Bangladesh as proof that steady growth and political continuity could coexist. That image is now fracturing. AI-Generated picture Since mid-2024, Bangladesh has experienced sustained political unrest, deadly protests, institutional paralysis, and growing social insecurity. Streets have burned, governments have fallen, and trust in the state has eroded. For observers outside South Asia, the crisis can appear sudden or confusing. In reality, it is the result of long-term structural pressures finally colliding with a fragile political transition. Understanding why Bangladesh is burning requires tracing the crisis from its roots, through its flash...

Devotion in the Age of Display: When Faith Became a Performance

Devotion, historically, was a deeply personal act—quiet, restrained, and inward-looking. It was measured not by visibility but by consistency, humility, and conduct. In contrast, modern-day devotion increasingly unfolds in public spaces: Instagram stories of temple visits, Facebook posts announcing fasts, WhatsApp statuses quoting scriptures, and reels showcasing prolonged prayer rituals. Faith, once practised in silence, is now frequently curated for an audience. This blog examines how devotion has transformed in the modern age—from a private moral discipline to a public performance—by comparing traditional practices with contemporary expressions. The intent is not to dismiss modern devotion outright, but to analyse its evolving nature, motivations, and consequences. AI-Generated Picture Understanding Devotion in Traditional Societies Faith as a Way of Life, Not a Statement In earlier societies, devotion was inseparable from daily life. It did not require validation or announcement. ...

Bangladesh-India Relations: Turmoil, Assassinations, and the Geopolitical Chessboard

Bangladesh's political upheaval since Sheikh Hasina's ouster in 2024 has strained ties with India, amplified by foreign influences and the mysterious killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. This post examines recent developments, emerging leaders, external roles, and future trajectories for both nations. India - Bangladesh Historical Context of Ties India and Bangladesh shared strong bonds under Hasina's Awami League, rooted in 1971 liberation support and expanded through trade, security, and connectivity projects. New Delhi viewed Dhaka as a counterweight to extremism and a Northeast gateway. Key milestones included: Power-sharing agreements and transit rights for Indian goods. Joint counter-terrorism efforts against groups like ULFA. Economic interdependence, with Bangladesh as India's largest trading partner in South Asia. Hasina's authoritarian drift drew criticism, but it aligned with India's strategic needs, fostering a personal rapport between leaders....

Aravalli Hills: India’s Ancient Shield and Its Uncertain Future

The Aravalli Hills, among the world’s oldest mountain systems, form a 700‑km ecological spine running from Gujarat to Delhi and shaping the climate, water, and air quality of North India. Recent Supreme Court directions on how to define and regulate the Aravallis have sparked a national debate on whether the region is moving towards sustainable protection or bigger ecological risk. Aravalli Hills How Old Are the Aravalli Hills? Precambrian origins The Aravallis are Precambrian fold mountains, with major tectonic events dated roughly 1.8–2 billion years ago, making them far older than the Himalayas. ​ Their evolution involved collisions and suturing between ancient cratonic blocks, followed by multiple cycles of uplift, erosion, and rifting over geological time. ​ From towering peaks to eroded ridges Continuous weathering and erosion have reduced the once high chain to today’s modest ridges, plateaus, and isolated hillocks scattered across Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. ​ This long hist...