Culture

Bettina Bäumer’s Inclusive Philosophy Is What We Need in Such Times

Her autobiography is a rare account of a woman’s journey in the deepest sense from Europe to India; from Christianity, both Protestant and Catholic, to the Philosophy of Recognition or Pratyabhijñā, popularly called Kashmir Śaivism.

Rich Heritage but Poor Plight of Bishnupur’s Baluchari Silk Artisans

Most cooperatives set up during Left rule have closed. At present, about 15,000 people are involved in Baluchari saree-making, a majority whom work as daily wage labourers, as they do not own looms.

Bridging Faiths, Uniting Hearts: Innovating Interfaith Dialogue on Campus

An Inspiring Journey with Hindu Muslim Harmony Fellows Sharing Stories of Fostering Peace and Understanding

Mira Road: Mosque clerics welcome people from across religion and caste to Jama Masjid Al Shams this Ramzan

Muzaffar Hussain, a former legislator and managing trustee of the mosque extended the invitation for all, to unite people of different religions on one platform and tear down barriers between communities

Sufidar Trust, Walajah Big Mosque: The 4 decades long tradition of Hindus serving Iftar meals to Muslims during Ramzan

As a testament of the philosophy of religious unity, a temple honouring the teachings of Sufi saint Shahenshah Baba Nebhraj Sahib by preparing Iftar meals for 1200 Muslims

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala to Malerkotla in Punjab, spontaneous community initiatives celebrate harmony & syncretism

Examples of interfaith solidarity and harmony arise from Kerala to Punjab as collective efforts by communities on-ground spread love in an era which has witnessed perpetrated hatred.

Incidents of everyday harmony from Punjab to Lakshadweep Islands

 India’s diverse communities and their aspirations for a diverse and harmonious society is revealed in the multiple events of interfaith harmony organised by citizens from West Bengal to Punjab, and from Lakshadweep to Tamil Nadu.

The sound of music

This was an exclusive in depth interview done in 2008, 16 years ago with the indomitable Ameen Sayani who passed on February 20,2024 at the ripe old age of 91. Teesta Setalvad speaks to Ameen Sayani about the 4 decades old journey in politics, music and life with nuggets of India’s freedom struggle in which Sayani’s mother was a close associate of Gandhiji. A product of the New Era school Mumbai, Sayani’s is a tale more precious in the re-telling

Light a Lamp to rescue Plural India: An Urdu Story, “Diya Baati Ki Bela”, by Zakiya Mashhadi

The author has not been awarded the Urdu Sahitya Academy’s award, possibly because the story harks back to a reality that rulers want Indians to obliterate, and forget

Reason, emotion and history

First published on: June 10, 2022(In March 1994, as...

Muzaffar Ali and his English language autobiography, Zikr:  hope for a beleaguered India?

The author, a History professor at AMU, writes on the discussion that took place at the prestigious university last week, on January 25 and 6, 2024 with young students faced with the divisive politics of today

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‘Babri Masjid’ v/s Gita recital: In a cynical play of communal politics, pre-poll West Bengal sees active polarisation at both ends of the spectrum

Months ahead of polls, Bengal politics takes a communal plunge –minority and majority -- with electronic and print media playing up both events: the foundation laying ceremony of the “new Babri Masjid” and the “Gita Recital” at the Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata

Maharashtra: Seven districts saw 14,526 child deaths in three years says Govt

In sharp contrast to other development parametres, these high infant mortality figures, reveal an institutional malaise that needs urgent addressing

Bettina Bäumer’s Inclusive Philosophy Is What We Need in Such Times

Her autobiography is a rare account of a woman’s journey in the deepest sense from Europe to India; from Christianity, both Protestant and Catholic, to the Philosophy of Recognition or Pratyabhijñā, popularly called Kashmir Śaivism.

In India, Wealth Inequality among highest in the world, top 1% holds 40% wealth: Study

On the global stage, the top 0.001% own three times more than the poorest half of humanity combined, said the 2026 World Inequality Report

Hindu Nationalism’s sectarian nationalism and its concept of ‘duties and rights’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent undermining of rights through emphasising “duties” is both a majoritarian and feudal re-affirmation common to authoritarian states and societies

CJP Files complaint with NCM over escalating Hate Speeches during Hindu Sanatan Ekta Padyatra

The organisation documents a 10-day trail of exclusionary, fearmongering and openly inflammatory statements across four states, urging urgent intervention to prevent further communal polarisation

Pervasive fear, surveillance of media, spiral of anti-India sentiment in Kashmir: CCG

Concerned Citizens’ Group (CCG) –a voluntary initiative set up in 2016--on its eleventh visit to Kashmir and Jammu, from October 28 to 31, 2025 and meetings with political actors, businessmen, teachers and other professionals apart from activists has released its report recently

Vande Mataram: How the recent discussions in Parliament around the national song initiated by the ruling regime stem from motives that are questionable

Retired Judge of the Madras High Court, K Chandru writes: the enforced debate in Parliament by the RSS-driven National Democratic Alliance (NDA) seeks to create a controversy over Vande Mataram raising concerns over the intentions of the present government; ‘A non-issue is being much importance and publicity’ he says