We are almost never introduced properly to one of the most important skills one needs in a complex, and now increasingly lies-filled, social world: critical thinking. What follows is excerpted from a post I wrote on Quora in answer to a general question What is it that Indian parents are collectively doing wrong? This answer… Continue reading Why reading is as important a parenting duty as any other
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 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
This was published by theWire on March 5, 2017. Here is the link. Below is an extract. “To sum up, Mercier and Sperber claim that our faculty of reasoning is perfect for making, and accepting or rejecting, argumentive claims. They say this is its primary evolutionary function. But our reasoning faculty is imperfect – though not… Continue reading New Science on Why People Believe Fake News
This was published in HuffPost India on Feb 8 2017. Here is the link. Below is an excerpt. “These emotions are so subjective and varied that often even members of the same family are at opposite ends on whether, for example, a particular statement is offensive or not. In the Padmavati case also, while the… Continue reading Bhansali Attack: ‘Hurt’ Feelings Are No Justification For Violence
This was published on Gandhi’s death anniversary this year, Jan 30 2017. Here is the link. Below is an extract: In a documentary on the making of the movie, Attenborough expressed phenomenal admiration for one of young Gandhi’s most profound insights: “It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honored… Continue reading Conversing With Gandhi in Digital India
CARING FOR INDIA 