The passing of Triple Talaq law marks a dark day in Indian democracy. The eagerness with which we celebrate this historic murder of liberty and secularism is reminiscent of the scene from Star Wars where Padme remarks, “So this is how liberty (democracy?) dies, with thunderous applause”. I must make it very clear at the […]
On the Call for Special Laws to Handle Violence at Hospitals
With the recent developments in West Bengal following incidents of violence at some hospitals, there have been calls from many quarters for newer and stronger laws specifically to deal with such cases of assault against doctors, hospitals and medical staff. I am of the opinion that such laws will not help address the problem faced […]
Diversity and Segregation in Society
I recently came across an interesting, playable, animation that showed how a small preference for individuals to be among people who are like them will result in a segregated society. The illustration has two types of polygons – squares and triangles. If each square prefers to be in a square majority area and each triangle […]
The Wisest Way to Invest
Ever since the beginning of civilization, humans have been trying to devise ways in which they can store the results of their hard work for the future. For a hunter-gatherer, since he dealt with perishables such as fruits or meat, the options were limited. His best bet was to share what he got with others […]
Divorce in India and in the West
There is a stark contrast in the attitude towards divorce in India and in the west. This is best understood in terms of an analogy. Consider I want to leave my job for another. I only need to let my employer know and give them an advance notice as specified in our contract. On the […]
Railway Reservation Centre at Rajaji Bhavan in Memories
Recently came to know that the Railway reservation centre at Rajaji Bhavan, Pattom, has been shut down. During my college days, I was a frequent visitor in those premises. In the last seven years or so that I have been in Trivandrum, I have not been there even once. Still, when someone dies, it is […]
Importance of Going to Sleep and Waking up the Right Way
The previous post that gives a Vedantic perspective on artificial life, notes how important the thoughts we leave this world with are, in determining where we go or what we become. This final departure that we call death happens only once in a lifetime. It is a process by which we disconnect with the external body […]
Reconciling Artificial Life with Religion (Vedanta)
The day is not far when robots powered by artificial intelligence (AI) will walk among us. At some point, some of these might even come to life. Since such a possibility may not have been conceived at a time when most of today’s religions originated, or most religious texts were written, followers of some of […]
Transience
Dazzling colors and brilliant lights fade away To silence, the clamour of fireworks gives way Only shreds of paper remain on the ground, Smell of gunpowder in the air hangs around. Of pleasures relished for as long as they last, Vague memories remain, like dreams of the past Of a life well lived, after a year or […]
Is Procrastination Good? Benefits of Procrastination
Is procrastination good? I have been a chronic procrastinator; and a religious one at that. From childhood, I have heard how procrastination is a thief of time, killer of dreams, and destroyer of opportunities. While agreeing that this generally held view is not entirely without merit, life has shown me another, less explored, side of […]