Navratri: From Worship to Spectacle?
Anjali KanojiaNavratri celebrations today often look very different from the observances of the past. Pilgrimage sites have become places for selfies and reels, and temples are seen as tourist attractions. Garba…
Dharma at the Polls: The Dance of Democratic Participation
India's 2024 general election, one of the largest democratic exercises in history, involved more than 642 million voters casting ballots across seven phases (Election Commission of India, 2024). The Election…
Christian Pride vs Dharmic Hesitation: A Leadership Contrast
One of the most striking political moments in recent history was evident in Secretary Marco Rubio's speech. It solidified the ethos of White Christian leadership in the West, particularly in…
India at a Crossroads: Will Institutional Trust Follow America’s Decline?
Trust in government and public institutions is a core indicator of democratic legitimacy and political stability (Easton, 1965; Norris, 2011). Political scientists have long measured institutional trust to understand citizens’…
Reclaiming Iran: Tracing Indo‑Iranian Heritage Beyond the Islamic Republic
Iran stands at a historical crossroads. For decades, Iranians have protested against the authority of the Ayatollahs, demanding greater political freedom, decent women's rights, and an end to Islamic rules…
From Tamilakam to Thebes: Tamil-Brahmi in the Valley of the Kings was No Surprise
The recent identification of Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions in Egypt's Valley of the Kings has important implications for understanding early Indian travels and participation in Afro-Eurasian exchange networks. When compared with canonical…
The Disconnect Between Public Opinion & Policy in India: The UGC Policy Fiasco as a Case Study
Democratic theory presumes a meaningful relationship between public opinion and public policy, whereby citizen preferences are aggregated through institutions and reflected in governance outcomes (Dahl, 1971; Easton, 1965). However, in…
Yoga and Meditation: Enhancing BDNF and Neuroplasticity
Indian spiritual practices, including yoga and meditation, have been increasingly recognized by science for their benefits to both mental and physical health. Bhavanani (2016) explains that "Yoga has been practiced…
Decolonizing Validation: Why Indian Art Needs No Oscar
Decolonizing Validation: Why Indian Art Needs No Oscar Recently, social media in India has been buzzing with claims that Akshaye Khanna should win an Oscar. While the praise for his…
Path Dependencies in Bias Against Indian Professionals
Despite the United States being a nation built on native and immigrant sweat and blood, a persistent bias exists toward certain immigrant groups, mainly Indian professionals. Especially those on H-1B…