4th Dimension

Recent floods in Vadodara has generated political and social debate about climate change, miss (water) management and ill informed policy making and implementation.  Getting away from these debates, let’s take a moment to talk about something pretty special—the Vishwamitri River. It’s not just any river; it’s the lifeblood of Vadodara, a city steeped in history, culture, and nature. If rivers could talk, Vishwamitri would have some incredible stories to tell. So, let’s go on a journey together, exploring the rich and fascinating history of this river and how it has shaped the lives of those who’ve lived along its banks for thousands of years. The Ancient Beginnings: A River Shapes Early Life (1000 BCE) it’s around 1000 BCE, and small communities are starting to form along the western banks of the Vishwamitri River. Back then, the landscape was lush and green, covered in moist forests that seemed to stretch on forever. But the world was changing, and so was the climate. As the earth war

You know those tea-time conversations that start out light, full of jokes and laughter, but then suddenly take a turn into something much deeper? Well, that’s exactly what happened to me the other evening. There I was, casually sipping my chai with colleagues, when our banter somehow drifted into the realm of what some call "dirty literature" in India. You can imagine my reaction—part amusement, part curiosity. I jokingly suggested it would make for an intriguing research topic in gender and sociology. Little did I know, this light-hearted comment would spark an unexpected response. A colleague shot back, warning me that if I try to publish research on such a topic, my reputation in academic circles might take a hit. "They might judge you in the ‘wrong’ way," he said. And just like that, a flood of memories and thoughts washed over me, pulling me back to my first encounter with this so-called "dirty" literature. It’s funny, isn’t it, how certain triggers—l

In my previous post, I tried to discuss my concerns about the law and order situation in India. Unfortunately, as is often the case, new incidents keep cropping up that force me to think again about the state of affairs. One such incident involves the tragic case of Aryan Mishra, a 19-year-old boy shot to death by a group of cow vigilantes who claim it was a "mistake." This case has sparked an outpouring of outrage. As I read the discourse surrounding this incident, something deeply troubling emerged. The accused, after confessing to their crime, expressed guilt not over the act of taking a life but over the fact that they had mistakenly killed a Brahmin boy. It's as if the entire tragedy would have been shrugged off had the victim belonged to a different caste, perhaps a lower one. This confession brings to light an uncomfortable truth about how our society values human life – not equally, but based on the arbitrary lines of caste and religion. Think about this for a mom

Imagine, if you will, the daily life of an average Indian citizen. A person, just like you and me, going about their routine, perhaps heading to work, spending time with family, or even peacefully protesting for what they believe is right. Now, imagine that same person being suddenly whisked away by the police, perhaps for a post they made on social media, or for attending a protest. No trial, no chance to defend themselves – just an arrest. Does this seem like a scenario from a dystopian novel? Sadly, it's not. This is a reality that too many Indians face today. Now, you might ask, why am I so concerned about this? Let me tell you why. In recent times, the actions of the Indian police have often seemed strange, even bizarre. Consider the case of a juvenile in Pune who was made to write a 300-word essay as punishment for killing two people in a road accident. This isn't just weird; it's downright unsettling. Then there's the case of the SUV driver, arrested in connectio

Today, I came across a funny instagram reel of a so-called spiritual leader. He was publicly making fun of Science and cracking jokes about relationships with women and other people who seek solutions about their real life problems from him in the Pandal of a Katha vachan . This is not the first time I was looking at such a person,  I have seen many such spiritual leaders who often make fun of science, psychology and people in their Sabha .. These individuals, often referred to as Babas or guru, wield immense influence over vast numbers of people, shaping beliefs, behaviors, and even societal norms. But who are these Baba, and what accounts for their widespread popularity? Consider the case of Pookie Baba, also known by the more formal title Anirudhacharya Ji Maharaj or simply Anirudh Tiwari. Born in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, in 1989, he moved to Vrindavan as a child to immerse himself in the study of Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures. From these modest beginnings, Pookie Baba has emerged

Reading time: 2 minutes.  As a faculty member in a respected B-School, I frequently engage with management theories and concepts. These ideas are mostly shaped by Western philosophies, which, in my view, do not fully capture the realities of the East. Because of these theories and concepts, management education today tends to cling to  Western ideas, leading to a shallow understanding of the human mind, culture, civilization, and society. Lately, I have been reviewing papers on Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality in management journals. Almost all of them lack a deep (sociological) understanding of diversity and inclusion. The Western idea of diversity focuses mainly on gender, sexuality, and race, but misses the broader idea of "human differences." Around the world, there are many types of diversity—like caste, religion, and language—that Western management theories often overlook. Take China and Japan, for example. These societies are heavily Westernised but remain deeply xe

Reading time : 3-4 Minutes As I reflect on the recent tragedy at Rau's IAS Study Circle in Delhi, my mind drifts to the Ramayana, an epic that has always intrigued me. Why, I have often wondered, did Ravana, a so-called intellectual, allow his city to burn and his family to perish? Were his actions driven solely by desire, or was there something deeper at play? This question has haunted me, and as I ponder the tragic deaths of young UPSC aspirants in Delhi and protesting students in Dhaka, I begin to see a pattern in the human psyche: the older generations often cling to power at the expense of the youth. Ravana's story is one of immense complexity. Here was a man of great intellect and power, yet he allowed his ambitions and desires to consume him, leading to the destruction of his kingdom and the death of his loved ones. As I read the Ramayana, I wonder: why did Ravana make such choices? Was it merely his insatiable hunger for more power, or was it his desperate clinging to t

It is said that karma gives you what you deserve. In other words, your sufferings are the outcome of your bad deeds. Agree!  But what if you suffer because of bad deeds of others?? Death by negligence in the past 2-3 years are on rise in India.   Have you ever wondered how often tragedies occur due to the inefficiencies of our administration? You might be shocked to learn that incidents resulting in the loss of life or serious injury due to administrative failures are disturbingly frequent in India. These heart-wrenching events are not mere accidents; they are the direct result of a disastrous mix of poor governance, lack of regulatory enforcement, and crumbling infrastructure. Take the horrifying incident in Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi. Imagine this: three young civil service aspirants, full of hope and ambition, met a tragic end in a flooded basement at their coaching center. This wasn't just a case of heavy rainfall and waterlogging; it was a glaring example of the cit