4th Dimension

Let’s be real. You probably have an image in your mind of what work should feel like—a balanced, productive, and fulfilling environment, where passion meets purpose. But let me shatter that illusion for you. In my previous job, I thought I had entered a professional realm that was about growth, learning, and teamwork. It was anything but. The reality was a deeply disturbing work culture—one that fed off of power, exploitation, and degradation. And what was worse? Everyone, including me, was conditioned to think it was normal . Yes, normal. Imagine walking into an office where working 10-12 hours wasn’t exceptional but expected—celebrated even. Where “team spirit” meant some officers dozing in their cushy air-conditioned cabins while their subordinates slaved away beneath flickering tube lights. And if you dared look at the clock around 6:00 pm, thinking the day was over, you’d be met with the shocking surprise of a "meeting" scheduled for 6:00 pm. Coincidence? I think not.  T...

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...

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...