Writing Master

  British Empire in India   Indian diplomat-turned-politician Dr. Shashi Tharoor argues in his best-selling book “An Era of Darkness” that before the Britishers came, India’s share in the global GDP was 27 percent. But when the Britishers left after 200-years of rule, it was reduced to a paltry 4 percent. In fact, the industrial revolution of Britain was financed by the loots from India. India was Britain’s largest cash cow. Salaries of British officials working in India were taken from the Indian exchequer. Indian textile industry was famous worldwide. The colonial power absolutely ruined it. In many instances, the thumbs of the weavers were cut. Raw cotton was shipped into imperial Britain and the finished products were sold back to the Indians. The country which was once the largest exporter of textiles became a buyer.   There are a number of cases of massive embezzlement. Robert Clive-later Lord Clive- stolen a huge sum of money from Bengal. Almost 14-29 million people died

  Cold war in the Middle East Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the relations of Tehran with Washington have remained tense. Dispute between both the capitals has brought instability to the entire Middle Eastern region because Saudi Arabia also got embroiled in the conflict. Since then, the two regional powers- Riyadh and Tehran- are fighting a cold war with each other. Many observers argue that there are two main factors behind this hostility. Either the two countries are vying for regional dominance or are claiming the leadership of the Muslim Ummah.   In militaristic terms, Iran has an upper hand over Saudi Arabia. Hezbollah and Hamas are being funded by Tehran. Similarly, forces in Iraq and Syria are backed by the powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. In diplomatic terms, Iran has developed friendly relations with powerful countries like China and Russia. Both of these global powers are investing heavily in Tehran. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has a close partne

  Impacts of the Arab Spring   The Arab Spring started in Tunisia in Dec 2010 after the self-immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi. Bouazizi was a 26-years-old street vendor whose cart got confiscated by the authorities for not having a work permit. He approached the local authorities but was ignored. Bouazizi set himself on fire and died within a few days. This led to massive protests in Tunisia against the then-president Zein El Abidine Ben Ali. His 23-years long rule ended just within a few months. The protests did not remain confined to Tunisia. However, this episode ignited the protest waves in other parts of the Arab World. Husni Mubarak, who was ruling Egypt for the last 30 years, got overthrown within 18 days. Mohammed Morsi became the first democratically-elected president of the country. But he was overthrown by the military general Abdul Fateh el Sisi. The military is still very much in control. In Libya, Muammar Qaddafi was killed and captured after 42 years of rule. Civil wa

As the name suggests, laser engravers are used to engrave different objects by using laser technology. Laser engravers are of different types depending on the following variables: the price of the engraver, size of the object to be engraved, its material specifications, and connection options of the laser machine with the computer. Here are some of the best laser engravers: ·    Dremel LC40-01:  This is the most efficient and expensive engraver. It can cut or engrave any material like wood, glass, fabric, rubber, etc.   ·    Orion Motor Tech 40W:  This is less expensive while most efficient vis-à-vis wood engraving. It only works on wood.   ·     BiBo 3D Printer and Laser Engraver:  It is a 3D Printer-cum-engraver. It can engrave wood, leather, organic plastics, fabrics, and double-color planks. Its cost is very low.   ·     FoxAlien LE-4040:  This is mostly used for home tasks. It can engrave cardboard, powder-coated metal, vinyl, wood, and leather. It can be connected

Many security analysts fear a third world war. Kashmir, Palestine, and Korean Peninsula is identified as nuclear flashpoints. Many people fear that an unwise move in the above-mentioned regions can trigger a global conflict. But the reality is otherwise. The last few decades have been a peaceful era in human history. For the first time, fewer people are dying from human conflicts than suicides, traffic accidents, or diseases. According to a report, human violence is responsible for only 1 percent of deaths. 2020 is very much different from 1914. In 1914, global powers had concrete examples of what a successful war can earn. Global elites used war as a weapon for achieving prosperity. All the great powers were built or sustained by successful wars. Just 68 years before 1914, America invaded Mexico and occupied large swathes of the area with only 13,000 soldiers dead. But, now, the successful powers are flourishing without engaging in any direct military confrontation. China’s rise is

Until now, it was believed that our smartphones or PCs can be hacked. But, now, there is something more pressing to worry about. Now the governments and corporations can hack our bodies and minds as well. Previously the surveillance was above the skin. But now it has gone under our skin.   For centuries, parents, lovers, priests, merchants, and tyrants, etc used to gather knowledge about their subjects. However, it was limited to a particular context. Dictators forced their subjects to smile and clap at their whims and caprices. But they could not check whether the person who is clapping is actually feeling happy or not. Now the innermost feelings can be gauged as well. Presently, Information technology is merging with biotechnology. Through this merger, the governments and corporations will be enabled to know what the person is feeling while reading a particular article. Suppose a biometric bracelet is attached to your wrist and you are listening to the speech of the dictator. If

Best-selling author Yuval Noah Harari argues in a TedTalk that Homo Sapiens have undergone a massive transformation from insignificant apes to the ruler of this planet. He tells the distinctive feature of Homo Sapiens which led to their glory. He argues that human beings are distinct from other species in one aspect. Human beings have the ability to cooperate flexibly in very large numbers. While the other species lack in this regard. Take the example of bees. They can cooperate with each other but their cooperation is not flexible; instead, it is rigid. Bees cannot change their social structure overnight. They cannot execute the queen and install a communist dictatorship. There are some animals that can cooperate flexibly but in very small numbers. Only Homo Sapiens have this unique characteristic.   Now the question arises: how do human beings make it possible? The answer lies in the fact that human beings believe and create fictional stories. They have belief in both objectives

Secularism in the Indian constitution was envisioned by its founding fathers like Jawaharlal Nehru, M.K Gandhi, and Dr. Ambedkar. But, after the passage of seven decades, the secular nature of the Indian constitution is eroding-thanks largely to the rise of the BJP to power. Modi government is trying to build a Hindu Rashtra, hence, posing an existential threat to minorities. After the BJP gained a landslide victory in General Elections, back in 2019, it has intensified its atrocious campaign against 200 million Muslims. On August 5, 2019, it revoked Articles 370 and 35-A of the Indian constitution. Hence it stripped the J&K of its semi-autonomous status. It was bifurcated into two Union territories. Citizen Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens further antagonized the beleaguered Muslim community. Muslims protested in Shaheen Bagh against the CAA. After fiery speeches delivered by BJP leaders, widespread riots started against the vulnerable minority. This led to 50 killi

In the 20 th century, three stories dominated the world-communism, fascism, and liberalism. Fascism was defeated in 1945. While communism also faced defeat in 1989. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, It appeared that from now onwards only the liberal story would dominate the planet. But liberalism also got undermined after 2008 global financial crisis. It faced another onslaught in 2016-thanks largely to Brexit and Trump’s rise to power. Now, the Trump moment is confronting the liberal order. China is also becoming more and more authoritarian with each passing day. Russia is resurging again with its own brand of communism. Some voices in the favor of Global Islamic Caliphate are also being heard.   However, still, there are many loopholes in these illiberal approaches. Trump’s view is not the complete order. Therefore I would not pose an existential threat to liberalism. Though China is illiberal vis-à-vis its domestic policies, however, it is adopting liberal policies in its exte