Are We Ready to Fight COVID-19 and Climate Change?

As the news flows in day after day of the number of people infected by the Coronavirus and those who have died from it, I can’t help but think that we are rather helpless in dealing with it. News media seems to be able to do no more than simply report on the swelling numbers… Continue reading Are We Ready to Fight COVID-19 and Climate Change?

How Illiberal Politics is Impacting Business and Economies

For the past several centuries the world has made much of its progress on the back of the relationship between citizens, governments and businesses. From the time of the Magna Carta, when aristocratic barons seized privileges and rights from the monarchy, businesses have had the upper hand in the relationship. As agents of innovation and… Continue reading How Illiberal Politics is Impacting Business and Economies

Writings on the Wall #5: A Tribute to the Dead

Having just written a post about Olga Tokarczuk's book, Flights, I thought I must share my thoughts on travel as a way of visiting the past and paying a tribute to the great souls who made their cities and countries great. It isn't only about visiting crypts in cathedrals or cemeteries, many a time it… Continue reading Writings on the Wall #5: A Tribute to the Dead

Travel, In Ways You Never Imagined

As someone who loves travel, I must say that Olga Tokarczuk’s book, Flights, opened up new vistas in my mind about how to think about it. Part travelogue, part meditation on time and journeys, part historical storytelling, it is hard to even call it a novel, which is what it is. The genre-defying Flights is… Continue reading Travel, In Ways You Never Imagined

Of Calendars and Clocks

There’s something about beginning a new year. Besides the usual greetings and celebrations, there’s also a more mundane aspect to it. Many folks like to make a new year resolution, for example. And it usually has to do with giving up some of your favourite – and not-good-for-you – habits like smoking, late nights, or… Continue reading Of Calendars and Clocks

A Paean to Thymos

Over a year ago, I had written a post on identity politics as it exists around the world, including in India, and in it I had referred to an excerpt from Francis Fukuyama’s new book, Identity, that I happened to read online on Quillette. I had then said that I would like to read the… Continue reading A Paean to Thymos

Live Life Outside the 24×7 News Flow

The new year, 2020, has begun and I thought it's the perfect opportunity to share with you, new videos that I have made for my blog. They carry forward the same message of the need for quiet reflection and form yet another link in the Owl Wisdom idea. First, the theme film for my blog… Continue reading Live Life Outside the 24×7 News Flow