India, Afghanistan and Pakistan
Harsha Kakar The third edition of UN international conference on Afghanistan was held in Doha at the end of last month. It was attended by 25 nations, including India, as also a five-member Taliban Government…
Category: COLUMNS
Brahmrishi Vishvamitra – Venerable, but still a human
Vishvamitra, son of King Gadhi, was a Rajrishi and one of the seven Brahmrishis of the ancient India. Reputedly, he wrote most of the Mandala 3 of the Rigveda and authored the Gayatri Mantra. Vishvamitra…
Sant Tulsidas – A Balmiki Avatar
We know how deeply indebted Sant Tulsidas felt to Rishi Balmiki in composing Ramcharitmanas (‘Recalling Ram’, DE, 28 April, 2024). His contemporaries, such as Guru Nabhadas (1537-1643), even believed that he was Balmiki reborn. The…
Pakistan’s new drama
Harsha Kakar Pakistan recently announced the launch of a new military operation ‘Azm-e-Istehkam,’ or ‘Resolve for Stability.’ This is intended to counter ‘domestic security threats’ as also increased attacks by freedom fighters (whom Pakistan terms…
Maharishi Balmiki – A poet who takes us to Ram
Bhagwan Ram has always been there, but He chooses a few evolved souls to take us to Him. Maharishi Balmiki (‘Valmiki’ in Sanskrit) is one such blessed soul. The Adi-kavi, by way of composing Ramayan,…
What next for Agniveers?
Harsha Kakar One of the reasons for the ruling BJP losing votes in recently concluded elections was the Agnipath scheme introduced by the last Government with much fanfare in June 2022 and implemented in Sept…
Elections and terrorism
Harsha Kakar Spurt in terrorist activities in the Jammu belt of J and K, commencing immediately after the conduct of elections in India could not have come out of the blue. As per J and…
Pakistan upgrades terror and bellicosity in Kashmir
K N Pandita Though Indian and Pakistani troops are not violating the ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control but for various reasons Pakistan has upgraded and intensified clandestine infiltration by the terrorists into Indian…
DASHRATH – KAIKEYI: When Matrimony Goes Sour
There was a much-married king and there was his favourite queen. They lived together happily till the queen decided to extract from her king the price of her fealty. The aging king died of shock,…
Biden and the Gaza war
Harsha Kakar Confusion prevails in the US on how exactly to manage the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. This is compounded by forthcoming elections where Biden faces Donald Trump. Trump has largely maintained his silence on the…