Viewpoints

The Crib Beckons

Ponmala When Caesar took the census of his kingdom, Mary’s babe had its head downward, ready to come out. As fate would have it, Joseph had to take his wife along for the census to distant Bethlehem, his ancestor King David’s place of origin. And simultaneously three wise men set out from the east, their […]

Behind the Ballots: The Hidden Forces Shaping America’s New Political Divide

Prof. Dr Nishant A. Irudayadason Faculty of Philosophy Pontifical Athenaeum Jnana Deepa Pune 411014 The reasons behind Donald Trump’s substantial victory in the recent American elections are complex and open to interpretation. However, the explanations circulated in the media and offered by polling institutions and “research laboratories” often present a skewed perspective. This “interpretative” approach, […]

THE ENEMY WITHIN

Ponmala American democracy is now on the line. All lovers of democracy are awaiting the results of the upcoming American elections with bated breath. Opinion polls show Kamala Harris and Donald Trump neck and neck. And yet, no two candidates have been as poles apart as they are in what they stand for: Harris is […]

Trapped in the Crossfire: Gaza’s Agony and the World’s Inaction

Dr Nishant A.Irudayadason Professor of Philosophy and Ethics, Jnana-Deepa Institute of Philosophy & Theology, Pune. The past year has witnessed a horrifying escalation in the conflict between Hamas and Israel, with Gaza bearing the brunt of a humanitarian catastrophe. Over 41,000 lives have been lost, including 14,000 children, raising troubling questions about the effectiveness of […]

HI-TEHC – THE GREAT LEVELLER

Ponmala We are now witnessing a sea change in the way wars are being fought. Truly, David’s ingenuity is proving to be more than a match for Goliath’s gigantic build. Very much like David’s sling shot, Zelensky’s drone swarms are proving to be a nightmare for Putin. That haughty march into Ukraine has deprived Russia […]

The Empathy We Owe: Lessons from Elephants and Our Duty to Wildlife

Dr Nishant A.Irudayadason Professor of Philosophy and Ethics, Jnana-Deepa Institute of Philosophy & Theology, Pune. On 4th June 2020, Kerala witnessed a disturbing episode of cruelty that shocked many people. A pregnant elephant, already burdened by the weight of impending motherhood, met a gruesome end after consuming a pineapple laced with firecrackers. The incident, which […]

Woman, Why Are You Weeping?

Ponmala The Kolkata of old evokes two nostalgic memories: 1. A city where women could walk alone on its streets without a sense of fear even late in the night; 2. A city that was always on the edge and could flare up at the least provocation. Should a woman who was physically or verbally […]

Art, Religion, and Parody: Balancing Freedom of Expression and Sacred Sentiments

Dr Nishant A.Irudayadason Professor of Philosophy and Ethics, Jnana-Deepa Institute of Philosophy & Theology, Pune. The recent controversy over the parody of the Last Supper at the Paris Olympics highlights the ongoing tension between artistic expression and religious sensitivity. This incident has once again brought to the forefront the ethical dilemmas that arise when parody […]

Eviction-facing Indian Catholics to fight Muslim charity’s claims

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica