Opinion

I believe the greatest fear for any authority figure — from the people he/she/it has authority over — is the freedom they may have to challenge that very authority.   And although, theoretically speaking, we accept the authority of the state over us in order to be free — which it does make us in many respects — it however, ...

India is a unique country in the world having no specific law pertaining to broadcast contents and advertisements. Liberalization of broadcast industry has broken the monopoly of government paving the way for hundreds of private players come in and also replacing statutory regulation to self-regulation. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has permitted 825 channels out of which 670 are operational. ...

How a relentless Army chief suddenly appeared to relent, is worth noticing. Yesterday, March 30th, General V.K. Singh said, “There are some elements in our society which are playing an active role in trying to project a schism between the Honorable Raksha Mantri and Chief of the Army Staff. This is untrue and needs to be guarded against.” His statement ...

On 29 March 2012 Wednesday, the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa attended the fourth BRICS in New Delhi, India. The Summit was held with the theme “Partnership for Global Stability, Security and Prosperity”. The summit is altogether contrary to the perception that BRICS leaders meet once in a year and click some snaps together. They moved ...

‘Disinterested’—that’s the word that perfectly describes how I felt the first time I entered the precincts of Jamia. Not knowing anyone, and not even wanting to. Despite the colourful atmosphere, and despite the cheerful faces, nothing gave me good vibes. For Jamia, I only felt repulsion. I always wanted to explore things away from home, wanted to learn how to ...

I was at my friend’s place working on a project with him on the computer one day. While we were working, my friend’s sister came into the room. She had some school work to do, so she asked to use the computer. “Come back tomorrow,” my friend replied. “But my practical is tomorrow,” she said. “So what were you doing ...

Many a times we come across the word “Honor Killing” but very few of us are actually aware of what the term really means. Honor killing is said to be done when family members murder another family member who has brought “shame” and “disgrace” to the family name. Usually in India it takes place over an “inappropriate” relationship or because ...

This year too, Valentine’s Day (henceforth, V-day) was celebrated on-campus on Feb. 14. But this V-day was more holistic than usual. Everyone who celebrated it seemed more spiritualistic and holiness (both terms here meant in the modern sense of the word, and not in the medieval or ancient sense). Every movement of those who celebrated V-day had a holy touch. ...

The President of the United States of America, Mr. Barack Obama on military intervention in Libya said, “Some nations may be able to turn a blind eye to atrocities in other countries but United States of America is different. Wherever people want to be free they will find a friend in the United States.” I wonder what happened to the ...

[Following is a press release by the Forum for Student Democracy.] Jamia Millia Islamia today organized a session on ‘Democracy, dissent and movement for change’. Eminent social activist Aruna Roy, Nikhil Day, editor of Open Magazine Manu Joseph and JMI vice chancellor Najeeb Jung spoke all good words about democracy and Right to information. Ironically the programme was organized in ...