Editor's Pick
Celebrating Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
A philosopher, statesman, and educator, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s legacy as India’s second President continues to inspire generations.
This Throwback Thursday, we remember the life and legacy of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a giant in Indian history whose contributions to education and philosophy have seared an indelible mark into the nation’s psyche. Celebrated as Teacher’s Day on 5th September every year, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s birthday indicates how paramount his impact has been on the Indian educational system and one of the shapers of modern Hindu identity.
The Early Years and Academic Excellence
Born on September 5, 1888, in a small village in Tamil Nadu, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s early life was precocious, marked primarily by a zest for knowledge that would guide him throughout his life. He went to Madras Presidency College, where he rapidly proved himself as a bright student. Here, he initiated the study of philosophy, which would eventually become his lifelong passion.
He was called upon to serve at the Department of Philosophy in the Madras Presidency College in 1909, marking the beginning of his outstanding academic career. His scholarship on the subject breathed heavily upon the concepts of Advaita Vedanta, the school of Indian philosophy that emphasises the idea of non-dualism. His reinterpretation for contemporary times made Advaita defend Hinduism against Western criticism and develop a modern Hindu identity that would stand shoulder to shoulder with Western philosophical traditions.
A Scholar and a Thinker of International Repute
Soon, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s academic brilliance ushered him into some of the most coveted positions in Indian academia. He was the Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University and Banaras Hindu University, two of the best institutions in India. His influence spilt beyond Indian shores when he was appointed King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science at the University of Calcutta and subsequently to the Spalding Chair of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford University.
During this period, he wrote a series of works, including “The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore” and “An Idealist View of Life.” These established him as a profound interpreter of Indian philosophy and, at the same time, as an effective controversialist who did not hesitate to speak his mind boldly against the Western school of philosophers. His scholarship had unfolded before the world of Hindu philosophy and put him among the most influential scholars of the 20th century in comparative philosophy and religion.
The Statesman and Farseeing Leader
The intellectual works of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan ran along parallel lines with his contribution to the political and diplomatic fields. He held the office of ambassador of India to the Soviet Union from 1949 to 1952, at a critical time in world affairs. His diplomacy acumen helped mend India’s relations with the Soviet Union, a crucial actor in the global environs at that time.
In 1952, he was elected as the first Vice President of India, a position he served gracefully for ten years. He was the pillar of support and strength during his vice-presidency to the president of India, professing the secular ideal of India. An outspoken proponent of a secular state, Radhakrishnan considered that religious instruction in state institutions was inconsistent with the secular ideal of the Indian Constitution.
In 1962, he was elected as the second President of India. A great depth of moral authority and intellectual rigour strikingly marked his presidency. As president, he also never gave up his commitment to the cause of education, espousing the ideal non-stop in its nation-building dimensions. His transformationist belief in education was based on personal experiences and a firm conviction that knowledge was the key to a more just and equitable society.
Teacher’s Day Legacy
Perhaps the most perennial of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s legacies is the celebration of Teacher’s Day in India. This originated in 1962 when some of his students and friends approached him to celebrate his birthday. Characteristically, he said that instead of celebrating his birthday, September 5th should be observed as Teacher’s Day in honour of the contribution of teachers to society.
Since then, Teachers’ Day has become an annual event in India, and students throughout the country pay homage to their teachers through various functions. The day reminds one of the teachers’ values in moulding the minds and fortunes of the rising generation. It also speaks volumes about Radhakrishnan’s respect for the teaching profession and the status of teachers as society’s true architects.
Bridging East and West in Thought- Advaita Vedanta
One of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s most significant contributions to philosophy is his ability to bridge Eastern and Western thought. An outspoken apologist for Hinduism, he did not resist the assimilation of Western philosophical notions into his philosophical structure. This blend of ideas is reflected in his interpretation of Advaita Vedanta. Though steeped in this traditional nondualistic philosophy, Radhakrishnan revamped Advaita to accommodate diversity and complexity in the modern world.
Lying at the very centre of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s philosophy was intuition, which he regarded as the highest knowledge. He said intuition is the divine’s direct experience, transcending the narrow limits of reason and providing a more fundamental insight into reality. In this idea, he drew broad appreciation from both Eastern and Western thinkers, thus enabling him to create a philosophical bridge between the two traditions.
Controversies and Criticisms
Not all scholars, however, looked upon Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan without criticism. Some have noted that his views on Advaita Vedanta as representing the essence of Hinduism were reductive and thereby supportive of Hindu nationalism. Others criticised his perennialism, which borrowed from all religious traditions in a common unity and was also a product of colonial influences.
Another controversy he had to go through was with a Bengali intellectual magazine called The Modern Review. It accused him of plagiarism regarding his book Indian Philosophy, so the legal battle between the two continued until it was settled out of court. Despite all this, Radhakrishnan emerged with his intellectual and moral stature almost intact. His contribution to Indian thought and global philosophy remained widely recognised.
A Legacy in Education and Philosophy
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a life of phenomenal achievements and profound impacts. As a philosopher, he reinvented Hindu thought and made it accessible. As an educationalist, he epitomised the cause of knowledge and learning and stood for the imperative of education in constructing a decent and fair society. As a statesman, he kept the secular vision of India aloft and contributed remarkably to shaping its national identity.
Today, on this Teacher’s Day, while remembering Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, one is bound to remember all those teachers who struggled throughout life to keep the light of learning alive in every possible corner alongside the more outstanding interests of human civilisation. His life and works have continued inspiring generations on the power of education to transform life and contribute to a better future.
Editor's Pick
From Jazz to Bollywood: The R.D. Burman Story
R. D. Burman, iconic Indian composer, shaped emotional music that transformed cinema and continues inspiring generations.
Introduction:
Rahul Dev Burman is widely regarded as one of the most influential music directors in the history of Indian music. He was popularly known as R.D. Burman or “Pancham Da”. Born into a musical family, he was trained by his father, the legendary composer S. D. Burman. However, he chose to forge his own path of creating fresh music, which was bold, experimental and modern. He blended classical Indian sounds with Western genres such as jazz, rock, funk and Latin. He used unusual instruments and new recording methods, including unconventional sounds. For his rhythm tracks he would go far beyond standard Bollywood orchestration, adding unexpected new rhythms and sounds.
Music Director R. D. Burman’s songs captured the moods of changing urban India in the 1960s-80s. With catchy tunes and memorable melodies, his music appealed both the youth and elders. Even today, many songs sung by him and also composed by him are widely known. Many composers, musicians and music lovers feel greatly indebted to him. He influenced other artists and music directors and brought a whole new part to composing.

R.D. Burman’s Life:
Rahul Dev Burman was born on June 27th, 1939, in Kolkata, India. Growing up in a musical environment, he was surrounded by some of the greatest musicians and lyricists in the film industry. His father, S.D. Burman, was already an established composer and young Rahul often observed recording sessions, orchestras and songwriting processes. At a young age he showed musical talent and learned to play a number of instruments, including the harmonica, tabla and piano.
R.D. Burman began his career assisting his father in music composition. He launched his own career as a composer in the early 1960s. Tezri Manzil marked his turning point. He composed music for many films from the early 1970s into the 1980s. He worked with all the old masters. His collaborations with famous singers like Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar created lots of hit songs. His last works, especially the movie 1942: A Love Story, reminded people of how brilliant he was. R.D. Burman died in 1994, but he left behind an amazing musical legacy.
Life and Art Philosophy:
According to R.D. Burman, music must evolve alongside culture and time. He explored a variety of musical genres from across the world while maintaining the emotional essence of Indian melodies. He did not limit himself to traditional frameworks and instead developed a unique musical language. Innovation and curiosity played a major role in his philosophy. He ventured into rhythm patterns that were rare in Hindi film music. He believed atmosphere, quality and emotion were as important to music as melody.
His work involved a lot of collaboration. He often fashioned unique sounds by experimenting with the vocal ranges and musical skills of singers, lyricists and musicians. Although he was experimental, his music was always highly relatable and emotionally compelling. His compositions balanced melody and creativity. Even the most experimental pieces were memorable and approachable.
Music Work Dissection:
1. Kya Hua Tera Wada – from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen
The main focus was creating a strong emotional expression of the pain of heartbreak and emotional betrayal. The simplicity in his composition allows the listener to hear the vocalist’s emotions and interpret the lyrics. His goal as a composer is to create music for those who have experienced love and heartbreak. He aimed to be able to relate to their feelings through his compositions.
2. Aane Wala Pal Jaane Wala Hai – from Gol Maal
R. D. Burman’s song displays his thoughtful and philosophical mind-set as a composer. The song shows how fleeting time is and how every moment of our lives should be savored. He thought that he could best use music as a way to convey ideas of reflection and the value of enjoying life in the here and now.
3. Gulabi Aankhen – from The Train
Gulabi Aankhen represents a unique blend of Western musical influences and a typical Hindi film song. The guitar driven arrangement and relaxed beat create a sophisticated and stylish romantic atmosphere. Burman’s mind set was to introduce international styles of music into Indian films while keeping melodies simple.
4. Bade Achhe Lagte Hain – from Balika Badhu
This piece demonstrates R. D. Burman’s ability to bring out tender emotions using simple instrumentation. The slow and soothing rhythm and melody demonstrate sensitivity to the small, quiet moments of love and friendship. His mind set was to express profound feelings with the simplest and most elegant music possible.
5. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga – from 1942: A Love Story
One of Burman’s last great works, this piece illustrates Burman’s mature and refined musical sense. The soft and delicate orchestration allows the melody and lyrics to take center stage. Burman’s mind set was to show the eternal quality of romance and the beauty of unending, timeless feeling by being as simple as possible.
Actionable for Composers:
- Be Open to Experimentation:
R.D. Burman was always experimenting, sounds, instruments and techniques. Innovation often springs from venturing outside the norm, and artists should explore their creative boundaries.
- Blend Different Influences:
He was able to combine Western styles of music with Indian melodies. Artists should feel free to blend different influences into something new.
- Stay Curious and Adaptable:
R.D. Burman learnt to change with the times but remained true to himself and his style of creation. Curiosity and flexibility are essential for creative growth.
- Collaborate with Others:
Some of his best work came through collaboration with gifted singers, songwriters and musicians. A creative partnership can help in a more diverse and artistic expression.
- Focus on Emotional Connection:
R.D. Burman never forgot to make music approachable and relatable to anyone who listened. Forming an emotional connection to their audience enhances an artist’s ability and evokes shared experiences.
Conclusion:
R. D. Burman’s willingness to take creative risks and push musical boundaries inspires composers even today. His ability to create music through a fusion of cultures is something anyone can learn from. Instead of following an expected or conventional path, R. D. Burman inspires us to make our own unique path. Specialize our talents and create our own identity.
Editor's Pick
Ink of the 15: Unsung Female Heroes of the Constituent Assembly
Women of India shaped the Constitution, their voices in the Constituent Assembly echo equality and justice.
When the Constitution of India was being drafted, fifteen women represented the country, where most of the women could not even read and write. Yet they were shaping laws that would govern the largest democracy on the earth. Their contributions gave meaning to equality, citizenship and freedom in India. Their lived experiences, courage and expertise infused the Constitution of India with moral and social depth. These women debated citizenship, minority rights, labour protection and education. This is the true essence of the Indian democracy. When we regard the Indian Constitution, the brilliance of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar rightly deserves recognition. His name dominates every story about its creation. Yet his voice in the Constituent Assembly was never alone.
Every nation has its heroes, but some voices are left out in the history. When India’s Constitution was drafted, fifteen women contributed into the Constituent Assembly, dominated by the males, privileged and powers. They bore lived experiences of castes, class and poverty. They insisted on the fact that the democracy must mean more than high ideals. They wrote with ink that was not only legal, but also humane. Their courage ensured that India’s Constitution was not only the framework of governance but also the promise of dignity.

These Women Insisted on the Progress for the Underprivileged
Ammu Swaminathan: She is from the family of privileged upper class background. She argued for the idea of the Indian citizen regardless of caste or community. Her subtle yet effective interventions helped the Constituent Assembly move away from ‘Hindu–Muslim’ or ‘upper–lower’ caste divides. In a partitioned India, which was caste-torn, her contribution was radical.
Annie Mascarene: A voice from Travancore, she was the first woman on the Travancore State Congress Working Committee. She battled conservative forces that resisted women’s participation. Her presence in the Constituent Assembly showed that leaders from major presidencies and voices from the diverse regions drafted the Constitution of India. Begum Aizaz Rasul: One of the very few Muslim women in the Constituent Assembly, she was a staunch advocate of secularism and unity. She opposed separate electorates and communal divides. At the sensitive time of partition, she chose unity over separation, insisting that India must be a shared home for all.

An Echo of Freedom
Dakshayani Velayudhan: Coming from the Dalit background, she earned the degree at a time when it was rare. Her lived experiences of caste discrimination gave her arguments moral force. She defended the need to safeguard the interests of the scheduled castes and urged the Constituent Assembly to look beyond abstract ideas.
Durgabai Deshmukh – Founder of the Andhra Mahila Sabha and a criminal lawyer, she argued for legal protection for women, widows and those trapped in exploitative situations. Her sharp debates on judiciary, fundamental rights and social welfare emphasised that if women were denied justice, society itself would fail.
Hansa Mehta was the President of the All India Women’s Conference and a member of the UN Commission on Human Rights; she famously changed the wording of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from ‘All men are born free and equal’ to ‘All human beings are born free and equal’. She challenged patriarchy in language and thought, demanding equal pay, opportunity and dignity.
Literary and Educational Voices
Kamla Chaudhary: A renowned Hindi fiction writer, she brought sensitivity to debates in the Constituent Assembly. Her stories explored women’s inner lives. This reminds others that laws on marriage, inheritance or education shaped emotions and futures. Her literary perspective ensured that the Constitution of India remained alive and relevant to everyday lives.
Leila Roy: She was a close associate of Subhash Chandra Bose. She deeply engaged herself with women’s education. She argued that girls should not be the first to be pulled out of school in times of scarcity. For her, education was the foundation of freedom and democracy.
The Dignity of Peasants and Labourers
Malati Choudhury: She worked among the rural poor of Odisha. She brought their concerns to national attention. For her, land rights, fair wages and protection from exploitation were central tests of democracy. She reminded the Constituent Assembly that mostly India lived in the villages.
Purnima Banerjee: Secretary of the Allahabad City Congress, she emphasised social welfare as integral to the freedom. She argued that the right to vote meant little, if poverty, disease and illiteracy prevented the people from exercising it.
Health, Social Reform, and Symbolic Power
Rajkumari Amrit Kaur: She was the Cofounder of the All India Women’s Conference and later India’s first Health Minister. She fought against the evils of child marriage and for women’s education. Her influence shaped provisions on public health and social welfare.

Renuka Ray: A social worker and advocate for the welfare of women and children, she argued that education was a right, not a luxury. Her perspective helped the Constituent Assembly in shaping proactive state responsibility in removing social evils.
Sarojini Naidu: The ‘Nightingale of India’, she became the first woman Governor of an Indian State. Her poetic speeches gave emotional energy to the Constitution of India, embodying the truth that women belonged to the centre of politics.
Sucheta Kripalani: She sang Vande Mataram in the Constituent Assembly and later she became India’s first woman Chief Minister. Her journey showed that the Constitution of India was not just a text to admire but a platform for women to rise to the highest positions in life.
Vijayalakshmi Pandit: Nehru’s sister and later the first woman President of the UN General Assembly, she represented India’s global identity. Her presence in the Constituent Assembly signalled that the Constitution of India was not only about internal arrangements but also about India’s place in the community of nations in the world.
Their Ink Still Matters
Together, these fifteen women widened the vision of the Constituent Assembly and thereby widened the vision of the Constitution of India. Ambedkar gave it a powerful skeleton of rights, structure and justice. The women added everyday realities viz. caste, gender, poverty, literacy, health and home.
They asked questions that still resonate:
- Who counts as a citizen when society is divided into caste, class and gender ?
- What good is a right, if women are too afraid or too poor to claim it ?
- What does freedom mean to a widow, a peasant or an illiterate girl in a village ?
Their answers shaped laws, we now take for granted viz. equality before law, protection from discrimination, universal franchise and state responsibility for education and welfare.
Conclusion: Their Ink Still Writes Our Future
The Constitution of India is often remembered as Ambedkar’s masterpiece but it breathes because of the fifteen women, who gave it the soul. They asked questions that still challenge us today: Who counts as a citizen? What good is a right, if it cannot be claimed? What does freedom mean to those at the margins?
Every time a girl enters a classroom, every time a woman demands equal pay, every time a citizen votes without fear of caste or creed, their ink moves silently across time. These women were not footnotes; they are its unwritten chapters, as they were architects of justice.
To honour them is not just to remember the history. It is to recognise that the democracy is unfinished till the time the equality is a living demand and that the ink of these fifteen women still awaits for us to pick up the pens and write for their own freedom and dignity not only in the country but also in the world.
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Original Disrupters: 5 Forgotten Indian Scientists You Should Know
Indian Women Mathematics and science showcase contributions and courage, overcoming challenges to inspire generations
India has a rich history of Science and Mathematics. Some women have shaped the world of Science and Mathematics. They are legendary figures, though unsung. It is, however, incomplete without the mention of these unsung women. They defied all the challenges of their times and made ground breaking contributions to the field of Science and Mathematics. This was uncommon of the era in which they lived in. They faced numerous challenges but those challenges did not stop them from making their invaluable and timeless contributions. They paved the way for the future generations of the mankind including the women folks in the field Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Society has a patriarchal narrative, therefore the scientific legacy laid down by these women pioneers seemed to obscure. These women broke all the barriers and advanced the knowledge in fields, like Mathematics, Physics, Botany and Chemistry. They did not stop at the challenges, they were made to face. They set examples and provided the new generations with a new perspective to work further in the directions, shown by them. Their works serve as an inspiration to all the future generations to come.
Pioneers of Modern Science – Late 19th to Mid-20th Century
E.K. Janaki Ammal was a renowned botanist and plant cytologist. She was the first Indian woman to achieve Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Michigan in 1931. E.K. Janaki Ammal made significant contributions to genetics, evolution, and phytogeography. She enhanced sugarcane sweetness and eggplant varieties through cytogenetics. E.K. Janaki Ammal also restructured India’s pioneer organisation ‘Botanical Survey of India in the invitation of the then Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Asima Chatterjee was the second woman D.Sc. from Calcutta in 1944. She pioneered plant-based anti-cancer, anti-malarial and epilepsy drugs like Ayush-56 from Madagascar Periwinkle. She was an Organic Chemist, who developed anti-malaria, chemotherapy and anti-epilepsy drugs.

Bibha Chowdhuri (1913-1991) was India’s earliest woman researcher and pioneering Physicist. She detected the pi-meson (pion) subatomic particle in cosmic rays from Darjeeling Experiments. This predated global confirmation, though credit often went to her mentor. She was picked up by Homi Jahangir Bhabha for TIFR. She advanced Nuclear Physics amid World War II shortages. Kamala Sohonie became India’s first woman Ph.D. holder in Science – Bio-Chemistry in 1939. Nobel laureate, C.V. Raman, admitted her to IISc. She paved the way for future female students. Her nutrition research proved nutrient-rich pooris from Bengal gram could combat malnutrition.

Beyond the Shadows: Rediscovering Female Scientists and Mathematicians
Anandibai Joshi (1865-1887) was the first Indian woman to study and graduate with a degree in Western Medicine. She completed her education from the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. Kadambini Ganguly (1861-1923) was one of the first two female graduates in the British Empire along with Chandramukhi Basu. Later on, she became one of the first practicing female doctors of the country, India. Anna Mani (1918-2001) was an atmospheric Physicist and Meteorologist. She made India self-reliant in weather instrumentation and was a pioneer in solar and wind energy research. Rajeshwari Chatterjee (1922-2010) was the first female engineer from Karnataka. She pioneered microwave engineering in India at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

Kamal Ranadive (1917-2001) was a Bio-Medical Researcher. She established India’s first tissue culture laboratory and identified links between viruses and certain types of cancer. Mangala Narlikar (1943-2023) was a Mathematician, who specialized in number theory. She was dedicated to making Advanced Mathematics, accessible to the students through her books. Gagandeep Kang (Born in 1962) was a leading virologist. She was the first Indian woman to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) for her pioneering work on rotavirus vaccines. Neena Gupta (Born in 1984) was a young mathematician, who solved the Zariski Cancellation Problem. This was a puzzle that had remained unsolved for 60 years. She received the prestigious Ramanujan Prize in 2021.

Forgotten Genius: Celebrating Female Pioneers in Science and Mathematics Marvels
Shakuntala Devi was known as the ‘Human Computer.’ Shakuntala Devi was a Mathematician, who extracted the 23rd root of a 201-digit number in just 50 seconds in 1980. Raman Parimala was a Mathematician, specializing in Algebra. She demonstrated the first example of a non-trivial quadratic space over an affine plane. This was rather surprising to experts in the field, especially at that time and with that existing background. Sujatha Ramdorai was a Professor of Mathematics. She is the first Indian to win the ICTP Ramanujan Prize in 2006. She worked on algebraic theory, quadratic forms, and arithmetic geometry.

Ancient Trailblazers
Gargi Vachaknavi of the 7th Century BCE was a Natural Philosopher. She famously challenged the sage Yajnavalkya on the origin of all existence. She is one of the earliest recorded women to participate in high-level intellectual and scientific debate. Khana from approximately 800-1200 CE was a legendary astronomer and poet from Bengal. Her ‘Khana-r Vachan’ (Khana’s Sayings) provided agricultural and astronomical wisdom that guided farmers for the centuries. Bhaskaracharya-II of the 12th century was a renowned Mathematician. He had a daughter named Lilavati. She is documented as one of the earliest women in the field of Mathematics. Bhaskaracharya dedicated his treatise to his daughter, Lilavati, which was part of Siddhanta Shiromani. This Seminal Treatise encompasses Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Mensuration. It also has innovative problem-solving methods and this influenced the Indian computational traditions.
A Medieval Geometry Scholar is T. A. Sarasvati Amma (1918–2000), gave Indian Geometry, a new form in Sanskrit texts. Her work ‘Geometry in Ancient and Medieval India’ studies the contribution from Vedic ‘Sulba Sutras’. It also studies astronomers like Aryabhatta, Bhaskaracharya-II and Neelakantha. There is also the work of cyclic quadrilaterals and algebraic geometric proofs. She earned degrees in Mathematics, Physics and Sanskrit. T. A. Sarasvati Amma had taught in reputed colleges and educational institutions. She earned a Ph.D., connecting India’s algebraic genius with geometric demonstrations.
Enduring Legacy: Modern Indian Women Scientists Overcoming Barriers Today
These women showed that exclusion is not a problem only for them. They innovated the very same thing that the society put upon them. Even today, the women form only14 percent of India’s Scientists community. These women inspire renewed recognition. They prove India’s scientific heritage would thrive when all the people, irrespective of the sex, caste, creed, region, religion and faith, work together. Their contributions are amplified modern Indian Women Scientists, continue to make groundbreaking discoveries in STEM streams. They juggle biases, family pressures as well as instances, where they have not been represented correctly. The Government initiatives, like DST’s KIRAN Scheme support career breaks and research grants. The challenges persist and the other persons take away these benefits.
In the Space and Aerospace field a few pioneers deserve special mention. N. Valarmathi led ISRO’s RISAT-1. It was India’s first indigenous Radar Imaging Satellite, which was launched in 2012. It contributed to missions, like INSAT and Chandrayaan countdowns. This was among the male-dominated teams. Moumita Dutta developed optical sensors for Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) payloads. These payloads, including methane sensors, overcoming relocation and miniaturization hurdles at SAC-ISRO. Tessy Thomas, DRDO’s ‘Missile Woman of DRDO’ directed Agni-IV and Agni-V ICBMs, despite early skepticism. This was a pioneering guidance systems and re-entry tech as the first woman Project Director. In the defence emerging leader recognized is V.R. Lalithambika. She is a mentor, who heads ISRO’s Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Programme. She manages crew modules and life support system in a high-stakes field. The women manage policy reforms as well as balance the societal expectations.
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Inside the Mind of Amrita Pritam: 4 Lessons for Aspiring Writers
Amrita Pritam shaped suffering into poetry, writing her silence into strength and timeless fire for all souls afar wide.
Introduction:
Amrita Pritam was a poet, novelist and essayist. At the age of 11, her mother passed away, leaving her with a sense of isolation. After the loss, she grew up under her father’s intellectual influence and delved into poetry as an escape. She channeled her pain into her poetry guided by her father’s lessons in rhyme and meter. Amrita Pritam revealed in her autobiography that her mother’s death diverted her faith towards her writing. Her writing became her safe haven and provided an outlet for her grief. This period of her life transformed her writing from a childhood hobby to a therapeutic necessity.
Amrita Pritam’s work expressed deep emotions with themes of loss, isolation and resilience. Initially, under her father’s influence, her writing style was more affectionate and optimistic. Overtime, this style advanced into more emotionally dense and bold topics. She wrote about embracing independence, questioning faith, society and the patriarchy. She provided a voice to hard-hitting topics of war and famine. Her writing works show the journey of a young woman maturing to discover the reality of the world and navigating it head on. Her early nudge into adulthood following her mother’s passing, gave rise to a feminist lens conveyed through her writing.
Amrita Pritam’s Life:
Amrita Pritam was born as Amrita Kaur on the 31st of August, 1919 to a Sikh family. She was the only child of her parents. Her father was the poet-scholar, Kartar Singh Hitkari, who sparked her interest in poetry from the age of eight. At the age of eleven, her writing transformed into a more serious and grief driven form of expression. This lead to her first collection Amrit Lehran at the age of thirteen.
During the 1947 Partition, she shifted to Delhi and became an editor for the All India Radio. During this time, she broadcasted progressive Punjabi works promoting social awareness and change. She also provided a mentor to aspiring writers during her time in Delhi. She authored over 100 works, including Sunehade and Kagaz Te Canvas. In 1956, she became the first woman to receive the Sahitya Akademi Award for Punjabi literature. She also received the Jnanpith Award in 1982, becoming the first Punjabi writer to be honored. She earned the Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan and Sahitya Akademi Fellowship for lifetime achievement.
Life and Art Philosophy:
Amrita Pritam’s writing promoted human compassion, feminism and individual rebellion. The author opposed patriarchal constraints and called for women to have equal partnerships. In Pinjar, Amrita Pritam portrayed the suffering of women and acknowledged their worth. She thought that love remained a universal and transformative power.
Through poetry, the author hoped to promote social change and heal divisions. Fame was not as important to her as moral courage and inner honesty. The suffering of Partition affected her voice and strengthened her resolve. The influence of Sufi philosophy reinforced her belief in freedom and empathy. Her writings fought against oppression and advanced human knowledge.
Literary work Dissection:
- Pinjar (1950):
Rashid abducts Puro, a Hindu bride, and makes her take on the identity of Hamida during pre-Partition tensions. Her story, which was adapted into a film, reveals how women are caught in vicious cycles of communal violence and patriarchal revenge.

- Sunehade (1955):
Amrita Pritam explores love, longing and societal injustices in depth in this poignant poetry collection. Her sentiments of hope amid disaster characterise her progressive voice.

- Waris Shah Nu, Ajj Aakhaan (1947):
In order to lament the bloodshed and suffering of Partition, Amrita Pritam quotes Sufi poet Waris Shah in her poem. The elegy turns the collective suffering of Punjab into a timeless call for humanity and compassion.

- Kagaz Te Canvas (1981):
Amrita Pritam blends poetry and prose to explore art’s role in a modern, alienated world. She contrasts fleeting words with lasting images to reflect mature insight shaped by lived joy and sorrow. Through restrained intensity and social critique, she gives voice to the struggles of the “era-human,” a vision that earned her the Jnanpith Award.

Actionable for Aspiring Writers:
- Write with bravery.
Aspiring authors are taught to speak openly and honestly by Amrita Pritam. She openly challenged patriarchy and social injustice through fearless writing. She offered women a powerful, independent voice and tackled taboo topics. Question silence, question unfair norms and use your words to advocate for equality.
- Let Your Voice Be Guided by Love
In her poetry, Amrita Pritam addressed love as a universal, transforming power. She employed compassion to mend societal wounds with pieces such as Ajj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu. Consider love to be a strong, all-encompassing energy. Write in a way that displays compassion across boundaries, bridges gaps and unites people.
- Transform suffering into meaning.
She turned the agony of Partition into a potent literary work. Amrita Pritam depicted hardship in Pinjar while upholding resiliency and dignity. Use social realities and personal challenges as a source of inspiration. Convert injustice, strife or pain into meaningful expression that speaks to others.
- Prioritise the truth over fame.
Amrita Pritam put her emotional honesty ahead of flimsy praise. Instead of aiming for popular acceptance, her writing sought inner truth. Avoid pursuing fame. Instead, pay attention to emotional truth and genuineness. Instead of aiming for praise, let your work feed your spirit.
Conclusion
For aspiring writers, her life sends a clear message: write anyway. Write when you doubt yourself, when society tells you to stay silent. Write when the topic feels too heavy. Growth does not come from comfort; it comes from confronting reality with sincerity. She teaches us that literature is not created to impress, but to connect. If we choose honesty over applause, empathy over approval and meaning over popularity, our words too can outlive us.
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When India Plays, the Country Pauses: The Cricket Craze of India
In the workplace, employees fuel productivity as cricket craze sparks people’s matches, blending passion with performance.
In India, the cricket matches are not only a sport, but also it is a kind of obsession with the people. It has power of a collective prayer. These high-stake matches are surprisingly a significant economic phenomenon also. The Indians have a great passion for the cricket. The people treat match-days as national events. There is always a peculiar atmosphere in the country during cricket matches. The streets are empty; offices have a well-known hush. The people unite in nervous anticipation. This event facilitates an economic engine that blends fervour with commerce. Nothing matches the scale of economics during the cricket matches. The hearts of the Indians beat in rhythm with the matches. All are in synchronisation with the bats, the wickets and the balls. The people watch with bated breath, when the Indian cricket team take the field.

Cricket as India’s Cultural Heartbeat
The sales of tickets for the match scale up generating millions in revenue per game. Stadiums serve as an economic hub. It boosts local revenue through transport and hospitality industry. Vendors sell flags, snacks and jerseys that create informal jobs and income for the gig workers. The pulse of these is the crowd’s energy. The ‘cricket craze’ of India is less a craze and more a deeply ingrained cultural heartbeat. The people of the entire country unify under one banner of fervent support. This becomes an economic shift; it reveals the scale of cricket’s influence on the population nationwide. Broadcasting form cricket’s financial backbone. Television channels and digital rights generate good revenue models. Auctions create substantial income during overs advertisement revenues vie for slots as brands. The boundaries flash endorsements, while media exposure generates economy. When routine- mundane life is paused, the people notice advertisements. In earlier days, news used to be broadcast on the radio. Information about matches would be shared in newspapers and on the radio as well, but now-a-days, it is done through the electronic media live.

The Economic Engine of Match Day
Consumption of various consumer goods takes place during the cricket matches. Food delivery spikes, inflation happens upwards during cricket matches. TV and sponsorship inflows happen on a large scale. Cricket matches enable job creation, international fans, guests, participants and sponsors visit certain places. Tourism and repeated visits increase, boosting the economy of the place, where the cricket matches are organised and played. There is broader growth, when the hotel rates in cities spike. Businesses, both small and big, do well in sales during the cricket match time. Matches unite society providing a common narrative and a national identity and pride in the nation. The cricket craze is so much that it sustains well. It is a long-term legacy that enables infrastructure and stadium upgrades. This cricket craze enhances soft power among the people. There is a sense of shared glory or heartbreak. This proves the power of the cricket sport is an economic catalyst. The people pause their daily life during the matches, which adversely affect the state of the economy.

Productivity vs. Passion: The Workplace Dilemma
This cricket craze, however, can lead to noticeable dips in workplace productivity. The employees are distracted and opt for absenteeism. The employees, who attend work during match days are constantly distracted from the concentration on their assigned tasks. They keep checking scores, engage in discussions and their focus is not on their tasks. Their focus is distracted of and on towards the match, which is being played. The atmosphere is filled with shared excitement, thrill and anticipation.
During the matches for the Cricket World Cups, the people take leaves or shorten their work hours. This results in lost man working hours. Post matches celebration or late night exacerbate absences on the next working days. This, in turn, takes a toll on IT sectors or finances. Media and advertisement industries are the big winners. The distraction dynamics are high during tournaments; employees frequently check their phones or indulge in chatter. These interrupts workflows and disrupt daily economic productivity in the workplace. If matches happen to be in the evening, the employees resort to early exits from the workplace. Formal economy may take a dip, if not dealt with strategically. Live streams pull employees attention. Some firms are forced to allow match viewing during office hours to curb the damage or economic loss.
When the Score Board calls louder than deadlines, companies adapt to keep the game on
There is a modern conflict, where traditional work structures go down against the unstoppable force of sport-support. After considering how to maintain productivity, while acknowledging the pull of a match, the companies counter this situation by screening matches and hosting viewing parties. They also combine this ‘cricket craze’ with team building. The companies have realized that a grudging employee is less productive than one, who feels understood. The Companies have started accommodating this craze in their standing operation procedure. This helps the firm’s economy, while it boosts morale of the employees and offset the losses. The firms strategically resort to flexible hours or incentives to maintain a healthy output of their firms with view to avoid complete productivity collapse. This turns potential downtime into engagement opportunities. Now-a-days, the corporate policies embrace this situation rather than creating bitterness among the employees. Earlier, the people used to gather outside the offices of the Newspapers to be updated with the scores, but now-a-days, it is on everyone’s phones.
Ultimately, there is a subtle power in this, cricket craze’. It is a period when normal rules of commerce or economy bend to the will of the game. It transforms collective passion into an economic activity. This only brings out the message that national pride and sporting fervour are truly priceless.
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