Ustad Aashish Khan, born on December 5, 1939, was among the maestros whose life seemed to have drawn very much in tune with what his loved sarod meant to him. From the royal Senia Maihar Gharana, he had, one could say, the unlikeliest of inheritances through his grandfather, Ustad Allauddin Khan and his legendary life and work into unforeseen dimensions of music. No less than a genius virtuoso on the sarod, Aashish crossed genres and collaborated across and upon continents.

He started learning music at the tender age of five under the tutelage of his grandfather, with intense training by his father, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, and aunt, Annapurna Devi. This set him soaring in the public arena early on in life; his first appearance on All India Radio was when he was 13 years old, and within a few years, he had performed at such prominent forums as the Tansen Music Conference.

Although he was born of Indian classical music, Aashish Khan’s artistry hardly stayed in bounds. Along with collaboration with maestros like Ravi Shankar and international icons such as The Beatles, Eric Clapton, and Alice Coltrane, he took the artistic fusion to new limits. For the cinema, under Ravi Shankar’s guidance, he also worked on cinematic marvels such as Satyajit Ray’s Jalsaghar and Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi. His works with the Western ensembles of Shanti and The Third Eye showcased his ability to blend the traditional essence of the sarod with experimental sounds.

Aashish Khan is notable for his work in infusing Indian classical music into modern genres. During the 1980s, he and his brother, Pranesh Khan, went into disco music with the album Disco Jazz, which included the hit “Aaj Shanibar.” This bold step into popular culture defined his eclectic music vision.

As an instructor, Aashish taught many students around the world. He taught at the California Institute of the Arts and the University of California at Santa Cruz as an adjunct professor of Indian classical music. His disciples continue to spread the magic of the sarod, carrying forward the legacy of an excellent teacher. He also established the Aashish Khan School of World Music in Kolkata, ensuring that the richness of his musical lineage would be maintained for generations.

All this followed him throughout his long life and career. Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, a Grammy nomination for Golden Strings of the Sarod, and even the prestigious Fellowship of the Royal Asiatic Society came out, echoing his commitment to blending tradition with innovation.

Aashish Khan’s personal life was not without controversy, however. Publicly switching from Muslim to his Hindu Brahmin roots ignited debate within his family and beyond. His father, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, publicly denied these assertions, creating a rift in underlining the complexities of heritage and identity. Yet Aashish Khan remained steadfast in his pursuit of musical and cultural exploration.

Aashish Khan’s journey ended on November 14, 2024, when he died in Los Angeles at 84. He was laid to rest in California, his final resting place a testament to the global reach of his music.

From the soulful strains of sarod to the pulsating beats of disco, Ustad Aashish Khan was the one who opened up new dimensions in Indian classical music. His life and work remind us that art knows no bounds, only infinite possibilities.

What is AIDS?

AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, represents the final and most severe stage of an HIV infection, which stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Throughout the course of the infection, HIV systematically attacks and destroys vital immune cells, undermining the body’s ability to fight off infections and leading to an increased risk of various illnesses, including certain types of cancer. 

However, significant progress in medical science has led to the development of antiretroviral therapy (ART). This treatment helps individuals living with HIV manage their condition effectively, allowing them to maintain a healthy lifestyle and significantly reducing the likelihood of the disease progressing to AIDS. Thanks to ART, many people can live long, productive lives despite their diagnosis. 

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Prevalence of AIDS, Especially in India

India currently has an estimated 2.4 million individuals living with HIV, highlighting a significant public health concern. Although national initiatives have made strides in reducing the overall prevalence of the virus, certain demographics continue to be disproportionately impacted, notably sex workers and members of the LGBTQ+ community. These groups face unique challenges and barriers to care, which exacerbates their vulnerability to the virus. Additionally, in rural regions, access to vital information and healthcare services remains severely limited. This lack of resources and support not only complicates the efforts to combat HIV but also increases the risk of transmission within these underserved populations.

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Mental Health and AIDS

Disorders due to AIDS

HIV/AIDS is more than a medical condition; it is often accompanied by mental disorders such as:

• HAND: These are neurocognitive disorders that affect memory, attention, and motor skills.

• Depression and Anxiety: Stigma, discrimination, and fear of disease progression are some of the triggers for these disorders.

• PTSD: Some patients suffer from PTSD because of past trauma related to their diagnosis or social rejection.

• Substance Abuse: Coping mechanisms sometimes involve alcohol or drug use, which further deteriorates health​

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Effects on Families

Families of people living with HIV/AIDS have to face different challenges, such as societal judgment and emotional distress. Caregivers may suffer from compassion fatigue or chronic stress due to financial burdens and the demands of caregiving. Children in affected families may suffer from social isolation and low self-esteem​

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Care and Sensitivity: A Call for Change

Therapists’ Role

• Mental health professionals have a vital role in providing support to the patients of HIV/AIDS:

• Confronting Biases: A therapist has to be pro-active to fight personal biases or societal stigma. 

• Sensitization and education of health care professionals is required.

• Establishing Trust: Many of the people living with HIV/AIDS will hesitate to consult due to fear of being judged. Providing a safe, non-judgmental, and empathetic environment is vital.

• Integrated Care Models: Counseling shall be integrated with medical care to address the physical aspects of the condition and other emotional aspects.

How to Be Sensitive

As citizens, sensitivity is the primary approach to ensuring that people live with HIV/AIDS in good psychological conditions:

• Avoid stigmatizing language or jokes about HIV/AIDS.

• Educate yourself and your peers about the realities of having HIV/AIDS.

• Advocate for inclusive policies that cover the rights of those living with HIV/AIDS.

• Support community-based initiatives that provide mental health services and financial assistance to families​

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AIDS Clinics and Facilities

• India’s healthcare sector has strived to offer HIV/AIDS care by initiating the following programs:

• National AIDS Control Organization (NACO): Offers free ART and HIV counseling services.

• Community Support Centers: These centers usually conduct therapy sessions, education, and group counseling.

• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Organizations such as the Humsafar Trust and the Naz Foundation bridge gaps in rural healthcare​

Lets Recap

World AIDS Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS and its accompanying mental health challenges. Beyond physical health, the emotional well-being of individuals and their families must be prioritized. Therapists, healthcare workers- ART, and society must address biases and create supportive environments to reduce stigma and foster healing in India and across the Globe.

Together, we can break the silence, fight stigma, and champion care for all

Born on 28 November 1867, Chandra Kumar Agarwala was destined to herald a new era in Assamese literature. Born to a prosperous family in Assam, he was the second son of Haribilash Agarwala, a tea estate owner in the district near Dibrugarh. His education commenced in Tezpur, under the supervision of his father, but by the time he was initiated into his Bachelor’s study in Kolkata, he found it impossible to proceed with law studies in London since his father adamantly opposed the idea. Chandra was crushed and gave up on his studies to continue with a Bachelor’s degree. Finally, he left Kolkata without completing his studies.

Despite this, Kolkata proved a turning point. In the company of Lakshminath Bezbarua and Hem Chandra Goswami, Chandra immersed himself in presumably great literary circles. They finally established the Asamiya Bhasar Unnati Sadhini Sabha to revive Assamese literature by combining the traditional with the innovative. 

Such efforts bore fruit in 1889 when Jonaki started as the first editor. Jonaki laid the Jonaki Era’s foundation and heralded modern Assamese literature’s dawn. Dr Maheswar Neog aptly says, “The emergence of Jonaki heralded the dawn of modern Assamese literature with great importance.” Chandra, Lakshminath, and Hem Chandra were hailed as the Assamese Literature’s Trimurti for their contributions to revolutionary change.

Chandra Kumar Agarwala’s poetic talent was at its best in romantic poetry. His love poetry- the first Assamese romantic poem- and Bin-Boragi celebrated love with nature to marry nature and man. The brightness of the poems and the warmth the reader sensed in them were rare.

Besides poetry, Agarwala was also a journalist. With the freedom fighter Omeo Kumar Das, he published a weekly paper, Asamiya, which tackled problems of the early twentieth century. Although he was uninvolved in active politics, his spirit was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Assam in 1921. Agarwala adopted Gandhian ideals, homespun, especially khadi, to promote India’s freedom struggle. 

Though brilliant in this respect, Agarwala was humble enough to leave his impression on the Assamese cultural bloom. Later, his nephew Jyoti Prasad Agarwala would perpetuate the family legacy as a celebrated poet, playwright, and filmmaker.

Agarwala passed away on the 2nd of March 1938, leaving behind an eternal legacy. Not only was it an era-defining contribution, but it also solidified the Assamese literature in Indian literary history.

Let’s remember Chandra Kumar Agarwala, the Pratimar Khonikor, a soul of Assamese romanticism whose writings have continued to inspire generations.

Komaravolu Chandrasekharan, a mathematician par excellence, was one of those creative minds who have marked the space of mathematics eternally with their efforts in number theory and summability. Born on November 21, 1920, in Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, he started his academic odyssey from humble surroundings, completing high school in Bapatla and enrolling for an M.A. in Mathematics at Presidency College, Chennai. His quest for knowledge landed him at the University of Madras, where he completed his Ph.D. in 1942 under the guidance of K. Ananda Rau.

The brilliance of Chandrasekharan did not go unnoticed. His work took him to the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, where he crossed paths with Homi Bhabha. Recognising his potential, Bhabha invited him to be one of the founding faculty members of the School of Mathematics at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). Chandrasekharan embraced the challenge and transformed TIFR into a centre for mathematical excellence. He successfully attracted eminent mathematicians from abroad, such as L. Schwarz and C. L. Siegel, to give talks and create a refreshing atmosphere of intellectual discourse.

He went to ETH Zurich in 1965, where, apart from teaching, he also inspired students and scholars until he retired in 1988. Beyond a mere teacher, serving as President of the International Mathematical Union from 1971 to 1974 marked the beginning of his broader contribution to global collaboration in mathematics. 

Chandrasekharan’s achievements won him an array of honours, the most prized of which were the Padma Shri, the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, and the Ramanujan Medal. He became an honorary fellow of the TIFR, along with some other distinctions that conferred a fair amount of prestige to his personality and work.

In recalling this mathematical idol, we celebrate his revolutionary discoveries and his endeavour to break bridges across the globe for the mathematical community. Komaravolu Chandrasekharan is a latent source of inspiration for mathematicians across the globe. 

Jawaharlal Nehru, former prime minister of India, was an icon of politics and significantly contributed to India’s independence and progress. Children’s Day falls on November 14, marking the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, he had a soft corner for children and loved to spend time with them. But here comes another side of Nehru, which often extends beyond history books. Here, let’s remember and celebrate some fascinating aspects that hardly ring a bell in the history syllabus to show a personal, relatable side to an individual popularly remembered as “Chacha Nehru” on his 135th birthday anniversary.

An interesting fact is that Nehru was nominated eleven times for the Nobel Peace Prize between 1950 and 1955. He never actually got it, although he would maintain that peace is always an expectation. His examples and principles of diplomacy have stirred nations and movements across the globe. That resolve to promote non-violence and diplomacy contributed to the founding of the Non-Aligned Movement in the 1960s. Thus, Nehru contributed to the solidarity of all the newly independent countries in the cold war and freedom from the two global superpowers through NAM.

Before diving headfirst into India’s freedom struggle, Nehru was frightened that he had fallen into a trap. 1910 saw him finish his study at Trinity College, Cambridge, and on graduation, he was regarded very highly for natural science. Known as “Joe Nehru” among his peers, he was a popular figure at Cambridge and was an equally adept kite flyer. Kite flying was one of Nehru’s more cherished pastimes; indeed, he used to obtain kites from India to present to his friends in England. This is an endearing image starkly contrasting his severe political image.

Nehru did not want to be a lawyer like his father and consented to do law solely out of Motilal Nehru’s insistence. Despite all his reservations, he finally stepped into the Allahabad High Court as an advocate, and the grant was only short-lived. A socialist by heart, he was influenced by the Bolshevik Revolution and impacted deeply during his visit to the Soviet Union in 1927. This trip set the stage for his “mixed economy” concept- combining state-led development with democratic ideals.

Nehru’s gentler side was often visible in his relationships, notably with his sister Vijaylakshmi Pandit. She was his most ardent confidante, and he would write to her freely about those thoughts he wouldn’t otherwise divulge to anyone else. Krishna Nehru Hutheesing, the younger sister of Jawaharlal Nehru, was an active participant in India’s independence movement. She contributed to the struggle by writing extensively about the nations fight for freedom, providing a global perspective on the nationalist cause. Her memoirs and writings, including her book With No Regrets, offer valuable insights into the Nehru family’s role in shaping modern India and preserving its history.

Nehru, harbouring a similar deep love for his daughter, Indira Gandhi, during one of his terms in jail, once infamously spun a pink khadi sari for her wedding to Feroze Gandhi, worn later on by both Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi at their weddings too. 

Even Nehru’s clothing became a cultural icon. His favourite style of jacket and sherwani became what is still popularly known as the “Nehru Jacket,” eternally a fashion trend inspiring leaders all over the globe. It symbolised his belief in projecting an independent, modern India onto the world stage.

Although they cannot overshadow Jawaharlal Nehru’s achievements in politics, these anecdotes allow one to enter into the persona of a man who bore on his robust frames the weight of the dreams of a nation on one end and of his idiosyncratic habits, affectionate ties, and undying interests on the other end. It reflects a man of many natures as he embarked on the journey of helping in nation-building at one end and, in many ways, self-discovery on the other hand.