BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

Substance abuse is a medical condition and disorder which involves consuming or taking a certain substance in increasing amounts, experiencing symptoms of withdrawal on the stoppage of substance, or even being unable to reduce or stop the use of the substance. Drug use is directly/ indirectly responsible for 11.8 million deaths every single year. Additionally, more than 3,50,000 people die from alcohol and illicit drug use disorders annually. The most commonly used substances for abuse include depressants, such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, marijuana, opioids, such as morphine and heroin, stimulants as well as over-the-counter medications. For obvious reasons, substance use problems are complex medical issues and require a proper treatment and prevention plan. They severely affect the brain, including the psychological and physiological processes of the body. Due to a lot of stigma being attached to problems of substance abuse, professionals of healthcare use the term “substance abuse”, instead of “addiction,” or “drug abuse.” Heredity is a factor that can be a cause of substance abuse. Various other factors such as an individual’s environment- friends, workplace, family, backgrounds, etc. can be termed as some causes of this issue. Various symptoms, such as physical dependence on the substance material, changes in mood, effects on the senses of the body, reduced anxiety levels, may highlight substance abuse within an individual.Substance use disorder is characterized by meeting the criteria for drug dependence, as set forth by the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). One in five deaths globally (11.8 million deaths since 2017) can be attributed to the same. Methamphetamine, cocaine, opiates, alcohol, marijuana, hallucinogens, inhalants, stimulants, are some of the frequently used substances associated with the disorder. Social pressures, environmental stressors, psychiatric issues, genetic factors, personality characteristics, can be classified as the root causes of the substance use disorder. Substance abuse is a growing menace in the society, and affects individuals and communities at large, especially the youth, who become victims of addiction. There is a potent need to break the chain, spread awareness, put in laws and regulations regarding the same, as well as formulate coping mechanisms to mitigate this disorder by and large. Prevention of substance abuse is an extremely crucial aspect, as prevention is the sole key to ensure the youth and people remain aware and away from the consumption of drugs and substances. Substance abuse prevention is a process which aims to prevent the onset of substance use and/or limit the development of problems associated with the usage of psychoactive substances.With India being the world’s youngest nation by age, it is an opportunity for us to leverage and scale new heights and capacities. It can be a double-edged sword as well, in the fact that if our young people start to indulge in increased substance abuse and addictions, we will lose out on a lot of factors and dimensions of growth. Instead of being a burden, the youth should represent the bright future of the country. Addictions and substance abuse leads to new lows in the society, and it not only affects the individual alone, but also impacts the family, social circle and subsequently, the society at large. Some ways such as keeping a healthy life balance, engaging in good social circles, formulating appropriate legislations, diagnosing and seeking professional help can greatly influence a society positively, away from substance abuse. The responsibility is collective, and we, as a nation must make sure our youth is in its prime in its output and engagements, as has been reflected throughout our glorious history and culture, and become global citizens of this multilateral world. Health most definitely, is wealth, and with a prospering GDP and economy, India and its citizens can least afford to be victims of substance abuse.The term ‘substance abuse’ itself is self-explanatory of the fact how a tormented ‘abuse’ takes place on the mind and body of the individual. Thousands of people across the globe are today victims of this disorder. Moreover, a vast majority of the population is of the youth, which is indeed, the future of tomorrow and where rests a mountain of expectations for any country. Therefore, it is only potent to talk and discuss substance abuse and its prevention in detail. As is remarked, “Prevention is better than cure”. Hence, even before the stage of an actual ‘cure occurs’, prevention, in a variety of ways, can actually help in stopping the toxic cycle and pull the youth into meaningful work and output for a common good.

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

Time. What all we imagine and think, when the word ‘time’ is called out is unending. For someone, time would mean just a reminder on the clock what hour it is; for some it would mean healing from something over a period of time; whereas it could also mean the emotion of rushing for someone. ‘Time’ has different meanings for every person in every circumstance. Yes, I don’t mean to mention the same old things about time- that we need to care for it, conserve it, it’s limited, so on and so forth. Well, that is quite obvious and known (although it needs to be reminded every now and then). But there’s actually so much more to time, so many more perspectives to it. It may seem to us that ‘time’ is something so straightforward- a second in any part of the world is exactly the same anywhere else; so on and so forth. What if we see time as just an illusion? Time actually being one that is an arbitrary construct; a way which we use to make sense of growing old. To present this case more precisely, there’s a quote by Abhijit Naskar, the author of “Love, God & Neurons”, who remarked that time is basically an illusion created by the mind to aid in our sense of temporal presence in the vast ocean of space; without the neurons to create a virtual perception of the past and the future based on all our experiences, there is no actual existence of the past and the future. All that there is, is the present.”Even Albert Einstein had said that time is nothing but an illusion. Even physically speaking, Einstein had proved that time moves differently for someone below sea level than for someone situated on the highest peaks on the planet, due to a phenomenon called gravitational time dilation. According to Einstein, time is the fourth dimension of space. One needs to describe where one is, not only in the three-dimensional space of length, width and height, but also in time. Thus, to know where you are, you have to know where time is. In the Special Theory of Relativity, Einstein had determined that time is relative, which means the rate at which time passes depends on one’s frame of reference. Time does indeed exist, and we cannot deny that fact whatsoever. After all, it has played an integral role in the universe and it is time that has led us through to where we are today, and where we would be led to, in the future. Physicists all over the world are still studying the passage of time closely and precisely.Whatever it might be, time is up and running. Whatever goes around in the universe is undoubtedly associated with time. Discussing the physical aspects of time, there is also an emotional and logical context to it. Many times, we think of the fact that how fast an event has happened, or how fast a day has passed. There is also this common notion that time is passing very quickly, of late. We think of the last few years and realize they really have passed off in a jiffy. How often do we say these sentences! But the underlying reality is that time has always remained the same, it’s just our perception. People also are quick to jump to conclusions that a fast-passing time means life is going well and happy. Whatever it might be, we have to bow down to time. It’s nothing less than a part of nature after all!Chronoception is actually a field of study within psychology, cognitive linguistics and neuroscience that refers to “the subjective experience, or sense of time, which is measured by someone’s own perception of the duration of the indefinite and unfolding of events”. The ancient Greeks, very interestingly, had two words for time- ‘Chronos’, and ‘Kairos’. Chronos refers to the chronological or sequential time, while on the other hand, Kairos signifies a period or season, a moment of indeterminate time in which an event of significance happens. Chronos is quantitative, whereas Kairos is qualitative. To elucidate it further, Chronos is the forward propelling time that we can measure on watches, clocks, or by the evolutionary phases of the moon. But Kairos is the ‘deep time’- the time where the world seems to stop. It can be measured in a lovely exhale, deep laughter or just anything! A very good example is when we are on a sailing trip- we are living completely kairologically, since we are moving by the mercy of the sailing wind and collective actions, not bound by any clock and calendar. The Sanskrit term for qualitative time is ‘Ritu’. It is devoted to a particular ‘right’ time and is used in Hinduism to refer to the correct moment for the different ceremonies and rituals, and obviously, has a spiritual sense to it. ‘Kala’ is the Sanskrit equivalent of Chronos. There are numerous ideologies within different old civilizations that portray time in their own novel stead.Thus, time is something which is in our hands. We can use it in the best possible manner we want to. Let’s have more of Kairos and less of Chronos: live more and work less. After all, we do not know what lies after death, but we surely do know for a given fact that as long as we live, we can make full use of the sphere of time in the best possible manner for ourselves, as well as for our loved ones. There might be no complete or partial truth to any of the multiple theories of time. What is most important is what we perceive ourselves, and how we apply it onto us for a meaningful life. The days are limited, choices are objectives, and the Universe ours- so what’s the wait? Let us all wake up from the dreary life and look at it from a fresh new perspective and achieve the highest good.

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

How busy is too much busy? This is a question that we must ask ourselves first, and then look around for appropriate people to answer that, for is there even anyone nowadays who isn’t ‘busy’? Being ‘busy’ nowadays is more often than not seen as an indicator of one’s self-worth and status quo. It is seen as a badge of honor; whereas on the other hand having leisure or free time is often seen as being questioned on one’s status and honor. In this modern, industrialized world, almost everyone is overburdened with work and thus, quintessentially ‘busy’. The equation, to look practically, is quite simple. With economies growing, and incomes rising manifold, time has become more valuable than ever. This has led to work being more squeezed into, say a given hour of time. The manner of work has changed over the years as well- work has moved on from agricultural and menial practices, to more knowledge and information-based work, where there is a constant barrage of emails, meetings, content to keep up with, coworkers space, etc. A mobile phone in hand, and you find yourself doing tens of other work in a short while. Whether it’s paying off bills online, or proceeding from the cart online to buy a product for your mom, texting back a friend to meet for an evening coffee, or even keeping an eye on the live stock market numbers, just like the match score, there are innumerable things that we are up to a given instant. Just like how a phone has so many tabs opened at once, we too, in our lives, have so many tabs open at once. The difference being, we can just click on ‘clear all’ in our phones and wipe away the stack, but unfortunately, in real life, it isn’t that easy. Once again, this gives more leverage to the growing humans versus technology conundrum.All of these ‘busy’ activities and things at once leads to being overwhelmed. Again, it is very natural to feel so, and you MUST feel that, for we are humans, having emotions, a mind and heart; not robots to churn out perfect outputs at once, without strain. Even technology needs charging, even they wear out after a while, become obsolete; we’re still humans. Well, there is an unsaid (at times, said) societal pressure to “do it all”, to be “relevant” in life at all times. Why? Because we feel the need to ‘show’ the world how worthy we are, how ‘occupied’ we are at all times, which would lead the other person to think of one’s status, intelligence, contacts, so on and so forth. Humans have nowadays started to feel that they are “pressed for time”, that “there’s not enough time in the day”, and that “even 24 hours are so less that they’re running out of time”. No doubt, the work indeed may be a lot- there’s no doubting the workload at any point. It’s about the portrayal, the need to stay relevant in society. A lot of people, in spite of being free or enjoying leisure time, feel the need to be ‘busy’. We have become so adept and accustomed to being busy all the time, that taking a few moments or days off, or even going out with the family compromising even a little work has become something that we dislike or feel ‘uncomfortable’ with. This is another ‘new normal’. After the pandemic, the situation has only worsened and gotten saturated. Relationships have been degraded by a few notches, love and care has decreased, family bonding has come down, the “me-time” is absolutely missing today. A lot of things have taken a hit today, for the simple fact to portray one’s busyness as a ‘badge of trendy’ symbol, as one of the byproducts of the digital age. The commonly found term ‘FOMO’ (Fear of Missing Out), the meaning of which a lot of people do not even know of, has found a trendy backing. The ‘copy-paste’ culture for how long, though?It’s also rather sad that busyness has become a way for escapism. Psychologically, various researches have proved that staying busy excessively, or on purpose is related to avoiding one’s own feelings from the inside. A Pew Research survey in the United States found that 6 in 10 adults said they feel too busy to enjoy life sometimes, and over 1 in 10 said they feel that way all of the time. Busyness can also be attributed to being a coping mechanism for some, since studying can apparently make one feel better, and result in productivity, and it is also associated with reasoning, working memory, better processing speed, etc. Staying busy can also help in having a greater self-worth and releasing endorphins, the “happy” hormones, thereby creating positive momentum. More importantly, the fact of the matter is that there is a very fine difference between remaining busy for the sake of productivity and avoiding one’s feelings. One’s own wellbeing is the most important thing, but often gets ignored in this manner. Being busy and being productive are two extremely different things- one needs to understand that. One need not be busy in order to be productive.The key actually lies in maintaining a healthy work-life balance, as it impacts the overall physical health, wellbeing, emotional health, etc. It leads to a severe effect on relationships, family bonds, and social behavior. Sure, everyone will have their own idea and definition of what being busy means to them. But, what one can do is practice mindfulness- by observing one’s thoughts and grounding oneself. One needs to make it a priority to spend time with loved ones, as it makes one feel loved, connected, and cared for. Appreciating your own self by reciting positive affirmations, journaling thoughts can go a long way in bringing about paradigm changes. Planning travel and vacations, spending quality time alone and with close ones can never be undermined. Stretching, relaxing, meditating, exercising are a must. Setting boundaries for work, connecting to a therapist and seeking help when required, remembering one’s self-worth are vital in the quest. Most importantly, saying a big NO to the societal pressure of constantly being ‘busy’ is very important. After all, “What is this life, if full of care, We have no time to stand and stare” was written way back in 1911 and still holds true.

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

A famous quote by Albert Einstein goes by, “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind”. As a child, I always used to wonder, “God must be so angry at these scientists for revealing His miracles and natural processes”. I had (in fact, still have) this innate voice inside me who used to believe that the processes and life God has created, is so intricate and complex, just perfectly balanced; so why are humans so hell-bent on exploring and researching His mega secrets? But, turns out life has different ways of dealing and justifying things. For centuries, people have always believed that there is a higher power who created and has the ability to control everything around us, including us. No civilization has ever flourished around the world without the existence of some sort of religion, be it monotheistic or polytheistic. Many of the processes that we used to accredit to ‘God’, or any higher power, have in recent years been opened up and explained by science and knowledge. It is interesting to note that at a deeper level, science and religion are two separate things, but if one looks at it closely, it is obvious to realize that religion itself incorporates so much of science, that only recently has been explored and categorized as ‘science’. We, as humans, have been practicing religion since way long, before even the concept of ‘science’, per se, arrived.Personally I can’t say that on behalf of all those on the side of ‘Team Science’, but a majority of people believing in science have this disposition that either science exists or God. Religion has been practiced and God worshiped, even before we started trying to use science to disprove God. While some might believe that over centuries, science and religion are two separate entities, which are inherently opposed and separate to one another, there are some who also are of the opinion that the said relationship is that of harmony and collaboration. For both, it is potent to not just swim at the tip of the iceberg, but delve deeper and deeper, and then understand where they are coming from, what they are trying to say. To put these up in statistics, a Pew Research Center survey found that 56% of Americans say “there generally is conflict between science and religion, but that this sense of tension is more common among the religiously unaffiliated”, over a decade of study. We can safely find a middle path and say that both science and religion explain the same things, just from different perspectives. For some, it still might be a conflicted opinion- religion being something ‘fixed’ and ‘laid out’, while science explicitly being about ‘experimenting’, ‘researching’, exploring possibilities’.Many religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, etc. have scientific concepts explained in religious texts; they overlap, are compatible with each other and inclusive. For example, Hindu practices like using turmeric in cleansing solutions, or the use of copper in drinking mugs (for antimicrobial properties) prove that scientists have only recently confirmed its benefits that have been known, practiced, preached, and disseminated for centuries. There are various flash points between science and religion, for instance, which cannot be erased. For example, a Pew Research Center survey in Malaysia found that many Muslim communities expressed religious concerns when asked to consider specific kinds of biotechnology research, such as gene editing, which goes against the religious ethos. Even for Hindus and Buddhists, this would be against the ‘karma cycle’. Thus, science and religion draw upon varying aspects of human experience. The working styles of both are completely different. While religion is based more on faith, supernatural forces, worship, etc, the same works opposite for science. Scientific questions (called hypotheses) need evidence to be confirmed or disproved, and thus are framed in those certain ways. Religious beliefs, on the other hand, are not dependent solely on empirical evidence, unlike science. There is also a very fine line between the two, if one views it in this manner. Science is a powerful method to understand and explain mechanisms and dynamics of the physical Universe. At the same time, science cannot explain the purpose or underlying thought behind the Universe’s creation. They all fall under philosophy/ theology.A famous scientist, Francis Collins, for instance, in his book ‘The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief’, reckons that “God’s domain is in the spiritual world, a realm not possible to explore with the tools and language of science. It must be examined with the heart, the mind, and the soul.” Sure, scientists too can be religious and believe in God, yet at the same time conform to science. Without science, it is nearly impossible to live in this world, for it pervades and explains every sphere of life, macro or micro. There are various answers about religion that science, until today, hasn’t been able to answer. It might, it might not as well. Many believe that religion and philosophy begin from where science ends. Perspectives are meant to be there, and meant to be different. We cannot erase, or undo the existence and charisma of either of the two. What if we put it in this manner- religion and science are just different ways of solving different challenges! Quite possible, might not too, again. Faith and fact have been at loggerheads since time immemorial, and this article surely isn’t the finale to predict a winner. It is to rather celebrate the beauty, existence and impact of these two powerful entities on humankind. For some, two sides of the same coin, perhaps. Accepting evolution and progress doesn’t correspond to disproving the existence of God. Quite similarly, chantings, religious texts and ways of life doesn’t also mean we have to negate science. To put it very simply, science requires proof, and religion requires faith. What dominates a human being individually, is a very subjective question, and must be left to the person to ponder over. But, but, what if this all is God’s larger plan Himself? 

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

The 1st of December, this year has ushered in a new dawn in India’s glorious history, and its glistening quest to occupy a vital position in world politics. India assumed the presidency of the G20, taking the baton ahead from the previous host, Indonesia. The G20 or Group of Twenty is an intergovernmental forum comprising 19 countries, as well as the European Union. Addressing various global issues such as those related to international financial stability, climate change crisis, sustainable development, global economy, etc. 

What makes this G20 Presidency special, and important is the fact that India assumes the presidency at a stage when the world is going through a plethora of challenges and issues, whether it is the after-effects of the Russia-Ukraine war, post-pandemic recovery, rapid global inflation, shifting geopolitical situations, food and energy crisis, tumbling economics, so on and so forth. Thus, the presidency becomes crucial and vital for India, and this can also be seen as an opportunity for India to address global issues and gain the trust of world leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi quipped during his monthly radio broadcast, “The G20 Presidency is a big opportunity for India. We have to make full use of this opportunity and focus on global good and world welfare. Whether it is peace or unity, sensitivity towards the environment or sustainable development, India has solutions to challenges related to these.”

Rightly so, India has a huge responsibility to fulfill through this presidency, and it isn’t the first time India will shoulder a crucial role. With a glistening history, and being the world’s largest democracy, home to the world’s youngest population, as well as being the world’s oldest civilization, India very well knows what exactly is required. India has planned to organize G20 meetings in different cities and states of the country, and will give its global guests a wishful experience and taste of India’s inclusive traditions, cultural richness, and a diversity nowhere else seen in the world. G20 would be India’s catalyst to substantiate a global transformation. With more countries than ever aligning with India at the global level, it forms a perfect juncture for India to be assertive with its narratives, become action-oriented, ambitious, and opportunistic. It is a phase that India really needs to capitalize, and the fact that it is more than capable to do that, makes the hopes and aspirations of the people and India’s allies even stronger. Being a country that is known for stabilization than polarity, development in spite of corruption, and the ‘Mother of Democracies’, this presidency would enable India implement international cooperation, foster diplomatic channels, fight its long-standing stances on terrorism, climate change, and a number of issues bothering the region, and beyond. 

India celebrated, and is going to continue to commemorate a slew of events across the length and breadth of the incredulous nation. As many as 100 monuments across the nation were lit up with the G20 logo. India would look to manifest the real spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which translates to the ‘World is One Family’. Finding pragmatic, potent solutions for everyone’s wellbeing, establishing global security would be on the top of India’s agenda. India couldn’t have asked for a better and grander watershed moment to establish and consolidate itself on the global platform. With India already eyeing the third spot in the world’s economy share by 2030, and leaving its former colonizer, Britain behind just recently, the achievements and dominance of India is being seen and recognized by countries now. Those as strong allies are further consolidating partnerships, placing defense deals with India, etc. while those not aligning with India are turning towards a softer stance. 

A roadmap for India’s ‘Panchamrit’ includes achieving a net-zero target by 2070, reducing 1 billion carbon emissions by 2030, fulfilling 50% energy requirements via renewable energy by 2030, and many more. With a strong defense system, engaging diplomacy, vibrant democracy, and a strong culture, India is well-placed in the global scheme of things to inch closer to becoming a superpower. As for now, a successful soft power establishment is underway by India, through its movies, art, accomplishments, languages, etc. and the G20 would enable the world to sit and look up to India. This is India’s time to deliver. A phase stretching from 1st December 2022, until 30th November 2023, a reign of India’s G20 presidency, would help exacerbate India’s quest to contribute into the sectors of health, SDGs, trade and investments, education, tourism, financial inclusion, renewable growth, etc. The key areas of focus for India’s G20 presidency would be particularly forging world unity by resolutions and engagements, countering terrorism, through international cooperation and a robust system to fight terror financing, handling supply-chain distributions, in order to bring parity in the post-pandemic era, as well as bridge the digital divide by enunciating and elaborating on its stand on ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, which also happens to be the overall theme of the Indian presidency. 

Having said all these factors and elements, the world would look up to India to foster developmental changes, and usher in a new dawn via the presidency. After all, this is India’s moment at the world stage!

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

Having been into sports since childhood and being a sports freak and geek, one really knows what it takes to be there and what sports and emotions are all about. The excitement, anger, aggression, agony, pain, the hits and misses, wins and losses, all of them have to be taken into stride. That’s what sports in general is all about. Now, when we talk about sports in our very own India, there are a plethora of emotions that come attached. India generally isn’t seen as a traditional ‘sporting nation’, on a global level. It has, for years, been called a ‘sleeping giant’, and rightly so. A country of 1.3 billion people just about manages to get a couple of medals at the World Championships and Olympics, most importantly. In the Rio 2016 showpiece event, we barely managed two bronze medals- a face saver, courtesy P.V Sindhu and Sakshi Malik. Now, where did we go wrong? The sporting federations and also the funding are in place, everything hypothetically and on paper looks like the perfect recipe to bag at least a dozen on the world stage. But what is it that is stopping us, and leading to dismal results? These are questions that need to be answered. We always manage a good second or third place finish in overall tally at the Commonwealth Games, or a top ten finish at Asian Games. But should that be our ultimate goal? Should we be content with that? Smaller, economically weaker countries than India perform doubly better than us. No doubt, times are changing, recognition is being given, funding like the Target Olympic Podium (TOPS) Scheme, etc. are being done. Just recently, a second-string junior hockey team from India managed to clinch a bronze at Asian Hockey Championships in Jakarta, beating some Asian powerhouses. Not to forget, the path-breaking Thomas Cup win in badminton, a dream run for the Indian male shuttlers , blanking 14-time Defending Champions Indonesia (3-0) in the final. In Spite of such inspiring performances, we falter at the ultimate juncture- The Olympics. The Indian shooting contingent is currently the best in the world- topping all World Cup charts throughout the year. A full-strength Indian shooting contingent drew a blank fire at the Olympics, with at least a couple of them as World Number 1s. Now, back again, what is it that falters at the world’s biggest stage? We Indians need to have that fire in the belly, the sheer aggressiveness to go-for-it. We very often become too complacent by comments that reward us for reaching a particular path-breaking juncture in sports- we think we’ve achieved it. Rather, more than being content and celebrating such path-breaking steps, we must understand that it’s merely the beginning, just the start of a bright future. Reaching there is indeed difficult in an Indian society, especially for girls. More often than not, even if a child is good at sports, he/she is supposed to ‘choose’ between studies and sports, and being an Indian society, nothing takes greater precedence than studies. We need to see the example of China, next door. They have 14 and 15 year-olds becoming world champions and winning medals at the highest pedestal. They invest in the youth; make it possible, in spite of being an even bigger country with a greater population. I don’t mean to say in any way that India should ‘emulate’ or ‘copy’ this grass-root level practice, as all societies and circumstances aren’t ever at a level-playing field. Rather, the stakeholders, players, associations can get inspired by their model of working and incorporate it in India’s sporting culture, right from the grass-root level. Those fourth place finishes and hearty performances by Dipa Karmakar (Gymnastics), Indian national women’s hockey team, Aditi Ashok (Golf) are not a flash in the pan. Yet, there is a need to capitalize on these results. With the 2024 Paris Olympics not too far away, the planning is well in place, for a long time now. Currently, the Indian athletes need support from their countrymen; no, not the same support that crystallizes to pressure and expectations of performance in no time, but a healthy one. In order to be a sporting nation and enjoy world recognition, India not only needs to improve in fundings and infrastructure, but also clear the political mess prevailing in almost all sports federations. Sports shouldn’t be mixed with politics and be furthered as an opportunity by the politicians to further their influence. Many times, we have had to bear the brunt by having our federations black-listed or terminated- All India Football Federation (AIFF) is a perfect example at this current point of time. The onus should be more on the internal things than the external stuff going around. We need sports recognition to go beyond cricket; we need the same respect for Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami as much as Virat and MS. We need the same turnout at stadiums for cricket matches as for volleyball and badminton. Sports is such an important aspect nowadays, so much so that it can actually be termed as a ‘soft power’ in terms of international relations and diplomacy. Thus, India’s bid for the Olympics, about 20 years down from now does seem a bit unrealistic and unheralded, but who knows, we might just get to see matches in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, etc. FIFA already has bestowed India with this year’s U-17 Women’s World Cup, and these surely augment well for a bright Indian sporting culture.

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

Do you remember how last year, Tuvalu’s foreign minister recorded his speech for the United Nations Climate Conference in Glasgow, standing knee-deep in seawater? To those who don’t, yes, he did so; to highlight how the low-lying Pacific nation is on the edge of climate breakdown. Just recently, NASA climate scientist broke down saying, “We are heading towards a catastrophe”, as he chained himself to JP Morgan’s building door.

Well, the COP 26 saw a plethora of world leaders make their way to Glasgow, which eventually made way to the Glasgow Climate Pact between the countries of the world. It wasn’t one of those high-octane events that was celebrated globally, nor was it one that was condemned either. Tina Stege, climate envoy for Marshall Islands, quipped after the signing of the deal, “We made real and vital progress”, but continued to add the most important point that “there continues to be gaps, and difficult things.” Such is the wrath of the world affected by climate change that even dreaming in the affirmative has become a distant dream, leave apart the implementation and work that is needed. Countries pledged to end illegal deforestation, and so did the huge private sector, that made a commitment ‘to facilitate the energy transition and slash emissions.’ How far is it too good to be true, that only time can tell. There are no statistics here that I’d like to put to highlight the urgency and grievances; the article and theme are itself a testimony to the need of rapid action.

But what can be ascertained now is that either way, it isn’t going to be easy, as is the human nature that ‘bad habits die hard’. Humans have so normalized tampering with nature and inducing man-made calamities that one has already forgotten what ethics of nature and climate are. Instead, we very rightly are in the ‘new normal’! We’ve all become so adept to seeing unusual temperatures and pollution that something that’s abnormal has been normalized, and consciously or subconsciously, we all have accepted it deep down. Thus, there was a need to facilitate this COP 26 chairing, so that the world leaders at least are made aware and empower their respective citizens to take action, until it’s too late.

Although an uphill battle, but one of the prime motives of the COP 26 was to put the world on a pathway to limit warming up to 11.5 degrees above preindustrial limits. Another key takeaway from the conference can be the all-inclusive approach by the respective governments, which indicates that climate, from being a relatively niche problem has gone on to be considered potent by top-ranking government officials. For instance, the Biden Administration from the US sent about 10 high ranking officials and cabinet ministers, including Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. Unfortunately, many international climate agreements, including the Paris Agreement didn’t mention anything about the fossil fuels, which are the main drivers of climate change and the conundrum.

But at the Glasgow Climate Pact, more than 100 major countries pledged to “phase down” the use of unabated coal power and “phase out” inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. This suggests a paradigm shift in the world’s quest to neutralize climate change catastrophes. The world’s new beloved- private sector too couldn’t be left out of the fold, where big players promised to mobilize the energy transition and also around electric vehicles, promising investments to the tune of $100 trillion. The questions are galore at the moment about feasibility, accessibility, etc. but the hope remains, nonetheless.

At the last minute, one witnessed a heavy COP wherein Alok Sharma, the British minister, who served as the President of COP 26, was forced to hold back tears, as India, a major economy and force in the world wanted him to cede to changing the language from “phasing out” coal to “phasing down”, apparently because of India’s overdependence on coal. One factor that made COP 26 look different from other conferences was the fact that the vulnerable countries (under-developed and developing) forced a discussion multiple times on the need for rich counterparts to provide greater financing, for them to be transparent, answerable as well as adapt to the effects of climate change. The moral authority accrued by the vulnerable countries makes for a high stake and inclusiveness. On another side, we saw that China and US, amidst heightened tensions politically, took a stand for climate action by inking a bilateral agreement for climate action, as they both account for majority of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions.

More than 100 nations globally also made an agreement to end deforestation completely by 2030, wherein around 85% of the world’s forests would be protected. India, one of the world’s leading consumers of fossil fuel, agreed to eliminate the use of coals and other fossils by 2070 and as is apparent, India is one of the leading powers for renewable energy. The issue of carbon footprint, decision on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement (global carbon market), call for large-pool funding from wealthier nations were the other agendas.

Having extensively deliberated on core issues, it however, remains to be seen how this could all transpire into effective action and implementation, especially as far as the big and developed countries are concerned. There needs to be an equitable distribution of resources and conflict resolution. The upcoming conference awaits a stern challenge, as to how far is the world from achieving the Agenda 2030 of the Sustainable Development Goals, and most importantly, how far would the humankind and nature fare in its truest form, post talks and planning.

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

After a strenuous layover at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the landing at Jakarta brought a sigh of relief, not before I’d known that a long queue at the visa counter would further exhaust me. I thought that’d be it and the fun would soon unravel, but little did I know that I’d encounter the worst traffic nightmare of my life in Jakarta. It took two hours to reach the city center from the airport with traffic that even we Indians (the traffic breed) would be shell shocked for. Anyways, that essentially was the last moment of ‘exhaustion’ as I began the new day exploring and uncovering the city of Jakarta. Jakarta, sitting on the northwest coast of Java (the world’s most populous island) is the largest city in Southeast Asia and Indonesia, and of course, the capital. With a population of 35 million, it is the second largest urban area in the world after Tokyo. Established as Sunda Kelapa back in the fourth century, it was a vital port for trade and commerce for the Sunda kingdom. It was also known as Batavia, when it was the capital of the Dutch East Indies, and is today the diplomatic capital of ASEAN. The capital of Indonesia would soon be moved from Jakarta to Nusantara, East Kalimantan, because the city is one of the fastest sinking cities of the world. Indians would be proud to know the fact that the word ‘Jakarta’ comes from the Sanskrit terms ‘Jaya’ and ‘Karta’, as Indonesia formerly was under Indian civilizations, with Hinduism and Buddhism being the dominant religions back then.

The first day I set out to explore the city and local areas, whereby I visited the National Monument, also called MONAS. It is a tall 433 feet obelisk that stands high as a landmark that defines Jakarta and Indonesia’s rich history and struggle for independence. A museum sits at the base of the monument, and it is topped by a flame covered with gold foil. A spectacular visual, overlooking the rich skyline of Jakarta, the clean and green MONAS is a sure-shot place to visit. Next up was the National Museum, not because of the ‘touristy check’, but simply because of its impeccable architecture (a huge elephant statue sits at the courtyard) and rich heritage and collection of over 100,000 articles. Not very far from the MONAS, can one find going to the museum quite easy by taking a two-wheeler on Grab app. Although for vegetarians like me, it is a bit difficult to dine without second thoughts, there are a couple of options, in terms of multinationals and chains. Local delicacies like Gado-Gado, martabak, pecel, etc. are great to satiate some cravings. Following that, I set out in the evening to see the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Just opposite the mosque is the Cathedral, in the bustling city of Jakarta. With beautiful architecture and archipelago, the Roman Catholic Cathedral looks stunning at night. The neo-Gothic style, coupled with the lively atmosphere is a perfect match there. Post that, a walk through the Sudirman Street (Central Jakarta) is an absolute must while in Jakarta. With beautiful avenues and malls, it lights up wonderfully after the sunset and shows the glistening nightlife of Jakarta. I headed out to Kota Kasablanka, one of the most famous malls in Jakarta for some shopping. Kaftans, Indonesian printed rugs and art works, Batik shirts, wooden carvings, Kopi Luwak, Indomie, traditional Indonesian chocolates and products are some of the must buys while in Jakarta. Batik is something that actually defines Indonesia, as a whole, and a trip here is incomplete without buying different patterns of Batik, whether in clothes or as pieces.

There are over 74 museums all around Jakarta, and if you are one of those who love history and a wee bit of museum and heritage, it is the perfect place for you. Kota Tua and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah are perfect places to get going. They would not only offer a sneak peek into the history and culture, but would also portray Indonesia’s diversity through its museums, pavilions, structures, attractions, etc. in a miniature version. The old town Jakarta side would enable you to rather connect with the erstwhile ‘Batavia’ and take a break from J-Town’s hustle and bustle. Fatahillah square and the adjoining areas make for a perfect mix to enjoy the remnant Dutch side. Next evening I set off for one of the largest and most upscale malls in Indonesia, the Grand Indonesia Mall. With some exquisite shopping avenues, entertainment and lifestyle, and food options, Grand Indonesia would never disappoint you. A tad expensive than the others, but it is worth it all, though. Other malls such as Lotte Shopping Avenue, Gandaria City Mall, Senayan City, were really good in my experience; it’s got everything for everyone. Not to forget that aside from this, a gentle walk late evening is amazing to explore the city, taste some very famous street food (such as Nasi Goreng, Rendang, Sate Ayam), understand local culture, mix with the warm locals, and be by yourself to absorb it all in. It was time for me to say a good-bye to J-Town for the while as I was headed to other parts of Indonesia, which I shall cover in my forthcoming travelogue pieces subsequently.

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

Monsoons are very much here, and even before the season sets in, there’s a season that’s always up, 12 months, 24*7, 365 days; the season of potholes on Indian roads. There’s so much that actually goes into the psychological, social, logistical and many other dimensional nuances, when we talk about bad roads and potholes. In short, a normal rider would be invoked with a zillion emotions when one imagines those craters on the road, that even a mathematician wouldn’t be able to describe its shape or measure its dimensions or area. However, there is a serious side to it as well. Road rage is something that we only hear in newspapers as reports or statistics, but the reality is quite different. The drivers, whether college students, working professionals, leisure drivers, or anyone, for that fact of matter, are deeply disturbed by this conundrum. Going by latest reports and statistics, road rage cases have been on a constant rise, annually, in India. Anger is one emotion that is invoked the most, during cases of road rage. Bad roads, polluted environment, inferior and shoddy infrastructure, inclement weather conditions, etc. are major contributors. Plus, this generation seems to be always on a run, always racing against time. Speed of vehicles are at an all-time high, traffic congestion is peaking, roads are getting narrower, density of vehicles is vehemently increasing and traffic etiquettes, like always, are up for a toss. Overcrowding, coupled with all the aforementioned situational factors lead to road rage cases, where anger reigns supreme. Abuses, rash driving, revengeful cuts and overtaking, the so-called ‘thrill’ of speeding, are amongst the various reasons that contribute, and are seen very apparently on roads. A person with maturity would be more patient and would readily understand the other person’s viewpoint, psychologically. Whereas an intolerant person or one with ADHD would pick fights, honk at red lights, and react with aggressive behavior. Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, in March 2022, stated in Lok Sabha, that the road rage and rash driving cases have risen from 1.55 lakh in 2019, 1.83 lakh in 2020, to 2.15 lakh in 2021. These statistics present a worrying future for lakhs of lives on the road, on a daily basis. There’s a lot that actually goes behind all these reactions and trends that build up. Whether it is someone being frustrated and dissatisfied with life, or lack of control over oneself, or issues at workplace and home, these are all contributors to the road rage issue. One can easily go beneath the table and shrug off this discussion by saying it’s too petty a thing to worry about or even read. But every life matters. There are lakhs losing it. Life already has been very unpredictable, since the beginning. The pandemic even furthered the cause. And if we continue to let issues like these creep into our daily lives, it can be really disastrous. This is one thing we all have to face. Controlling anger would not only help solve the road rage issue, but also counter a lot of things in life. Getting angry is quite easy, but managing and having control over oneself is just the opposite. In order to educate the public on the traffic front, people must be mindful while on road driving. They must stave off the out-bursts and anger. Counseling and psychotherapy must be provided by the Traffic Police. Awareness shall be made, and most importantly, the roads must be made better. One rain and almost all of the roads in the country go for a toss. At the grassroot level, there is a need to have better quality of work and repair on roads. Good quality of material shall be used and there needs to be a system of check and balances to take care of the corruption part. In order to sort one’s anger issues, one must look for a cause from where it emanates, and then try and address it appropriately. Very easily, rather than rushing on red signals, one can try and take a deep breath and relax for a few seconds. This nation has suffered a lot of road accidents and there needs to be a line that should be drawn in order to counter this raging problem. Roads need to be safe, the people need to be safe. It’s all in our hands and we need to take responsibility and stand up! After all, leaving home a few minutes earlier isn’t that bad of an idea, right!?!?

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

SADHUPUL- CHAIL – KUFRI – SOLAN – SHIMLA

Reaching the mountains has never been easy, anywhere. That’s the fun in it actually- to make it feel worthwhile to reach the mighty peaks, as humans only value things that are hard-earned. Another such trip of mine was full of travel, adventure and excitement- one that got the adrenaline rush going, courtesy the mountains and sheer might of nature, which makes one feel a miniature creature on this planet. So, Himachal it was! No, I’m not going to talk about the conventional touristy places, but ones that aren’t much heard or known of. After transits through Delhi and Chandigarh, the mountainous landscape finally beckoned. The first place we visited was the quaint town called Sadhupul. Tucked amidst the snow-clad mountains and the flowing rivers, pierced by the deodars, pines, oaks and the spruce, this place was heaven-like, clean, green and serene. With hardly any tourists flocking this little known place, it hadn’t been overused. While strolling down the beautiful curvy roads of the mountains that lead to infinity, one can easily spot a number of natural springs. Some cold, some hot- imagine the intriguing nature! With zero vehicles and almost nil population, the only voices that pierced the silence were the screeches of the eagles and vultures flying high. The apple-laden trees were such a treat, not just to the gustatory sense, but also to the visual and olfactory ones.  A serenely placed temple of the Ramakrishna Mission (which was begun by Swami Vivekanada), sits parallel on the periphery of the winding road. A huge institution in its own right; something so peaceful coupled with an already existing peaceful environment is sure to enchant one’s soul. A couple of quaint shops, an India Post office, some chai and pan stalls are all you could dot the village with. One of the mornings was spent hiking up to the Himalayan range further where the former king of the place resided. The king’s palace had still got the old charm, with huge trees laden with fruits, royal artillery and stuff, etc. The only thing that now the former king’s family does there is milk cows and sell the produce- and the milk- oh so fresh of the cows of the mountains. After spending a couple of days here to heart’s content, we drove off for another place in Himachal- the hill station of Chail. It is about 45 kilometers away from the capital, Shimla, and is famous for its virgin forests. The world’s highest cricket ground sits in Chail, at a humongous height of 2,444 meters. It was owned by the erstwhile royal family of Patiala, which also consists of a huge polo ground. The Chail Palace, reminiscent of the royal lifestyle in the bygone era, was constructed as a summer retreat by the Maharaja of Patiala during the British Raj. The Sadhupul Lake in Chail is one place where you can have the time of your life as the restaurant in the lake serves some scrumptious pahaadi food (read Maggi and bread-omlette). Having had the most pleasurable experience in Chail, we set off for Kufri. Kufri is about an hour’s drive (30 km) from Chail and about 15 kilometers off Shimla.  Kufri and the nearby region was once under the kingdom of Nepal, before it was ceded as a part of the Sugauli Treaty to the British. The Himalayan Nature Park in Kufri is one of the best places to visit, as it houses rare varieties of flora and fauna. Himalayan animals such as hangals, brown bears, musk deer, etc. can easily be spotted along with some unseen flora. One can have a refreshing trek here, overlooking the huge mountains of snow. Kufri also houses the world’s highest amusement park- 2,800 meters above sea level. This place also is home to the world’s highest go-karting arena. It’s one never to be missed- you sway in the amusement park amidst the snow, and God forbid, one wrong equipment malfunction, and you’re into the Himalayas in no time. Some other places such as the Mahasu peak (ideal for hiking, temples, mountain adventure, etc.) and Indira Tourist Park are there too. After having sealed the deal in Kufri, the bandwagon shifted to Solan. Solan is about a two hours distance (approximately, 60 km) from Kufri by road and an hour and a half from Shimla. Also known as the ‘Mushroom City of India’, Solan is situated on the Kalka-Shimla National Highway-5 and is perched into the Shivalik range of the Himalayas. Ever famous for its ancient temples and monasteries, this too was once a part of Nepal and the Pandavas have been believed to stay here during their exile. Solan is one of the top industrial and pharmaceutical hubs in India with some big companies operating there, with the city also being rich in fruits and vegetables. The Shoolini Temple, on whose name Solan had been formed, is one of the most revered temples in the region with a mega procession annually in June highlighting the faith. Various heritage sites, such as Gothic churches, Yudung monastery, temples, etc. can easily be located. It also houses the ancestral place of Salman Rushdie, thus, it’s definitely a place of vital importance. Lastly, the first leg of the Himachal trip culminated at Shimla, which really needs no introduction. Full of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, churches, and places that define history, the British, and everything that’s Himachali and Indian, Shimla is a place one ought to never miss out on! A full tummy meal at Sher-e-Punjab at the famous Mall Road and a visit to the Christ Church is all you need to get a hang of Shimla. Oh, and not to forget, the finger-biting winter as well all through!