When good intentions masquerade as grand success, the truth about deprivation becomes the first casualty.

The Kerala government’s claim to have eradicated extreme poverty deserves applause for its moral ambition — but also scrutiny for its methodological confusion and semantic sleight of hand. What is being celebrated as the world’s second instance, after China, of the complete elimination of extreme poverty, is in fact a rebranding of a welfare rehabilitation drive. The Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP) may have changed lives, but to call it an “eradication of extreme poverty” is a categorical overstatement that weakens the credibility of Kerala’s otherwise impressive social development legacy.

A Statistical Mirage

The first red flag lies in the very arithmetic of the claim. The government asserts that 64,006 “families” — comprising 1,03,099 individuals — have been brought out of extreme poverty. That translates to an average family size of 1.6 — a demographic impossibility in a state whose average household size is 4.5. What the government calls “families” are evidently households, and that error is not just linguistic but analytical.

The mistake is compounded when the project’s architects try to align this number with NITI Aayog’s estimate that 0.73% of Kerala’s population lives in extreme poverty. Even by their own figures, the project covers barely 0.28% of the population — less than half the officially recognised proportion. In effect, Kerala has not eradicated extreme poverty; it has redefined it to fit a politically convenient narrative.

A Redefinition of the Poor

The EPEP’s conceptual problem runs deeper. The programme’s eligibility criteria exclude the poorest households already covered under existing schemes, such as the Antyodaya Anna Yojana — 5.9 lakh ration cardholders deemed “poorest of the poor.” If the policy logic was to “reach those left out of welfare,” this was not extreme poverty eradication but gap-filling in welfare coverage.

In economic terms, EPEP targeted a residual group — the destitute, marginalised, and unregistered poor — rather than the extremely poor in the multidimensional sense defined by the World Bank or NITI Aayog’s MPI framework. What Kerala has effectively achieved is rehabilitation of destitution, not eradication of extreme poverty. A more accurate name for the initiative would be the Rehabilitation Project for the Destitute.

The Global Definition: What Is ‘Extreme Poverty’?

The World Bank’s updated (2022) global threshold for extreme poverty stands at US$2.15 per person per day (2017 PPP), a benchmark intended to capture the bare minimum required for subsistence — access to food, shelter, and basic health. Those living between US$3.65 and US$6.85 are classified as “moderate poor” or “lower-middle-income poor,” depending on regional cost structures. Importantly, the World Bank conceptualises poverty not as a static income threshold but as a multi-dimensional state of deprivation — encompassing education, healthcare, living standards, and social participation.

By this definition, poverty eradication demands longitudinal income data, not administrative enumeration. Kerala’s EPEP, however, measures success through the completion of rehabilitation microplans, not through household income or consumption surveys. The absence of periodic income tracking, asset evaluation, or cross-verification with NSSO consumption data renders the “eradication” claim statistically indefensible.

NITI Aayog’s Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Contrast in Rigor

India’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), launched by NITI Aayog in 2021, is based on the Global MPI methodology developed by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It uses 12 indicators across three dimensions — health, education, and standard of living — each weighted to compute a composite deprivation score.

Households deprived in one-third or more of these indicators are considered multidimensionally poor. In Kerala, only 0.55% of people fall under this category — the lowest in India — reflecting decades of investment in human development.

Yet, the EPEP’s identification method stands in sharp contrast. Instead of using a multidimensional deprivation matrix, it relied on local body nominations and participatory enumeration. Individuals were identified through community meetings, Kudumbashree inputs, and field-level verification — useful for targeting humanitarian relief, but insufficient for measuring poverty in a statistically rigorous way. The EPEP microplans focused on immediate provisioning — housing, ration cards, pensions, and health coverage — without establishing baseline or endline multidimensional indicators. Thus, its success is administrative, not empirical.

In short, NITI Aayog measures poverty through structured deprivation indices; Kerala measures it through the completion of welfare checklists.

The Economics of Confusion

From a development economics standpoint, poverty eradication cannot be verified through administrative enumeration alone. It requires a poverty dynamics analysis — measuring not only who has been lifted above the poverty line, but who stays there sustainably. Kerala’s EPEP lacks such a longitudinal design. Its identification was based on local body surveys and community nomination rather than on household consumption or multidimensional deprivation indices. The programme rightly provided homes, documents, and basic entitlements — but these are inputs, not outcomes. Without income diversification, asset accumulation, or employment stability, beneficiaries remain vulnerable to relapse.

Moreover, the programme’s microplans —immediate, intermediate, and long-term — while laudable in concept, depend heavily on interdepartmental coordination and local capacity. Without institutionalised monitoring, this coordination often decays after the initial political momentum fades. Poverty eradication is not an event; it is a continuous process.

A Political Economy of Virtue

To dismiss EPEP as a mere electoral gimmick would be unfair. The programme’s moral core — extending care to society’s “wasted lives”, as sociologist Zygmunt Bauman termed them — deserves recognition. For thousands of mentally ill, homeless, or abandoned citizens, EPEP has brought a measure of dignity.

But Kerala’s political culture is steeped in the virtue economy of communism — where compassion often doubles as ideology. The narrative of “being the first state to eliminate extreme poverty” serves both a moral and political purpose: reaffirming the Left’s developmental exceptionalism. In this performative frame, criticism becomes heresy, and questioning data becomes “anti-communist propaganda.”

The Missing Poor

One of the gravest shortcomings of EPEP is its tribal blindness. Despite high deprivation among Scheduled Tribes — notably the Paniya, Adiya, and Kattunaikkar communities of Wayanad and Attappady — they constitute only about 5% of the identified beneficiaries. This is not just a data flaw; it is a justice failure.

Kerala’s celebrated decentralisation does not automatically translate to inclusion. When the structures of identification are community-driven but socially embedded, marginal groups often remain invisible within participatory processes dominated by local elites.

The Broader Policy Lesson

Kerala’s experience offers a paradox worth noting. Its claim of zero extreme poverty coincides with the persistence of severe unemployment (particularly among youth and graduates) and growing informalisation of labour. In such a context, declaring the end of extreme poverty without addressing the structural roots of deprivation — employment, asset inequality, and social mobility — amounts to policy triumphalism rather than transformation.

The global community, too, must be cautious in celebrating this model. If every welfare convergence initiative can be christened a “poverty eradication” programme, the moral currency of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 1: No Poverty) will be quickly devalued.

Conclusion: Beyond Semantics

Kerala’s Extreme Poverty Eradication Project is both a triumph and a cautionary tale. It reflects the best of decentralised, humane governance — yet it exposes the perils of overclaiming success. To dignify destitution is noble; to disguise it as eradication is deceptive. True poverty eradication demands empirical humility: rigorous data, independent audits, and a willingness to accept that progress is never total. In development economics, as in life, false victories can be more dangerous than honest failures.

Kerala has taken a commendable step toward a society of care. But to call it an end to extreme poverty is, at best, a moral exaggeration — and, at worst, a policy hoax dressed in the garb of compassion.

The column has been authored by Ms. Hemangi Sinha, Project Head, World Intellectual Foundation, and Pravin Kumar Singh, Senior Project Associate, World Intellectual Foundation.

On 3 November 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts, the Boston Global Forum (BGF) together with its initiative the AI World Society (AIWS) presented the 2025 World Leader for Peace and Security Award to Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, recognising his lifetime of extraordinary contributions to global peace-building, reconciliation, and humanitarian leadership.

The award marks the tenth anniversary of this honour (2015–2025), which celebrates individuals who embody moral courage, visionary governance, and compassion in advancing global peace and ethical progress. Since its inception, past laureates have included the likes of Shinz? Abe (Japan) and Angela Merkel (Germany) in 2015; former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki?moon in 2016; Sauli Niinistö (Finland) in 2018; Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine in 2022; and Emmanuel Macron (France) in 2024.

For India, this moment is especially significant — Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s recognition places the country’s spiritual and humanitarian leadership firmly alongside the world’s most respected statesmen and visionaries. It underscores India’s role as a “Vishwa Guru” on the global stage, affirming how ancient wisdom continues to inform contemporary ethics and governance.

BGF honoured him for his global leadership in peace and reconciliation, his humanitarian impact across 180 + countries, and his moral guidance in the age of artificial intelligence and digital transformation. The Forum described him as a “bridge-builder free from agenda or bias.” His interventions in conflict regions — from Colombia (where his involvement is credited with helping end a 52-year armed conflict between the FARC and the government) to Iraq, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Venezuela, and Kashmir — exemplify his hands-on, compassionate approach.

In his acceptance remarks, Gurudev emphasised the need for embedding spirituality and peace education into global governance:

“Peace cannot come by words; it has to translate into action. We often say ‘peace and security’ in one breath. A lot is done for security, but very little attention is given to peace. Peace-building is essential. A moral and spiritual force is essential to quell the distrust and distress our societies face today. Let us dream of a stress-free, violence-free world — a society where peace, compassion, and creativity flourish.”

Through the Art of Living Foundation, founded in 1981, Gurudev has pioneered practical programmes such as the SKY Breath Meditation (Sudarshan Kriya) that heal trauma, reduce stress, and cultivate emotional resilience — the very foundations for sustainable peace. The Foundation’s work includes mediating peace processes in conflict zones, rehabilitating over 800,000 prisoners through meditation programmes, reviving more than 70 rivers and thousands of water-bodies via environmental projects, and providing free education and nutrition to more than 100,000 under-privileged children across 1,300 schools in India.

In praising him, Governors and co-founders of the BGF, such as Michael Dukakis and Nguyen Anh Tuan noted how his leadership transforms compassion into concrete action, and how his message of mindfulness and responsibility provides the ethical foundation for peace in a digital age.

To mark the tenth year of the Award, the Forum will launch new initiatives, including the “World Leader Spirit Symposium” and the “World Leader Spirit Concert,” with Gurudev serving as a guiding moral voice for interfaith dialogue and ethical leadership in the age of AI. During his recent North America tour, he was honoured by cities such as Vancouver, Seattle and Portland, with official proclamations declaring “Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Day” and large gatherings of community leaders, students and families for shared meditation and reflection.

This award stands as yet another milestone in Gurudev’s remarkable journey — a testament to how inner peace, compassionate action and inter-faith dialogue can bridge divides, even as the world races forward with artificial intelligence and technological transformation.

Today, India and the world will be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Sardar Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India.  Patel, the monumental lawyer, philosopher, scholar, statesman and political leader, universally known as the “Iron Man of India” or “Bismarck of India”, was born on 31 October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat, famous for the iconic Shri Swaminarayan Temple built in 1824.

He passed his Matriculation examination from the Nadiad High School in 1897 at the age of 22. As Patel had neither the money nor the time to spend on a proper legal education in a law college, he opted for a shortcut route to become a District Pleader. Patel stayed away from his family, studying tirelessly on his own with books borrowed from his lawyer friends and attending privately conducted Gokhale law classes.

He passed the District Pleader’s Examination within two years with flying colours. He joined the Bar in 1900 at Godhra and proudly displayed a nameplate reading “Vallabhbhai J Patel, District Pleader, Godhra”. Within an incredibly short time, Patel earned an enviable reputation as a firebrand and skilled lawyer who sent cold shivers down the spines of the police prosecution.

In 1902, Patel shifted to Borsad. When he found a British Sub-Judge holding court without wearing his gown, he declared fearlessly, “As the Hon’ble Judge is not properly dressed, this seems to be no court!” The judge instantly apologised. In another historic case, Patel proved that the liquor inside bottles seized from his bootlegger client had turned into “water”.

Ravji Patel, a freedom fighter and contemporary of Patel, chronicled the rare legal skills of Patel in his Gujarati book Hind na Sardar or India’s Chief. When Patel had saved money to go to England, the envelope containing his passport arrived in the name of “VJ Patel” at his brother Vithalbhai’s residence. As a devout Hindu, Patel bowed down to his brother’s wishes and let him go instead, even financing his brother’s education. Towards the fag end of 1908, Patel’s wife, Jhaverba, was admitted to the Cama Hospital in Mumbai for a major operation. Despite the doctors’ best efforts, she passed away on January 11, 1909.

At the moment of her death, Patel was cross-examining a key witness in court. On being handed the telegram announcing her demise, Patel quietly read it, folded it, put it in his pocket and continued his cross-examination until the witness broke down and Patel won the case.

Such was his unshakeable sense of commitment to his clients and his dedication to the legal process. In July 1910, at the age of 36, Patel sailed for England. Two months after his arrival, he enrolled at the Middle Temple Inn in London, where Mahatma Gandhi had also studied. It was a coincidence that Nehru, younger than Patel by 14 years, joined the Inner Temple Inn in the same year, though they never met.

Patel studied relentlessly for 11 hours every day and passed his Bar-at-Law examinations on June 7, 1912, obtaining a First Class First that earned him the coveted prize of £50. On January 27, 1913, he was called to the Bar in the majestic Middle Temple Hall. Returning to India on February 13, 1913, Patel settled in Ahmedabad and rose to become one of the city’s most sought-after barristers.

According to his biographer, Narhari D Parikh, he exhibited “a thorough mastery of facts, proper and correct estimate of the opponent’s points and line of attack, and a carefully planned defence and attack.”

During 1913-1917, Patel earned a phenomenal monthly income of INR 40,000. In 1915, Patel came into contact with Gandhi at the Gujarat Political Conference in Godhra and became Secretary of the Gujarat Sabha. Patel fought against the draconian veth or “unpaid service” and led relief operations during a plague in famine-struck Kheda. When Gandhi called for a leader for the Kheda Movement, Patel volunteered without hesitation, throwing his lucrative legal career to the wind. Patel threw all his weight behind Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement, recruiting more than 300,000 volunteers and raising over `1.5 million. He publicly burned his English clothes, adopted khadi, and fought against alcoholism, untouchability, and casteism.

Upon the failure of the Round Table Conference in London, Gandhi and Patel were arrested in January 1932 and imprisoned in the Yeravda Central Jail. During their incarceration, Patel and Gandhi grew extremely close, developing an indestructible bond of affection, respect, trust and frankness akin to that between Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Swami Vivekananda.

Patel’s Herculean contribution to the freedom struggle and the unification of India remains unparalleled. In his last Independence Day message, Patel confessed with immense humility, “Looking back at the broad sweep of events since we became free, my predominant feeling is one of thankfulness and relief.”

On December 15, 1950, at 9.37 am, Patel breathed his last after a massive cardiac arrest within the Birla House in Mumbai. Within an hour, Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru paid a moving tribute in Parliament: “He will be remembered as a great captain of our forces in the struggle for freedom and as one who gave us sound advice in times of trouble as well as in moments of victory, as a friend and colleague on whom one could invariably rely, as a tower of strength which revived wavering hearts.”

Patel’s cremation was held at Sonapur (now Marine Lines), where his wife and brother had been cremated earlier. Over one million mourners, including President Dr Rajendra Prasad, Nehru and Governor-General C Rajagopalachari, attended. On December 16, 1950, more than 1,500 officers of India’s civil and police services gathered at Patel’s residence at 1, Aurangzeb Road (now Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road) in Delhi to pay their last respects to their “Patron Saint” and pledged “complete loyalty and unremitting zeal” to the service of India.

When Patel passed away, he left behind only INR 300 in his bank, four sets of clothes, two pairs of slippers, one spectacle case with a broken handle tied with a string, one charkha, one steel trunk, two tiffin boxes and an aluminium lota. Those were his only worldly possessions. Patel is no more in our midst, but like those long-extinguished stars whose fires still give us light, his fragrant memory will remain long and solid in our hearts, minds and souls, and will continue to inspire generations of Indians to come.

The writer is an internationally reputed senior lawyer practising in the Supreme Court of India

In a milestone development for India’s entrepreneurial landscape, IIT Kanpur’s Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology (FIRST) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council For Start-up India (CSI). This collaboration marks a significant step toward accelerating innovation, nurturing start-ups, and strengthening India’s position as a global hub for technology-driven enterprises.

The Council for Start-up India, chaired by Hon’ble Former Chief Justice of India Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, with Padma Vibhushan Dr. R. A. Mashelkar as Co-Chairperson, brings together an exceptional blend of legal wisdom, policy vision, and scientific expertise. This high-level leadership is expected to guide and inspire the framework for fostering a robust start-up ecosystem that can tackle India’s most pressing challenges while creating jobs and driving economic growth.

Through this partnership, FIRST at IIT Kanpur—already renowned for its pioneering work in technology incubation and entrepreneurship—will collaborate closely with CSI to create impactful platforms for innovation. The alliance will focus on nurturing early-stage ventures, facilitating access to mentorship, funding, and cutting-edge research, and promoting policy interventions that benefit start-ups nationwide.

Both institutions share a vision of positioning Indian entrepreneurs at the forefront of global innovation. By leveraging IIT Kanpur’s academic and technological strengths alongside CSI’s leadership and advocacy, the MoU is expected to generate far-reaching outcomes—encouraging bold ideas, accelerating commercialisation of research, and enhancing India’s competitiveness in critical sectors such as deep tech, healthcare, sustainability, and digital transformation.

This landmark partnership reflects India’s collective resolve to empower its start-up community and unlock new opportunities for inclusive growth and national development.

Mumbai, 15 August 2025: MVIRDC World Trade Center (WTC) Mumbai celebrated India's 79th Independence Day with a grand flag-hoisting ceremony hosted by WTC Chairman Dr. Vijay Kalantri.

In his welcoming address, Dr. Vijay Kalantri underscored the significance of Independence Day. He spoke about Viksit Bharat, an empowered, self-reliant, and globally engaged India. “Our growth story is defined not just by self-sufficiency but by our contribution to the global economy,” Dr. Kalantri noted, urging the nation to continue striving toward higher goals.

The ceremony was graced by distinguished chief guests Shri Vishwas Nangare Patil, IPS, Additional Director General of Police, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Maharashtra State, Mumbai, and Adv. Rahul Narwekar, Hon’ble Speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

In his address, Shri Vishwas Nangare Patil emphasized India's unique identity as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic. He called on citizens to honour not only their fundamental rights but also their fundamental duties highlighting the importance of the day. “Viksit Bharat is possible when each individual upholds the spirit of our Constitution and actively contributes to national progress,” he remarked.

Adv. Rahul Narwekar reflected on the significance of India's youth, noting that with an average age of 27, the country is the world’s youngest democratic republic. He praised the nation’s transformation from facing basic manufacturing challenges 79 years ago to today’s thriving, export-driven economy.It is noteworthy that India has emerged as the world's fourth-largest economy under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also lauded Maharashtra's march toward a trillion-dollar economy and India's role as a global provider, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, when India not only met domestic demands but also extended support to the international community.

The presence of senior officials from the consulates of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Panama underscored the importance of international friendship and cooperation fostered by WTC Mumbai. Adv. Rahul Narwekar highlighted WTC’s ongoing efforts to bring together global stakeholders and support India's role as a responsible international partner.

With the flag unfurled and patriotic fervour in the air, the event reaffirmed the commitment of MVIRDC WTC Mumbai to the nation’s spirit of unity and pride.

On August 10th, Ecuador commemorates a defining moment in its history, the day our country began its path toward independence and nationhood. It is a day to honor the values that have shaped Ecuador: freedom, dignity, peace, and the unwavering commitment to international cooperation.

This year, as we mark 56 years of diplomatic relations between Ecuador and India, we celebrate more than a number, we celebrate a relationship that is expanding in depth, vision, and human connection.

It is also, for me, a meaningful moment: I complete one year as Ambassador of Ecuador to India — a country I deeply admire for its cultural richness, its democratic vitality, and its global leadership in innovation, health, and sustainability. Over the past year, I have had the privilege of witnessing the warmth of Indian society and the enormous potential that exists between our two nations.

In recent interviews with Indian media, I have emphasized that Ecuador sees India not only as a strategic partner but as a country with whom we share a profound understanding of the global challenges and opportunities of our time.

“India’s civilizational depth and future-oriented dynamism make it a natural partner for Ecuador. We are working together to create new pathways for trade, education, innovation, and cultural exchange,” I noted in one such conversation.

Ecuador has been actively strengthening its presence in India through expanded trade links, tourism promotion, educational partnerships, and initiatives in technology, food security, pharmaceuticals, and clean energy.

India’s recent and historic decision to open its Embassy in Quito is a turning point in our bilateral relations. It reflects a growing political will to deepen cooperation with Latin America and signals a closer connection with Ecuador in particular.

At the same time, the sixth round of Political Consultations between our two countries, scheduled to take place this year in New Delhi, will serve as an important opportunity to align our shared priorities and open new doors for collaboration.

Under the leadership of President Daniel Noboa, Ecuador is pursuing an agenda of institutional modernization, economic diversification, and international openness. In this context, India is a vital partner especially in sectors such as renewable energy, digital transformation, agriculture, and biotechnology.

Ecuador offers Indian investors real opportunities supported by a dollarized economy, legal predictability, and strategic access to the Pacific and Latin American markets. Investment prospects in agro-industry, infrastructure, mining, and clean energy are increasingly attractive, and we welcome Indian companies seeking to expand their global footprint.

One of our most iconic contributions to the world is Ecuadorian cacao, recognized internationally for its fine aroma and quality. Recent scientific findings place its origin in Ecuador over 5,000 years ago. Through our Trade Office in Mumbai, we are promoting our chocolate as a premium, sustainable product with deep cultural roots, perfectly suited to India’s refined tastes and evolving consumer landscape.

We are also investing in tourism promotion, offering Indian travelers a boutique and transformative destination — from the Galápagos Islands to the Andes Mountains, the Amazon rainforest, and the Pacific coast. Ecuador is a place of biodiversity, heritage, and wellness, and our e-visa system makes the journey smoother and more accessible for Indian visitors.

Beyond trade and tourism, we continue to build lasting ties through education and culture. We are expanding academic mobility, fostering university partnerships, and encouraging collaboration in science, innovation, and the creative industries. These people-to-people connections form the human foundation of our diplomatic engagement.

In this spirit of mutual respect and solidarity, I also wish to express Ecuador’s deep condolences and support for the people of India following the recent terrorist attacks. Ecuador stands firmly with India in condemning all forms of terrorism and reaffirms its commitment to peace, dialogue, and the protection of human life.

As I shared during Ecuador’s National Day celebration in New Delhi:

“Though our countries may be far apart on the map, we are close in spirit, united by a respect for diversity, for nature, and inclusive development. As Ambassador, I am committed to nurturing this relationship with transparency, determination, and warmth.”

This anniversary is more than a diplomatic tradition. It is an opportunity to look ahead to imagine a future of shared progress, cooperation, and goodwill between Ecuador and India. Let us build that future together.

Viva Ecuador! ¡Viva India!
Long live Ecuador–India friendship.

By H.E. Mr. Fernando Xavier Bucheli Vargas, Ambassador of Ecuador to India

What Do Flash Floods Tell Us?

From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the vast, open plains of Texas, regardless of the location, when rain descends with unbridled fury, it ceases to be a source of life and instead becomes an agent of widespread destruction. Flash floods have today become a grim reality for countless people across the globe. While every flood carries its own unique narrative, the discernible increase in their intensity and frequency unmistakably points to climate change as the overarching cause. The recent catastrophic flash flood in Texas is not an issue confined to the United States alone; it serves as a grave warning for the entire world, and India is certainly no exception. Here in our own Himalayas, we also witness the relentless havoc of heavy rainfall and flash floods. In India, the monsoon is an intrinsic part of our natural cycle. Agriculture relies heavily on its bounty, and our land is nourished by its waters. Yet, that very rain sometimes transforms into a destructive force, obliterating entire villages. Despite decades of experience, what has been observed in recent monsoon seasons, particularly in the Himalayas, has been deeply unsettling. Global warming has undeniably intensified these events.

The Hill Country region in Texas is often referred to as 'Flash Flood Alley.' Its distinctive geographical contours, the rocky and clay-like composition of its soil, and the inherent potential for intense downpours – all these factors combine to render flash floods exceptionally hazardous. The recent devastating flood there involved extreme rainfall, inherently unstable ground, and the compounding influence of climate change. In mountainous and rocky terrain, the soil's capacity to absorb water is limited. Consequently, this water flows directly and rapidly into rivers and streams, generating perilous flash floods in an astonishingly short time. In the recent disaster, over 120 individuals lost their lives, and more than 170 remain missing. While floods are not a novel phenomenon in that area, the current floods are unprecedented in their intensity and widespread impact. This collectively points towards a new and alarming 'pattern,' with climate change serving as the undeniable underlying cause.

Historically, warm weather and irregular monsoons or atmospheric rivers have characterized Texas. However, it is now being ravaged by extreme flooding. This clearly indicates that the impacts of climate change are not exclusively confined to the polar regions or the Himalayas; they are being felt with increasing intensity across every continent. While it is certainly incorrect to attribute every single disaster of this kind directly to climate change, it is even more erroneous to deny the undeniable consequences. While every individual storm, flood, or extreme rainfall event cannot be solely blamed on climate change, the scientific evidence conclusively proves that the elevated global average temperatures and increased atmospheric humidity are making these events more intense and unpredictable. Warmer air possesses a greater capacity to hold water vapor (humidity), a principle clearly elucidated by the Clausius-Clapeyron equation. This principle states that for approximately every 1 degree Celsius increase in temperature, the atmosphere can hold about 7 percent more moisture. This heightened humidity leads to a greater accumulation of energy within the atmosphere. When atmospheric conditions become conducive, such as when a mass of cold air collides with warm, moisture-laden air, this stored energy is suddenly released in the form of precipitation. As a result, we experience sudden and exceptionally intense downpours. What might have been a moderate rainfall event under cooler, normal conditions now escalates into extreme precipitation due to rising temperatures. Flash floods, therefore, are a sharp consequence delivered by climate change. As the climatic equilibrium falters, rainfall events that were once considered mild are now transforming into severe catastrophes.

Having personally studied climate patterns, hydro-climate models, and regional precipitation for several years, I can affirm that this is not merely a personal opinion but a reality grounded in robust scientific observations. Climate change does not just cause temperatures to rise; it fundamentally alters the very nature of rainfall itself. This leads to alternating periods of severe dryness and extreme rainfall, and predominantly, an overwhelming sense of unpredictability.

The colossal flash floods in Texas, the record-breaking heat waves sweeping across Europe, and the rampant forest fires devastating vast areas in India and globally are all symptoms of a single, grave crisis: a rapidly warming world. For instance, the escalating warmth of the Gulf of Mexico's waters is rendering storms more intense and destructive than ever before. Conversely, in European nations like Greece, Spain, and France, brutal heat waves are severely impacting public health, and wildfires are becoming increasingly common. These wildfires not only endanger fragile ecosystems but also release enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, further accelerating warming, thereby perpetuating a vicious cycle. We frequently categorize these events as 'natural disasters,' engaging in temporary discussions and provisional repairs. In reality, the situation is far more complex and perilous. Unrestrained urbanization, unsustainable and unbalanced land use, escalating industrial pollution, and uncontrolled greenhouse gas emissions have collectively intensified these events, making them increasingly unpredictable and incomprehensible. This catastrophe is not confined to developed or specific nations. Just a few months ago, on May 28, a dam tragically collapsed in the Mokwa area of Nigeria due to torrential rain, claiming over 700 lives. This starkly illustrates that while the effects of climate change are universally felt, developing countries disproportionately bear the brunt. Despite their minimal contribution to pollution, they often lack the adequate financial resources or technological capabilities to confront these escalating crises. Even a desert nation like the United Arab Emirates, which typically awaits rain for an entire year, is now experiencing sudden, powerful downpours that submerge its roads and cities. Countries with extensive resources like China are also struggling to manage the increasingly complex challenges posed by floods and storms. All these examples unequivocally tell us that climate change is not a problem for the distant future, but a pressing issue of today… right now.

India's own Himalayas and the Western Ghats are not exempt from this escalating threat. The catastrophic Uttarakhand floods in June 2013 served as a stark, historical warning of the mounting dangers in mountainous regions. Triggered by unprecedented, heavy monsoon rainfall and destructive cloudbursts, this horrific event led to widespread flash floods and landslides, tragically claiming thousands of lives and devastating pilgrimage routes and essential infrastructure. This profound disaster within the Himalayan ecosystem was a clear harbinger, demonstrating the immense destruction that can result when intense precipitation combines with geographical instability! The Malin village landslide in the Pune district of the Western Ghats in July 2014, while a decade has passed, remains an indelible memory. Triggered by relentless monsoon rains, this tragedy saw the entire village buried under a mound of earth, claiming many lives. It stands as a vivid example of the perilous risks associated with unstable mountain slopes and intense precipitation. In Himachal Pradesh, the heavy rainfall this month led to numerous instances of flash floods and landslides. Similarly, in May, Northeast India experienced comparable events. This collectively underscores the critical need for more efficient and timely early warning systems today. Scientific bodies like the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) have unequivocally demonstrated that human activities are the primary drivers of climate change. The Paris Agreement represented a collective global commitment to overcome this crisis. The 1.5 degrees Celsius limit set within the Paris Agreement is not merely a scientific figure; it is an incredibly crucial threshold. Beyond it, we risk triggering irreversible environmental changes, more severe and widespread climate-related disasters, and a global climate system that will evolve in an increasingly uncontrolled and unpredictable manner. Yet, unfortunately, leaders continue to disregard this escalating crisis.

The flash floods in Texas and the disasters in the Himalayas are not just stories to evoke fleeting sympathy; they are a robust warning of imminent danger. Villages have been obliterated by flash floods resulting from the bursting of glacial lakes. Torrential floods, raging wildfires, and severe droughts are recurring with alarming frequency and accelerating speed. If we fail to address climate change with the seriousness it demands and in a timely fashion, our future will undoubtedly be fraught with hardship. Our Earth is now approximately 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than it was historically, precisely the limit we aimed to avoid. Today, the urgent need is for concrete action. Acknowledging and actively confronting climate change is no longer a matter of choice, but an absolute necessity. The battle for the future, from Texas to the Himalayas, truly rests in our own hands.

Why India urgently needs an Information Warfare Doctrine?

The latest confrontation along India’s borders reflects that war has a deadly new front – the smartphone. In a recent press note, the government described how even as our forces struck terror bases across the Line of Control (codename Operation SINDOOR), “a fierce information war has been ongoing online.” Pakistan-backed operatives unleashed “a campaign… full of lies and misinformation” aiming to distort facts and inflame public opinion. India countered with “facts, transparency [and] strong digital vigilance” – a defensive, ad hoc rebuttal of tweets, videos, and memes. But that response was reactive, piecemeal and narrowly focused. It showed that in modern conflict, our narratives are as much a battlefield as our borders – and that India has no formal doctrine for fighting this digital threat.

Today, every skirmish, strike or sabotage is swiftly followed by a barrage of propaganda and half-truths. We see it in heated town-hall debates when some influencer’s viral clip twists military success into sectarian hatred. We feel it when students learn that videos they trust on WhatsApp may have been manipulated or altered.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh himself has warned that “unconventional methods like information warfare… space warfare and cyber attacks are posing a big challenge in today’s times”. In March 2025, he reiterated that India’s adversaries “do not always come with traditional weapons; cyber-attacks, misinformation campaigns, and space-based espionage are emerging as new-age threats”. If our Defence Minister says the enemy now uses lies as weapons, why don’t we have a formal rulebook to meet it?

Alarmingly, India’s institutions have mostly scrambled rather than strategised. After a terror attack in J&K, our foreign ministry might brief the press on kinetic retaliation – but the disinformation blitz that followed was handled by a fact-check here, a clarifying tweet there. The government has indeed taken some action: in December 2021 and January 2022, it identified and blocked dozens of Pakistan-backed media outlets and social channels. For example, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry used new IT rules to shut down 35 YouTube channels and two websites run from Pakistan for spreading anti-India “fake news”. These channels – viewed by hundreds of millions – had churned out lies about our Army, Kashmir and even elections, stoking communal discord. Intelligence agencies flagged these networks as part of a coordinated campaign to “divide India on the lines of religion” and inspire violence. Cracking down on that network was necessary, but it also highlights a grim fact: we were playing whack-a-mole with one enemy, and the mole keeps popping up. Worse, the threat is evolving.

Consider the rise of deepfakes. Bad actors now have tools to create startlingly realistic fake videos of anyone, public figures and private citizens alike. Parliament has taken notice. In July 2023, the government replied that it was “cognizant of the risks” posed by AI-generated deepfakes. The answer pointed to sections of the IT Act that criminalise online impersonation and to rules forcing platforms to remove offending content within 24 hours of a complaint. Yet these legal weapons are blunt. They address symptoms (a viral post here, an insulting tweet there) but not the disease. They leave us fighting fires instead of drafting a comprehensive fire suppression plan. India cannot afford to remain so reactive. Other powers long ago wove information warfare into their military planning. China’s doctrine openly prioritises “Three Warfares” – psychological, media and legal warfare – as part of its military strategy. Even in the US, the Pentagon has information operations manuals and cyber doctrines to align the whole government’s response.

India has none of that publicly. We have committees (as far back as 2008, the Integrated Defence Staff noted the need for working groups on “communications and information warfare”), and we have individual agencies on cybersecurity. But we lack a coherent Information Warfare Doctrine – an umbrella strategy to defend and, if needed, strike back in the battle of narratives. This gap is dangerous. We face a hybrid threat environment every day: drones buzzing borders and Russian TV-style spin on our newsfeeds are parts of the same campaign.

Our Defence Minister warned only a few months ago that hybrid and grey-zone tactics are growing challenges for our military. Yet civilians and soldiers alike have received scant guidance on this front. Schools do not teach media literacy at scale. Security forces train to shoot down drones, but who trains them to shoot down a viral tweet?

The Finance Ministry took down some fake economic news websites, and the Election Commission flagged manipulated images during elections, but all these splinter efforts raise the question: who is the field general for India’s information war? A formal doctrine would force us to answer that. It would say where the responsibilities lie – what role for the military, for the intelligence agencies, for the foreign office, for social media companies – and how to coordinate among them. It would outline defensive steps (building hardened communications, digital verification labs, cyber-intelligence units) alongside offensive steps (psychological operations, strategic messaging cells, legal pushes against hostile propaganda outlets).

Already, we see signs that some ammunition exists: the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) has empowered fact-check units and transparency rules, and courts have upheld takedowns of divisive content. But a doctrine could connect those tools to our national interest. It could say: “When foreign trolls try to disrupt an Indian election, we respond with our clarion of truth – and we have a playbook to do it fast and decisively.” The need is urgent. Falsehoods can travel across the internet in seconds, mobilising mobs, scaring markets or undermining morale before truth is even cobbled.

In India’s last few crises, governments have been caught flat-footed by viral misinformation, scrambling to correct the record. By contrast, our armed forces practise intricate war games for physical battles, but few drills exist for information warfare. As Rajnath Singh warned in Mhow, we face an era where “frontier technologies” and unconventional threats demand new readiness. Only a doctrine can ensure we don’t stay perpetually one step behind the enemy in the new fighting domain. India has finally awakened to the cyber threat; now it must do the same for information as a weapon.

A comprehensive doctrine, backed by political will, would be a clarion call: that the age of online scoundrels and deepfake disinfo has a match in Indian resolve. Otherwise, we risk letting malicious narratives and foreign trolls erode national unity and security. In the 21st century, a false tweet can spark violence as surely as a bullet. It is time India named its adversary, drew its battle lines in cyberspace, and fought back with purpose and policy.  

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Living in a world metastasized by emojis and short-form communications, the soft power of manners is a timeless and potent arsenal for evolution that has been conveniently misunderstood as ineffective. Words have always been the foremost form of expression that impacts human beings on a day-to-day basis. Some of the most impactful words that not only impact others but also bring a sense of calm and peace within are 'SORRY', 'PLEASE', and 'THANK YOU'. Often underestimated, these three powerful words, when used consciously on a day-to-day basis, can change the trajectory of any potentially cumbersome situation towards a peaceful space. When we carry these words, we reflect grace, empathy and human connection. Often overlooked, these simple words carry the seed of something mighty, capable of growing swiftly into a tree that grounds, connects, and nourishes human relationships.

SORRY - It is not just confined to the admission of fault. It is an acknowledgment of contribution in hurting someone intentionally or intentionally defining care. A simple 'sorry' can melt walls, soften anger, and pave the way for dialogue that can open doors to forgiveness. Unfortunately, in today’s time sorry is viewed as a bruise on ego, but in reality, it is an act of courage. What’s important is to realize that a “sorry” without sincerity is like a bridge with no foundation that collapses under the weight of expectation. It’s not about saying the word, but meaning it.

PLEASE - A minimal and soft word in form, yet vast in meaning. It carries no force, yet its influence often reaches further than any command. In moments where power could easily overshadow kindness, this soft syllable restores balance with elegance, whether spoken to a child, a waiter, or a stranger. It is a quiet act of respect that conveys, ‘I honour your effort.’ In an environment that rushes to demand, ‘please is the pause that invites connection because true power isn’t in demanding, it lies in asking with grace.

THANK YOU - A gentle bow of gratitude. A way of expressing I care, I value, I appreciate. A simple thank you is humble enough to fill in the gap between the rich and the poor. An eight-letter word with the power to make someone feel respected and seen. Whether it’s the domestic help working tirelessly in your home, the vegetable vendor under the scorching sun, or the auto-rickshaw driver navigating busy streets. A simple, sincere “thank you” can brighten their day. It’s more than courtesy; it’s an act of recognition. It tells them, “I see you, I value your effort, and I respect your work. Try it and watch the magic unfold.

In today’s era, strength is glamorised as noise, loud equals confidence, pushy is defined as powerful and quiet is referred to as weak. But that is the biggest myth. True strength manifests in calmness, composure, connectedness, and it shows in the courage to say SORRY, humility to say PLEASE, and the sagacity to say THANK YOU. Sometimes, it’s not grand gestures but small, sincere words that transform a life and remind us how powerful kindness can truly be.

AUTHOR’S QUOTE :
Sorry, Please and Thank you - Three sacred words so small, yet soul’s true song, when spoken with truth, heal the heart and right the wrong!

Kamiya Arora
( Author and highly celebrated Dj of India )