Old Monks

  Ramalinga Swamigal Popularly known as Vallalar, Ramalinga Swamigal or Ramalinga Adigal (1823–1874), was born in Marudhur, a village near Chidambaram. After his father’s death, his family moved to his brother’s house in Chennai. Despite having no formal education gained immense scholarship. Ramalinga emphasised the bonds of responsibility and compassion between living beings. He expressed the view that ‘those who lack compassion for suffering beings are hard-hearted, their wisdom clouded’.  He showed his compassion and mercy on all living beings, including plants. This he called jeevakarunya. He established the Samarasa Vedha Sanmarga Sangam in 1865, and it was renamed “Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga Satya Sanga”, which means “Society for Pure Truth in Universal Selfhood”. Ramalinga also established a free feeding house for everyone irrespective of caste, at Vadalur (1867), in the wake of a terrible famine in South India in 1866. His voluminous songs were compiled and published und...

  I. Introduction: Defining India and Collective Security Collective security, traditionally defined as a cooperative arrangement where the security of a nation is the concern of all, is a fundamental pillar of modern international relations. For India, a country deeply rooted in the principles of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), this concept has always been interpreted through the lens of strategic autonomy rather than rigid military agreements. Historically wary of Cold War-era alliances, India’s foreign policy has prioritized independent decision-making. However, the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape of the early 21st century – particularly the shift in the global centre of gravity towards the Asia-Pacific region – has necessitated a robust reassessment of how India contributes to and benefits from collective security structures. Today, India’s participation is characterized by selective multilateralism and a focus on maintaining regional balance through non-exclusive security ...

 India stands at a turning point. Once seen as a land of ancient wisdom and endless challenges, it is now pushing for a seat at the world’s top table. This transformation is coming from bold moves in economics, technology and global discourse. Imagine a grand upsurge – India’s path to global leadership blends old strengths with new projects. We see it in the growing number of trade deals and space conquests. But what is driving this upsurge? Let’s take a step-by-step look at it here. Economic transformation: An engine of global influence: India’s economy is laying the groundwork for its bigger goals. It is growing rapidly and is drawing attention from around the world. In 2023, India’s GDP reached about $3.7 trillion, making it the fifth largest. Experts predict that it will soon surpass Japan and reach third place. This upsurge relies on smart policies and a large workforce. Without this strong foundation, talk of leadership remains mere rhetoric. Scaling the economic ladder: GDP ...