Voting begins at 7:00am for the 1at phase of West Bengal elections with 1478 candidates contesting across 152 constituencies. The remaining 142 constituencies go to polls in the 2nd phase on April 29th @TheWeekLive
The #ceasefire (US-Iran) announcement marks a pause, but more importantly, it reveals where each actor now stands.
The United States has stepped back from the brink it created. A deadline backed by threats of overwhelming force has given way to a conditional pause built around negotiations. That signals not strength alone, but recognition of limits: military objectives may have been met, but political end states remain elusive.
Israel, for its part, finds itself in a more ambiguous position. Having driven escalation, it is now tethered to a process it does not fully control. Its objectives, particularly around regime change or long-term degradation of Iran, sit uneasily with a negotiation track shaped elsewhere.
Iran emerges with a measure of strategic resilience. It has absorbed strikes, retaliated, and then shifted the frame from ceasefire to conditions for a broader settlement: sanctions relief, security guarantees, and regional de-escalation.
In doing so, it has moved from target to negotiating actor without conceding core positions.
Pakistan’s role has unfolded not as architect, but as conduit and catalyst. It has provided the channel through which messages travelled, deadlines were softened, and a narrow diplomatic opening created. That is not mediation in the classic sense, but it cannot be dismissed with stray witticisms either.
What we are witnessing is not resolution of conflict , but repositioning.
The war has not ended. It has entered a different phase, where coercion and negotiation now proceed together.
For India, the implication is clear.
Do not read this as de-escalation alone. Read it as a system under strain, where outcomes are still fluid.
India should state its position with clarity:
support de-escalation, safeguard maritime flows, and resist alignment with any one narrative of this conflict.
This is not a moment for silence.
It is a moment for calibrated voice.
#WestAsia
#IranUSConflict
#MiddleEastCrisis
#StrategicAutonomy
#IndiaForeignPolicy
#Hormuz
#MaritimeSecurity
The Indian republic—as enshrined in the Indian constitution—is one of humanity’s most impressive creations of the 20th century. Happy Republic Day to India.
Lovely piece by @PavanK_Varma: “Alas, Indian political leaders today revel in the fact that they do nothing but work 24/7, take no holidays, and have no other interests.Yet, the mind that is never refreshed soon grows stale; the imagination that is never replenished soon becomes mechanical.” Couldn’t applaud more loudly. My escape is into writing, but I bow in respect to Raja Bhoja (1010-1055 CE), “the great Malwa ruler”, Pavan tell us, who “wrote 84 books on subjects ranging from lexicography to poetics.” And he died at 45!
https://t.co/7ixBNrTv9R
We are proud of Prof Madhavi Latha & her team's contribution to the #ChenabBridge inaugurated by Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi🎉
The team worked on stability of slopes, design & construction of foundations, design of slope stabilisation systems incl. rock anchors to withstand hazards.
I practice Transcendental Meditation and believe that it has enhanced my open-mindedness, higher-level perspective, equanimity, and creativity. It helps slow things down so that I can act calmly even in the face of chaos, just like a ninja in a street fight. I'm not saying that you have to meditate in order to develop this perspective; I'm just passing along that it has helped me and many other people and I recommend that you seriously consider exploring it. #principleoftheday #WorldMeditationDay
The story of Jadav Payeng, the man who planted one tree every day for 37 years on Majuli Island, Assam Indiam🇮🇳.
He has now created a forest and wildlife reserve twice the size of Central Park in New York.
It was a pleasure engaging with the Netherlands Semiconductor delegation, led by the Consul-General for South India, Mr. Ewout de Wit. The discussions were insightful, highlighting the immense potential for collaboration between India and the Netherlands in the semiconductor ecosystem.
Excited about the opportunities ahead to work closely with Dutch universities and companies, particularly in areas such as advanced skill development, VLSI design, facilitating soft landings for startups and enabling market access programs. Strengthening these partnerships will not only drive innovation but also open new avenues for growth and technological excellence.
While in Kolkata, India, working on The 4-Hour Chef, I stayed at the iconic Oberoi Grand.
The concierge explained to me the hotel��s hiring philosophy: “You can’t bend mature bamboo. But if you get it as a young shoot, you can bend it, mold it. We hire them between the ages of 18 and 21 so we can mold them.”
The concierge was one of only 15 double golden key (Clef d’Or) concierges in India, and he knew that sometimes having no experience is a huge advantage.
Age doesn’t matter; an open mind does.
“Our problems are manmade--therefore, they can be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings. Man's reason and spirit have often solved the seemingly unsolvable--and we believe they can do it again.”
President JFK’s speech on peace, five decades ago, is more relevant now than ever before. #JFK #Peace
https://t.co/dQXnyUYzOk
Rooting for the success of #Gelephu, Bhutan – a place where the philosophy of Gross National Happiness will truly comes alive, showcasing a beautiful synthesis of culture, nature, and economic progress. A must watch feature on @60Minutes@PMBhutan@BjarkeIngels https://t.co/DEmeBbVhSI