Theels are the unique feature of The ArmChair Journal. Here, matters of political philosophy that are embedded in an engagement with reality are published.
Pandemics in their occurrence leave behind harsh rudiments of truth. When the world debated on what was more injurious to international security, whether it was nuclear weapons, another world war, the gruesome oil-chase, or the disputes in the deep seas or in the invading borders; what one didn’t realize, is that major crises, do not…
[responsivevoice_button voice=”Hindi Male” buttontext=”Let’s listen to this Theel”] On the twenty-sixth day of January in 1950, India, that is Bharat, became a republic. It was on this day, we, the people of India, adopted our constitution. At that time, the world laughed at us for adopting the path of democratic-republic as a way forward for…
According to the book of Purana, Hiranyakashyap, the king of daitya-s (demons), had desired a boon from the Lord Brahma, the Creator, that he be immortal. The Lord, although pleased with his penance, said, “I cannot grant that boon!” The crafty, intelligent, supremely powerful Hiranyakashyap noted, “In that case, grant me a boon that I can be killed by no one…
As I sit alone in my room drafting this article, several thoughts cross my mind. The one I would like to make explicit at the very outset is this: I am writing this for people like me because I am sure I am not the only one. I am not the only one who feels…
For those who either have parents who were born in the 1960s and 1970s (Gen X), we know that life hasn’t been kind for them living in India. A time before the LPG reforms where opportunities were scarce and misery aplenty. Gen Xs bore the social expectations to take care of their older parents and…
Death is an intriguing idea. It is a metaphysical space of comfort to escape from the boredom and meaninglessness of daily life. When we are alive, a feeling of helplessness and death is among the secret moments of desire. As long as it is metaphysical, it appears desirable as it offers a space to loathe…
In the discourse about the status quo and the zeitgeist of the modern times, it is evident that the emphasis is majorly on the building and sustenance of financial capital. The World Bank’s The Changing Wealth of Nations 2018 report shows that the global wealth grew an estimated 66 percent ($690 trillion to $1143 trillion) from 1995 to 2014…
“The best argument against Democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” Winston Churchill If someone asks you, “What do you understand by the word democracy?” what will you answer? Most of us answer, saying, “Why? I have the power to vote in my country, and that is my democratic right.” Well, my question…
Everyone’s favorite career advice to give and to listen to is ‘follow your passion’. No matter how charming it may sound, it’s not easy to follow and even harder if your passion is not anything related to STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). What to do if, in this world obsessed by STEM, you like studying…
(This article on education received a book prize as part of the Republic Day OpEd contest organised by The ArmChair Journal) On 28th November of 2019, while surfing Facebook, I came across a picture of a burnt body. Not painted but photographed. A burnt, blackened human body. With the photograph of the body, was a…
The recent protests related to CAA claiming lives in the national capital have reminded people of horrific times like the 1984 Sikh riots. I was not born at the time of sikh riots, nor am I witness to the Delhi riots. All I know about it is through social media. In this context, the following…
1. In the ingenious Malayalam movie, Kilukam, there is a dialogue that Mohanlal delivers, which is way too delicious. “Aval paranju…goodbye ennu paranju. Valare aduthupoyavarkum bandhathinte aazham nokaade evidevechum eppozhum kaikondu ingane oru goshti kanichu yaatra chodikanula oru vaakaanalo, goodbye…” Translation (the best I could do, but it is so pure in Malayalam): “She told…
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