India Unfolded

  Bihar’s Story: from Magadh to Modern Struggles Bihar, a state rich in its culture, language and food,  is located in the eastern part of India surrounded by Nepal in the north, West Bengal in the east, Uttar Pradesh in the west and Jharkhand in the south. The elections are schedu led to be held in Bihar on November 6 and 11 this year, but will they bring any real change to the state’s story of stagnation? Governments have come and gone, promises have been made and forgotten, yet Bihar’s growth remains painfully slow. Despite being home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations and the cradle of ancient learning at Nalanda and Vikramshila, today the state struggles with poverty, unemployment, and migration. The question that looms large is — why does Bihar, despite its rich history and abundant human potential, continue to lag behind? Here in this article, we will explore the challenges that have led to underdevelopment in Bihar and the road ahead.   History Bih...

Combating Air Pollution in Delhi Across North India, air quality is poor throughout the year, but it reaches extreme levels in the post monsoon and winter season, transforming Delhi into a gas chamber with smog choking its skyline and citizens gasping for breath. Delhi consistently ranks as the most polluted capital city in the world, with its Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently crossing hazardous levels. The crisis has grown so severe that the city often records pollution levels nearly ten times higher than the World Health Organization’s prescribed limits. Recently, the government of Delhi has come up with cloud seeding as a temporary solution to combat this crisis. Factors leading to persistent air quality crisis in Delhi Delhi’s air pollution is not a result of single source but a complex interplay of agricultural, industrial, vehicular, and climatic factors. The major factors are:- Air Pollutants 1. Stubble Burning : Every year, after the paddy harvest, farmers in Punjab, Hary...

  India- Afghanistan Ties: Towards a Sustainable Future   India-Afghanistan relations are centuries old, rooted in history, culture and shared struggles. Recently, Afghanistan’s foreign minister’s visit marked by controversy, signaled New Delhi’s rational approach to safeguard strategic interests, security, trade developments and humanitarian commitments. Over the decades, India has emerged as one of Afghanistan’s most reliable development partners, investing in infrastructure, education, healthcare and governance reforms. India’s assistance has focused on people-centric development rather than military developments.   Historical Background Ancient Relations : The relationship between India and Afghanistan dates back to ancient times, marked by trade, culture, and spiritual exchanges along the Silk Route. During the reign of Mauryan Empire (321 B.C.–184 B.C.) under Emperor Ashoka (268 B.C.–232 B.C.), Buddhism spread to Afghanistan while the Kushan Empire linked ...

Israel-Palestine War: from Past to Present   A recent breakthrough was achieved in Israel-Palestine war on Monday under a ceasefire deal, following the release of hostages from both the sides. U.S. President Donald Trump, who helped broker the truce, proclaimed it a new beginning, marking an end to two years of devastating war in Gaza. The conflict between Israel and Palestine revolves around issues like land ownership, refugee rights, Jerusalem’s status and mutual security concerns.  History  The roots of the Israel–Palestine conflict stretch back over a century, to the fall of the Ottoman Empire. The core issue has never been just about land — it’s about the right to self-determination. Timeline:   1897: Jews began the ‘Zionist Movement’ to escape persecution and establish their own state in their ancestral homeland, Israel. Large no. of Jews started settling there after buying land in Palestine. 1917 : Balfour Declaration - the British government supported for es...