India

TLDR - Summary: Analyzing recent market changes and reshaping industries and the human factors involved in it presents an economic complexity that goes beyond textbook theories. Competitive advantages are temporary - What seems permanent (like India’s IT dominance) can shift rapidly Monetary policy is as much psychology as economics - Expectations often matter more than fundamentals Perfect systems don’t exist - All economic frameworks involve trade-offs Money is a tool, not wealth - The goal should be facilitating productive exchange, not monetary purity Human behavior drives economic outcomes - Any system that ignores human psychology is doomed to fail The Great Outsourcing Shift: How Federal Reserve Policy is Reshaping Global Tech Markets Southeast Asia is emerging as the new frontier for IT outsourcing, with Vietnam and the Philippines positioning themselves as serious competitors to India’s long-standing dominance in the global services economy.

TLDR – Summary: There’s something peculiar about Indian history that most people don’t realize—until very late in the game, Indians simply never bothered chronicling their own story. Not in the way we think of history, anyway. While civilizations around the world were busy recording kings, battles, and political events, ancient India was doing something entirely different. Or perhaps more accurately, it was deliberately not doing what everyone else was doing.

TLDR – Summary: India’s secular democracy is critiqued for suppressing Hindu interests and fostering division, with historical evidence and intellectual arguments supporting a shift to a Dharmic governance model that prioritizes duty, justice, and cultural continuity while addressing concerns about majoritarianism. The Mirage of Secular Democracy in India: A Case for a Dharmic Renaissance India’s secular-democratic framework, enshrined in its Constitution since 1950, is often celebrated as a triumph of unity in diversity.

TLDR – Summary: Based on Joe Studwell’s How Asia Works, this article argues India skipped the “land → manufacturing → finance” formula that drove East Asian growth. East Asian model: Land reform boosted small-farm output, state-led export manufacturing forced global competition, and financial control funneled capital into industry. India’s detour: Post-1991 liberalization built an IT/BPO powerhouse (<1% workforce) instead of a broad manufacturing base (~14% vs. 30% in East Asia).

TLDR - Summary: Deep understanding isn’t always the best study strategy—especially when you have massive, structured, or dull material to tackle (like exam prep). Instead, using smart memorization techniques and repetitive practice can help you quickly grasp key facts and patterns, saving time and mental energy. Think of it like the Fabian strategy in military history: avoid exhaustive, head-on battles (deep diving into every detail) in favor of a more efficient, balanced approach that starts with memorization and later deepens understanding.

TLDR - Summary: Systemic Failures: Recent incidents at KIIT University and Carmel School, Dhanbad reveal deep flaws in student welfare oversight in Indian educational institutions. Inadequate Oversight: Bodies like NAAC, NIRF, AICTE, CBSE, and ICSE focus on ratings and guidelines, failing to enforce direct accountability. Need for Reform: Proposes the creation of direct complaint portals and independent local regulatory cells to ensure swift, impartial redressal. Empowered Student Representation: Emphasizes establishing truly independent student bodies to advocate for student rights and coordinate effective responses.

TLDR - Summary: This article explores how India’s self-image and global perception are heavily influenced by both internal critics and Western media narratives. Unlike other Asian nations that maintain more control over their narratives, India’s widespread use of English and vocal internal critics often leads to disproportionate amplification of its problems on the global stage. While acknowledging issues is important, the constant negative self-criticism by some Indians seeking Western validation, combined with biased Western media coverage, creates a skewed perception that undermines national confidence.

TLDR - Summary: Society could improve by encouraging honest self-interest rather than unrealistic ideals of universal morality. Many genuinely follow altruistic values, often at their own expense, while others openly prioritize their interests—leading to frustration and betrayal. When everyone is upfront about their goals, interactions could become more transparent and mutually beneficial. Cohesive minority groups already thrive by openly advocating for their own interests, while the fragmented majority often falls short due to misplaced guilt-driven values.

TLDR - Summary: This post recounts my unusual train journey from Howrah to Bhubaneswar. It details an encounter with a peculiar co-passenger, a woman who seemed lost and was possibly a victim of human trafficking. This post describes the woman’s interactions with the Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) and reflects on the broader issues of job migration and human trafficking in India. Conclusion The story concludes without a resolution, as I disembark at Bhubaneswar (BBS) and don’t learn the fate of the woman or whether the TTE’s suspicions were confirmed.

TLDR - Summary: The post emphasizes that while CGPA alone cannot secure a job, it is crucial as the first step in the recruitment process. In many universities, recruiters use CGPA to shortlist candidates, often setting cut-offs higher than the officially stated minimums. Therefore, maintaining a high CGPA is important to advance in the selection process. Students should aim for a CGPA higher than the common average in their college to stay competitive.