De-sign: designs for anonymous social/public good

I recently realised a paradox in our thinking about designing frugal solutions for contemporary problems. I share it here  to reflect and get feedback. There has been a long tradition in our country and many other societies of artists, designers, architects not signing their creations. Unlike the European  tradition, where every creation is signed and … Continue reading →

Birds, bridges and beautiful memoryscapes: Shodhaytra in Tripura-II

For a long stretch, while walking in Gandachar region, Dahloi district of the state, we did not hear the songs of the bird nor did we see them flying. Later we discovered that they used to make clay balls, dry them and by aiming at birds with a sling, kill and eat them. Was it … Continue reading →

Why vaccinate against excellence: will Mandarins introspect ?

Educational institutions are the primary instruments of formatting mind and fomenting turbulence for social change.  When we deliberately try to vaccinate such institutions against excellence, and sometimes even relevance, the task of change agents becomes so much more difficult.  The efforts for such vaccination have been going on for decades.  If despite that India has … Continue reading →

In the land of Chakhmas: colours , creativity and conservation

“Will you tell us what medicine you will use for cancer?” when asked, Anant Kumar Chakhma replied, “How can I can your question? Unless I see the symptoms cannot prescribe the medicine, there are different kinds of cancer.” Seldom have we come across traditional healers who are so précis in their pedagogy and have their … Continue reading →

The genius on the shopfloor

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PM’s visit to China: beginning of an Asian century

It is very fortuitous for Indian PM to visit china so soon after the visit of the President of China to India. I am a great supporter of Indian non alignment policy and believe that Indian friendship with China need not be at the cost of its relations with USA and Russia. In fact, Indian … Continue reading →

Lessening the pain of Earthquake affected communities

The number of people dead or affected by earthquake in Nepal has been increasing every day. It seems 10-15 thousand people might have lost their lives; ten to twenty times more have been hurt and traumatized.  There are obviously a lot of mistakes which have been committed in preparing for the disaster in one of … Continue reading →