SandWriting

  The global economy is in the midst of transformation, driven by technology, geopolitical shifts, and a reconfiguration of financial power. One of the most intriguing developments is BRICS Pay, a digital payment platform and economic strategy introduced by the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The recent meeting of BRICS plus nations at Kazan in Russia has unveiled the new initiative to de-dolarize the world economy.  With its potential to reshape the way international payments are processed, BRICS Pay could reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar and shift the dynamics of global trade. In this blog, we’ll explore what BRICS Pay is, how it works, and its possible impacts on the global economy What is BRICS Pay? BRICS Pay is an initiative designed to create a unified payment system that enables seamless transactions among BRICS member countries. The platform aims to bypass traditional financial networks like SWIFT and the reliance on the U.S. dollar as a...

E very year on October 24, the world observes United Nations Day, marking the anniversary of the UN Charter’s entry into force in 1945. The day celebrates the ideals of peace, security, and cooperation that the UN was created to promote. Yet in today’s world, with ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, this day also prompts reflection on the UN’s relevance and the pressing need for reform. The UN's Role and Failures in Ukraine and Gaza The United Nations was founded in the aftermath of World War II with the aim of preventing future conflicts and fostering international cooperation. However, its effectiveness has often been questioned, particularly in the wake of prolonged crises like the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. In Ukraine, despite numerous diplomatic efforts, sanctions, and resolutions, the conflict rages on, with devastating humanitarian consequences. Similarly, in Gaza, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has escalated into cycles of vi...

The stars shine the brightest at the darkest hour of midnight. When the people of West Bengal are explicitly expressing their anger and annoyance over the R.G Kar incident, the safety and security of women in the state has become the burning issue at the moment. At that moment some  5000 women of West Bengal have earned the reputation for the state in the global level, Sundarini Dairy Cooperative of West Bengal earned international recognition from the International dairy Federation in Paris. The cooperative has been conferred 'Dairy Innovation award' by the International Dairy Federation last week. Out of 153 dairy organisations across the world that applied for the award, Sundarini has been selected as the best. Since 1903 IDF is a recognised international authority that contributes to the development of science based standards for the dairy sector.  Nestled in the remote regions of Sundarban, the Sundarini Dairy Cooperative is a remarkable example of how local efforts can c...

 The recent SCO summit in Pakistan found some warmer moments during the informal exchanges between India and Pakistan. In the present global context it is quite imperative for the two nations to engage into diplomatic interactions. And whenever the two countries found themselves into a diplomatic deadlocks  only the sports have the potential to heal the bitterness between the two countries.In the complex geopolitical relationship between India and Pakistan cricket has often helped bridge the distance between the two countries. The common thread that can stitch the tattered relationship between the two rivals is the game of  cricket. The sport is widely played  and is also considered another form of  religion in the Indian sub-continent. It is learnt from the newspaper report that this time also cricket has appeared on the table. During the discussion between Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers- S. Jaishankar and Ishaq Dar- Pakistani interior minister Mohsin N...

  The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has emerged as one of the most significant multilateral platforms in Eurasia, facilitating political, economic, and security collaboration across member states. Founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the SCO's core mandate focuses on regional security, counter-terrorism, and fostering economic cooperation. In 2017, India and Pakistan joined as full members, marking a new chapter in the organization's evolution. For India, joining the SCO has both strategic advantages and challenges. While the SCO offers a platform for engagement with regional powers, it also presents certain concerns, particularly due to the presence of China and Pakistan, two nations with which India shares complex and contentious relations. Let us explore India's engagement with the SCO and the key concerns that shape its approach. India’s Strategic Interests in the SCO India's decision to join the SCO was pri...

  Columbus Day is more than just a day off from work for many Americans. It's a time to reflect on history, explore cultural roots, and consider mixed feelings about the man behind the holiday. So, what’s the real story behind Columbus Day, and why does it spark such diverse opinions? Let's break it down. Who Was Christopher Columbus? Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492. He aimed to discover a new route to Asia but ended up landing in the Bahamas. Columbus made four voyages and is often credited with opening up the Americas to European colonization. This may sound like a success story, but there’s more to the tale. The Dark Side of Discovery Many people celebrate Columbus for his voyages, but his arrival also marked the beginning of suffering for Indigenous peoples. Once Columbus arrived, he and his men started taking land and resources from Native Americans. They brought diseases that decimated populations and sought to ens...

Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis (1818-1865) was called a maniac in his time for his obsession of washing hands.Though he was revered as the 'Saviour of Mothers' for his role in saving the lives of mothers from bacterial infection of the reproductive tract following birth of a child, he was mocked for his proposal of washing hands with chlorinated lime solution at Vienna General Hospital's First Obstetrical Clinics. Through his endeavour the maternal mortality rate dropped from 18% to 2%. As he could not offer any scientific explanation for his findings other doctors and scientists mocked him for this practice. It was until Louis Pasteur came up with his germ theory to prove his point, he was forgotten. Many years later the contribution of Ignaz Semmelweis came into discussion when the whole world was tattering during the pandemic of COVID-19. Everyone became aware of hand hygiene. On the occassion of Global Handwashing day it is important to revive the memory. Every ye...

Once the famous Brazilian educator and philosopher Paulo Freire said,"The world is split between those who do not sleep because they are hungry and those who do not sleep because they are afraid of those who are hungry." So there is indeed a dire need to bridge the split. The only bridge that can be effectively built is that of food security. The goal of sustainable development can be achieved only by ensuring food for every people in the world. The prerequisite to this achievement needs a comprehensive measurement of hunger. The Global Hunger Index attempts to measure the state of hunger and express it in numerical form of data. The Global Hunger Index attempts to measure and track hunger globally as well as by region and country.  What is GHI? The Index was first published in 2006 by the US based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and German based Welthungrhilfe. Later in 2007 an Irish NGO Concern Worldwide also became a co-publisher. In 2018 the IFPRI wit...

 Festivals are meant for celebration of life.The loud roar of the crowd, the vibrant energy in the air and the exhilarating  rush of excitement- this is the very common phenomenon of a festival, People in large number gather together in a shared celebration of religion, culture and tradition. India is globally known for its festivals. The Hindus celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja, Diwali, Holi and various other festivals whereas the Muslims celebrate Id, Muharram , the Christians celebrate Good Friday or Christmas with equal enthusiasm. People across the country participate in them. But in the middle of the joy and celebration there lies a deep concern that lurks amidst the congregation of people in large number- that is the peril of stampede.  Last year Maha Navami was on October 23. On that day thousands gathered to celebrate and worship Maa Durga in a puja pandal in Gopalganj district of Bihar. But as the crowd went out of control an unfortunate incident of stamped...

  At a time when the every nook and corner of the country is ready to gear up its festivities suddenly news channels flashed the news that at the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai veteran industrialist Ratan Tata breathed his last at the age of 86. His family members said in a statement, “It is with deep sorrowthat we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Ratan.” Suddenly the mood of the nation changed to somberness. Everyone felt dejected as the nation lost its Ratan, the jewel. Now, who was Ratan Naval Tata? Why is he valued so much across the nation? The answer is intricate as well as multifaceted. Ratan Tata started his career in The Tata Group in 1961 managing operations on the shop floor of Tata steel. Thirty years later   taking over the chairmanship from his uncle legendary J.R.D Tata,  he became the chairman of the group. Following the economic liberalization of India the Tata group as well as the nation required not only a businessperson but also a visionar...