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The Last Mughal: The Fall of a Dynasty: Delhi, 1857

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Reflecting on the conclusion of enduring dynasties, a profound melancholy washes over me. It's a poignant reminder of the timeless Sanskrit adage, "Time devours all," resonating through 5000 years of human existence. The slow decline of civilizations like the Greek and Roman empires serves as a stark testament to the relentless passage of time. The aftermath of World War I witnessed the demise of formidable powers like the Hapsburg and Ottoman empires, succumbing to military defeat. The tragic fate of the last Romanov Czar in Russia, facing execution, stands as a poignant chapter in this narrative. Similarly, the decline of the Mogul Empire, established by Babur in 1526, marks the end of a 350-year-old dynasty, adding another layer to this saga of history's inevitable march.    Bahadur Shah Zafar captures the emotion of deep despair, depression, and worthlessness of the last emperor of the great Mughal. Na kisi ki aankh ka noor hoon, na kisi ke dil ka qaraar hoon Jo k

Look again

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  The neuroscience professor Tali Sharot and Harvard law professor (and presidential advisor) Cass R. Sunstein investigate why we stop noticing both the great and not-so-great things around us and how to “dishabituate” at the office, in the bedroom, at the store, on social media, and in the voting booth. The book  "Look Again: How We Habituate to Everything, All the Time" discusses the concept of habituation, which is the process by which people and animals become accustomed to stimuli that repeat, leading to a decrease in response. The book explores how habituation impacts various aspects of life, including happiness, relationships, work, and creativity. It offers strategies for overcoming habituation to maintain a sense of wonder and appreciation for both positive and negative experiences. References Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBdI0R8S0FE

Oath and Honor

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  After the November 2020 elections, President Trump made several high-profile firings and personnel changes, particularly in positions related to national security and election security. Notable individuals who were fired include: Mark Esper , Secretary of Defense - Fired on November 9, 2020. Esper's dismissal raised concerns due to the crucial role of the Pentagon during the transition period between administrations, which is a time of potential vulnerability for the United States . Chris Krebs , Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at the Department of Homeland Security - Krebs was fired after he countered President Trump’s claims about election fraud, asserting that the 2020 election was secure and that there was no evidence of voting systems being compromised. His firing was announced via a tweet from President Trump . These firings were part of a broader pattern of replacing key officials with loyalists, which heightened concerns about the stabilit

Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present

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  Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present   Fareed  Zakaria Synopsis  Fareed Zakaria's book *Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present* delves into the transformative periods of history, emphasizing the shifts in political, technological, and economic landscapes. The book is divided into two main parts: 1. **Revolutions Past:** This section explores historical revolutions, beginning with the First Liberal Revolution in the Netherlands, moving through England's Glorious Revolution, France's Failed Revolution, the Industrial Revolution in Britain, and the American Revolution's industrial impact. 2. **Revolutions Present:** This part addresses contemporary global trends, such as the extreme pace of globalization, the unbound nature of technology, the resurgence of identity-based tribalism, and geopolitical shifts. Zakaria argues that the essence of politics, a constant struggle for power, hasn't changed much over cent

The Nine Lives of Pakistan: Dispatches from a Divided Nation

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  The Nine Lives of Pakistan: Dispatches from a Divided Nation Declan Walsh    The New York Times foreign correspondent Declan Walsh. Walsh received the Overseas Press Club of America Cornelius Ryan Award for best nonfiction book on international affairs. Major Profiles Chaudhry Aslam, a Karachi policeman whom Declan Walsh profiled as “Pakistan’s toughest cop. In Lahore, Asma Jahangir, a diminutive human rights lawyer with a reputation for speaking unvarnished truth to power Deep in the restive Balochistan Province, home to a separatist movement that still bedevils Pakistan’s powerful military, Walsh introduces us to a local chieftain, Nawab Akbar Shahbaz Khan Bugti The story of Asia Bibi — a Christian woman who is sentenced to hang for blasphemy, and, after international outrage, later acquitted by the Supreme Court — is told through the lens of a man, Salmaan Taseer, Punjab’s governor, who was murdered by one of his own guards for demanding justice for Bibi. Assassination of Salm