Makarand R Paranjape

India, United States

Professor and Writer at Freelance

"There is a truth to know, a work to do": poet-professor-public intellectual not merely a political animal. Views are personal.

Articles

The perils of negative selection: From Trump's 'Kakistocracy' to India's 'China envy'

3 days ago | timesofindia.indiatimes.com | Makarand R Paranjape

Not entirely negative selection; but far from a meritocracy – the fallout of India's 'China envy' is the attempt at centralizing power, and weakening ministers and ministriesNovember 2024. Confronted with the prospect of Donald J Trump’s decisive victory in the 2024 presidential election, a 181-year British weekly newspaper, printed in magazine format, declared Kakistrocracy as their “word of the year”. What if Kamala Harris had won instead? Let’s not go there.
The Quantum Moment

6 days ago | t.ly | Makarand R Paranjape

IS THE UNIVERSE conscious? This question has intrigued humanity for millennia. Now it would seem that mainstream science is suddenly interested in it. A slew of articles, even in popular science magazines including The New Scientist and Scientific American, have flagged this issue. Their focus is a new theory called panpsychism, which I will come to later. First, let’s backtrack a bit.
The Quantum Moment

6 days ago | openthemagazine.com | Makarand R Paranjape

IS THE UNIVERSE conscious? This question has intrigued humanity for millennia. Now it would seem that mainstream science is suddenly interested in it. A slew of articles, even in popular science magazines including The New Scientist and Scientific American, have flagged this issue. Their focus is a new theory called panpsychism, which I will come to later. First, let’s backtrack a bit.
The brave new universe of social media

1 week ago | newindianexpress.com | Makarand R Paranjape

What I liked about the conference on social media was the rich and diverse mix of speakers, almost every single one of them smart, well-informed and deeply immersed in their art and craft. The conference, tackling social media's role in India's politics, culture and economy, united scholars, influencers and practitioners. Unlike the usual echo chambers, it offered a lens on the incessant polarisation.
US Sutra | Donald Trump’s tariffs reset the global economy

2 weeks ago | firstpost.com | Makarand R Paranjape

On April 2, the much-awaited “Liberation Day” turned into “Liquidation Day” following President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements. A dramatic stock market sell-off ensued over a couple of days, a veritable bloodbath.
The Rebirth of a Nation

3 weeks ago | t.ly | Makarand R Paranjape

IN RESPONSE TO MY last column on the possible ‘extinction’ of Indian literature and the real threat to our creativity, an avid reader and friend quipped, “Then, what is the way forward?” I promised that I would explain in a follow-up. India stands at a pivotal moment caught between the allure of its great past and the promise of an uncharted future.
The Rebirth of a Nation

3 weeks ago | openthemagazine.com | Makarand R Paranjape

IN RESPONSE TO MY last column on the possible ‘extinction’ of Indian literature and the real threat to our creativity, an avid reader and friend quipped, “Then, what is the way forward?” I promised that I would explain in a follow-up. India stands at a pivotal moment caught between the allure of its great past and the promise of an uncharted future.
US Sutra | Trial by fire: Tesla under attack

3 weeks ago | firstpost.com | Makarand R Paranjape

Elon Musk and Tesla are going through an agnipariksha. Literally. In many parts of the United States, Teslas, the super-sleek electric cars that are Elon Musk’s brainchild and trademark, are under attack. Many have even been set on fire. Why? No one quite knows. But it seems as if the attacks are in retaliation principally to Musk’s role in cutting wasteful expenditure as the head of DOGE.
An Unequal Text - Open The Magazine

1 month ago | openthemagazine.com | Makarand R Paranjape

I USED THE DELIBERATELY provocative title ‘Indian Literature: Extinction or Renaissance’ for my invited keynote address on March 10 at the Sahitya Akademi’s annual Festival of Letters. With the Sahitya Akademi’s impressive record of managing, preserving, and promoting Indian literature in 22 and more languages, the question would have seemed contrafactual. India’s literacy rates have reached historic highs, creating the largest potential readership in the nation’s history.
An Unequal Text - Open The Magazine

1 month ago | t.ly | Makarand R Paranjape

I USED THE DELIBERATELY provocative title ‘Indian Literature: Extinction or Renaissance’ for my invited keynote address on March 10 at the Sahitya Akademi’s annual Festival of Letters. With the Sahitya Akademi’s impressive record of managing, preserving, and promoting Indian literature in 22 and more languages, the question would have seemed contrafactual. India’s literacy rates have reached historic highs, creating the largest potential readership in the nation’s history.