Allô Chatrath

 Harvard, Princeton and Yale are called the top 'Ivy League' universities of USA. Harvard has been in the news for a few days. Since the issues are more political than educational, and I keep myself away from all discussions that are political or religious, I would refrain from talking about Harvard. But there is something about Harvard that I would like to share.  About 25 years or so back, one of my junior colleagues in service came to me. He was planning to apply for admission to a Masters in Harvard and wanted me to write about his work as referee. I had a long chat with him and ultimately sent my recommendation to Harvard. And then I forgot about it. Then one afternoon my young friend, let us call him Mr.X., came to my office with a box of sweets in hand and accompanied by his lady wife. I have got admission Sir, he beamed. I was really pleased because I was convinced that he deserved it. I enjoyed the sweets and again forgot about it.   Till after 6 months or s...

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atvVHYTEWmM   It was one bull against more than 6 men with swords.....I found it very cruel and could not watch it any longer...and left midway the 'spectacle'

  I am a self-professed atheist but I sincerely respect all religions and their adherents. According to India’s 2011 census, there are very, very few atheists in India. But I want to talk about a country where there are many atheists. And which country is this? It is Sweden. Sweden is considered one of the world's most secular nations, with a high proportion of irreligious people. Phil Zuckerman , an associate professor of Sociology at USA's  Pitzer College ,   writes that several academic sources have in recent years placed atheism rates in Sweden between 46% and 85%, with one source reporting that only 17% of respondents self-identified as "atheist". Gallup Poll found in 2016 that 18% of Swedes self-report as atheist and 55% as non-religious. While percentage of atheists in a country and its level of development may have absolutely no connection whatsoever, it is worth noting that while India’s GDP per capita is 2,236 USD, the comparative figure for Swed...

I am generally unhappy with the news reporting and poor editing in a number of English language Indian newspapers. I had nothing much to do yesterday so I took out a small news item and started fact checking the logic and language. The news item that I took up is from the Times of India, Chandigarh, May 9, 2025: I may add a caveat here that though I am an atheist,   but I hold all religions and the adherents of those religions in great respect. Now let me start with the heading.   It says: “Prevost 1st American Pope in Church’s 2k-yr history”. My first problem is with the use of the word ‘American’ as I think   it should have been from the ‘ United States of America’. Americas, as we know, consist of the north, the central and the south Americas comprising of various sovereign, independent nations.   USA is one of those countries. USA is not America, but a part of North America. While in conversational mode one may use ‘America’ for ‘USA’, in formal written m...

  Looking for some computer knowing person who can help me in giving shape to my books.....Stipend as per the current market rates....work can be done at one's home with occasional visits. I am Panchkula based.