Open Secret

Look around at India today. We are a nation of vibrant festivals, bustling markets, and incredible diversity. We value family, education, and, above all, peace. We want to live our lives without conflict, to progress in silence. This desire for a quiet life is a noble one. But sometimes, it makes us ask a difficult question: In our quest for peace, have we forgotten the fire that once defined us? History books are not just pages of the past; they are mirrors of our potential. They are filled with the stories of giants who walked this very land. Think of Chandragupta Maurya , who built a vast empire and outsmarted the successors of Alexander the Great. Remember the unmatched valour and strategic genius of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj , who founded a kingdom based on justice and fierce independence. Think of the Chola kings , whose mighty navies crossed oceans and whose cultural influence stretched across Southeast Asia. Think of Guru Gobind Singh Ji , who forged the Khalsa, a community o...

We often hear a story about India. It’s a story that says we were always a collection of separate, distant kingdoms, forever divided by language and culture. That it was the British who, for the first time, united this vast land. And that English became the necessary glue to hold us together. But what if this story is wrong? What if we look back, not a hundred years, but a thousand, and find a different India? An India, already woven together by threads of trade, faith, and ideas long before a single English ship arrived on our shores. This is that story. A Land Connected, Not Divided Imagine a merchant from Kanchipuram in the 10th century. His cart is filled with fine silk. He doesn’t see a "South India" cut off from a "North India." He sees a road. This road connects him to the bustling ports of the Chola kingdom, where his silk is loaded onto ships bound for Southeast Asia. It also connects him to land routes heading north, where his goods will be traded for prec...

The geopolitical landscape between India and the United States is fraught with tension, as recent events suggest a concerted effort by the U.S. "deep state" to undermine India's sovereignty and strategic interests. This analysis delves into the current events and the underlying motives behind the U.S.'s actions, which threaten to destabilize India's political and economic stability. Economic Warfare: Tariffs and Trade Disputes The U.S. has imposed significant tariffs on Indian exports, with President Trump announcing a 25% tariff on Indian goods, effective August 7, 2025. This move, described as "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable" by India's Ministry of External Affairs , is part of a broader strategy to coerce India into aligning with U.S. interests  The tariffs, coupled with threats of additional penalties, are designed to pressure India into reducing its dependence on Russian oil and military equipment, despite the strategic and economic ben...

Have you ever wondered why some people place such high value on exclusivity in relationships?   While society's views on intimacy have evolved dramatically, there's an important conversation we're not having about personal values and the significance of our choices. Recent studies suggest that   relationship values still vary widely across different demographics , yet discussing standards often becomes taboo. The Neuroscience of Restraint In a world of instant gratification, there's something to be said for those who exercise restraint. We're all imperfect beings, guided by emotions and hormones that can sometimes lead us down paths we haven't fully considered. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and impulse control,  continues developing well into our mid-20s . The ability to pause and think beyond momentary desires represents a form of discipline that deserves recognition. Research from the University of Virginia suggests that  delayed grati...