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The Martyr’s Day we observed on March 23 leads us to sharpen our struggle against the communal fascism threatening India. It is the day when Bhagat Singh, a young man of 23, was hanged by the British colonialists along with his two other comrades. He was not afraid when he was taken to the gallows nor were his two friends, who were awaiting the same fate. Turning into an icon of revolution in his lifetime itself, Bhagat Singh opted for gallows, though only after communicating a message. It was to convey to the countrymen that Socialism was the only way to ensure freedom for the entire humankind, to end exploitation of man by man, and to usher in the new construct based on scientific principles. It could be done only after power came to the masses and their representatives. One of his famous quotes from prison was, “…the struggle in India would continue as long as handful of exploiters go on exploiting the labour of common people for their own ends. It matters little whether these exploiters are purely British Capitalists or British and Indian alliance or purely Indian.”

There is one question that haunts many viewers of Christopher Nolan’s film on creator of the atom bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki – J. Robert Oppenheimer --- which swept the Oscars this year. Did Oppenheimer endorse the use of the bomb on an essentially defeated enemy? And if so, how can we hail such a man as hero? One of the reasons he endorsed it might be because of his ego. He had spent three years building the bomb with his team at a secret facility in Los Alamos,, and he wanted to see the consummation of his efforts. Greatness was within his grasp. Also, he reasoned that the bomb’s power would ensure the end of all wars in future.

The term ‘consumer’ has not been given an exhaustive legal definition in international law, but the US President, John F. Kennedy’s statement that “consumers, by definition, include us all”, while introducing a draft Bill on consumer rights on March 15, 1962 (now celebrated as World Consumer Rights Day), is the source of the concept of consumer rights.

There is a paradox at the core of the efflorescence of science that has occurred over the last millennium. In essence this efflorescence has the potential to increase human freedom immensely. It increases the capacity of man within the Man-Nature dialectic; scientific practice aims to go beyond the “given” not just in a once-for-all sense but as a perpetual movement through incessant self-questioning, so that this practice is potentially a collective act of liberation. But this promise of freedom remains significantly unfulfilled; and while its potential has not been realised, this efflorescence of science has been utilised to a great extent for domination by some over other human beings and other societies. The paradox lies in the fact that scientific practice that has the potential to increase human freedom has been utilised to increase domination, that is, to attenuate human freedom.

The transformation of warfare, as well as other aspects of society, by Artificial Intelligence is inevitable. However, it is important to strive for an evolutionary rather than apocalyptic or catastrophic outcome. Advancements in technology have consistently changed the way wars are fought. From chariots and saddle technology to gunpowder and nukes. Now, drones, as illustrated by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The world celebrates International Women’s Day 2024 (IWD) on March 8 (every year). “Inspire Inclusion” is the theme for IWD 2024. The theme explains, “When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world” IWD is a forum where countries all over the world unite in the celebration of women’s achievements. The event honours women of the past, present and future generations who have fought for changes in gender equality and funding female focused charities. Under a new annual theme, organisers men and women partake in campaign efforts to raise awareness. It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

A voice that breathed tunefulness, longing and heart break has been stilled forever. Pankaj Udhas is no more; but his ghazals will transcend generations. Udhas was certainly not a one-song singer. But whenever one takes his name, the song Chitthi Ayee Hai comes to mind. It was a song of authenticity conveying a father's feelings for his expatriate son. There was an accessibility about it which was all his own.

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the firebrand CPI(M) leader who ruled Bengal as the chief minister from 2000 to 2011 May following retirement of the party icon Jyoti Basu stepped into his 80th year on March 1. The soft spoken leader of the Left has been ailing for many years staying recluse in his small flat with his wife. Reading books was his best passion, but due to his serious eyesight problems, he can not read much.

It is the 176th anniversary of the Communist Manifesto, a program for scientific socialism, a guide for change. On February 21, 1848, Communist Manifesto was published in London. It was prepared by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels. The duo were the forerunners of scientific Socialism. The historic task was accomplished with its prophesies. The writing was started in Brussels itself where the Communist League was functioning from underground. Karl Marx had been banished from Belgium as he was writing about the injustices the toilers were facing in that country and also in entire Europe and the world. He had to shift to London and the Manifesto was published from there.

Does austerity match with aesthetics? Art house cinema icon, Kumar Shahani who passed away on Sunday at the age of 83placed these two unlikely attributes side by side in his works in celluloid. It was no square peg in round whole existence. A look at the films he directed underscored the point.