LONE WOLF TERROR ATTACKS

  

It is very difficult to understand the mysteries of the human mind. Religion and education were meant to calm it down towards rational thinking, but on odd occasions they doing just the reverse. Some religious faiths have, since ages, abandoned the concept of universal love and peaceful coexistence and always divided humanity into us and others. Now 'the lone jihadi syndrome' is one step ahead of this and this wolf does not have a pack, he hunts alone. He is angry, he is bitter, he is indoctrinated, he is committed and his world is simply divided into me and others. The fact that he hates others is well known, but whether he loves even himself is very doubtful. He invariably chooses to call himself a believer, but is he? What does he believe in, mass murder, mayhem, chaos?

 

What is a Lone Wolf Attack / Terrorism

Attacks committed by individuals unaffiliated to a terrorist group and are often referred to as ‘Lone Wolf Terrorism’. These are terror attacks perpetrated without the operational involvement of terrorist organizations in initiating, planning, or executing the attack. This phenomenon lacks a clear center of gravity directing the actions of “lone wolf” terrorists; and as such, it is crucial to understand the system of motivations influencing independent assailants to perpetrate attacks. Internet has created this new generation of terrorists who carry out a “leaderless jihad”

 

The concept of ‘lone wolf’ was popularized in the late 1990s by white supremacists Tom Metzger and Alex Curtis, who called upon like-minded individuals to “act alone” to commit violent crimes. However, the term is highly contested, and scholars disagree on its exact meaning. Still, they broadly agree that lone-wolf attackers operate as individuals or small groups without any assistance or formal links to a terrorist organization. Many times, lone wolves do not have any criminal background, and their activities tend to escape the security agencies’ surveillance, unlike organized terrorist groups.

 

Lone Wolf or Loneish Wolf or Untraceable Trail

An unsuccessful lone wolf, who gets caught, can claim allegiance to any terror outfit of his choice and a successful lone wolf, who has died, can be later adopted by any terror outfit to boost its notoriety and appeal in the dark world. So how lonely the wolf was actually is anybody’s guess. Then again, it would often be wrong to label perpetrators as “lone wolves” in the aftermath of attacks because failure to find the chain of perpetrators may be the reason he appears lonely. Only a small number of attackers are truly “lone wolf” and correctly meet that definition. The “true” lone wolves are individuals who strike without ever communicating with jihadist networks, either online or in person. The “‘lone wolf’ terrorists are often not completely out of contact, as they communicate through the “Dark Web”. They have their “virtual pack”. Online platforms provide them with many opportunities, such as finding instructions on building homemade bombs or mapping potential targets. So he is loneish and not exactly lone. 

 

It is a worldwide problem

Starting with the oft repeated schoolyard shootings in America this lone wolf terror is now seen in every continent. What makes these guys angry is not very clear. Is it poverty, illiteracy, lack of opportunities, lack of public recognition? A decorated Army veteran or a software engineer, a chemical engineer, or a merchant banker does not fit this description. A disgruntled schoolyard shooter usually has nothing in common with the decorated Army veteran who blew a Tesla truck laden with explosives in front of Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, or Shamsuddin Jabbar, the New Year car attacker of Bouborn Street in New Orleans. 

America is not the only land of insane wolves. Europe has its own share as we saw in Nice in France where Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel drove a 20 ton truck into a crowded market place killing 86 people and injuring more than 300! Germany saw Anis Amri drive a truck laden with steel beams into a busy Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 and injuring 49 innocent people! Just the other day a practicing doctor, Taleb al Abdulmohsen repeated this same feat, driving his car into a crowded Christmas market, killing 5 and injuring over 200 people!

Asia Oceania too is not spared. The cowardly attack and horrific beheading of Kanhaiya Lal Teli on 28 June 2020, in Udaipur, Rajasthan, by two Islamic extremists has demonstrated that India is no longer immune from the violence perpetrated by lone-wolf terrorists. Palestinian terrorists perpetrated more than 550 "lone wolf" attacks in Israel between 2015 and 2017. They had widely varied motives including revenge for national, religious and personal humiliation, desire to die or get to paradise, national struggle, defense of al Aqsa Mosque, to proove himself / herself, or to gain self esteem. White supremacists lone wolf terror attack was witnessed in March 2019, when a lone wolf targeted two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing 51 people, while live-streaming his violent act.

 

Motives

·        The ideological motives group may include, inter alia, devotion to radical ideologies such as nationalist-separatist, communist, anarchist, fascist, or other political motives.

·        The personal motivations group may include

o   Economic motives such as poverty, low socioeconomic status, and acute economic crises); inter-personal motives (such as crises in the "lone wolf's" relationship with his/her parents, partner or another central figure in their life. 

o   Familial motives including hardship within the family, problematic or complex relationship between family members or a particular figure like mother, father, older siblings as well as the level appreciation or disrespect the "lone wolf" gets from his/her family. 

o   Other personal motives such as the desire for adventure, self image, or status improvement

o   Psychological motive that the terrorist suffers from may be a psychological instability, desire to commit suicide which may be caused by harsh experience, despair or belief in an afterlife.  

 

Role of Radicalization

Radicalization plays a critical role in the making of a lone-wolf terrorist, which mostly happens online through social media platforms, encrypted chat rooms on the darknet and propaganda on instant messaging apps. These virtual spaces enable like-minded extremist individuals to consume the propaganda and disinformation which acts as an enabler of violence. In cyberspace, particularly on the dark web, they also get access to training manuals and videos on operating weapons and making explosives by maintaining their anonymity. For instance, on 20 July 2011, a right-wing terrorist Anders Brevik targeted a youth camp in Oslo, Norway unleashing a horrendous terror attack, and killing 77 people. This was one of the first prominent lone-wolf terrorist attacks in recent memory. Bervik justified his act in his quest to ‘save European culture’ from Islamisation. His act was later supported on the social media platform by far-right individuals. In America some lone-wolf terrorists were radicalized in the military; some were radicalized in the workplace, and others on the internet. 

The Islamic State conducts most of its recruitment online in chatrooms and over encrypted communication apps. They use the death of thousands on Palestinians in Gaza as their recruitment pitches and instigate the lone wolves to carry out mayhem in western countries.

 

The Islamic lone wolf interprets his holy scriptures in accordance with the digital world echo-chamber of which he is usually a silent member. The cacophony of victimhood being inflicted on them by the non-believers of their faith fills them with rage and a very small incident in their life or family breaks the camel’s back and tilts them towards this suicidal path of terror.

 

How to stop the Lone Wolf attacks?

Terror attacks are the product of two main variables:

(i)                motivation to perpetrate an attack and

(ii)              operational capability to execute it.

Foiling terrorism may therefore be the outcome of limiting the motivations that
drive the attackers or, alternatively, curbing their capability to execute these attacks. Terrorism capabilities are usually assembled in a long process of preparations (e.g., procuring weapons, assembling explosive devices, and more) but these preparations have in many cases a clear “radar signature” available for intelligence detection. Therefore, many intelligence agencies focus on locating and identifying the operational preparations for a terror attack, then attempting to foil it. This “signature” is absent in many “lone wolf” attacks which are often perpetrated with a cold weapon. This kind of weapons can be found in every household (e.g., sharp object, knives, screwdrivers, axes, vehicles). Therefore, the importance of understanding the motivation of the “lone wolves” is essential for the prevention of this type of attacks. However, the motivations of “lone wolves” are difficult to locate and to neutralize.

One attack in Germany and one in France were perpetrated by a Tunisian immigrants and the last one in Germany by a Saudi doctor who had resided in Germany since 2006! The New Orleans attacker was a Texas born U.S citizen, but not a white American. This only furthers the MAGA mad nativist agenda that non-whites cannot be loyal to America and so racial abuse against them is OK. This insider outsider divide has now gone to the absurd end of targeting Indian over-achievers!

 

Modern terrorism is a dynamic and evolving phenomenon that keeps morphing. Over the years, terrorists around the world have been using a wide range of attacks, sometimes mimicking  successful attacks perpetrated by other terrorists in different arenas. In this way, waves of terror attacks (such as suicide bombings, hijackings, and ‘cold’ weapons attacks) have been carried out.  The “lone wolf’s” decision to perpetrate the attack is the product of balancing the sum of the various motives and inhibitions. His motives are ideological, psychological, personal and the sum of the various triggers he is exposed to (role model, traumatic event, incitement). His inhibitions are the product of his mental stability and his ability to contain crises, plus his value and belief system constrains as well as his cost/benefit analysis. When the sum of the triggers and motivations is greater than the inhibitions, then an attack is perpetrated.

 

 

ALWAYS THIRSTY - POLYDIPSIA - ANOTHER PROF. S.N. CHAKRABORTY MASTERCLASS

                                     

 

This is another master-class of Prof. S.N. Chakraborty which I have managed to recover from my notes of student days in King George’s Medical College in Lucknow. Prof. Chakraborty was our professor of Medicine and was an encyclopedia of knowledge. I have introduced Prof. Chakraborty to you in my previous blogs. If you have missed out on those blogs then please click:

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8750887136313953221/188072368028650199

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2024/06/nail-examination-another-prof-sn.html

He walked into a packed lecture hall of students, as rowdy as only they can be, with a smiling face and mesmerized them by his spell into pin drop silence. Then he would have a hearty laugh, as that was his way of greeting students and ask “So what are we studying today?” Anyone could suggest a topic from his or her wish list, even his own bunch of residents who would always accompany him, busy picking up the pearls of wisdom, which he so generously offered them from time to time. Someone in the class that day suggested ‘polydipsia’ and he simply took off right from there! This was his style. I have worked and studied in four continents and have never seen another teacher so spontaneous and yet so organized.

 

Drinking water is, of course, great for health and essential for our body. But if you’re constantly parched and thirsty, despite having 8-10 glasses of water every day, there may be a larger issue to blame. The simplest explanation for feeling thirsty is not drinking enough water. We usually feel very thirsty after spending a long day under the sun or after a hard exercise session. But endless thirst isn’t normal and shouldn't be ignored. 

 

“So, how much water does a human body need”, the professor asked. When he did not get a satisfactory reply from the class he said "we should aim for half of our body weight in ounces of water each day. For example, a person who weighs 140 pounds, which will be approximately 65Kg he should aim for about 70 oz or 2 liters or about 10-12 glasses of water every day. If you find that your patient’s water intake is around this recommended mark and he/she still feels thirsty, this is polydipsia and this should be investigated. Now what will happen to this excess of water in the body? It will naturally be converted into urine and expelled. So usually polydipsia is associated with  polyurea, or excessive urination". 

Let us understand the causes of polydipsia:

1. Dehydration

Dehydration means excessive loss of body water. It happens when your body loses more fluids than you take in. Therefore, you end up feeling overly thirsty. Dehydration can happen more easily if you have diarrhea, diabetes, heatstroke, or when you’ve sweat too much after exercising. It can also be caused by drinking too much alcohol. It is a constant feature of extensive burns. So, take note of this symptom and make sure your patient drink enough fluids if you’ve been suddenly dehydrated. If that is not possible then intravenous fluid replacement must be planned. This is urgent, and no time can be wasted. If the skin is dry, shriveled, textureless, the tongue is dry and the eyes have sunken in their orbital socket, your patient is in extreme dehydration and urgent rehydration is required.

 

2. Dry mouth or xerostomia

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can often be mistaken for extreme thirst. It’s a condition where the salivary glands in your mouth don't make adequate saliva to keep your mouth wet. Xerostomia is usually caused by certain medications like Atropine or aging issues or as a result of radiation therapy for cancer. Other causes include smoking tobacco or marijuana, stress, anxiety, or aging. When our glands don’t make enough saliva, we feel the need to drink more water. If the feeling of a dry mouth persists first try prescribing sialagogues. These are of two types:

• Peripheral sialagogues - Stimulate a gustatory response. For example, Amla or Indian gooseberry and lemon juice or lemondrops or pickles are sialagogues that promote saliva flow.
• Central sialagogues - Include parasympathomimetics such as pilocarpine. Central sialagogues have more side effects than peripheral sialagogues.

 

3. Eating way too much salt

Just like it’s important to keep our sugar intake in check, we must also keep an eye on the amount of salt we consume every day. Our kidneys process excess salt and redirect it into our urine. When we eat a sodium-heavy meal, our kidneys have to work extra hard to get rid of the salt. Thus, you end up urinating more than usual. Overdoing it on sodium-heavy meals can also lead to high blood pressure over time and may cause kidney or heart damage as well. Adults should limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day – that’s almost 1 teaspoon of table salt. So check and see if your patient is going over this limit and cut down on their salt intake if needed.

 

4. Diabetes

Diabetes can increase your risk of dehydration. When someone has diabetes, their body doesn’t make enough insulin, and this leads to too much sugar (or glucose) building up in their body. The glucose in urine pulls in more water by osmosis, and hence, these patients are forced to urinate more often than usual. This makes them experience extreme thirst, as their body wants to replace the fluids it is losing. So, excessive thirst along with excessive urination and blurred vision, should always raise the red flag of diabetes.

 

5. Anemia

Anemia is a condition in which the body loses healthy red blood cells faster than it- can be replaced. This leads to a deficiency of oxygen in various organs and tissues of the body. While mild anemia usually won’t cause excessive thirst, severe anemia might lead to uncontrolled thirst. Anaemai is caused by underlying diseases, a poor diet, or heavy bleeding. Estimation of haemoglobin and study of the general blood picture establishes the type of anaemia and its cause can then be studied by detailed examination and investigations including urine and stool examination, liver, kidney and thyroid functions and endoscopies and radiological investigations.

 

6. Having too many diuretic foods

Diuretic foods and drinks can help you get rid of excess water and sodium from your body. They force the kidneys to excrete more sodium into the urine. As the sodium is flushed away, the body gets rid of water as well. Diuretics are usually prescribed when the body is retaining too many fluids. But overdosing on them will make your patient thirsty because they deplete the fluids in their body, causing an electrolyte imbalance. Some fruits and vegetables that act as natural diuretics include:- Pineapple- Watermelon- Cucumber- Celery- Cabbage- Beets- Asparagus- Watercress- Pumpkin seeds- Lemon. Commonly consumed diuretic beverages include coffee, tea, and lemon juice, among others. So, if your patient is having too many diuretic foods daily, it may trigger excessive thirst. Cut down on them a little to maintain a healthy balance.

 

7. Low-carbohydrate diets

Following a low-carbohydrate diet may be working wonders for your patient’s health, but it is likely to cause dry mouth and frequent thirst. That happens because carbohydrates hold on to more water than proteins or fats. When you stop eating carbohydrates, all the extra fluids get released through urination. Since your body is excreting more water, it causes a spike in your thirst levels. Thus, make it a point to drink enough water when you are following a low-carbohydrate diet.

 

8. Hyper-calcemia

Hyper-calcemia is a condition where the calcium level in your blood is above normal. Extra calcium in the body makes the kidneys work harder to filter it. This can make a person urinate more often, leading to increased thirst and even dehydration. Hypercalcemia can also cause stomach upsets, nausea, vomiting, bone pain, and constipation. Serum electrolyte estimation will diagnose this condition and it is easily correctable.

 

9. Chronic stress and anxiety

Chronic stress and anxiety may cause you to sweat, thus leading to serious thirst. Anxiety can cause dry mouth, and dry mouth can feel like thirst. Hence, your brain might be fooled into believing that you need to drink water even though you aren’t really thirsty. Also, chronic stress messes with your adrenal glands and can result in low blood pressure. This can then give rise to dizziness, anxiety, and extreme thirst, say health professionals. Thus, in case your patient has been unduly stressed about something, work towards managing it better.

 

10. Neuro-developmental disorders: 

Polydipsia can be a symptom of neuro-developmental disorders, such as autism and intellectual disabilities. 

 

11. Kidney diseases.

Chronic renal failure, urinary tract infection, and renal diabetes insipidus can cause polydipsia. DI can be caused by a number of conditions, including:

• Central DI: The pituitary gland is damaged, which prevents it from producing enough vasopressin, a hormone that regulates water balance. This is often inherited in infants and children. 
• Nephrogenic DI: The pituitary produces enough vasopressin, but the kidneys don't recognize it. This can be caused by inherited or acquired kidney disease, certain medications, low potassium levels, high calcium levels, or a blocked urinary tract.
• Gestational DI: This is very rare. It's caused by the placenta producing an enzyme that breaks down vasopressin, or the pregnant person producing more prostaglandin, which makes the kidneys less sensitive to vasopressin.
  
  

DI patients, unlike Type 1 and 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients have normal blood sugar levels. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of DI is important to prevent severe dehydration, which can lead to brain damage or impaired mental function. 

 

That is how another Prof. Chakraborty’s class concluded. I would invite all his students, who routinely read my blogs, to contribute their own anecdotes about this wonderful teacher in the comment section.

ARE YOU A GOOD PERSON?

 

Isn't that what Santa has always asked you every Christmas? Have you been a good boy/girl? There is no test that determines how good of a person someone is, so we are all left wondering if what we do is right or wrong all the time. Some people, who are moral philosophers, turned this kind of wondering into a whole profession, but even they aren’t completely certain how to define a good person. Still, there are certain tell-tale signs that can reveal a good person. It turns out that how you communicate with others and how you react in difficult life situations, how you listen, help and respect, say a lot about your moral stance. So let us find out if we are a good person after all:

 

1. You have empathy

Being a genuinely good person often starts with understanding and sharing the feelings of others. This is known as empathy. Empathy is more than just being nice; it’s truly feeling for others in their time of need. Let’s say your friend has just gone through a tough breakup, and they’re feeling pretty low. A good person doesn’t just offer a shoulder to cry on; they feel their friend’s pain, they take the time to listen, and understand the situation from their friend’s perspective. This is because empathy means stepping into someone else’s shoes and feeling what they’re feeling. It’s not solving their problems or giving advice; it’s being present and sharing in their experience.

 

2. You are Driven by Good Intentions, Love and Compassion

We all make mistakes from time to time, and we have a tendency to really beat ourselves up every time something we said or did hurt another person, even when it was absolutely unintentional. The truth is, there is no reason for you to think that you are a bad person because of a minor mistake you did, as you intentions are what matters the most.

In fact, moral philosophers and psychologists alike assure readers that having positive intentions is a sure sign you might be a better person than you might think. When you act out of courage, patience, love, compassion and willingness to help, and let these positive intentions drive your life, you become a more centered, genuine, and simply a better person.

 

3. You Consider Yourself a Good Person

Morality, like so many other things in this world, is relative. Of course, we all agree on the basics: killing, stealing and cheating are all very bad and immoral things, but then again, in our day-to-day life, we don’t usually deal with either of those, and the smaller everyday moral dilemmas are what define our personal moral compass. I will give you an example; pathology and radiology clinics often send a small amount of money to the referring doctors. Some of us do not accept it and some of us do. So our morality meters are tuned differently. Let me now make it a bit more complex; if for you a good person is a caring person, and for someone else, a good person is someone who gives others enough space to work through their own problems, your ideas may clash. The bottom line is that a good person is one that has a multitude of different, sometimes opposing, characteristics, and the fact that you don’t meet one of those characteristics doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. Instead of adopting this binary approach, which can be toxic to your self-esteem, let us define a good person using 3-5 words, and if you apply to most, you can consider yourself a (relatively) good person. So, if you believe that a good person has to be friendly, helpful, thoughtful and generous, but you are an introvert and find it difficult to communicate with others, you can still consider yourself a good person. Try to do this exercise on your own, and you might just be surprised to hear the answer.

 

4. You Recognize Your Biases and Mistakes

No one is perfect, but how you react to your own mistakes and whether or not you can recognize your own biases can tell a lot about the kind of person you are. Dolly Chugh, a psychologist at New York University describes this very well in one of her books, where she points out that it’s better to confront the mistakes we’ve made and to even seem less perfect in the eyes of others than to deny said mistake. She calls this category of people “goodish”, as they are able to see that they’re not perfect, but they actively try to improve. In fact, most people are not 100% good or bad, but goodish, as they are constantly learning from their own mistakes, while still making new ones.

 

5. You Make Time both for Yourself and Others

Helping and supporting other people is a known virtue, there is no argument there. As medical professionals helping people is an ingrained human quality in us that has many psychological and physical health benefits. It lifts our mood and give us a sense of meaning and purpose, both of which are very important for a happy life. That being said, you don’t have to dedicate all of your time and effort to help others to be a good person. In fact, a little bit of “selfishness”, or let us call it “self care”, can even be beneficial, as all of us need a little bit of rest and relaxation from time to time. In fact, most people enjoy helping others more when they have their own lives sorted out first.

 

6. You are ready to Learn from Your Mistakes and Life's Challenges

When it comes to overcoming difficulties, people are divided into 2 categories: those who surrender and those who perceive life’s challenges as that they are (challenges). The more you are capable to take the active stance of the two, the better you become as a person, professional, parent. This “ growth mindset”, by the virtue of which people who believe they can improve in life and overcome obstacles are destined to develop their talents and life skills. So, if you find that you can learn from your mistakes and you feel like you’ve changed and evolved a lot through the years, you are better than you might think.

 

7. In Relationships, You Take Responsibility for Your Actions and Communicate

If you manage to maintain healthy and meaningful relationships with others, you are likely a better person than you think. Do you treat your friends and loved ones with respect; do you stay in touch with them and can take responsibility for your actions? If so, you are a terrific person to be around, and your family and friends cherish you for the caring and attentive person that you are. What else could you wish for? If you can be assertive without being aggressive, supportive without rescuing other people, and if you can be vulnerable without expecting people to save you, you must be a good person.

8. You are kind without expecting anything in return

Good acts and deeds come to you naturally. Your parents taught you and they have remained with you.  You are at the grocery store, just doing your regular shopping. There was a woman ahead of you in the line, juggling her wailing toddler and trying to unload her cart onto the check out desk for billing. Without thinking twice, you step up and started helping her. It was a small act. No big deal, right? But here’s the thing: You didn’t do it to get a thank you or to get any sort of recognition. You did it because it felt like the right thing to do. It felt good to be of help to someone in need. In psychology, this is referred to as altruism—the selfless concern for the well-being of others. And don’t tell me your mother did not teach you that.

 

9. You show genuine appreciation for others

Not just because it makes you feel good, but because it’s also linked to positive relationships, happiness, and even better physical health. Take a moment and think about the last time you said thank you. Not just a quick, automatic ‘thanks’, but a genuine expression of gratitude. Maybe it was for something big, like a friend helping you move. Or maybe it was for something small, like someone holding the door open for you. The point is, if you’re someone who takes the time to express gratitude and really mean it, then you’re likely a genuinely good person, because showing appreciation isn’t just being polite or following social norms. It’s recognizing the value of others and cherishing the positive things in life.

 

10. You genuinely listen to others

Listening seems so simple. But I’m not talking about the kind of listening where you’re just waiting for your turn to speak. I’m talking about truly hearing what the other person has to say. Perhaps you’re the friend who can sit quietly while someone pours their heart out, not interrupting with your own stories or advice, but simply being there, present in their moment of need. Or maybe you’re the team man who can listen to a colleague’s ideas with an open mind, appreciating their perspective even if it differs from your own. In today’s fast-paced world, genuine listening is a rare skill.But if you have it, it’s a strong sign that you’re a genuinely good person. Because true listening shows that you value others, that you respect their thoughts and feelings, and that you’re willing to take the time to understand their point of view.

 

11. You respect others

Respect—it’s a small word, but it carries a lot of weight. Respecting others means acknowledging their worth. It means treating others the way you’d like to be treated, regardless of their status, appearance, or beliefs. If you’re consistently respectful towards others—not just those you like or agree with, but everyone you interact with—then, you’re likely a genuinely good person. Respect is more than just a sign of good manners. It’s a sign of a good heart.

 

None of us are perfect. All of us have our moments of lapses in judgment and moments of weaknesses. But what matters is that we acknowledge these moments, learn from them, and strive to do better next time. Take a moment to appreciate the goodness in you. Recognize your own worth and the impact you have on the world around you. And remember, being a good person isn’t always easy. It takes courage, humility, and a whole lot of empathy.

But trust me, it’s worth it. Not just for the difference you can make in others’ lives, but for the peace and fulfillment it brings to your own.

A LECTURE SERIES ON PUBLICATION SKILLS - How to Publish a Paper

The The Gujarat Plastic Surgeons Association conducted a highly successful webinar on Scientific Paper Writing and Publishing, which was very well attended.

The speakers included esteemed past and present editors of the Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery. The following talks were delivered:

Study Designs – Dr. Dinesh Kadam

How to Write a Paper – Dr. Surajit Bhattacharya

How to Get a Paper Published – Dr. Mukund Thatte

The Logical Sequence of Writing a Paper – Dr. Surajit Bhattacharya

The talks were simple, easy to understand, and had a high impact.

The webinar covered a comprehensive range of topics, including:

• Why you should write a paper

• How to decide your study design

• Advantages and disadvantages of each design

• How to select your topic

• How to choose the right journal for submission

• Overcoming procrastination and starting the writing process

• How to respond to reviewers’ comments

• Promoting your published paper

• And more..

All these aspects were discussed in detail, making the session immensely valuable for budding researchers and seasoned authors alike.

Please find attached links to the videos by all the speakers.

Happy viewing!

Dr. Dinesh Kadam

https://youtu.be/7AQz5GUr0DU?si=8YfrWXEDzFqzoIpP

Dr. Surajit Bhattacharya

https://youtu.be/19kqlVVaADg?si=zyfnKxnyEPwz8Z1w

Dr. Mukund Thatta

https://youtu.be/U8qSQ4DpCy4?si=WT8c5pdkI9emdFTI

Dr. Surajit Bhattacharya

https://youtu.be/bF7ulVVDip0?si=Rmu2BRwdBpooPO4t

PAST IMPERFECT, BUT LET’S OWN IT UP

Heritage is that which has been inherited. This is implicit in the term ‘parampara’, also called tradition, which goes into the making of our culture and civilization. This heritage should not be thought of as static since each generation changes the content, sometimes substantially. This civilization heritage called ‘sanskriti’ or ‘shristhi’ when juxtaposed with ‘prakriti’ or natural heritage becomes cultural heritage. Societies that boast of multiple cultures like India need to be inclusive, not competitive. With every invasion however, the invaders tried to establish their own culture not by simply adding it to our tapestry but by destroying our temples, our universities and our heritage.

 

History is a continuous process of interaction between the historian and his facts, an unending dialogue between the present and past, a dynamic, dialectical process, which cannot be limited by mere empiricism or love of facts alone. In our case the invasion of the Muslim and Christian rulers were presented to us either by British historians or left liberal historians who unfortunately had vested interest in glorifying invaders and diminishing the prior achievements of native Indians. Macaulay’s concept of education for Indians was that we were barbarians before the English came and civilized us. Their ignorance about our heritage in the field of mathematics, astronomy, medicine, surgery, architecture, literature, music and dance was purposeful and unfortunately as the vanquished never gets the opportunity to write the history so our proud heritage was conveniently eclipsed and overlooked.

 

Efforts to date our civilization began with the Harappan culture in 2500 BC, the migration of Aryans to India in 1500 BC, the rise of Budhisim and Jainism around 486 and 468 BC, the invasion of Alexander the Great in 326 BC and the rise of the Great empires in North and South India thereafter, such as the Mauryas, the Guptas, as well as the Pallavas and the Chalukyas. Of particular significance were the visits by foreign chroniclers including Fa-Hsein in 405 AD and Hsuan Tsang in 630 AD. Their chronicles are important inputs in calculating eras, as they provide means of cross evidence in dating our ancient history. They were not the only visitors. After the raids of Mahmud of Ghazni in 997 AD, we were visited by Alberuni in 1030 AD and later the visit of Ibn Batutah around 1325 AD and others. This part of our history is referred to commonly as the Ancient and Medieval Indian periods and is hardly taught in schools.

 

Our ancient Indian culture continued intact despite the invasions from 10th century onwards, which impacted on the evolution of a heterogeneous Indian culture. The invasion by the Turks, Persians and the Afghans brought in trade, a new style of culture and a new language, apart from a new religion. With the end of Turkish rule and rise of the Mughals who came from Samarkand, there evolved a distinct Indo-Islamic style of art and culture, of which the Taj Mahal remains the most splendid example. We could have presented our history truthfully and without any bitterness or malice towards any religion or race because they added substantially to our culture, but unfortunately they did not only do that, they destroyed our institutions, threatened our religion and forced religious conversions, but our historians refuse to document them. As if, by brushing the unpleasant bits under the carpet, our history can be sanitized!

 

The global contribution of our cultural and civilizational heritage is increasingly recognized and respected internationally.  What a contrast to the situation today where the international attention and interest in our heritage and our response demonstrates the continuing wisdom of the old Sanskrit saying "Na ratnanan vishyati mrigyatehi tat” meaning "the diamond does not seek: it is sought after.” We have a responsibility to understand, nurture, strengthen and conserve this heritage for our future generations. This is the least that we owe to India.

 

Modern History

Smt. Indira Gandhi is remembered for two events in our recent history, the decisive victory of the 1971 war which liberated Bangladesh and the 1975 Emergency that stole our own liberty. During this time she sneaked in the two words 'secular' and 'socialist' in our constitution without the consent of Parliament because the latter simply didn't exist during Emergency. The parties opposing the Congress in India have always held these two words as 'afterthoughts' and not a part of our constitution, as the founders of the constitution had envisaged. 

 

The opposition is right, but only partially. The diverse Constitution Committee, comprising of an atheist Nehru, devout Hindus like Sri. Rajendra Prasad, Sri Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Sri. C. Rajagopalachari  and a Dalit, Babasahab Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar  also had Christians, Parsees, Sikhs and Muslims represented by individuals like Frank Anthony, Minoo Masani, G Gurmukh Singh, and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. They all were of the opinion that though they had defeated the imperial British government and snatched independence, they are not going to discard what is good in the western world, just because they originated in the west. Thus our constitution found an easy marriage of Indian traditions and western thoughts. Our ancient wisdom was augmented with western ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity. What Smt. Gandhi did not realize was that these three values together go well beyond her concept of socialism and secularism and her backroom drafting was an exercise in futility.

  

All that was ancient is not good.

Whether by Christian, Muslim or Hindu, all that was practiced during ancient times cannot be justified today. Islamic conquest saw subjugation and conversion by the sword and in Muslim dominated countries it still continues. Non Muslims are called 'kafirs' and they don't have a right to exist. Christian churches executed millions of heretics and supposed witches. Hindus too abided by the Manu Smriti and discriminated against lower caste, tribals, non-Hindus and women. Ancient Dharma Shastra had punishments for violating caste norms. Non-Hindus were called 'mlecha' or barbarians, not to be socialized with. Poverty and birth in lower caste were justified as 'karma', appropriate punishment for sins of earlier life. Could all this have been adopted in our Constitution? Could the new Indian constitution have justified Dronacharya asking a tribal boy, Eklavya to cut off the thumb of his dominant hand to ensure Khatriya superiority over tribals?

 

The constitution of India with an ancient heritage needed modern thinking so that the country could reap the benefits of both the worlds and emerge as a proud nation. The UN Declaration on Human Rights that enshrines universalism and non-discrimination finds a perfect reflection in our consultation. True, the world is changing, and as the constitution has a living soul it too has to change with time but it will never go back to the ancient days. We will proudly March forward towards what Rabindanath Thakur says:

'Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls

Where clear stream of reason has not lost its way in the deary desert sand of dead habits'

The poet envisions a nation where intellectual freedom, unity, and the pursuit of knowledge are valued. It emphasizes the importance of breaking down barriers and embracing diversity, fostering a society where individuals can strive for perfection without hindrance. Our constitution stands by this noble idea.

 

Gandhi ji famously said 'I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the culture of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any of them'. That is the challenge which India faces today. Adhering to the old and archaic values irrespective of their relevance and utility is as harmful as forgetting one's glorious past. The liberals over did their 'blowing in of new ideas' when they tailored our history and tried to give a secular face and tolerant image to cruel foreign invaders in order to appease a section of the society. The saffrons have now come back with a vengeance and rewriting history and renaming places. The discussion with the public was missing then and, thanks to social media, is cacophonic now. 

 

I honestly think Nehru missed the tryst with destiny when he failed to establish a cultural union of India and ended up with a political union of states. The latter happened in the map of India but never in the hearts of Indians. So, it is very easy to divide India along caste and religious fault lines even today after seven decades of independence, but it is virtually impossible to do so culturally as we are proud of every culture. This cultural amalgam is what is true Hindutwa, a common identity for the descendants of Bharat who revere Bharat as their punyabhoomi and matrabhoomi. This has nothing to do with spiritual or religious beliefs but it is an union of ethnic and cultural commonalities.  What effortlessly unites us, our ethnicity and our culture, should have been used as the magic glue. Then we would have been far stronger and prosperous. That is why it took an awfully long time to come up with 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas'.

ENGLISH PHRASES AND IDIOMS USED INCORRECTLY

 

Idioms and phrases are an integral part of the English language. We all use them, those catchy phrases or idioms that roll off the tongue and seem to capture a situation perfectly. But have you ever stopped to consider where they came from or what they truly mean?  I have in 5 previous blogs discussed about similar English idioms and how they originated. You can re-visit them by clicking on these hyperlinks:

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-story-behind-english-idioms.html

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-origin-of-common-english-idioms.html

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-origin-of-common-english-idioms-2.html

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2023/05/the-history-behind-some-english-idioms.html

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2024/06/stories-behind-few-english-idioms.html

 

But today I am presenting an entirely different view of these phrases and idioms. What if those sayings, passed down through generations, have lost their original meaning along the way? What if the words we use to express ourselves are actually saying something entirely different? It turns out that many of the sayings we think we know have origins and meanings that are quite different from what we assume. Let’s dive into these fascinating phrases, uncover their extended versions, and learn what they were really meant to convey.

 

1. “Winning Isn’t Everything”

The extended phrase: “Winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing.” What it means today: Most people use this phrase to suggest that there’s more to life than coming in first place. It encourages focusing on effort, sportsmanship, or personal growth. The full original meaning: The longer version flips the sentiment on its head. Coined by UCLA football coach Red Sanders, this phrase emphasizes an almost cutthroat mentality. It suggests that winning is all that matters—everything else is secondary. The stark contrast between the two versions shows how phrases can be reshaped to suit gentler, modern ideals.

 

2. “The Early Bird Gets the Worm”

The extended phrase: “The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.” What it means today: Hard work and being the first to act often lead to success. It’s a motivational saying for those who take initiative. The full original meaning: Adding the second half introduces a twist. While being first might have advantages, the second mouse avoids danger (like a mousetrap) and reaps the rewards. It’s a reminder that rushing in isn’t always the smartest move. Sometimes, patience and caution are better strategies.

 

3. “Now Is the Winter of Our Discontent”

The extended phrase: “Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this sun of York.” What it means today: The opening line of Shakespeare’s Richard III is often quoted to describe bleak or troubled times. The full original meaning: The second half of the line changes everything. It reflects optimism, signaling the end of tough times and the beginning of better days under a new reign. The full version is more hopeful, celebrating victory and renewal.

 

4. “Jack of All Trades”

The extended phrase: “Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than master of one.” What it means today: It’s often used to describe someone who is competent in many areas but lacks deep expertise in any single field. The full original meaning: The extended version is far more positive. It shows the value of versatility, suggesting that being well-rounded can be more advantageous than being a specialist. It celebrates adaptability and broad skills, which are often overlooked in modern interpretations.

 

5. “Curiosity Killed the Cat”

The extended phrase: “Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.” What it means today: This phrase is often used as a warning, discouraging curiosity by suggesting it can lead to trouble. The full original meaning: Adding the second part completely alters the message. It implies that curiosity may involve risks, but the rewards of discovery often outweigh them. It’s a phrase about the balance of caution and exploration, encouraging people to pursue their questions carefully.

 

6. “Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day”

The extended phrase: “Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it burned in one.” What it means today: This idiom is used to encourage patience and perseverance, emphasizing that great things take time. The full original meaning: The addition of the second part offers a sobering reminder. While building something worthwhile may take time, destruction can be swift. It’s a lesson in caution, encouraging us to protect what we’ve built.

 

7. “Money Is the Root of All Evil”

The extended phrase: “The love of money is the root of all evil.” What it means today: People often use this phrase to suggest that wealth itself is inherently bad and leads to corruption. The full original meaning: The longer version clarifies the sentiment. It’s not money itself but an obsessive love for it that causes harm. This subtle but important distinction shifts the blame from wealth to human greed and the extremes people may go to for financial gain.

 

Great minds.......

8. “Great Minds Think Alike”

The extended phrase: “Great minds think alike, but fools seldom differ.” What it means today: This phrase is often used as a compliment when two people share the same idea. The full original meaning: The second half injects skepticism. While great minds may agree on some things, mindless conformity can lead to similar conclusions without much thought. It’s a reminder to think critically instead of simply going with the crowd.

 

9. “Pull Yourself Up by Your Bootstraps”

The extended phrase: Originally intended as a sarcastic comment. What it means today: This phrase is often used as advice to encourage self-reliance and hard work, implying that anyone can succeed if they try hard enough. The full original meaning: In its earliest use, the phrase was meant to highlight the absurdity of trying to do the impossible. After all, you can’t literally pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. It originally pointed out how unrealistic it is to expect people to succeed without any help or resources.

 

10. “Head Over Heels”

The extended phrase: This phrase evolved from “heels over head,” which originally meant a flip or fall. What it means today: It’s used to describe being deeply in love, often in a lighthearted or romantic context. The full original meaning: The original phrase described physical motion, like tumbling or cartwheeling. Over time, it evolved into a metaphor for being so overwhelmed or “flipped” by emotion that it feels like falling in love.