What is AI?

 

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” (Arthur C. Clarke) 

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE?

 Artificial Intelligence is a discipline within information technology that deals with creating intelligent machines. An intelligent machine is a computer, or a robot controlled by a computer or a software that undertakes tasks and reasoning, traditionally associated with the human intellect. Artificial intelligence has therefore been created by studying how the human mind thinks, learns, discriminates and functions when attempting to resolve a problem. The results of these studies have been used as the basis for the software development and intelligent systems underpinning AI. Given that there are multiple human intelligences, different techniques have been developed to emulate them. This has resulted in different types of artificial intelligence, and the creation of systems capable of calculating, reasoning, detecting relationships and analogies, learning from experience, solving problems, understanding complex ideas, utilising natural language correctly, categorising.

THE BRANCHES OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE It’s good to make a distinction between Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Deep Learning: • Machine Learning is an area within artificial intelligence which aims to develop the ability to learn through experience in computers, using algorithms, data and examples, rather than by pre-programming. The power of machine learning is due to the quality of the algorithms and examples, which are continuously improved and updated over time. The resulting knowledge used is no longer directly human, as the process of knowledge accumulation is transferred to the machine, which learns autonomously. Examples of applications are anti-spam filters for mailboxes and search engines. • Deep Learning is an area within and a function of Machine Learning. It is based on Artificial Neural Networks, or rather computational models, inspired by how the human brain works. The main attribute of an Artificial Neural Network is the ability to learn during a training phase and then apply the knowledge learnt to make predictions in new situations. Just like human brains these networks have an internal memory that grows with experience. For example, using Deep Learning techniques, a face in a photograph can be recognised, or equally, a sample of freehand writing and drawing.

 THE APPLICATIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE When you use Siri or Cortana, or any Android function voice on your mobile phone, you are using Artificial Intelligence. You are also using it when you search for or buy something on an ecommerce site (eg Amazon) which uses advanced personalisation, recommendations or pattern recognition, and when you search for an image. The most well know application is the self-driving car. Artificial Intelligence is becoming a widespread technology in all sectors because it is transformative. • When you are on a train, it is guided by an expert system that manages traffic on the rail network. • When you use your voice to search on Google, you are using a natural language processing system. • When you navigate the web, you see advertisements that reflect your interests, as a result of machine learning. • When you search the web using the images option rather than the text option, you are exploiting deep learning. • Finally, the study of robotics is beginning to offer solutions for agriculture, healthcare and the management of awkward or unpleasant tasks.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT ON WORK? According to Gartner, within just the next 5 years Intelligent Machines and Robots could replace highly qualified professionals in the healthcare, legal and IT sectors. The scope of development in artificial intelligence covers both intellectual and manual capabilities. Therefore, a potentially massive impact on many of today’s professions is envisaged. Predictions of the effects on employment can be divided into two camps: the optimists, who believe the professions will adapt, and pessimists who foresee fewer available jobs. In both cases, it’s wise to become more aware of, and better informed about Artificial Intelligence, grounding it in the evolution which scientists, scholars and entrepreneurs proclaim is underway: Human Intelligence enhanced by Artificial Intelligence will create Augmented Intelligence. 

 Artificial Intelligence Artificial intelligence and the fourth industrial revolution have made considerable advances in the last two years. Most of the ongoing developments have been created for industrial and commercial usage, even if the number of companies that are working on consumer products are increasing. In this guide, you will find practical tips, based on a series of tools which use artificial intelligence. Experiment by using one that inspires you, so that you become familiar with it, and maybe, in the future, it will help to spark an idea for your organisation. The following exercise involves navigating different applications and is designed to help you begin to develop the Digital Mindset via personal experience

Artificial intelligence and the fourth industrial revolution have made considerable advances in the last two years. Most of the ongoing developments have been created for industrial and commercial usage, even if the number of companies that are working on consumer products are increasing. In this guide, you will find practical tips, based on a series of tools which use artificial intelligence. Experiment by using one that inspires you, so that you become familiar with it, and maybe, in the future, it will help to spark an idea for your organisation. The following exercise involves navigating different applications and is designed to help you begin to develop the Digital Mindset via personal experience. Here is a list of websites that offer specific services: ETCH etch.ai helps you to manage your contacts in a searchable database Name Description Address Findo findo.com Your intelligent search assistant throught emails, files and personal cloud Leap leap.ai recommends organisations for you to apply to, based on your skills Mosaic mosaic.ai helps you to write better CVs WORK Newton newton.ai helps you to find the type of work you want Woo woo.io helps you to make intelligent career decisions, anonymously Brightcrowd brightcrowd.com Helps you to find important professional connections 

 

 

 

D. Christopher Lane, A. Diem-Lane

Digital Philosophy

Mount San Antonio College

In a world where everything seems destined to become programmable via software code, sensors, data, algorithms, artificial intelligence and digital platforms, great philosophical themes are being reconsidered too. Here are presented the most advanced frontiers, at the international level, of digital thought and philosophy. A book that helps us understand the impact of digital on our current and future lives. It analyses the present to understand the future that awaits us, and opens our minds so we can seize opportunities.

 

P. Domingos

The Master Algorithm: How the Quest for the Ultimate Learning Machine Will Remake Our World

Basic Books

Our society is steeped in algorithms. Every time we visit a website looking for a book or a film, or we browse among online shops, we leave a long digital trace behind us that describes our habits and our preferences. This trail is the raw material, the database from which algorithms extract the information needed to propose products or services to us which we appear to need or desire. Algorithms study us, imitate us and experiment on us, in search of the ultimate goal that is considered the Holy Grail of computing research: the Definitive Algorithm, capable of extracting all the information from the data and doing everything, absolutely everything that we want, even before we ask for it. This is the commercial perspective. But from a scientific point of view, this challenge is about finding an algorithm capable of programming oneself. It may seem like science fiction, but it is already a scientific pursuit in full flow that will have a major impact in a much wider range of fields.

Gone with the Wind ~ Margaret Mitchell

 

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell is a historical novel set during the American Civil War and Reconstruction. It follows Scarlett O’Hara, a strong-willed Southern woman whose life is transformed by war, loss, survival, and complicated relationships — especially with Rhett Butler and Ashley Wilkes.

The novel is commonly divided into five major parts/books. Here’s a concise part-by-part summary.

Part One — Life Before the War

The story opens at Tara, the O’Hara plantation in Georgia. Scarlett O’Hara is a beautiful, spoiled, and manipulative young woman who is used to getting attention from men. She is secretly obsessed with Ashley Wilkes, a neighboring plantation owner.

Ashley announces his engagement to Melanie Hamilton, who is kind, gentle, and deeply respected. Scarlett is devastated and impulsively confesses her love to Ashley, but he rejects her because he believes they are fundamentally different.

During this confrontation, Scarlett meets Rhett Butler, a charming and cynical outsider who overhears everything. Rhett immediately recognizes Scarlett’s selfishness and strength.

Soon after, the Civil War begins. In anger and jealousy, Scarlett hastily marries Melanie’s brother, Charles Hamilton. Charles dies shortly afterward from illness while serving in the Confederate Army, leaving Scarlett widowed at a young age.

Part Two — War and Hardship

Scarlett moves to Atlanta to stay with Melanie and Melanie’s aunt, Pittypat. Atlanta becomes crowded with soldiers, wounded men, and war activity.

Scarlett dislikes the restrictions placed on widows and grows restless. Rhett Butler frequently visits her and flirts openly, though Scarlett still fixates on Ashley.

As the war worsens, food shortages and fear spread through Atlanta. Melanie becomes pregnant while Ashley is away fighting.

When Union forces approach Atlanta, the city falls into chaos. Scarlett helps Melanie deliver her baby under terrifying conditions. Rhett helps them escape the burning city, but eventually leaves to join the Confederate army.

Scarlett manages to return home to Tara, only to discover devastation:

Her mother has died

Her father has mentally collapsed

The plantation is ruined

Food is scarce

Facing starvation, Scarlett vows she will never go hungry again.

Part Three — Reconstruction and Survival

Scarlett becomes ruthless and determined to rebuild Tara. She works in the fields herself and pushes everyone around her to survive.

When heavy taxes threaten Tara, Scarlett tries to get money from Rhett, who is imprisoned. Failing that, she marries her sister’s fiancé, Frank Kennedy, for financial security because he owns a successful business.

Scarlett becomes a savvy businesswoman, running lumber mills and aggressively pursuing profit despite criticism from society. Her behavior shocks traditional Southern women.

Ashley returns from the war emotionally broken and unable to adapt to the new South. Scarlett still clings to the fantasy that she loves him.

Frank is killed during a violent political raid linked to postwar unrest. Rhett then proposes marriage to Scarlett.

She accepts largely for money and status.

Part Four — Marriage to Rhett Butler

Scarlett and Rhett enjoy a wealthy, glamorous marriage for a time. Rhett genuinely loves Scarlett, though he often mocks society and sees through her illusions.

They have a daughter, Bonnie Blue Butler, whom Rhett adores. Bonnie becomes the center of his life.

However, Scarlett and Rhett’s marriage is deeply troubled:

Scarlett still emotionally clings to Ashley

Rhett becomes increasingly bitter and emotionally distant

They frequently fight but are also intensely attracted to each other

Melanie continues to support Scarlett loyally, unaware of Scarlett’s lingering feelings for Ashley.

Tensions peak after a tragic accident kills Bonnie. Rhett is devastated and emotionally shattered.

Meanwhile, Scarlett slowly begins to realize that Ashley is weak and idealized — not the great love she imagined.

Part Five — Loss and Realization

Melanie becomes seriously ill after another pregnancy. Before dying, she expresses her love and trust in Scarlett and asks her to care for Ashley.

Melanie’s death forces Scarlett into emotional clarity. She finally realizes:

Ashley never truly suited her

She only loved an illusion tied to her old dreams

Rhett was the one she truly loved all along

Scarlett rushes home determined to reconcile with Rhett.

But Rhett, exhausted after years of emotional disappointment, tells her he no longer cares. He leaves her in one of literature’s most famous endings.

Scarlett is devastated but refuses to surrender completely. She decides to return to Tara, believing that strength and determination will help her win Rhett back someday.

The novel ends with Scarlett’s famous final thought:

“Tomorrow is another day.”

Major Characters

Scarlett O'Hara — determined, selfish, resilient protagonist

Rhett Butler — cynical yet deeply emotional businessman

Ashley Wilkes — idealistic Southern gentleman unable to adapt

Melanie Hamilton — compassionate and morally strong figure

Gone with the Wind is more than a romance — it’s a powerful story about survival, change, and human resilience during one of history’s darkest periods. Scarlett O’Hara remains one of literature’s most unforgettable heroines: flawed, determined, and impossible to ignore.

#GoneWithTheWind #MargaretMitchell #ClassicLiterature #BookSummary #Bookstagram #HistoricalFiction #ScarlettOHara #RhettButler #ClassicBooks #LiteratureLovers

Not sure why, may be reading the Top 100 books list, but of late I have been wondering if Margaret Mitchell would have lived for some more years,  could she have written a sequel to the book Gone With The Wind? Has this been discussed in this group before? Sorry if yes, I missed it. 

Novel ends with 'Tomorrow is another day.'  Scarlett was just around 28 years then? Would she have Rhett back or what would happen? 

Any thoughts?

Our Mohana Chitti

 Our Mohana Chitti

She was a woman shaped by the times she was born into — a woman who spent her life battling the quiet weight of patriarchy while trying to hold a family together. Beneath the stern shadow of a domineering mother-in-law, she never truly found a voice she could call her own. Instead, she poured every ounce of herself into raising her children, believing that one day they would become her strength, her refuge, and the voice she herself was denied.

But life did not unfold the way she had hoped. There came a painful moment when she realised that the very children she had raised with sacrifice and devotion could not become the promises she had built her heart around. They needed more from her, even when she had already given everything she had. Beside her stood a husband who remained alive through the years, yet never truly became her defender or her voice.

All she ever longed for was simple — for someone to truly listen to her.

And then came the cruel irony of time. A woman who once fed all of us with unconditional love, with little treats from her humble nature garden and meals prepared with affection, eventually had to depend on others even to feed herself. I was always one of the fortunate recipients of her quiet love. Even as I grew into the family, I never realised how deeply I still sought her acceptance and warmth. She gave me love in abundance, yet somewhere within her lived the unspoken hope that she, too, would receive the same tenderness from her own children.

Despite the poverty, love always lingered in the air around her. But in her later years, she suffered in silence — literally in silence. Decisions were made for her, even about her own body, while her voice remained unheard, as it had for most of her life. She endured everything without protest, carrying pain with the same quiet dignity with which she had carried love.

And now she is gone.

Gone beyond the suffering, beyond the disappointments, beyond the silence that caged her spirit for so long. Was it patriarchy she fought against, or was it the conditioning of an entire upbringing? Perhaps it was both. And despite all the love she carried within her, love alone was not enough to withstand the harsh demands of the world around her.

Now she is free. Her voice belongs to the Lord. And she will always remain in memory as a humble soul filled with deep wisdom about life — wisdom that, tragically, was never enough to save her from the life she herself had to endure.

WW3 Looming

 

Two old men Netanyahu, born in 1949 (76 years old), and Trump, born in 1946 (79 years old) have enjoyed every privilege this world has to offer.

They've lived long lives. They've eaten well. They've slept in warm beds. They've held power. They've been celebrated, protected, and enriched beyond imagination.

And now, in the final chapter of their lives, they have decided to destroy everything.

Not just Iran. Not just the Middle East. Everything. Global economy. World peace. The future of millions of children. All of it burned to ash because two bitter old men couldn't stand the thought of leaving quietly.

And here's the part that should terrify every human being on this planet:

Nobody is stopping them.

Not Congress. Not the media. Not the UN. Not the "international community." Not a single world leader with the courage to stand up and say: "Enough."

We are watching two senile warmongers drag humanity toward the cliff and the world is just... watching.

Taking notes. Writing analyses. Publishing "sources say" articles while the bombs fall and the children die.

This is not leadership. This is not geopolitics. This is a nursing home escapees' revenge fantasy playing out in real time.

And it proves something absolutely terrifying:

The world is not built on a solid foundation.

If two elderly men one hiding in a bunker, one tweeting from a golf course can bring the entire planet to the edge of destruction... then what was all of it for?

The UN? Useless.

International law? A joke.

Human rights? A memory.

Global cooperation? Dead.

We have allowed the future of humanity to be placed in the hands of two evil, desperate, narcissistic old men who will be dead in a decade while the rest of us live with the consequences forever.

Netanyahu wants "regime change"? The man can barely change his own diaper without consulting Washington.

Trump wants to "weaken Iran"? He can't even weaken his own craving for attention.

And yet here we are on the brink of World War III because nobody had the spine to stop them.

This is what doom looks like, people.

Not fire. Not brimstone. Just two senile psychopaths with access to bombs and zero accountability.

The world is not in a solid foundation. It's built on the egos of men who should have retired decades ago.

And unless humanity wakes up unless someone, somewhere, stands up and says NO MORE we will all pay the price for their final, desperate tantrum.

History will record this moment with shame.

Two old men. One planet. And nobody stopped them.

We are doomed not because of Iran, not because of missiles, not because of oil prices.

We are doomed because we let them get away with it.

Shame on them. Shame on us. Shame on everyone who watches this madness in silence.

Blockbuster hero to Chief Minister

From blockbuster hero to Chief Minister - today, Vijay completed one of the most dramatic transitions in Tamil Nadu politics and everything looked like a movie script. 

Years of fan clubs became political groundwork, cinema dialogues turned into campaign speeches, crowds that once gathered for first-day-first-show slowly became political cadres.

His journey was not smooth. Critics mocked him, he faced questions about political experience, media scrutiny, alliance pressures, family feud and the enormous challenge of breaking the decades-long dominance of the DMK–AIADMK era. Even after the election verdict, government formation saw tense negotiations and majority-proof battles before he finally crossed the magic number.

And today, history unfolded. A BJP-appointed Governor administered oath to a coalition-backed new-generation Chief Minister, while Rahul Gandhi from the Congress sat in attendance, a reminder of how unpredictable and layered Indian democracy can be. 

National Song, National Anthem, and Tamil Song being sung. 

Whether this becomes a political blockbuster or a difficult second half, only time will tell. But today belongs to the man once called “Thalapathy,” now officially the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Be confident. Be peaceful. Love that script repeating. 

पिक्चर अभी बाकी है।

May Assembly Elections

Kudos to the BJP. Kudos to UDF. Kudos to Vijay. 

And a special mention to Prashant Kishore.

West Bengal has indeed turned, it marks a serious milestone in the Modi Shah political journey. It reinforces Narendra Modi’s enduring grip over national sentiment and underlines Amit Shah’s electoral machinery.

At the same time, United Democratic Front’s comfortable victory in Kerala should not go unnoticed. 99 seats is a solid, decisive mandate.

And then there is Vijay.

No traditional political structure. No visible institutional backing. No central levers of power.

Just raw, unfiltered public traction.

Call it a wave, call it a surge, call it instinctive public alignment. Whatever the label, it is hard to ignore. In a system where victories are often attributed to strategy, alliances, or state power, this stands out for its simplicity.

More significantly, this election has delivered outcomes that would have seemed improbable not too long ago. 

Mamata Banerjee lost to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur constituency. M. K. Stalin lost to TVK’s VS Babu in Kolathur constituency. Gaurav Gogoi lost in Jorhat constituency to BJP’s Hitendranath Goswami. 

That is not just a result. That is a pattern shift.

“Vijay tsunami” will be studied, debated, and perhaps even respected in hindsight.

Is the history repeating?

Tamil Nadu gone case.. people r all still sleeping..an IAS officer fails but an actor wins in politics even in 2026..glad  atleast  west bengal has woken up..So people in TN are choosing this guy that until a few days ago was being mocked by the people for cheating on his wife with his co-actor. So people think he will be loyal to them 😂

 

Renaissance State The unwritten story of the Making of Maharashtra ~Girish Kuber

 

From the visionary leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to the reformist fire of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, this book traces how Maharashtra didn’t just evolve—it reimagined itself again and again.

It’s a story of power, ideas, संघर्ष (struggle), and renaissance—where warriors, thinkers, and reformers shaped not just a state, but the soul of a nation.

What stayed with me the most?

The idea that true progress isn’t linear—it’s built through constant questioning, courage, and reinvention.

If you love history that feels alive, relevant, and deeply human—this is a must-read.

#RenaissanceState #GirishKuber #Maharashtra #IndianHistory #BookstagramIndia #HistoryLovers #ReadingCommunity #BooksThatMatter

The book explains how Maharashtra continuously reinvented itself to shape India’s political, social, and intellectual history.

1. Maha Rashtra

Introduces the idea of Maharashtra as more than a geographic region—it is a civilizational and cultural force.

Traces early roots from ancient dynasties like the Satavahanas.

Sets the central theme: Maharashtra has always produced leaders, thinkers, and reformers who shaped India.

2. Darkness at Noon

Describes a period of decline and instability before the rise of strong regional leadership.

Fragmentation of power and absence of a unifying vision.

Prepares the ground for the emergence of transformative figures.

3. Islamic Rule

Covers Deccan Sultanates and Mughal influence.

Highlights political instability but also cultural and administrative shifts.

Shows how external pressures indirectly shaped Marathi identity.

4. O King Shivaji

Focuses on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

His rise as a visionary leader who challenged powerful empires.

Emphasizes leadership qualities: strategy, inclusiveness, governance.

5. Hindavi Swaraj

Explains Shivaji’s concept of self-rule (Swarajya).

Not just political freedom but also cultural pride and administrative reform.

Marks a turning point in Indian history.

6. Why Shivaji Matters 

Analytical chapter explaining Shivaji’s long-term influence beyond Maharashtra.

His ideas shaped governance, nationalism, and resistance.

Establishes him as a timeless political and ethical model.

7: Deccan after Shivaji

Covers the period after Shivaji Maharaj’s death.

The Maratha state faces instability, succession struggles, and Mughal pressure.

Despite chaos, the idea of Swarajya survives, carried forward by successors like Sambhaji and later leaders.

Key idea: Institutions built by strong leaders can outlive them—even in turbulent times.

8: The Peshwas

Focuses on the rise of the Peshwas (prime ministers) who became de facto rulers.

Under leaders like Baji Rao I, the Maratha Empire expanded rapidly across India.

Pune emerged as a political and cultural capital.

However, power became centralized and elite-driven, planting seeds of future decline.

Key idea: Expansion brought glory—but also structural weaknesses.

9: The Beginning of the End

Marks the decline of Maratha power, especially after the

Third Battle of Panipat.

Heavy losses weakened military strength and morale.

Internal divisions, poor coordination, and rising British power accelerated the fall.

Key idea: External defeat + internal disunity = collapse of great powers.

10. Renaissance State

Describes the revival phase after political upheavals.

Transition from empire to intellectual and social awakening.

Maharashtra becomes a centre for progressive thought.

11. The Starry Sphere

Focus on intellectuals, scientists, and thinkers.

Contributions in education, science, and public discourse.

Shows Maharashtra as a hub of knowledge and innovation.

12. Magnificent Maharashtrians

Covers social reformers like:

Jyotirao Phule

Pandita Ramabai

M. G. Ranade

Focus: education, women’s rights, caste reform.

Transformation from orthodoxy to progressiveness.

13. Many Poles, One Centre

Rise of political diversity:

Moderates (e.g., Gopal Krishna Gokhale)

Extremists (e.g., Bal Gangadhar Tilak)

Despite differences, all contributed to India’s freedom movement.

Maharashtra as a political nerve centre.

14. Theatre of Thoughts

Emergence of ideologies:

• Socialism
• Hindu nationalism
• Dalit assertion

Includes figures like:

B. R. Ambedkar

Shows Maharashtra as a battlefield of ideas shaping modern India.

15. Post-Independence Turmoil

Formation of the state of Maharashtra.

Linguistic reorganization and political struggles.

Internal challenges: identity, development, and power dynamics.

16: The Best Prime Minister India Never Had

Focuses on Yashwantrao Chavan.

Portrayed as a visionary, balanced, and pragmatic leader.

Played a major role in shaping modern Maharashtra and national politics.

Despite capability, he never became Prime Minister—seen as a missed opportunity for India.

Key idea: Leadership potential doesn’t always translate into top power.

17: So Near, Yet So Far…

Examines Maharashtra’s leaders in national politics who came close to the top but didn’t reach it.

Includes figures like Sharad Pawar.

Highlights political fragmentation, missed alliances, and timing issues.

Maharashtra remained influential—but never fully dominant at the Centre.

Key idea: Proximity to power ≠ possession of power.

18: Renaissance Once More?

Reflects on whether Maharashtra can reinvent itself again.

Revisits its legacy of reformers, thinkers, and leaders.

Raises concerns:

Decline in intellectual leadership

Political stagnation

Need for new ideas

Ends on a questioning yet hopeful note—can Maharashtra lead another renaissance?

Key idea: History sets the stage—but the future depends on present choices.

 Simple Connecting Insight

Across these chapters, the book shows a pattern:

Rise → Expansion → Decline → Reflection → Possibility of Renewal

Modern Political Journey

Maharashtra’s role in national politics. 

Mahatma Gandhi — A Moral Force, Not a Maharashtrian Core

Gandhi appears mainly in the context of the freedom movement and ideological shifts.

The book contrasts his non-violent, mass-mobilization approach with Maharashtra’s earlier assertive and intellectual traditions (like Tilak and later Ambedkar).

His influence is shown as:

Nationally dominant, shaping India’s struggle

But also redefining Maharashtra’s political tone, moving it from confrontation to mass ethics and discipline

There is an underlying tension:

Maharashtra produced strong thinkers and reformers

Yet Gandhi’s ideology became the mainstream guiding force

Core idea: Gandhi didn’t emerge from Maharashtra’s tradition—but he significantly reshaped its political direction.

 Pramod Mahajan — The Modern Political Strategist

Mahajan is portrayed as a symbol of modern Maharashtra’s political potential.

Known for:

Strategic thinking

Organizational skill

Ability to connect regional and national politics

He represents a new kind of leader—media-savvy, forward-looking, and influential within party structures.

His sudden and tragic death is implied as a major loss:

Seen as someone who could have risen to the highest levels of power

Another example of Maharashtra being “so near, yet so far” from central leadership

 Core idea: Mahajan reflects untapped potential and interrupted leadership in modern Indian politics.

Both figures highlight a recurring theme in the book:

Gandhi → Influence came from outside Maharashtra, yet shaped it deeply

Mahajan → Talent came from Maharashtra, but didn’t fully reach its peak. Together, they reinforce the book’s larger message:

Maharashtra has always been central to India’s story—but not always at the centre of power.

Leaders influencing Delhi but often “so near, yet so far” from central power.

Ends with contemporary political shifts and challenges.

Core Idea of the Book

Maharashtra is portrayed as a “renaissance state”—a region that repeatedly:

Falls → Rebuilds → Leads

It combines:

Warriors (Shivaji)

Thinkers (Phule, Ranade)

Reformers (Ambedkar)

Politicians (Tilak, Gokhale)

What they dont teach you in Journalism Schools ~ Sameer C Mohindru

 One of our own member have brought out this amazing book. Those interested in knowing how earth shaking news are reported by  journalists, this book is for you.

Three interesting facts, this book covers wide range of subjects on domestic and international events, science, environment,  sports, legal, politics and finance our Prime Ministers, Journalism in general and The technology behind journalism.

The book has writings of various journalists.  Walter Alfred contributes two anthologies to this at the agebof 102 and Srinivasa Sethuram who was writing until he breathed his last in 2023 has his contribution to this book.

The font, structure, volume and lay out is reader friendly with 550 + pages, this book would be a treasure trove for book lovers.

Jinnah & Dina

 The Daughter Who Refused to Follow the Divide

The founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, is often remembered as the central figure behind the Partition of the Indian subcontinent. Yet, few remember his only daughter, Dina Wadia, who passed away quietly in New York on November 2, 2017, at the age of 98.

In many ways, her life echoed a familiar story of love and defiance. Much like Indira Gandhi, she chose her partner against her father’s wishes. In 1938, she married Neville Wadia, a Parsi industrialist, despite Jinnah’s strong disapproval. That decision created a deep personal rift, one that was never fully repaired.

Jinnah himself came from a Gujarati-speaking trading family of Kathiawar, with roots often associated with the Khoja community. Though his family had embraced Islam, he remained personally secular, shaped by law, politics, and pragmatism. Over time, he emerged as the most prominent political voice advocating for Muslim political identity in British India, ultimately leading to the creation of Pakistan during the Partition of India.

History, however, is rarely without irony.

While Jinnah mobilized religious identity in politics, his opposition to his daughter’s marriage reflected a more personal and social conflict than a purely theological one. For Dina, the choice was clear, she chose autonomy over obedience.

Contrary to popular belief, she did visit Pakistan on a few occasions, including during the time of her father’s death in 1948. Yet, her life remained largely rooted in India, particularly in Mumbai, before she later spent her final years in New York.

She lived at a quiet distance from the nation her father created, and from the politics that defined him belonging, in a way, to both sides, yet fully to neither.

Her story is not just a historical footnote. It is a reminder of the deeply human tensions behind political legacies of love, distance, identity, and choice.

We remember Muhammad Ali Jinnah the statesman. Perhaps it is also worth remembering Dina Wadia, the daughter who chose her own path, even when history itself seemed to pull her in another direction.