The culture we consume is the culture we create. Childhood, the very formative stage of an individual’s life, is often symbolised by the moulding of a pot. Too much water, or too much heat, and the vessel breaks. Childhood, too, works on a very similar balance of nurturing and protection.  However, as we transition into the age of digitalisation, with the hands that once held playbooks now being replaced with mobiles, a haunting reality of the generation in the making stares

When we talk about Pakistan, trade is not what we immediately think of; well, it comes naturally that the country is rather infamous for being enrolled in an economic crisis, surviving on loans and handouts by the IMF and its ‘AAKA’s from the Persian Gulf. Illustration by The Geostrata Rather than exporting goods and services, they export terrorism across the world. If we take a close look at their trade books, we can see that their aggregate annual exports stand at $ 36.5 bi

The rise of high-technology industries has fundamentally reshaped the balance of global economic and political power. Semiconductors, data centre infrastructure, and underwater submarine cables have become the strategic lifelines of the modern economy. Yet, these supply chains are highly vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, economic coercion, and military conflict, especially in Asia, where the United States and China are locked in an intensifying rivalry. Cover by The Geostr

Sometimes, one decision can alter the entire course of destiny. For Jammu and Kashmir, that decision came on 26 October 1947. On this day, Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of the princely state, signed the Instrument of Accession, choosing to join India that is Bharat, Kashmir’s home, its own civilisation. Illustration by The Geostrata The decision was made during immense external aggression at the hands of Pakistan. Within days of independence, Pakistan activated Operation Gul

In the 21st century, the world has entered a period of dramatic change in global climate dynamics. With an expanding climate crisis, unprecedented temperatures, and evolving geopolitical alignments, India, home to approximately 1.4 billion people  and a rapidly developing economy , finds itself at a momentous crossroad. Illustration by The Geostrata On the international stage, India’s approach combines its domestic policies with active participation and strategic partnership

The idea of "soft power," introduced by American political scientist Joseph Nye, is extensively applied in contemporary international relations. This strategy enables nations to advance their interests without having to utilise military force. Soft power, as it is understood today, gained prominence after the Cold War, when the United States became the sole superpower. Illustration by The Geostrata The “unipolar moment” that the U.S. experienced after the fall of the Soviet U

Folk music is a kind of traditional, often rural music that represents the cultural heartbeat of India. Anchored in oral traditions expressing the everyday struggles of human beings, folk music differs from other forms of music, like classical music, by being more rooted to the cultural realities of the rural population and the marginalised sections of society.  Illustration by The Geostrata In India, folk music is a tool of cultural identifiers of a diverse region. From the

In the 19th century, the “Great Game” was the strategic competition between the British Empire and Tsarist Russia over the domination of Central Asia. This historic competition is resurfacing in a modern form, with new players, new tools, and billions of dollars at stake. Central Asia, which had long been viewed as a geopolitical backwater, has emerged as a critical front line in the contest for supremacy among great powers. Illustration by The Geostrata Today, China, Russia,

A lustrous metal that has witnessed history from ancient Bharat to modern-day Viksit Bharat, from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the artificial intelligence era, gold has served as a means of family inheritance, pride, and a reliable economic asset. Illustration by The Geostrata Its nature of scarcity makes it precious, and its ability to act as a safety valve for central banks worldwide makes it unique among other metals. In the Indian economy, this lustrous metal is more

The analysis of psychological profiling of world leaders, or for that matter, any individual, cannot be fulfilled without mentioning ‘The Father of Psychology’, Sigmund Freud. In 1932, in a letter from Albert Einstein to Sigmund Freud, under the title “Why War?” Einstein asked several crucial questions pertaining to the present world stratum.  Illustration by The Geostrata One of them is “ Is it possible to control man's mental evolution to make him proof against the psychos

India is on the path to becoming a developed nation in the coming decades. However, the overall pattern of national development takes a new twist in line with the restricted number of women in the workforce to date. Illustration by The Geostrata Instead of being a peripheral women's problem of fewer women's workforce participation, it is an economic challenge that must be addressed to ensure the nation’s growth, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability. Relatively low by

Despite its active democratic participation and aspirations for a high-growth economy, India can't escape from one serious problem at the heart of its administrative set-up; in short, the Government of India has an administrative bureaucracy that needs radical change. The bureaucratic "steel frame"  of India has been relied on for continuity and stability since independence, helping to maintain law and order and contributing in some part to holding the country together. Illus

Critical minerals   are present on the nodules of major minerals, holding immense industrial and manufacturing potential for companies, countries, and economies alike. The contemporary discourse on critical minerals is highly dependent on the prevailing socio-economic developments and disparities, largely defined by technological advancements. Illustration by The Geostrata Though there may be different classifications of which mineral is critical, nevertheless, they are vital

The world’s renewable energy boom is real, but not enough to break fossil fuel dependence. despite record solar and wind growth, oil, gas and coal remain entrenched due to infrastructural lock-ins, rising energy needs in the global south, and powerful political-economic interests. This article explores the paradox of clean gains without fossil decline, sectoral complexities, and why justice, finance, and technology sharing are vital for a just transition.

Perched on the edge of paradise, India's hill stations are collapsing under the weight of their own popularity. What was once an escape from the chaos is now ground zero for an unfolding ecological disaster. Illustration by The Geostrata The hill stations in India, which were once peaceful havens, are now being heavily burdened by both permanent and transient populations. This article examines the carrying capacity in terms of ecological, infrastructural, and socio-economic a

India's maritime policy is experiencing a robust transformation that now emphasises technological innovations, smart diplomacy, and regional leadership. India is expanding its reach from coastal defence to the entire Indo-Pacific region through contemporary definitions of maritime power grounded on Artificial Intelligence and multilateralism. Cover by The Geostrata India's maritime policy reflects its maritime aspirations, with doctrines like SAGAR and the Indo-Pacific Oceans

Lal Bahadur Shastri is not just a name but a persona in itself. From June 9, 1964, till January 11, 1966 , Lal Bahadur Shastri served as the Prime Minister of India. He was born on October 2, 1904, at Mughalsarai, a small railway town seven miles from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Lal Bahadur had a normal education in his small town. Despite struggles, he was keen on completing his education. Illustration by The Geostrata As he grew up, Lal Bahadur became more and more interest

In the current day and age, a new phrase has emerged, gaining massive traction across the globe. Brain drain is a condition where a nation is deprived of its highly skilled citizens due to their departure to other countries for a host of reasons, including economy, policy gaps, personal interest, and better opportunities. Globally, India is known as a hub of excellence, with institutes like IITs, AIIMS, and IIMs producing world-class talent. The global influence of the Indian

In the digital age, under the constant gaze of prying eyes, surveilling every move and gnawing at every step, the smartphone screen, once meant for communication, has turned into a blackhole with algorithms not just reflecting who people are, but rather actively shaping them. Illustration by The Geostrata Psychologist Erik Erikson, in his theory on psychosocial development, expanded on the concept of identity and role confusion, with 12-18 years of age as the formative stage

With the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), India underwent a major indirect tax reform, making it a historic step. In...