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The Print
22-05-2025
- Science
- The Print
US is facing brain drain. India must decide if it's ready to welcome back scholars
In the 1930s, many of the displaced scientists from Germany went on to make ground-breaking contributions—only now, on foreign soil. Among them, Albert Einstein, James Franck, and Erwin Schrodinger were already Nobel laureates, while five more won the Nobel Prize later for the work they did abroad. Their acceptance in the UK and the US was partly helped by dedicated organisations set up specifically to support their relocation. It is an undisputed fact that the innovation culture in the US and Western Europe in the post-war period led to their rapid economic growth, and this group of migrants played an important role in promoting such culture. In recent times, reports have emerged that many academicians are looking to migrate from the US to other parts of the world. The present geopolitical situation may not be as grave, or as delicate as it was in 1933 Germany, but a perceived threat to academic freedom is prompting many academicians to consider relocating. A recent survey carried out by Nature magazine confirms that the brain drain may already be underway in the US. More than 75 per cent of a large number of scientists said that they were looking to move at the earliest opportunity. The year 1933 witnessed the beginning of an exodus of scientists, academicians, and intellectuals from Germany. The scale of the exodus, and the quality of people who left Germany, mostly to the US and Western Europe, was so significant that they deeply influenced the development of Western Europe and America in the post-World War II period. History might repeat itself, again. Inviting scholars to India Interestingly, some of the leading academicians had even considered migrating to India in the 1930s. One such person was Max Born, who went on to win the Nobel Prize in physics in 1954 and was American physicist J Robert Oppenheimer's mentor. Born spent six months during 1935-1936 at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, at the invitation of Indian physicist CV Raman. Raman had recently moved to IISc and was keen to attract global talent to the institute. When Raman offered Born to move to Bengaluru in 1935, initially for six months and later permanently, Born had no hesitation in accepting the invitation. Indeed, Born's six months in Bengaluru were marked by a series of lectures by him and deep academic discussions with Raman and his colleagues. Similarly, when Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya understood the plight of intellectuals in Germany, foreseeing the immediate need to act, he offered Albert Einstein to visit the newly established Banaras Hindu University. This was in anticipation that Einstein would be pleased with the academic environment at the BHU, and eventually might be persuaded to accept a faculty position there. Both Raman and Malaviya had exceptional foresight on the contemporary situation and were willing to invite outstanding individuals to their institutions. Also read: Who's responsible for the state of India's history? Propaganda, profits & influencers US brain brain If the brain drain does happen now, it could undermine the US' position as the world's most innovation-friendly country—and as its largest economy. Independent analysts have commented on both these aspects. Consequently, countries in Europe have taken swift action on the perceived brain drain from the US. For example, the French President Emmanuel Macron has already extended an open invitation to the best brains to relocate to France. Is India prepared to accept a large number of talented academicians—and that too, at short notice? The situation in the 1930s was quite different than that of today. Back then, a few responsible individuals had the foresight and courage to make such decisions. Moreover, universities and institutions in India had just begun to be established, creating space and opportunity for many to find a place within them. Despite this, Raman had faced serious hurdles in bringing Max Born on a long-term engagement. On the other hand, the academic organisations are much more mature now compared to the 1930s. The maturity has also brought unintended bureaucratic hurdles in spotting outstanding talent and offering positions in our institutions. A new and innovative approach may be necessary if India truly wants to take advantage of the situation and attract the best global talent. The government can set up special-purpose mechanisms and rapidly implement decisions on exceptionally talented academics to return. Many newly established private universities, possibly free of the bureaucratic processes, may take the lead. Undoubtedly, attracting such outstanding individuals, considering the current peculiar geopolitical situation, will only have a positive long-term impact on the growth of the Indian economy. Only time will tell if India seizes the opportunity or lets it slip away once again. Shekhar C Mande is the retired Director General of CSIR and currently a professor at the Savitribai Phule Pune University. He tweets @shekhar_mande. Views are personal. (Edited by Ratan Priya)
Canada Standard
06-05-2025
- Business
- Canada Standard
Canadas Carney set for high-stakes meeting with US President Trump
Tensions between the two leaders have been high, particularly due to Trumps tariffs and his past calls for Canada to join the US as the 51st state. Carney, who replaced Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister, has vowed to reshape Canadas relationship with the US and fight for better trade deals. Canadian Prime MinisterMark CarneymeetsDonald Trumpon Tuesday for the first time since he won reelection on a pledge to stand up to the US presidents tariffs and threats to annex the United States northern neighbor. The 60-year-old Liberal Party leader has said that things cannot be the same with the United States under Trump, and warned not to expect any immediate agreements from the meeting at theWhite House. Trump has sparked a major trade war with Canada, which counts the United States as its main ally and trading partner, while repeatedly making extraordinary calls forCanadato become the 51st US state. Republican Trump called Carney a very nice gentleman after they spoke last week but said on Monday that he was not sure what Carney wanted to talk about. Hes coming to see me. I'm not sure what he wants to see me about, but I guess he wants to make a deal. Everybody does, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. Trump is set to welcome Carney at 11:30 am (1530 GMT), followed by lunch and then a meeting in the Oval Office. Trump slapped general tariffs of 25 percent on Canada andMexicoand sector-specific levies on autos, some of which have been suspended pending negotiations. He has also imposed similar duties on steel and aluminum. Carney has vowed to remake Canadas ties with the United States in perhaps its biggest political and economic shift sinceWorld War II. Our old relationship based on steadily increasing integration is over. The questions now are how our nations will cooperate in the future, Carney said on Friday. The Canadian leader said he would also fight to get the best deal on thetariffs. But Trumps ultra-loyal Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said it would be really complex to reach a deal. They have their socialist regime and its basically feeding off of America, he told Fox Business on Monday. I just dont see how it works out perfectly. Important moment The US president inserted himself into Canadas election early on with a social media post saying Canada would face ZERO TARIFFS if it becomes the cherished 51st state. Pierre Poilievres Conservative Party had been on track to win the vote but Trumps attacks, combined with the departure of unpopular former premierJustin Trudeau, transformed the race. Carney, who replaced Trudeau as prime minister in March, convinced voters that his experience managing economic crises made him the ideal candidate to defy Trump. The political newcomer previously served as governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank ofEngland, and in the latter post he played a key role reassuring markets after the 2016Brexitvote. Carney is known for weighing his words carefully but he will face a challenge dealing with the confrontational Trump on the US presidents home turf. This is a very important moment for him, since he insisted during the campaign that he could take on Mr Trump, Genevieve Tellier, a political scientist at the University of Ottawa, told AFP. The Canadian premier would also have to avoid the fate of Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelensky, who walked into a brutal tongue-lashing from Trump and Vice PresidentJD Vancein February. Everyone obviously remembers the altercation with Zelensky, said Tellier. One point in Carneys favor is that he is not Trudeau, the slick former prime minister whom Trump famously loathed and belittled as governor of Canada, she added. The world will also be watching, with Carneys victory one of two by left-leaning leaders in the past week in elections that Trumps stance may have swayed. Carneys victory came just days before Australian Prime MinisterAnthony Albanesealso won reelection in a vote that was overshadowed by Trumps tariff threats. On arrival in the US capital, the Canadian PM struck a confident tone. Canada and the United States are strongest when we work together -- and that work starts now, he said on social media. (FRANCE 24 with AFP) Originally published on France24
Business Insider
03-05-2025
- Business Insider
I'm an American who visited Poland for the first time. I was surprised by how affordable, beautiful, and walkable it was.
I was surprised by how well some of its cities mix old and new architecture. I had always imagined Poland as a stark, gray country with a sterile Cold War feel — perhaps because much of what I know about it is based on its roles throughout history. Instead, I was astonished to find that its cities, like Kraków and Warsaw, which I visited, had a modern vibe, charming neighborhoods, and a fascinating mix of old and new that blended seamlessly. Although the cities I visited in Poland have plenty of nondescript Cold War-era buildings, they are interspersed with a handful of ornate pre-World War II buildings, charming old towns, ultra-modern glass skyscrapers, and impressive Soviet-designed structures. The country's landscape is also more diverse than I imagined. Although Poland is surrounded by land on three sides, it still has beaches and a beautiful range of landscapes. I was particularly astonished by the beauty of Zakopane, a town at the base of the Tatra Mountains. After taking a cable car up thousands of feet, I was greeted by incredible views of Zakopane's aqua-blue lakes and verdant valleys that impressed me more than the Swiss Alps. When I visited in the summer, this mountain town seemed like a true haven for hikers and nature lovers. Public transportation options also impressed me. I was especially impressed by the local public transportation systems in the two major cities I visited in Poland. Warsaw's public transportation network includes buses, trams, and subways. I used an easy-to-use app to seamlessly navigate around the city throughout the trip. In my opinion, the public transportation options in Warsaw were as good as those in my hometown of Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, where I grew up. Kraków felt very walkable, but I also appreciated the city's robust bus and tram system. Trains connect Kraków to several popular nearby sites, including the Wieliczka Salt Mine and the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial and museum. I came across many communal spaces and loved seeing them filled with people. Many stereotypes I'd heard painted Poland as a cold place, but I was pleasantly surprised by the friendliness and numerous communal spaces I encountered in the country. Places I visited, like Kraków, had many lively parks and town squares filled with restaurants, shops, and open spaces where people could gather. I saw families playing and groups taking yoga classes in parks. One evening, I visited a vibrant open-air food market and enjoyed seeing many people lingering over drinks to chat and listen to live music. Even smaller towns, like Zakopane, had main streets designed for pedestrians and promenades with seating areas that seemed perfect for gathering. The food was great and fairly affordable. Before my trip, I wasn't super familiar with Polish cuisine beyond pierogi, the country's beloved dumplings that are often boiled and filled with mashed potatoes. I ate plenty of them throughout my stay, and was delighted to find that most of the food I ate in Poland wasn't as beige or basic. In reality, the country surprised me with its wide selection of diverse and modern cuisine. I found many high-end restaurants, some serving Polish fusion cuisine and others serving classics like pasta and steak that I'd find back home. One Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant served me dishes that looked almost too pretty to eat. Because Poland is a relatively affordable country compared to the US, I felt like I could eat like a queen here, even though I was traveling on a budget. It was awesome to dine at Michelin-starred restaurants that I would never have been able to afford in the United States. For example, a five-course tasting meal in Kraków's Michelin-starred Bottiglieria 1881 starts at about 60 euros, or $68. A similar dining experience in the US can easily cost more than double that. With the exception of one mediocre fast-food restaurant
South China Morning Post
15-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Like Cixi, Trump has made the mistake of declaring an ill-advised war
A viral political cartoon circulating in China shows US President Donald Trump dressed in the imperial robes of the Qing dynasty. He is likened to Empress Dowager Cixi , who in 1900 effectively declared war on the Western powers in China , a disastrous move that helped accelerate the collapse of imperial China. Advertisement To many Chinese observers, the cartoon is a warning: Trump, in launching his latest damaging round of tariffs , seems trapped in a tragic and ill-advised Game of Thrones, fuelled by outdated assumptions about America's industrial might and global dominance. Some worry that today's world is feeling eerily similar to the pre-World War II era of escalating tariffs, with economic aggression eventually spilling over into military conflict. It's anyone's guess which nation the United States might go to war with next: Yemen Iran ? Somewhere in Africa or Latin America? The Falkland Islands? Perhaps Heard Island and McDonald Islands? Are the penguins there ready to rebuff US Marines? One thing is for certain, in my opinion: it won't be China. Why? Not because China lacks resolve. Quite the opposite. China will never yield to the US on any issue of core interest. But Beijing does not seek confrontation. It merely prepares for it. Advertisement
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S. Naval Academy library lists 381 ‘DEI' books removed
April 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. Naval Academy removed 381 books from its library shelves in response to President Donald Trump's executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion materials and policies in federal facilities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week ordered the Naval Academy to review its titles listings and remove books that promote DEI, U.S. officials told the Navy Times. Academy officials identified nearly 900 books for review and afterward compiled a llst of 381 books that it removed Among the titles removed are, "How to be an antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi, "Uncomfortable conversations with a black man" by Emmanuel Acho and "Why didn't we riot?: a Black man in Trumpland" by Issac J. Bailey. The Naval Academy removed the 381 books on Monday in advance of a visit that Hegseth made on Tuesday. Hegseth's order required the Defense Department to remove all "new articles, photos and videos promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, including content related to critical race theory, gender ideology and identity-based programs," reported. Trump's executive order against DEI in the federal government did not apply to the U.S. military academies, but Hegseth ordered them to comply with the order following new reports saying DEI books remained on military academies' library shelves. In addition to removing books from the Naval Academy library, school officials also removed historic items honoring Jewish female academy graduates from the Commodore Uriah P. Levy Center and Jewish Chapel. Their removal was a mistake, and "Naval Academy leadership is immediately taking steps to review and correct the unauthorized removal," Comdr. Ashley Hockycko said. Other books and materials were removed by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Among those removed were books and materials discussing women who served during the Civil War, website discussions of Kristin Griest, who was the first woman to complete the Army's Ranger School, and lessons discussing the Tuskegee Airmen's and Women's Airforce Service Pilots' services duringWorld War II. Some of the removed items and online content have been returned.
