That the “Aryan Invasion” theory stands thoroughly discredited today is probably no news for most readers of this blog. But when I recently stumbled on this article by Jayasree, I realised there may be a lot more that is yet to be discovered and explored here – particularly with regards to the unifying strands between the Saraswati-Sindhu settlements, the Vedic age and the later day culture of Bharat/India (In this context, please also read excerpts from a speech by Dr Subramaniam Swamy on “Defalsify India’s History“). As Shri Krishen Kak …

This is what I’m reading as I find myself stuck in a travel black hole…
1. R Jagannathan on why “Manmohan Singh is the dynasty’s fall guy” (emphasis mine)…
Both the prime minister and the home minister have minced no words in calling a spade a spade. While Manmohan Singh has called the Maoists the biggest security threat to the country, P Chidambaram has promised tough action to deal with it. But here’s the point: months after launching Operation Green Hunt, it is not clear who’s hunting whom. The Maoists have been …

‘New insights on the modular planning of the Taj Mahal‘ by Prof R Balasubramaniam – Exploring the link between Taj Mahal and Harappa [ pdf download ]
Is Islam the Problem? by Jonah Godlberg
K N Govindacharya on Akhand Bharat (in Hindi)
Climate change: the worst scientific scandal of our generation by Christopher Booker
The latest issue of Towards a Great India
Selected past weekend readings:
Recommended weekend reading
Weekend potpourri: Kashmir, BJP, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

Discovered this while looking for something else over the weekend:
Tulsi to ‘insulate’ the Taj Mahal
Lucknow: Tulsi, known for its medicinal qualities, will now help protect the Taj Mahal from environmental pollution. In an exercise being undertaken by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and the Lucknow-based Organic India, a million tulsi saplings will be planted near the marble mausoleum.
A spokesman for the company said it is one of the best plants to purify the environment. It cleanses as it releases high amounts of oxygen, which minimises the adverse impact of industrial …

This weekend, enjoy some history…
Start by reading about recent ISRO research that appears to confirm the presence of River Sarasvati in present-day Haryana. A brief excerpt from Sarasvati Nadi in Haryana:
Detailed studies on the status of Saraswati Nadi of northern Haryana have been carried out using multidate and multi resolution satellite images, GIS techniques and ground data. Palaeochannels have been delineated using remote sensing techniques and validated using discovered archaeological sites, sedimentological data from drilled wells and water quality data. Detailed analysis of hydrological data (rainfall and stream discharge), catchment area and petrographic …

Once upon a time, I used to dismiss talk of increasing pollution in Indian cities as scare-mongering by NGOs eager for funds and publicity…
I am a little wiser now…but this recent news-item really sobered me up.
Excerpts from “Mumbai. Delhi among world’s dirtiest cities”:
“…Mumbai and Delhi are among the 25 dirtiest cities in the world while the four Indian metros and Bangalore are among the 20 densest cities, according to the Forbes magazine.
The US business magazine also lists Sukinda in Orissa and Vapi in Gujarat among the 10 most polluted places …