Amit's Musings

A Bridge Between Heaven and Earth: Mirambika Free Progress School and the Pursuit of Integral Education   Mirambika Free Progress School, founded in 1981 on the Sri Aurobindo Ashram campus in New Delhi, embodies the integral education philosophy of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, prioritizing the child’s unique potential over conventional metrics. With a flexible, child-centric curriculum, it fosters holistic growth through arts, nature, and self-discovery, serving around 150 students up to Class VIII. Financed by the Ashram, fees, and donations, it primarily attracts middle-class and elite families, with limited working-class reach. Challenges include regulatory pressures, a controversial 2015 relocation, and scalability. Alumni excel as architects, artists, and researchers, reflecting its impact. Compared to Santiniketan, Krishnamurti schools, and others, Mirambika shares a holistic ethos but remains niche. This essay explores its origins, curriculum, financing, reach, achievem...

The Quest for Inner Freedom: Jiddu Krishnamurti’s Schools and the Pursuit of Transformative Education   Jiddu Krishnamurti’s schools, founded in the mid-20th century, embody his radical philosophy of education as a path to self-inquiry and liberation from societal conditioning. Starting with Rishi Valley School in India, these institutions—spanning Rajghat Besant, Brockwood Park, and others—prioritize holistic development, nature-centric learning, and dialogue over rote memorization. Financed through donations, fees, and Krishnamurti Foundation trusts, they primarily attract elite and middle-class students, with limited working-class reach. Challenges include high costs, niche appeal, and regulatory pressures. Notable alumni like Radhika Herzberger and Vikram Seth reflect their intellectual impact. Compared to Tagore’s Santiniketan, Auroville, and Waldorf, Krishnamurti schools share a holistic ethos but remain small-scale. This essay explores their origins, curriculum, financing, r...

The Shadow of Empire: France’s Pacific Grip and the Elusive Quest for Justice France’s Pacific territories—New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, and Clipperton Island—form a cornerstone of its global economic and strategic ambitions, contributing vast maritime resources, nickel wealth, and geopolitical leverage. Acquired through 19th-century colonial conquest, these islands, particularly New Caledonia, fuel France’s economy with 30% of the world’s nickel reserves and a 6.9 million km² Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Yet, indigenous Kanaks and Polynesians see minimal benefits, facing land dispossession, economic exclusion, and political marginalization. France’s naval presence, with 2,900 personnel, secures these assets while countering regional powers like China. Approximately 220,400 non-indigenous French nationals reside in these territories, alongside 550,000 total citizens. The ongoing dispute in New Caledonia, marked by 2024 riots and stalled independence referendum...

Islands, Enclaves, and Frontiers: The Saga of India’s Territorial Tapestry   India’s acquisition of Lakshadweep, Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh is a tale of historical legacies, colonial transitions, and post-independence nation-building. Each territory’s integration—whether through seamless administrative handovers, military action, or political maneuvering—reflects India’s quest to unify diverse regions amid international pressures. Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar transitioned smoothly from British rule, while Goa required a 1961 military operation against Portuguese resistance. Sikkim’s 1975 merger followed a controversial referendum, and Arunachal Pradesh’s statehood in 1987 solidified India’s Himalayan frontier despite China’s claims. The Indian Navy’s evolving role in the maritime territories underscores their strategic value, countering modern threats like China’s Indian Ocean ambitions. This essay dives deep into each region’s story,...

The Ras El-Hekma Deal: Egypt’s Economic Lifeline or a Geopolitical Gamble?   In February 2024, Egypt and the UAE inked a historic $35 billion deal to develop the Ras El-Hekma peninsula into a world-class tourism and financial hub, marking Egypt’s largest foreign direct investment. Led by the UAE’s ADQ, the project aims to transform 170.8 million square meters into a “next-generation city,” injecting $150 billion in investments and targeting 8 million annual tourists. Egypt, grappling with a severe economic crisis, received the funds by May 2024, stabilizing its currency and securing an $8 billion IMF bailout. However, the deal raises concerns about sovereignty, environmental impacts, and displacement of local Bedouin communities. Geopolitically, it strengthens UAE-Egypt ties, potentially shifting regional dynamics involving Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Israel. As of August 2025, the project is on track with planning, but execution risks loom. This essay explores the deal’s economic...