The most important song on the Union side during the American Civil War of the 19th century was ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic’. Renuka Narayanan writes.
Whenever we think of our flaws, anger is the last thing that comes to our mind; but it is a serious issue with everyone today.
The matrix of life has many more puzzles than one can realise. If we approach the illusion of suffering and conflict with a playful insight, it would be far easier to transcend moral dilemmas and understand the whys and why-nots, even if momentarily. Bhavna Mathur writes.

Environmentalists have been telling us about the presence of DDT residues in human milk and even traces of it in the blood of penguins.
Sufi poet Abdul Rahim Khan-e-Khana wrote: “Rahiman dhaga prem ka mat todo chatkai; tute se fir na jude, jude gaanth par jai.” (Do not snap the tender thread of love; once snapped, it will not rejoin and even if the ends are tied, a knot would remain.)
If there is one thing that makes life worth living, it is love. On the physical plane, a juggernaut of forces and factors determine the balanced or compulsively imbalanced continuity of the goings-on in the cosmos. But isn’t it love that invigorates all creatures.
To me, my prayer is a modus of diverting my mind towards Him.
Though we celebrate Janmashtami year after year, we hardly act on the message of Sri Krishna, “Leave aside all religious rituals and seek refuge only in the supreme Self.”
Most of us are chaotic and have confused lifestyle. We are so entangled in our worldly web that we have lost the sense to see and understand ourselves.

There’s no truth to the allegations cast on Jayanthi Natarajan’s performance,
K Ghayathri Devi writes.

India needs systemic reforms in defence and not just US technology,
S Amer Latif and
Karl F Inderfurth write.

Jayanthi Natarajan’s performance in the past year has left much to be desired,
Bahar Dutt writes.
Our scriptures say God is kind, merciful and supports all creatures on this earth. He is the sustainer and protector of all. Many a time, we think that we have no one to help us. We are wrong because the invisible hand of God is always there to help us.
Songs occupy a prominent place among the intangible cultural heritage. Regardless of the genre or form songs may belong to, few cultural items can compare with their reach and evocative character.
Improved trade ties will help revitalise the Indo-US relationship.