Experts’ Corner

“Satyam Shivam Sundaram” — The True, the Auspicious, and the Beautiful are One. The world, at its core, is sustained by rhythm, grace, and harmony. When the inner and outer worlds unite at that sacred point of balance, creation happens — and we call it Art.  The river of life finds its expression through painting, music, dance, poetry, and countless creative forms. A brushstroke mirrors the heartbeat, a melody echoes the breath, and a sculpture captures the silence between two thoughts.  Art, in its purest essence, is not merely a pursuit of beauty — it is a communion of being. When words fall short, colours speak. When logic pauses, rhythm flows. From ancient cave paintings to contemporary murals, art has

The Missing Colour in Mental Health Why does mental health still sit in the shadows when a brushstroke, a melody, or a shared story can offer comfort and connection? On 10 October, World Mental Health Day, I strongly feel this question demands urgent reflection. India faces a silent epidemic. According to the National Mental Health Survey (2023), over 10% of adults live with mental health conditions, yet nearly 80% receive no formal treatment. Millions of Indians silently struggle with stress, trauma, and isolation, particularly youth, differently-abled individuals, and marginalized communities. The reasons are complex: stigma, lack of access, and limited community-based support. While clinical interventions are essential, they are not the only path to healing. Art offers an alternative —

October 10th, each year comes as a timely reminder to humanity to observe World Mental Health Day. This day also issues an unwritten mandatory acceptance of the fact that mental health is not to be viewed as a luxury but as a fundamental component of human well-being. This day gives a clarion call for action, compassion and collective responsibility. The 2025 theme “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right,” emphasizes this objective, urging individuals, organizations and governments to facilitate access, understanding and empathy in all walks of life. In recent years, much progress has been made in understanding mental health, and it has been widely discussed, yet it still occupies a paradoxical space, where despite this it is still deeply

A Journey Through Time and Spirit Cradled in the lap of the Himalayas, Kashmir is more than a landscape—it is a living chronicle of faith, art, and intellect. Its misty valleys echo with ancient chants, and its rivers carry whispers of sages who once shaped the very essence of Indian spirituality. Through the lens of history and mythology, Kashmir stands as a luminous thread in the vast tapestry of Indian civilization. The Ramayana recounts its emerald forests where vanaras searched for Mata Sita; the Mahabharata venerates it as a land as sacred as Sindh or Gandhara. Kalhana, the celebrated historian, called Kashmir “the land loved by the gods.” Such reverence in scripture affirms the valley’s place not merely as geography,

Education is a universal right, a beacon of hope, and a foundation for empowerment. Yet, for countless children with special needs, this right is still surrounded by barriers—social, emotional, and systemic. At SURTAJ Special Children Foundation, we believe that these barriers are not permanent walls but challenges waiting to be transformed into stepping stones. Our vision is clear: to create a future where every child, regardless of ability, can learn, grow, and thrive in an inclusive environment. The Need for Inclusive Learning Children with special needs are often left behind in conventional learning systems. Limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and societal misconceptions often hinder their growth. But every child has unique abilities, waiting to be nurtured. Inclusive education is not charity—it

GST, when it was implemented on 1 July 2017, was envisaged as a significant tax reform which would bring central and state taxes into a unified system and reduce the multifold and cascading effect of indirect taxes. 17 major taxes are subsumed under GST, barring Central Excise Duty, Service Tax and VAT, under the motto “one nation-one tax” of India’s indirect tax framework. While the GST Council has worked overtime and clarified many aspects with circulars and notifications been issued from time to time. In the last 8 years, GST also evolved via rate rationalization and process digitalization, but teething problems continued and proved to be a dampener for GST. Certain issues still remained resolved post its implementation in 2017

Introduction: Beyond Marks and Classrooms Education in India has long been seen as the gateway to opportunity, mobility, and nation-building. Yet today, even as access expands, an invisible crisis shadows our schools and colleges—the mental health of students. The World Health Organization notes that one in seven adolescents suffers from a mental health disorder. NCRB data links academic stress with thousands of student suicides every year. This crisis is not confined to the classroom—it extends into homes, hostels, and the virtual worlds of social media. It is not just a personal issue—it is a systemic challenge with societal consequences. And it is here that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), with its deep investment in education, can play a transformative role. Inside

Imagine standing before the majestic Taj Mahal, its white marble shimmering under the Indian sun, or wandering through the ancient ruins of Hampi, where every stone whispers tales of a bygone era. These are not mere tourist attractions. They are portals to our past. They embody human creativity, resilience, and diversity. Heritage, both tangible, like monuments and sites, and intangible, like cultural and religious traditions and languages, connects us to our ancestors and to each other across borders and generations. Heritage in that sense is the legacy we inherit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Virasat bhi Vikas bhi – heritage and development, encapsulates this ethos. He emphasises that preserving our past is integral to building a sustainable future. Monuments

When governments reform taxes, the most visible debates usually revolve around consumption and fiscal spending. What often goes unnoticed is how tax changes ripple into the way corporations invest in society. A rich stream of international research shows that when firms receive windfalls from tax reductions, many do not merely increase dividends or capital expenditure—they also raise their corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments. What research tells us about tax cuts and CSR Scholarly work across multiple countries demonstrates that tax cuts tend to be followed by improvements in CSR performance. A recent study by Chang, Jin, Yang, and Zhang (2025) used natural experiments in corporate income tax reforms and found that tax reductions led to substantial CSR gains, especially in

It is a widely accepted business principle that companies must generate profit to sustain and grow. In 1981, economist Milton Friedman famously stated, “The business of business is business,” emphasizing that a company’s primary responsibility is to its shareholders. Yet, he also acknowledged that businesses must operate within legal and ethical boundaries. Today, profit generation must be balanced with compliance, sustainability, and social responsibility to ensure long-term success and societal acceptance. India’s Journey: From Trade Powerhouse to Development Challenges Historically, India contributed nearly 34% of global trade in the early 18th century. However, during colonial rule, this share fell drastically to 1.4% by independence in 1947. Poverty surged to nearly 80%, creating deep inequalities that persist. A 2021 Oxfam report