In a recent interaction with Members of the European Parliament in Mumbai, one of them mentioned that the future President of the European Union must currently be in a school somewhere at this time. I imagined a little girl or boy, sitting in a classroom, daydreaming about the great things that she or he is going to do, just as all little ones dream.

For a long time, nobody uttered a word. Confucius caressed his beard and Einstein his hair. A cockroach moved swiftly from one wall to another. Gandhi broke the silence...

Sundeep Waslekar examines the privileges of the poor in today's changing world.

China is gaining an increasing stranglehold on Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). There are roughly 9,000 Peoples Liberation Army (P.L.A.) troops stationed in PoK, proving a substantial Chinese military presence in this area. Beijing also contributes significantly to aid and reconstruction efforts in PoK, at a time when the Pakistani government – mired in an economic and energy crisis - has failed to do the same. In 2010, China transported food items and daily necessities to people in the northern Hunza area after the floods and it is currently engaged in reconstruction projects in the earthquake-affected areas of PoK as well. 

The mutual antagonism shared by India and China creates big headlines on a daily basis. What is often forgotten is the fact that both countries co-operate on a number of issues. While their interests are often in confrontation with each other, India and China's interests converge and intersect frequently. 

The severe drought being witnessed in north and northeastern China has become a concern for global markets. With almost a third of China’s wheat fields affected, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has declared the drought a ‘food emergency’. Even if China does not need to turn to international markets to counter the effects of this drought, it is probable that it will have to do so in the next decade.

The Popular uprising that has gripped the Arab world marks an important turning point in the world history. The Jasmine revolution in Tunisia has inspired massive protests across the region: in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Libya and Yemen. There are strong chances of the revolution spreading beyond the Arab region. Protests have already reached south of the Sahara in Cameroon, Djibouti, Gabon, Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe, clearly indicating that the Jasmine revolution has far more resonance than thought before. Where the revolt goes next is anyone’s guess. However, even as the prospects of a revolution in China appear slim as of now, the Communist regime no longer seems invincible. 

China and Bangladesh have intensified their bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, investment and infrastructure development, which has led to the signing of a 10-point joint communiqué in 2010. In addition, the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh road and rail link received fresh impetus last year with all three countries agreeing to sign an agreement to develop transit facilities. Moreover, Bangladesh has sought China’s assistance to develop and use the Chittagong port, as well as a deep sea port at Sonadia Island in Cox’s Bazaar in Bangladesh. The tri-nation cooperation in opening up transit facilities will boost trade in both Bangladesh and China. However, the Chinese-backed infrastructure development in Bangladesh, while a boon for economic prosperity in the country, could pose challenges for India in the coming decades.