Hatred is being mistaken for nationalism, and the idea of India as a tolerant, diverse civilization is under threat. - T Singh

In earlier times, people like Ramesh, a small-town farmer, relied on joint families and caste networks for support during crises, but today, as these traditional structures erode, he turns to risky stock market investments through mobile apps, reflecting what Ulrich Beck called a “Risk Society,” where dangers are no longer natural but produced by human-made systems like finance and technology. This shift shows the process of individualization-where people must manage life’s uncertainties alone-and Giddens’ concept of disembedding, as individuals become detached from traditional social ties and embedded in complex global systems. Without strong welfare or community support, when risks backfire, people like Ramesh are left exposed and often turn to religious figures or godmen for comfort, illustrating Marx’s idea of false consciousness, where the real causes of suffering-like an unequal economic system-are masked by personal or spiritual explanations. Thus, India’s modern risk culture promotes freedom and ambition but leaves people more vulnerable, with fewer protections and growing dependence on authority figures rather than democratic solutions

- Sanjay, Professor at SOASUniversity of London

Risk Society means a modern world where we create our own dangers through development- and yet, individuals bear the burden, not the system that caused them.

Marx’s “False Consciousness” – people turn to godmen or charismatic leaders, misinterpreting the root of their insecurity

Recent demographic shifts in Catholicism indicate a significant migration of its population from Europe to the Global South, with over 72% of Catholics now residing in regions like Latin America, Africa, and Asia. This shift contrasts with the early 20th century, when 65% of Catholics lived in Europe. The Catholic population is growing most rapidly in Africa (3.3%) and slowly declining in Europe (0.2%).

Due to Reasons like Declining religiosity in the West due to secularisation, Enlightenment rationalism, state-religion separation, and rising ‘unaffiliated’ populations.
Scandals (like clergy sexual abuse) have caused disillusionment in Europe and the US.
In contrast, the Catholic Church in Africa has integrated local traditions and offers vital services like education and healthcare.

Jingoism is nationalism in the form of aggressive and proactive foreign policy, such as a country's advocacy for the use of threats or actual force, as opposed to peaceful relations, in efforts to safeguard what it perceives as its national interests

The education system needs reform not only in quality but also in how it treats children- especially the poor- as human beings with rights, not statistics or potential threats.

China is facing a serious problem: fewer babies are being born, and more people are getting older. In 2023, around 240 million people over age 15 were single. To fix this, the government is trying to encourage marriage and family life. One interesting trend that has come up is livestreamed video dating, where people join online group dates hosted by matchmakers. This is especially helpful for shy or introverted young people who find it hard to meet others in real life. From a sociological view, this reflects structural functionalism, where institutions (like family) serve important roles for society, and the state tries to maintain stability by supporting them. It also connects with symbolic interactionism, as dating apps and livestreams change how people see love and relationships. Finally, it shows state intervention in personal spheres, which reflects Foucault’s idea of biopolitics, where governments try to shape people's private choices to solve national problems like falling birthrates.

True ahimsa (non-violence) is not inaction, but courageous action to protect justice.

95% of gig workers in billion-dollar Indian start-ups belong to Dalit, OBC, or minority groups; founders mostly from upper castes-reflects deep structural inequality.

Caste is a more significant determinant of life outcomes than poverty alone.

The corporatization of the artisan space refers to big companies taking over traditional craft sectors that were once run by local artisans and communities. For example, a weaver who once made and sold handloom sarees in their village market now works under a corporate brand that controls the design, pricing, and sales, while the artisan earns only a small wage. Sociologically, this shows Karl Marx's theory of alienation, where workers lose control over their work and become disconnected from the product of their labor. It also reflects Max Weber’s concept of rationalization, where traditional, value-based practices are replaced by efficiency and profit-driven methods. While corporatization can bring market access and higher demand, it often erodes the artisan's independence, undervalues traditional knowledge, and turns cultural heritage into a commodity controlled by profit-seeking entities.

https://www.sociologygroup.com/irawati-karve-anthropologist/

By Shilpa

In India, religion did not spread by conquest alone - it flowed through geography, trade, ecology, and culture, adapting to the terrain and needs of each region.

Write an Essay-500 words to publishyourarticles17@gmail.com

Humans create stories, temples, paintings, scripts to remember their past.

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History is not just about past events. It is about what persists, what mutates, and what re-emerges in new forms.

Coastal exposure = faster modernization + global consciousness


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The recent controversy involving IAS officer Dr. Alugu Varshini directing SC Gurukul students to clean toilets and hostel rooms isn’t just about administrative decisions- it reveals deep-rooted institutional casteism. Sociologically, this reflects symbolic violence (Bourdieu), where practices appear “normal” but subtly reinforce caste hierarchies. By associating cleanliness duties specifically with Dalit students, it risks perpetuating the purity-pollution binary central to the caste system. This also resonates with Ambedkar’s idea of graded inequality, where caste-based roles are systemically internalized and reproduced. In a school meant to uplift marginalized children, such policies become a “hidden curriculum”, socializing students into accepting caste-linked labour and hierarchy as normal.

In small towns, landlord-tenant ties start formal but often turn personal. This shift shows Tönnies’ Gemeinschaft vs Gesellschaft - from distant, rule-based ties to emotional, community bonds.

At first, landlords set strict rules (gate timings, water use). But over time, they may share food, offer support in tough times - becoming more like family.

This shows that social roles aren’t fixed. Through informal social structure, trust and empathy create belonging. True neighbours aren’t just next-door people - they’re those who stand with us.

Sociology teaches: structures exist, but human connection transforms them.

In today’s world, mass media and consumerism have created a culture where people constantly chase lifestyles shown on screens - branded products, instant services, and luxury living - even if they don’t truly need them. This leads to a deep fear of missing out (FOMO), pushing individuals, especially urban youth, into a cycle of comparison, dissatisfaction, and artificial desires. Herbert Marcuse, in his work One-Dimensional Man, called this the life of “blissful slaves” - people trapped in the illusion of happiness by fulfilling false needs created by the system. While startups race to offer 10-minute deliveries and cosmetic solutions, real happiness and development often come from grassroots efforts like those of Hariman Sharma or Arunachalam Muruganantham, who solved genuine social problems through simple, need-based innovations. These examples remind us that true progress lies not in chasing illusions, but in addressing real human needs with empathy and purpose.

- Praveen, IRS Officer

We live in an age where our wants are manufactured faster than our needs are fulfilled. Happiness, once a journey of inner growth, now often appears as a product on a shelf or a promise in a digital ad.

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