India's economy under multidirectional stress

India, whose economy has already been adversely affected by the still ongoing Eurozone debt crisis in recent months, is also now concerned over' new policy moves mulled in America to stop outsourcing of jobs. Last year, international observers and analysts of South Asian affairs also pinpointed, among other domestic factors within India, paralysis of the political system as a huge stumbling block to economic reform. Since early 1990s, India has been registering fairly high growth rates and it is believed that India' s economic fundamentals are still strong.

West's ideological debate on economic future

With online computers, we can now follow the ideological discourse of the Western elites and peoples on economic models, which may result in the rise of '"capitalism with English ('or American') characteristics". The world on earth, however, is highly unlikely to end in a Rapture or Armageddon in 2012 or anytime in the foreseeable future. To benefit intellectually from the epoch'-making debate, we have, 'of course, 'to know how to search with key words other than 'god', ''ghost' 'and ''sex'.

Critical decline of interest in science in M'sia

While religious passions are on the rise in Malaysia in recent years, it has also been observed that the interest in science 'among youths has declined to a critical level. Last year, 'the increasing 'fascination' with ''ghost' among a segment of the Malaysian society also caused several concerned observers, including ex'-PM Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, to highlight the phenomenon in the media for open and public discourse. How would these social trends impact on the objective and/or efforts of' transforming the country into a modern and progressive society 'is an interesting question worth further, wider and deeper explorations.

Hope, wish & anxiety for new Year of Dragon

During the Chinese New Year celebration, everyone certainly hopes or wishes for a prosperous Year of Dragon. Simultaneously, there is also a sense of anxiety over the state of global economy and its condition.

Observations on cultural continuity & change

In one sense, Chinese New Year celebration is an annual exhibition of the cultural heritage of the Chinese people. Meanwhile, it should also be remembered that many feudal elements of the 'old' and traditional culture that had existed for hundreds of years as 'law of heaven', 'like footbinding and family-arranged marriage, have happily disappeared. Nowadays, grown-up women are free to move around in public places without the company of their fathers, husbands or other elderly male relatives. 'All levels and fields of education are open to both genders. For all these truly revolutionary changes in the last ten decades or so, tribute has to be paid to progressive authors, 'like Lu Xun and Ba Jin. The impact of the renewal of intellectual interest in the development of science and technology since the early 20 th century has also been accelerating the 'process of change' in the sphere or realm of culture. Now, there is no more restorationist movement in the Chinese world.

Let us thank people working for all right now

At this moment 'when most of us are having a break 'to celebrate the Chinese New Year or share the joy of it, it must be remembered that there are are still people who are on duty in their positions - in cities, towns and villages all over tanah air kita - such as doctors and nurses in hospitals, ambulance drivers, firefighters and policemen. We must really thank them for their work to maintain essential services for all.

Festive family education for children & teens

The celebration of Chinese New Year is associated with many types of delicious food. Children and teens should also be taught to appreciate the hard works of growers of rice and vegetable, fishermen as well as livestock and also poultry farmers. They must, above all, 'be told that wastage of food is unethical as there are still many starving people in the world, especially in the drought-hit and strife-torn Horn of Africa.

Festive gratitude for road & railway builders

Malaysians and also many relatives and friends from Singapore have already begun the festive Balik Kampung journeys in air-conditioned cars. Let us be forever thankful to the early road ( and also railway ) builders, who laboured under the red hot sun in the late 19 and early 20 'century to construct the first modern networks of transportation. Our teens and youths should be educated' to appreciate the supreme value of human labour in the transformation of our cherished nation through, among other productive activities on earth, the building of roads and railways' and tough works in tin mines and rubber estates.

Slower growth of China' s economy projected

According to a projection of the World Bank, China's economic growth is expected to be lower in 2012 and 2013. Earlier, its chief economist Dr. ('Justin') Lin Yifu reportedly opined that China could still sustain a yearly 8% economic growth rate for the next 20 years or a generation.

Science & technology to move China forward

After the successful docking between Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-8 late last year, China also launched its GPS-like satellite navigation system called Beidou. 'It is training female astronauts for space programmes. A century ago, the liberation of women and equality of genders was a hope of martyrs of the epoch-making Chinese Revolution like Qiu Jin.

Science & technology in contemporary China

The docking between Tiangong''-'1 and 'Shenzhou'-'8 'in the space late last year certainly marked a milestone in the development of science and technology in the pretty long history of China, which launched its first satellite into the earth orbit in 1970. Rejuvenation of the nation through science and technology has been 'an important project of the Chinese Revolution set in motion by the uprising in Wuchang in 1911. In the past, 'the development of science and technology in China was occasionally interrupted by, among other factors, 'political instability, economic decline and social decadence that gave rise to superstition.

History of science & technology in 'old' China

That it was in ancient China where papermaking technology, printing technique, compass and gunpowder were first invented is now a well-known fact in the history of science. However, according to research initiated by British scholar Dr. Joseph Needham ('1900-1995') and his team of international experts, 'the scientific 'breakthroughs and also technological achivements of the ancient Chinese were actually more than popularly known. The monumental work of Dr. Needham and his associates is still being translated into the modern Chinese language.

Impact of great scientists' insights on society

Many great scientists do not invent anything by themselves, but their revolutrionary insights often offer new ideas or concepts to and pave the way for technologists to design and make usable objects later on. Some great scientists' discoveries also challenge and destroy existing beliefs in cultures or religions, although it may not be their intention. A simple lesson we can learn from the history of science is that great scientists are not always loved as they could be feared or even hated.

Hawking too ill to attend events for birthday

World-class British scientist Stephen W. Hawking turned 70 yesterday but he was reportedly too ill to attend public functions to celebrate it. Hawking was born 300 years after the death of Galileo Galilei, 'whose heliocentrism is now proven right despite earlier religious opposition.

World-class British scientist Hawking turns 70

Stephen ( 'William' ) Hawking, 'one of the world-class scientists in our times, 'has turned 70 today. Some titles of his popular works, such as A Brief History of Time and The Grand Design, 'are easily available in Malaysia and no call for ban has been heard - 'yet' - in public domains.

Great works of literature free hearts & minds

Besides Charles Dickens' and Victor Hugo''s magnum opuses, there are also the still very famous novels and stories of Leo Tolstoy, Miguel de Cervantes, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway and many other masterful authors for us to explore the universe of Western literature. Enjoying works of literature liberates the minds from utilitarian 'scientism' and faith'-based dogmatism. Also, it opens up hearts for human concerns.

Masterpieces of literature for troubling times

In this pretty troubling times, the good old values as expoused in the masterpieces of Charles Dickens and 'Victor Hugo 'can serve or act as counterbalance to negative attitudes that has become so widespread.

150th birthday of Victor Hugo' s masterpiece

Also, 2012 marks the 150 th anniversary of the publication of French author Victor Hugo' s masterpiece, Les 'Miserables. 'Victor Hugo also penned 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 'which is equally well'-'known.

Charles Dickens' 200th birthday to be marked

2012 marks the 200'th birthday of Charles Dickens ( 1812'-'1870 ), the famous English writer who authored, 'among other works of literature of modern England, A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist and 'Hard Times.