---

Imagine you are in Dubai, enjoying a rooftop view while sipping a drink and recording a quick Instagram reel to thank a skincare brand that sent you a product. You tag the brand, write a witty caption, and hit post. Now, believe it or not, you may have just broken the law.

Starting in October 2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a new legal requirement. Any social media influencer or content creator promoting a brand, product, or service while in the UAE must first obtain an official “Advertiser Permit.” This applies even if there is no money involved in the promotion. Simply tagging a brand or showing a product in a promotional context, even if it was gifted, counts as advertising.

This new rule is a game changer for the global creator economy. It affects not just UAE residents but also visiting influencers and digital nomads. For Indian creators who frequently travel to Dubai or work with Dubai-based brands, this law is especially important to understand and follow.

What is the UAE “Advertiser Permit” Rule?

In July 2025, the UAE government introduced a law requiring influencers and digital creators to get an official permit before posting any promotional content. This rule is designed to regulate and professionalize the influencer industry within the country.

Anyone creating content that promotes a brand, product, or service while being physically present in the UAE must have this permit. It does not matter whether you are paid for the post or not. Even unpaid collaborations or gifted products fall under this regulation.

Tourists and visiting influencers are not exempt from this rule. If you are not a UAE resident but plan to post promotional content during your stay, you must apply for a temporary advertiser permit. This permit is valid for three months and can be renewed once. The application must be done through a licensed local content agency in the UAE.

There are a few exemptions. If you are promoting your own business, service, or product, you do not need a permit. Also, if your content is purely educational or cultural and not related to any brand promotion, it may not require a permit.

To apply for the permit, residents need to go through the UAE Media Regulatory Office, while tourists must work with an approved local agency. The process involves registering your social media accounts and providing details of your promotional content.

Why Did UAE Introduce This Rule?

The UAE government introduced this rule to bring structure and accountability to the rapidly growing influencer space. Here are some of the main reasons behind the decision.

There has been a significant increase in fake promotions and online scams. For instance, some scammers were pretending to represent Emirates Airline and running fraudulent ticket giveaways on Instagram. These scams damaged public trust and created confusion. As a result, Emirates even paused its own official social media advertising for a while.

Influencer marketing has become a serious industry, generating billions in revenue worldwide. Yet many influencers operate informally without proper disclosure or responsibility. The UAE wants to change that by making influencers work more like professionals who are accountable for their content.

Consumer protection is also a top priority. When influencers promote products without making it clear that it is an advertisement, it can mislead their audience. People may think it is a genuine personal recommendation when it is actually a paid endorsement. By requiring permits and disclosures, the UAE hopes to ensure transparency.

The government also wants to maintain high standards for the advertising and media industry. By applying similar rules to influencers as those used for traditional media, they aim to level the playing field and encourage ethical promotion practices.

Lastly, the permit system ensures fairness and regulatory clarity. It requires not only influencers but also brands and agencies to follow the same rules. Everyone in the content creation and advertising chain must be aligned and compliant.

How Does UAE’s Rule Compare to Other Countries?

Influencer regulations vary around the world. Let’s look at how the UAE’s new permit rule compares to influencer laws in other major countries.

In the United Kingdom, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) requires influencers to clearly label paid or sponsored content. Posts must include tags such as #Ad or #Sponsored at the very beginning so that viewers can instantly recognize them as advertisements. If an influencer fails to do so, they can face public warnings and mandatory takedown of content.

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has strict guidelines for social media endorsements. Influencers must make disclosures that are clear and easy to understand, such as using “Paid Partnership with @brand”. Although there is no permit system like in the UAE, non-compliance can result in financial penalties, often exceeding fifty thousand US dollars.

Countries in the European Union, including France, Germany, and Italy, also require content labeling. In Germany, influencers must explicitly declare whether their content is paid or unpaid when referencing any brand. Violations can lead to legal action and court cases.

In India, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) issued guidelines in 2021. These guidelines make it mandatory to use labels like #Ad, #PaidPromo, or #Collab for any promotional post. While the rules are clear, enforcement is still limited compared to Western countries.

What makes the UAE stand out is that it is the first country to require a government-issued permit before posting any promotional content. It goes beyond simple disclosure and introduces a formal licensing system that tracks and regulates influencer activity.

What Indian Creators Need to Know

Dubai is a favorite destination for Indian influencers, travel vloggers, and digital creators. With this new rule in place, Indian content creators need to be aware of the legal implications before filming or posting from Dubai.

If you are an Indian creator traveling to Dubai for a brand collaboration, you must apply for a temporary advertiser permit. This includes any content that involves product placements, hotel stays, food reviews, or brand mentions. The permit must be obtained before the content is published, and it can only be issued through a licensed UAE agency.

Even if you receive a free product or service in exchange for a post, the UAE law treats it as a commercial promotion. Therefore, you will need a permit. Simply tagging a brand or using its location while posting a reel from Dubai can count as advertising.

If you are promoting your own business, the permit may not be necessary. For example, if you are a fashion designer showcasing your own products, this could be exempt. However, if you mention or tag any third-party service or business, the rule still applies.

Indian creators are advised to work with agencies or legal experts who are familiar with UAE’s media laws. Planning ahead is key. Obtain the necessary permits, understand your responsibilities, and follow the rules to avoid penalties or bans.

This is also an opportunity for Indian creators to level up. Treating content creation like a professional business means taking legal compliance seriously. The more trustworthy and transparent you are, the more likely brands are to work with you.

How to Be a Compliant and Professional Creator in 2025

The influencer industry is becoming more structured and global. Here are some practical steps to help you become a responsible and legally compliant content creator.

Start by understanding the legal requirements in different countries. Know the rules for advertising disclosures and promotional content in markets you are targeting. Bookmark websites like ASCI (India), FTC (USA), ASA (UK), and the UAE Media Regulatory Office for reference.

Approach content creation like running a small business. Set up financial tracking, keep records of brand deals, and issue invoices. Consider getting a GST registration if you are based in India and earning income from content.

Use written contracts for all brand collaborations. Include clear terms for deadlines, deliverables, payment, and legal responsibilities like permits and disclosures. Digital contract tools like DocuSign or Notion templates can be very helpful.

Invest in both creative and compliance tools. Use apps like Canva Pro, Buffer, CapCut Pro, and Notion for content planning. For financial and legal support, explore platforms like ClearTax or LegalRaasta.

Most importantly, maintain transparency with your audience. Always disclose when a post is sponsored, gifted, or a collaboration. Trust is the foundation of long-term growth in the creator economy.

Regulation and Responsibility Can Coexist

The UAE’s new permit rule may seem strict at first glance, but it reflects a growing global shift toward accountability in digital content. It is not about silencing creators, but about encouraging ethical practices, protecting consumers, and raising professional standards.

This law serves as a wake-up call. As content creation continues to grow, so does the need for structure, fairness, and responsibility. Indian creators and others working internationally must now think beyond engagement numbers. They must understand that being a content creator also means being a legal and ethical professional.

In the new digital era, the most successful creators will be the ones who are not just popular, but also transparent, responsible, and compliant.

Resources and Links:

• Apply for UAE Influencer Permit – NMC UAE (Media Office): https://www.mcy.gov.ae/
• ASCI India Influencer Guidelines: https://ascionline.in/
• FTC Influencer Disclosures: https://www.ftc.gov
• Legal tools and templates: https://www.legalraasta.com/
• Contract templates: https://www.docracy.com

---

Introduction: The July 2025 Wake-Up Call

In July 2025, India witnessed a cascade of political developments that exposed an alarming and increasingly normalized trend: the culture of “use and throw” politics. The abrupt resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar triggered speculations about inner-party tensions and deliberate marginalization. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, once one of the most vocal defenders of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, found himself isolated after controversial remarks about language use in Parliament. Mahua Moitra, a bold and articulate face of the Trinamool Congress, was denied a party ticket despite her legal activism and high visibility. These incidents, cutting across party lines, collectively signaled a deeper rot in the Indian political ecosystem. They raised a disturbing question: Are India’s political parties merely exploiting individuals for their electoral or strategic utility and discarding them once their usefulness ends?

This article investigates the phenomenon of “use and throw” politics in India, where political actors, allies, and ideologues are celebrated in moments of strategic convenience and quickly discarded when they begin to dissent, lose electoral value, or simply become inconvenient. The pattern represents a shift away from value-based politics grounded in ideology and consensus, and towards a transactional, top-down model of governance. Through real case studies, global parallels, examples of youth intervention, and constructive solutions, this article aims to map the current reality and chart a path forward.

Understanding the Nature of “Use and Throw” Politics

The phrase “use and throw” typically refers to disposable products. In the political sphere, however, it has come to symbolize the disposability of people, i.e. leaders, allies, bureaucrats, intellectuals, and grassroots workers, once they are no longer aligned with or beneficial to the current political leadership. This approach is not rooted in performance evaluation or democratic accountability. Rather, it often reflects a leadership’s desire to maintain absolute control, resist transparency, and avoid internal scrutiny.

This model manifests in various ways. It includes the sudden removal or sidelining of senior leaders without explanation, the suppression of dissenting voices within a party, the dissolution of once-prominent electoral alliances after they have served their purpose, and the public denouncement of figures who had previously been celebrated. It promotes short-term loyalty over long-term ideological alignment, rewards sycophancy over independent thought, and transforms parties from democratic institutions into hierarchically managed organizations with little room for internal debate.

The Modi Era and the BJP: Rewarding Loyalty, Discarding Dissent

The Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Narendra Modi has emerged as one of the most formidable electoral machines in Indian political history. However, this dominance has been accompanied by allegations of centralization and intolerance for dissent.

Historically, the sidelining of BJP stalwarts L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi after Modi’s rise to the prime ministership in 2014 marked the beginning of a new political order within the party. Both leaders, who were instrumental in building the party during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the early coalition years, were moved into a non-functional advisory group called the “Margdarshak Mandal.” Despite their legacy, their political voices were silenced.

Further examples include Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, who were prominent during the Vajpayee years and later marginalized after criticizing policies such as demonetization and the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax. Sanjay Joshi, a former RSS pracharak and one-time mentor to Narendra Modi during his Gujarat years, was removed from party affairs altogether once Modi’s control over the BJP apparatus solidified.

Recent years have seen the continuation of this trend. Nishikant Dubey, a loyal parliamentarian and advocate for the Prime Minister’s policies, made headlines in 2025 after stating that the BJP would struggle to win even 150 seats without Modi at the helm. This public glorification, instead of earning him favor, led to internal distancing following a controversial statement about English being a foreign language in Parliament. The party did not defend him robustly and his presence in strategic positions diminished.

In Telangana, T. Raja Singh, a vocal Hindutva proponent, resigned from the party after being denied a ticket. His resignation letter accused the leadership of ignoring ground realities and prioritizing pliability over commitment. In Karnataka, B.P. Yatnal, a senior BJP MLA, was suspended after challenging the appointment of B.Y. Vijayendra, son of former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa, to key positions. Yatnal’s expulsion was interpreted by many as a signal to other dissenters.

These examples illustrate that in today’s BJP, allegiance to the leadership matters more than years of service, electoral track records, or ideological commitment.

Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party: Idealism Meets Internal Suppression

The Aam Aadmi Party began with the promise of a new kind of politics: transparent, accountable, and decentralized. Born from the anti-corruption movement of 2011, its rise was meteoric. But over time, the party’s internal functioning has reflected many of the same authoritarian patterns it initially opposed.

The earliest and perhaps most dramatic instance of internal dissent being punished came in 2015 when Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, both founding members of AAP, were expelled from the party. Their demand for greater transparency and democratic processes within the organization led to their removal from the national executive. Yadav likened the experience to being thrown out of his own home.

In recent years, senior leaders such as Gopal Rai have reportedly been sidelined during crises. Rai, who was once a central figure in Delhi’s governance model, was kept away from crucial decisions regarding the party’s operations in Punjab. Similarly, several municipal councillors from Delhi’s MCD resigned or defected, citing a culture of non-consultation and top-down decision-making.

Kailash Gahlot, a senior AAP minister, resigned in 2024 after citing governance issues and lack of transparency in decision-making. He joined the BJP soon after, which led to criticism of AAP’s ability to retain capable talent.

These events underscore how even parties founded on idealistic principles can fall prey to the same culture of disposability when internal dissent is equated with disloyalty.

The Congress Party Under Rahul Gandhi: Ignoring Experience, Discarding Loyalty

The Congress party, long known for its dynastic leadership and complex power structures, has seen several high-profile exits over the last decade. Under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, critics allege, the party has often failed to accommodate strong regional voices and has alienated veterans who once formed its backbone.

Leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad and Jyotiraditya Scindia left after expressing frustration at being sidelined. Scindia, despite years of service, said he had no role left in the party before joining the BJP, where he quickly ascended to a Union Cabinet position.

More recently, Shashi Tharoor, despite his global stature and political insight, has found himself excluded from diplomatic delegations and important party discussions. His nuanced positions and independent voice have often placed him at odds with the high command. In 2025, Acharya Pramod Krishnam publicly criticized Rahul Gandhi, calling him a reckless elephant who trampled over loyal party members.

Laxman Singh, the brother of Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh, was expelled from the party in June 2025 after making critical remarks. Meanwhile, despite its youth-focused reforms like Sangathan Srijan and ticket reservation for young leaders, the Congress continues to struggle with internal transparency and the integration of independent voices.

Regional Parties and Strategic Disposability

The culture of “use and throw” is not limited to national parties. Regional parties have often exhibited more centralized, personality-driven decision-making, which makes dissent even more precarious.

Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party has seen repeated expulsions of senior leaders. Naseemuddin Siddiqui, once considered her Muslim face, was expelled amid allegations of disloyalty. Leaders like Swami Prasad Maurya and Brijesh Pathak, who later joined BJP, also cited marginalization.

In the Trinamool Congress, Mamata Banerjee has been criticized for silencing dissent within her ranks. Mahua Moitra, one of the party’s most articulate parliamentarians, was sidelined despite her activism on electoral transparency and citizen rights.

KCR’s Bharat Rashtra Samithi has faced internal discord over succession planning. Kalvakuntla Kavitha, KCR’s daughter, alleged being cut out of key decisions. Harish Rao, a senior leader and KCR’s nephew, was visibly distanced as K.T. Rama Rao was promoted as the future leader. Koneru Konappa, a long-time BRS MLA, was expelled after raising concerns about leadership concentration and later joined Congress.

These cases across regional parties show that strategic disposability is often driven by familial succession, perceived threat to the core leadership, or ideological divergence.

Global Examples of Political Purging and Marginalization

The idea of discarding allies after utility is not uniquely Indian. Joseph Stalin’s Great Purge in the Soviet Union saw the execution and imprisonment of thousands of once-loyal party members who were viewed as potential threats. Mao Zedong’s Anti-Rightist Campaign targeted intellectuals and reformers who had earlier been courted for their expertise. In Turkey, following the failed 2016 coup, President Erdogan dismissed over 135,000 officials from public service.

Even in democratic societies, versions of this pattern persist. Amnesty International flagged the rise of authoritarian tendencies post-2020 in countries like Hungary and Poland, where journalists and NGOs once courted by regimes were later persecuted.

The Role of Indian Youth: Breaking the Cycle

Amid this bleak scenario, India’s youth have shown resilience, creativity, and commitment to democratic values. Recent movements such as the Wayanad landslide protests, where young people demanded accountability from the government, and the Rajasthan student protests for restoring college elections, demonstrate that the new generation refuses to be passive.

Organizations like the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha have created platforms for grassroots mobilization. Government initiatives like the MY Bharat platform and Viksit Bharat Dialogues have seen youth participation in governance processes, idea competitions, and development planning.

Youth leaders like Ridhima Pandey and Afreen Fatima have carved national spaces for themselves by challenging the system through democratic means, from climate action to student rights.

Global Models to Inspire Indian Youth

Indian youth can draw from successful global models. Australia’s Youth Parliament allows young people to draft and debate real legislation. Serbia’s Otpor movement trained youth in nonviolent resistance to dictatorship. In the United States, the Alliance for Youth Action supports civic engagement at the state level. Barcelona’s Decidim platform facilitates digital democracy, allowing citizens to propose and vote on local policies.

These initiatives show that democratic engagement by youth can be structured, strategic, and impactful.

How to Break the Pattern: Solutions and the Road Ahead

To counter the culture of political disposability, India needs transparent internal democracy within parties. Primaries and fixed tenures for leadership roles can democratize power. Youth fellowships on political ethics can develop watchdog groups that document and report cases of internal marginalization.

Digital civic platforms must be expanded to allow participatory governance at the local level. Cultural shifts, such as campaigns that thank outgoing leaders for their service instead of vilifying them, can foster dignity in political exits.

Above all, the youth must recognize their power not just as voters or protestors, but as leaders, researchers, organizers, and reformers.

Conclusion: From Disposable to Accountable Politics

India’s democracy thrives not just on elections, but on how it treats its contributors, thinkers, and dissenters. The politics of “use and throw” may serve short-term goals, but it erodes institutions and trust. By empowering youth, reforming internal systems, and embracing global best practices, India can move from a culture of disposability to one of dignity and accountability. The power to initiate that change lies in each of us.

---

Artificial intelligence agents are software systems capable of planning, executing and adapting to multi-step tasks on their own. These agents are not static assistants. They are virtual colleagues that may autonomously perform even high-value workflows. However, their lack of common sense and context awareness makes mistakes inevitable. The greatest risk lies not in malicious intent but in misunderstanding real-world nuance. For Indian youth, this is not merely a challenge. It is an opportunity. Learning to work with, supervise and correct these agents can lead to high-value careers. By combining technical understanding with human judgment, Indian professionals can become the stewards of AI outcomes.

Why AI Agenting Roles Are Exploding Right Now

Companies such as ServiceNow, Salesforce and SAP are deploying AI agents to automate complex workflows including handling customer queries, drafting emails, processing invoices. In one case, agents reduced resolution times by over 50 percent, while humans still provide the final validation. Global demand for “prompt engineers” is rising faster than any other AI role. In India, prompt engineering market is growing at nearly 33 percent compound annual growth rate. Meanwhile firms in India report a massive supply-demand gap: only 10–15 percent of the 650,000 AI professionals have the required agentic AI expertise, while demand could reach over 150,000 within the next year.

Talent Gap and Salaries in India

In India, less than half of the demand for Generative AI and NLP talent is currently met. With growing demand, a prompt engineer or agentic AI specialist with 2–5 years of experience earns around ₹25 lakh per annum. Mid- to senior-level professionals earn between ₹80 lakh and ₹2 crore annually. This talent gap and high compensation show that organizations increasingly value oversight and context-aware skills, not just code writing.

As agentic AI systems take on more autonomous tasks, human oversight becomes vital. Field leaders stress that without human validation, bias, ethical failures and legal missteps can escalate rapidly. By mid‑2025, about 35 percent of organizations plan to deploy agentic AI, reaching 86 percent adoption by 2027. Human‑in‑the‑loop practices ensure reliability, ethics, and accuracy in high‑stakes domains like finance, legal and healthcare. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff argues that AI must amplify human capabilities, not replace them. Humans must stay central, especially as AI lacks empathy, judgement and values.

Global Trends & Indian Context

Globally, organizations are reshaping how agentic AI is integrated into workflows. In Australia, 61 percent of business leaders now use AI agents, but siloed implementations limit effectiveness and pose security risks. Integrated agent orchestration is essential. In India’s largest IT services firm, Tata Consultancy Services, the strategy is to embed AI agents alongside human employees—promoting a “Human + AI” model throughout operations.

India’s AI market is on a rapid growth path, projected to reach $8 billion by 2025 and $17 billion by 2027. This growth rate is up to 40 percent along the way. Led by government support such as the INDIAai national portal and multiple Centers of Excellence focused on agriculture, healthcare and sustainability, India invests heavily in AI skilling and research. By June 2025, Microsoft’s social‑impact AI program had trained over 2.4 million people in India, with 74% coming from tier‑2 and tier‑3 cities and 65% being women.

Career Paths & Skills to Build

Indian youth can thrive in AI agenting roles even without a CS degree. Emerging roles include:

• Prompt Engineer
• Agentic AI Architect
• AI Workflow Manager
• AI Risk Officer
• Human‑AI Interaction Designer
• Ethics Auditor or Red‑Team Tester

Core skills to develop:

• Crafting clear and safe prompts (chain-of-thought, scenario-based prompting)
• Designing multi-step workflows, using tools such as LangChain and AutoGPT
• Building guardrails and risk mitigation protocols (e.g. human checkpoints, permission rules)
• Testing and evaluation: audit routines, edge‑case simulations
• Human‑AI interface planning, UX design, bias detection, model validation

Indian youth combine affordability, English fluency, adaptable learning mindset and proximity to a huge domestic market. Remote work is also growing—indian professionals can lead global AI agent teams from home. College streams don’t matter as much as having curiosity, communication skills and critical thinking. AI agents may take over repetitive tasks, but leadership, judgement and ethics belong to humans.

Risks of Not Being In the Loop

AI agents lack discretion. The true danger is misunderstanding. Without human checks, they can delete crucial files, execute dangerous commands or expose confidential data. According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, some job categories like customer support may disappear entirely. But he also stresses that humans remain essential, especially in areas like medicine. AI may outperform in efficiency, but not in trust or responsibility.

AI agents are fast spreading across industries—from retail to healthcare. They represent scalable, autonomous digital labor. But robotics without human stewardship is brittle. The future lies in humans who supervise, validate, and direct AI agents. By developing specialized AI agenting skills, Indian youth can lead the transformation and shape ethical, efficient AI ecosystems. The AI era is not about replacing humans. It is about redefining roles. Learning to guide AI, set guardrails, cross-check outputs and uphold ethics is the frontier. That’s where Indian youth can make their impact. Be ready, upskill now and become the human pilot in a world of autonomous agents.

---

On July 26, 2025, the world woke up to the news of escalating conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. Airstrikes, rocket launches, and artillery exchanges transformed the quiet border into a full-blown warzone. This is not just a battle over lines on a map—it is a crisis rooted in history, faith, and pride. With over 32 people killed and more than 130 injured, including children and civilians, the world is watching with bated breath. This article explores the roots of the conflict, its cultural underpinnings, its humanitarian toll, and how India is intrinsically tied to this ongoing crisis.

Historical Background: A 900-Year-Old Dispute

The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia over the Preah Vihear temple and its surrounding territory is not new. Dating back to the era of the Angkor Empire, the temple has been a symbol of Khmer pride and spiritual significance. In 1907, a French-made map assigned the temple to Cambodia, then under French colonial rule. Thailand never accepted the map’s validity. The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia. However, Thailand continued to assert claims over the adjacent land, creating a long-standing territorial dispute that has periodically flared into violence. The situation intensified in 2008 when Cambodia secured UNESCO World Heritage status for the temple, a move Thailand opposed strongly.

The Present Conflict: Why Now?

In 2025, a combination of political instability in Thailand and strategic leadership assertion in Cambodia led to renewed hostilities. Thailand, currently under an acting Prime Minister after the suspension of Paetongtarn Shinawatra, launched ‘Operation Yuttha Bodin’ involving F-16 airstrikes on Cambodian positions. Cambodia retaliated with BM‑21 rocket attacks on Thai border towns. A leaked call suggesting backdoor deals between Thailand’s former PM and Cambodia’s Senate President further inflamed public and military sentiments. Both nations accused each other of war crimes, including targeting civilians and using banned weapons like cluster munitions.

Humanitarian Impact: Civilians Caught in the Crossfire

The border conflict has displaced more than 1.5 lakh people. Thailand alone has seen over 138,000 civilians evacuated from the Trat and Sisaket provinces. Cambodia reports at least 20,000 displaced in the Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces. Infrastructure like schools and hospitals has been damaged or destroyed. Reports of children sheltering in bunkers instead of going to school, and families cooking over open fires in makeshift camps, paint a grim picture of the human cost of war. Accusations have flown from both sides—Thailand blames Cambodia for targeting ambulances, while Cambodia condemns Thailand for deploying cluster bombs in civilian zones.

Cultural Ties to India: A Legacy of Shared Heritage

India’s influence in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand and Cambodia, is profound. Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the world’s largest Hindu temple complex, is dedicated to Vishnu. Preah Vihear itself is a 9th-century Shiva temple. In Thailand, the national epic ‘Ramkien’ is based on India’s Ramayana. Sanskrit has influenced both Khmer and Thai languages. Indian cultural footprints—yoga centers, temples, classical dance, and spiritual institutions—are actively maintained in both nations. This conflict, in essence, also reflects a fracture in what was once a harmonious civilizational exchange.

Global Reaction and ASEAN’s Struggle

The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting urging both parties to cease hostilities. Cambodia expressed willingness to accept a ceasefire proposed by ASEAN chair Malaysia. Thailand, however, rejected third-party mediation, demanding bilateral resolution. ASEAN’s inability to enforce peace among its members exposes structural limitations in its framework. Countries like the U.S., China, France, and India have called for restraint and offered to facilitate peace. Yet, violence continues with no clear diplomatic breakthrough.

India’s Role: Diplomacy and Diaspora

India has maintained a position of neutrality, calling for peace while protecting its citizens in the region. Travel advisories have been issued for Indians in Cambodia and Thailand, particularly near the conflict zones. India has strong economic and cultural ties with both nations through its Act East policy. Indian yoga institutions, embassies, and businesses operate across both borders. Though not a direct participant, India’s strategic interests in regional stability and cultural legacy make it an indirect stakeholder in this conflict.

What Indian Youth Can Learn

Indian youth have a lot to gain from studying and understanding such international conflicts. Students can explore career paths in diplomacy, international law, and conflict resolution. Aspiring journalists can use this as a live case study in conflict journalism. Cultural preservationists can engage in cross-border NGO projects to restore damaged sites. Most importantly, youth must counter misinformation through digital literacy and promote narratives of peace and historical unity. With India’s cultural DNA embedded in these lands, young Indians have a moral and strategic reason to stay informed and involved.

Path to Peace: Potential Solutions

A few clear solutions emerge from this crisis. First, the deployment of a UN peacekeeping team could stabilize the area. Second, a joint heritage agreement between Thailand and Cambodia could allow shared management of the Preah Vihear temple. Third, ASEAN should consider forming a neutral border tribunal to resolve similar disputes in the future. Cross-border cultural exchange programs and youth-led initiatives can also help rebuild trust. India and other neutral countries like Vietnam and Indonesia could facilitate non-partisan dialogues. History teaches us that peace comes not by choosing sides, but by choosing sense.

Conclusion

The Cambodia–Thailand border war is a tragedy of pride, politics, and historical grievances. Yet within this crisis lies a deeper reminder of the shared culture that once united these nations through Indian influence. As borders burn and diplomacy falters, it becomes the responsibility of the next generation—to preserve peace, to uphold history, and to rebuild broken ties with wisdom, not war.

---

From fighting fake news to removing hate speech, Trust & Safety (T&S) teams have silently worked behind every major digital platform to ensure that the internet remains a safe space for users. However, in recent years, particularly between 2021 and 2023, the foundation of this crucial ecosystem began to crack. Layoffs, political pressure, misinformation, and growing public distrust have all thrown the T&S world into turmoil. But amidst these challenges, there’s also hope,hope for a more informed, inclusive, and resilient future for digital safety.

Understanding Trust & Safety and the Role of Content Moderation

Trust & Safety (T&S) teams are the invisible protectors of the digital world. They exist across all major tech companies,Meta, Google, Amazon, Twitter (X), and more,and operate at the intersection of technology, policy, law, and user welfare. Their responsibilities go far beyond deleting objectionable content. T&S teams are responsible for building and enforcing platform guidelines, liaising with law enforcement, preventing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), identifying financial scams, and ensuring that every new feature launched on a platform is not exploitable by bad actors.

At the heart of T&S work lies content moderation. This is the systematic process of reviewing and taking action against user-generated content that violates platform policies or legal standards. There are different levels of moderation, Artisanal (small-scale, in-house moderation), Community-driven (volunteer-based moderation like Reddit or Wikipedia), and Industrial (outsourced, automated systems used by giants like Facebook).

Moderation practices include removing harmful posts, flagging misleading content, and algorithmically reducing the visibility of borderline posts. These efforts ensure that platforms do not turn into lawless digital jungles.

The Crisis: Layoffs, Public Mistrust, and Emotional Burnout

Between 2021 and 2023, the global tech industry experienced massive layoffs, and T&S teams were among the hardest hit. At Twitter alone, over 15% of the T&S workforce was dismissed following Elon Musk’s acquisition. Similar patterns were observed at Meta, Google, and Amazon. This wasn’t just about cost-cutting,it was also political. As content moderation became linked to ‘censorship’ narratives, platforms chose to back off rather than face public and political backlash.

This professional upheaval led to emotional burnout among T&S workers. Many moderators were constantly exposed to traumatic content,violence, abuse, hate,and without proper mental health support, they reported symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and long-term psychological distress. Visa holders and international workers faced added pressure as layoffs threatened their legal residency. Meanwhile, public misconceptions painted T&S professionals as enemies of free speech, compounding their stress and isolation.

India’s Unique Challenges in Trust & Safety

In India, T&S faces additional hurdles. While countries like the US and those in the EU have more mature regulatory environments and defined professional roles, India still lacks coherent frameworks. The Intermediary Guidelines (2021) set basic expectations, but they remain vague. Most content moderation work in India is outsourced to BPOs and third-party vendors where training, transparency, and emotional well-being are often neglected.

With over 20 major languages and a highly diverse population, moderation in India demands context-sensitive systems that can detect intent across cultures and dialects. However, one-size-fits-all algorithms often fall short. Furthermore, platform responses tend to be reactive, only intervening after a crisis. This prevents proactive safety design and erodes user trust.

India’s youth, with digital fluency and linguistic diversity, are well-positioned to bridge this gap,if supported with the right education and career pathways.

Artificial Intelligence in T&S: Boon or Bane?

AI has transformed the way moderation can be executed, allowing platforms to scan millions of pieces of content at once. It helps reduce exposure to harmful material for human reviewers and offers rapid translation and anomaly detection. AI tools can flag posts, remove clear violations, and even predict risk patterns.

However, AI has serious limitations. It struggles with understanding sarcasm, regional dialects, or contextual humor. Worse, it can amplify biases if trained on skewed data. There’s also a lack of clear accountability,when AI makes a mistake, who is to blame?

The way forward is a hybrid model,AI for speed and scale, humans for empathy and nuance. This combination is already being adopted by several platforms and holds promise for the future of safer, smarter content moderation.
Pathways for Indian Youth: How to Join the T&S Movement
As digital spaces grow, so does the demand for ethical, skilled Trust & Safety professionals. Indian youth can play a pivotal role in shaping this space. Here are some ways to get involved:

1. Explore roles such as Content Analyst, Policy Researcher, UX Safety Designer, and AI Safety Engineer in tech firms.
2. Gain certifications through platforms like the Trust & Safety Professional Association (TSPA).
3. Volunteer for community moderation on platforms like Reddit, Discord, or Wikipedia.
4. Work with civic tech or digital rights organizations like Internet Freedom Foundation and FactChecker.in.
5. Promote safe conversations in college forums and WhatsApp groups,grassroots digital safety matters too!

Core skills needed include critical thinking, ethical reasoning, multilingual fluency, and familiarity with tech tools. With the right knowledge and intent, young Indians can become leaders in a safer digital future.

The Future: Rebuilding Trust and Reinventing Safety

Despite setbacks, there are reasons for optimism. New legislation in the EU, growing public discourse, and efforts by professional organizations are laying the groundwork for T&S to evolve into a formal, globally respected profession. AI tools are becoming more refined, and hybrid moderation systems are being scaled. Most importantly, a new generation of youth is beginning to see digital safety not just as a backend job, but as a civic duty.

As one T&S expert put it: “Online safety is not a destination. It’s a process.”

Creating safe digital environments requires more than tools,it requires people who care. It needs designers who anticipate misuse, moderators who understand context, engineers who build ethical AI, and users who support healthy dialogue. Together, this ecosystem can transform the internet from a chaotic free-for-all to a trusted space for all voices.

---

In May 2025, a video began circulating on social media that appeared to show a well-known U.S. senator resigning from office amidst scandal. Within hours, it was trending across platforms, fueling speculation, outrage, and even market tremors. But 48 hours later, forensic analysts confirmed what many had feared, it was a deepfake, a hyper-realistic, AI generated video. By the time the truth was clarified, reputations had been damaged, political fallout had begun, and public trust had eroded. This incident was not an isolated prank, it was a powerful warning of what unregulated artificial intelligence is capable of.

Artificial intelligence is no longer confined to the labs of Big Tech or the backend of search engines. It is now crafting stories, manipulating voices, generating images, writing code, producing art, and even shaping public discourse. This growing influence has ignited a global debate that is currently playing out with full intensity in the United States. The central question is urgent and complex: How do we embrace AI’s transformative potential without compromising privacy, truth, safety, and democracy?

To understand this debate, it is essential to first grasp what AI regulation entails and why it is becoming a cornerstone of policy discussion across the world. AI regulation refers to the creation of laws, standards, and frameworks that govern the development and deployment of artificial intelligence systems. These rules are designed to prevent harmful uses of AI, protect user privacy, ensure fairness and transparency, and establish accountability for the outcomes generated by machines. In essence, AI regulation aims to strike a balance, encouraging innovation while placing necessary guardrails to safeguard individuals and institutions.

In the United States, the regulation of AI has now become a defining issue of the political landscape. In July 2025, President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping “AI Action Plan” as part of his campaign to regain political leadership. This plan included a series of three executive orders that promote rapid AI growth by minimizing federal oversight and encouraging technological expansion. The orders aim to fast-track infrastructure development for data centers, promote international exports of American AI technologies, and strip away what the plan describes as “ideological filters”, a direct reference to banning AI systems that exhibit so-called “woke” or politically progressive behavior. Perhaps the most controversial part of the plan is its mechanism to penalize state governments that attempt to regulate AI more stringently by cutting off federal funding for AI related infrastructure. In Trump’s vision, AI should remain a free, unshackled tool for American dominance, not a tightly controlled or censored technology.

In sharp contrast, Congress has responded with a series of legislative proposals that reflect growing public concerns about privacy, misinformation, and manipulation. A bipartisan bill known as the AI Accountability and Personal Data Protection Act was introduced in July 2025 by Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal. This proposed law would give individuals the right to sue technology companies if their personal data or intellectual property was used without consent in training AI models. It would also impose transparency obligations on companies, requiring them to disclose how their models are trained and what data is involved. In addition, the TAKE IT DOWN Act, signed into law earlier in May, mandates that platforms remove AI generated deepfake content if it is non-consensual or defamatory, particularly in cases involving sexual imagery or reputational harm. These legislative moves reflect a growing realization among lawmakers that without legal consequences, AI misuse will only accelerate.

Beyond the halls of Congress, U.S. state governments are actively passing their own AI related laws. States like Montana have banned the use of AI for government surveillance, while others like California are pushing for stricter guidelines on transparency and disclosure in AI generated content. These statelevel initiatives show that lawmakers at all levels recognize both the opportunities and the risks AI presents. However, under Trump’s AI Action Plan, these same states could see their federal support for AI infrastructure and broadband expansion withdrawn, setting up a complex federal-state conflict that may play out in courts as well as in upcoming elections.

The urgent need for regulation becomes clearer when we look at the real-world risks and harms already emerging. One of the most visible dangers is the proliferation of deepfakes. These synthetic videos and audio recordings can be used to impersonate politicians, journalists, or private citizens, leading to misinformation, public panic, and personal devastation. They blur the line between truth and fiction, making it increasingly difficult for the public to know what to trust.

Another critical concern is data piracy. Many large language models and generative AI systems have been trained on vast troves of data scraped from the internet, including copyrighted books, personal blogs, artworks, medical records, and social media conversations. Much of this data was used without consent, compensation, or even notification, raising serious ethical and legal concerns about intellectual property and digital rights.

There is also the issue of algorithmic bias and discrimination. Multiple studies have shown that AI systems can produce skewed results when used in hiring, criminal sentencing, facial recognition, or credit scoring. These biases often reflect historical inequalities embedded in the data used to train the systems. The consequences of such bias are not theoretical, they are already impacting lives in the form of denied jobs, wrongful arrests, and unequal treatment.

Mental health is yet another front where AI poses growing challenges. Platforms powered by AI algorithms can manipulate user behavior by optimizing for engagement, often reinforcing addictive behaviors or pushing harmful content. Teenagers and young adults are particularly vulnerable to these influences, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and other psychological effects.

Finally, the lack of coordinated global regulation has led to a fragmented and often chaotic AI environment. While Europe has passed the EU AI Act, a structured legal framework that classifies AI by risk and imposes strict requirements for high-risk systems—the United States has no national law of similar scope. India, meanwhile, has adopted a light-touch approach, issuing ethical guidelines and promoting innovation but without clear enforcement mechanisms. This global regulatory gap creates a “Wild West” where companies can exploit jurisdictions with weaker laws, bypassing accountability and undermining fair competition.

India now stands at a strategic crossroads. As the world’s fastest growing digital economy and a rising force in AI development, it has both the opportunity and the responsibility to shape the ethical landscape of global technology. Indian youth, in particular, have a chance to lead this change. They can build AI tools that prioritize transparency, fairness, and inclusion. They can create regional language models that reflect local cultures without replicating global biases. They can also contribute to open-source projects, launch ethical tech startups, and demand legal frameworks that protect creators and consumers alike.

Regulation should not be viewed as a barrier to innovation. Instead, it must be seen as a guide rail, something that ensures technological progress moves in a direction that is beneficial, inclusive, and accountable. Without rules, AI can become a weapon of misinformation, surveillance, and inequality. With thoughtful governance, it can be a force for empowerment, education, and economic growth.

The AI debate unfolding in the United States is not merely a policy discussion; it is a reflection of the kind of society we want to build. As deepfakes erode trust and data misuse challenges privacy, the future of AI will depend not only on engineers and entrepreneurs but also on lawmakers, educators, and an informed public. It is no longer a question of whether to regulate AI, but how and how soon.

As India, the U.S., and the rest of the world chart their course, the most important voices in this conversation may well come from the youth. They are the users, the creators, and the future leaders of this technology. It is time they shape it with clarity, courage, and conscience.

---

Since July 2025, a quiet yet remarkable shift has occurred in the world of chess. India now leads the world with seven Super Grandmasters, all players rated 2700 or above, which is more than the USA’s six or China’s four . These players are the elite of the elite—among the top 0.01 percent of chess talent globally. Think of them as Olympic athletes of the mind. But beyond their strategic brilliance, they represent something deeper: the blend of national pride, personal discipline, and cultural strength.

As the world watches, India isn’t just fielding champions—it’s forging them from its own culture. While powerhouse nations often attract talent through migration, India nurtures its champions from childhood. Legends like Gukesh, Arjun, and Praggnanandhaa didn’t come from anywhere else—they grew here, trained here, and now stand as proof of India’s rising stature in the intellectual world .

Defining the Super Grandmaster

In chess circles, a “Super Grandmaster” refers to any player with a 2700+ Elo rating, a threshold that only about 40–50 elite players ever reach . To cross—and consistently maintain—that barrier requires more than talent. It demands relentless focus, extensive preparation, and psychological resilience. These individuals are not one-off performers; they stand firm against the best, time and again. Their success signals not just personal excellence, but also the strength and support of the system that surrounds them.

The Global Landscape of Super Grandmasters

By mid-2025, the world’s top countries by count of 2700+ players are India (7), USA (6), China (4), followed by France and Uzbekistan with two each . This list marks a seismic shift in global chess power. Earlier, countries like Russia, Germany, or Ukraine dominated the elite circles. Today, Russia doesn’t even contribute a top-ten player in classical rankings. The USA’s entries are often players born elsewhere—Caruana from Italy, So from the Philippines—while India’s entire share is homegrown talent . This shift points to where infrastructure and cultural investment are making real differences.

India’s Cultural Roots in Chess

Chess was born in ancient India under the name Chaturanga, rooted in strategy, mind discipline, and philosophy . Centuries later, the core values that gave birth to the game remain embedded in Indian culture—concentration, humility, and perseverance. Today, these values are reflected not just in boardrooms and classrooms, but across digital chess platforms, YouTube channels, and online training hubs. From rural towns to urban centers, this cultural resurgence has enabled talents to flourish far from the traditional chess hubs .

How India Nurtures Champions vs Other Chess Nations

India’s seven top-tier players—Gukesh, Arjun, Praggnanandhaa, Vidit, Harikrishna, Nihal, and others—are all born and trained within Indian systems. For example, Arjun Erigaisi became only the second Indian ever to break the 2800 Elo barrier in December 2024, a milestone earned entirely within Indian training infrastructure . Meanwhile, Gukesh Dommaraju, born in 2006, became the youngest to cross 2750, defeating Magnus Carlsen in 2022—a move signaling that Indian youth are no longer waiting—they’re challenging the best at home .

In sharp contrast, the USA’s leading figures often represent the global appeal of American chess infrastructure. Talents like Caruana and So were trained elsewhere before becoming American stars. China relies on state-controlled academies and discipline, producing champions but often lacking the cultural spontaneity found elsewhere. Russia’s influence has diminished significantly post-2014, with fewer top-rated classical players and no top-ten entrants in recent lists .

Stories from the Indian Chess Revolution

Gukesh Dommaraju’s story is one of belief and sacrifice. His meteoric rise—becoming World Champion at 18 and surpassing 2750 Elo—sprang from unwavering support from his family, who relocated cities and invested in his potential . Arjun Erigaisi, dubbed the “madman” for his fearless, creative play, stormed past 2800 in late 2024, proving that bold thinking can come from quiet determination .

Then there’s young Praggnanandhaa, the youngest of this trio. At 19, he surged to 2779 Elo in July 2025 and currently ranks fourth in the world . His victories at Tata Steel and the UzChess Cup in June and July 2025 are driven by thorough preparation and mental clarity . Each of these champions cut their teeth in local academies and online arenas, their dedication echoing the spirit of the Indian middle class: hardworking, hopeful, and humble.

Chess as a New Form of Soft Power

These top players are more than sports champions—they are India’s diplomats of intellect. Like Yoga or ISRO, chess offers a distinct narrative: one of quiet strength, cultural depth, and strategic thinking. Hosting global events like the 2025 World Cup in Delhi and achieving gold at the Chess Olympiad reinforce India’s position not just in cricket or technology, but as a battleground for mental excellence .

Facing the Challenges Ahead

Still, this story isn’t without obstacles. Many rural areas with great potential lack access to quality coaching or internet connectivity. While women are making strides in chess, few have cracked ratings above 2600, let alone 2700, highlighting a gender gap that needs attention . Younger talents struggle with performance pressure and mental burnout—there’s a clear need for mental health support. And while families invest greatly in chess, the costs of coaching, travel, and tournaments remain high.

Building a Sustainable Chess Ecosystem

For India to maintain and expand its lead: integrating chess into school curricula could help develop critical thinking. Scholarships and mentorship programs—linking SGMs with aspiring juniors—could democratize high-level training. Investing in rural centers and women’s leagues would open the game to millions more. Media storytelling and corporate sponsorship would ensure that chess is not just seen as a hobby, but as a viable and celebrated career.

India’s Quiet Checkmate

India’s climb to the top of the Super Grandmaster charts is more than data—it’s a cultural triumph. These seven SGMs embody India’s ability to create, not just consume, elite talent. Their journeys are rooted in silence and sacrifice, but their victories echo on global stages. As India grows not only as a global economy but an intellectual powerhouse, these players remind us that true strength lies in the deep soil of culture, youth, and opportunity.

---

Introduction: When Ambedkar Took on Empire with Evidence

In the early 20th century, as British officials busied themselves categorizing Indians by skull shapes, nose lengths, and skin color, a quiet intellectual revolution was brewing. It came from a man who knew what it meant to be labeled, to be cast aside, and to be made invisible in his own country. That man was Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

After poring over thousands of pages of colonial data, Ambedkar made a bold claim. He declared, with clinical precision, that if Brahmins were Aryans based on their physical measurements, then so were Untouchables. If Brahmins were Dravidians or Nagas, then so were Untouchables. The logic was simple, but the implication was revolutionary: there was no scientific basis to claim that caste was rooted in racial difference. In fact, the very science used to divide Indians could be used to dismantle that division.

His exact words still echo with clarity and defiance:

“The measurements established that the Brahmin and the untouchables belong to the same race… such being the facts the theory must be said to be based on a false foundation.”

This was not just a critique—it was a scientific rebuttal. Ambedkar wasn’t fighting superstition with sentiment. He was fighting institutional oppression with hard evidence.

Nasal Index: How British Science Invented Indian Races

To understand Ambedkar’s insight, we first need to understand what he was reacting to. In the late 1800s, the British colonial administration, led by officials like Sir Herbert Hope Risley, was obsessed with classifying India. Inspired by European race science—especially phrenology and anthropometry—they believed that physical measurements could reveal not just someone’s race but their culture, character, and even intelligence.

One of the most infamous of these tools was the nasal index, a ratio comparing the width of a person’s nose to its height. A narrow nose supposedly indicated Aryan ancestry—civilized, light-skinned, intellectual. A broader nose, according to this logic, signaled a more “primitive” race—Dravidian, tribal, or “non-Aryan.” Risley applied this pseudoscience across India, measuring thousands of people, often reducing their lives to numbers on a chart.

He went even further. He claimed that the social status of a caste varied inversely with its nasal index—in other words, the broader your nose, the lower your place in society. The arrogance of such a conclusion is staggering. Risley wasn’t just measuring noses; he was writing a racial script for Indian society that would endure for generations.

But this wasn’t merely academic curiosity. It became official policy. The data collected using this flawed method informed the structure of the British census in India. Over time, this pseudoscientific system turned into a bureaucratic machine that categorized people into castes as though these were fixed racial identities. Jatis—which had once been local, occupational, and often flexible—were suddenly presented as rigid racial hierarchies.

Freezing Fluidity: How Colonial Bureaucracy Locked Us into Castes

Before the British came, Indian society had its own deep inequalities—but also a certain fluidity. People often shifted professions, migrated to different regions, or moved between jatis over generations. This doesn’t mean the caste system was just or benign—but it was more complex and local in practice than the British were willing to admit.

However, when the British began conducting regular censuses starting in 1871, they sought to organize Indian society the way they organized their empire—through rigid classification. By 1901, under Risley’s influence, the census took a dramatic turn. It began tying every Indian’s identity to a specific caste category, often based on physical traits and theoretical hierarchies.

This process essentially froze caste identities, transforming them from flexible social roles into permanent administrative labels. It also introduced new binaries. Communities were now defined not only as high or low but also as “Hindu” or “tribal,” “Aryan” or “non-Aryan,” “civilized” or “wild.” These terms were not neutral—they carried deep moral judgments and were used to justify unequal treatment, access to resources, and even legal rights.

This classification had a long shadow. The last full caste census was conducted in 1931, yet the data it produced is still used to define policy, reservation categories, and political constituencies today.

Ambedkar’s Scientific Rebellion Against Racial Caste Theory

When Ambedkar confronted these ideas, he did not rely on emotion or mere ideology. He relied on the British’s own data. He studied the massive anthropological surveys and nasal index tables and came to a striking conclusion: there was no consistent racial difference between the so-called upper castes and lower castes.

In fact, Brahmins and Dalits often shared the same nasal index measurements. The idea that they belonged to different “races” simply didn’t hold up under scrutiny.

This was a game-changing moment in the history of Indian social science. Ambedkar showed that the caste system was not a natural outcome of biology or race. It was a social and political construct, one that had been shaped, hardened, and justified by colonial power.

He did not stop there. He questioned the very motives of colonial anthropology and argued that these classifications were not about understanding India—they were about controlling it. By turning caste into racial destiny, the British ensured that social mobility was stifled, and resistance was fragmented.

The 1931 Caste Census: A Legacy That Refuses to Die

The 1931 census was the last time the Indian government officially collected comprehensive caste data. After independence, the state consciously moved away from caste enumeration, fearing that it would reinforce divisions.

Yet caste remained very much a part of the Indian reality—and the legacy of that 1931 census loomed large. To this day, reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes are based on categories that trace their roots to colonial classification.

In legal terms, too, the idea of “tribe” versus “Hindu” identity was crystallized by the British census. What began as anthropological curiosity turned into official policy, with legal implications that still define access to affirmative action, land rights, and political representation.

Back to the Future: The 2027 Digital Caste Census

Now, nearly a century later, India is preparing to reopen the box that was sealed in 1931. The government has announced plans for a digital census in 2027, and the demand for including caste in that enumeration has become one of the most powerful political issues of the day.

States like Bihar and Telangana have already conducted their own caste surveys, generating new conversations about inequality, representation, and affirmative action. The Congress party has advocated for a national caste census based on socio-economic and educational indicators. The BJP, while cautious, has begun acknowledging the need to revisit data-driven policy for backward communities.

However, this renewed push comes with serious concerns. A digital census could risk violating privacy, especially without robust data protection laws. There are also fears that caste data, once again, could be used not to dismantle inequality but to deepen political polarization. The very act of counting caste carries the danger of reifying it.

Why Indian Youth Must Question Both Science and Power

For Indian youth today, the caste census is not just a bureaucratic issue. It is a mirror. It asks us: Do we understand how deeply colonial science shaped our social identities? Can we use data to empower rather than divide? Do we know the difference between scientific truth and institutional bias?

Ambedkar’s example teaches us that we must always ask who is collecting the data, why it is being collected, and how it is being interpreted. Caste is not biology. It is not written in our noses, skin, or bones. It is written into our laws, our institutions, and our imaginations—and it can be rewritten.

Conclusion: A New Census, or a New Beginning?

As India prepares for its next census, we are not just counting people—we are revisiting a history of misclassification, manipulation, and injustice. But we also have the opportunity to do things differently this time.

We can demand a caste census that is transparent, ethical, and scientifically sound. We can insist that data is used to uplift, not stereotype. And we can remember the man who once looked into the colonial state’s numbers and found a deeper truth—Dr. Ambedkar, who turned data into dissent.

Let this moment be not a return to racial caste theories but a bold step forward—to use data for equality, not division.

---

In the 1980s, Japan stood as a symbol of efficiency, ambition, and technological power. It dazzled the world with bullet trains, walkmans, and economic miracles. But today, that same country is facing a crisis far deeper than GDP graphs or geopolitical charts. It’s a crisis of emotion. Of energy. Of purpose.

Welcome to the “Low Desire Society.”

This haunting term was coined by Japanese strategist Kenichi Ohmae, who described a cultural condition where an entire generation begins to pull away from life’s core desires — not just romantic or sexual, but also social, professional, and aspirational. It’s not laziness. It’s not a lack of talent. It’s something far more profound: a collective emotional shutdown.

And if you think this is just Japan’s problem, think again. Because many of the signs that began to emerge in post-crash Japan are now starting to quietly appear in urban India.

What Exactly Is a “Low Desire Society”?

Kenichi Ohmae’s idea wasn’t rooted in just personal habits. He was pointing toward a deep societal transformation. A “Low Desire Society” is a place where people no longer chase after dreams, avoid big emotional investments, and live in what you might call ‘survival mode.’

In Japan, this looks like:

• Young adults uninterested in marriage or even dating,
• An alarming number of men and women reporting no romantic or sexual experiences well into their 30s,
• Career goals being replaced by risk aversion and emotional retreat,
• Entire communities living in social withdrawal.

This isn’t about giving up — it’s about opting out.

And it didn’t happen overnight.

From Boom to Burnout: How Japan Got Here

To understand how this emotional fatigue took hold, we need to go back to Japan’s economic story.

After World War II, Japan rebuilt itself from the ashes. By the 1970s and 80s, it was the envy of the world — with a booming export economy, skyrocketing urban growth, and some of the highest living standards on Earth. Then came the crash of 1991. Japan’s real estate and stock market bubble burst, sending the country into a prolonged economic coma now known as the Lost Decade — which actually lasted for more than thirty years.

The jobs dried up. Salaries stagnated. Promotions stopped coming. And an entire generation grew up watching their parents work themselves to death only to lose everything in a crash. What emerged was a youth population that learned to avoid risk, limit emotional exposure, and stay in their lanes.

Why bother with desire if desire only leads to disappointment?

The Human Fallout: Loneliness, Low Birth Rates, and a Culture in Retreat

Today, the social consequences in Japan are staggering.

The country now has one of the lowest fertility rates in the world — just 1.26 births per woman, far below the 2.1 needed to sustain a population. More than 40% of people in their 30s say they’ve never been in a romantic relationship. Marriages are increasingly sexless. Loneliness has become so widespread that there’s even a word for dying alone: Kodokushi.

In the absence of real-world intimacy, many have turned to AI girlfriends, anime characters, and paid cuddling services. Japan’s once vibrant human connection is being replaced with hyper-efficient emotional substitutes.

Where Does India Fit Into All This?

At first glance, India couldn’t be more different. We are young — with a median age of just 28. Our social fabric is still rich with family, festivals, and deeply personal relationships. Love marriages, joint families, and weekend weddings are still the norm.

But scratch beneath the surface, especially in our metro cities, and you’ll see the early signs of emotional fatigue creeping in.

Urban fertility rates are quietly falling, with cities like Delhi and Mumbai now well below replacement levels. Marriage is being delayed, if not avoided entirely, especially among professionals in their 30s. Burnout is a common buzzword, and so is “quiet quitting.” Young people talk openly about relationship anxiety, emotional detachment, and the inability to focus on long-term goals.

It’s not widespread yet. But we are slowly drifting — especially among the educated, digitally connected, overworked segments of our youth.

The Global Context: We’re Not Alone

This isn’t just Japan or India. Around the world, we see the same low-desire trends manifest in different ways.

In South Korea, the fertility rate has fallen to an unprecedented 0.72 — the lowest in the world. In Western Europe, despite financial safety nets and generous parental leave, many young adults are choosing not to have families at all, driven by a desire for individual freedom, or simply the fear of being emotionally drained.

What makes India different — and more hopeful — is that we still have emotional infrastructure intact. We still value connection. We still long for meaning. But that too can be lost if we don’t actively protect it.

India’s Crossroads: Desire vs. Disconnection

India stands today at a critical crossroads.

On one hand, we have the energy of the world’s youngest workforce. On the other, we’re seeing rising signs of digital addiction, social comparison fatigue, and emotional burnout. Our cities are slowly creating a lifestyle where relationships feel like a burden, ambitions feel unattainable, and rest feels like a luxury.

The choice ahead is simple, but not easy:
Do we become another Japan? Or do we carve a more balanced path forward?

Because a country that loses its desire — loses more than just its population.
It loses its soul.

So What’s the Way Forward?

Japan’s story isn’t just a cautionary tale — it’s a lesson. And India doesn’t have to repeat it.

Here’s what we must focus on:

1. Redefining Desire

We need to teach our youth that desire isn’t just about salary, sex, or success. It’s about the will to live deeply — to create, to connect, to commit. Desire, when guided, is energy. We must celebrate it, not shame it.

2. Normalize Mental Health

Japan’s mistake was treating emotional pain as private shame. India must not follow that. We need mental health support in schools, colleges, offices — not just as crisis intervention, but as daily hygiene.

If India does not step in with urgent regulatory reforms, it risks becoming a testing ground for global tech giants experimenting with emotionally manipulative AI systems — with Indian children as their first and most vulnerable users.

3. Promote Real Connection

Social media can’t replace social bonding. We must encourage deep friendships, community circles, long conversations — both online and offline. Relationships require time, not just swipes.

4. Stabilize Youth Economically

Emotional risk thrives where there is financial safety. We need better support systems for gig workers, freelancers, and creators — so that chasing dreams doesn’t mean gambling survival.

5. Make Purpose Cool Again

Our culture is rich with stories of sacrifice, service, and soul. Let’s reconnect with that. When youth have purpose, they don’t retreat — they rise.

Don’t Just Grow. Glow

We’ve always thought of progress as moving faster. Earning more. Automating everything.

But Japan teaches us something different: Even the most advanced society can feel empty if it forgets how to feel.

India still remembers.
Let’s not forget.

Let’s protect our desire — and grow into a country that’s not just successful, but emotionally alive.

Like this piece? Share it with someone who’s been feeling emotionally drained. Maybe they’re not lazy — just living in a world that forgot how to feel.

---

A new wave of artificial intelligence (AI) companions — emotionally engaging chatbots and avatars that simulate intimacy, love, and even sexual behavior — has begun to reshape how humans, particularly young users, interact with technology. Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot, which recently added gamified 3D avatars like “Ani,” a possessive and flirtatious anime girlfriend, marks a turning point. These virtual companions respond in romantic and sexually explicit ways based on how frequently the user interacts with them, yet the app remains rated as suitable for users as young as 12.

India, home to the world’s largest adolescent population and one of the fastest-growing digital user bases, lacks a coherent policy to regulate such AI-driven experiences. With emotional safety, consent education, and age-appropriate content at stake, this paper argues that India must urgently update its legal and ethical frameworks to confront the rise of AI companions — before these technologies outpace public awareness and child protection mechanisms.

The Rise of AI Companions and the Gamification of Emotions

AI companions represent a significant shift in the digital relationship paradigm. Unlike traditional chatbots designed for transactional or functional use (like booking tickets or answering FAQs), these new systems simulate emotional closeness, romantic interest, and personal attention. In Grok’s case, avatars like Ani evolve their tone, behavior, and suggestiveness as users engage more frequently — unlocking “levels” that reward persistence with flirtatious or sexual language and behavior.

Gamification techniques, such as progress bars, reward tiers, and personality evolution, increase user engagement by creating emotional dependencies. In essence, these avatars don’t just mimic human interaction — they incentivize emotional and romantic investment, often blurring the line between play and psychological manipulation.

The Ethical Crisis: When AI Companions Reach Underage Users

One of the most pressing concerns is that these emotionally manipulative AI systems are readily accessible to minors. Grok, for example, is currently rated 12+ on Apple’s App Store, which allows preteens and teenagers to interact with avatars that simulate adult relationship dynamics, including expressions of jealousy, sexual attraction, and possessiveness.

Such exposure raises critical questions. Are children equipped to understand the difference between fictional AI affection and real-world emotional boundaries? Do they comprehend concepts like informed consent or emotional manipulation in a relationship? When a virtual partner responds with validation, sexual compliments, or submissive behavior, a young user might internalize harmful ideas about relationships — especially if they haven’t been taught otherwise.

These AI companions often fail to reflect realistic relationship dynamics and can distort young minds’ understanding of intimacy, consent, and interpersonal respect. In the absence of parental controls, child safety filters, or clear app warnings, these interactions happen in silence — unmonitored and unchecked.

Global Trends vs. India’s Digital Preparedness

Across the globe, governments are beginning to respond to the challenges posed by emotionally intelligent AI. The European Union’s AI Act, for example, explicitly classifies AI systems that influence emotions, behaviors, or decisions — especially for vulnerable groups like children — as “high risk.” This classification triggers mandatory transparency, consent mechanisms, and independent audits for such systems.

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is evaluating several AI companies offering intimate AI relationships for potential breaches of consumer protection and child safety regulations. State-level regulators have begun examining whether underage exposure to sexualized AI content falls under harmful conduct.

India, in contrast, lacks any such focused regulation. Although the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 is a positive step towards data privacy, it does not address emotional safety, content moderation, or age-sensitive AI behavior. Most existing digital laws, including the IT Rules 2021, target social media platforms and OTT content providers — leaving AI chatbots and emotionally intelligent avatars largely unregulated.

There is no clear legal mechanism for age-verification in AI-driven mobile apps. Nor is there any obligation for developers to disclose whether an AI system can engage in emotionally or sexually suggestive conversation. This vacuum leaves Indian users — particularly young users — exposed to technologies that would be regulated or blocked in other democracies.

Why India Cannot Afford Delay

India is not just a massive digital market — it is also a country where cultural taboos around mental health, sex education, and emotional literacy persist. In such an environment, young people are often left to discover the boundaries of relationships on their own, increasingly through screens. The emergence of always-available, emotionally validating AI companions can fill emotional gaps, but may also stunt the development of real-world social and emotional intelligence.

According to UNICEF, India has more than 253 million adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 — the largest in the world. At the same time, smartphone penetration among youth is rising sharply, with low-cost devices and data packs enabling 24/7 digital access. In this context, AI avatars that flirt, simulate romance, or respond sexually pose a unique mental health and moral hazard, particularly in the absence of public awareness and protective policies.

If India does not step in with urgent regulatory reforms, it risks becoming a testing ground for global tech giants experimenting with emotionally manipulative AI systems — with Indian children as their first and most vulnerable users.

Building a Regulatory Framework for AI Companion Safety in India

A. Immediate Policy Actions

India must update its app store content rating standards to reflect the reality of AI companions. Any AI system capable of emotionally engaging or simulating intimacy with the user should be rated 18+ — and made subject to strict content disclosures.

Simultaneously, India should require mandatory AI audits for any platform that engages in emotionally personalized user interaction. These audits should analyze:

How the AI behaves across different engagement levels,

Whether sexually suggestive behavior is triggered by user input,

And how emotional dependencies are being designed and gamified.

Moreover, all AI apps used by minors must offer parental dashboards and usage summaries, so that guardians can make informed decisions about their children’s exposure to such systems.

An AI Ethics Board under MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) must also be established, comprising psychologists, education experts, child safety advocates, and AI technologists. This board should draft India’s first national guidelines on ethical AI companions.

B. Long-Term Reforms

India needs to introduce a dedicated AI Governance Framework — separate from general data privacy laws — that deals specifically with the emotional and psychological risks posed by generative and emotionally intelligent AI.

This framework should also include the creation of a centralized grievance redressal system, where citizens can report problematic AI behavior. Just as India has helplines for cyberbullying and mental health, there must be a mechanism to report AI tools that violate ethical norms or manipulate vulnerable users.

Lastly, public-private partnerships should be initiated to promote digital emotional literacy, especially in schools and colleges. Awareness campaigns — similar to “Cyber Suraksha” and “Digital India” — should address how to responsibly interact with AI systems, recognize red flags, and maintain a healthy digital mindset.

Responsible Innovation, Not Exploitative Technology

India stands at the frontier of the AI revolution — not just as a consumer, but as a creator. While we celebrate our startups and tech exports, we must also demand ethical integrity and human-centric design in everything we build and adopt.

Unregulated AI companions — even those built outside India — can deeply affect Indian minds. If we fail to act now, we risk creating a generation more emotionally dependent on responsive avatars than real human relationships.

The future of AI in India must not only be about efficiency and growth, but also about safety, dignity, and mental well-being. In this moment, public officials have the opportunity — and the responsibility — to build the world’s most forward-thinking AI ethics ecosystem.

“Tech should be transformative — not exploitative. India must regulate, educate, and lead.”