Think Pieces reviewed and written by Lakshmi and Seetha Ram

Marking the 11th remembrance year of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong (IIM Shillong) on Monday unveiled his eight-foot bronze statue, commemorating his final lecture at the institute. https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/general/iim-shillong-unveils-former-president-apj-abdul-kalam-s-bronze-statue-commemorates-final-lecture/ar-AA28MRLQ?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=6a6aa8e99b03455ea4fd52426896a9b4&ei=67 ...

Japan approves plan to create second capital outside Tokyo https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/japan-approves-plan-to-create-second-capital-outside-tokyo Best Regards, Lakshmi and Seetha Ram

The geopolitics of air-conditioning https://economist.com/international/2026/07/23/the-geopolitics-of-air-conditioning from The Economist Best Regards, Lakshmi and Seetha Ram

The geopolitics of air-conditioning https://economist.com/international/2026/07/23/the-geopolitics-of-air-conditioning from The Economist Best Regards, Lakshmi and Seetha Ram

Japan’s popular prime minister is burning political capital fast https://economist.com/asia/2026/07/23/japans-popular-prime-minister-is-burning-political-capital-fast from The Economist Best Regards, Lakshmi and Seetha Ram

Extreme weather events—such as cold waves, heavy snowfall, and anomalously warm periods—are ubiquitous during Japanese winters. These events are closely associated with shifts in the subtropical jet stream, a fast-moving band of winds high in the atmosphere over the Eurasian continental area. While scientists have long known that weather patterns over the North Atlantic-European and tropical Indo-Pacific regions influence this jet stream, the way in which these two factors work together remained unclear. ...

https://www.quantamagazine.org/hong-wang-wins-2026-fields-medal-the-third-woman-ever-20260723/

https://www.adb.org/adbi/news/adbi-event-supports-new-pathways-in-health-financing ...

https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/science-nature/science/20260721-339280/?utm_source=piano&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=47593&pnespid=.uCZgZcK4LaZo.msqBmisacT7xQUpCt4hAc2GBYssE_Vbu_P2d9wA0YmlNFvi._YOAy0sg Best Regards Seetha Ram

ht...

One of last year’s bestsellers was a small, inexpensive edition of the “Hanuman Chalisa”, a five-century-old Hindu devotional poem. What Indians are reading, and what that reveals about the self https://economist.com/asia/2026/07/05/what-indians-are-reading-and-what-that-reveals-about-the-self from The Economist Best Regards, Lakshmi and Seetha Ram

One theory is that the varicella-zoster virus, which causes both shingles and chickenpox, contributes to dementia by causing damage or inflammation to the nervous system even while it is supposedly dormant. A no-brainer for protecting your brain https://economist.com/leaders/2026/07/09/a-no-brainer-for-protecting-your-brain from The Economist Best Regards, Lakshmi and Seetha Ram

Hattori himself identifies localization as the key to global expansion. He also stresses the importance of an "on-site approach," not only in Japan but overseas. Even headquarters staff work in stores on weekends as much as possible, both domestically and abroad, and Hattori himself has continued to spend time on the shop floor since becoming president. Japan shoe store giant ABC-Mart targets big strides across Southeast Asia https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/big-in-asia/japan-shoe-store-giant-abc-mart-targets-big-strides-across-southeast-asia Best Regards, Lakshmi and Seetha Ram

Hattori himself identifies localization as the key to global expansion. He also stresses the importance of an "on-site approach," not only in Japan but overseas. Even headquarters staff work in stores on weekends as much as possible, both domestically and abroad, and Hattori himself has continued to spend time on the shop floor since becoming president. Japan shoe store giant ABC-Mart targets big strides across Southeast Asia https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/big-in-asia/japan-shoe-store-giant-abc-mart-targets-big-strides-across-southeast-asia Best Regards, Lakshmi and Seetha Ram

https://youtu.be/8oKV_l6k3cQ?si=xCrpQs_b2UTD7W9o Best Regards Seetha Ram

https://www.reuters.com/science/satellite-observations-detect-urban-pulse-six-global-cities-2026-06-18/

https://x.com/DPG_ORG/status/2074105634975555721?s=20 ...

Have you read? https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/07/02/amorality-and-greed-at-silicon-valleys-favourite-university?utm_campaign=shared_article ...

ht...

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi used “music diplomacy” to foster a closer relationship with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Thursday during her first visit to his country since taking office. https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20260704-336453/?utm_source=piano&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=8464&pnespid=.uuQk4oN87nMpPOv_RH14PMV5E8VunJpnxM3RFIx6heVjDyfptJXZCBlJNf6MqmVU0YMvQ Best Regards Seetha Ram

https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/state-scan/story/20260622-gujarat-a-metal-steed-to-dholera-2925692-2026-06-12 decade on, the bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad may be moving like a Cupid's arrow in a slow-motion dream, but Gujarat has got recompense. After a Union cabinet nod, it has secured a second marquee rail project. India's first semi high-speed corridor, it will run the 134 km between the Ahmedabad suburb of Sarkhej and Dholera, a coastal town due southwest in the Gulf of Khambat. That destination is a place fast gathering importance. The planned line itself is evidence: it will operate at 200 kmph, with a design speed of 220 kmph, both the highest yet for an Indian train. Built on indigenous technology and running parallel to the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, the semi high-speed train will carry both passengers and freight, integrating with Western Railway's existing network in Ahmedabad at one end. The other end—of what's being planned ...

https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/state-scan/story/20260622-gujarat-a-metal-steed-to-dholera-2925692-2026-06-12 decade on, the bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad may be moving like a Cupid's arrow in a slow-motion dream, but Gujarat has got recompense. After a Union cabinet nod, it has secured a second marquee rail project. India's first semi high-speed corridor, it will run the 134 km between the Ahmedabad suburb of Sarkhej and Dholera, a coastal town due southwest in the Gulf of Khambat. That destination is a place fast gathering importance. The planned line itself is evidence: it will operate at 200 kmph, with a design speed of 220 kmph, both the highest yet for an Indian train. Built on indigenous technology and running parallel to the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, the semi high-speed train will carry both passengers and freight, integrating with Western Railway's existing network in Ahmedabad at one end. The other end—of what's being planned ...

https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260703-336311/?utm_source=piano&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=47607&pnespid=.fGUz5dP4avC5KzupAeoueMS.xsL8yZugRZxDk1ruRGVMgYjER44FB9mikwmEi4jnb4Xsg Best Regards Seetha Ram

A meaningful reminder that the India–Japan partnership is anchored not only in strategic convergence, but also in enduring people-to-people ties. Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s op-ed, “Japan and India: Strategically Aligned Trusted Partnership,” aptly describes the relationship as one aimed at becoming “more resilient and prosperous together.” This vision closely aligns with the argument in my recent op-ed, “India-Japan mobility partnership rolls along,” where I noted the need for a seamless mobility platform with “one ticket, one payment, one baggage interface and one traveller experience.” The next phase of India–Japan cooperation should translate strategic trust into practical connectivity — across high-speed rail, aviation, logistics, tourism, digital systems and resilient infrastructure. Stronger mobility can deepen tourism, business, education, cultural understanding and regional resilience. May such moments continue to strengthen an India–Japan partnership that is...

Asia’s future prosperity will be shaped in its cities. Our new ADBI book, Reimagining Net-Zero Cities , calls for moving from ambition to implementation—scaling solutions that connect climate action, private investment, institutions, and communities. Read: https://www.adb.org/adbi/publications/reimagining-net-zero-cities-exploring-the-role-of-the-private-sector-institutions-governments-and-communities ...

ht...

https://japantoday.com/category/national/shinkansen-train-hits-bear-in-northeast-japan-no-one-injured? Best Regards Seetha Ram