Editorial 1: Degrees Of Delusion By: Manya Tuli (B.Com General)
Every year, millions of young Indians walk across a stage, accept a degree, and try to step into a world that doesn't even want them; not because they are under-clever , but because the education they received did not prepare them for it. Studies consistently reveal that the majority of Indian graduates are considered unemployable by industries they hoped to fit into; this thus reveals that we are not facing an educational crisis but rather a certification crisis, because a certificate can be manufactured but education cannot be faked.
For decades, Indian higher education has operated on a quiet and dangerous assumption that a degree is the proof of learning. Universities chased rankings, enrollment numbers, and celebrated pass percentages—all while the quality of learning and education crumbled silently beneath the surface. Classrooms overflowed but faculty positions sit vacant for years. Syllabi designed in the 90s are taught to students who will work in the 2030s. This results in a generation of graduates who are paper-qualified but practically hollow.
The harsh pressure to achieve high marks amongst the students has replaced creativity and curiosity with calculations. Students no longer ask what something means; they ask how many marks it holds. They learn only what the exam demands and discard it before the next semester begins. Teachers too stick to the same patterns. Everyone faithfully performs all the rituals of education without anyone truly receiving it. At the heart of this failure of the system lies a profound disconnect between academic curriculums and industry reality.
While students spend years mastering theoretical frameworks, they graduate with no practical skills and abilities that the real workplace demands. Imagine a commerce graduate who cannot even read a real Balance Sheet or a science graduate who memorized every formula but cannot perform any experiments. Employers across various sectors consistently confirm that fresh graduates lack critical thinking, communication, and the ability to apply their knowledge practically . Educated unemployment is thus rising and an uncomfortable question now demands to be asked aloud: Is this system producing graduates or mere exam-takers ?
What India needs is not another policy document gathering dust on a minister's shelf. It needs ruthless , structural honesty. Universities must be evaluated not by how many students they pass , but by where these students later go and what they genuinely do. Faculty recruitment must be treated as a crucial priority. Syllabi must be rebuilt on current trends of industries. Internships and applied learning must be at the core of every degree program.
Education is not just a certificate to be distributed at a ceremony; it is a capacity to think, question, create, and solve . Until Indian universities truly understand this distinction, their degrees will remain mere beautifully framed paper that opens very few real doors. The system failed not by accident, but by choice, and it cannot wait for another graduating class to make it right.
Editorial 2: War and Global Conflicts: A Crisis Beyond Borders By: Varshini V. (III yr B.Sc)
What if the next missile falls in our own neighborhood? What if the bombs falling thousands of kilometers away are quietly stealing food from our plates and poisoning the air our children will breathe ? This is not mere imagination, but the harsh reality of the world today. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine War and the Israel-Hamas war are perfect examples and a reminder that modern warfare doesn't just involve armies and borders; it affects economies, environments, and the very fabric of human life across nations. These wars are not just on television screens; they are a shared global crisis stealing peace from all of us.
(i) The Humanitarian Crisis:
The most immediate and visible impact of war is the humanitarian crisis it creates. Millions of people are forced to leave behind their homes, livelihoods, and their sense of security. In Ukraine , entire cities have been emptied, while in Gaza, children grow up knowing only the sound of explosions. They lose access to education, and the trauma of violence leaves deep psychological scars. Historian Yuval Noah Harari pointed out that "Humanity has made remarkable technological progress, yet it still struggles with age-old conflicts where advancement coexists with suffering."
(ii) Disrupting the World Economy:
Beyond human suffering, war shakes the global economy in unexpected ways. The Russia-Ukraine war has already caused food and fuel crises (inflation ). Similarly, rising tensions in the Middle East [between Iran, Israel, and Gulf countries], especially around the "Strait of Hormuz"—a crucial route for global oil transport—lead to a sharp rise in oil prices, affecting transportation, electricity, and daily expenses. The President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, has warned that "such prolonged conflicts fuel inflation and slow down growth everywhere ." This clearly shows modern wars are not isolated events; what happens in Kyiv [capital of Ukraine] or Gaza doesn't stay there—it reaches our kitchens, our farms, and our jobs.
(iii) Environmental Damage:
Explosions, destruction of infrastructure, and smoke and chemicals released by bombings degrade the quality of air and soil. In Ukraine, destroyed oil depots and factories have polluted rivers and farmlands. The Israel-Hamas conflict has left behind tons of debris and unexploded weapons. Activists like Greta Thunberg have stressed the impact of climate change because of the destruction of forests and the irreversible suffering of ecosystems . Therefore, war is not just a political issue; it is an environmental concern as well. "Every missile fired adds to the carbon burden, shooting up global warming."
As the quote of the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi, says: "An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind." This reminds us that violence only leads to further destruction.
In conclusion, we can realize that war in the modern world is not a localized event; it is a crisis transcending borders and affecting humanity as a whole. Hence, we cannot keep treating wars as someone else's problem. These conflicts prove humanity is deeply interconnected . If we truly want a better future, we must move beyond narrow national interests. Governments, leaders, and ordinary citizens all have a role. Schools should teach the real cost of war. Young people like us must raise our voices. The path to peace will not be easy, but it is the only path worth taking. Because in the end, no border can protect us. The world doesn't need winners in war, but builders of peace.
Editorial 3: Iran—Fire and Fury Author: Inika D.
"Iran—Fire and Fury: The Israeli coalition. A war between the US and Iran was initiated by a joint airstrike on February 28, 2026, which killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. The coded name for America for this operation was "Operation Epic Fury," and Israel termed its involvement as "Operation Roaring Fire." Based on reports, US-Israel targets include the capital Tehran, Kharg Island (oil terminal), the South Pars gas field, the industrial city of Isfahan, the railway, and various IRGC-linked infrastructure sites. Iran started attacking Americans by targeting US bases in Syria, Iraq , and Jordan, with additional threats impacting Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Iran also activated Iranian proxies like Hezbollah (Lebanon), Houthis (Yemen), Iraqi Shia militias, and Hamas (Gaza) led by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force. As of April 17, 2026, the war had been going on for 49 days. The conflict has impinged on global instability—fuel prices, crude oil, exports, and imports due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran. The continuation of the war has a strong effect on Middle East countries as well as globally.
India is maintaining its status by helping to strategically balance neutrality , crossing the Strait of Hormuz with two LPG tankers named Shivalik and Nanda Devi safely during the Iran-US conflict around March 13-14, 2026. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for India, with 50-60% of its crude oil and LNG and 90% of its LPG imports passing through the route from Gulf nations. Major imports include crude from Russia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar.
The Iran war is projected to cause a notable slowdown in India's FY27 GDP growth, with estimates shifting towards 6.6%–7.1%. There is also a significant shortage of raw materials such as fertilizers (urea and sulfur), helium (for semiconductors and electronic manufacturing ), petrochemicals, plastics, and natural gas (LNG). Fuel prices have surged across countries. A ceasefire of at least 10 days halted due to attacks on Lebanon. Israel's control over Iran has been re-imposed at the Strait of Hormuz, while the US maintains a naval blockade, raising tensions...
The arising of wars among various countries has made us think about the reasons for war. What do you think the reasons for war can be? Is it because the nation wants the other to be in their control without their consent—which indirectly can also be colonialism —or is it to exploit the greed for their own resources (often called neo-colonialism ), or is it because a desire for power makes them do this, or security dilemmas, or ideological differences? What else can be the reason? Is there an end to wars? I think the answer is 'No'."
