Iftekar Ali

An Educated Mind That Cannot Question Is Not Free

Freedom of conscience is the quiet right to think independently, to question authority, to choose belief over fear and reason over obedience. It is the most personal form of freedom, yet also the most fragile. Societies often claim to value freedom, but when conscience begins to challenge power, tradition or convenience, it is quickly discouraged. The only sustainable way to protect freedom of conscience is through education, not education that trains memory or obedience, but education that sharpens judgment and moral courage.

Education is often spoken of as a tool for employment, economic growth or national competitiveness. While these goals are important, reducing education to skill production strips it of its deeper purpose. When education becomes purely transactional, students learn how to comply, not how to think. They learn how to pass exams, not how to form convictions. Such an education produces efficient workers, but not free citizens. Freedom of conscience cannot survive in a system that rewards silence over inquiry.

True education begins when a learner is encouraged to ask why. Why must this be accepted. Why should this rule exist. Why is one voice louder than another. These questions are uncomfortable, especially in hierarchical societies. They slow down systems that prefer speed and conformity. Yet history repeatedly shows that progress has come from individuals who were educated enough to question and brave enough to dissent. Without education that legitimises questioning, conscience becomes an internal whisper drowned out by social pressure.

In many classrooms, conformity is rewarded early. Students are taught that there is one correct answer, one acceptable interpretation, one safe opinion. Over time, this conditions young minds to equate agreement with intelligence and dissent with risk. When such students grow into adults, they may be highly qualified yet deeply unfree. They hesitate to speak against injustice, not because they agree with it, but because they were never trained to trust their own moral reasoning.

Freedom of conscience does not mean rejecting all authority or tradition. It means having the capacity to examine them critically. Education must therefore expose learners to multiple perspectives, including those that challenge dominant narratives. When students are allowed to encounter conflicting ideas in a structured and respectful environment, they learn that disagreement is not a threat but a pathway to clarity. This intellectual resilience is the foundation of moral independence.

Another essential role of education is to separate belief from blind inheritance. Many beliefs, political, social or religious, are passed down without reflection. Education offers the tools to evaluate these beliefs without necessarily abandoning them. A person who chooses a belief after understanding alternatives holds it with integrity. A person who holds a belief only because they were never allowed to question it is not exercising conscience, but habit.

The suppression of freedom of conscience often hides behind the language of discipline, culture or national interest. Students are told not to question because it may disturb harmony. Yet harmony achieved by silencing thought is fragile. It breeds resentment, hypocrisy and fear. Education that nurtures conscience teaches students how to disagree responsibly, how to argue with evidence, and how to stand alone if necessary. These skills are essential not only for democracy, but for personal dignity.

Teachers play a decisive role in this process. When teachers welcome questions, admit uncertainty and encourage debate, they model intellectual honesty. When they discourage questioning or punish dissent, they teach obedience disguised as respect. Education systems must therefore protect academic freedom at every level. A teacher who fears consequences for encouraging critical thought cannot nurture free minds.

Technology and information overload add another layer of urgency. In an age of algorithms, propaganda and misinformation, freedom of conscience is under constant attack. Opinions are shaped subtly through repetition and emotional manipulation. Education must equip learners with critical thinking skills to recognise bias, verify sources and resist psychological pressure. Without these skills, individuals may believe they are thinking freely while unknowingly echoing manufactured narratives.

Freedom of conscience through education is not an abstract ideal. It has real consequences. It determines whether a citizen speaks up against corruption, whether a professional refuses unethical orders, whether a student challenges discrimination, whether a voter chooses thoughtfully. An educated conscience acts as an internal compass when laws fail, institutions weaken or authority becomes unjust.

Ultimately, education should not aim to produce obedient subjects or passive consumers. It should aim to produce individuals who can live with themselves. A person who has learned to listen to their conscience, examine their beliefs and act with moral clarity carries freedom within, even in restrictive circumstances. Such freedom cannot be granted by governments or taken away by force. It can only be cultivated.

If education neglects conscience, society may appear orderly but will rot internally. If education nurtures conscience, society may appear noisy and argumentative, but it will be alive. Freedom of conscience is not taught in textbooks. It is learnt in classrooms where questions are welcomed, in discussions where disagreement is safe, and in an education system brave enough to trust its learners.

A Warm Meal, a Cold Reality: How the Mid Day Meal Scheme Is Losing Its Purpose

The Mid Day Meal Scheme was born out of a moral responsibility of the State to ensure that no child studies on an empty stomach. A warm, nutritious meal during school hours was expected to improve concentration, reduce dropouts, and attract children from vulnerable backgrounds into classrooms. On paper, it is one of the most progressive welfare initiatives in independent India. On the ground, however, the scheme often struggles under the weight of poor implementation, misplaced priorities, and systemic neglect, turning a noble idea into a daily administrative burden and, at times, a serious risk to children’s health and dignity.

The fundamental purpose of the scheme is nutrition, not logistics. Yet, in many schools today, the focus has shifted from feeding children well to merely running a kitchen. From the principal to the teachers and ayas, everyone is drawn into supervising rice, vegetables, gas cylinders, attendance registers, stock verification, and complaint management. Precious instructional time is lost. Teachers, trained to teach, are reduced to kitchen supervisors. Principals, meant to be academic leaders, are forced into damage control whenever food quality issues arise. Education takes a back seat when the school day revolves around cooking and serving meals.

Quality remains one of the most serious concerns. Numerous incidents across the country have highlighted contamination, undercooked food, spoiled ingredients, and unhygienic preparation. Children have fallen ill, and in extreme cases, lives have been lost. These are not isolated mishaps but symptoms of a flawed delivery model. Many schools lack proper kitchens, clean water, storage facilities, and trained cooks. Meals are often prepared in cramped spaces with minimal hygiene, making contamination almost inevitable. A scheme intended to nourish children sometimes ends up endangering them.

Corruption and leakages further erode the scheme’s credibility. Reports of inflated bills, poor quality grains, pilferage of supplies, and ghost beneficiaries are not uncommon. When money and materials pass through multiple layers of administration, accountability becomes diffused. The weakest link, often the school, is left to face public anger and parental distrust when things go wrong, even though the root causes lie much higher up the chain.

Another uncomfortable reality is exploitation. Cooks and helpers are frequently underpaid, overworked, and treated as expendable. Their low wages and lack of job security affect morale and, inevitably, the quality of food prepared. Children, too, are sometimes made to clean plates or serve food, blurring the line between welfare and child labour. What was meant to be a supportive intervention risks becoming a daily exercise in compromise and coercion.

Given these persistent challenges, it is time to ask a hard question: are we married to a method that no longer serves its purpose? The goal is to ensure children receive warm, nutritious meals regularly, not to insist that every school must function as a kitchen. An alternative approach worth serious consideration is transferring mid day meal funds directly to parents’ accounts as tiffin money, with clear guidelines and monitoring.

Providing tiffin money empowers parents to ensure their children eat familiar, hygienic, and culturally appropriate food. A warm home cooked meal or a freshly prepared tiffin from a trusted local source often offers better nutrition and safety than mass cooked food in poorly equipped school kitchens. It restores parental responsibility while retaining State support. Most importantly, it frees schools to focus on what they are meant to do best: teach.

Critics may argue that cash transfers could be misused. This concern is valid but not insurmountable. Similar fears existed around direct benefit transfers in other welfare schemes, yet technology and monitoring have significantly reduced leakages. Conditional transfers, periodic checks, nutrition awareness programs for parents, and community level oversight can ensure that the money is used for its intended purpose. Perfection should not be the enemy of improvement.

The current system, despite years of experience, continues to struggle with the same issues of contamination, corruption, and distraction from academics. Persisting with a visibly strained model only because it is familiar is a disservice to children. Welfare schemes must evolve with ground realities, not remain frozen in time.

A warm meal should bring comfort, not controversy. It should strengthen education, not weaken it. Whether through a restructured cooking model or a well regulated tiffin money system, the State must urgently realign the Mid Day Meal Scheme with its original purpose. Children deserve nourishment without risk, schools deserve freedom from avoidable burdens, and society deserves a welfare program that delivers dignity instead of daily damage control.

A Quiet Guide to Staying Safe in a Noisy Digital World 2026 Edition

Cyber crime no longer looks like a hooded hacker in a dark room. In 2026 it looks friendly, familiar and ordinary. It arrives as a message from a delivery company, a missed video call from a colleague, a discount from your favourite store or a polite request from a bank officer. The danger today is not loud. It is soft spoken. That is why so many intelligent people fall for it.

This article is written in simple language for everyday users. You do not need to be technical to be cyber safe. You only need awareness, patience and a few good habits.

We live online now. Banking, shopping, learning, dating, working and even medical consultations happen through screens. This convenience has also created opportunity for criminals. Cyber crime in 2026 is organised, professional and powered by automation and artificial intelligence. Scammers now use perfect language, cloned voices, deepfake videos and fake apps that look exactly like real ones. They do not guess anymore. They research.

One common cyber crime today is financial fraud. Criminals trick people into sending money or sharing banking details. Sometimes it starts with panic. Your account will be blocked. Your parcel is stopped by customs. Your tax has an issue. Fear makes people act fast and stop thinking. Other times it starts with greed. A limited offer. A high return investment. A crypto tip. Both fear and greed are powerful tools.

Another growing cyber crime is identity theft. Your personal information such as Aadhaar number, PAN, phone number, email, photos and even voice samples are stolen and misused. Criminals open accounts, take loans or commit crimes using someone else’s identity. Many victims come to know months later when damage is already done.

Social media related crimes are also rising. Fake profiles are used to befriend people and slowly gain trust. This can lead to romance scams, blackmail, sextortion or emotional manipulation. In 2026 criminals use AI generated photos and videos to appear real. Sometimes the person you are chatting with never existed.

Children and senior citizens are especially vulnerable. Children are targeted through online games, chat platforms and fake friendships. Seniors are targeted through calls pretending to be from banks, police or government offices. Respectful language and authority tricks are used to scare them.

Work from home culture has created new risks. Fake job offers, fake interview links and fake HR emails steal data and money. Malware is hidden inside documents and meeting invites. One careless click can give criminals access to an entire system.

So how do we stay cyber safe in 2026.

The first rule is slow down. Cyber criminals want urgency. They want you to act before thinking. Any message that asks for immediate action should be treated with suspicion. Banks, government offices and companies do not threaten through messages or calls.

The second rule is trust but verify. Even if a message looks genuine, verify it through another channel. If your bank calls, hang up and call the official number. If a friend asks for money urgently, call them directly. Never trust screenshots alone.

Passwords still matter. In 2026 password reuse is one of the biggest mistakes. One leaked password can unlock multiple accounts. Use different passwords for email, banking and social media. Passwords should be long and not easy to guess. Avoid names, dates and simple patterns.

Two factor authentication is your digital seat belt. Always enable it wherever possible. Even if someone gets your password, this extra step can stop them. Prefer app based authentication over SMS when available.

Your email is the master key to your digital life. Protect it strongly. Many attacks start with email compromise and then spread to banking, social media and cloud storage. Regularly check login activity and recovery options.

Be careful with apps. Download apps only from official app stores. Even there, check reviews, developer details and permissions. If a simple app asks for access to contacts, storage, microphone and camera, question why. Loan apps and screen sharing apps are commonly misused.

Public WiFi is convenient but risky. Avoid banking and sensitive logins on public networks. If you must use them, do not save passwords and log out after use. Free WiFi can be monitored.

Deepfakes are a new threat. In 2026 criminals can clone voices of family members and bosses. A call asking for urgent money may sound exactly like someone you know. Always verify such requests with a callback or a message.

Never share one time passwords, PINs or verification links with anyone. No genuine organisation asks for them. Not even customer care.

Keep your devices updated. Software updates are not just about new features. They fix security holes. Delaying updates gives criminals more time to exploit known weaknesses.

Backup your data regularly. Ransomware attacks lock files and demand money. Having a backup means you are not helpless. Backups should be offline or on a trusted cloud account.

Social media privacy settings should be reviewed often. Avoid oversharing personal details like phone numbers, travel plans, family information and daily routines. Criminals collect small pieces of information and build a full picture.

Teach children about online safety. Tell them not to share photos, school details or passwords with anyone online. Encourage them to speak up if something feels uncomfortable. Fear and silence help criminals.

Senior citizens should be told one simple rule. No bank or police officer will ever ask for money, OTP or passwords over phone. If in doubt, disconnect and ask a trusted family member.

If you become a victim of cyber crime, act quickly. Report to your bank immediately if money is involved. Change passwords. Preserve evidence like messages, call recordings and transaction details. Report the incident to cyber crime authorities. Early reporting increases chances of recovery.

Cyber safety is not about fear. It is about confidence. When people understand risks, they make better decisions. Technology will keep changing. Criminals will keep adapting. But basic human awareness remains the strongest defence.

In 2026 being cyber safe is not optional. It is as important as locking your door or wearing a seat belt. The internet is a powerful tool. Used wisely it empowers lives. Used carelessly it can harm deeply.

The goal is not to disconnect from the digital world but to move through it calmly and carefully. Ask questions. Pause before clicking. Verify before trusting. Protect your data as you protect your identity.

A cyber safe citizen makes not only themselves safe but also their family, workplace and society. In a connected world, safety spreads the same way risk does. One informed person at a time.

From fear to footfall transforming violence scarred regions into village led tourism republics

For decades many regions across the world and within India have carried a heavy label. Terrorism infested area. The phrase itself shuts doors before they can even be knocked. It scares away investors, isolates communities, freezes opportunities for youth and keeps entire villages trapped in a cycle of suspicion, poverty and silence. Yet history shows us that geography does not change destiny. People do. When a collective effort is made by villagers, local governance, security forces, civil society and responsible entrepreneurs, the same land once known for fear can be reborn as a space of culture, livelihood and pride. Turning the T of terrorism into the T of tourism is not a slogan. It is a strategy for building village republics that are economically surplus, socially confident and politically stable.

Tourism is one of the few sectors that directly touches the grassroots without waiting for trickle down economics. A tourist does not consume balance sheets or policies. A tourist consumes food cooked by local hands, stays in homes built by local labour, listens to stories narrated by elders and buys crafts made by village artisans. This direct human exchange converts perception faster than any press release. When visitors return with stories of warmth instead of fear, the image of an entire region begins to shift. This reputational change is the first shot in the arm for a village republic.

In areas once affected by terrorism, the youth are often the most vulnerable and the most valuable asset. Lack of opportunity makes them easy targets for radical narratives. Tourism offers an alternative identity. A young person trained as a trekking guide, cultural interpreter, homestay manager or digital promoter no longer sees violence as relevance. He or she becomes a stakeholder in peace. Every peaceful day becomes good business. Every disruption becomes personal loss. This psychological shift is critical because sustainable peace is not enforced only by law but protected by livelihood.

Village republics thrive when economic power is decentralised. Tourism supports this decentralisation naturally. Unlike large factories or urban centric industries, tourism assets already exist in villages. Landscapes, rivers, forests, architecture, cuisine, folklore and festivals do not need to be imported. They need to be organised, protected and presented with dignity. When village councils, self help groups and cooperatives collectively manage tourism resources, revenue circulates locally. Money earned is spent locally. Skills are transferred within families. This internal circulation slowly makes villages surplus rather than dependent.

Another powerful impact of tourism is cultural revival. Terrorism does not only damage infrastructure. It erodes confidence in one’s own identity. Traditional art forms, dialects, rituals and oral histories often fade when communities are under constant threat. Tourism gives culture economic value without turning it into a museum piece. When a folk performance earns respect and income, it regains relevance among the younger generation. When local cuisine becomes a reason for travel, traditional farming and food practices revive. Culture then becomes a soft shield against extremist ideologies which thrive on erasing plural identities.

Security and tourism are often seen as opposites, but in reality they reinforce each other. Improved security enables tourism and tourism strengthens intelligence through community engagement. When villages benefit economically from peace, they become the first line of information against disruptive elements. Locals notice strangers. They protect assets. They cooperate with authorities not out of fear but out of shared interest. This organic security ecosystem is far more resilient than top down surveillance alone.

For tourism led transformation to succeed, planning must be sensitive and inclusive. Loud mass tourism can damage fragile regions and reopen old wounds. What is needed is slow tourism rooted in respect. Homestays over hotels. Local guides over outside operators. Storytelling over spectacle. Capacity building must focus on language skills, digital literacy, hospitality standards and environmental protection. Equally important is narrative ownership. Villages must tell their own story of resilience rather than being spoken about as former conflict zones.

The role of government and institutions is crucial but should be enabling rather than controlling. Basic infrastructure such as roads, internet connectivity, healthcare access and clean water are non negotiable. Policy support for community owned tourism models, easy credit for village enterprises and transparent marketing platforms can accelerate change. Universities and training institutes can adopt nearby villages for skill development and research, creating a knowledge bridge between urban and rural India.

When terrorism affected areas transform into tourism hubs, the impact goes beyond economics. It sends a powerful message that violence does not get the last word. That villages are not weak units waiting for rescue but republics capable of self governance and innovation. Each tourist visit becomes a vote for peace. Each successful homestay becomes a statement of confidence. Each employed youth becomes proof that development is the strongest counter narrative to extremism.

Converting T into a new T is not about forgetting the past. It is about rewriting the future. From terror to tourism, from fear to footfall, from isolation to invitation. When villages stand together with a shared vision, tourism becomes more than an industry. It becomes a peace process powered by people.

Regards.

Tomorrow is a special and humbling moment for me as my two books, Main Lal Qila Hoon, Ek Aawaz and What Ails Bharat Mata, are formally released.

Main Lal Qila Hoon, Ek Aawaz is a voice emerging from the corridors of history, where the Red Fort becomes a silent witness and narrator of India’s struggles, sacrifices, power, and people. The book seeks to remind readers that democracy is not just an system but a living responsibility that survives only when citizens remain aware, engaged, and courageous.

What Ails Bharat Mata is an introspective and candid examination of the challenges confronting our society today. It raises difficult but necessary questions about values, governance, social divides, and national direction. Written with concern and hope, the book aims to provoke reflection and dialogue, because meaningful change begins with honest introspection.

The book launch will take place on Monday, 22nd December at 10:30 AM at the BJP Head Office, 6-A Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Marg, Near ITO Metro Station, New Delhi. I am honoured that the books will be released by Shri Dushyant Kumar Gautam ji( Bauji) National General Secretary, BJP, and National In-charge, Minority Morcha.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported and encouraged this journey. I look forward to sharing these works with readers and engaging in thoughtful conversations that matter.

Kindly Grace & Bless Me.

Regards.
Iftekar Ali

Tomorrow is a special and humbling moment for me as my two books, Main Lal Qila Hoon, Ek Aawaz and What Ails Bharat Mata, are formally released.

Main Lal Qila Hoon, Ek Aawaz is a voice emerging from the corridors of history, where the Red Fort becomes a silent witness and narrator of India’s struggles, sacrifices, power, and people. The book seeks to remind readers that democracy is not just an system but a living responsibility that survives only when citizens remain aware, engaged, and courageous.

What Ails Bharat Mata is an introspective and candid examination of the challenges confronting our society today. It raises difficult but necessary questions about values, governance, social divides, and national direction. Written with concern and hope, the book aims to provoke reflection and dialogue, because meaningful change begins with honest introspection.

The book launch will take place on Monday, 22nd December at 10:30 AM at the BJP Head Office, 6-A Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Marg, Near ITO Metro Station, New Delhi. I am honoured that the books will be released by Shri Dushyant Kumar Gautam ji( Bauji) National General Secretary, BJP, and National In-charge, Minority Morcha.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported and encouraged this journey. I look forward to sharing these works with readers and engaging in thoughtful conversations that matter.

Kind Grace & Bless Me.

Regards.
Iftekar Ali

`The Role of Scientific Temper in Madrasa Education`

*Why Scientific Temper Should Be Integrated into Madrasa Education for Talib-e-Ilms*

In the present era, education across schools, colleges, and universities is rapidly evolving. Modern teaching techniques such as inquiry-based learning, practical experiments, critical thinking, and the use of technology are becoming the norm. At the same time, many Madrasas continue to focus primarily on traditional methods of instruction. While this system has played a vital role in preserving religious knowledge, the changing realities of the world demand a thoughtful integration of *scientific temper* into Madrasa education for the benefit of Talib-e-Ilms.

*Understanding Scientific Temper*

Scientific temper does not merely mean studying science as a subject. It refers to *a way of thinking*—a mindset that encourages curiosity, logical reasoning, observation, and evidence-based understanding. A person with scientific temper does not accept ideas blindly; instead, they ask questions, analyze facts, and seek rational explanations.

Developing scientific temper helps students become intellectually independent, confident, and capable of engaging meaningfully with the world around them.

*Scientific Temper and Deeni Education: No Conflict*

There is a common misconception that religious education and scientific thinking are contradictory. In reality, they are deeply compatible. Islam strongly emphasizes knowledge (`ilm`), reflection (`tadabbur`), and observation of the universe. The Qur’an repeatedly invites human beings to think, reflect, and observe the signs of Allah in nature, history, and human life.

Therefore, cultivating scientific temper in Madrasas does not weaken faith; rather, it strengthens understanding by encouraging students to appreciate the wisdom behind creation and divine laws.

*Benefits of Scientific Temper for Talib-e-Ilms*

1. *Development of Logical and Critical Thinking*

Subjects such as science, mathematics, and history sharpen analytical and reasoning skills. Talib-e-Ilms learn how to evaluate arguments, distinguish between facts and assumptions, and approach problems logically. This intellectual training helps them become thoughtful learners rather than passive recipients of information.

2. *Deeper Understanding of Religion*

Scientific temper enables students to study religion with greater depth and clarity. Understanding natural phenomena, human psychology, and social systems allows Talib-e-Ilms to relate religious teachings to real-life contexts. It also nurtures humility and awe toward the Creator by revealing the complexity and harmony of the universe.

3. *Stronger Connection with Society*

Modern society communicates through scientific, historical, and rational frameworks. When Talib-e-Ilms possess basic knowledge of science, mathematics, social studies, and history, they can interact more effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. This helps them present Islamic teachings in a language and context that contemporary audiences can understand.

4. *Expanded Career and Life Opportunities*

In today’s competitive world, limiting education to a narrow framework can restrict opportunities. Integrating scientific temper and modern subjects opens multiple pathways for Talib-e-Ilms, including teaching, research, writing, social leadership, education technology, and community development. This ensures economic stability and social relevance without compromising religious values.

*Practical Ways to Develop Scientific Temper in Madrasas*

Scientific temper can be introduced without disturbing the core religious structure of Madrasa education. Some practical steps include:

Teaching basic science related to nature, health, environment, and astronomy

Introducing mathematics for logical reasoning and daily-life problem solving

Teaching history by connecting Islamic history with world history

Encouraging discussion-based learning rather than rote memorization

Creating a classroom environment where asking questions is welcomed, not discouraged

*Conclusion*

The purpose of Madrasa education in the modern age should not be limited to transmitting religious knowledge alone. Its broader goal must be to develop *balanced, aware, and responsible individuals* who can contribute positively to society.

Integrating scientific temper into Madrasa education does not weaken faith; instead, it empowers Talib-e-Ilms with clarity of thought, confidence, and relevance in the contemporary world. When Deeni knowledge and scientific thinking go hand in hand, the result is a generation that is intellectually strong, spiritually grounded, and socially effective.

*Knowledge combined with faith creates not only understanding, but impact.*

Regards.