A New Year beyond deadlines, digital noise and shrinking space for thought

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*

“Every day is a new day. Work hard and succeed.”

wrote this in my personal diary on January 1, 1991, when I asked him for a message. We were sitting under a at a house adjacent to the . I recalled those words as I watch the familiar ritual of New Year celebrations—lists of fresh goals, deadlines, and resolutions. Ambition has its place, but it is equally important to retain a human touch and not turn ourselves into disciplined soldiers of a mechanical or digital world. Life extends far beyond artificial, feel-good constructs. A few moments spent with friends and loved ones often restore balance far more effectively than any productivity plan.

The year 2025 was extraordinary, and troubling, in many ways. The world repeatedly appeared close to nuclear flashpoints—in , Gaza, Israel–Palestine, Iran, Russia, and even South Asia, with tensions involving India and Pakistan. War increasingly seems to acquire legitimacy among sections of the global elite, while its human costs are normalised.

At the same time, the degradation of public discourse in mainstream and social media continued unabated. Many people recognise this erosion, yet still become participants in it. Much of contemporary public life is shaped through an “enemy construct,” where politics and identity are organised around fear and antagonism. Fascist tendencies thrive in such conditions, feeding on narratives of victimhood and conspiracy. The expanding digital sphere has provided propagandists with an unprecedented weapon—reviving settled issues, manufacturing new controversies, and amplifying them at scale.

A deeper concern is the growing dominance of global capital in shaping social and political priorities without public consent. Institutions are weakened while individuals are atomised. Today’s celebrated public figure is often neither an activist nor a writer, but a media personality whose relevance is dictated by what is “trending,” frequently guided by algorithms and artificial intelligence. The logic of visibility now determines not only what is discussed, but also how one is expected to speak.

While one hopes for a return to serious, sustained work, the crisis in India appears particularly acute. There is a systematic assault on intellectual inquiry, accompanied by the elevation of shallow propagandists as “experts.” As marginalised communities seek accountability, revisit history from their own locations, and ask difficult questions, efforts are made to control narratives by diverting attention and manufacturing new targets of hostility.

On a more personal note, early in 2025 I had the opportunity to spend time in Kannur, Kerala, and engage in long and detailed conversations with Shri S. V. Rajadurai. These discussions culminated in the book “Periyar: Caste, Nation and Socialism,” whose publication has been a source of deep satisfaction. The response so far has been encouraging.

In January, I also travelled to Bangladesh as part of my ongoing . Though short, the journey was extraordinary. I was able to trace the river from its entry point to the Bay of Bengal at a time when travel to Bangladesh for Indian citizens had become difficult. I remain grateful to friends—Mobin Jinnah, Mohammad Kamaluddin, and the young scholar Asif Chowdhury, now pursuing his PhD in Sweden—whose support made it possible to reach remote areas that would otherwise have remained inaccessible.

I had hoped that my book on would be published last year, but it was delayed. I now hope it will be released early this year. Experience has taught me not to overthink delays; disappointment is inevitable when one observes how slowly or unevenly things move.

Later in the year, I travelled to to participate in the Global Land Forum in Bogotá. Visiting the Caquetá region of the Amazonian territory was a long-held aspiration, and fulfilling it was deeply moving.

As November approached, I felt a profound sense of affirmation on being informed that I had been selected for the , by Periyar International. The award ceremony in Chennai, in the presence of Dr. Veeramani, was an inspiring moment.

Throughout the year, I remained focused on long-term commitments and could not respond to everything or everyone. At times, this was compounded by health challenges. A rib injury during a morning run early in the year led to complications, including a , from which I am still recovering.

As I write on the first day of January 2026, I wish all readers and their families good health, happiness, and strength. I remain an optimist. I believe that people will eventually recognise the importance of sharing, dialogue, and our common humanity. Please continue speaking to one another. Do not wait to call friends only when you need them.

If anything I did over the past year caused discomfort, I apologise. Healthy disagreement is intrinsic to a democratic structure. Political disagreement does not trouble me; what does is the casual use of labels and caste-based aspersions on one’s integrity. We all come from specific locations—shaped by upbringing, region, and experience—even as we engage with global ideas. In our differences, we must not lose sight of humanity and human values.

Many activists and authors who are not “celebrities” lead precarious lives, particularly those who challenge dominant narratives and refuse to be confined within codified categories. Their struggles often remain invisible.

May the new year bring peace, reflection, and renewed commitment to justice.

---

*Human rights defender

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