USA@250

Mrinal Chatterjee

The United States of America (USA) marks its 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 2026, a milestone that invites reflection not only on the journey of one nation but also on its influence on the modern world. Born in 1776 from thirteen British colonies determined to govern themselves, the USA gradually evolved from a young republic into the world's foremost economic, military, technological, and cultural power.

Its rise was neither simple nor uninterrupted. The nation survived a lengthy civil war, abolished slavery, and emerged from two World Wars as a global leader. The twentieth century saw the United States shape international institutions, lead scientific breakthroughs, put humans on the Moon, pioneer the digital revolution, and become home to many of the world's most influential universities and corporations. The USA remains the world's largest innovation ecosystem and one of its strongest economies. Its influence extends far beyond Washington, reaching laboratories, financial markets, film studios, universities, and technology companies that shape everyday life across the globe.

India has had a ‘blow hot blow cold’ relationship with the United States since its independence, though it was among the very first countries to recognize India as an independent nation. However, the relationship has grown remarkably over the past three decades through expanding trade, defence cooperation, education, space research, clean energy initiatives, and the contributions of the vibrant Indian diaspora. Shared democratic values and common interests in ensuring a stable and open Indo-Pacific have further strengthened bilateral ties.

As USA turns 250, the occasion is not merely a celebration of national longevity. It is an opportunity to reflect on the enduring ideals of liberty, constitutional government, and innovation that inspired its founding, while recognizing the continuing responsibility of every democracy—including India to renew those ideals for future generations.

Modern Dating

First a disclaimer. I am 65 years old and happily married. I have little interest in dating anyone other than my wife, who has tolerated me for 35 years now.

I came across an article on modern dating and its unique words and expressions. I found it part interesting and part bizarre.

Here is a breakdown of some of the terms associated with it for the benefit of persons like me and a brief explanation of exactly what they mean, and how they show up in relationships:

Situationship: A romantic or sexual relationship that lacks clear definition or long-term commitment. It is more than a friendship, but it operates without official labels. [

Ghosting: The abrupt and unexplained ending of communication. One person completely vanishes by ignoring calls, texts, and messages, leaving the other without closure.

Breadcrumbing: Offering minimal or sporadic attention—like sending occasional flirty texts or "liking" a post—just to keep someone hooked. The person doing this has no real intention of committing.

Orbiting: Stopping all direct communication but continuing to monitor the other person's social media. An "orbiter" will frequently view your Instagram Stories, like your photos, or watch your TikToks without ever messaging you.

Soft Launches: Subtly hinting at a new relationship on social media without fully revealing the partner. It involves showing a glimpse of a partner—such as two coffee cups, a hand holding yours, or half their face—before making a full ("hard") announcement

Slowdown!

In his 2004 book ‘In Praise of Slow’, journalist Carl Honoré rued the global fetish for speed and advocated a “slow movement”. In the same year, a 19-year-old boy sat coding in his Harvard dorm room, creating a whole different “movement”. Two and half decades later, Honoré’s worst fears have come true, and Mark Zuckerberg’s little dorm room experiment and several such initiatives including the large number of user-friendly AI tools  have consumed our lives.

We have become addicted to doing everything faster, almost instantly. We have got hooked on fast food, instant coffee and 15-second Instagram Reels. We expect instant gratification of every desire and instant solution to every problem.

We are racing against the clock forgetting to live our lives. So, slow down. Live your life. Appreciate the beauty of nature, which is at its greenest now in the rainy season. Savour the delicacies nature offers.