In one of the most striking examples of India’s diverse tribal heritage, a now-defunct tradition from Nagaland’s Longwa village reveals how acts of warfare, honour, and family pride were once deeply intertwined. According to this age-old custom, if a man beheaded an enemy, his wife would commemorate the act by getting a tattoo on her body—one tattoo for each head taken. Located on the India–Myanmar border, Longwa village is unique not only for its geography—half of the village lies in India and the other half in Myanmar—but also for its centuries-old warrior culture. Among the local tribes, beheading an enemy was historically regarded as a symbol of bravery, prestige, and social status. A Symbol of Valour and Celebration As per tribal belief, severing an enemy’s head was not merel...

As Parliament clears a landmark bill allowing private participation in India’s nuclear energy sector, nominated Rajya Sabha member Sudha Murty has come out in strong support of the move, arguing that nuclear energy should not be viewed solely through the prism of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Speaking during the debate on the Sustainable Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SANTI) Bill, 2025, Murty said nuclear energy has long been unfairly associated only with destruction, while its peaceful and developmental potential is often ignored. “Nuclear energy is frequently linked to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but it can and should be used for peaceful purposes,” she said, adding that this is precisely why the legislation is being referred to as a ‘peace bill’. Support for Privat...