Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Alpha Infotech
Character Assassination: A Weapon to Destroy Opponents
History shows that reformers in religion, society, and politics have faced not only physical attacks and even murder but also character assassination. Socrates, the Greek philosopher, was branded a dangerous subversive and falsely accused of "corrupting the youth" and "impiety," or disrespecting the city's gods. He was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock in 399 BCE.
Giving Teeth to Congress
Leader of the Opposition and Jawaharlal Nehru clan scion Rahul Gandhi has put electoral integrity and constitutional democracy at the centre of national politics, but the Indian National Congress he leads, with party president Mapanna Mallikarjun Kharge, must show that it can defend these principles where the vote is cast, contested and counted.
India's Shame Jailed for Healing the Poor
Elsewhere in the world, Dr Randall Sequeira would have been the toast of the nation. He would have been celebrated as a doctor who gave up the comforts of urban life to serve people whom society had virtually abandoned. In India, however, he is in jail, accused of crimes of a kind that even the dacoits who once terrorised the ravines of Chambal would have struggled to imagine being accused of. Before discussing his predicament, let me narrate an experience from my own life.
Loo-niversal Truth: What Indonesia Made Me See at Home
I had been away from India for several months. After travelling through Indonesia, I finally landed in Bengaluru. There is always something comforting about coming home after being away for a long time: the familiar language, the familiar faces, the familiar traffic and that familiar Indian gift for communication, where an entire conversation can happen with a movement of the head whose exact meaning remains unavailable to the rest of the world.
An Open Letter to My Fellow Christians An Appeal to Conscience and Christian Responsibility
Dear Bishops, Priests, Religious, Pastors and Lay Faithful, I write these lines as a priest in my eighties, spending my retirement years in Delhi, but continuing to carry in my heart the concerns of the Church and the future of our beloved India. Though advancing age may limit my active participation in public life, it cannot silence the conscience of a priest when the values of the Gospel and the well-being of our nation are at stake.
Lessons from Serbia and Brazil
On Sunday, October 25, 2026, a movement of students and their allies, calling themselves the "Student List" (Studentska lista), unexpectedly won a majority in the Serbian Parliament in the election called by Aleksandar Vu?i?, who had ruled the country with an iron fist for the last 14 years. The "Student List" won 140 seats in a House of 250. The student movement that ended Aleksander's authoritarian rule began with a building collapse.
India's Permanent Opposition: Why Gen Z Must Redefine Democratic Vigilance
In a contemporary democratic system, the opposition party is the runner-up in an election, waiting for an opportunity to defeat the winners and seize executive power. In India, the world's largest democracy, all political parties share a single primary objective: to capture, consolidate, and retain state power. Politicians switch parties not because of moral decadence in the party, but because they crave power.
Eco-Spirituality and Synodality Today
Eco-Spirituality challenges us to cultivate Maha Prajna or 'Great Awareness' and Maha Karuna or 'Great Compassion,' the greatest virtues in nearly all religious traditions. These virtues challenge us to suffer with, and feel another's suffering so deeply that we are moved to alleviate it. These virtues tie us to humanity, link us with the divine, and make us responsible to and for one another. It implies and expects action. Compassion alone is not enough.
The Opposition Beyond Parties
In a parliamentary democracy, the opposition is generally understood as the political party or coalition that challenges the government and seeks to replace it at the next election. But this conventional understanding is increasingly becoming inadequate. Democracy cannot afford to leave the responsibility of holding the government accountable exclusively to political parties whose ultimate objective is to capture state power.
Permission to Expose You!
"Good morning, sir! I'm a journalist investigating the bridge your department built." "Wonderful! Has it won an award?" "It has fallen into the river, sir. But before writing about the contract, I thought I should seek your consent." There was a thoughtful silence. Somewhere at the other end, I imagined a chair being pulled closer to a desk. Here, at last, was a journalist who understood how a healthy relationship between the press and the powerful should function.
The Spirit of Assisi: Remember, Celebrate, Promote
Cardinal Roger Etchegaray notes that Pope John Paul II coined this memorable expression: "the Spirit of Assisi." What happened forty years ago at Assisi was unique and extraordinary; nothing like this has ever happened in the history of the world or the Church. At Pope John Paul II's invitation, leaders of various religious and spiritual traditions gathered at Assisi on October 27, 1986.
The Struggle Continues!
The struggle continues and will go on relentlessly until truth and justice triumph! There is no doubt about that! It may be a long-haul struggle, but no one seems to mind; after all, India's freedom struggle was a long, drawn-out affair too! It is the Festival Season of Dussehra, and, respecting everyone's sentiments and interpretations, it is, in essence, a time to underline the victory of good over evil, truth over untruth, transparency over corruption, harmony over communalism, and light...
Institutional Impunity Must End
Protest peacefully, and we may be shot. Demand accountability, and we may be asked to wait for years. Lose a life, and the family may have to navigate a system that seems to have an extraordinary capacity for delay. Protestors continue to be brutalised. A system that has witnessed custodial rape, torture, deaths in custody and the shooting of unarmed citizens repeatedly fails to deliver timely and meaningful accountability.
Sangh Stuck on its 100-Year Hate Doctrine
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has not softened its core Hindu majoritarian thesis one whit in its hundred years of existence, and its current supremo, Mohan Bhagwat, made it clear in his centenary address on Vijayadashami, or Dussehra, that, in its view, Indian citizenship is cultural rather than juridical.
SIR Stir: The Bogey of the Foreign Hand
When confronted with protests over corruption, manipulation, and governance failures, dictatorial regimes often resort to allegations of foreign interference. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi repeatedly invoked the "foreign hand," primarily implying the American CIA, as a political mechanism to deflect mounting domestic criticism, suppress political dissent, and justify the imposition of the Internal Emergency in June 1975.
A Letter to the Home Minister Power is Temporary, Duty Endures
I am very happy to learn that today, October 22, is your 62nd birthday. Please accept my heartiest greetings on this happy occasion. May God grant you the wisdom, discernment and sense of responsibility required to discharge your duties as the Home Minister of this great nation. Since you are a Jain, I presume you are familiar with the religious significance associated with the number 62.
Prayer Under Siege Catholics Attacked During Bible Convention
A Convention Turned into a Target The Divine Love Retreat Centre at Jalalkhali, on the outskirts of Krishnanagar in Nadia district, had been hosting a Santali Bible Convention since October 1. The eleven-day gathering, scheduled to conclude on October 11, brought together Santali-speaking Catholics for prayer, Scripture reflection, catechesis and community fellowship. For the participants, many of whom belong to Adivasi communities, the convention was not merely a religious programme.
A Timeless Witness
You may command the stones to sleep, And bid the streets forget their dead; You may your gates of silence keep, And banish all who dare to tread. But who shall chain the human soul, Or bid the heart its truth conceal? The hand that seeks to crush the whole May wound the flesh, but cannot heal. Jantar Mantar! Thy ancient stones Have watched the stars through ages roll; Have marked the sun's returning course, And measured time's unceasing toll.
Beyond Borders: Global Echo of Indian Democratic Dissent By Dhruv Rathee
India is the world's largest Democracy, and its Election Commission is supposed to be a central pillar of constitutional integrity. The spirit of Democracy is sustained not merely by voting once every five years; the referees must win the public's confidence by staying neutral. When people lose faith in the fairness of elections, Democracy ends. Every citizen has a duty to safeguard the spirit of Democracy.
The Tip of the Conversion Iceberg!
"Have you taken permission to believe?" I can almost hear an official asking, adjusting his spectacles and searching for the appropriate form. "God may have called you, but has He submitted the necessary documents?
Censorship Sharpens in Modi's India
Despite the Godi media singing his paeans day and night for the last 12 years, Modi has resorted to large-scale censorship of any criticism of his government. Until July 2026, massive protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), had gripped the country's otherwise free press with fear, and criticism of the Modi government was subdued.
Toward an Ecology of Communication
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is overwhelming us today! AI, as we all know, is about communication, information, data mining, and much more. It shapes the way we think and even determines our behavioural patterns. In May, Pope Leo XIV gave the world his first encyclical, 'Magnifica Humanitas' (Magnificent Humanity): On Safeguarding the Human Person in the time of Artificial Intelligence.
Louis Careno Award
The Indian Catholic Press Association, in collaboration with the Mumbai Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco, takes immense pride in conferring the Fr. Louis Careno Award for Excellence in Journalism upon Ms Liz Mathew Deputy Editor of The Indian Express. Spanning nearly three decades of distinguished service, Ms Mathew's career exemplifies courage, integrity, and an unyielding commitment to truth in public service journalism.
ICPA-CBCI SC/ST Award
The Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA) proudly presents the ICPA Award for outstanding contribution to the cause of Scheduled Castes and Dalit communities, sponsored by the CBCI Office for Scheduled Castes and Backwards Classes, to Fr (Dr) G. Arokia Sebastin Babu HGN for his courageous engagement with Dalit dignity, rights, equality, and justice. A scholar, theologian, and writer, Fr Dr Babu brings theological reflection into dynamic dialogue with the lived realities of Dalit communities.
Swami Devanand Chakkungal Award
The Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA), in collaboration with the Central India Province of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), takes immense pride in conferring the ICPA–SVD Swami Devanand Chakkungal Award for Hindi Literature upon Mr. Gladson Dungdung in recognition of his courageous and sustained contributions to reporting on Adivasis, indigenous rights, and marginalised communities.
J. Maurus Award
The Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA), in collaboration with the Society of St Paul, proudly confers the prestigious J. Maurus Award upon renowned Jesuit author Fr. Hedwig Lewis, SJ for his inspiring work, Being Extraordinarily Ordinary: 30 Strategies for Wholesome Living, published by Better Yourself Books, Mumbai.
James Alberione Award
The Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA), in collaboration with the Society of St Paul, takes immense pride in presenting the prestigious James Alberione Award to Mr Moses Doraboina DePaul Vincent in recognition of his outstanding contributions to media production and environmental communication. A seasoned media professional, writer, and trainer, Mr Vincent has consistently utilised creative communication as a vehicle for social transformation and environmental stewardship.
The Statement of the 31st National Convention of Christian Journalists
We, the members of the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA), met for the 31st National Convention of Christian Journalists on 19-20 September 2026 at Paalanaa Bhavana, Benson Town, Bengaluru. The theme of our Convention was 'Humanity, Dignity, and Truth: Journalism without Compromise in the Age of AI.' Artificial Intelligence (AI) overwhelms us today! There is no doubt about that.
The Days That Shook India An Exposé Becomes A Movement
On September 18, 2025, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi called a press conference in New Delhi and accused the Election Commission of India of facilitating what he called "vote chori," or vote theft.
Navi Pillay The Nobel We Ignored
It was a friend in Houston, Texas, who first alerted me to the news that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2026 had gone to Navi Pillay, a South African jurist of Indian origin. He also sent me her photograph. Her face looked familiar. I told him I might have met her when I visited South Africa in 2006 as a journalist with The Tribune.
SIR: United Resistance, the Need of the Hour
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, has sparked widespread public controversy, nationwide protests, legal challenges in the Supreme Court, and legislative opposition, including the Kerala Legislative Assembly's adoption of a resolution seeking his removal.
Turning the National Capital into a Fortress
The Union Home Ministry, out of panic and insecurity, moved to fortify Delhi against the protest called on October 10, 2026, at Jantar Mantar by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the All-India Students' Association (AISA) and others to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar, for vote chori.
For the Greater Common Good!
"Any news?" asked the businessman, looking anxiously out of his office window. "Stock market, sir?" "Clouds!" And there you have Mumbai, the financial capital of India, where men can predict international markets, manipulate balance sheets, and arrange billion-rupee mergers, but must finally look upwards and ask, "Will it rain?" Our economic powerhouse runs on an arrangement with the monsoon. An annual understanding that the clouds will kindly remember our address.
The Shadow of Bureaucratic Arbitrariness: From Gyanesh Kumar to Medha Roopam
In a democratic governance system, public offices are established to function according to principles of fiduciary responsibility and public trust. Independent recruitment mechanisms, comprehensive anti-corruption measures, and judicial oversight serve to prevent the concentration of authority in unchecked personal hands. However, contemporary Indian public administration has increasingly been characterised by corruption.
Journalism Must Remain Human
Every age has its defining inventions. The printing press transformed how ideas circulated, radio expanded the reach of the human voice, television brought distant events into our homes, and the internet connected the world at unprecedented speed. Today, Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how information is produced, distributed, and understood.
No Algorithm for Conscience
We live in an age when the line between what is real and what is manufactured is becoming increasingly difficult to discern. Artificial Intelligence can generate convincing images, imitate human voices, produce seemingly credible accounts of events, and influence how we perceive the world. Intertwined with social media, it has made manufacturing and disseminating information possible at unprecedented speeds.
Where are the Catholics When India is Being 'Re-set' and History is Being Made?
A question echoing across many platforms and conversations is this: Where are the Catholics in India these days as the nation goes through a crucial phase in its chequered history? Historians will judge the importance of what is happening today, but most of us will agree that, even to a small extent, the peaceful demonstrations in Delhi and across India are directly enabling the nation to re-found itself.
United With Those Marching Ahead Dreaming of A Better India
Dear fellow Indians, friends of India, and all well-wishers: Not often does one get to witness history being written. Before our eyes, we see history happen in the very NOW. We read in history books about persons, places, facts, and events. Some of those known to us—fearless girls and risk-taking boys; The students and their mentors march forward to write history, Dreaming of a better today, a brighter tomorrow, full of promises. Some of us who wish to be with them may not be able to join.
The Constitutional Questions Raised by the Madras High Court's FCRA Judgment
A fundamental distinction must be maintained between carefully examining a case's facts and rejecting an institution's application on that basis, and making sweeping generalisations about an entire religious community or its beliefs. The principles of secularism and equality enshrined in the Constitution of India require scrupulous adherence to this distinction.
Students' Protest Three Musketeers
I lived in Bhopal for four years and visited the Union Carbide factory several times for reporting. When poisonous gas leaked from the factory on the night of December 2–3, 1984, I rushed from Patna to cover the horrendous tragedy. The disaster killed thousands; the immediate official death toll was put at 2,259, though subsequent estimates were much higher.
A Critical Look at Ills in Governance
The book "Politics, Policy and Predictions: Views from the Front Row of Parliament" by Derek O'Brien, Rajya Sabha MP and leader of the All India Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party, throws light on issues plaguing governance in the country. Arranged in 68 succinct chapters across six sections, the book takes readers into vital areas of governance where the rot has set in, largely because of rulers' lack of empathy and indifference to people's lives.
Restoring the Republic's Checks and Balances Gyanesh Ouster Will Not Be Enough
As Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi waves the national Tricolour from atop police barricades, and Union Cabinet ministers celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dubious silver jubilee—13 years as Gujarat chief minister and 12 as prime minister; it is being brought home to the people of India that something dangerous has threatened the delicate balance between the four pillars on which constitutional democracy has survived and even thrived in India.
Gandhi Reimagined by Gen Z
In a recent interview with journalist Karan Thapar for The Wire, historian Ramachandra Guha, speaking about his newly launched book Arguments with Gandhi, said that Mahatma Gandhi is becoming relevant to India once again through the Gen Z movement. Guha pointed out that recent youth-led mass movements in contemporary India have unexpectedly mirrored the classic Gandhian approach to non-violent protest.
To Crack or Not to Crack!
To crack or not to crack! Crackers or no crackers! It is a much-debated issue. To some, crackers have emotional and sentimental value. Celebrate with high-decibel, eye-filling explosions! Some point to the economic benefit of the many workers employed in the explosives industry. Some bat for its religious reverberations! Some fervently say fireworks are deeply tied to historical and religious traditions symbolising the triumph of light over darkness.
No Journalists, Please!
"Sir, there is a journalist at the door!" "Tell him we have already issued the press release." "He wants to attend the Press Council meeting, sir." "Why?" "He says he is a journalist." "How inconvenient! Does he also expect us to invite farmers when we discuss farming?" I imagined this conversation while reading that the Press Council of India, our media watchdog, has been functioning without a single working journalist or newspaper editor among its members.
When Formation is Under Siege Guarding the Heart of Vocation in Seminaries and Religious Houses
It has been a blessing to be involved in the formation of seminarians and religious for the past seven years—and counting. In that time, I have had the joy of accompanying many young men, most of whom I have found earnest, diligent and deeply devoted to preparing for the priesthood. Nothing that follows should be read as questioning their integrity or the good they will bring to the Church. These years have also taught a harder lesson.
Who Gets to Be Culture? When a Civilisational Theory of Religion Enters the Courtroom
On October 6, a Division Bench of the Madras High Court decided an appeal brought by the Kanzeon Public Charitable Trust, based in Kodaikanal. The Trust runs a Zen meditation centre and applied for registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), which regulates how organisations in India receive foreign contributions. Kanzeon had presented itself as non-religious. The Ministry of Home Affairs disagreed, and the Court upheld the Ministry's position.
Judge to Theologian-in-Chief
Justice GR Swaminathan might as well put down his judge's gown and permanently take up a saffron dhoti, since his actions do not conform to the office he holds. He has definitively abandoned his judicial role and taken up the Hindutva agenda when he moved from examining an organisation's conduct to making sweeping judgments about the character of entire religions. The case concerns a Zen meditation centre founded by Fr. Ama Samy, a Catholic priest.
The CEC Must Go!
'Gujarat Samachar,' the prestigious and most widely circulated Gujarati daily newspaper, has, in its issue of October 1, huge banner headlines emblazoned on its front page: 'On Gandhi Jayanti begins a national protest to 'Save Democracy!' Those who have called for this protest include the INDIA bloc (nineteen opposition political parties), the Gen Z 'Cockroach Janta Party,' student organisations, women's groups, and others.
The Great Electoral Fraud
The unfolding scandal over India's electoral machinery is disturbing not because of any single act by the Election Commission of India (EC), but because of a chain of connected developments and the Commission's cumulative actions — made worse by its own admissions. Taken together, these developments demand full accountability across the spectrum, change and reversal of all decisions regarding the SIR.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Alpha
Contact Alpha, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack