Tag: Europe

Scholarship for Study in Europe

Studying in Europe can be a transformative experience, offering students exposure to world-class education, diverse cultures, and career opportunities. Scholarships are an excellent way to make studying in Europe more affordable. Here’s an overview of some key scholarships and funding opportunities for international students, including those from Asia, Africa, and other regions.

1. Erasmus+ Program

Eligibility: Students from EU and non-EU countries Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D., and professional training Description: The Erasmus+ program is a flagship EU initiative that offers scholarships to students from across the globe for study, training, and internships in Europe. Students can spend 3 to 12 months at an EU-based university or undertake internships. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD) are also available for students pursuing a master’s program in two or more European countries.

Financial Coverage: Full tuition, living allowance, travel costs, and health insurance.

Duration: Typically 1 to 2 years for master’s programs.

2. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

Eligibility: International students Level: Master’s and Ph.D. Description: The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers numerous scholarships for international students to study in Germany. DAAD scholarships are available for a wide range of programs, including full-time master’s degrees and doctoral studies at German universities.

Financial Coverage: Monthly stipend (approximately €861 for graduates and €1,200 for doctoral candidates), health insurance, and travel allowances.

Additional Benefits: Free German language course and support for dependents.

Duration: Varies depending on the program, typically 1 to 3 years.

3. Chevening Scholarships (UK)

Eligibility: Citizens from Chevening-eligible countries Level: Master’s Description: Chevening is a prestigious UK government scholarship for international students to pursue a one-year master’s degree at any UK university. The scholarship focuses on leadership and networking opportunities in addition to academic achievements.

Financial Coverage: Full tuition fees, a monthly stipend, travel costs, and other allowances.

Duration: 1 year (master’s programs only).

4. Swedish Institute Scholarships (Sweden)

Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA citizens Level: Master’s Description: The Swedish Institute (SI) offers scholarships to talented students from select countries for master’s degree studies in Sweden. This scholarship is aimed at fostering future global leaders and is available for many programs offered in Swedish universities.

Financial Coverage: Full tuition fees, living allowance, travel grants, and health insurance.

Duration: 1 to 2 years.

5. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program (France)

Eligibility: International students from developing countries Level: Master’s and Ph.D. Description: The Eiffel Scholarship is offered by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. It is aimed at attracting international students to French institutions for studies in engineering, economics, law, and political science.

Financial Coverage: Monthly allowance of €1,181 (master’s) or €1,700 (Ph.D.), travel costs, health insurance, and cultural activities.

Duration: Up to 24 months for a master’s program and 36 months for Ph.D.

6. ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship (Switzerland)

Eligibility: International students Level: Master’s Description: ETH Zurich, one of Europe’s top universities, offers the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Program (ESOP) for students wishing to pursue a master’s degree at the university. The scholarship is highly competitive and is awarded to students with excellent academic records.

Financial Coverage: Full tuition fee waiver and living allowance (CHF 12,000 per semester).

Duration: 3 to 4 semesters (depends on the program).

7. Holland Scholarship (Netherlands)

Eligibility: Non-EEA international students Level: Bachelor’s and Master’s Description: The Holland Scholarship is provided by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science in cooperation with Dutch universities. This scholarship supports international students who wish to pursue bachelor’s or master’s degrees in the Netherlands.

Financial Coverage: €5,000 for the first year of study.

Duration: 1 year.

8. Italian Government Scholarships

Eligibility: International students and Italian citizens abroad Level: Master’s, Ph.D., and research programs Description: The Italian government offers scholarships for foreign students to pursue master’s, Ph.D., or research programs in Italy. Priority is given to students from countries with which Italy has bilateral cultural agreements.

Financial Coverage: Tuition fee waiver, monthly allowance, and health insurance.

Duration: Varies depending on the program.

9. Norwegian Quota Scheme

Eligibility: Students from developing countries Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D. Description: The Quota Scheme provides scholarships for students from developing countries to study at Norwegian universities. The scheme focuses on building academic and institutional capacity in the students’ home countries.

Financial Coverage: Tuition fee waiver, living stipend, travel grants, and allowances.

Duration: Typically 2 to 4 years.

10. Visegrad Scholarship Program (Central Europe)

Eligibility: Students from select countries (e.g., Eastern Partnership countries, Western Balkans) Level: Master’s and Ph.D. Description: The International Visegrad Fund offers scholarships for students from Eastern Partnership countries and the Western Balkans to study at universities in Central Europe (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia).

Financial Coverage: Monthly stipend of €2,500 for master’s students and €2,300 for Ph.D. candidates, with travel costs.

Duration: 1 to 4 semesters.

How to Apply for Scholarships:

1. Research: Identify scholarships that align with your educational goals and personal profile.

2. Eligibility: Check all requirements, including academic qualifications, country-specific rules, and deadlines.

3. Prepare Documents: Typically, you’ll need academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, proof of language proficiency (like IELTS/TOEFL), and a personal statement or essay.

4. Submit Early: Scholarship deadlines are often months before academic program deadlines, so plan well in advance.

Conclusion:

Europe is home to many prestigious scholarships that offer substantial financial support to international students. These scholarships are not just about tuition waivers but also cover living expenses and provide enriching cultural and academic experiences. By researching the right opportunities and preparing carefully, you can greatly enhance your chances of securing a scholarship to study in Europe.

To Scholarships for Scholarships in Europe

Prominent scholarships for African students to study in Europe based on what was available up to my last update in January 2022. It’s important to note that scholarship availability, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines may change over time, so it’s a good idea to verify the information on official scholarship websites.


Here’s a table format you can use to organize details about scholarships:

Scholarship Name Description Eligibility Criteria Application Deadline Website
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degrees Offers full scholarships to students worldwide, including Africans, for select joint master’s programs offered by European universities. Eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific master’s program. Typically, applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree and meet language proficiency requirements. Varies depending on the program. Deadlines typically fall between December and February for programs starting the following academic year. Erasmus Mundus
DAAD Scholarships The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers various scholarships for international students, including those from Africa, to study in Germany. Programs include undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral scholarships. Eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific scholarship program. Generally, applicants must have completed their previous academic degrees with excellent grades and demonstrate language proficiency. Deadlines vary depending on the scholarship program. DAAD Scholarship Database
Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals Offers scholarships to highly-qualified professionals from eligible countries, including African nations, to pursue master’s degree programs in Sweden. Applicants must have work experience and leadership skills. Eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific master’s program. Usually in December for programs starting the following academic year. Swedish Institute Scholarships

These are just a few examples, and there are many other scholarships and funding opportunities available for African students to study in Europe. It’s important to thoroughly research each scholarship program for specific details regarding eligibility, application requirements, and deadlines.

Top 20 Scholarship and Grants in Europe

 Here are some of the top 20 scholarship and grant opportunities available in Europe:

  1. Erasmus Mundus Scholarships: These prestigious scholarships are funded by the European Union and support international students for joint master’s and doctoral programs across European universities.

  2. Fulbright Program: Administered by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Program offers grants for academic exchange between the United States and over 160 countries, including European nations.

  3. DAAD Scholarships: The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides a wide range of scholarships for international students, researchers, and academics to study and conduct research in Germany.

  4. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions: These EU-funded research grants support researchers at all career stages, from PhD candidates to experienced professionals, in pursuing research projects across Europe.

  5. Chevening Scholarships: Funded by the UK government, Chevening Scholarships offer fully-funded master’s degree programs to outstanding scholars and future leaders from around the world, including European countries.

  6. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships: Offered by the Swiss government, these scholarships support international students and researchers for postgraduate studies or research in Switzerland.

  7. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme: Administered by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Eiffel scholarships support outstanding international students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees in France.

  8. VLIR-UOS Scholarships: These scholarships, funded by the Belgian government, support students from developing countries for master’s and training programs in Flanders, Belgium.

  9. Netherlands Fellowship Programs (NFP): Managed by Nuffic, the NFP offers scholarships for professionals from eligible countries to pursue short courses, master’s, and PhD programs in the Netherlands.

  10. Erasmus+ Master Loans: This initiative provides loans for master’s students from participating countries to finance their studies abroad within the Erasmus+ program.

  11. Türkiye Scholarships: Offered by the Turkish government, Türkiye Scholarships support international students for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD studies in Turkey.

  12. Santander Scholarships: Santander Bank offers various scholarships and mobility grants to support students and researchers from participating countries in pursuing studies or research in Europe.

  13. Central European University Scholarships: CEU offers a range of scholarships and financial aid options for international students pursuing master’s and doctoral studies in fields such as social sciences, humanities, law, and public policy.

  14. Amsterdam Excellence Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to exceptionally talented students from outside the EU/EEA for master’s programs at the University of Amsterdam.

  15. Sciences Po Master’s Scholarships: Sciences Po in France offers merit-based scholarships for outstanding international students applying to master’s programs in various disciplines.

  16. Rotary Foundation Global Grants: Rotary International provides global grants for graduate-level academic studies, humanitarian projects, and vocational training to individuals and communities around the world, including Europe.

  17. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme: This program provides scholarships and fellowships to outstanding students from developing countries, including those in Europe, to pursue higher education at reputable institutions worldwide.

  18. Gates Cambridge Scholarships: These prestigious scholarships support outstanding international students from outside the UK for graduate studies at the University of Cambridge.

  19. INSEAD Scholarships: INSEAD, one of the world’s leading business schools, offers a range of scholarships and financial aid options for MBA and executive education programs, attracting diverse talent from around the globe, including Europe.

  20. Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorates: In addition to master’s programs, Erasmus Mundus also offers joint doctorates for international PhD candidates, providing opportunities for collaborative research and mobility across European universities.

These are just a few examples of the many scholarship and grant opportunities available in Europe, catering to a diverse range of academic disciplines, backgrounds, and career goals. Applicants are encouraged to thoroughly research eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and selection processes for each opportunity to maximize their chances of success.


Top Scholarship for Students of Africa in Europe

 It’s essential to check the most recent information on scholarship websites or contact relevant institutions directly. However, I can provide you with some general tips on finding scholarships for African scholars in Europe and a few examples of prominent scholarships that were available in the past:

  1. Erasmus Mundus Programmes: The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMDs) offer full scholarships to students from around the world, including Africa, to pursue a master’s degree in various fields. Check the official Erasmus Mundus website for the latest information.

  2. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme (France): This program is offered by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to attract high-achieving international students, including Africans, to pursue a master’s or Ph.D. program in France.

  3. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland): The Swiss government provides scholarships to promote international exchange and research collaboration. African scholars may be eligible for these scholarships to pursue research, Ph.D., or postdoctoral studies in Switzerland.

  4. Chevening Scholarships (United Kingdom): While Chevening primarily focuses on bringing future leaders, influencers, and decision-makers to the UK, African scholars can benefit from this scholarship to pursue a one-year master’s degree in various fields.

  5. DAAD Scholarships (Germany): The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a range of scholarships for international students, including those from Africa, at various academic levels.

  6. Netherlands Fellowship Programs (Netherlands): The Dutch government provides fellowships for mid-career professionals and scholars from various countries, including Africa, to pursue short courses, master’s, or Ph.D. programs in the Netherlands.

Remember to check the eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and required documents for each scholarship program. Additionally, contact the respective scholarship providers or the international offices of universities for the latest and most accurate information. Always refer to the official websites of these organizations for the most up-to-date details on available scholarships and application procedures.


Scholarship Name Country Application Deadline Basic Qualifications Official Link
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees Europe (Various) Varies Varies based on specific program requirements Erasmus Mundus
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship France Annually (Varies) International students applying for master’s or Ph.D. Eiffel Scholarship
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships Switzerland Varies Varies depending on the level of study (master’s, Ph.D., postdoc) Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships United Kingdom Annually (usually November) Full-time master’s degree in any subject, work experience, leadership qualities Chevening
DAAD Scholarships Germany Varies Varies depending on the specific scholarship program DAAD
Netherlands Fellowship Programs Netherlands Varies Mid-career professionals and scholars, various fields Netherlands Fellowship Programs

Please be sure to visit the official websites of these scholarship programs for the most accurate and up-to-date information on eligibility criteria, application procedures, and deadlines.

The Girl With a Pearl Earring: What Made It So Famous

The Girl With a Pearl Earring (1665) by Johannes Vermeer

Introduction

Nicknamed the “Mona Lisa of the North“,the Girl with a Pearl Earring, is one of the masterpieces by famed Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer. It hauntingly engages the viewer with enhanced realism, showcasing the electrifying gaze of a young girl adorned with a blue and gold turban. Created by Vermeer in 1665 during the Baroque period, the upper bust of the girl against a dark background has a three-dimensional effect that sets off her glowing appearance.

Historic Background

In Vermeer’s era, paintings were considered to be craftsmanship instead of art. Vermeer, a Dutch master painter at his peak, dedicated his life to developing his craft. By 1665, when the Girl with a Pearl Earring was created, Vermeer had begun to depict women, demonstrating a deep interest in their socio-cultural roles. The subject in this painting is believed to be Vermeer’s daughter, Maria.

Self-Portrait of Johannes Vermeer

Subject of The Painting

The Painting was basically crafted with oil Painting on canvas and is categorized in Dutch Realism Movement arts. Although many art critics contend that the Girl with a Pearl Earring is a portrait, the prevailing argument is that it is a tronie, which is a study of the facial expressions of a living model. The composition of Girl with a Pearl Earring is delightfully simple. Unlike most of the other paintings by the Delft master, the subject here is only a simple head of a girl looking over her shoulder at the viewer. In Girl With a Pearl Earring, the young female model appears to be startled by something, while glancing taciturnly over her shoulder.No hint of a setting is provided, other than its atmospherically dark tone. This too is unusual for the mature Vermeer. The unusually direct contact between subject and spectator, and the slightly parted position of the lips, presents a sense of immediacy so great as to imply significant intimacy. The girl is wearing a simple brownish-yellow top, which contrasts strongly with her bright white collar. A further contrast is offered by her blue and yellow or turban (or chaperon) which gives the picture a distinctly exotic effect. During Vermeer’s time, the turban was a popular prop for tronies because of its deep folds and robust shades, which allowed artists to show off their skills and abilities.

Discussing the Painting: The uniqueness

Utilizing the technique of under-painting, or a monochromatic ground, Vermeer made the Girl with a Pearl Earring seem to lift from the canvas. Through careful use of his palette, he created the deep, rich tones of the girl’s headdress and gown. Then, to give her skin a glowing appearance, he used pigments to create light and shadow effect that contrasted the background. The Pearl Earring, status symbol of the period , worn by the subject, composed by only two brush strokes. The two whites, one on each corner of her mouth, helped to enliven the subject’s pensive smile.

Scarlett Johansson in Girl With a Pearl Earring movie (2003)

The Painter’s Touch: The Cinematic Adoption

Although now a highly regarded artist, Vermeer was not well known outside of his native city of Delft during his lifetime or in the decades after. Historians credit the 19th-century French critic Étienne-Joseph-Théophile-Thoré (under the pseudonym of William Bürger) for reassessing the artist’s work, which eventually led to Vermeer’s distinguished reputation. Even so, Girl with a Pearl Earring became one of Vermeer’s more famous pieces only around the turn of the 21st century, with the 1995 blockbuster exhibition at the National Gallery of Art, Washington,D.C. and the publication of the best-selling novel Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier in 1999. The book fashioned the painting’s subject into a housemaid named Griet who works in Vermeer’s home and becomes his paint mixer. It was adapted into an Oscar nominated movie in 2003 starring Scarlett Johansson as the fictional Griet and Colin Firth as Vermeer.

Scarlett Johansson as Griet and Colin Firth as Vermeer in Girl With a Pearl Earring movie (2003)

Where at Present Day

Mauritshuis, Den Haag, Netherlands

As the buildings of Mauritshuis Museum ,Hague underwent renovation in 2012, Girl with the Pearl Earring travelled to Japan, Italy, and the United States. It drew crowds in each location, attesting to its now firm place in audience regard. When Girl returned to the Netherlands in 2014, the Mauritshuis announced it would no longer lend out the painting, assuring visitors that the museum’s main attraction would always be in its home.

Princess Kate Middleton of England came face-to-face with one of the best-loved paintings in the world — “Girl with a Pearl Earring” — during a visit to the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague.
 

Conclusion

Humans have always adored paintings as one of the highest form of visual arts, and few of such arts can truly surpasses the inertness of still lives and remains immortal forever. The Girl With a Pearl Earring, poses the appeal of simplicity to rethink of life and consider the fact that beauty of life can also be found in the simplest joys around us.

2020-21: Fires, Heat and Rains

2020 started with forest fires in Canada, Brazil and bush fires across Australian coast, causing the death of at least two billion animals.

Tourism Australia Bites Back On 'Viral Bushfire Misinformation'
The Australian Bush fires

Come 2021, Greek, Turkish and Italian people experienced one of the hottest summers in history in 2021. In the Hellenic Republic of Greece, the temperatures reached 45 degree Celsius on 4th August. While this might be a pretty regularly recorded temperature in the tropic, the Balkans and the Anatolian peninsula recording such temperatures is worrisome. The temperatures led to a spontaneous spread of forest fires in and across Europe, Canada and Turkey – and people across the globe shared the plight of Turkey on social media since Turkey is not habitual with these fires and hence lacks the number of helicopters and jets to control these fires.

Sicily wildfires, August 2021
Turkey battles wildfires for 6th day, EU to send planes
Turkish Wildfires have been unprecedented for the country

China recorded floods it had never seen in the last 50 years of its history in 2021. A very worst form of excessive rainfalls was recorded in central and western Europe in July 2021 with countries like Germany completely overwhelmed by floods. This is in addition to the already burning Amazons and even Asian countries recording instances of Forest fires in a time not traditionally identified with the same. Russia and Finland and US are also heading towards a quite imminent diplomatic crisis given that the Arctic has already lost more than 50% of its ice opening up the once frozen Tundra and permafrost to petroleum and uranium explorations with the obvious geopolitical control over the area being a chief topic of contention.

Arctic cold war: climate change has ignited a new polar power struggle
Climate change has ignited a new proxy struggle for the domination of the ocean.
Climate change: Polar bears could be lost by 2100 - BBC News
These might be one of the last generation of the polar bears.

China and India claim to have planted at least a billion trees in the last 5 years with China keen on developing technologies that are associated with building forest towns – a human enclosure built within an artificial forest as the future of dwelling. France announced a closing of all its coal plants 2 years ahead of schedule. But is that all? Global statistics show a massive increase in demand for coal in 2020 and ’21.

Liuzhou Forest City | Stefano Boeri Architetti
The Liuzhou city might be the first forest city on the planet.

The images of environment recovering due to COVID might be fairly short lived.

Angela Merkel: A legendary personality.

Angela Merkel was born in Hamburg on July 17th, 1954. She is a German politician and serving as a Chancellor of Germany since 2005. After completing her higher education from Templin in the year 1973, studied physics at Leipzig university amd graduated in the year 1978 and was awarded a doctorate in the year 1986. Since 1990, she is an active member of the Christian democratic union of Germany (CDU). From 1991-1998 she administered as a deputy chairwoman of the CDU.

Merkel spent 35 years of her life as a quantum chemist and worked at a research institute in Soviet-controlled East Germany until the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989. This historic manifestation prompted Merkel to abandon the research field and develop an everlasting interest in politics. Merkel is the first woman and the first East German who, in the history of Germany, holds the nation highest elective office post.

She is straightforward, who doesn’t take too many risks that are the reason which makes her stand out in her long-serving political career. She never doubts her decision-making skills and believes in working quietly rather than standing in the political rallies and deliver long speeches to receive appreciation. She is a strong woman with high self-confidence and withstands death moments alone in her political career especially during the refugee crisis.

Merkel handled the refugee crisis with utter decisiveness that shaped the viewpoint of the world towards Europe and demonstrated how to act responsibly. She was viewed as “the woman who saved the dignity of Europe.”

Belarus: Escalating political tension and sanctions

Belarus is an overlooked country that is located east of Poland and south of Lithuania and Latvia. It is bordered by Russia in the East and also bordered by Ukraine in the South. The landlocked country has an area of 207,600 square kilometers (80,200 square mi) and a population of little over 9 million people. Belarus was one of the newest countries that were formed after the disintegration of the USSR in 1991.

Alexander Lukashenko was elected Belarus’s first president of Belarus in 1994. Since then he has held the position and has been governing the country for more than 25 years. Lukashenko’s style of governance has been deemed as authoritative as there have been no free elections since he got elected. He has maintained many of the Pre-Soviet policies and Belarus’s Democracy Index rating is the lowest in Europe. In the 2020 Belarusian elections, Lukashenko was declared the winner against the opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The election was marred by allegations of widespread electoral fraud. Many western countries had demanded a re-run but that never happened. This also triggered mass protests across the major cities in Belarus. But to control the critics and protesters, the government reacted with brute force, arresting demonstrators and sending numerous protestors behind the bars.

In May 2021 the kidnapping of opposition journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend, Sofia Sapega was another sign of the Belarusian government’s woes against any kind of critics. This was basically a state-sponsored hijacking of air piracy. This incident occurred on Ryanair Flight 4978 en route to Vilnius on May 23 when the plane was diverted to Minsk with a fake bomb threat from Belarusian air traffic control. After this violation of international aviation rules, both were arrested on questionable charges of organizing mass unrest.

Belarus has always swayed between Russia and the EU but recently European Union has imposed one of the toughest restrictions against Belarus. EU has blocked the sale or supply of major technology to Belarus, as well as restricted access to capital markets and trade in oil and potash. EU has also imposed airspace restrictions against Belarus. But any sanctions against Belarus must not target ordinary people. Because the land borders are already sealed off with Poland and Lithuania. The only viable option for Belarusian people was air travel. So this restriction will also affect the citizens of the country. To counter the problem of Potash sanctions, Lukashenko has struck a deal with his Russian business friend to create a new Potash mining and processing plant. But this will come at a cost of increased taxes for the individual citizens of Belarus amid the Covid-19 crisis and economic downturn. The United States has also imposed visa bans and other sanctions on 62 individuals who were identified as contributing to the Belarus crackdown.  

The citizens of Belarus deserve free Elections and a leader who can think about the citizens of the country instead of holding onto the power. With a progressive leader, Belarus could have been on par with the Baltic countries. The recent sanction might or might not work but in the end, the common citizens of the country suffer the most. 

References:

Baltic Countries and their economic transformation

Baltics, also known as the Baltic States is comprised of three countries including Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The three countries are situated on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea. In 1991 the regional governments of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia declared independence from the Union of Soviet Socialists Republics (USSR). Three countries have a collective population of just over 6 million. The three have been one of the better examples which have been progressing well after the breakup of the USSR. Many other former Soviet republics have been suffering the disarray of corruption and political instability.

In 2002 Baltic countries applied for membership in the European Union (EU) and by May 2004 all the three countries joined the EU. They also gained membership in NATO by March 2004.

Downtown Tallinn

Baltic independence in 1991

It’s truly astounding how the three countries have developed since 1991. None of them were independent since 1940. The three countries had large Russian minorities and many Soviet soldiers were still stationed there. There were no major national institutions and banking infrastructure with a crumbling economy. There was a growing homegrown national moment against the ruling government since the 1980s. The homegrown fronts won the republican parliamentary election against the ruling party in early 1990 and were allowed to govern but with limited power. The Russian president at that time, Boris Yeltsin had not contested their newly declared independence in 1991. The Baltic also witnessed no violence when the three governments had declared their independence.

The three nations also had almost no natural resources, unlike USSR which was resource-rich. They were still in a very vulnerable situation with a small population and no military of their own. Even though the countries were linguistically distinct with different languages, but people in all three countries had a united drive to strive for a better future. The three had implemented reforms with a shared vision. The governments of the three shared many policies, ideas, and experiences. The Baltic States also valued their new independence with a lot of enthusiasm and didn’t take it for granted. The other ex- USSR countries often had to ask for assistance from Russian Federation and also formed new alliances with the Russian government. Baltic countries on the other hand tried to stay away from joining the post-Soviet Commonwealth of Independent States. In the subsequent years, all the three countries adopted radical economic policies and Estonia was the first mover and Latvia and Lithuania would follow suit. In 1994 Estonia introduced a flat income tax at just 24 percent and the other two also implemented the policies. Currently, Lithuania has a tax rate of just 15 percent which is one of the lowest. With early and fast deregulation and privatization, the Baltic countries were able to capture a large amount of foreign direct investment. Estonia also radically transformed its public sector with various digitalization implementations and less reliance on paperwork. Latvian and Lithuania’s transformation in this area was not as drastic but after some time both of them followed Estonia’s footsteps.  Transparency International ranks Estonia No. 17, Lithuania 37, and Latvia 42 out of 175 countries on its Corruption Perception Index for 2020. This is a commendable ranking considering they all the three are a relatively new entrant to the EU and many other EU countries have lower ranks than the three.

Success attributions

The success can also be attributed to the generous support that the three countries received from the international community and funds granted by the EU, World Bank, and the IMF. In 2008 Baltic suffered from the global economic crisis. The three soon adopted the Euro as their currency to avoid any future liquidity freeze issues that they experienced at that time. The economies al the Baltic rebounded quickly and due to good monetary measures, the three have a very low public debt. Baltic governments have also made swift progress in the Education sector and the three have attained commendable rankings in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Estonia has done a very commendable task in this area with top 10 rankings in many assessments.  But the Baltics also face many challenges with population loss due to low birth rate and emigration. Proximity and hostility with Russia still is a challenge that the tiny nations have to endure.        

The Enlightenment Age

The Age of Enlightenment, also called the Age of Reason was an intellectual revolution which dominated Europe during the 17th and 18th century. Enlightenment was the emergence and creation of ideas which challenged the existing notions of the world. It questioned the existing set of ideas and conceptions about religion, society and politics. Before this period, Europe was essentially a land dominated by religion. This intellectual movement was carried out by the Enlightenment philosophers like Baron de Montesquieu, Voltaire, David Hume and Adam Ferguson.

According to some, the beginning of the Enlightenment was after the publication of René Descartes’ philosophy of ‘Cogito, ergo sum’ (“I think, therefore I Am”) in 1637, while others belief the publication of Isaac Newton’s ‘Principia Mathematica’ (1687) began the Scientific Revolution and the beginning of the Enlightenment.

The philosophers and intellectuals challenged the clergy men who supported the traditional view of society. These new ideas influenced cultural practices like writing, painting, printing, music, sculpture and architecture. There was also significant progress in technology and medical science.

The key ideas of the Enlightenment were Reason, Empiricism, Science, Universalism, Individualism, Secularism, Freedom and similar others. The thinkers stressed on the primacy of reason to establish rationalist ideas based on fact. The key to expanding human knowledge was shifted upon empirical facts and scientific experiments. This concept of scientific reason was considered universal and could be applied to all situations. Philosophers opposed all traditional religious authority and stressed on the importance of knowledge free from all religious biases. They pointed out the creation of a form of knowledge which was not influenced by any religious ideas or superstitions. A secular idea was born and this spread quickly throughout Europe. This led to the belief that all individuals are same and equal despite their religious and philosophical views.

It was the idea of Individualism which was the starting point of all scientific knowledge. Science was the supreme form of knowledge as scientific facts were based on observation and experiments. This led to an increase in objective ideas and decrease in belief of superstitions. The philosophers wrote in a very direct way and took clear positions. They wrote about important changes and transitions going on in the society. A traditional social order was replaced by a modern State. The formation of a political State took place and the powers shifted from the hands of the Church to the State. Society was no longer dependent on the traditional religious institutions. It was believed that the application of reason and scientific knowledge could remove the cruelty and injustice from social institutions. The works of Voltaire instilled a desire for new ideas and belief in progress among the Europeans.

Thinkers like Saint Simon greatly influenced the societal processes. According to him modern society was threatened by anarchy and disorder. To bring back social order a Science of Society would be necessary. He constructed a ‘Social Physiology’ to bring order and stability in the society. He believed that modern society would flourish if science and industry were used for the service of humans. A major social re-organisation would be necessary to bring about order and proceed towards a successful social change which would bring about societal progress. Although his ideas were neglected at first, as Europe became engulfed with disorder and war, these ideas started influencing people. Eventually Saint Simon became a key figure in the liberal political movements of Europe.

A look at the history of witch hunts

Witch hunt, a phrase often used by politicians whenever accused has become very common these days. A witch hunt often means a persecution of someone through baseless facts and inconclusive evidence. But essentially it refers to the attempt to punish someone whose opinions are unpopular and said to be a danger to society. But the question arises as to how and when did the original witch hunts related to witchcraft started. Contrary to popular belief it wasn’t because of the uneducated masses started accusing those with odd behavior but rather belief in witches, in the sense of wicked people performing harmful magic, had existed in Europe since before the Greeks and Romans. In the early part of the Middle Ages, authorities were largely unconcerned about it. Things began to change in the 12th and 13th centuries, ironically because educated elites in Europe were becoming more sophisticated. Universities were being founded, and scholars in Western Europe began to pore over ancient texts as well as learned writings from the rest of the world, which often gave some sort of complex system of magics as an explanation for day to day phenomenon. Ordinary people – the kind who eventually got accused of being witches – didn’t perform elaborate rites from books. They gathered herbs, brewed potions, maybe said a short spell, as they had for generations. And they did so for all sorts of reasons, such practices were important in a world with only rudimentary forms of medical care.

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Christian authorities had previously dismissed this kind of magic as empty superstition. Now they took all magic much more seriously. They began to believe simple spells worked by summoning demons, which meant anyone who performed them secretly worshiped demons. These ideas of common folk engaging in witchcraft really gained traction after the pope gave a friar and a professor of theology called Heinrich Kraemer permission to conduct inquisition in the search of witches in 1485. At first his ideas did not gain traction as the people disapproved of his harsh questioning of respectable citizens and shut down his trials. However undeterred in his supposed quest to rid the world of the devil’s influence Kraemer wrote a book called “Hammer of Witches”. He wrote a lot of ideas which would subsequently be seen practiced in various towns across Europe. His book spurned others to write their own books on the topic and give sermons on the “dangers of witchcraft”. Even though there was no evidence to support any of these claims belief in witchcraft became widespread. A witch hunt often began with a misfortune; a failed harvest, a sick cow, or a stillborn child. Many of the accused were people on the fringes of society, the elderly, the poor or social outcasts but it wasn’t just limited to them, any one could be targeted even children. While religious authorities sanctioned these hunts, it was the local secular government that carried out the detainment and punishment of the witches. Those suspected were tortured rather than questioned, and under these tortures thousands of people falsely confessed to witchcraft and implicated others to save their hides. This was a time where the way repentance rather than justice prevailed in the courts, so even with flimsy evidence a lot of people were persecuted. Punishments varied from a fine to burning at the state, for many of the poor it was always the later. While motivations of witch-hunters varied considerably from jealousy, anger and spite, many genuinely felt they were doing good by rooting out the evil in society. But like even in these troubled times, there were those of sound mind who dissented various scholars, jurists and physicians countered with logic and sense against the mob mentality of the masses and with a rise of strong central governments, witch hunting slowly declined until it disappeared altogether.

Both the onset and the demise of these atrocities came gradually and the potential for similar situations to arise is still there, where authorities use their power to mobilize against false threats, but with reasoned dissent to combat it we as a society can still move forward.

A tale of the prank that made history.

Pranks, they have been a staple in every strata of the society from a long time. The only difference being that the pranks of the so called “nobility” or the upper class tend to showcase their superiority and upper classmanship, while that of lower and middle class was viewed as “uncouth”. Usually pranks are often viewed as a fun filled frolic or by some as meddlesome and tiring, but one such prank brought forth many upsides. However, pranks no matter who plays, tend to be short lived, however today we talk about one such prank that went not for a decade or a century but rather played out till a whopping 400 years. This takes place when the Crusaders had started gaining momentum in Europe.

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In 1165, a certain letter had started circulating throughout the western Europe. To view it now, we can clearly infer that it was a hoax, however people at that time believed it to be true. The letter spoke of a realm filled with mystical features, such as the Tower of Babel, The fountain of youth, with mystical weapons and animals within their arsenal. It mentioned that the mysterious and fabled land was ruled by the letter’s mysterious author: Prester John. This prank or hoax brought about an age of exploration, inspired an intercontinental diplomatic relation and rather sadly brought forth an civil war. This letter came forth during a time Europe Crusaders were trying to find Christian allies to serve in their war against the practitioners of “blasphemous” religions, mainly the Muslims and the Jews. They were fascinated by an army that had defeated a vast Muslim army in the far east. They were referring to the Mongol warriors that consisted of some converted Christians. However like all news spread by the means of words and stories, it spread unreliably and by the time it reached Europe, the story had changed the Mongol horde to a great Christian army full of soldiers with strength of biblical proportions, with a enigmatic ruler leading them with similar goals as the crusaders of marching to Jerusalem. This was the time the forged hoax of a letter reached the hands of the crusaders and despite its obvious European origin the appeal was too great for the crusaders to ignore. Thus, began a search for the mystical realm in the east that Prester john ruled. Soon they even reached Africa in search for Prester John’s ancestors. This was the time that Portuguese reached Ethiopia and found about a Christian kingdom, and with a mix of confusion and diplomacy the Portuguese thought they had encountered the fabled kingdom of Prester John. This happened nearly 350 years after the letter had instigated the search. A decade later when the sultanate of Adal attacked Ethiopia the Portuguese came as help, and soon realized that they weren’t the fabled kingdom they had pegged them to be. Worse still the increasingly intolerant roman catholic church had deemed the sect of Christianity found in Ethiopia as heresy. This sparked a civil war between the “ideal” Christians and the “Ethiopian” Christians and in the 1630s Ethiopia cut all ties with Europe. Over the next two centuries the legend of John’s kingdom faded to oblivion.

Thus, ends the tale of the medieval version of modern click-bait.