Intentando contar el mundo

A mural in Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh, India) There are few topics nowadays capable of setting people on edge as much as veganism in the social media. If you ask meat-eaters if non-humans deserve to have rights, most would probably say "Yes" and would genuinely prefer animals not to suffer. However, when veganism comes up in a conversation, it's another thing: It irritates many people because it's considered radical and extreme as it forces us to question the way we live and what we consume. There are some who react almost allergically to the word "veganism" and wouldn't eat a product labelled as vegan even though they already eat fruits and vegetables, among others. Surprisingly to me, some of the harshest criticism comes from those who I expected to be allies in this struggle against oppression: a certain sector of the political left, which despite actively engaging in the fight against sexism, classism, racism and homophobia rejects antispecie...

The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Panjim The Portuguese rulers of Goa were expelled from the state in 1961 by the Indian army after having ruled it for more than four centuries. Fifty seven years later it is one of the most prosperous states of India, with the highest GDP per capita among all the Indian states and union territories.   The difference in welfare in relation to other states and cities is evident even at first glance. During my visit to South and North Goa I hardly saw any signs of poverty, pollution and other issues which are consuming the rest of the country. However, as an enthusiast of Portuguese culture and language and a former student of postcolonial literature, I was especially interested in looking for the Portuguese heritage in Goa: traces of culture, language, some identity. I can say that I found some, although fifty seven years in India is a very long time... Perhaps the most easily noticeable trace of the Portuguese colonisat...