Samarth Pathak

What does it take to build peace,lawfulness & inclusion through education? UNODC's #RiseUp4Peace offers a new framework of collective action. Check out this Impact Report of a transformative journey, with 6800+ educators & 27000+ students leading the way: t.ly/2oPjj

🔴 LIVE   The #GlobalFraudSummit just kicked off.   Over the next two days, governments, law enforcement and the private sector are working together to better align policy, investigations and technological responses in the fight against fraud.   Tune in: bit.ly/GFS_16

What is happening at #CND69? Member States are discussing: ➡️Equipment diversion for drug manufacturing ➡️Enhancing supply chain integrity ➡️Alternative development ➡️Early warning & monitoring of new drugs ➡️Scientific responses to drug use Read: ow.ly/IZJJ50YrPy4

When was the last time you read something over 50 pages long? If it has been a while, a critical part of your brain may be getting ignored. Not just figuratively. INTRODUCING THE DMN Neuroscientists call it the Default Mode Network. It activates during deep reading, long narratives and sustained reflection. WHY THIS MATTERS The DMN is associated with empathy, imagination and the ability to think about consequences over time. It rarely switches on for a tweet. It does not fully engage for a reel. It needs length, patience and the slow build of a story that does not rush to pay you off. THE CONSEQUENCE When we stop engaging it regularly, the habits it supports begin to weaken. What are those habits? Nuance. Perspective taking. Delayed judgment. Ironically these are precisely the things no algorithm can replicate. Or for that matter, no AI. SO WHAT SHOULD WE DO? Stop reading this post. Okay, wait till the end! Pick up something at least 25 pages long and read it continuously. The topic does not matter. Find something that interests you. A few small tricks help: 1. Fix a daily reading hour. Even twenty minutes is enough. Treat it like an appointment. 2. Remove the phone from the room. Your attention cannot compete with an infinite scroll machine. 3. Read physical pages if you can. The brain treats paper differently from a screen. 4. Do not worry about finishing books. The goal is to rebuild the habit of sustained attention. If you follow these steps, soon something interesting may happen. The reading hour expands. You find yourself reading before the hour starts, or after it ends. And then one day you realise you are deep inside a 500 page book and looking forward to the next chapter. PS: Before I sound too high and mighty, I have had my own struggles. I had to work toward this habit and I am still learning. But this year I am on my seventh book. Two of them were over 600 pages long. Still a novice, but getting there. You do not build a deep mind in 280 characters. You build it one long page at a time.

@UNODC_MCP handed over 3⃣ #TruNarc Narcotics Analyzer devices to DNC🇧🇩. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Brent T. Christensen, Ambassador, 🇺🇸 Embassy Dhaka. The devices will enhance DNC capacity in: * 🔬 Lawful narcotics identification * 🛡️ Rapid detection * ⚖️ Stronger cases

Navigating these challenging times requires a strong moral compass and an equally robust sense of humour. It’s a superpower: the moral fibre and integrity to act with kindness, empathy and responsiblity, and the power to laugh at ourselves and make others laugh, no matter how daunting things get. What else have we?

@Shrabonti @livemint Best wishes Shrabonti!

In some personal/professional news, today is my last day at @livemint where I spent close to 8 very happy, productive years. I will be writing independently and am also exploring new, interesting projects, so reach out and let's talk (DMs open)!

I thank His Excellency Antonio Guterres, @antonioguterres the United Nations Secretary General for appointing me as the next Executive Director of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Director General of UN office in Vienna @UN_Vienna. I appreciate the Secretary General’s confidence in my ability to steer these two important offices at the Under Secretary General level, at this critical point. Coming on the eve of the International Women’s Day, this appointment is demonstrative of the UNSG’s belief in women leadership. I sincerely thank H.E. President William Ruto @WilliamsRuto for the confidence he bestowed upon me in serving him as his, and the first, National Security Advisor of the Republic of Kenya, as Secretary to the National Security Council, and for enabling me to take this global assignment, demonstrating yet again his belief in Kenya making its contribution to the community of nations. I look forward to serving at this new mandate diligently and flying Kenya’s flag high, to the best of my ability. Thank You Kenya for preparing me to serve humanity!

@whosthatmiss Nothing is more important!

I want to build a beautiful, peaceful life where I won’t need to survive day to day from burning out with struggle and stress. Peaceful home, lots of plants, pets, good food on the table, smile on my loved ones faces, cozy get togethers, nice books, soulful evenings with ghazals and much more. Simple small joys don’t need too much money, energy or efforts. You just need a heart full of life.

An out-of-shape gym trainer I know shared a great fitness hack while philosophising over a plate of momos. “It’s simple. Just get rid of the phone while eating, or switch it off.” I think he has a point. Most people in our country can no longer eat a meal without watching a video on their phone. For many, lunch/ dinner isn’t about the actual food on the plate, but the videos that must play along as they eat—ranging from news, Taarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chashma, family dramas, et al. In fact, if you ask someone at random what the best part is about their meal, the response is most likely to be not about the food but simply: “It’s the video I am watching, have you seen this too?” 🤣 That’s why this hack is brilliant. Take away people’s phones to get them in shape. Many may even end up fasting, not knowing how to eat without a video playing in the background. Many of us need to do this. Starting with my out-of-shape gym trainer friend!

Secretary-General appoints Ms. Monica Kathina Juma of Kenya as Executive Director, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as well as Director-General, United Nations Office at Vienna - more here ➡ bit.ly/4ldCrlm

remembering gabriel garcia marquez on his birthday. at every point in space and time ,what’s gone is recalled and experienced only through memories.and it keeps changeing over time.this is the reality of daily living.he also wrote ,👇 “it is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams.” memories of my melancholy whores

Now more than ever, in these times of violence and war, the world needs more people standing up for peace, the rule of law and inclusion. Those who listen to conscience. Those who build bridges, not barriers. Those who stand up for wrongs, and speak up for others. People with a heart. Because without people with hearts, who will guard the guards?

It’s frightening how flippantly many around the world espouse violence and wars—even all-out nuclear conflicts—to get imagined ‘revenge’ and one-up over others. There’s no recoiling in disgust as images and descriptions of violence are consumed, no looking away from the screen as news and views and the noise are lapped up, no pause to the feverish scrolling as perpetrators of violence are hailed and cheered. Instead, it is all relished as an exciting spectacle. Almost akin to playing a video game, or watching an action movie. The desensitisation is absolute. Imagine the impact on young minds.

How does education build citizens, not just students? 🏛️Session 5 at #NPSC53 explored #EthicalCitizenship beyond rules. Insights from Mr. Gauhar Raza, Mr. Samarth Pathak (UNODC) & Lt. Gen. Satish Dua on empathy, global integrity & values. Thanks to Amrita Burman for moderating.

Rare diseases deserve a place in our classrooms too. The conversation has begun — now let’s turn awareness into action. Share. Speak up. Push for inclusive education. #InclusiveEducation #RareDiseaseAwareness #InclusionMatters

🌐Out Now: UNODC South Asia's Odyssey (Jan 2026) 🔎In Focus: ✅Science-based drug detection ✅Regional cooperation ✅Policing & election preparedness ✅Data collection & investigation to counter TIP/SOM ✅Youth resilience against violent extremism Read: t.ly/2zqyW

Terrible news! @TRF Reuters Alertnet (which evolved into Trust and Context) provided one of the first writing opportunities to many young journalists/policy advocates from South Asia like me. Collaborating with Laurie Goering, an amazing editor and an even more special person, on climate action in those years (2012-2014) will always be special! With diverse content and thematic tracks, these platforms provided critical insights on a wide breadth of socio-development and political issues. It was an important everyday reference for anyone in the development space. Truly sad to see Context closing down. Hope @thomsonreuters @TRF brings it back!

@pranshuverma_ Wishing you the best for the next phase, which is certain to be brighter!

Heartbroken to share I've been laid off from The Washington Post. Gutted for so many of my talented friends who are also gone. It was a privilege to work here the past four years. Serving as the paper's New Delhi bureau chief was an honor.

Yes! 🙌

The solution to anxiety is action.