Editorials

With the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) taking a rather tough stand on cryptocurrencies, a question mark hangs over the fate of the unregulated virtual currency market. When RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das dubbed the cryptocurrencies as a threat to the financial system, at least till they are regulated, he was echoing the concerns raised by […]

For decades, ensuring quality standards in public works has been a major challenge for governments, both at the Centre and in the States. The complex and cumbersome tendering procedures are the key reasons for the problems plaguing public projects. Public procurement is an area that has been crying for reforms for years. Against this backdrop, […]

Blocking the establishment of even a modest fund to help vulnerable communities is a serious blow

Political parties must eschew their blinkered approach and make an effort to repeal this unlawful law

By taking the initiative to host a regional conference on the Afghanistan situation, India has successfully demonstrated that it is a stabilising force in the region, unlike Pakistan which has been playing a negative role. The ‘Delhi Declaration’, a joint statement issued at the end of the meeting attended by National Security Advisers of seven […]

The prolonged emotional stress in the most trying working conditions is taking a heavy toll on our security personnel. The recent incident of fratricidal killing in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, in which four CRPF jawans were killed, points to an ominous trend. The same day, a CRPF trooper committed suicide by shooting himself with his service […]

The unfailing regularity with which fire mishaps occur in hospitals across India reflects a disturbing sense of callousness that has come to characterise the country’s healthcare administration. Safety standards are observed more in the breach than in practice. The recent string of tragedies — a fire in the neonatal ward of a hospital in Bhopal […]

Five years on, demonetisation neither punished the corrupt nor did it help create a more equal society

After the prolonged wait and conflicting signals, the World Health Organization’s approval for the indigenous Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin, brings much-needed relief and reflects global acknowledgement of India’s scientific prowess and research credentials. More importantly, it paves the way for its widespread distribution around the world and brightens the chances for the company’s vaccine for children […]

We must change our tactics from reacting to surges of Covid-19 to preventing them from happening in the first place

A massive initiative to transition to clean energy is required for India to meet the ambitious target of achieving net zero emissions by 2070. The timeline, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations climate change conference—COP26 (Conference of the Parties) — at Scotland’s Glasgow, came as a surprise to many because India […]

Though there is a significant rebound in the economic activity following the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions, the expectations of a quick recovery must be tempered in tune with ground realities. While the big jump in the GST collections is a positive development, several parameters — inflation, unemployment, subdued private consumption and investment and a crippling […]

As the world leaders gather at Scotland’s Glasgow for the United Nations Climate Change Conference—COP26 (Conference of the Parties), the key question that needs to be asked is whether the principle of equality and level playing field is being applied in the case of global climate crisis. The principles of fair play demand that the […]

The Aryan Khan drugs case has once again highlighted the inconsistencies and unreasonableness in the application of the narcotics law and the need for judicial introspection. While the case may have attracted disproportionate media attention because of the involvement of the son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, there are larger issues that need to […]

At a time when tensions are rising with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the successful test-firing of Agni-V, the nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km, comes as a big confidence booster and demonstrates India’s prowess in defence technology. The high-precision surface-to-surface missile will equip India better […]

SC order on Pegasus row is a vindication for all those fighting for privacy rights

China’s new Land Border Law, ostensibly aimed at standardising the patrolling activities on its borders, signals the country’s growing belligerence and aggression. India, which has a 3,488-km long unsettled border with China, has every reason to worry about the new development as it comes in the wake of the recent border standoff and Beijing’s recalcitrant […]

Among the many ills plaguing the Indian judiciary, the poor infrastructure in courts is an important and pressing one that needs to be fixed urgently. Improving infrastructure in courts is a key component of the larger reforms to ensure speedy and efficient delivery of justice. The pathetic state of affairs of judicial infrastructure in the […]

Time is running out as more and more evidence is piling up pointing towards worsening global climate crisis. The choice before humanity, therefore, is between existence and extinction. Clearly, the current international efforts to control the climate crisis are not enough. The goals need to be reframed and redefined in view of the grave implications […]

As the euphoria over reaching the one billion dose milestone subsides, there is a growing realisation that a lot of work remains to be done and there is no need for premature celebration. India needs to significantly ramp up vaccine production to meet its target of inoculating the entire adult population — nearly 95 crore […]

Going by the Imran Khan govt’s open support to Taliban, there is little hope that Islamabad will change its ways anytime soon

Reaching the one billion dose milestone in the vaccination drive is a laudable feat for India, given the initial hiccups and confusion over the inoculation policy, but the optics of the event should not lull the authorities into complacency. There is still a long way to go to ensure complete safety for the people and […]

While there is a need for coordinated efforts to prevent the humanitarian crisis from spinning out of control in Afghanistan, the international community should not be in a hurry to recognise the Taliban regime because it is yet to fulfil its promises on providing an inclusive government and protecting the rights of women and minorities. […]

Extreme weather events have become the norm in Kerala which has been bearing the brunt of heavy rains and floods with unfailing regularity. After suffering massive losses in 2018, which saw the worst flooding in a century, and again in 2019 and 2020, the State is now in the grip of Nature’s fury again resulting […]