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The world’s third largest oil importer, India, has decided to release 5 million barrels of crude oil from its strategic reserves in a concerted effort with other major oil-consuming nations such as the US, Britain, Japan, China and South Korea, to bring down global crude oil prices, which breached $85 a barrel mark last month. […]
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e-Shram portal is a welcome move but the data must be followed up with robust social security architecture
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Though Gehlot retains his job, there are enough indications that the wounded veteran might be waiting for an opportunity to strike
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The recent grand spectacle of the Chinese Communist Party plenum that cemented the position of Xi Jinping as virtually the lifetime President has evoked images similar to an Orwellian world: Unbridled power, authoritarian rule, undermining the rights of minorities and dissidents, increased surveillance, rapidly disappearing freedom of speech and growing attacks on journalists, academicians and […]
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This change is definitely not inspired by a change of heart, but forced by fear of elections
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As the world gears up for the next era of social media evolution — metaverse — an immersive experience that seeks to blur the line between the virtual and physical worlds, there are huge concerns over privacy and data harvesting. The reason why scepticism has overshadowed excitement over the possibilities of this fascinating technology is […]
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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 […]
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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, […]
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Blocking the establishment of even a modest fund to help vulnerable communities is a serious blow
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Political parties must eschew their blinkered approach and make an effort to repeal this unlawful law
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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Five years on, demonetisation neither punished the corrupt nor did it help create a more equal society
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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 […]
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We must change our tactics from reacting to surges of Covid-19 to preventing them from happening in the first place
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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SC order on Pegasus row is a vindication for all those fighting for privacy rights
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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 […]
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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 […]
