What lateral entry fracas tells us about governance in coalition era
The recent episode around lateral entries in UPSC is instructive on multiple levels. Before we can draw out the meaning of these developments, we must first set the context. The larger context is that...
View ArticleWhy ghosts don’t scare the Indian Stree
One of the apocryphal tales of my childhood revolves around a great aunt who got possessed by an evil spirit. My grandmother’s version of this story stated that this happened while my aunt was coming...
View ArticleBhindi bargains and AC zingers
Har ek baat pe kehte ho tum ki tu kya hai Tumhi kaho ke ye andaaz-e-guftgu kya hai… As a thumb rule, I never bother haggling with my fruit vendor or greengrocer. Meanwhile, most people...
View ArticleTeaming up with LLM for your next hackathon?
Read this before panicking about an LLM Pair Programmer taking away your job. We often stress the importance of the HITL (Human in The Loop) in any AI solution process. As we take baby steps...
View ArticleThe two worlds straddled by a writer: The personal and the professional
We are human and flawed, we have our moments of weakness, we create stories that our readers love to read, they put us up on pedestals, then one day when they find out that we...
View ArticleAfter this dismal show, should India just give up on Olympics?
My number one apprehension in writing this piece is that everyone would say a column on the Olympics is dated. Yes, it’s been almost two weeks since the so-called ‘greatest sporting event’ ended. Less...
View ArticleRG Kar: Gymnast, Actor, Doctor
In 1886, Radha Gobinda Kar set up Asia’s first non-governmental medical college. But for a long time, no one could have predicted that RG Kar would pursue medicine full time, let alone build a hospital...
View ArticleAt the intersection of caste and feminism
The gruesome gangrape in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata has sent a seismic shock across the nation. Perhaps for the first time since the Nirbhaya case of 2012 has there been...
View ArticleWhile ‘students-householders’ busily ‘learn-earn-enjoy’, as senior-citizens,...
Problem: Modern 3R’s, IQ focused Education has created a society that functions from “head”, which leads to selfish thoughts for individual self-interests, because we identify with our limited mind....
View ArticleReforms and India’s future
When governments make decisions mainly to win votes, it’s not good for India’s future. Recently, the Indian government approved a new pension plan for 2.3 million central government employees. This new...
View ArticleNicobar questions
More thought must go into building a major project in a fragile ecosystem Are environment ministry’s assurances about the impact of the Great Nicobar naval complex reassuring? The project, as...
View ArticleQuestions about Nicobar Islands
When planning a big project in a delicate environment like the Nicobar Islands, we must think carefully. The Indian government wants to build a naval base on the Great Nicobar Island, which is near the...
View ArticleS’ or s’s?
The name, Kamala Harris, raises a question mark on the use of the controversial apostrophe Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign is going well. Right? Wrong. Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign is...
View ArticleReforms what?
Govts functioning with mostly an eye on voter-pleasing is bad news for India’s future Centre’s decision to approve an assured pension for 2.3mn central govt employees represents a middle ground between...
View ArticleJanmashtami Is Celebration Of Faith And Joy
By Radhanath Swami Janmashtami, the auspicious Hindu festival commemorating the birth of Krishn, is celebrated with fervour and devotion by millions of devotees worldwide. This year marks the 5251st...
View ArticleMaha Games: Kaun Banega CM
Mahayuti’s big 3, each aspiring to be CM, are experimenting with post-poll ‘top-ups’ to schemes. In MVA, Uddhav’s bid for CMship meets silence from allies. All parties benefit from the delay in polls...
View ArticleTackling Pension Pains – From OPS To NPS To UPS
After deliberating for nearly 18 months, govt on Saturday announced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for its employees with new features. Those who joined govt from 2004 and are covered by National Pension...
View ArticleOpposition tries to foment anarchism
It was quite natural that the sexual assault on two 4-year-olds at their school would stir anger among the people of Badlapur. Now why the number of such heinous instances and perverted mindsets is...
View ArticleDMK’s Hindu outreach and the importance of being Sekarbabu
Not too long ago, being a god-believer was a disqualification for DMK members struggling to move up the party ranks. M Karunanidhi hated it when his party members wore religious marks. Once seeing a...
View Article**Bulldozed Due Process: What Happened in Madhya Pradesh**
– **The Incident:** – In Madhya Pradesh, the government supported the demolition of a house belonging to a person accused of protesting in Chhatarpur district. – The person was allegedly involved in a...
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