Refer to ‘Detention revisited’; scrapping the no-detention policy is a major reform in India’s education system. It needs to be handled carefully to avoid problems like students dropping out. While many have welcomed the move as a step towards improving...
Apropos of ‘Simplify GST’; after the recent GST council meeting, popcorn has become a focal point of economic analysis and tax policy. This announcement left the public intrigued — not out of sorrow or shock, but rather in an effort...
Apropos of ‘Blow to transparency’; the move to amend the poll rule regarding public inspection of documents is a setback to transparency. This decision, made by the Law Ministry on the recommendation of the Election Commission, must be subjected to...
Refer to ‘Bhagwat offers balm to the soul’ (The Great Game); it is worrisome that Mohan Bhagwat has to remind his own government time and again that the Constitution guarantees secularism and there is no room for mandir-masjid disputes. The...
Apropos of ‘India-China talks’; the consensus during the talks between special representatives of the two nations is a strong indication that bilateral relations are on the mend. However, this process is still in its initial stages and many ifs and...
Apropos of ‘The bag lady’; the editorial captures the significance of Priyanka Gandhi’s bags amid BJP MPs’ sardonic remarks. Far from being a mere accessory, the bag symbolises a woman navigating the rugged landscape of Indian politics; it reflects Priyanka’s...
Refer to ‘Addicts not demons’; the editorial has rightly observed that drug users should not be treated as demons; instead, they should be taken care of compassionately. Haryana’s mass campaign against drugs is bearing fruit. These initiatives need to be...
Refer to ‘Perilous fast track’; dialogue and debate, the essence of democracy, do not lead to policy-making these days. That agrarian distress needs to be redressed fast is highlighted by the continued anger and agitation of farmers and their deaths....
Apropos of ‘One poll logjam’; the BJP’s renewed push for ‘one nation, one election’ (ONOE) is understandable: it continues to be the predominant political party in the country despite significant gains made by the Congress in this year’s Lok Sabha...
Refer to ‘India learning to play it both ways’ (The Great Game); indeed, India must nurture its relationships with Bangladesh and Afghanistan as both countries are crucial to ensuring regional stability and security. By strengthening ties, India can foster a...
With reference to ‘PF a swipe away’; on the face of it, the provision to make withdrawals from Provident Fund (PF) through ATMs may seem to be subscriber-friendly, but easy withdrawals may prove counterproductive. The provident fund is meant to...
Refer to 'A Nobel plea'; the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Nihon Hidankyo serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare. As we reflect on the catastrophic events of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the ongoing wars...
Apropos of ‘Thawing the frost’; India and Bangladesh have maintained cordial relations for decades. But the August 5 upheaval has soured the friendly ties between the two neighbouring countries. The Yunus-led regime seems to be unable to control the turbulence....
Apropos of ‘Assad’s fall’; the manner in which Islamic rebels conquered Damascus and forced President Bashar al-Assad to flee the country could mark the start of an era of uncertainty for West Asia. Iran has suffered a significant setback with...
Refer to ‘Rumblings in INDIA’; the alliance focuses on issues like social justice, economic inclusivity and federalism. However, there have been internal challenges, or ‘rumblings’, among member parties due to ideological differences, seat-sharing disputes and regional priorities. Such tensions highlight...
With reference to ‘Playing fast & loose with secularism’ (The Great Game); our government is rightly concerned about the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh. It has admonished the Bangladesh government for its inaction over the atrocities being perpetrated against Hindus....
Apropos of ‘Groundwater crisis’; Punjab and Haryana are facing a looming water crisis due to decades of over-extraction for irrigation, inefficient water management and a lack of awareness about sustainable practices. The consequences of ignoring this crisis are dire —...
Apropos of ‘Cowardly attack’; Sukhbir Badal had a narrow escape as a militant tried to assassinate him at the Golden Temple while he was performing ‘sewa’ to atone for his sins. The attack has evoked condemnation in the strongest possible...
Refer to ‘Cost of freebies’; the root cause of the financial stress in states lies in the unsustainable policies driven by electoral populism. Subsidies are draining the government of its financial powers. Nothing should be provided free of cost. The...
Apropos of ‘Population push’; RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s illogical suggestion that Indian families should aim for three children as the current fertility rate has dipped below 2.1 is shocking. While the intention behind such remarks may be to address demographic...
With reference to ‘GDP hits a low’; policymakers should focus on reviving economic activity through targeted interventions. Increasing public expenditure on infrastructure projects can stimulate demand and create employment. Monetary policy adjustments such as reducing interest rates can encourage borrowing...
Refer to ‘Priyanka consolidates Gandhi fief’ (The Great Game); Priyanka Gandhi’s presence in the Lok Sabha will certainly bolster the morale of the Congress. She is quite articulate and is able to strike a spontaneous rapport with the masses. But...
Refer to ‘Charisma vs crisis’; reviving the Congress is a monumental task that requires far more than Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s personal appeal. Her charisma may be an important asset, but it needs to be complemented by visionary leadership, strategic reforms...
Apropos of ‘EVMs get SC vote’; the Supreme Court has taken a strong stand against complaints about the legitimacy of EVMs. India is the world’s largest democracy, yet it manages to hold elections in an organised way. The EVMs are...
Refer to ‘Minority persecution’; the targeting of Hindus in Bangladesh has reached a critical level, spreading fear and panic in the community. The arrest of a priest, Chinmoy Krishna Das, is yet another example of the challenges faced by Hindus...
Refer to ‘Sambhal mayhem’; Sambhal is no different from other troubled areas where political and religious leaders need to take on responsibility. The ensuing political blame game has made things worse. The outbreak of violence suggests that there were gaps...
Refer to ‘Maha triumph’; with its hat-trick in the Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP has proved that anti-incumbency is not a factor to be dreaded. The Congress and its allies failed to woo voters. They must reinvent themselves...
Refer to ‘Booming gun trade’; the editorial highlights gross negligence by the authorities that is fuelling the proliferation of illegal arms in India. This enormous gun business thrives on the connivance of criminals with the police and politicians. Resolute enforcement...
Refer to ‘NCR’s choking reality’; as many as 30 million people are forced to live in a gas chamber-like situation, akin to smoking 50 cigarettes per day — cutting life expectancy by seven years. It’s a health emergency where people...
Apropos of ‘White elephants’; to bring loss-making hotels out of financial distress, several strategic measures can be considered by the Himachal Government. The state can invite private players to manage or co-own these properties, which would bring in professional expertise,...
