More than a decade ago, my professor at journalism school advised us to always carry a few chocolates or an energy bar while we were on the field. This was to counter the uncertain world of day-to-day reporting, where both availability of food and windows to eat are erratic. However, I took up sports journalism, … Read more
Measuring success is complicated; assessing the impact of one’s action can be even more challenging. The desire to be successful is different from the desperation to demonstrate success. Stakeholders have different yardsticks for measuring performance depending on their interest leaving the vital question “how does one measure one’s own success?” The Election Commission of India … Read more
A crew of four astronauts including India’s Shubhanshu Shukla completed their roughly two-week mission to the International Space Station on July 15. Mr. Shukla’s trip was presumed to have been an intensive rehearsal ahead of his flight as part of India’s first batch of astronauts for ISRO’s ‘Gaganyaan’ mission, currently expected in 2027. The presumption … Read more
Bihar poll roll revision There is a wide gap between how the Election Commission of India (ECI) has planned the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and how it is being conducted on the ground. In a State with low literacy and poor administration, it is highly suspect that an exercise of … Read more
On June 16, 2025, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Manoj Sinha, emphasised that the eradication of terrorism from J&K was the government’s top priority. In his address on the occasion of the passing out parade at the Sher-e-Kashmir Police Academy, Udhampur, he called upon the J&K Police (JAKP) to utilise the modern … Read more
U.S. President Donald Trump has made a U-turn on Ukraine, shifting from his campaign pledge to end the war within 24 hours of taking office to promising to send more weapons to Ukraine and threatening to impose “severe tariffs” on Russia and its trading partners if the crisis is not resolved in 50 days. The … Read more
After months of suspense, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) central leadership has finally zeroed in on former MLC Naraparaju Ramchander Rao as the new president of the State unit for the next three years. A veteran of student politics, a legal eagle, and long considered the intellectual face of the party, Mr. Rao replaces Union … Read more
Indian strategists have long worried about the deepening security partnership between China and Pakistan. The bilateral relationship today extends well beyond arms sales to include diplomatic shielding, intelligence sharing, and even elements of tactical integration. Some observers, however, suggest a more diabolical possibility: the threat of a “reinforced one-front war”— a scenario in which India would … Read more
India’s trade data for the first quarter of this financial year (Q1FY26) and for June 2025 are leading to some room for cheer but there is considerable concern as well. The Commerce Ministry’s monthly export-import data indicate that June’s merchandise trade saw the sharpest uptick in outbound shipments to the U.S. in 14 months, at … Read more
Indian nurse’s case The case of the Indian nurse, Nimisha Priya, in Yemen, and a reprieve for her, is a reflection of the delicate blend of justice, mercy, faith, and diplomacy. It shows that even in the shadow of death, life can still be reclaimed through compassion and timely action (Front page, July 16). Mohammad … Read more