business

Brand trap – The Hindu

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In today’s hyper-consumerist world, brands have evolved from simple labels into seductive illusions. Behind every gleaming logo lies a psychological operation, engineered not just to sell, but to trap. From Paris fashion ramps to Times Square billboards, from digital hoardings on Marine Drive to big banners at cricket stadiums, corporations deploy celebrity endorsements, influencer propaganda, … Read more

Murphy on a train – The Hindu

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Every journey can teach us a lesson. | Photo Credit: PTI Mistakes often travel quietly, slipping past the eyes of one, then many. Even the most disciplined systems are not immune. And when two of India’s most professional institutions, the military and the railways, are involved, one expects perfection. But reality sometimes has its own … Read more

Mangoes hold memories – The Hindu

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Be they the fruits from the tree next door or from vast orchards far away, the presence of mangoes during the season once a year brings great joy. | Photo Credit: LAKSHMINARAYANAN E. Why are mangoes so special? Summer after scorching summer, they are the small mercies that bring us solace. The harsher the summer, … Read more

Corrections and Clarifications — July 19, 2025

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Bilaspur is a city in Chhattisgarh, and not in Madhya Pradesh, as given in a report, “Ahmedabad tops cleanliness chart for cities above 10 lakh population in India” (July 18, 2025). Published – July 19, 2025 12:32 am IST Read Comments Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit

​All in one: on the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana scheme

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The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), a scheme approved by the Union Cabinet, is to be implemented through the convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 Departments. According to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the scheme seeks to address the “disparities in productivity” between States, and even among districts within a State. The … Read more

Letters to the Editor — July 19, 2025

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A musical bond The article, “The musical bond”, which covered the conversation between mridangam maestro Umayalpuram Sivaraman and Marxist leader M.A. Baby, at The Hindu office (Friday Review, July 18) took me back in time. Comrade A.S.R. Chari (Delhi), an eminent barrister, was so fond of Carnatic music that every year he would arrange for … Read more

Indian inequality and the World Bank’s claims

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Inequality is an important concern for the political economy of a democracy. However, the Indian inequality debate is often characterised by the selective use of data to make exaggerated claims that fuel misperceptions rather than result in a better understanding. The sharp reactions to a recent World Bank report (“India Poverty and Equity Brief: April … Read more

The mental health of pilots is the elephant in the room

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‘In the United States, the FAA has finally acknowledged that there is a problem and recently established a Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee’ | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Subsequent to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s release of its preliminary report of the accident involving an Air India Boeing 787 flight at … Read more