The timely arrival of the northeast monsoon, which benefits many parts of the southern peninsula, especially Tamil Nadu and the coastal and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh, has brought relief to the region, given its importance from an agricultural as well as a disaster management perspective. Against its normal arrival date of October 20 (plus … Read more
A case against firecrackers In permitting the sale and bursting of green crackers, the Supreme Court appears to have given precedence to public sentiment over public safety. Green crackers can be harmful too. The worsening of air quality on Deepavali will only mean an aggravation of health problems. There is also no guarantee that certified … Read more
People have long said that the Indian school system relies too much on rote learning. Now, it looks like the system is going to make some substantial changes to its tests. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is changing how assessments are given. The new assessments won’t just check how well kids can remember … Read more
Are we orienting our students towards accepting different standards of living that an unequal society imposes on them? Does pre-primary schooling teach children from rural and deprived classes to set their aspirations according to their present conditions? A household is forced to make the first school choice of their children. Discrimination starts at this level … Read more
One of India’s most literate States, Kerala is known for its strong grassroots institutions and rich biodiversity. With globally significant ecological hotspots such as the Western Ghats and Silent Valley, over 64.26% of its land is under Forest & Trees cover. The rise in tiger numbers and the improving elephant population further reflect its conservation … Read more
Women’s under-representation, particularly in India’s higher judiciary, continues to be a sad reality. As highlighted by the India Justice Report 2025, women constitute only 14% of judges in the High Courts and a mere 3.1% in the Supreme Court. Among the 34 judges of the Supreme Court, there is only one woman. The silver lining … Read more
The normative economic consensus underpinning the world order is undergoing a seismic shift, with the United States and China locked into a great-power conflict, and carving out new geo-economic ecosystems that maximise their self-interest. This great global transformation is reshaping global trade flows, financial/currency markets and strategic calculations. It also opens a rare window to … Read more
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has rightly stressed the need to make a distinction between refugees and infiltrators. Though valid, the problem lies in the application of objective parameters by those in power to make a distinction. Even where proper policy and a legal framework exist, issues may arise. Also at play is the level … Read more
Jaisalmer bus fire The incident in Rajasthan, where 20 lives were lost in a bus fire, is not only heartbreaking but also indicative of severe lapses in transport safety regulations and enforcement. There is an urgent need to reassess the safety protocols for public transportation. That so many passengers could not escape raises critical questions … Read more
India’s ambition to be a global leader in clean energy and sustainable growth depends on securing critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and Rare Earth Elements (REEs). These minerals drive key technologies — electric vehicles (EV), solar panels, wind turbines and energy storage — making them vital to India’s green transition and long-term energy goals. … Read more