Education has historically been regarded as the cornerstone of societal advancement — a realm where critical thinking, free inquiry, and the pursuit of knowledge could flourish. At its best, higher education had always cultivated intellectual independence, nurtured dissent, and inspired progress across disciplines and societies. The boundaries of human understanding were continually pushed through unfettered … Read more
It has been four years since the delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus hit India. The country bore the brunt of the pandemic’s devastating impact, with harrowing scenes of overwhelmed health-care systems, oxygen-supply shortages and even bodies floating in the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh. Reports based on data sourced from the Civil Registration System through … Read more
Across India and South Asia, women have long been at the forefront of movements resisting unjust development, extractivism, and climate degradation. They have led protests against destructive mining, dams, and infrastructure projects. Yet, when it comes to decision-making, these women are largely invisible. From the forests of Odisha to the coastlines of Tamil Nadu, women … Read more
Prince Garg, a head constable of the Madhya Pradesh Police, died on Friday, nearly two weeks after a man shot him inside a police station in Satna. Garg is the second police personnel in the State to have allegedly been murdered in the last two months. In March, Assistant Sub-Inspector Ramcharan Gautam was allegedly lynched … Read more
The seventh paragraph of a report, “Pak. airbases struck, their troops seen moving to forward areas: govt.” (‘News’ page, May 11, 2025), should have read: Across the LoC, extensive and precise damage to military infrastructure and command control centres and logistic installations, in addition to military personnel, had led to a complete breakdown of its … Read more
India and Pakistan on Saturday announced an understanding to stop military actions against each other after three days of intense and escalating fighting. It was United States President Donald Trump who first made the announcement of a “ceasefire” between the two countries, and in further statements, American officials have said U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance … Read more
‘Understanding’ and after Whether it was due to the efforts of the United States or the sagacity of the leadership of India and Pakistan, the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan is welcome. No sane person on either side of the border would want a prolonged war between two nations that are nuclear … Read more
Global manufacturing and trade is shifting rapidly toward innovation-driven, medium-high- and high-tech products. It is driven by advanced research and development (R&D), technological sophistication, high skills and a complex network of supply chains. In addition, there are the current high tariffs introduced by the United States. It is likely to redefine the manufacturing sector. Irrespective … Read more
The Supreme Court of India order on May 9, setting aside the Delhi High Court order directing the Wikimedia Foundation to take down a page on its Wikipedia Internet encyclopaedia, is notable for several reasons. In October 2024, a single judge of the High Court had issued the interim order after Wikipedia users floated a … Read more
The Narendra Modi government’s decision to include caste enumeration in the next Census is one that is bold, transformative and commendable. Counting caste is not capitulation to identity politics. It is a mirror to the lived realities of millions. It marks a vital step towards evidence-based policymaking to build a more just and inclusive India. … Read more