​Missing the target: On the economy, the Centre’s growth target  

India’s industrial production growth slowed to a six-month low in February to 2.9%, down from January’s 5.2% (revised estimates) and almost halved from last February’s 5.6%. This decline was broad-based, except for a marginal rise in power production of 3.6%, up from January’s 3.4%, but less than half of last February’s 7.6%. While mining witnessed … Read more

Towards a monoculture of foreign university campuses

A view of GIFT City in Gandhinagar. Foreign universities in GIFT City could function under a unique regulatory framework that is independent of the UGC Regulations. | Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI India’s ambition to globalise its higher education system has evolved beyond policy frameworks to various strategic initiatives. One major example is the setting up … Read more

Letters to the Editor — April 15, 2025

Court and the Governor The top court of the land may have shown a streak or two of judicial activism in the matter of its judgment on pending Bills. The top court should have restrained itself from going thus far and should have confined itself to take a call on gubernatorial functions. The real issue … Read more

Ambedkar’s extraordinary legacy – The Hindu

Chief architect of the Indian Constitution. Acclaimed leader of the downtrodden people. Scholar extraordinaire. But even a cursory look at the life and work of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar reveals many more facets, much beyond the common perception. The circumstances of Ambedkar’s birth and early life experiences are significant. Born into the Mahar community, deemed “untouchable” … Read more

What a post-Assad Syria means for China

‘The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has opened a core security crisis for the Chinese’ | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Over the past two years, China’s foreign policy has been consistent in the manner of largely supporting the Arab positions over Gaza, which included hosting Hamas in Beijing, amongst other Palestinian entities, to … Read more

Unnecessary amendment: on the RTI Act

That the Right to Information Act and the use of RTIs have enhanced the accountability of those in governance in India goes without saying. In the last few years there have been attempts to dilute the provisions of the Act, a landmark one that was passed 20 years ago. Clearly, some in governance and administration … Read more

Saving traditional varieties of seeds

MSSRF’s Tribal Agrobiodiversity Centre in Jeypore, Odisha, recently held a national consultation, which brought together different stakeholders and fostered discussion on how to build climate resilient, sustainable, and inclusive seed systems. From this consultation, a road map started to emerge on the way forward. Photo: Facebook.com/bptabc Imagine an India where every farmer grows the same … Read more

Letters to The Editor — April 14, 2025

Court and the Governor Once again, the judiciary has saved democracy. The Supreme Court’s ruling on the exercise of powers by Governors to clear Bills within a reasonable time or be subject to judicial review has provided relief to States. The Court has laid to rest the ambiguity that enabled Governors to ‘harass’ non-BJP ruled … Read more