Daily briefing: Manmohan Singh’s last rites today; pushback for Arunachal’s Siang Upper Multipurpose Project; and more

✍️ Express Opinion

Former governor of the Reserve Bank of India Raghuram Rajan, in today’s Opinion section, reflects on Dr Manmohan Singh’s legacy, emphasizing his humility, integrity, and visionary leadership. He recalls personal interactions, noting Dr Singh’s open-mindedness, curiosity, and ability to listen to others. Despite challenges, including coalition politics and opposition, Dr Singh advanced landmark reforms, such as the National Food Security Act and the Civil Nuclear Deal. His calm demeanour in the face of criticism and lack of personal gain during scandals highlight his exceptional character. Rajan believes history will regard him as one of India’s great leaders.

📰 Explained: Manmohan Singh

Manmohan Singh was a visionary economist whose reforms transformed the country’s economy. A Cambridge and Oxford scholar, he spearheaded India’s shift from a controlled to a liberalized market economy in the 1990s. However, he remained a misunderstood intellectual despite his impressive academic credentials. From his early work on market liberalization to his tenure as Prime Minister, Singh pushed for reforms and trade openness. However, his later years in office were marred by allegations of corruption and political paralysis. A keen observer of inequality, he warned against populist policies and the dangers of widening social divides.

⚡ Big Picture

The proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh, India’s largest hydropower project, has sparked fierce opposition from local Adi communities. The government argues it’s crucial to mitigate risks from China’s upstream dams, but villagers fear losing their farmlands and homes. With agriculture as their main livelihood, many oppose the project’s displacement. Despite growing protests and government pushback, we take a look at where the dialogue stands, with promises of compensation and relocation unconvincing to the affected communities.

🍿OTT/Movie Review

Netflix’s biggest show Squid Games is back with a new season. In case you are wondering if it is worth the watch, Alaka Sahani has got you covered. In spite of featuring several bone-chilling sequences, the Hwang Dong-hyuk-created series makes the characters dwell on humanity and ethics, she writes.

Until next time

Rounak Bagchi