Om Marathe
Om Marathe is a sub-editor at the Indian Express, with interests in foreign policy, law, and engineering. He is a qualified Spanish speaker and keenly observes the Latin American region.
Articles By Om Marathe
Explained: Why some South Africans are attacking migrants in their country
At least 12 people have died so far in riots in the major cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria, and up to 1,000 businesses run by foreign nationals have been targeted. Over 600 people have been arrested by the local police.
Explained: Why the US is under pressure to choke its vaping industry
E-cigarettes, also called ‘vapes’ or ‘electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)’, are battery-run devices that were originally marketed as a safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes.
Explained: How changed UK visa rules may help Indian students
The proposed rules also do not place any restriction on the type of jobs that students could look for. There is also no cap on the number of students who could avail the work visa.
Explained: Why India skipped SCO’s Eurasian Economic Forum in China
The SCO, an intergovernmental body for security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region, was formed in 2001 by the ‘Shanghai Five’ (China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan), in the wake of the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991.
Remembering Ranjitsinhji on his birth anniversary
The Ranji Trophy is named after him and was started by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 1934 after his death in 1933.
Explained: The making of e-commerce titan Jack Ma
Jack Ma is valued at $38.4 billion, and occupies the 21st spot on the Forbes list of richest billionaires. Apart from his business triumphs, the Chinese entrepreneur is known for his charismatic public appearances and philanthropic work.
Explained: Robert Mugabe and his connect with India
Throughout his rule, Zimbabwe’s longtime leader Robert Mugabe shared close ties with India’s leadership. He visited India seven times, his last visit being in 2017.
Explained: How influenza is classified as H5N1, H1N1 and other kinds
The WHO defines influenza as “a contagious, acute respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, usually influenza A or B subtypes.”
Explained: What is the Krishna water dispute and who all are involved?
The Krishna river dispute took a new turn this week, when Maharashtra and Karnataka CMs agreed to jointly oppose Andhra Pradesh’s application seeking a relook at the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal’s 2010 order on water distribution between the riparian states.
Explained: Remembering Dadabhai Naoroji on his birth anniversary
Naoroji’s lasting intellectual contribution was to expound the 'Drain Theory'. He was closely involved with the Indian National Congress in its early phase, and served as the first Indian member of the British parliament.
Explained: Now with first woman president, what is Asiatic Society, Mumbai
The Asiatic Society is a learned society whose activities include conducting historical research, awarding historians, and running an institute of post-graduate studies.
Explained: When India’s interim government was formed in 1946
On September 2, 1946, the Congress party formed the government. On September 23, the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) ratified the Congress Working Committee’s decision.
Explained: Michael Faraday and electromagnetic induction
Michael Faraday is regarded as one of the greatest scientists produced by 19th century England, with pioneering contributions in both chemistry and electromagnetism.
Explained: Ferdinand Piëch — the man behind Volkswagen’s turnaround
In a career spanning over five decades, Piëch was known for making technological advancements in his cars a key priority, while at the same time maintaining a management style that many thought was ruthless and authoritarian.
Explained: Why Brazil’s handling of environment is being called into question
As an increasing number of people, governments, and international forums such as the G7 are now closely observing the environmental catastrophe, fingers are being raised towards the policies of Brazil’s newly elected leader, Jair Bolsonaro.
Explained: What is the G-7, why is PM Narendra Modi in France right now
The G7 or 'Group of Seven' are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It is an intergovernmental organisation that was formed in 1975 by the top economies of the time as an informal forum to discuss pressing world issues.
Cathay Pacific: A storied carrier bruised by Hong Kong’s protests
Since June 9, Hong Kong is witnessing large scale protests, mostly non-violent, that have sought the withdrawal of a much-debated extradition bill.
Explained: Italy’s political crisis — What caused it and what lies ahead
It will now be up to President Sergio Mattarella to try to find a solution to the political crisis. Conte, a lawyer with no political affiliation, was considered a voice of reason in the 5-Star/League coalition and has good relations with Mattarella.
Explained: Sikkim, from Chogyal rule to Indian state
The current instability follows a unique event: the voting out of a government in power for the first time in Sikkim’s history. Since joining India in 1975, Sikkim has seen its government changed only twice -- in both cases, the government had fallen before the new one was voted in.
Explained: US to expand meaning of ‘public charge’ in immigration policy. What does this mean?
The new rule expands the ambit of the term “public charge”, by introducing additional conditions that could preclude an immigrant from obtaining a green card.
