Opinion & Edits

Homeopathic knowledge about viral diseases can be harnessed to combat COVID-19

In six years, relationships with other South Asian countries have frayed, providing Beijing with an opening

Nepotism is a symptom of the inequality and entrenched privilege in our society

Ebrahim Alkazi’s legacy bears testimony to cultural links between Saudi Arabia, India

August 5, 1980, Forty Years Ago: Written Assurance

From Prince Charles’ visit to Assam agitation, all that we covered, this day, forty years ago.

Ayodhya — History will be the judge

The manner in which Muslims were dispossessed of Babri Masjid is a direct assault on logic, wisdom and the constitutional setup.

The exile is over

The bhoomi pujan at Ayodhya is not the culmination of a struggle but the beginning of a glorious new chapter in the unbroken chain of the oldest continuously living human civilisation

In Ayodhya will unfold a project of building, and erasure

It would be a mistake to see the Ayodhya ceremony as a mere diversionary tactic in the midst of a pandemic and a sinking economy. For the architects of the Hindu Rashtra, it is a day to blow the conch shells and rejoice.

New American consensus appears to be in sync with India’s turn towards decoupling from China

Although total digital decoupling between US and China might take a long time, if it happens at all, new rules are emerging to define terms of engagement

Somnath temple debate is crucial to understand significance of Ram Mandir and opposition to it

The opposition to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is more vocal than the opposition to the Somnath temple was. This does not dampen the spirits of innumerable Bharatwasis who believe in the integral and holistic spiritual tradition of Bharat.

The consultant

Testing the limits of the permissible, Amar Singh made himself visible in the post-liberalisation, coalition era.

No going back

Restrictions on imports may be steps towards self-reliance. They also raise concerns about return to failed policies of licence raj.

August 4, 1980, Forty Years Ago: Agitation not over

This is the front page of The Indian Express published on August 4, 1980.

Covid & milk

Demand destruction due to shutdown has created a problem. The government should intervene.

Education Policy does not adequately tackle issue of inequity arising out of medium of instruction

An exposure to basic English from a very young age in bhasha schools — through rhymes, simple sentences — could make learning the language later much easier.

At Ayodhya, we will see dismantling of the old, and the bhoomi pujan of the new republic

If the BJP is guilty of dismantling the republic, all other parties are silent approvers. Like in the case of the most ardent opponent of majoritarianism, the epitaph for India’s slowly dying republic could also be “Hey Ram”.

Blinkered about the Congress

The exit or rebellion of a few leaders must not be projected as a rift between the Congress and the young.

Why the obsession to restore historic sites to their ‘original’ status is futile

A toxic and vulgar obsession towards history drives these futile attempts at reaching the “original” — as if, the history that these structures imbibe in themselves can be rewritten and erased by offering namaz or by laying the foundation stone of a temple

Wash, spray, repeat: When danger lurks everywhere

You can have all the dumbbells, the exercise mats and resistance bands at home. It’s not the same as working out in an atmosphere where everyone is dedicated to self optimization.

Education policy reform will help India leverage its demographic dividend

Backed by expeditious and effective implementation in sync with its spirit, NEP could shape the lives of our future generations.

Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections will hold lessons for India’s Election Commission ahead of Bihar polls

So far, South Korea has been the template. Sri Lanka may provide some more insights.

Standing up to China will require not only matching its military might but also economic prowess

Major rationalisation and pruning of subsidies can go a long way in financing a development plan for eastern India as well as the new demands for reinforcing defence in the wake of Chinese aggression.

Pandemic has driven home need for collaborations in public policy between experts and administrators

A parallel council with a similarly blended mix should be set up with individual states to take into account local factors, and in the spirit of cooperative federalism.

PM-KISAN is not reaching all farmer households as intended

Given this uncertainty over the reach of PM-KISAN and its targeting, the relevance of the scheme needs to be carefully evaluated during this period.

Stress and strain

Gradual pick-up and signs of plateauing of economic activity underscore difficulty of fiscal management. It’s a long haul ahead

One country, one system

Assault on Hong Kong’s autonomy is of a piece with Xi’s assertiveness at home and expansionism abroad

Forty Years Ago, August 3, 1980: Assam Accord

The Assam agitationists and the government at midnight simultaneously implemented the terms of the July 25 accord with minor modifications and decided to hold a preliminary negotiation on the “foreigners’ issue” at Imphal on August 11.

Strays deserve our kindness

Feeding street dogs increases their trust in humans. It is also consistent with Court verdicts.