Opinion & Edits

Inside Track: Learnt from a Master

Coomi Kapoor writes: Shah traces the story of Modi’s success as a poll strategist not to the Gujarat chief ministerial or 2014 campaigns, but way back to 1987, when Modi was given charge of the BJP campaign in the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation polls.

Time for a re-set 

P Chidambaram wirtes: We cannot depart from the path of an open, liberal and market-based economy. That would be suicidal. Yet, we must take stock and, considering the global and domestic developments, re-set our economic policies. That requires the courage, clarity and speed of 1991

What Arivu’s fight and faith taught me

Everybody desecrates the past. Everybody endangers the future

Who is to blame? And is being divided over everything the only way?

Absence of Roe v Wade won’t just impact the US

Sanya Kumar and Rakshanda Deka write: Overturning the landmark abortion ruling in America will have implications for constitutional jurisprudence globally

North India’s blistering summer is a warning

Raghu Murtugudde writes: Indian Subcontinent is highly vulnerable to climate change and can become more resilient only with well-coordinated mitigation, adaptation, and early warning systems

Express View: Rewards of Modi govt’s European diplomacy have begun to come through

The government of Narendra Modi deserves credit for moving towards cracking the European code. Even more impressive is the successful alignment of European strengths in technological innovation, clean energy, and green growth with the significant Indian needs in these vital sectors.

The real numbers of the Covid dead

Vinod K Paul writes: The CRS report for 2020 is of special significance. It was the first year of the pandemic and there is interest in the estimates of the Covid-19-related death burden in this phase.

‘Obnoxious’ speech does not call for heavy hand of the law

Gautam Bhatia writes: A political speech that takes aim at opponents through satire, parody, or even by generating a sense of outrage may offend people’s sensibilities — but these are not reasons to deprive an individual of their freedom

W G Grace’s place in cricket is beyond records

Sriram Veera writes: That the Wisden Almanack’s decision to amend his statistics was accompanied by articles from around the world sighing about the move, says much about Grace’s continuing relevance and hold

This is what keeps educated women out of the workforce

Mala Khullar and Ratna M Sudarshan write: Due to lack of stronger supportive infrastructure, they are faced with choice between career and familial responsibilities

With repo rate hike, RBI has done what’s necessary

Soumya Kanti Ghosh writes: It may have surprised the markets, but the move was prudent. More hikes are likely to follow

May 5, 1982, Forty Years Ago: British Bombers

Nott informed members of Parliament, “A further sortie was made to render the airstrip unusable for light supply communications and ground attack aircarft operating within the islands.

With repo rate hike, RBI has done what’s necessary

It may have surprised the markets, but the move was prudent. More rate hikes are likely to follow

A jolt from RBI: Consistently underestimating inflation raises questions over central bank’s forecasting abilities

In recent times, there has been marked variance between actual inflation and the RBI’s forecasts. In its February policy, the RBI had projected inflation at 4.5 per cent for 2022-23. Two months later, it raised the forecast to 5.7 per cent.

Possible undoing of Roe vs Wade in US will not just curtail right to abortion. It will signal a dangerous backsliding on hard-won freedoms

While the judgment will be a significant turning point in the US’s position on individual freedoms, its tremors will also be felt across the world.

Supreme Court’s insistence on proportionality in vaccine mandate is good advice and a cautionary note

The Centre should, therefore, show urgency in implementing the SC’s directive. Putting comprehensive data in the public sphere will put the fears of parents to rest.

A defining moment for Indo-German ties

Gurjit Singh writes: India-Germany joint statement shows congruence and commonality on UN, Afghanistan and terrorism.

A new RBI report underlines that monetary and fiscal policies need to be adjusted to secure growth prospects

Considering current trends, and that the economy had slowed down to below 4 per cent towards the end of 2019-20, it would appear that these growth projections are optimistic. It may take longer to fully overcome the setback.

India and France: A deepening friendship

Mohan Kumar writes: Strategic convergence between India and France runs deep. As PM Modi visits the French capital, bilateral ties are set for a boost, even as both nations together review the turbulent international landscape.

Like Nero, we fiddle as the world burns

Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes: Climate deniers are not the real challenge. Those who do not deny climate change are imprisoned by a sense of unreality.

Congress should consider Prashant Kishor’s suggestions

Mani Shankar Aiyar writes: They are less rigid and self-assured than he might be personally.

How to imagine and work towards a future

Meeta Rajivlochan writes: We must get comfortable with the sunk costs of planning.

Monday’s Santosh Trophy final, Kerala’s triumphant campaign, may have breathed life into a dying championship

Kerala’s triumphant campaign, just like Mizoram’s title run in 2013-14, underlines the sentimental value still attached to this tournament despite very little strategy or planning. Monday’s final has breathed life into a dying championship. It’s important to ensure it doesn’t go back on life support.

Blanket declassification of deemed forests in Karnataka is a bad idea

Deepa Padmar, Sneha Priya Yanappa write: It will have adverse consequences not only on the future forest cover of the state but also on its climate and rain patterns.

Rajshekhar Mansur, steeped in the learning of gurus, carried the mantle of Mallikarjun Mansur’s greatness calmly and deftly

Rajshekhar’s style, because of his training in two distinct schools of music, was unique, with the subtleties of both becoming a distinct idea in his renditions.

The supply bottlenecks causing power shortages

Somit Dasgupta writes: Dark days lie ahead. Issues in transportation, production of coal must be addressed.

Punjab’s peace must be protected from fringe elements. AAP government must not let down guard

The newly-formed AAP government will have to watch out for such potential troublemakers while going about its work of addressing the state’s several challenges.