After an interval of three years the quadrangular cricket fixtures are again to be played in Poona. There are many who consider that these matches should always be played in Bombay and never in Poona and for many reasons this might be desirable. On the other hand the climatic conditions …
Read More »Daily Archives: August 24, 2018
American Advantage.
Reuters Correspondent at American Headquarters says: The enemy is feeling the effects of our [American] prolonged bombardment. Our aeroplanes are meeting less opposition owing to urgent demands on enemy aircraft elsewhere. Our machines are effectively assisting gunners in keeping the Aisne bridges and their approaches under constant fire. All supplies …
Read More »Another step in the battle against leprosy
Over 110 Central and State laws discriminate against leprosy patients. The biased provisions in these statutes were introduced prior to medical advancements; now, modern medicine (specifically, multi-drug therapy) completely cures the disease. These laws stigmatise and isolate leprosy patients and, coupled with age-old beliefs about leprosy, cause the patients untold …
Read More »Culinary parochialism
In 2017, there was a heated debate on whether khichdi should become the country’s national dish. While some believed that its simplicity and nutritious qualities were good reasons for its elevation, for others the assumption that the dish is cooked in the same manner everywhere was reason enough to push …
Read More »Where guilt lies
The long-term survivability of the Donald Trump administration fell into doubt this week after two of the U.S. President’s former associates came under the shadow of guilt for eight separate felonies each, all serious political and financial crimes. First, Mr. Trump’s former attorney and self-declared “fix-it guy”, Michael Cohen, pleaded …
Read More »Accepting help
The clearest indication so far that India would turn down offers of financial assistance from foreign governments for relief and rehabilitation work in Kerala came on Wednesday. And yet, it only added to the confusion. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said that “in line with the existing policy”, the …
Read More »Get over the superpower syndrome
The current debate on whether foreign assistance should be accepted for relief and reconstruction work following the devastating floods in Kerala is an unnecessary distraction for the Central and State governments at a time of a grave crisis. The need now is to use all assistance, Indian and foreign, to …
Read More »Should Article 35A be scrapped?
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was an integral part of the Dominion of India, according to the Instrument of Accession which was signed by Maharaja Hari Singh on October 26, 1947 and subsequently ratified by the Constituent Assembly of J&K. Article 35A of the Constitution is now being vigorously contested with …
Read More »Why history matters so much
Why is history such an important school subject? And why does it not receive the importance it deserves? These two were among the major questions debated at a conference recently held in Kolkata. A brief answer to the second question is that history cannot compete with science subjects in the …
Read More »CreditAccess lists below issue price
Microfinance lender CreditAccess Grameen made a tepid debut on the bourses on Thursday with the shares falling below the issue price even as the benchmark indices posted marginal gains. On BSE, the shares listed at Rs. 385, much lower than the issue price of Rs. 422 before closing at Rs. …
Read More »India to grow at 7.5% in 2018, 2019: Moody’s
The Indian economy is expected to grow by about 7.5% in 2018 and 2019 as it is largely resilient to external pressures like those from higher oil prices, Moody’s Investors Service said. In its Global Macro Outlook for 2018-19, Moody’s said the run-up in energy prices over the last few …
Read More »NSC seeks comment on GDP back series
The National Statistical Commission (NSC) has sought public comments on a panel report which showed that the economy grew at the fastest pace under the Congress rule, amid a political row over the growth numbers. The report of the panel, constituted by the NSC, was made public last week. ‘Unofficial …
Read More »‘Cybersecurity budgets of Indian firms have tripled’
Indian companies are investing more on securing their data rather than pumping money into technology as they try to build comprehensive solutions to prevent hackers from attacking their networks, said Sanjai Gangadharan, regional director SAARC, at U.S. cybersecurity firm A10 Networks. “IT budgets are shrinking and security budgets are going …
Read More »‘Odisha aims to be hub of east with port-led manufacturing’
Odisha aims to leverage its ports as part of a push to develop the State as a manufacturing hub in eastern India that could serve the larger South Asian regional market, according to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. “Odisha is fast emerging as the manufacturing hub of eastern India and we …
Read More »Can Imran bring Pak. in from the diplomatic cold?
Tensions with Afghanistan, faltering relations with the U.S., and chronically poor ties with India. Pakistan today stands isolated, observers say, and bringing it back into the fold is a formidable task for its new premier Imran Khan. “We have a very big foreign policy challenge right now. If there is …
Read More »‘Deeply concerned by Gayoom’s failing health’
The Joint Opposition in the Maldives, a political grouping challenging President Abdulla Yameen, has expressed deep concern over reports of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s “rapidly deteriorating” health in prison. It has sought the international community’s help in pressuring the Government of Maldives to shift Mr. Gayoon, 80, at his …
Read More »U.S., China swap tariffs on billions in commodities
The U.S. slapped steep tariffs on another $16 billion in Chinese goods on Thursday, triggering a swift tit-for-tat retaliation from Beijing, even as negotiators from both sides seek to soothe trade tensions. The latest action completes the first round of $50 billion in Chinese products that President Donald Trump had …
Read More »Govt allows oxytocin sale through private chemists
Setting aside its ban on the sale of oxytocin, the Health Ministry has allowed private retail stores to sell the life-saving hormone from September 1, an official said on Thursday. State-owned Karnataka Antibiotics Pvt Ltd will be the only company to manufacture and distribute oxytocin in India from September 1. …
Read More »Tandon sworn in as Bihar Governor
Senior BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh Lalji Tandon was sworn in as Bihar Governor on Thursday. He replaced Satya Pal Malik, who was appointed Governor of Jammu and Kashmir on August 21. Mr. Tandon was administered oath of office by Patna High Court Chief Justice Mukesh Rasik Bhai Shah. Bihar …
Read More »Sikkim’s casinos wait for flights, and soaring revenues
Like in most towns of northeast India, dusk descends quickly in Gangtok. As shops start winding up, the only places that continue to buzz with activity are three casinos, located within 10 km of Sikkim’s capital city. Sherap Lepcha, general manager of Casino Mahjong, is busy overseeing the casino which, …
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