Editorials

Taking #MeToo to the subaltern

We need to seek out narratives beyond those of upper-caste, urban, non-disabled, cisgender women Like any other movement, it is hard to define ‘Me Too’ as it unfolds. Historically, it is important to acknowledge its origins in Black feminism and Tarana Burke’s call, in 2006, for solidarity among survivors in …

Read More »

The Bhutan vote

As the country prepares for the secondround of elections, change is certain The results of Bhutan’s general election will have significant repercussions for South Asia. The first round held in September has already delivered a surprise verdict, with the ousting of the incumbent People’s Democratic Party. The two parties left …

Read More »

Not just liquidity

Policymakers must address the structural problems behind the NBFCs crisis The default of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) on several of its debt obligations over the last couple of months has raised serious questions about how regulators missed the growing debt pile of a systemically important financial institution. But …

Read More »

Hamstringing the RTI Act

Instead of holding a public debate on making the Act more effective, the government is seeking to dilute its provisions The Right to Information (RTI) Act, operationalised in October 2005, was seen as a powerful tool for citizen empowerment. It showed an early promise by exposing wrongdoings at high places, …

Read More »

Castles in the air

Economic ideas such as ‘Charter Cities’ need to be challenged for their implausible premise and iniquitous framework The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences awarded jointly to William D. Nordhaus and Paul M. Romer for their respective contributions in integrating climate change and technological innovation into macroeconomic analysis is interesting. …

Read More »

Falling short on most counts

Insurance-based schemes like Ayushman Bharat are no substitute for public provisioning of health Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s signature Ayushman Bharat programme, rolled out in September, has been touted by most in the mainstream media as nothing short of ‘revolutionary’, with some even calling it the ‘biggest health care programme in …

Read More »

Decoding the Rafale controversy

The opacity in the Rafale deal only raises doubts, with its fallout on national security and the ‘Make in India’ programme The controversy over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to go in for an outright purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jet aircraft, after scrapping the old negotiations, is unlikely to …

Read More »

The Defence Act Case. Sentences Awarded.

Judgment was delivered by the District Magistrate to-day [in Rangoon, on October 14] in the case in which four men, Bhumani, Mehta, Murti and Rao were found guilty of attempting to persuade coolies from going to their work of loading ships in the harbour unless they get two rupees a …

Read More »

Nitric Acid Incident.

At about one O’clock on Friday afternoon [October 11] a sensational incident occurred in Park Street [in Calcutta]. A bullock cart containing a number of jars full of nitric acid was proceeding from Survey of India Office to the Howrah station when at the crossing of Russel Street and Park …

Read More »

Bonding with Africa, in partnership

India and China need to link their development plans for the continent Chinese President Xi Jinping grabbed headlines last month after announcing a hefty $60 billion package for Africa. African leaders have been naturally ecstatic after Mr. Xi’s announcement in Beijing at the inaugural of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation …

Read More »

Resisting resistance

India needs to strengthen and implement regulations on antibiotic misuse Even as antibiotics lose their efficacy against deadly infectious diseases worldwide, it seems to be business as usual for governments, private corporations and individuals who have the power to stall a post-antibiotic apocalypse. In a recent investigation, it was found …

Read More »

Untenable

M.J. Akbar should have resigned.Or else, asked to go The Minister of State for External Affairs, M.J. Akbar, should have done the only right thing in the circumstances — resign. This was the only course to limit the already significant damage to the high office he holds. His legacy in …

Read More »

The imperative of impact assessment

The outcomes of laws need to be analysed before enactment Legislation and policies in the country are often passed with inadequate scrutiny and assessment. Increasingly, the ‘rush towards law’ results in policies and legal frameworks that are mostly reactive and seek to offer quick-fix solutions to complex problems. As a …

Read More »

Helping the invisible hands of agriculture

With the ‘feminisation of agriculture’ picking up pace, the challenges women farmers face can no longer be ignored October 15 is observed, respectively, as International Day of Rural Women by the United Nations, and National Women’s Farmer’s Day (Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas) in India. In 2016, the Ministry of Agriculture …

Read More »

When the judiciary rewrites a faith

If a community believes in, and establishes a religious practice as essential, it should be accepted The Supreme Court’s majority decision in the Sabarimala case has rewritten the constitutional dispensation on freedom of religion, equality and untouchability, in contrast to Justice Indu Malhotra’s no-less-admirable dissenting judgment. When it comes to …

Read More »

Journalism after #MeToo

The Indian newsroom must be made safe and equal for women — or it will lose all credibility Over the last week, Indian journalism has finally been forced to confront what has long been its dirty secret. Going by the numerous agonising accounts of women journalists, about some male colleagues …

Read More »

Healthline ritesh kumar

“Regular physical activity is associated with better lung function among smokers, regardless of air pollution levels.” — Environment International Source :  https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/healthline-ritesh-kumar/article25217566.ece

Read More »

Toxic glitter

Cadmium review:Jewellery with the toxic metal cadmium is showing up on the shelves of national retailers in the U.S. , according to newly released test results. Analysis done for the non-profit Center for Environmental Health showed that some jewellery sold with women’s dresses and shirts was nearly pure cadmium, which …

Read More »

Lessons from the Philippines

A revolutionary journey in India’s health-care system has just begun with the launch of Ayushman Bharat. The world’s largest public health-care scheme promises to cover 100 million poor and vulnerable families. But will it have a transformative impact in a country where this is delivered mostly by the private sector? …

Read More »

Exercising, for two

Research undercuts beliefs about strenuous training and pregnancy Female athletes seem to be able to exercise safely and intensively both before and during pregnancy without increasing their risk for birth-related complications, even if they are trekking up Mount Everest, according to two eye-opening new studies. Together, the new research undercuts …

Read More »