UP and Nithish Kumar

The state elections in the most politically influential state of Uttar Pradesh is just around the corner...

The demography of Bihar amd UP are very similar with negligible differences...

Yet, the political situation are contrastingly different and NV Subramanyam, a freelance political and social editor explains why....

Illuminating the charisma of Nithish Kumar, the writer uses the term "social engineering" to good effect in doing so...

Why UP will never have a Nithish Kumar

The myth of Dalit capitalism

Eminent businessman like Ratan Tata, Adi Godrej and others have caught on to the new phrase called "Dalit Capitalism"...

Akshay Deshmane opens up a different perspective and attempts to expose the ground realities in his article "The myth of Dalit capitalism"

Platini says Messi must shine at the World Cup to be considered truly great

Times View - He's one of the best


Counterview - The legend is incomplete


-The Times of India, January 12, 2012

An Idea To Bank On

Innovative solutions can link land demand with supply in a way that protects farmers


An Idea To Bank On

-The Times of India, January 12, 2012

The article, to start with, expresses the plight of the farmers and land-owners, and discusses the statistics dealing with the lands that are worked on for agricultural produce. Furthermore, it ensues a discussion on some of the land laws; and lists a set of fears and apprehensions, and much talked-about legislation that didn't see the light of the day. It then goes on to suggest the creation of Public Land Banks (PLBs), to be managed by a panchayati raj institution, at the gram panchayat or bloc/mandal level. The idea of PLBs is then elucidated at great length and suggests its efficacy.

"This proposal has been submitted to the Planning Commission by the 12th Plan Working Group on Disadvantaged Farmers, including women. We however hope that, even as the Plan is being finalised, state governments can initiate work on this on a pilot basis." 

Gentlemen prefer bonds

A bunch of Xaverians meets to celebrate 50 years of passing out of school


Gentlemen prefer bonds

-The Times of India, January 12, 2012

Getting Derailed

Railways' poor safety record and fiscal health


Getting Derailed

-The Times of India, January 12, 2012

Close to 1, 220 people have lost their lives in railway mishaps over the last five years. The article raises the question and considers the possibility, with facts and figures, of the effect of "the national transporter's poor management and financial shape."

Talk Real Issues

UP voters deserve better than no-holds-barred identity politics


Talk Real Issues

-The Times of India, January 12, 2012

All parties are getting in line to woo the vote-banks in UP by playing the identity card, whereas much more important reforms and measures that are the need of the hour are completely missing. Instead of engaging in "competitive electoral mobilisation along caste and religious lines", the political parties need to focus on reform in "key areas like the economy, education, health, infrastructure and service-delivery." 

Analysis: Rumours of a coming coup may be exaggerated

"There is hope that the present confrontation between the Pakistan Army and government may not end in the seemingly inevitable"

The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Analysis: Rumours of a coming coup may be exaggerated

In the history of Pakistan's troubled civilian-military relations, the military has always wielded the upper hand, the bigger stick. But the rapidly heating stand-off between the Pakistan People's Party government and the Pakistan Army, may yet escape the traditional ending.

‘Private sector must support scientific research too'

"Education and research institutions must spend more time in interacting with the industry, says Infosys chairman emeritus N. R. Narayana Murthy."

The Hindu : Opinion / Interview : ‘Private sector must support scientific research too'

Mr. Murthy offered his views on corporate India's role in encouraging science research, its engagement with politics and the problems that face the nation, including corruption."

Nothing to celebrate in New Year

"People in Britain brace themselves for another difficult year amid fears of thousands more losing their jobs and joining the lengthening dole queue."

The Hindu : Opinion / Lead : Nothing to celebrate in New Year:

The Karachi submarine sale scandal

"In May 2002, 11 French engineers working on the assemblage of Agosta class submarines sold by France to Pakistan died in a bomb blast in Karachi. Initially presumed to be the work of Islamist terrorists, the blast was later revealed to be an act of retaliation by elements in the Pakistani military and the ISI in response to the French state's failure to pay Pakistani officials $33 million in promised kickbacks for a €1.8-billion contract for the purchase of Agosta submarines in 1994."

The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : The Karachi submarine sale scandal

"Judges investigating the affair are now attempting to prove or disprove whether French Prime Minister Edouard Balladur received “retro commissions” or reverse kickbacks for the contract. Ironically, it is Judge Marc Trevidic (who has now reversed the Rwanda report), who decided to reopen the case to begin tracking the “reverse kickbacks” enquiry."

"Giving commissions was not illegal (it is now) but receiving reverse kickbacks has and remains illegal."

New light on the Rwandan genocide

"French investigation clears Paul Kagame of blame in the assassination that triggered one of the worst genocides in post-war history."

The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : New light on the Rwandan genocide

"The conclusions of Mr. Justice Trevidic's findings ... are bound to prove embarrassing for the French government, Mr. Justice Bruguiere [, France's famous anti-terrorism judge,] himself and for the International Criminal Tribunal on Rwanda at The Hague which has largely relied on the Bruguiere report.

"That Mr. Justice Bruguiere acted for “reasons of state” than in the interest of truth is evident from his reluctant investigation into the sale of Agosta submarines to Pakistan in the late 90s."

ANC at 100

"The only parallel to the iconic leadership of Nelson Mandela, marked by a total commitment to the struggle, his act of political generosity towards the hated white rulers as South Africa stood at the cusp of liberation, and the absence of vengeance and vendetta in his ideology, is Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent struggle for India's independence. "

The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : ANC at 100

"It is true that the ANC's 17 years in government have led to some loss of sheen. Recent years have seen it dogged by allegations of corruption and cronyism. ... [but] the bottom line is that the country is a much better place today than it was before 1994, and South Africa and the world have the ANC to thank for this. "

Auto focus

" The gloom that pervades the global economy and the fog that has enveloped the auto industry in India in the form of slowing sales due to high finance and fuel costs did little to spoil the party."

The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : Auto focus

"There is little doubt the government has to play a big supportive role if that enormous long-term potential of this industry is to be realised. Indeed, government support is the sine qua non for the party to continue in the next edition of Auto Expo in 2014."