Afghanistan as "Lost Cause"

"The idea that liberal democracy is alien to the country, now being used to legitimise early western withdrawal, is racist libel."

The Hindu : Opinion / Lead : Afghanistan as "Lost Cause":  Powerful voices in western geo-strategic discourse had long railed against efforts to build a secular-democratic order in Afghanistan after 9/11. Now, the notion that liberal democracy is in some way alien to Afghanistan has become a pervasive meme. In order to legitimise early withdrawal, the anti-democratic politics of the Taliban is being marketed as an authentic voice of Afghan tradition. The ideological underpinnings of these ideas need extremely careful examination.

Feed the needy, not nuclear ambitions

"The crucial test for North Korea and the U.S. will be how the tussle over the DPRK's nuclear programme and the supply of food aid are resolved." 

The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Feed the needy, not nuclear ambitions: North Korea's statement last Friday that it would launch a satellite into space as part of the celebrations next month on the 100th birth anniversary of Kim Il-Sung has again thrown a spanner into the works.

Just two weeks ago, an agreement had been reached between North Korea and the United States on the resumption of food aid in return for suspension of nuclear activities. The U.S., Britain, Japan and South Korea responded immediately, urging the North not to proceed as it would violate the United Nations ban on nuclear and missile activity.

Former Karnataka Lokayukta on mining scam

"If no one appeals the Karnataka High Court judgment, the case will go uninvestigated, says former Karnataka Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde."

The Hindu : Opinion / Interview : 'I was given a sweeping mandate to inquire into all aspects of mining illegalities':  It is too early to say whether the 2011 report by former Karnataka Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde on illegal mining in Karnataka will have the huge impact on the way the industry operates in the State — and elsewhere in the country — the 26,000 page document is possibly the most exhaustive, carefully-researched investigation into corruption and its linkages with industry and politics that has been compiled in India.

A recent judgment by a division bench of the Karnataka High Court on a petition by former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa challenging the First Information Report filed against him by the Lokayukta police has been widely viewed as a setback to the legal fight against corruption.

Congress without Trinamool

"Mamata Banerjee will do anything to enhance her political image, even if this means humiliating her senior colleagues. By obtaining the resignation of Railway Minister, she is hoping to project herself as the sole champion of the poor, as someone who is able to push and prod the UPA into working for the greater common good. "

The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : Congress without Trinamool:  Each time, as she maximises her political mileage, the Congress ends up looking a clueless pivot of a rudderless government.

Stem cell science is already saving lives

 "Blood donated from healthy babies' umbilical cords is in focus."

The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Stem cell science is already saving lives - The cells that are being collected from the placenta are magic cells, miraculous cells. They're the blueprint for all the different cells in the blood — so for someone whose own bone marrow isn't working properly, they can be a real lifeline.

Let good sense prevail

"After a Norwegian court placed two toddlers in permanent foster care, their parents' plight has generated indignation in India and led to high-level diplomacy between Oslo and New Delhi. The parents have alleged the children's removal stems from a deep cultural bias. The Child Welfare Service (CWS) in Norway has consistently denied this, saying the children were removed for far serious reasons related to their delayed development."

The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : Let good sense prevail:  The strains of negotiating a foreign culture and environment are evident — both for the Bhattacharyas and for the Norwegian authorities — but the fact that the family needed assistance is undeniable. On its part, the CWS is not without blame. It has shown cultural insensitivity and made serious mistakes in handling the case.

Nitish Kumar says Delhi will come to a halt if Biharis don't work for a day

Times View - Reinforcing 'us and them' attitudes
Counter View - Boosting the Bihar brand


Editorial

-The Times of India, March 20, 2012

How Trinamool Was Nailed

Trivedi's defiance exposes the crumbling legitimacy of Mamata's brand of politics

How Trinamool Was Nailed

"'Poriborton' was to be about healing and getting Bengal back on track. Either Mamata was joking when she made those promises, or her control over the party is weaker than assumed. The latter is more likely"

-The Times of India, March 20, 2012

The Odd Couple

Landlords and tenants - was there ever a more troubled relationship?

The Odd Couple

-The Times of India, March 20, 2012

Critical Point

Maoists have to come to the negotiating table

Critical Point

-The Times of India, March 20, 2012

Exit, With A Message

Trivedi showed reform can be pushed despite the odds

Exit, With A Message

-The Times of India, March 20, 2012