Why JEE seats remain unfilled in Northeast India: Challenges and solutions for increased participation

Kamal had cleared JEE (Mains) and remembers the moment he changed his decision regarding joining NIT Mizoram. “I was worried about placements and had doubts about adjusting there,” says Kamal, a resident of Jorhat, Assam. After getting selected, he searched online and spoke to friends from Mizoram, only to realise that the campus was in … Read more

Budgeting for gender-inclusive ‘Viksit Bharat’

‘Financial institutions must recognise women’s diverse economic roles, particularly in agriculture, entrepreneurship, and employment’ | Photo Credit: The Hindu The Union Budget 2025-26 emphasises the government’s commitment to inclusive development, balanced growth and prioritising the well-being of four key population groups: the poor, youth, farmers, and women. In a welcome announcement, the Finance Minister set … Read more

Nuclear energy — dangerous concessions on liability

In the Union Budget speech on February 1, the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the government’s intention to take up “amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act…” This announcement is likely to please Washington, where successive administrations have been unhappy that the law places some minimal responsibilities on … Read more

Letters to The Editor — February 13, 2025

AI, the job market With a large and growing population, India faces significant employment challenges. The advent of AI could exacerbate these issues. Once hailed as a major job creator, the IT sector has seen a decline. This serves as a cautionary tale about the impact of technological advancements. While AI has advantages, it is … Read more

Private hospital in Chennai introduces pet therapy in paediatric ICU 

Dr. Bala Ramachandran of Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital introduces pet therapy in the hospital’s paediatric ICU. | Photo Credit: SRINATH M The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital has introduced pet therapy as an additional supportive measure for critically ill children. The initiative, led by Bala Ramachandran, head of … Read more

G. Kamalini – The accidental cricketer on the fast lane to stardom

At the Chennai International Airport a few days ago, a gaggle of television cameras set up shop and began the usual drill — checking all equipment, dragging the worn-down podium into position and strategically arranging microphones to best display their organisations’ logos. An inevitable guessing game followed. Whose arrival was the preparation for? Was it … Read more