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‘Before the Gaza war, America’s regional diplomacy was focused on Riyadh-Tel Aviv reconciliation’ | Photo Credit: AFP Donald Trump, a consummate dealmaker, often relies on the “expanding the canvas” strategy to resolve an intractable stalemate. Nevertheless, he made his most audacious ever deal-bid on February 4, 2025: with typical nonchalance, he wanted the Gaza Strip … Read more
The Delhi result The defeat of the grand old party in the Delhi election should be an eye-opener to the Gandhi siblings. It is going to be a long road for the Gandhi family to get the slow train moving again. Arunkumar Sadanand, Chennai The Indian electorate is, by and large, a moderately tolerant people, … Read more
Maharashtra, hailed as India’s economic powerhouse, presents a paradox. While cities such as Mumbai, Pune, and Thane thrive as global commerce hubs, regions such as Marathwada and Vidarbha are poor and underdeveloped. This stark regional imbalance, persistent since the State’s formation in 1960, has widened economic inequality and fuelled social crises, including caste agitations, farmer … Read more
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announcing the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Dehradun. | Photo Credit: PTI Uttarakhand recently implemented a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), governing various aspects of civil life. One of the novel aspects of the UCC is that it mandates compulsory registration of opposite-sex live-in relationships, and criminalises … Read more
General Sir Wm. Birdwood was the guest of the Australian and New Zealand Luncheon Club at the Hotel Cecil in mail week. Sir Edward Lucas, the retiring Agent-General for South Australia, presided. The Chairman, proposing “Our Guest”, said that criticisms were sometimes made on the slow growth at population in Australia; but in a hundred … Read more
London, Feb. 10: There is a growing concern in Western Capitals about the third world, raw material producing countries’ “geopolitical power” — its impact, origin and consequences on the developed countries. It is a term which is very much in vogue and the members of the third world are constantly reminded that they will be … Read more
In today’s knowledge-driven economy, the synergy between academia, industry and government plays a critical role in shaping innovations, solving complex societal problems and fostering economic growth for a better world. Doctorate holders, who are the epitome of specialised knowledge and advanced research skills, can contribute significantly to all three sectors. However, despite their deep expertise, … Read more
Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology (DST): The Budget provides an overall and possibly unprecedented thrust on research and innovation by setting aside Rs 20,000 crore for DST towards research in the private sector, including corporates and startups. There is a focused attempt to bring together academia, private sector and startups to work … Read more
The Centre’s proposal to set up an Urban Challenge Fund of ₹1 lakh crore is an interesting idea to push urban infrastructure build-out. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman spelt it out in the Lok Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. | Photo Credit: Sansad TV The Union Budget … Read more
Ahmed, Resuf, Paul Brimble, Akhila Kovvuri, Alessandro Saia, Dean Yang. 2025. ‘Ancient Epics in the Television Age: Mass media, Identity, and the Rise of Hindu Nationalism in India.’ National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA. Working Paper 33417. The broadcast of the Ramayan television series happened at a pivotal moment in India’s media and cultural … Read more