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US President Donald Trump is “radar-focused” on reciprocity in tariffs, and will push for a Bilateral Trade Agreement with India which includes low tariffs, market access for agriculture and addresses the bilateral deficit, said former Assistant US Trade Representative (AUSTR) Mark Linscott ahead of April 2, when new tariffs are expected to be announced. Speaking … Read more
The world has undergone a profound transformation in perceiving, creating, and consuming art, knowledge, and talent. In earlier times, quality was a revered rarity. A symphony by Mozart or a novel by Tolstoy stood as timeless masterpieces because they emerged from an era where scarcity defined value. The limited access to such works heightened their … Read more
The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan launched in 2018, wherein Ni-kshay Mitras can volunteer to provide nutrition support to consented TB patients, is riddled with huge ethical problems. While the guidance document mentions that TB patients’ “consent is for receiving additional [nutrition] support”, TB patients are in effect consenting for something completely different — … Read more
The second phase of India’s National Mental Health Survey is currently underway. The first phase identified mood disorders as an important diagnostic category in terms of prevalence in India. March 30 is celebrated worldwide as World Bipolar Day. Mood disorders are psychiatric disorders characterised by a pathological alteration in one’s mood, energy, and activity levels. … Read more
Last week, the Central Bureau of Investigation filed a closure report stating that actor Sushant Singh Rajput died by suicide. The news was widely reported, but there were no breathless discussions on the agency’s finding. This was a far cry from June 2020, when the Bollywood actor was found dead in his apartment. Rajput’s girlfriend, … Read more
A resurgence in mumps outbreaks across several States in India from 2023 onwards, has brought forth this question: is the disease now an emerging public health problem that is significant enough to warrant prevention through immunisation? Public health experts are debating this issue. In Kerala for instance, cases of mumps have spiked phenomenally, especially in … Read more
In a Statewide crackdown on Madrasas (Islamic schools), the Uttarakhand government has sealed over 136 such institutions so far. This has once again put a spotlight on this BJP-ruled State for its continuous actions on issues related to the minority community — from laws like the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to removal of Mazars. Chief … Read more
Like the heritage structures nestled in the corners of the city, sometimes dwarfed and eclipsed by the shiny skyscrapers, or busy flyovers, Madras is alive and well. | Photo Credit: Getty Images It’s early morning (at least by my standards!), and I can hear the cries of “Puttu, Idiyappam, Puttu, Idiyappam” wafting into my consciousness. … Read more
Grandmothers come armed with a vast range of skills to tackle all sorts of issues. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Every day, we are being bombarded with the latest from the world of artificial intelligence. While all the buzz is around AI, let us not forget the age-old GI, or grandma’s intelligence. Grandmothers come armed … Read more
Voices of dissonance over the absence of elected representatives have been rising from more than 9,500 village panchayats in 28 districts of Tamil Nadu. Their primary focus is on the neglect of basic amenities. Though having no elected rural local bodies is nothing new, activists and residents are worried that the gap should not be … Read more