Most international visits by presidents and prime ministers are business-as-usual affairs. Agreements that have been in the works for some time are signed with a ceremonial flourish, but little of a game-changing or truly strategic nature emerges. Such business-as-usual exercises […]
Obama should visit Tawang monastery Read More »
It’s actually a boon to moneylenders . For two decades, microfinance institutions (MFIs) have spread fast in Andhra Pradesh, reaching millions of poor women and filling the space once dominated by moneylenders. But last week, the state government issued an
Killing microfinance will help moneylenders Read More »
It would be unwise to expect too much from President Obama’s coming visit to India. Indians were delighted when Obama became the first black President of the US. Yet, we are now obliged to be more sober. Indians instinctively tend
India should not expect too much from Obama\’s visit Read More »
It would be unwise to expect too much from President Obama’s coming visit to India. Indians were delighted when Obama became the first black President of the US. Yet, we are now obliged to be more sober. Indians instinctively tend
India should not expect too much from Obama\’s visit Read More »
Now that the Commonwealth Games have commenced, glitches and all, we can assess them more soberly than the high-pitched media sound bites of recent weeks. Many critics complain that the Games show India in a terrible light. In fact, they
CWG is govt failure, private sector success Read More »
Last week, this column highlighted major economic improvements for dalits in Uttar Pradesh, based on a research paper by Devesh Kapur and others (Rethinking inequality : Dalits in UP in the market reform era). But the real dalit revolution has
The social revolution in Uttar Pradesh Read More »
Are you among those who think record GDP growth has done nothing for dalits ? Think again. A seminal paper, \”Rethinking Inequality : Dalits in UP in the Market Reform Era\” by Devesh Kapur, CB Prasad, Lant Pritchett and D
Dalits are marching ahead in Uttar Pradesh Read More »
Should lending rates of microfinance institutions (MFIs) — often 28-36 % — be capped? Some folk think so. Officials in Andhra Pradesh once closed down MFIs for usury, but the RBI came to the rescue, declaring there could be no
Don’t cap microfinance lending rates Read More »
After his passionate defence of displaced tribals in Orissa, analysts have started talking about Rahul Gandhi\’s left turn. Whoa! Rahul is more pragmatic opportunist than left-wing ideologue. Remember Indira Gandhi\’s left turn in 1969? Supposedly for Garibi Hatao, she nationalized
Rahul is Indira\’s real political heir Read More »
After his passionate defence of displaced tribals in Orissa, analysts have started talking about Rahul Gandhi\’s left turn. Whoa! Rahul is more pragmatic opportunist than left-wing ideologue. Remember Indira Gandhi\’s left turn in 1969? Supposedly for Garibi Hatao, she nationalized
Rahul is Indira\’s real political heir Read More »
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