In a Parliamentary democracy, Ministers are generally supposed to be elected representatives of the people. But not in the era of? Sonia Gandhi. Increasingly, her cabinets—it would be na?ve to call them Manmohan Singh cabinets—are stuffed with her nominees from […]
Family business as politics Read More »
Many observers, ranging from Marxists to Bill Gates, have worried that the rise of information technology (IT), though hugely beneficial, may leave the rural poor even further behind urban folk in incomes and access. Infosys and Wipro may prosper greatly,
Cellphones bridge the digital divide Read More »
Table: Global growth rates, % per year 2003 2004 2005 2006 (est) Subsaharan Africa 4.2 5.1 5.2 5.6 Former Soviet Union (CIS) 7.9 8.2 6.5 6.0 CIS excluding Russia 9.1 10.5 7.7 7.0 China 9.3 9.5 8.5 8.0
Goldilocks goes global Read More »
What’s a mega-trend? Most new trends are marked by rival claims, with some claiming it’s a revolutionary breakthrough and others saying it is disastrous. But if a new trend grows so rapidly that it becomes commonplace and ceases to make
What’s boring is a mega-trend Read More »
The drama last week when Russia cut off gas supplies to Ukraine holds lessons for the proposed gas pipelines to India from Iran and Turkmenistan, and for our entire energy strategy. Typically, Russia has supplied gas to neighbours (like Ukraine,
Pipeline lessons from Ukraine Read More »
Noting can empower poor people more than a good education. So I welcomed the launch of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Education For All) in 2001. This aims to have all children aged 6-14 in primary school by 2007 and in upper
Pitfalls of universal education Read More »
Few readers know that India is the world’s second largest producer of aquaculture (fish and shellfish). Fishing was once dominated by ocean fisherfolk, but overfishing has led to virtual stagnation of the sea catch in the last decade. Meanwhile inland
Convert canals to fisheries Read More »
The first green revolution has run its course. Cereal yields are rising very slowly, water tables are plunging, and agricultural growth now averages only 2% annually. However, optimists think a second green revolution is coming, spearheaded by the corporate sector
A second green revolution? Read More »
For years, Indian businessmen have complained that they cannot compete internationally because of costly electricity. However, electricity prices globally are shooting up, mainly because natural gas prices are going through the roof. In consequence, Indian companies with captive coal mines
New comparative advantage in power Read More »
In search of energy security the Petroleum Minister has scoured the world for gas and oil deals, including stakes in oilfields abroad. Alas, such purchases could mean insecurity, not security. Many countries do not respect contracts, and India should reduce
Avoid unreliable energy suppliers Read More »
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