GoI raiding the central bank’s reserves is no solution for the fiscal deficit The controversy over the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) independence cloaks a bigger issue: the government’s chronic inability to control overspending and the fiscal deficit. RBI deputy […]
Don’t Be Seduced by Sirens Read More »
On October 31, the world biggest statue, that of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, was unveiled in Gujarat to celebrate the birth anniversary of India’s ‘Iron Man’. As home minister in 1947, he helped weld together over 500 princely states to create
Don’t hail Patel as the Great Unifier, he’s a flawed hero Read More »
The Supreme Court order on admitting women to the Sabarimala Temple is being flouted by Hindu mobs. The Congress has joined with the BJP in backing the mob. If the Constitution and Supreme Court matter so little, is mob rule
What’s good for Haji Ali shrine must be good for Sabarimala too Read More »
Dear Mohan Bhagwatji, In your Vijayadashami speech in Nagpur, you spoke on whether women had the right to freely enter the Sabarimala temple. You said the faith and traditions of crores of devotees for centuries were ignored by the Supreme
Do only Muslim women get rights, Mr Bhagwat? Read More »
A new US-China Cold War is about to begin. Last week, US vice-president Mike Pence accused China of economic and political aggression to try and dominate the world, and pledged to combat this in every realm and continent. He listed
How the new US-China Cold War will play out for India Read More »
The new US-Mexico-Canada Agreement has grim implications for India Nafta (North American Free Trade Agreement) is dead. Long live USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement). US President Donald Trump has bullied Mexico and Canada into a new free trade agreement to replace
With a Strategic Ally Like This… Read More »
To combat severe spinal arthritis, I underwent major surgery on my back last year. The surgeon reconstructed three vertebrae using titanium rods. Alas, one and a half years later the pain is almost as bad as before. On every post-operation
Surgical strikes better for surgeon than the patient Read More »
Falling, not rising, cronyism is the main cause of non-performing assets Former RBI chief Raghuram Rajan has dissected the banking crisis in his recent analysis of non-performing assets (NPAs). He implies that cronyism is an important cause. I would say
Pop Has Gone the Weasels Read More »
Indian politicians and diplomats fear China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to finance and build massive infrastructure projects in 78 countries, controlling infrastructure running through Asia and Europe. China believes this will help it dominate the 21st century.
Why China can’t win the world with easy money Read More »
India’s middle class, supported by many opposition parties, wants a cut in fuel taxes to stem the sharp rise in petrol and diesel prices. This would be wrong for several reasons. The same political and middle classes claim they want
Yes, petrol and diesel taxes are steep. No, don’t cut them Read More »
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