The late Steve Jobs, one of the greatest inventor-entrepreneurs in history, took knowledge and content to the masses. He said quality education was the key to equality of opportunity, and felt this would best be achieved by governments giving educational […]
Many idealists and TV anchors favour highly subsidized rice and wheat for all consumers, not just the poor. They draw no lessons from Indira Gandhi’s failed attempt to do exactly this in her Garibi Hatao phase. India’s nutritional indicators are
Soya magic and desi Marie Antoinettes Read More »
The latest controversy over India\’s poverty line proves two things. First, statistical illusions can be spun by presenting numbers in different ways. Second, India suffers from middle-class double standards and denial on poverty. A media storm has arisen after the
Middle class hypocrisy on the poverty line Read More »
The mighty West, led by the mighty US, is suddenly looking to China for help in rescuing debt-ridden Europe. But China has not just arrived as a global economic power. It is going to eclipse the US and become the
How to tame a dominant China Read More »
From 1990 onward, Chudamani Ratnam, former chief of Oil India Ltd, repeatedly claimed that India had a treasure trove of shale oil in Arunachal Pradesh and other parts of the north-east. He said these deposits could produce 140 million tonnes
Will China eye Arunachal Pradesh’s shale oil? Read More »
India’s biggest failings are arguably not in corruption or Maoist areas but in health. Child malnutrition and anaemia rates are among the worst in the world. Infant and maternal mortality rates have fallen but remain tragically high. Illnesses push millions
Ships of hope on the mighty Brahmaputra Read More »
I suspect the eurozone will soon collapse and trigger global financial contagion. This will be not remotely as bad as 2008, but painful nevertheless. A double-dip recession is not certain, but looks likely. I have been obliged to abandon my
Eurozone may soon collapse; trigger financial contagion Read More »
The 10th anniversary of 9/11 has been somber. The so-called “war on terrorism” has not ended in US victory. True, the US has not suffered any repeat attacks since 9/11: its homeland security has been very effective. Osama bin Laden
10 years on: A victory Osama didn’t plan for Read More »
Dear Anna Hazare Congratulations on capturing the imagination of India, and forcing the political class to give teeth to the Lokpal Bill. However, it seems you may launch another fast if the final Bill is not to your liking. And
Why are you still alive, Fateh Singh? Read More »
I am bemused by much of the vacuous debate over Anna Hazare\’s fast. He has his shortcomings, but many of his critics have private agendas, and are spinning the facts to suit these agendas. So they denounce the anti-corruption movement
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