Gandhi currency Courtesy: Curtis Gregory Perry/Flickr
12 March 2013

Trusteeship: A futuristic concept

There is much global discussion on creating new metrics of ‘valuation’ to make markets respond to burgeoning crises such as the widening income gap, ecological imbalance and social instability. Can Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of Trusteeship enable the creation of a broader, more wholesome definition of value?

Rajiv Ashrafi/Flickr Courtesy: Rajiv Ashrafi/Flickr
8 March 2013

Exorcising the ghosts of the subcontinent

The youth of Bangladesh, a generation born well after 1971, are now demanding long overdue accountability, secularism, and neighbourly friendship. If the movement is successful, Bangladesh will have shown all South Asian countries that to transcend the past it is necessary to be transparent and secular.

DD Courtesy: Prasar Bharati
1 March 2013

Doordarshan diplomacy

Doordarshan, India’s national TV broadcaster, has been long known for its low production quality, and the lack of a global reach. With India’s steady rise as an economic power, there is increasing curiosity about India in the world. How can Doordarshan promote India’s interests in the global market?

Election Commission of Pakistan Courtesy: Election Commission of Pakistan
22 February 2013

A herculean task for Pakistan’s CEC

Pakistan’s Chief Election Commissioner, Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim, faces a host of challenges as he oversees the transition of the country’s first civilian government to complete its full five-year term. Will he be able to overcome the hurdles and ensure the free and fair polls Pakistan has so far been deprived of?

Bahrain Activist/WikimediaCommons Courtesy:
8 February 2013

India navigates the Arab Uprisings

The Arab uprisings show no sign of closure, and have become amorphous. While New Delhi has so far been immunised from the political and religious dimensions of the uprisings, the rise of political Islam, Islamic governance, and continuing instability will impact India.

Www.Oic-Oci.Org Courtesy:
23 January 2013

India and the OIC: To join or not to join?

India’s relations with Islamic nations, many of which are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have become even more prolific over the last decade. While India does not visualise becoming a member of a religious international body, many reasons militate against our formally joining the OIC.

mg marg sikkim Courtesy: Kukster/Flickr
22 January 2013

Growth, Gangtok style

‘Sikkimisation’ is a term often used by the Chinese and Nepalese politicians to refer to India's purported Himalayan expansionism. However, Sikkim's economy has set an example that India's Himalayan neighbours would do well to follow, rather than deride

WikimediaCommons Courtesy: WikimediaCommons
15 January 2013

India-Pakistan: No takers for a solution

Pakistan’s recent violation of the ceasefire, by killing two Indian soldiers and beheading one of them, has triggered knee-jerk reactions by the government and armed forces, media frenzy, and public outcry. What makes this 60-year old problem tough to resolve, and how can those obstacles be overcome?

AFSPA Sanjoy Hazarika Courtesy: lecercle/Flickr
9 January 2013

Time to repeal AFSPA?

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, introduced decades ago in India’s northeastern states and Kashmir to control militancy and turbulence, often has undemocratic side-effects. By the government’s own account, the situation in the northeast has improved. Why is the Act still in place, despite calls for a repeal?