India, Financial regulatory exporter Courtesy: Niyantha/Flickr
6 October 2011

India: Financial Regulatory Exporter

With increasing debt and recession in the West, it seems no longer fitting for the rest of the world to follow traditional Western financial models. India’s long experience of capital markets, with its conservative and ‘inclusive’ financial regulatory system, on the other hand, makes for a compelling case study.

Occupy Wall Street Courtesy: Bob Dowling
5 October 2011

Occupy Wall Street

The Occupy Wall Street movement in the U.S. is gathering strength, with new groups of the aggrieved adding to the numbers of protestors. Gateway House’s editorial advisor Bob Dowling plunges into the crowd to gauge the depth of the movement, and the seriousness of the protestors’ intent.

looking at the lokpals fine print Courtesy: Nirzardp/WikimediaCommons
4 October 2011

Looking at the Lokpal’s fine print

The anti-corruption protests have offered some suggestions for the media and the cognoscenti to take forward. Now what is required is deeper discussion, which can create an example of a healthy democratic process of citizen participation in governance and policy making.

reasserting Courtesy: PMO
26 September 2011

Reasserting India’s independence

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s speech at the UN General Assembly has put Indian perceptions on the record and clearly outlined India’s independent foreign policy. India came out unequivocally in support of the Palestinian struggle & reiterated its traditional stance of respecting countries’ sovereignty.

mahmoud abbas and obama Courtesy: www.whitehouse.gov/WikimediaCommons
26 September 2011

Obama loses high ground on Middle East

Repeated applause greeted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' speech to the UN General Assembly, asking for support for the “establishment of Palestine.” But with the U.S. backing Israel, under almost all circumstances, will Abbas' proposal be able to bring about any change?

brics bailing out europe piece Courtesy: www.kremlin.ru/Flickr
23 September 2011

BRICS bail-out of Europe: A far cry

In a reversal of historical roles, the BRICS nations may be coming to Europe’s rescue. During the Asian Financial Crisis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) introduced structural adjustments in return for IMF loans, and many institutions and individuals went bankrupt. Will it be any different now?

protest pic rajni's artcile by mission against corruption Courtesy: MissionAgainstCorruption/WikimediaCommons
14 September 2011

India’s democracy: Evolution, not Revolution

While India's anti-corruption upsurge lends further intensity to a global restlessness about the future of democracy, it also raises a significant question: What are the values that will foster a truly democratic culture? The answer will determine whether the on-going agitation will succeed in combating corruption

Courtesy: WTCTributeinLight/WikimediaCommons
12 September 2011

9/11 America: Dignity, democracy and fear

Although the U.S. has not faced another terrorist attack since 9/11, much has changed in its democratic framework. Gripped by fear, 3,984 federal, state and local organizations work on domestic counter-terrorism, spending an estimated $1 trillion.