Bhopal tragedy and the future

A tragic ‘anniversary’ this week drew attention to what it would take to ensure that the current excitement about ‘make in India’ becomes a boon and not a curse


People’s SAARC: a valid agenda

Rajni Bakshi, Senior Gandhi Fellow, Gateway House reports from People’s SAARC, a motley gathering of NGO workers and members of the village communities they work with. PSAARC will compile a memorandum – a wish-list of demands and aspirations – on November 24 and present it to the heads of SAARC nations


Rousseff reelection: lower expectations

The reelection of President Dilma Rousseff means continuation of the slow growth of the Brazilian economy and a lower likelihood of much-needed, major political and economic reforms. India should lower its expectations on a global partnership with Brazil


Pune’s Ohel David turns 150

Pune’s most well known landmark, Ohel David (Lal Deval) synagogue turns hundred and fifty. Governor of Maharashtra, Shri C. Vidyasagar Rao, and the direct descendants of the synagogue’s founder, David Sassoon (1792-1864) get together to mark this occasion


Expensive shortcuts: mining

Investors have welcomed the dilution in government regulations that currently require companies to seek the consent of local communities for industrial projects in tribal areas. We analyse the outcome of this development.


Correa’s Latin legacy of peace

Rajni Bakshi, Senior Gandhi Peace Fellow at Gateway House, was recently invited to Brazil and Colombia to speak about Gandhi, her book ‘Bazaars, Conversations and Freedom’ and her forthcoming paper on Trusteeship. She reports on the longing for non-violence in these societies and the groups working to make it real


Latin longing for non-violence

Rajni Bakshi, Senior Gandhi Peace Fellow at Gateway House, was recently invited to Brazil and Colombia to speak about Gandhi, her book ‘Bazaars, Conversations and Freedom’ and her forthcoming paper on Trusteeship. She reports on the longing for non-violence in these societies and the groups working to make it real


A case for nuclear power

India’s power sector is currently facing a coal shortage with Coal India unable to keep pace with demand. Nuclear power is a cheaper and more reliable alternative for generating electricity as compared to coal


NATO Diaries

A rare opportunity to visit the North Atlantic Treaty Organization headquarters in Brussels provides a good opportunity to assess the organisation’s functioning. Interactions with its officials brought out the challenges the alliance faces, and its constant efforts to remain relevant in Europe’s security landscape


The UN and sustainability

The UN and the global finance industry are making gradual but concerted efforts to align business interests and ecological sustainability. A growing number of companies are combining profit-making with social responsibility. There is still a long way to go, but the UN system has created useful mechanisms of change