FOOD availability was the top concern of 21 per cent of Cubans responding to a recent opinion survey, reflecting the recurrent food shortages on the island promoted by the US economic blockade and the shortcomings of the domestic food supply system. In 1960, the idea of a blockade was appealing to the US State Department because it would cause deprivation and suffering. Those intentions resurfaced in 1992 with the so-called Cuban Democracy Act, which, still in force, restricts foreign partners ..

NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer Mr. Amitabh Kant sees ‘green shoots’ appearing on the economic horizon, indicating that the national economy will bounce back, no matter the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the past four months. It is true that the comprehensive lock-down imposed has destroyed a large range of jobs and has pushed many an enterprise into oblivion. Many sectors of the industrial spectrum have faced terrible financial crunch, affecting the national economy all the more. Despite ..

EVEN as India grapples with the current row with China, the world is appreciating New Delhi’s broader initiatives to establish better connect with nations. India’s ‘Act East Policy’ (AEP) aimed at consolidating not just the economic but also cultural bonding with nations of South-East Asia and integrating strongly security-related matters in the Indo-Pacific region also has won praise by think-tank European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS)...

RECENT events in the South Asian region are upsetting and worrisome and these require statesmanship to wriggle out. There has been perpetual tension between Pakistan and India which has led to immense wasteful expenditure on arms race thus marring development in the two countries and adversely affecting health and education in particular. With some periods of thaw, most of the time, the two countries have been engaged in cold or h..

MOST profound truths are often expressed in the most simple words. As he campaigns for a spiritually-blessed living for the whole of mankind, the Dalai Lama is often heard stating deep and profound truths in words that are easy to understand linguistically but very difficult to comprehend spiritually. And like all sages, he also s..

SOME stories are destined to end without the actual climax. They ride a wave of anticipation, bringing along moments of ecstasy, stoking a desire for more, and then leaving an emptiness that again becomes a new story. When Chinese legend Lin Dan pulled curtains on his badminton journey on Saturday he became that story – of an untold emptiness in one corner of the heart. ‘Super Dan’ has chosen a life into the sunset, leaving behind bright flashes full of his unyielding spirit...

If something works well, use it, expand on it, apply it in other situations and disciplines. But don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s the answer to everything. Too much of anything, is not a good thing. Unthinking adherence to what has proven successful, will not necessarily be successful...

THIS incisive and truthful observation comes from an authentic researcher who works at the confluence of multiple sciences in a merciless pursuit of truth. And it endorses countless similar observations by many, many scholars not just of Indian origin but also by others. ..

INDIA-NEPAL relations soured recently after the Nepal Government claimed three Indian territories to be their own – Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura in Uttarakhand. The total area is 335 sq. kms. The Nepali side not only claimed these Indian territories but published a new map showing these areas to be in Nepal. The map was later presented to and approved by the Nepali Parliament. Nepal quoted the Treaty of Sugauli, signed in 1816 in support of its claims. The Treaty of Sugauli was between the ..

BY EXTENDING the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) to provide free ration for over 80 crore people, mostly poor, by five months till November end, the Centre has taken care of a pressing issue dogging a large populace following the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent long lockdown. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi took it upon himself to unfold the free ration scheme, instilling a soothing assurance among the countrymen still harried by the pandemic. The Prime Minister also insisted ..

THE current imbroglio involving Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) has multiple ramifications that actually call for an in-depth investigation to find out the underlying truth about not just the funds and the channels through which those came, but also the manner of its purpose and management. No matter the fact that the whole controversy has a distinct political angle, which makes it vulnerable to be misunderstood as a narrow issue. But going by the details of allegations involving not just funds from ..

AFTER the State-owned telecom companies decided to snub Chinese vendors for their network upgradation tenders, the Government has come up with the first and important retaliatory move against China by banning 59 mobile applications, including the hugely popular TikTok. The move has come amid the tense border stand-off between the armies of India and China in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh. The step can bee seen as a virtual strike as apps like TikTok, UC Browser, SHAREiT and CamScanner had a huge ..

THE resignation of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the lifetime Chairman of the 16-party Hurriyat Conference formed to promote separatism in Kashmir, signals an important turning point in favour of nationalist narrative in the State now fast on the recovery path after the Government withdrew its Special Status by abrogating Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution of India. As he stepped down, Geelani has accused the separatist elements based in Pakistan--Occupied-Kashmir (PoK) of being selfish and opportunist ..

“DNYANDEVE Rachila Paaya, Tuka Zalase Kalasa”. The famous abhanga in Marathi tells the importance of Bhagwat Dharma whose foundation was laid by Saint Dnyaneshwar and later Saint Tukaram assumed the apex of it. For the followers of Bhagwat Dharma, the eleventh lunar day of Shukla Paksha (bright Moonlight) in Ashadh month of Hindu calendar and the eleventh lunar day of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month are very importan..

ON PAGE 405 of the folio edition of the writings and speeches of Abraham Lincoln, there is a letter dated January 19, 1863. It is titled, “To the Workingmen of Manchester, England” and begins: “I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the address and resolutions which you have sent me on the eve of the new year.”..

IN THE judgement of the case – Rajasthan State Warehousing Corporation v. Star Agri warehousing and Collateral Management Limited & Others, delivered on June 24, 2020, at the Supreme Court, Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice Aniruddha Bose have underscored the need for the Courts to weigh conflicting public interests prior to grant of interim direction in contractual matters. The appeals in this case were directed against the interim order pass..

IN THE backdrop of the India-China standoff, it is clear to mention that no one can dare to stare at India with a crooked eye. It may also be mentioned that Maoism and terrorism had declined in India due to the hawkish courage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Government. The authority and decisiveness with which the present Government has acted on its promises certainly show a radical departure from earlier Governments which believed in the policy of appeasement and dithered from taking stringent ..

IT was a golden opportunity to soothe the frayed nerves of a 12-year-old boy who had thrown inexplicable tantrums and pushed the family into a terrible mood. On the calm Sunday noon when everybody at home was trying to find some respite from the forced COVID isolation, this boy felt terrible about life and hurled things, abuses, broke glass panes and even attacked his mother. The frightened and angry father wanted the boy to be soothed by someone-- of course on the phone. Options were terribly limited. ..

  MS. Clare Connor will become the first woman to head the prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) of England on October 1 next when Mr. Kumara Sangakkara demits office as the President. This will be an important moment in English cricket when a woman starts leading its core body that was founded as many as 233 years ago. Generally, there should be no difficulty in getting the MCC members’ approval for her accession. Of course, Ms. Clare Connor is no novice in cricket, having led ..

THE distressed Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector has got a timely boost of Rs 20,000 crore guarantee cover under the Centre’s ambitious Credit Guarantee Scheme for Sub-ordinate Debt. The sector holds a crucial place in the country’s economic ecosystem but was wading through troubled waters for want of capital. Though efforts were on to revive the MSMEs from becoming non-performing assets, the coronavirus pandemic has s..

THE willingness of Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin to be open to dialogue on burning issues and also be ready to work for putting in place a reliable global security system much needed by the rapidly changing and complex world, may be listed as a critical point upon which the nations need to ponder over. Despite all the tall talk of avoiding military confrontations, particularly following the World War II and formation of the United Nations, the world has seen countless conflicts that have claimed ..

HE main reason for outward migration is the mismatch between geography and population. For example, the construction of the Bhakra Dam led to an increase in the area under irrigation in Punjab and to a higher demand for labour. Thus, large numbers of agricultural workers are migrating from Bihar, Jharkhand and UP to Punjab; and industrial workers are migrating to Surat. Same situation is leading to migration of agricultural labour from Tamil Nadu to Kerala. The same reason holds true internationally, ..

IN TUNE with the ‘Boycott China” campaign that has taken firm root in India, the digital platforms, too, have started similar initiative by deleting Chinese Apps. It is being seen as a wise move after the Indian Intelligence agencies red-flagged over 50 China-linked mobile apps over security concerns. The warning has the backing of the National Security Council Secretariat which has determined that the China-linked applications can be highly det..

THE current stand-off with China and a possible escalation of the situation into an escalated conflict has led the Government to allow the Armed Forces an off-hand allocation of Rs. 500 crore to acquire from the market whatever they need by way of arms and ammunition. Defence Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh, now on a three-day visit to Russia, is also expected to seek more equipment for the Russian-made SU-30 fighters jets, T-90 tanks, warships that are part of the Indian arsenal. All this development ..

INDIA has an estimated 26,000 startups, making it the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, recording consolidated inflows of over $36 billion in the past 3 years with 26 “unicorns” – startups valued over $1 billion. However, data suggest that the e..

“But nobody faces the illimitable with impunity. The shock of the first encounter (with the Divine) was so violent that his whole being remained in a shuddering state. He only sbaw those around him through a veil of drifting mist, of dissolving waves of silver shot with sparks of fire. He could no longer control his eyes, his body, or his mind; another will guided them, and he passed through some terrible hours. He prayed the Mother to come to his aid. “Then he suddenly understood...

FOOTBALL has kicked off in Europe's fields, tennis will make the big serve soon in the United States, other sports are gearing up for a mega start even as the world warms up to welcoming sporting action in the post-Coronavirus pandemic. Not that the threat is over but humanity is learning the tricks to dodge the virus with thoughtfully-designed protocols. The situation demanded a human response that could start the normal life rolling. Soccer action is aiding the fans to get back to the pre-COVID ..

THE statement of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi at an all-party meeting that there are no Chinese troops on Indian soil at that moment, denotes a step further towards the resolution of the current border crisis in Galwan River Valley in eastern Ladakh. It is of course true that India is dealing with the inscrutable China, and nothing can be fathomed or predicted about the possible next step by Beijing. Thus, the crisis may stretch a little more, a little longer and bother..

INDIA’s ascendence to the all-powerful United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a Non-Permanent Member denotes an important development in the international realpolitik. It shows the growing clout India enjoys in the international arena. For, when India declared its candidature to the post, no other country from the Asia-Pacif..

AS THE gory details of the violent face-off between the troops of India and China at the Galwan Valley tumble out, pointing to the backstabbing by the Chinese and the heroic response of the Indian soldiers, a raging sentiment against the vile neighbour is brewing in Indian hearts. The country is still mourning its 20 martyrs whose supreme sacrifice for the motherland will be etched in the memory forever. At the same time the country is taking immense pride in the courageous response of the Indian ..

IT IS interesting that both the US and India have apparently chosen a similar strategy of economic revival by way of relaxing the Corona lockdown even when the fight against the pandemic was still on. The logic is sound. Everybody now understands the nature of the virus and the essence of how individuals -- this being a people’s fight now -- could avoid crossing the Corona’s path by following the discipline of social distancing, use o..

THE dirty side of any armed conflict is the untold misery it pours on innocent lives. A United Nations report has verified over 25,000 grave violations against children in armed conflict last year thus exposing the harsh price that tender lives have to pay for no fault of theirs. The disturbing part of the findings is that more than half of the violations in 2019 were committed by non-state actors. Over 10,000 children lost their lives while many were subject..

THERE should be no hesitation in calling China a bad, treacherous neighbour. There should be no hesitation in stating the obvious that in the past, many visionaries have warned the nation against China’s unpredictability. There should be no hesitation in telling ourselves a million times that we are dealing with wrong people when we tackle the Chinese. There should be no hesitation in admitting that Beijing appears hell bent upon demolishing all th..

BENEATH the sparkling veneer that gives the show business a cult status in the society, there lies a cruel, dark underbelly. The dark side raises its disgusting head time and again, sending a chill down the spine of the commoners who often aspire to live a life bestowed upon the stars. That life is fragile, to say the least, and can be gauged from the distressing episodes exposing the film industry. Promising actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death brings this raging issue into public conscious yet again. ..

THAT temperature over India will most likely rise by over 4 degrees by the end of the current century, should be taken as a grave warning not just by India but also by the whole world. For, similar environmental activity may take place all over the world by the time the world enters the next century eighty years from now. The Centre for Climate Change Research (CCR) operating the umbrella of Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, Ministry of Environmental Science, thus, has done well to ..