Editorial

‘READY’ MOMENT

PRIME Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s interpretation of the Union Budget 2026 deserves appreciation. In just threewords,hedescribed thepoint atwhich theIndian economy is poised -- for inclusive growth, for future. He said, the Union Budget 2026 did not represent a “nowor never” sentiment of compulsion and exasperation, but symbolised what needs to be called a “we are ready” moment -- stemming from preparation and inspiration. The Budget shunned populism but focused on jobs and growth, he said in an interview ..

No pushovers

AFTER the first week of the ICC World Twenty20 Championships, all the talk has once again veered around the top names in running for the silverware. The established ones are gunning for glory with their usual firepower but at the same time one light-arc has firmly settled on the small wonders who have staged a big show in their own right in the tournament. Not all the minnows (or weak teams) might make the upper grade in the tournament but they have made a solid statement to the cricketing world -- ..

tibetan mess

THAT India did not recognise the strategic importance of Tibet way back in 1954 and recognised the region as part of China just because it wanted to foster ties with China and stability in the bilateral relations, was already known to the nation for all these years. That fact of history now stands reiterated by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. Delivering a keynote address at the Bharat Himalayan Strategy Forum, he explained the approach of the Indian leadership to the Tibet issue in the ..

Substantive Motion

SUCH a “Substantive Motion” was waiting in the wings to come up against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Mr. Rahul Gandhi -- seeking termination of his membership of Parliament. It would have been a real surprise if such a motion were not to be taken up by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). For long, Mr. Rahul Gandhi had been daring the Government with his ugly statements and unholy diatribes. For long, he had been flouting norms and conventions of Parliament. ..

SHEER MADNESS

O NCE again, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress Member Mr. Rahul Gandhi indulged in madness of its own kind -- as if it is his birthright to do so. In the process, he unleashed a train of senseless allegations that the Government and Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi had “sold out the nation” to foreign powers. As he delivered his speech, Mr. Gandhi used a rough language beyond parliamentary norms, as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members alleged. Other reports also stated that ..

‘Addiction’ trial

THE serious discourse going on in a Superior Court in Los Angeles about how social media is addicting the brains of children, is of tremendous importance to the larger humanity in the current age of advanced technology as part of the fourth industrial revolution. A strong case is being built by lawyers and jurors about the terrible and negative impact of various digital social media platforms on young minds. The makers of those digital applications and platforms are offering their own defence, but ..

‘GUIDING FACTOR’

N ATIONAL interest is the only guiding factor is India’s oil procurement policy and its handling. In these simple words, Foreign Secretary Mr. Vikram Misri explained what drives India in its dealings with other countries. Though the reference was the oil procurement and energy security policy, the context of Mr. Misri’s assertion was clear -- national interest as seen by the Government and the core need of the larger Indian society. Thus, the Foreign Secretary offered a clean interpretation of why ..

Malaysian connect

PRIME Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s visit to Malaysia -- first foreign tour in the new year -- created a desired impact of long-term ramifications for India, for Malaysia, Asia, and the larger world. It showed what positive diplomacy -- like that of India -- can achieve in the changing world order. For, the Prime Minister’s visit paved the way to an improved atmosphere in Asian and global geopolitics and economics. There were a few anxious moments in the relationship of India and Malaysia in the past ..

BLUE DOMINATION

INDIA have a special connection with the Under-19 cricket World Cup. For the world, it might be a junior-level sports tournament but for India it is a feeder-line from where future stars have found their way into the collective consciousness of cricket’s fans. It is a tournament India have almost managed to make its own. It was proved yet again in Harare, Zimbabwe when the young colts dominated the entire tournament to bring home a record 6th U-19 World Cup...

A DARK FUTURE

P AKISTAN is bleeding internally. Its home-grown ills are slowly inflicting untold damage on the country and its civil society even as the political class and the military generals keep themselves engaged in futile battles with their adversaries and harping on their anti-India tirade without any success. In this melee, many innocent lives are being lost to terrorist attacks. The latest in a mosque in the Tarlai area of capital Islamabad has taken 31 lives and left almost 200 injured. Pakistan’s own ..

why didn’t speaker suspend them?

THE term “black spot” used by Lok Sabha Speaker Mr. Om Birla to describe the February 5 passage of Motion of Thanks to President without the Prime Minister’s reply on the debate, has its own justification. It was for the first time that the Motion of Thanks to President was taken up for passage without the Prime Minister’s reply in the Lok Sabha of which he happened to be the member. And that happened only because the Opposition members created an unprecedented situation in the House when some of ..

Horrendous !!!

THE horrendous death of three adolescent sisters who jumped from their ninth floor home in Gaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) as part of a ‘task’ in an online game, should shock everyone out of wits. Though this is not the first time that such an episode has happened -- not just in India but also elsewhere in the world. Unthinking children -- having been mesmerised by the so-called glamour of online games with dirty implications -- have taken extreme steps as part of ‘tasks’ that are integral to many such online ..

Be Dignified

IT IS time the Opposition learnt the importance of a dignified conduct in Parliament or outside it to promote a healthy democratic discourse on important issues. It is also time the Opposition realised its own responsibility to become an important pole in the country’s political field. This assertion has become necessary in the light of how the Opposition has been conducting itself rot a long time. It must realise that its conduct is far from being dignified and in tune with the decorum of democracy. ..

DETAILS PLEASE !

 THE sea of green on the benchmark indices on Tuesday underlined how much importance Indian businesses attach to having good trade relations with the United States of America. Trigger of the stock market surge was the announcement of the possibility..

DETAILS PLEASE !

THE sea of green on the benchmark indices on Tuesday underlined how much importance Indian businesses attach to having good trade relations with the United States of America. Trigger of the stock market surge was the announcement of the possibility of a trade agreement between India and the US by President Mr. Donald Trump on his social media handle. It was a hint of a deal getting sealed between the two countries, maybe in a short duration from now. The much-awaited and much-publicised trade deal ..

World’s pharmacy

FINER nuances of the Union Budget 2026 are unveiling a robust thinking behind making India a key player in the world not only as a strong economy but a vital ingredient for human welfare. All the number crunching by Finance Minister Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman has reflected India’s strategy of consolidation-first before making a move when things fall in place in the global economy. India is ready to play a waiting game but is not willing to sit idle. Instead, it is investing heavily in capacity building, ..

THE INSULATOR

 INSTEAD of searching for new territories to expand, the Union Budget 2026 has wisely gone for consolidating India’s strong ramparts to thwart all possible geoeconomic threats in the current volatility. Finance Minister Ms Nirmala Sitharaman..

SELF-ADVOCACY

R APID developments in the international arena has possibly compelled United Nations Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres to assert that the UN has been “very active” in mediating conflicts. Even as United States President Mr. Donald Trump tries to form a Board of Peace involving several countries, and also withdraw financial support to several global institutions, Mr. Guterres possibly felt it necessary to tell the world what the UN has been doing. His assertion, of course, is not without substance ..

on the same page !?

NO MATTER the assertion by Congress leader Mr. Shashi Tharoor that he and the party leadership are “on the same page” and all is “good”, those who know the internal atmosphere of the party will take the statement with a pinch (or, a bagful ?) of salt. For, what has been happening in the Congress party for the past 10-plus years does not suggest that all is well. Much to the contrary, enough indications are available to stress that the party is internally in the shambles -- simply because the collective ..

Serious anxieties

NO MATTER who says what, it is an undeniable fact that the work-force of the world’s high-technology sectors has become terribly anxious about possible job loss as Artificial Intelligence is proving to be an ever-expanding area causing shockingly high numbers of job cuts all over the world. Even as Amazon cut as many as 16,000 jobs in its various facilities the world over, the world’s high-tech sectors got caught in fears that there could be more job cuts across sectors and machines would replace ..

Shocking

 THE death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Ajit Pawar in an air-crash along with four other persons near Baramati Airport is truly shocking and unsettling. The Learjet aircraft took off from Mumbai at 8.15 a.m. and disappeared from the radar..

SHOT IN THE FOOT

THE back and forth between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) finally hit a dead end as the world body cracked its whip and booted out Bangladesh team from next month’s World Twenty20 Championships schedul..

Board of ‘pieces’ ?

THE latest move by United States President Mr. Donald Trump to weave together a Board of Peace -- particularly to work out a Gaza Peace Plan as its first assignment -- may find enough takers in the international arena, though every invited nation appears to be taking a close look at the proposal before accepting it. Importantly, the United Nations (UN), too, has stated that it has often worked alongside other global organisations in its peace bids. Thus, the stage may appear set for the new initiative, ..

Bjp’s new challenges

EVEN as Mr. Nitin Nabin takes over as President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at a crucial point, multiple new challenges also confront the world’s biggest political party. These challenges pertain less to ideology and more to the massive expansion of the organisation in the past one decade. There are reasons to believe that the BJP’s think-tank must have engaged itself with these issues to find effective solutions. Yet, there also are reasons to suspect whether the party is truly serious about ..

NEW PICTURE

T HE one-sided results of the elections for 29 Municipal Corporations in Maharashtra favouring the ruling combine led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have painted an entirely changed political picture of the State. Many old castles stand demolished and many egos have been smashed to smithereens. Maharashtra politics will never remain the same hereafter. The focal point of this electoral battle was the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) where Mr. Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray-led Shiv Sena was fighting ..

Unpredictable

THE situation in Greenland has assumed certain unpredictability. Even as United States President Mr. Donald Trump insists that the US needs the vast landmass now under sovereign control of Denmark for extraction of its mineral resources, America’s allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) appear determined to oppose Washington’s proposed moves. Many European countries have begun sending their troops -- on different missions -- to Greenland, indicating possible hostilities. Many European ..

CONFUSED DIPLOMACY

BY NOW, the world appears sure that the United States is playing a game of confused diplomacy -- in which Washington is not likely to emerge a winner. If President Mr. Donald Trump moves around like a bull in china shop, his administration’s other officials appear trying their best to save the American interests in whatever possible manner. Among several examples that can be cited to prove this point of extreme contradiction in American diplomacy is the latest statement by Mr. Sergio Gor, US Ambassador ..

CLASSICISM RULES

IN THE horde of white-ball cricket under way in India, one sobering experience has gone Test cricket’s way. The recently-concluded Ashes saw the traditional methods registering a thumping triumph over a modern way of batting. The 4-1 victory for Australia marked a success of classicism over England’s Bazball strategy which takes a one-way route of all-out aggression in all situations...

Bull in china shop

SO, UNITED States President Mr. Donald Trump has no intentions of attacking Greenland and seize the place, but ‘buy’ it, if we are to believe US Secretary of State Mr. Marco Rubio. Mr. Trump is a kind man -- unwilling to hurt anybody, and he is also willing to accommodate everybody -- including Mr. Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan President whom the US forces captured and deposited him in an American court on drug charges. The people of Greenland -- and also of Denmark under whose sovereign control ..

Utter filth

THE spewing of anti-India venom by some sections of students of the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University of Delhi needs to be stopped immediately through strictest possible action by the Government. For, when some students shout slogans deprecating Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah, they not only spoil the atmosphere but also mock at the authority of the Government and the sovereignty of the nation. Such activities have been going on at the JNU for too long, ..

True colours

THE statement of Mr. Mike Waltz, the United States (US) Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), shows true (and dirty) colours of America -- that the US would no longer tolerate hostile powers (particularly in the Western Hemisphere). The reference was to the growing influence of Russia, China and Iran. Mr. Waltz has said that the American operation in Venezuela sent a clear message to the global rivals that Washington would never tolerate hostile powers embedding themselves in the Western Hemisphere. ..

American normal

THE American action that had been brewing for long finally took place -- in complete disregard to international ethos and law. In a way, it was yet another expression of what can be described as ‘American normal’ demonstrating the usual hooliganism the United States has often practised -- symbolised by the invasion of Venezuela by the US forces and capture of Venezuelan President Mr. Nicolas Maduro and his wife. What a travesty of ‘justice’ by a country that swears by international harmony ! Though ..

RIGHT CHOICE

A CRICKETING freeze with Bangladesh, on lines of India’ policy towards Pakistan, is on cards after the removal of Desh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League. The left-arm fast bowler was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the 2026 season of IPL. As tensions flared up between the two neighbours over rising attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) quickly sensed the public mood and asked KKR to release Rahman...

Lessons from bihar

 INDIAN politics will keep learning different worthy lessons from the latest legislative elections in Bihar and their outcome. One of the most critical lessons is that the traditional caste factor until now weighing heavy in elections can turn topsy-..

QUAD quid pro quo

THERE should be no doubt in any quarter that the meeting of four QUAD Ambassadors to China in Beijing would evoke much interest and raise many an eyebrow around the world about what may be happening in global diplomacy. Though China has not officially responded to the envoys’ meet in its capital, its position is well-known that cooperation among countries should not target any third party ... and “engaging in group politics and bloc confrontation will not bring lasting peace and security, and is not ..

India’s year !

BEYOND doubt, 2025 was India’s year -- of reawakening, of reckoning, of redefining the road ahead, of resetting priorities, of realigning national interests, of reimagining international objectives, of rescheduling economic reforms, of realising dreams that have always occupied collective psyche ! On most of these fronts, India has been making efforts for long, all right, and in the past 10-12 years, those efforts had gained a special momentum. Yet, the year 2025 saw the country waking up to possibilities ..

Near ... but far !

A POSSIBLE solution to the Ukraine conflict appears to have come “closer than ever” (as per United States President Mr. Donald Trump’s description) -- following the all-important meeting between the American leader and Ukrainian President Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, the obstacle of security guarantee may stall -- or delay -- the fruition. When Mr. Trump has promised a 15-year security guarantee, Mr. Zelenskyy is insisting upon a 50-year guarantee so as to stave off any Russian mood and move ..

SAME OLD STORY

WHEN the central leadership in the Congress party is walking a path full of illusions about its electoral influence, seniors in the Grand Old Party are again seeking an overhaul of the intra-party system to strengthen it and restore its old glory. The road these reforms-seeking leaders have taken to drill in reality, though, is full of obstacles as it directly hurts the ego of the central leadership and the coterie surrounding them. In all likelihood, the pragmatic view expressed by senior leader ..

Shield the hills

 AMID growing protests against a recent Government Resolution accepting new definition of the Aravalli hills as laid down by the Supreme Court, the Centre has embarked upon a firefighting job issuing directions to States for a complete ban on grantin..

Trouble next door

INDIA’s immediate neighbourhood is full of myriad actions these days which can have a direct impact on political, civil as well as security situations here. As it extended a helping hand to cyclone-ravaged Sri Lanka with a USD 450 million aid, India is countering a storm in Bangladesh and a potential squall brewing in Pakistan. Each development has its own consequence and New Delhi has a tricky task ahead to negotiate these storms. While the Lanka front is a humanitarian call after cyclone Ditwah ..

GROWING UNREST

AFTER the ouster of Ms. Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, the interim government installed by Bangladesh with Nobel laureate Mr. Mohammed Yunus was supposed to address the problem of concentration of power by the Prime Minister’s Awami League. A year later, Mr. Yunus himself has become part of the problem as Bangladesh is rocked by violent unrest. Two student leaders, responsible for the July Uprising, have been shot dead by unidentified killers within days and the streets in Bangladesh’s cities are burning ..

facilities, ok -- but ...

UNION Health Minister Mr. Jagat Prasad Nadda is right when he asserts that young Indian doctors had freedom to go abroad, but could not accuse the country of not having appropriate medical facilities. For, over the past some years, India has created good enough medical infrastructure so that young doctors could avail of the facilities right in their own country -- since they have no reason to complain on that count. However, what the country lacks is a proper showcasing of the reasonably good medical ..

Baffling call

THE squad named by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup 2026 has a notable omission. India’s Test and One-Day captain Shubman Gill has not been included for the tournament leaving too big a roo..

RARE BONHOMIE !

T HE media -- as well as the people of India -- did not miss the rare bonhomie among leaders of various political parties -- their ideological and political differences notwithstanding -- at the residence of Lok Sabha Speaker Mr. Om Birla who invited all of them for high tea. The atmosphere was light and laughter filled the room and the general conversation did not veer to political mud-slinging. Leaders shared jokes and anecdotes -- offering a picture of togetherness (which is the crux of democracy) ..

Pak’s trouble

PAKISTAN’s trouble, its trauma, is spiritual in nature. It carries a deep sense of hurt when it sees Islamic countries making efforts to befriend India and its Prime Minister -- Mr. Narendra Damodardas Modi. Mr. Narendra Modi’s recent tour -- of Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman highlighted this fact once again. The three hosts received Mr. Modi in the most unique manner and bestowed upon him their highest civilian honours. They entered into different agreements with India in Mr. Narendra Modi’s presence ..

Quality Concerns

THAT the quality of India’s higher education should essentially be top class if the country wished to utilise its demographic dividend as a genuine growth accelerator, has been highlighted once again this time by none other than Mr. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor. Laying special emphasis on the next twenty years as a critical period to achieve the goal, Mr. Nageswaran has said that special efforts should be made to make members of young generations of the country competent as well as competitiv..

changing diplomacy

INDIA’s diplomacy is evolving into an altogether different ball-game. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi is breaking newer grounds, making newer friends, tackling issues with newer approaches. As part of this ongoing initiative, Mr. Modi’s India enters strategic partnership with Ethiopia and looks to enhancing bilateral trade with Jordan to five billion dollars. Each time Mr. Narendra Modi travels to abroad on a tour of different nations, we get to know of the new steps India has taken. Every Prime ..

‘The’ difference

THE difference between the organisational culture of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and most other parties, prominently including Congress, came to fore through a few recent developments. Those developments demonstrate clearly how the BJP ha..

tipping point

THE Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has arrived at a tipping point in its political journey -- indicated by several pointers, such as nomination of Bihar Minister Mr. Nitin Nabin as its national Working President, nomination of Union Minister Mr. Panka..

Timid opposition

THE walk-out of the Opposition Members of Lok Sabha during the speech of Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah once again points to the fact that the Opposition is a timid grouping with no courage to face facts on any matter. This habit of the Opposition came to the fore once again -- demonstrating clearly that its main interest is only to disturb the House rather than seek correct answers. Even as Mr. Shah assured the House that he would respond to each of the 3-4 issues raised by Leader of Opposition Mr. ..