Author: Asish Kumar
As the 2024 general elections approach in India, the political landscape is witnessing a significant transformation. Whether or not the Congress-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) wins, their vigorous campaign against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has undoubtedly brought critical issues to the forefront. These include unemployment, inflation, the failure of the Agnipath scheme, corruption, electoral bonds, majoritarianism, and potential constitutional changes.This proactive stance marks a notable shift from the 2019 elections, where Congress struggled to present a cohesive strategy, especially in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack on February 14. The then-Congress president, Rahul Gandhi, found himself…
Similar to the tide’s ebbs and flows, there are patterns in the complex dance of politics. Similar to how an unexpectedly low gold price would indicate a market anomaly, some political occurrences can also be signs of more significant change. Let us introduce you to populism, a political movement that has been sweeping the world for almost twenty years but appears to be levelling off. Think about the current turmoil in Hungary, where the populist prime minister, Viktor Orban, is caught up in a self-inflicted crisis. Even among those who previously backed Orban’s conservative agenda, there have been strong protests…
It is clear that our current course is inadequate in light of the growing need to address climate change. Global temperatures are rising along with severe climate-related calamities and rising greenhouse gas emissions, despite increased awareness and efforts. These dismal facts highlight how inadequate our current approaches are. We need to reevaluate our strategy from the ground up rather than just looking for band-aid solutions. Technological developments force a change towards more sustainable solutions by providing new ways to overcome the limitations of conventional methods. Unified Energy Systems: An Emerging Paradigm Systems of centralised energy production and distribution have long…
Following tense ties brought on by the 2019 Pulwama assault, Pakistan is facing a severe economic crisis. When India removed Pakistan’s designation as a “most preferred nation” and imposed high taxes on imports from Pakistan, the once-thriving trade between the two countries came to an abrupt halt. In addition, tensions were heightened by the removal of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, which prompted Pakistan to halt bilateral trade with India. In the present, Pakistan is looking into the possibilities of resuming trading relations with its eastern neighbour as it struggles with economic issues and global isolation. Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s minister…
A serious worry is the impending danger that Prime Minister Narendra Modi poses to the constitutional integrity of India. Many have questioned whether his actions during his tenure—which were characterised by an apparent contempt for democratic norms—represent a fundamental assault on the Constitution itself. Modi’s actions since taking office point to a worrisome confidence that he represents the Constitution. This mindset is demonstrated by a number of behaviours that go against democratic norms and constitutional principles rather than by overt assertions. Modi is a master demagogue who seems to value his power more than the accepted rules of government. The…
If Indira Gandhi were alive today, she might have learned a lesson from running an emergency without formally declaring one. Her historical invocation of constitutional provisions to impose the emergency did little to shield her from historical scrutiny. However, in contemporary times, it appears one can have their cake and eat it too, amidst enthusiastic public applause. This ability to conduct governance without overt declarations of authoritarian measures is indeed a significant achievement. Today, actions that would have previously incited uproar across the media, academia, public intellectuals, and everyday citizens now occur with barely a raised eyebrow. This shift is…
My mother’s grandmother, Ama, comes into her own as an unintentional matriarch in the complex web of traditional Indian households. After her husband’s sudden death, she was thrown into a leadership role in her Kumaoni Brahmin community, which was patriarchal. Ama had little formal education and a poor command of the English language, but she was full of traditional wisdom. Her understanding of the institution of marriage was especially deep. Ama used to say that even if weddings are prescribed in heaven, earthly procedures must be followed to carry them out. She highlighted the significance of depending on one’s own…
The last decade has seen a remarkable change in the complex network of world politics, where changes are frequently measured in decades instead of days. This development isn’t limited to the international arena; India’s political environment has experienced profound changes that have unavoidably altered its foreign policy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose direct engagement has helped India establish a unique position on the global stage, is leading this recalibration. The days of dismissing Modi as a local politician with little interest in international events are long gone. His pragmatist approach, rooted in the ‘India first’ mentality, has confused friends and…
Following tense ties brought on by the 2019 Pulwama assault, Pakistan is facing a severe economic crisis. When India removed Pakistan’s designation as a “most preferred nation” and imposed high taxes on imports from Pakistan, the once-thriving trade between the two countries came to an abrupt halt. In addition, tensions were heightened by the removal of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, which prompted Pakistan to halt bilateral trade with India. In the present, Pakistan is looking into the possibilities of resuming trading relations with its eastern neighbour as it struggles with economic issues and global isolation. Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s minister…
Similar to the tide’s ebbs and flows, there are patterns in the complex dance of politics. Similar to how an unexpectedly low gold price would indicate a market anomaly, some political occurrences can also be signs of more significant change. Let us introduce you to populism, a political movement that has been sweeping the world for almost twenty years but appears to be levelling off. Think about the current turmoil in Hungary, where the populist prime minister, Viktor Orban, is caught up in a self-inflicted crisis. Even among those who previously backed Orban’s conservative agenda, there have been strong protests…