Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar
Oh no to ONOE but we do need electoral reform
A gap of four or five years between elections is too long, and robs voters of the opportunity of expressing displeasure more regularly. What we need is One Nation, Two Elections
The new ‘green revolution’ will not feed India
Farmers are the best judges. We see no rush by farmers to go into natural farming. It is too early to call this a failure, but the signs are not promising
Tough rape laws can mean more victims are killed
West Bengal's new law imposing the death penalty on rapist-killers follows similar such knee-jerk reactions from other states. A stringent law will not address the root cause of the crime. Societal attitudes towards rape victims need to change, with a focus on providing timely justice
UPS not a retreat from NPS but a step forward
India has transitioned to a Unified Pension Scheme, preserving the New Pension System’s core aspects and ensuring a minimum pension of 50% of the last-drawn salary. This shift counters the Congress party's advocacy for the Old Pension System and reflects a compromise between economic prudence and employee welfare
Khan and able: How Bollywood restored our faith in secularism
Bollywood films have long been a barometer of society. When the Khan trinity-- Salman, Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan--suffered box office setbacks is it that audiences have rejected them because of ideological reasons or is it just bad scripting?
What Nehru got wrong about India’s economy after Independence
Soon after Independence, Jawaharlal Nehru came up with an economic strategy that he felt corrected the mistakes made under British rule. He got a lot wrong
- Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
The rise and fall of Bangladesh’s economy, and the lessons in it
Once viewed as a basket case, Bangladesh has created a world-class ready-made garments (RMG) industry that now exports more than India. But its miracle story is ending.
Making a case for attracting Chinese FDI
Let the govt declare the precise limits of its security yard, and erect high fences there. Let all else be open to the world, including China
Jobs ahoy? New incentives are clever politics
The Budget deserves praise for good fiscal management, avoidance of freebies, high capex, and stability in medium term-policies but may not be the panacea for unemployment that the youth are looking for
Budget gets many things right, but falters on sops for jobs
Politically, this is a ‘government bachao’ budget. But in economic terms, the budget is a macroeconomic dream come true. Here’s why
- Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar
- THE ECONOMIC TIMES
UP kanwar yatra order goes against spirit of ‘sabka saath’
That kanwariyas might unknowingly eat at a Muslim-owned shop is apparently so frightful a prospect for pilgrims that every shop must be forced to display names in order to reveal Muslim owners. Shops that fail to do so can be shut down. Given the state govt’s past records with bulldozer demolitions, this is no idle threat
No Viksit Bharat without overhaul of education
Modi's high-income India vision faces challenges from the dismal state of education, particularly in rural areas
A Trump second term not good for India, or the world
What will a second Trump term mean for India? The man is so impulsive and unpredictable that nobody can be certain what he will do. But he has spoken of radical changes that would impact not just the US but the whole world.
Atmanirbhar with a twist: India’s different from Korea, Latin nations
Will India emulate East Asia's export-driven success or follow Latin America's crony capitalism pitfalls in its pursuit of economic dominance?
For world-class firms, is India going Korea way?
The government seems to be creating Indian versions of the highly successful Japanese zaibatsu and Korean chaebol. But mere state support cannot turn companies into successful national champions. Companies need to have skills and capital to build giant conglomerates in this competitive market
Ab ki baar, soch vichar: Why BJP needs to introspect, adjust
Opposition has now doubled its strength, NDA allies who felt humiliated earlier will be far more assertive this time, and Modi will have to venture into uncharted territory and play a new role as negotiator
This brainpower flex is India’s best-kept secret
The unanticipated rise of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) have made India a global hub for brainpower with no hoopla but to stunning effect earning both revenue and providing the world with STEM graduates. This has put paid to talk that globalisation is in retreat.
How BJP reined in cow vigilantes and got industry back on track
BJP has changed its stance on buffalo meat exports, impacting the industry, especially in the context of vigilante attacks on cattle traders accused of transporting cows for slaughter.
Sexual crimes: Shun perps, not survivors
Cases like the Karnataka sex scandal involving Prajwal Revanna and Unnao rape convict Kuldeep Sengar highlight the victimisation of assault survivors who face ostracism and stigma. Traditional norms hinder justice for them while the accused rarely ever face consequences for their actions.
Song ka jawab, ban se denge? Stop censoring poll ditties
Corruption charges are common in politics. The difference today is that draconian laws, notably on money laundering and unlawful activities, are being used to jail foes without bail. BJP calls this effective enforcement. Opposition parties call it vendetta