Replacing MGNREGA: Was it necessary?

If reform was genuinely the objective, the government could have introduced a MGNREGA 2.0 or strengthened the existing framework. Choosing instead to discard Gandhi’s name altogether points less to administrative necessity and more to a deliberate political statement, one that alters the scheme’s identity. On December 18, barely three days after it was circulated, Parliament […]

The Chimerica challenge for India                                                                                                   

A few weeks ago at the APEC Summit, a familiar but confusing scene returned to global politics. US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, two leaders who are rewriting the rhythm of 21st century geopolitics, shared a moment that seemed to restore the idea of a “G-2” world. Both countries quietly acknowledged each […]

The populist America needs today

This article has been published with: The populist America needs today It’s not every day that a Muslim of Indian origin becomes the mayor of the world’s richest city—New York. But today, Zohran Mamdani, born in Uganda to Indian parents, raised in Queens and long seen as an outsider in American politics, pulled off what […]

Why Gen Z protests are shaking the world

This article has been published with: Why Gen Z protests are shaking the world Unlike their predecessors, Gen Z is not content with gradual change. They have grown up in a digital world where progress is instantaneous and transparency is expected. Their protests are organised online, powered by memes, videos and digital solidarity. The internet […]

India’s role in the new Gaza peace

The article has been published with: As the first phase of US president Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza gains traction, with both Hamas and Israel cautiously signing onto its initial framework, a new moment of reckoning arises not just for the region but for India, whose interests and ideals converge at the heart […]

Rethinking free speech through Sahyog

This article has been published with: Rethinking free speech through Sahyog Sahyog can serve public good but only if backed by transparency, statutory clarity and judicial review. Otherwise, it will remain a contested experiment seen by some as shield against cybercrime and by others as a step toward state overreach. From the very beginning, India’s […]

The American dream crumbles

This article has been published with: The American dream crumbles In quintessential Trump fashion, the US president has yet again upended millions of Indian aspirations with a single stroke of the pen. His latest executive order, hiking the H-1B visa fee to a staggering $1,00,000 has sent shockwaves through India’s tech corridors and diaspora communities. […]

London’s identity in question, are Indians at risk?                                                                      

This article has been published with: London’s identity in question, are Indians at risk? On a September weekend, central London became a stage of tense spectacle. A tide of Union Jacks and St George’s crosses swept through the streets, led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson under the banner of “Unite the Kingdom.” More than 1,50,000 […]

Nepal’s double uprising: Revolt and exodus

This article has been published with Nepal’s double uprising: Revolt and exodus Nepal is today at an inflection point. The Himalayan republic, long accustomed to political instability has rarely faced a moment this stark: the biggest youth revolt in its history colliding with the largest exodus of its people abroad. The first is noisy, combustible […]

India’s silent education revolution finds its voice                       

Asia’s most prestigious public service honor, Ramon Magsaysay Award, has this year been conferred on “Educate Girls,” an Indian non-profit that has brought millions of out-of-school girls back into classrooms. The recognition stands both as celebration of achievement and as a symbol of aspiration.   For the first time, an Indian organisation and one dedicated […]

Neither US words nor China’s weight, India must script its own

This article has been published with: Neither US words nor China’s weight, India must script its own If Washington and Moscow reduce their hostility, China may find itself subtly squeezed, a development India could exploit diplomatically. But history warns us not to take Trump’s overture at face value: his unpredictability is his only constant. Today, […]

Sudarshan Chakra: Can India build its own Iron Dome?

This article has been published with: Sudarshan Chakra: Can India build its own Iron Dome? There is symbolism and morale factor—for a country positioning itself as a rising power, demonstrating capability in futuristic defence technology is as much about deterrence as it is about actual use. National security is no longer defined only by troop […]