Opinion

FOSTERING ACADEMIC COMPETITION IN THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

17 May 2021 01:52 AM IST

Healthy competition among universities can raise the bar of higher education in India significantly. But for that to happen, context-specific and evidence-based strategies for institutionalising and funding interdisciplinary research, continuous professional development of faculty members, and a thriving university-industry interface must be ensured.

THIS IS NOT A MODI HEALTH CRISIS, THIS IS AN INDIA HEALTH CRISIS

15 May 2021 01:33 AM IST

In a democracy, it is not incumbent on citizens to find favour or merit in its elected representatives. They have the right to disagree, dislike or even have disdain against their political leaders for legitimate or frivolous reasons. So, if for some reason — political, social, or for a plain

AMITABH’S DONATION TO GURDWARA PROJECTS IGNITES SIKH POLITICS

15 May 2021 01:29 AM IST

Cine superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s declaration that he donated Rs 12 crore towards Covid-related projects initiated in two prominent gurdwaras of the capital has snowballed into a major controversy that could have wide-ranging ramifications for Punjab in general, and Sikh politics in Delhi in particular. Two prominent leaders, both former presidents

THE ORIGIN OF OUR MISERY: THE MYSTERY OF WUHAN’S LAB P4

15 May 2021 01:24 AM IST

In the wake of the deadly second wave of Covid-19, some questions need to be asked about the biosafety lab in China’s Wuhan. Why did the PLA take over the lab, why were the lab’s French collaborators silent on the issue, and did the WHO investigation hide any truths?

BANGLADESH’S GIFT TO AID INDIA IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19

14 May 2021 03:36 AM IST

Bangladesh has sent Covid medicines to its trusted friend India as a sign of friendship during this tormenting situation. The nation stands by its close neighbour with sympathy and is ready to extend all possible assistance to save lives. Indian Army Chief General Mukund Naravane had brought one lakh doses

DOWN BUT NOT OUT: INDIA CAN MAKE CHINA PAY

13 May 2021 06:07 AM IST

The doomsayers have spoken. Three weeks of India going through one of its worst health crises ever, faced with a once-in-a-century pandemic and they have started writing the end of the India story. Many see India losing its global standing, its regional standing, with its image dented and the back

GNCTD AMENDMENT ACT: THE CHALLENGES OF GOVERNING DELHI

13 May 2021 06:05 AM IST

The recent GNCTD Amendment Act seems to be a case of using legislation to settle ideological disputes. However, in doing so, it not only violates the principles of constitutional morality and objectivity, but also defies the democratic and federal tenets enshrined in the Constitution which vests powers in people’s representatives

LOOKING FOR LEADERSHIP

12 May 2021 01:55 AM IST

If there is one thing the second surge of the Covid outbreak has thrown up it is questions around the current leadership style. As the WHO’s Soumya Swaminathan said, what is needed is strong leadership that is based on science and data – not grandstanding and rhetorical flourishes. The fact

A YEAR TO EMBRACE THE INDIA-NZ RELATIONSHIP

12 May 2021 01:53 AM IST

As India marks its 75th year of independence, ravaged by a pandemic which has cast a shadow of uncertainty over its near-term growth prospects, the nation must leverage its companionship with New Zealand, expand and diversify the bilateral trade relations between the two, and resolve current FTA gridlocks.

CORONA IN INDIA: WESTERN MEDIA’S BIAS IS SHOWING

11 May 2021 01:57 AM IST

There is only one way to describe the foreign media coverage of the Covid-19 crisis in India—it stinks. It stinks of bias, superiority complex, voyeurism and even racism. It also stinks of lazy journalism, ignorance, and worse, of distortion. As if callous intrusion into the last rites of Indians was

PM MODI HAS BEEN WORKING HARD; DON’T GET TRAPPED IN THE OPPOSITION’S BARBS

11 May 2021 01:54 AM IST

As the nation faces an unprecedented crisis, the larger debate is not about the deaths due to Covid or the large number of recoveries—it is only about who should be blamed for the pandemic. However, there are some key points that must be brought to the notice of people who

THE SOPS FOR GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING NEED TO CHANGE

10 May 2021 02:28 AM IST

The affinity of public sector entities including governmental departments, nodal agencies and regulators for print advertisements is unmatchable. It is probably part of an ancient SOP which is yet to be updated. The ad category that catches the eye the most is the one for the recruitment of people and