Opinion
Neeraj Kaushal's column: Western culture is not to blame for our waist girth.
The problem of obesity has increased rapidly in India. Almost one in every three women in the age group of 15 to 49 years and more than one in every four men are overweight or they are obese. In line with our tendency to blame the West for all their problems, many people blame globalization, fast food and western lifestyle. While there are already enough ingredients in the Indian diet to increase our waist circumference; We do not need globalization for this. Chole-bhature has more calories than an Angus burger. We also like to eat jalebis after chole-bhatura. But despite being crispy and deli
N. Raghuraman's column: Electricity; a service or a license to know?
Even before Diwali lamps illuminate our homes and streets, the decorative lights on shops, markets and buildings have started to shine across the country. Colorful lights announce the arrival of this 'Festival of Light' even before the festival. The credit for this magic goes to electricity. But did we become so accustomed to this wonderful service that we even forgot how dangerous it can be if used carelessly? Two recent incidents forced me to ask this question. Two foreign nationals died and two others were injured after a suspected electric current in the swimming pool of a five-star hotel
N. Raghuraman's column: Great ideas need an open mind, not millions of dollars of labs.
In 2017, when the world was struggling with the problem of single-use plastic and restaurants were looking for alternatives to its absurdity, Professor Saji Varghese was taking a walk as usual in the lush green campus of Christ University, Bengaluru. His eyes fell on a dry coconut leaf lying on the grass. In India, these leaves are found everywhere and are usually burnt thinking they are agricultural waste. Picking up a leaf and moving it between his fingers, he felt something strange. Its surface was smooth and shiny. Despite breaking from the tree, it was neither rotten nor damp. He pondered
DEMOCRACY UNDER SIEGE? ‘HAMMER TO KILL A FLY’ WARNING AS DELHI POLICE DETAIN CJP PROTESTERS DEMANDING CEC GYANESH KUMAR’S RESIGNATION
Massive security deployment raises questions over citizens’ right to protest, taxpayers’ money and electoral transparency; Vadodara’s striking voting pattern demands scrutiny—not speculation The CJP-led movement demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, raising questions about electoral transparency and the functioning of the Election Commission of India. The protest was met with extensive security arrangements, barricades, restrictions on public movement and the detention of demonstrators and movement organisers. The controversy intensified following t
Independence Day 2026: Crores Spent on Spectacle While a Nation Still Waits for “Achhe Din”
15 August 2026: As the last echoes of the national anthem faded and the sky over the Red Fort lit up with fireworks and laser displays, the Government of India and various state governments had once again spent staggering sums to commemorate the 79th anniversary of India’s Independence. Official estimates put the combined expenditure by the Centre and states on parades, cultural programmes, lighting, security, advertisements, and associated events at well over ₹450 crore. In Delhi alone, the grand show is believed to have cost more than ₹180 crore. Yet behind the choreographed grand
The Cockroach Janta Party Protest: A New Political Movement or the Same Old Playbook?
When Every Anti-Corruption Crusade Becomes the Very System, It Swore to Dismantle, India Must Ask Harder Questions About Power, Money, and Accountability In a familiar tableau that has played out repeatedly across India's democratic landscape, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has launched a high-profile public protest, complete with demands directed at the ruling dispensation, media-friendly optics, and the unmistakable ambition of political relevance. The party has put forward three demands and entered into public discussions with the ruling party — moves that, on the surface, suggest
“Our Children Deserve Better”- Education Reformer Sonam Wangchuk's Day 21 Ignites Soul-Searching Over Education Crisis, Police Action, and the Erosion of Democratic Trust
Heart of a Nation Fasting: As the scorching sun set over Jantar Mantar on Saturday, July 18, 2026, the air was thick with a palpable mix of hope and anxiety. Climate crusader, innovator, and beloved educator Sonam Wangchuk entered the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike, his frail body bearing the weight of a moral crusade that has sparked a national debate far beyond the improvement of India's education system. The examination paper leaks—affecting multiple competitive exams including NEET and state-level tests—have impacted an estimated 4.5 million students across India this
Development, Democracy and the Citizen Who Feels Forgotten
For years, Indians have been told that the nation is progressing at an unprecedented pace. New highways are built, airports are inaugurated, skylines are transformed, and record-breaking economic achievements dominate political speeches. Development has become the most celebrated word in public life. Yet, beyond the advertisements, slogans, and televised celebrations, there is another India quietly asking a simple question: Development for whom? The ordinary citizen does not measure progress through government campaigns or corporate presentations. Progress is measured by the quality o
India’s antiquated law on contempt of court restricts personal liberty and must be overhauled
After having raised the issue of whether the clubby and secretive collegiums system actually preserves the independence of the judiciary former Supreme Court judge, Justice Markandey Katju, has now trained his guns on India’s antiquated contempt of court law. He has made the valid point, in this newspaper, that judicial supremacy cannot be based on the law of kings in a democracy.
India’s best hope is that the Budget due February 2015 chooses growth and jobs
The presidential address to Parliament on June 9, 2014 had focussed nearly exclusively on projects and schemes, eschewing policy. Therefore, many had eagerly awaited the budget speech for a policy vision of the new government. Unfortunately, it too left observers guessing on whether the government would tackle tough reforms or rely principally on better implementation.
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- Neeraj Kaushal's column: Western culture is not to blame for our waist girth.
- N. Raghuraman's column: Electricity; a service or a license to know?
