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Climate change is real: The world is hotter than its been for two millennia
Global warming is upon us. Long-term global temperature trends revealed by tree rings in a new scientific study confirms tree-life long heat conditions in the northern hemisphere. The Paris Agreement cap sadly lacks a global consensus.
India must raise productivity for sustainable and inclusive growth
We must focus on improving manufacturing processes and capital expenditure deployment to increase productivity. Quick digitization of supply chains and operations can earn significant benefits for companies.
Manu Joseph: Alice Munro reported from inside the heads of women
The author and literature Nobel laureate was chiefly interested in the lives of women, but the result wasnt always compassion for women.
The carbon emissions of war put humanitys right to exist at risk
While developing countries are asked to sacrifice their growth prospects for global climate goals, it is a cruel joke to witness wasteful emissions from extended wars. Geopolitics and international security are blind spots that the climate-change movement mustnt ignore.
Chronicle of a team foretold: Loving RCB is like running into a computer problem again and again
In recent times, if you want to see the real path of love you need to be a fan of the IPL cricket franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). For most part of the last 16 years, since the IPL started, RCB have resembled a UPSC aspirant who makes it to the interview stage but doesnt get selected.
Rise of D2C Brands in the Beauty Industry- Is Omnichannel Strategy the Key?
With the rise of D2C beauty brands, it seems the omnichannel strategy is spearheading the growth of the beauty industry in India and transforming the future of retail.
Jagmohan Dalmiya, the man who set cricket on its path to current riches
The ICC will rightfully take credit for extending the footprint of the game to the lucrative American market. But this is a good time to remember Jagmohan Dalmiya, the man whose dynamism and street smarts set cricket on its path to global reach
What if all this spending is based on misconceptions about personal behaviour and the illusion of precision that these platforms offer? From an advertiser's perspective, the more funds that go into creating compelling content and targeting the right potential buyers, the better. Everything else is a waste. But reality is different.
IPL: Incredibly Popular League
The IPL has become a global phenomenon since its inception in 2008, growing in stature and popularity with each passing season. Its success lies in its ability to deliver high-octane entertainment within a cricketing framework that appeals to both purists and casual fans alike. The T20 format ensures fast-paced action, while the inclusion of international stars creates a sense of spectacle and rivalry in every match.
Indias rural awakening: An economic growth engine
More than half the value addition in the manufacturing sector is now generated in rural areas and about two-thirds of rural income comes from non-farm activities. Rural development can be accelerated to achieve double-digit growth rates and make Indias land distribution less lopsided.
For India's Tata Motors, the fallout appears immediate and challenging, while power industry firms stand on the edge of unexpected benefits
The Reserve Bank of India should defy the curve and cut rates
India's central bank needs to show foresight again and cut rates ahead of the US Federal Reserve to make money cheaper and revive private capital expenditure, which is necessary to sustain the post-pandemic growth revival amid fiscal constraints that could stay the governments hand.
Seinfelds spoof on Kellogg: Brand theft or celebrity endorsement?
Jerry Seinfelds new comedy film Unfrosted makes fun of breakfast cereal major Kelloggs launch of Pop-Tarts, even as the comedian dares the company to sue. But the brand's owner would rather join the joke, not take him on for intellectual property infringement. Whats going on? Dont ask AI.
Mint Quick Edit | US elections: Brace for Biden vs Trump debates
Ahead of the US presidential election, Democrat Joe Biden and his Republican rival Donald Trump have agreed to two debates on 27 June and 10 September. The clash may be pivotal if the race tightens. Will ageism play a role?
Australia has announced plans to introduce legislation to set a cap on the maximum number of new international student enrolments that education providers can offer, causing concern among universities and potential international students. The proposed move aims to maintain the integrity and sustainability of the sector by cracking down on dubious education providers, agents, and students. However, critics argue that limiting the number of qualified international students is unfair and defies logic.
Think it over: What AI does for us versus what its doing to us
Chatting with AI chatbots can leave a neural imprint on us. A friendly bot may make us feel less vulnerable, offering us a sense of comfort, but might an emotional vacuum created by such a relationship also leave us emotionally fragile?
Making ChatGPT sexy may not be the best way to make it better
ChatGPTs latest omni version is making waves. But if OpenAI's aim was to make its chatbot more engaging, that could open up a can of worms and put our mental health at threat.
Aim high: Industry-academia ties could catapult Indias biopharma industry
We must combine all our skills to boost innovation. An incentive scheme like Chinas talent programme could be used to recruit overseas Indians from top global institutes, while domestic universities ascend the biotech learning curve.
Maldives matters: Indias moving to foil Chinese designs
With China making diplomatic inroads, New Delhis hosting of the Maldivian foreign minister amid domestic elections and despite strained ties is evidence of the strategic importance of nations in the Indian Ocean Region. New Delhi is shoring up its influence for good reason.
Fix food inflation: Quit erratic intervention, adopt a rulebook
The governments approach to taming food inflation has been flawed. Ad-hoc export and other trade restrictions appear to have raised supplier anxiety and worsened shortages of farm commodities. We need a proper framework of rules to address price instability.
Globalization at threat: US import tariffs have dealt free trade a heavy blow
New American barriers against Chinese imports confirm a US policy rejection of free trade. While watching out for the fallout, India should resist going the US way and letting geopolitics trump economics. We must avoid policy myopia.
Mint Quick edit | Should Indias mixed trade bag prompt a rupee rethink?
Exports edged up a bit in April but were outpaced by imports, widening our trade deficit. Thankfully, capital inflows look sustainable and the rupee is unlikely to weaken muchthough a weaker currency could boost exports.
View: Chabahar, port of a smart call
Investing in Chabahar presents its own set of obstacles. The progress in the region has been hindered by US sanctions over the years. Since 2018, India has refrained from importing significant amounts of heavy Iranian crude and faced challenges in providing financial aid for the construction of the Chabahar-Zahedan railway in 2020 due to sanctions. Energy trade has long been the cornerstone of India-Iran relations, and this shift has temporarily strained bilateral ties.
View: Google's distributing AI pixie dust
In the past, Microsoft's strategy was to embrace, extend, and extinguish (EEE) by using open standards to create tools, then adding proprietary extensions to dominate the market and control competitors. At Google's recent I/O 2024 developer conference, announcements included AI-driven photo search, a generative AI chatbot, and AI agents for personal assistants. However, many products, like text-to-image and text-to-music, are still in prototype stages. Google aims to integrate AI into all its products, leveraging its massive user base, unlike OpenAI, which, despite innovations, lacks Google's distribution power.
The last old-style election? Another future likely soon for how India votes
Digitalisation of society and of political communication would also suggest another future. One suspects 2024 is seeing the last of India's old-style campaigns. When he prepares for re-election in 2029, Modi must almost certainly have a new campaign approach.
As per reports, the total number of income tax returns filed during the Assessment Year (AY) 2022-23 reached 7.51 crores, which is a significant increase from 6.63 crores in AY 2021-22.
Wake-up call for AI makers: They should take the iPad ads backlash seriously
The depth of feelings stirred up by the badly conceived advertisement reveals a wider anxiety that AI players dismiss at their own risk. They could address the problem by positioning their products as human friendly.
US Democrats are going wrong in their campaign for abortion rights
The party may be making all the right noises on the issue but its publicity material is diversity deficient. Democrats should tell the stories of a wider cross-section of America.
Indias proposed digital competition framework: Are the countrys current competition law sufficient?
It stated that due to the swift evolution of digital markets, the current competition law framework may not timely address the anti-competitive conduct by large digital enterprises.
Indias poverty debate needs to move on: Lets adopt new norms
We ought to acknowledge Indias success in relieving poverty by norms framed back in the 1970s, but its also time to revise our poverty cut-off in accordance with what we consider a decent standard of living today.
Indias labour-intensive manufacturing slump is no small worry
A stagnation in sectors that employ a large number of people can have a direct impact on India's basic human development indicators. A look at India in comparison with its neighbours is quite revealing.
Why stock markets are jittery and what could happen next
While the election result and higher-for-longer interest rates in the US could deliver short-term shocks, long-term investors have little to worry about.
How safe is safe enough? Heed RBI on cyber security and risk reduction.
Were RBI clamps on Kotak Mahindra Bank too stiff? Not if cyber risks are considered. Banks should view RBIs IT insistences as laying a well-lit path towards better and safer banking.
ICICI Securities case: Is shareholder activism maturing in India?
The ICICI merger case of alleged shareholder-vote irregularities could go either way. Its under scrutiny. But to the extent this episode speaks of alert minority shareholders, it augurs well for the future of capitalism in the country.
Mint Quick Edit | Does Indias Chabahar deal risk US sanctions?
The US took little time to bring up the potential risk of sanctions in the context of Indias Chabahar port deal with Iran. Americas own interests, though, may converge with ours if we broaden the context.
While the post-WW2 world experienced rapid urbanisation, India followed suit at a slower and more haphazard pace. Misguided attempts to combat urbanisation as undesirable hindered growth of efficiencies of agglomeration in the economy, compared to nations that urbanised rapidly and more cohesively.
Downsides of coalition govt are as exaggerated as virtues of single-party rule
Most people equate a government by a single party that enjoys a majority in Parliament with political stability, efficient decision-making and living happily ever after. In this view, coalitions carry the risk of instability, erratic policy and economic woes. India's own recent history shows that such views are unfounded.
Board diversity can catalyse business success
Studies find a positive correlation between the proportion of women on boards and performance metrics like return on assets or equity. Whats lagging is the mindset shift needed for diversity to fulfill its promise.
Chinas clean-tech subsidies are good for the planet we inhabit
Governments should encourage green industrial policies and not decry them as transgressions of international trade rules. The moral, environmental and economic arguments favour those who subsidize their green industries, not those who want to tax others production.
Too many cooks? Indian spice products hurt by too many, not too few, standards
Hong Kong has suspended the sales of three spice blends made by MDH and Everest. The reason given for the action is that these products contain high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide ethylene oxide. The problems run deeper and it is not that there are no checks to regulate the quality.
Curb deepfake velocity, vulnerability and viciousness
We must stop their spread, keep people from falling for them and deploy the law to deter their ugly use as weapons.
We should mobilize resources to reduce road fatalities in India
Timely evacuation and treatment hold the key to solving a problem on which India is still an outlier. Lets do all we can to bend this curve.
Defence rejig: India must move faster on theatre-focused armed forces
Integrated theatre commands should boost Indias defence preparedness. We must get the basics of this plan right even as we address the command dilemma of tech-enabled warfare.
The China challenge: Fix Indias lopsided bilateral trade
Having displaced the US, China is back on top as Indias biggest trade partner, but the gap between our imports and exports is vast. Decoupling isnt feasible, but the imbalance needs attention.
Simons was a leading philanthropist who gave away billions during his lifetime to support medical and science research and teaching. His journey had been exciting and intriguing. A maths genius, he was only 23 when he received his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.
Why offline shopping needs to be far more experiential
Big retail in India needs reinvention. The mall as a massive real estate complex is an American idea that goes back to a combination of consumer boom, timescape, landscape and culture that suited the West rather than India. Mall culture is changing in the West itself.
How to set right your SIP portfolio
Ensuring you are invested in the right funds at all times is more complicated. However, as long as you have confidence in the fund management team, it's wise to stick with the fund
Howard Schultz should give Starbucks' CEO the time and space he needs to deliver
The founder has a record of criticizing new leaders of Starbucks. The shadow he casts has made the coffee chain difficult to run. Time for him to let go.
India should raise minimum wages or adopt a living wage approach
Socially, the move could alleviate poverty, reduce inequality and improve living standards. Economically, increased incomes are likely to boost spending and stimulate the Indian economy.
Why has official Indian data on informal enterprises been kept under wraps?
The results of a new survey rolled out to plug a big gap in GDP estimation havent been released yet. But that defeats its purpose of providing timely data on the countrys informal sector to policymakers, investors, researchers and ordinary citizens.
Rethink the marshmallow test and earn trust to win employee commitment
Patience for later rewards depends on trust. Workers opting for instant gratification suggests too little of it. Organizations must ensure their promises are credible.
Bulls and bears: Stock market shudders are not hard to understand
Volatility may seem odd amid todays positive economic narrative, but poll uncertainty and indifferent business earnings could explain it. A drop in net household financial savings while mutual find inflows swell are another point to ponder.
A solar storm and our exposure to the Sun
A powerful solar storm gave the planet dazzling skies and served us a reminder of how the Suns doing fine while we face the threat of global warming. Surviving differs from thriving.
Election results are not tethered to voter turnout
Indira Gandhi returned to power with an overwhelming majority in 1971, despite a drop in voter turnout of about 6%. In the following election, in 1977, the vote share climbed by more than 5%, but she lost.
'Crush!': Apples iPad ad triggered our darkest fears of an AI takeover
The ads intended message was that many of the creative tools could now be re-created using their new iPad. But instead, the metaphor it used elicited the fear that AI is a grave risk to the joy, authenticity and spontaneity of human creativity.
Indias inclusive innovation can shape the worlds digital future
Our digital public infrastructure is built on design principles emphasizing interoperability and inclusive scalability from the outset. It could be a valuable case study for the world on how best to build inclusive technology in the age of artificial intelligence.
Manu Joseph: The fabled charms of heritage red-light areas are bogus
Do historians over-rate history? In many places, history is the first to go. It erodes at the speed of time.
Stock market indices say little about economic growth
Stock index movements reflect the health of listed companies. But extending the explanatory power of index movements to cover the growth prospects of an economy is inadvisable.
Vande Bharat Metro: Will these trains get their routes right?
Indian Railways should not make the same mistake it made with Vande Bharat for Vande Bharat Metro services. It must study demand forecasts before picking routes to achieve optimal patronage and revenue.
PM Surya Ghar scheme: Balance consumer equity with discom stability
The scheme's success is key to Indias ambitious target for solar rooftop energy. But how well the scheme does will be contingent on several factors including proper price signalling, efficient grid management, and well-structured curtailment policies.
Consumerism rules: Its visible in creams, dreams and vanity mirrors
Consumerism has overtaken younger generations but the values we inculcate in them could keep consumption from spinning out of control as India undergoes a youth bulge.
Republicans are trying a new way to control womens bodies
Anti-abortion gains in America have had a ripple effect on legal rights. The conservative agenda on abortion is bent against womens rightswhich include pregnancy provisions that Republicans are trying to squash.
Verbal e-volution: Language technologies are still shaping global culture
All leaps in language processing have proven revolutionary, be it Gutenbergs printing press or the language models of AI. And language tech has mostly favoured English, adding to its global dominance.
Freshworks takes a calculated risk. Will it work?
All SaaS businesses now have to reckon with the new threat of AI-based tools. While Freshworks is already offering some of these, the competition in this space is intense
Watch out, AI and GenAI are transforming e-commerce from the ground up
AI will impact our lives broadly but also revolutionize e-com at the back-end, even as it gives us a whole new online shopping experience. Itll personalize offerings, guide shoppers, smash language barriers, expand reach, raise efficiency and more.
Trash it right: We must transform waste management
India must get its act together. Thankfully, there exists a viable business model focused on the environmental as well as social impact of waste management, one that uses twin revenue streams to achieve a triple balance of people, planet and profits.
Value chain risk: Will Vietnam end up like another Chinese province?
Global supply-chain diversifiers had better stay alert. Local politics could mean Vietnam develops Chinese characteristics.
What TikTok failed to understand about America: Democracy
TikToks aggressive tactic of mobilizing its American users to protest a US law on data privacy only worsened the anxiety over this social media platforms political influence. Chinese-owned TikTok got its US market strategy all wrong.
Do hybrid bonds actually offer bank depositors any protection?
The issue needs to be settled. At stake is their ability to absorb losses and act as capital cushions for lenders.
Leadership determines whether institutions flout or value norms
Public vigilance may be the only safeguard against institutions that subvert foundational ideals. Alas, it happens much too oftenand not just in the education sector.
Indias CBDC can be popularized in various ways, like offline access and programmability. But to challenge cash, RBIs e-money will need to offer anonymity. To firm up such a promise, its best to legislate it.
Hindujas get a 360-degree makeover but need to smoothen rough edges
There is enough data to show that a majority of family businesses worldwide do not last beyond the third generation. The Hindujas need to be mindful of this
Yes, releasing the EVM source code could improve our polling systems security
Open source software isnt more vulnerable to hackers but less, thanks to the highly skilled vigil kept by a broad community of developers, security experts and researchers. We should use it to safeguard our elections.
The neutrality of Civil War is what makes this film powerful
Alex Garlands movie shows a future America at war with itself. It doesnt specify why, which means it could help stir a real debate across the aisle in a deeply divided country.
The Godrej family saga: Business succession should be led by a common vision
In multigenerational family business groups, succession planning is more than mere transfers of ownership and control. It encompasses nurturing talent, cultivating leadership, fostering a unified family vision and outlining priorities to ensure seamless power transitions across generations.
Could a few swing states determine who governs India?
A significant number of Lok Sabha constituencies across India could see very close results. Who will form a government is still an open question.
In Europe, China faces headwinds but can India gain?
India's democratic principles and strategic positioning contrast with China's approach, presenting an opportunity for increased engagement and influence in Europe's evolving geopolitical landscape
Equitable survival: Climate action needs to be gender just
Our climate crisis is now visible in extreme heat, apart from more intense and frequent natural disasters. We need a gender-just plan of action to avert the loss of lives and livelihoods faced by millions of women around the world.
Indias economy: Off to a flying start
The services sector PMI was reported at 60.8 in April, the manufacturing PMI was bright too and GST collections have started this fiscal year with a new record high. Reason enough for optimism?
Artificial intelligence holds the key to urban resilience
Deploying AI against climate change can make our cities safer, more adaptable and more sustainable. The unequal distribution of climate-driven threats warrants equal opportunities for all of us to upskill and adapt.
Pushback power: GenAI cant beat us on a key aspect of human creativity
Amazing but slavish creative tools cant really rival human minds. Companies need creative thinkers who will challenge their ideas, and they wont get that from AI bots.
Startups have a lot to learn from long established organizations
From having motivated teams and unbiased advisors to good bureaucracy and governance, startups must focus on relevant metrics to measure their growth. They can draw vital lessons from the longevity of large firms.
University campus dissent: The kids are (not) alright
Theres a reason this classic rock anthem by The Who resonates down the decades. As in America, our campuses should also become the crucibles where human capital is forged.
Our approach to the regulation of cryptocurrency needs clarity
Indias efforts at reining in crypto havent yielded results, clearly, and the path ahead is riddled with cryptic clues. Whither, crypto regulation?
Elections 2024: Historic for the Constitution that unites us all?
Both BJP and Congress accuse each other of trying to bend Indias rulebook. Is this a moment of triumph for We the People? After all, its basics dont just unite us as citizens of a free country, they assure us national stability.
Peeled to the core: Onion export bans distort markets
The Centre has lifted its ban on onion exports but not freed them. Farmers need the relief of policy stability on this front.
Why IT firms are treating artificial intelligence as a poisoned chalice
Generative AI is now part of every IT majors toolkit, but the red flags in their recent annual reports show they are yet to fully grasp the risks and rewards of this revolutionary technology.
Loyalty that ends when polls are done and dusted
Congress leaders are aware that leaving Amethi may send the wrong message, which is why they claim that the Gandhi familys relationship with Rae Bareli is decades older than the one with Amethi.
Seeking wisdom at the Woodstock of Capitalism
In life, as in investing, it's not always about the immediate returns. Sometimes, the most valuable journeys are those taken for the joy they offer and the growth they foster
Industrial policy is back with a vengeance everywhere
Governments globally are intervening to prop up manufacturing but its efficacy is unclear. Indias government must address the real reasons behind the private sectors unwillingness to invest at home.
