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American sports present a confusing spectacle. The Super Bowl, touted as a global event, features prolonged breaks for commercials and entertainment. This contrasts with sports like cricket, which, despite its length, maintains continuous play. Baseball and basketball also present their own complexities.
Tajikistan: A country in a hurry, making up for lost time
Tajikistan, once part of the Soviet Union, faces challenges from borders drawn by Moscow. The nation is now focused on building a modern future. President Emomali Rahmon's rule is visible everywhere. The capital, Dushanbe, is undergoing a construction boom. New monuments aim to erase Soviet influence. The country seeks to define its national identity after historical divisions.
Take buzurg log with more than a pinch of salt
Sam Altman's gyan to not conflate age with wisdom goes beyond career advice. Altman's right on a bigger scale. Especially here in India, we put too much premium on 'wisdom of elders'. And it can be crippling.
Love is a many-splendoured thing, but if it's a sign you want, nothing beats
The heart symbol has traipsed from ancient coins and medieval art to jewels and logos, evolving across space-time - without anyone able to claim credit, hand on heart, for its design
View: Data centres may drain us dry
India faces a critical challenge as its burgeoning data center sector, especially AI facilities, intensifies its already dire water scarcity. With limited freshwater and high groundwater extraction, the rapid growth of these centers threatens to deplete vital resources further. This expansion also brings toxic effluents and emissions, compounding existing groundwater contamination.
Trump's dream of using tariffs as source of revenue in the doldrums
American companies and consumers can, and will, challenge tariffs in court if they are not properly authorised. Dramatic tariff announcements will now face greater legal scrutiny unless supported by Congress. Countries negotiating with the US should feel less compelled to respond with urgency or fear to such threats.
Budget: Can public investment truly translate to household confidence & consumption?
India's Budget 2026 aims for growth by boosting public investment and controlling the deficit. The focus now shifts to how this investment will create jobs and boost household incomes. The neo-middle class, a key consumer group, faces income volatility. Future success depends on ensuring stable employment and social infrastructure, not just building assets.
Smart Salaam in Jerusalem: Shifting geopolitics prompts a keener approach by India in West Asia
India is strengthening ties with Israel and the UAE, forming new alliances. This strategic shift aims to counter regional instability and Chinese influence. New Delhi is investing in defence, technology and resilient supply chains. The move signifies India's active participation in global geopolitics, securing its interests in a dynamic West Asia and beyond.
Can Mark Carneys trip unlock CEPA & repair strained Canada-India ties?
Canadian official Mark Carney visits India to strengthen strategic ties. This visit follows a diplomatic thaw and aims to finalize the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The agreement, under negotiation since 2010, is crucial for boosting bilateral trade. Both nations seek to diversify economic partnerships and build resilience.
Artificial intelligence is transforming the IT sector. Experts predict AI will automate many coding tasks, changing the role of software engineers. This shift impacts IT services companies, especially in India. Business models are moving from paying for people to paying for results. New AI-powered companies will emerge, focusing on delivering specific outcomes.
Rare policy window coming up for India to right a longtime aviation imbalance
Airport slots are crucial for airlines. India's current system favours established carriers, hindering new entrants and regional flights. This limits competition and passenger choice. New airports offer a chance to reform slot allocation. Prioritising new airlines and regional carriers at these hubs can ease congestion and boost connectivity. A policy shift is needed.
16th Finance Commission ends revenue deficit grants, flags fiscal discipline reset
The 16th Finance Commission has ended revenue deficit grants for states. This move aims to fix fiscal problems and encourage states to manage their finances better. Previously, states relied on central support, weakening their incentive for reforms. This change signals a move towards greater fiscal responsibility. The commission's decision aligns with global practices to manage government debt effectively.
Is India's negative FDI a red flag or a sign of booming capitalism?
India's economic growth is attracting global attention. While net FDI has turned negative, this is a positive sign. It indicates foreign investors are profiting from India's high market valuations and repatriating funds. This trend, alongside robust domestic investment, highlights a dynamic and democratized capitalist landscape. The IPO market continues to thrive, showcasing India's economic strength.
16th Finance Commission is reshaping fiscal federalism by ending revenue-deficit grants
The 16th Finance Commission prioritizes efficiency over equity, shifting incentives towards economic effort by weighting GSDP share in horizontal distribution. It also discontinues revenue-deficit grants, restoring a hard budget constraint and reducing moral hazard. This aims to incentivize states to expand their economic base and improve fiscal capacity.
Rebased GDP series sharpens view of Indias economy
Indias new GDP base revision sharpens economic measurement by using updated data sources like MGT-7 filings, GST data, ASUSE and PLFS. It improves sectoral and regional allocation, expands double deflation to manufacturing, and aligns production and expenditure estimates through supply-use tables, making growth estimates more accurate, transparent and policy-relevant.
US tariffs: Supreme Court ruling creates instability, what's next for India?
Washington faces genuine instability after a Supreme Court ruling on tariffs. This development impacts President Trump's trade objectives, including revenue generation and reindustrialization efforts. India must remain grounded and nimble, maintaining multiple engagement channels. Businesses can capitalize on temporary tariff reductions. Diversifying trade and seeking stable economic anchors is now a political urgency.
Scams dont stop at telecom: India needs platform-neutral communication rules
Fraudsters are exploiting the regulatory gap between traditional telecom and digital communication platforms, leading to a surge in cybercrime. While telecom operators are enhancing fraud prevention, unregulated messaging apps and social media are becoming prime targets. A platform-neutral framework is needed to ensure accountability across all communication channels and protect consumers.
The long game in policy engagement
Government processes often appear slow, but this is a feature, not a bug. Decisions undergo extensive scrutiny for legal, political, and fiscal impacts. Effective public affairs requires understanding this system. Businesses must engage consistently, offering insights and acknowledging trade-offs. Patience and professionalism are crucial for navigating policy, as competence, not just connections, drives progress.
Iran-Israel enmity: A conflict without winners
West Asia's conflicts rarely end, they transform. The Iran-Israel rivalry, spanning decades, continues to shape the region. Recent clashes have revealed vulnerabilities for all major players. An attack on Iran carries immense risks, potentially destabilising global shipping and alliances. The consequences would be far-reaching, impacting nations beyond the immediate conflict zone.
