Opinion / The Economic Times
In this compelling overview, we spotlight a diverse collection of novels that take you behind the curtain of a writer's life. These narratives illuminate themes of ambition and sacrifice while laying bare the unforgiving truths of the literary realm.
A writer reflects on watching Zohran Mamdanis victory speech, recalling his own experience as a young Gujarati immigrant in New York City in the early 1980s. He describes the citys harsh yet vibrant character, marked by diversity, inequality, and the dominance of wealthy elites.
The article explores the concept of champagne socialists. It argues that these individuals, who enjoy a good life while advocating for equality, can be effective proponents of socialist ideals. Their lifestyle serves as a powerful advertisement for sharing wealth. The author suggests that this approach can reach broader audiences than traditional socialist methods.
The Indian womens cricket teams World Cup win sparks reflection on how middle-aged men often use awkward or patronising language when praising women athletes, revealing evolving gender perceptions in sport.
Younger Indians, especially those aged 18-25 years, are leading this shift toward experience-based spending. They spend on dining, travel and entertainment as expressions of identity rather than indulgence. Women, too, are central to this change. With growing financial independence and digital fluency, their influence extends across categories. Multi-earner families are turning weekends into collective consumption moments, blending recreation with lifestyle choice.
Regular consumption of junk information can cause brain rot, impairing focus and reasoningmuch like junk food harms the body. A 2025 study found AI models trained on low-quality data also suffer brain rot, producing flawed reasoning and errors. The principle garbage in, garbage out underscores why data quality remains crucial for both humans and machines.
Pre-election rallies, as always, revolved around employment guarantees, welfare schemes and caste arithmetic. Yet, the real question went unasked: will any government agree to be judged by how much its children learn, not by how many jobs it promises?
Supreme Court justices scrutinised Donald Trump's tariffs. Concerns arose over presidential power to impose tariffs, traditionally a congressional prerogative. Justices highlighted constitutional issues regarding the taxing authority. A ruling against the tariffs could impact trade deals.
With Indian mutual funds under the spotlight for their involvement in Lenskart's IPO, the conversation has shifted towards the integrity of governance and the reassurance of investor confidence. Financial experts are calling for a shift in practices to improve trust levels.
India's startup dream faces a reality check as many ventures falter. The article presents nine crucial questions to evaluate business models. These questions probe customer loyalty, innovation impact and recurring revenue potential. Understanding these aspects is vital for distinguishing lasting success from fleeting hype in the Indian startup ecosystem.
The urban landscape of India is marred by systemic issues largely driven by disorganized financial practices. To pave the way for more effective city governance, it is critical to implement superior accounting and reporting standards. This change will strengthen the capacity of local governments to effectively plan expenditures and deliver key services to the community.
India's trade journey with ASEAN highlights lessons learned from the Aitiga agreement, revealing a trade asymmetry that favored imports. Recent negotiations with the UK and EU demonstrate a shift towards calibrated reciprocity and stricter rules of origin, emphasizing domestic competitiveness and phased liberalization to ensure balanced gains.
In a groundbreaking decision, the BCCI has announced equal pay for Indias women cricketersan achievement that is widely celebrated. Yet, as noted in recent discussions, maintaining this equality may be challenging in the long term. With current viewership and revenue figures trailing behind the men's game, achieving true parity will require more than just financial equality.
The state of India's pension system is concerning, trailing behind many nations. Countless Indians are left without reliable income as they age. Theres a growing call for authorities to introduce alternative financial products aimed at delivering consistent, inflation-protected earnings for non-pensioners. Such initiatives could pave the way for a respectful and secure retirement, driven by individuals' own financial strategies.
Emerging economies need substantial funds to clean up steel and cement production. These sectors are major polluters and require costly carbon capture technology. China and India lead in emissions and investment needs. COP30 in Brazil should focus on these industries. Incentives for private investment and research are vital for affordable solutions.
In the arena of global climate advocacy, India stands at the forefront, championing lifestyle adaptations and advancements in clean technology. Through Mission LiFE, traditional environmental practices are reinvigorated, while initiatives like PM Surya Ghar provide households with access to sustainable solar energy solutions. Achieving over 50% in non-fossil fuel capacity illustrates the nation's swift evolution.
In the heart of the beleaguered kingdom of Tanishqprastha, a storm brews in the wake of the beloved king's departure. The throne, now occupied by a self-proclaimed heir, wrestles with the shadows of dissent and rivalry. An ambitious merchant, once a trusted ally, seeks to seize the reins of the empire by questioning the very essence of its revered samvidhaan.
India's women's cricket team achieved a historic World Cup victory. This triumph marks the culmination of decades of struggle and sacrifice by generations of players. The win signifies a long-awaited moment for equity in Indian sports. It highlights the resilience and determination of these athletes who overcame numerous obstacles.

12 C