BUSINESS
Mumbai needs an ecological plan for pollution control
Mumbai can no longer bend its rivers, landfill water bodies, cut thousands of trees, denude the city’s forests, reduce its wetlands and open spaces to make space for more buildings and roads -- and not suffer the consequences
BUSINESS
Morbi tragedy must force greater clarity, accountability in urban governance
In towns and cities across India, older infrastructure is dangerously crumbling as governments unveil new projects; this is compounded by the apathy, corruption, and chaos that goes in the name of urban governance
BUSINESS
Uddhav Vs Shinde | With new symbols Shiv Sena factions prepare for poll battle
Armed with new poll symbols, both the factions of the Shiv Sena will test their strength in the upcoming assembly bypoll, followed by the elections to the BMC
BUSINESS
Urbanisation, even in India’s ‘Silicon Valley’, must align with nature
There cannot be a one-stroke approach to urbanisation, whether it is horizontal or vertical, in a country as vast as India with cities having different natural features and economies. Each has its merits and demerits
POLITICS
Maharashtra | Chief Minister Eknath Shinde finds himself in an unenviable position
Eknath Shinde enjoys the status of being Chief Minister, but he is clearly unable to claim the stature and authority of the constitutional position
POLITICS
Maharashtra has room for a regional party like Shiv Sena — but not two versions of it
It would be unwise, and premature, to write the obituary of the Shiv Sena. Political parties take years, even decades, to become history after they lose their clout, and relevance
POLITICS
Political twist to azaan row should not distract from governance issues
Noise pollution should be dealt with just like other breaches of rules — like a traffic light or speed violation. However, neglect and inaction by the authorities has allowed the issue to be weaponised by the likes of Raj Thackeray
BUSINESS
Google on track for Climate Change options, but more needs to be done
The economic world needs a tectonic shift in its relationship with the environment, and urgently needs to examine its energy sources, emissions, and its commitment to addressing the climate crisis in tangible ways
POLICY
Why a flood-free Mumbai is wishful thinking
Forget being flood-free, Mumbai needs to urgently prepare to face annual floods and bounce back with minimum damage
BUSINESS
Management lessons from the Mumbai Model to tackle COVID-19
At the core of the ‘Mumbai Model’ are classic managerial concepts such as foresight, planning, decentralisation and delegation, marshalling scarce resources, and leadership
BUSINESS
Urban Governance Index | Why Indian cities need better governance
The Urban Governance Index can be a road map to better managed, more inclusive and sustainable cities if citizens and governments engage with it
BUSINESS
Street food is an integral part of India’s culture and urban identity
The COVID-19 rupture offers a unique opportunity to both the Indian government and street food entrepreneurs to reorganise while keeping the romance of street food alive. Singapore should serve as an inspiration
BUSINESS
Why Bollywood does not lend itself to relocation
Bollywood is essentially its people and ideas, coming from all directions and shaping stories that sell. The mix has helped shape Mumbai’s character as a melting pot; Bollywood reflects a mini-India
BUSINESS
COVID-19 doesn’t recognise Mumbai’s class divide
The virus that international travellers brought into Mumbai, through the aviation sector that the poor or migrants have little to do with, has come to settle in gated apartment complexes and high rises
BUSINESS
The battle for protecting Mumbai’s Aarey is far from over
Moving the Metro 3 car shed out of Aarey is not the most vexed of problems. The concern around Aarey’s commercial exploitation goes well beyond this
POLITICS
74th Independence Day | The often-forgotten naval mutiny on the docks of Bombay
The Royal Indian Navy Mutiny of 1946 did not get political patronage then and does not get told often perhaps because it does not fit well into the larger non-violent narrative of India's independence movement
INDIA
‘Dharavi Model’ is the silver lining in Mumbai’s COVID-19 cloud
It’s worthwhile to unpack the strategies that succeeded in Dharavi as they not only reveal much about the settlement, but also hold lessons for rest of Mumbai, and indeed the rest of India
BUSINESS
How office spaces are adapting to the COVID-19 reality
The office, as we know it, is not going anywhere, because there’s value to people sharing space for a common purpose, but COVID-19 is likely to change its design, scope, and the idea itself
BUSINESS
COVID-19 | The new pandemic-proof office
Masks or masks-and-gloves, along with face shields are likely to become the new pandemic-proofed office look, as is the ubiquitous identity-and-access cards
POLITICS
Modi Govt 2.0 | A tumultuous year for India
For the past 12 months the BJP-led NDA government’s actions have been bold, and have seen strong and polarising reactions. Its response to the Coronavirus crisis has left a lot to be desired
BUSINESS
Affordable housing for migrants is a band-aid, a salve for middle India’s conscience
Successive governments have been unable to meaningfully execute housing policies
