Social | The dark underbelly of Kerala’s social progress
Over the decades, the bias against Kerala’s Dalits and backward classes in the subterranean levels of social structure has continued without any weakening; it has rather gained strength in recent times.
Politics | The demolition of the Ravidas temple and a growing Dalit assertion
The massive protest in Delhi, seen after the demolition of the Guru Ravidas temple, can be seen as a moment in the consolidation of a new religious identity. It is also a manifestation of the rise of the new generation of the Dalits.
Policy | Are central bankers staring at a bigger hole for economies?
Each of the Jackson Hole symposiums since 2008 has led to more questions than answers
Sentiment booster | Infrastructure tweaks are helpful but the problems are deeper
If the government actually accelerates clearance of dues to infrastructure developers they will benefit, but that’s not the only problem the sector faces
G7 Summit | Modi and Trump meet in the shadow of subcontinent’s changing geopolitics
Donald Trump’s engagement with the Kashmir issue has a lot to do with his need to secure Pakistan’s backing for his Afghanistan policy.
Sentiment Booster | Are confidence building measures enough to overcome lenders’s risk aversion?
Banks are parking almost a trillion rupees daily at the RBI’s overnight repo window. That shows they have money but are unwilling to lend.
Sentiment Booster | Auto sector needs more sops to get back on track
The government has taken a few steps to help the automobile industry but that may not be enough to resolve the big issues that are affecting growth
Sentiment Booster | The government responds, but global risks are rising
Global events could be far more important than any domestic stimulus for the Indian economy in the months to come
Can the August announcements bring back animal spirits?
The government has finally responded to the clarion call to shore up consumer demand and investments. It’s a long way to go though.
Arun Jaitley faced unenviable challenges as finance minister but tackled them with finesse
He inherited a slowing economy mired in corruption and confusion. However, he steered the economy towards stability. He was able to rein in inflation, tamed the fiscal deficit and restored the credibility of the finance ministry.
Modi 2.0 will miss trouble-shooter Arun Jaitley’s sagacity
Jaitley’s extraordinary talent to rationalise the most difficult of arguments with utmost conviction, perhaps honed through his long stint as a lawyer, came to the BJP’s aid in many situations.
Arun Jaitley | An intellectual politician and friend of industry who also knew the masses
A lawyer par excellence, a politician who earned the respect of even the opposition, and a friend to all who knew him, Arun Jaitley’s demise is not just a loss for the BJP.
Policy | No RTI lessons for financial regulators
The RTI Act had elements of a proper design of tenures of officials. Sadly, these very elements now stand amended.
Corporate corridor: Acquiring Café Coffee Day may not be ITC’s cup of tea
ITC has been approached to bid for Café Coffee Day. Diversification is ITC’s forte and it also knows a bit about the business, but the café business is not an easy one to crack
Policy | India must weigh in the risks China and Google pose in telecom
India would do well to consider growing risks of cheap Chinese-made Android smartphones and apps that send vast amounts of user data to their makers.
Policy | Leave exchange rate management to professionals
Exchange rate strategy as a part of economic policy can turn out to be right or wrong but things inevitably go awry if the exchange rate is used as a political tool.
Macro Matters | Whose economic advice does the government listen to?
Will the government walk the talk? If yes, whose talk?
Direct Tax Code | A transformative story for India’s taxation
The 58-year old tax regime is on the cusp of a sea change that can put more money in the hands of tax payers
Caste and Politics | The different shades of caste in Tamil Nadu
The roots of the caste bands run deep into the murky world of electoral politics and this is why most political leaders are not ready to ruffle feathers by banning ‘caste markers’.
Corporate Corridor | Chandrasekaran’s growth plans offer investing ideas
The Tata Sons chief’s strategy appears to be one of consolidation, keeping in mind the philosophy of the group, rather than a slash and burn approach that may deliver quick results.
Monetary policy meeting minutes | Growth overarching focus; more rate cuts in the offing
The quantum of rate cuts is not a given. It depends on not only the incoming data, but also the transmission that has happened so far.
Kashmir | IMA’s stand betrays the Hippocratic Oath
The Lancet is not selective in its outrage, as it has commented on India’s healthcare in the past: in 1901 it criticised the British for the famine deaths in India, and in 2018 it supported the IMA’s stand on the National Medical Commission Bill.
Price stability or financial stability? RBI’s difficult balancing act
The Shaktikanta Das-led RBI is making the right noises, assuring stakeholders of stable markets, though clouds are gathering on the horizon
Restaurants pick a fight with Zomato. Marketplace model a cure-all?
If Flipkart and Amazon are made to toe the line, why not online retail business platforms, including food aggregators?
