The Christian community must not fall into the trap of being only sucked into the headlines for “negative reasons”. Positive messaging is the key. One country, two Christmases. Scene one: Kolkata, West Bengal. The resident of Calcutta (no, we are not touchy about the name) looks up, and there is definitely a snatch of song,… Continue reading Christmas was a day of festivity — and fear
1.‘Right’ not a ‘Gift’ MGNREGA was conceived and executed as ‘Demand Driven’. In the new Bill, this has been changed to a ‘Supply Based’ central scheme. This reeks of the government’s zamindari or feudal mindset. Clearly, the government does not want anyone to have a ‘right’. MGNREGA was a RIGHT. They instead want to dish… Continue reading Ten Reasons Why Modi Government Should Not Have Killed MGNREGA
As you read this, the shortest Winter Session in Indian Parliamentary history will be coming to a close. Here are a few notes from my Parliamentary diary. All-party meeting It is customary for the Government to host an all-party meeting a day before each Session starts. Floor leaders from 36 political parties attended. Every party,… Continue reading Notes from the shortest Winter Session in Indian Parliamentary history
The SIR Is Not The Problem. The Way It’s Being Implemented Is. And Home Minister is in-charge of borders By the time you read this, the three day debate in Parliament on ‘150 years of Vande Mataram’ would have ended. The Union government made the discussion on the national song a non-negotiable condition before any… Continue reading Response to Home Minister Amit Shah’s speech in Lok Sabha
As a responsible Opposition, it is our duty to protect the country’s independent institutions. So whether it is our Parliament, judiciary, Election Commission, RBI, central investigative agencies, or others, it is time we defeated all attempts to undermine them and destroy their autonomy. It is these vital institutions that protect the citizen against state power,… Continue reading How this government is stifling the autonomy of education, one institute at a time
Let me say this again. The government is accountable to Parliament. Parliament is accountable to the people. When Parliament is dysfunctional, the government is accountable to no one. Middle school civics books told us the three arms of the State are the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a body… Continue reading Parliament is the people’s voice. On EC, government is gagging it
1. Bihar is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If one is Nalanda University, which is the other? a) Barabar Caves b) Rohtasgarh Fort c) Mahabodhi Temple 2. Who is the international airport in Patna named after? a) Rajendra Prasad b) Jayaprakash Narayan c) LN Mishra 3. In 2025, Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest… Continue reading Take The Bihar Quiz Challenge
There were other advertising greats. The only reason they do not feature in the list above is because I did not know them personally: Alyque Padamsee, Subhas Ghosal, Gerson da Cunha… and many more. To all of them: May you Rest In Perfection (RIP). Won’t you give me my flowers while I’m living/ And let… Continue reading FIVE MEN WHO SOLD US DREAMS
It has been quite a week in the Supreme Court. The Union Government’s petition against the Calcutta High Court’s ruling on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was dismissed. The High Court had directed that the 100-day work scheme be restarted in the state from August 1, 2025. This has vindicated what… Continue reading How To Lose Your Seat In 30 Days?
Public sector vacancies affect service delivery – from education to civil aviation, railways and healthcare. They also hurt national security. I have been writing for this newspaper for the last six years. When was the last time I did back-to-back columns on the same subject? Never. This is a first. A fortnight ago, the topic… Continue reading JOB CRISIS IS GOVERNANCE CRISIS
