Zero Hour | My ode to Old Parliament’s Central Hall
My most joyous times in Parliament have been with you. Thank you for the friendships, the bonds and the decency you made space for
Articles
Calling Attention | On Women’s Quota, A Reality Check
The need to increase women participation is felt not just in public institutions but in private ones as well.
A key to increasing participation and representation of women in institutions is to encourage them to join professional and technical courses in larger numbers.
Zero Hour | Memories of Mother Teresa
On the occasion of Mother Teresa’s birth anniversary and seven years after her canonisation, some shared moments.
Calling Attention | Tomahto, Tomayto – Soaring Prices, Government In Denial
Surging food prices have had a domino effect, materially changing India’s inflation outlook. India’s retail inflation rose to 7.4% year-on-year in July, surpassing the upper limit of Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s tolerance band of 6%. This trend has led to the RBI upwardly revising India’s Consumer Price Index inflation rate for the year from 5.1% to 5.4%. The RBI Governor has even warned that policymakers will have to stand ready to go beyond keeping a watchful eye, and deploy policy instruments if necessary.
Zero Hour | Data Protection Act: A systematic wreckage of democratic procedure
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act can lead to muzzling of voices within the media, civil society and Parliament
Calling Attention | 6 Former PMs And Their “Manipur” Moment In Parliament
Since Independence, no other Prime Minister has insulted Parliament more than Mr Modi. Let me share with you six instances when Prime Ministers have spoken on the floor of Rajya Sabha on crucial issues.
Zero Hour | In Parliament, unmute the Opposition
Power to expunge speeches is too broad, and is often used to mute legitimate criticism of government In an age of WhatsApp videos, YouTube feeds, reels on Instagram and visual tweets (sorry, X), interventions made by MPs on the floor of Parliament spread very quickly. So why do Members of Parliament get outraged when words… Continue reading Zero Hour | In Parliament, unmute the Opposition
Calling Attention | Manipur Needs Healing, Today
As I write this, we have just concluded the seventh day of parliament. No sign yet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. The closest he has come to the chambers of both Houses is to address the media somewhere in the precincts of parliament House. The INDIA parties (preferred usage to “Opposition parties”) are striving to get a discussion going in parliament on Manipur. There is one hitch. The PM does not want to participate in the debate. The INDIA parties insist he must. Hence, the logjam.
Zero Hour | I-N-D-I-A is a big idea
The leaders of the political parties who met earlier this week at the Bengaluru summit were not just looking for a name. They were looking for an idea. They were looking for a BIG IDEA. They came up with one. INDIA. Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. Add the tagline Jeetega Bharat or more and you have a blockbuster.
Calling Attention | Between 2 Opposition Summits, BJP’s Growing Nerves
Rarely has a large-sized conference room anywhere in India ever hosted a political gathering quite like this. I do not know what the collective noun for biodatas is, but the no-frills conference room at 1 Anne Marg, Patna was an array of curriculum vitae. The heads of the political parties (considering one representative per party… Continue reading Calling Attention | Between 2 Opposition Summits, BJP’s Growing Nerves