Sumit Bhattacharya
Why no law against rape will work
There are at least two reasons why no anti-sexual violence law, however stringent, will work. One is our police. The other is, sadly, ourselves. Archives Shivam Vij
When our government isn't ours anymore
In Delhi this December, we understood how many others from Kashmir to Koodankulam have long felt. Archives Mihir S Sharma
Be the story you want to tell
2012 marked the shift of the news media becoming the story rather than reporting it. Archives Tarun Vijay
Make 2013 the year of Angst, Revolt and a New Order
Preserve this rage. Learn to be more angry and dissatisfied with the status quo. Revolt against all boxed sacredness. Nothing is sacred except the People of India. Archives Mitali Saran
Go, get out there with a placard
Mitali Saran believes that a little yelling in the streets can help the government to prioritise the work it does or facilitates on the ground Sankrant Sanu
View: Is Rape a new Development Indicator?
If rapes are rising dramatically in India over the last 20 years, is it logical to blame traditional Indian culture. Archives Sudarshana Dwivedi
What kind of a nation fails to protect its women?
'Good bye little Angel. Fly away from the dirt, din and mire of this Republic that neither could protect you in life nor allow you to breathe your last on your own soil. Protecting their own hides,' says Sudarshana Dwivedi, 'has become more important to our protectors.' Archives A Woman in Today''s India
For the Lionheart Who Wanted to Live
'How can a group of men GANG-RAPE a woman? How can a father rape his daughter? Or an uncle his niece? Or a brother his sister? And, as it happens in most cases, how can a mother stand by and just allow it to happen? Does it not rip their soul to shreds?How are they able to sleep, or eat, or breathe, or live after committing such a heinous act?' Archives Praful Bidwai
It won't be easy for Modi to be the BJP's nominee for PM
'No BJP leader trusts him. His bid for the position will sharpen inner-party rivalries. The RSS is wary of him because he is too much of an individualistic autocrat and has destroyed the Sangh in Gujarat,' says Praful Bidwai. Archives S Pushpavanam
It is time Delhi's protesters went home
The protest against the gang rape itself is not bad. But to provoke the police, to disobey the law and to insist on protesting wherever they want, whenever they want and however they want is not done, says S Pushpavanam. Archives R N Ravi
Gimmicks do not save India and its people from terror
'Some said this wild goose chase was a deliberate ploy of Chidambaram, a reluctant home minister, who believed that keeping all the agencies and forces spinning around all the while, would ensure him a safe career in an otherwise dicey charge, no matter how much enduring damage it did to the institutions.' R N Ravi, retired special director, Intelligence Bureau, assesses how India can meet the challenges of terrorism in 2013. Archives Tarun Vijay
India at Raisina: The People were the Heroes
'The youth atop the poles on Raisina Hill need respect and an accommodating attitude. Not lathis and water cannons,' says Tarun Vijay. Archives Mahesh Vijapurkar
View: Why Narendra Modi spoke in Hindi
To assume that Narendra Modi chose Hindi only to reach out to a national audience because he had prime ministerial ambitions was more than a stretch, says Mahesh Vijapurkar. Archives Sonali Ranade
View: What Narendra Modi needs to do now
Chief Minister Narendra Modi needs to win over either the RSS or his rivals in Delhi to emerge as the undisputed leader within the Sangh Parivar. Without one or the other, he cannot win. This triangular contest is what constrains Modi's emergence as a national leader in his own right, feels Sonali Ranade. Archives Shreekant Sambrani
Gujarat 2012 tells us a larger story beyond Modi
'This victory effectively applies closure to 2002. It is unlikely that Modi will offer anything more than a purely symbolic doffing of his cap to heal the hurts of that calamitous year in his pursuit of greater glory,' says Shreekant Sambrani. Archives Aseem Shukla
Theatre of the absurd to deny Modi a US visa
The move by four US Congressmen to deny Narendra Modi a US visa is a disrespect to India's free and fair ballot and even its Supreme Court, says Aseem Shukla. Archives T V R Shenoy
How Kamal Nath left Mulayam high and dry
'Mulayam has no options but to continue supporting the government -- while Mayawati reaps the benefits. Kudos to Kamal Nath but you wonder if Mulayam has been left stranded while his rivals float across the river.' Archives Shreekant Sambrani
Gujarat: The election that wasn't
A democratic set-up is a necessary instrument to choose rulers, but it cannot always provide a roadmap to a good society. That needs a moral compass, which is prominent by its absence in the current campaign, says Dr Shreekant Sambrani. Archives George Abraham
'O Jacintha, we're just kidding...'
Could there have been just a hint of that subtle British complex that still sometimes treats former colonial subjects as the chattel they once were, surmises George Abraham Archives T V R Shenoy
Parliament debate wasn't about FDI, but about next polls
'The Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party saved Dr Manmohan Singh's chair today; will they tug it away from under him tomorrow?' Archives T P Sreenivasan
'He told Sharief India would never give J&K to Pak'
'I K Gujral's place in Indian history may not run into several pages. But he will always be remembered as a decent gentleman, generous and kind to a fault, who nursed a dream for a peaceful, prosperous India, in harmony with the world.' Archives Vidyadhar Date
View: Thackeray, a close ally of the capitalists
'Many people are in awe of the power wielded by Thackeray. I found that even R K Laxman shared this feeling though both he and Thackeray began as cartoonists in the 1940s. "See how far ahead Thackeray has gone. And here I am," he told me one day in a sad tone,' recalls Vidyadhar Date who assesses Balasaheb Thackeray's political legacy. Archives T V R Shenoy
All in the name of the one true faith
'We need to celebrate those that buck the stereotype, such as Malala, Toorpekai, and Ziauddin Yousufzai in Pakistan. But, by the same token, we also need to condemn blind adherence to tradition in the urban, civilised areas of the West as in the case of Savita Halappanavar.' Archives M R Venkatesh
The Gadkari issue: The facts without comments
We must understand that we live in extremely cynical times. If it is a politician he must be corrupt. If he is a businessman, he must be equally corrupt. Poor Gadkari, he is a politician and a businessman. That compounded matters for him, says M R Venkatesh. Archives B Raman
26/11, four years on: The unfinished tasks
As India observes the fourth anniversary of the 26/11 terrorist strikes in Mumbai, there are many unfinished tasks to which attention needs to be drawn, says B Raman, India's leading expert on couter-terrorism. Archives Shobha Warrier
View: In a way, India has given moksham to Kasab
'If Ajmal Kasab had spent his youth in solitary confinement, away from people and society, that would have been the biggest punishment India could have meted out to the terrorist,' feels Shobha Warrier. Archives Rohit Pradhan
How family feuds will drive Indian politics
After Bal Thackeray, what consumes most political observers is his immediate political legacy. What is happening in Maharashtra is hardly unique to the state -- indeed, with regional parties increasingly becoming family businesses, such feuds are likely across the country, says Rohit Pradhan. Archives Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd)
India needs to TAKE OUT terror targets in Pakistan
Lashkar founder Mohammad Sayeed and 26/11 attacks accused Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi must be neutralised one by one if Pakistan does not act against them, says Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd). Archives T V R Shenoy
Gadkari may sink the BJP with him
'The Gadkari issue is not about staying on the right side of the law, it is about public perception. How does the public perceive Nitin Gadkari?' Archives Pramod Pagedar
Decoding Bal Thackeray: Bindhast!
Most people trying to decode the Bal Thackeray phenomenon tend to see him in either black or white probably because they want to arrive at a simple conclusion. I for one believe he was the curious combination of both, but mostly he was all in the grey area, writes Pramod Pagedar Archives Javed Iqbal
Goodbye Mr Thackeray, you taught me how to love
'I write this piece,' says Javed Iqbal, 'not just to come to terms with my childhood, but to speak about those who were once Shiv Sena loyalists, whose dreams did not die with the passing away of Bal Thackeray, but were dead long before he was gone.' Archives Sonali Ranade
Why Mumbai needs a Bal Thackeray
'Bal Thackeray may have loved Hitler, but I don't think he was one. The fact is, if you put a city like Mumbai, and its numerically dominant single largest group, in chains, intended or not, democracy itself is called into question,' says Sonali Ranade. Archives Prasanna D Zore
In life and in death, Thackeray kept the fire alive
The sea of humanity that turned up on Sunday to bid Bal Thackeray farewell wanted to resurrect the legend that he once was, says Prasanna D Zore. Archives Suresh Prabhu
Balasaheb Thackeray: An unending journey to eternity
He challenged the establishment in many unconventional ways. His style was unique. He was a great orator, prolific writer, stupendous organiser, a fearless leader, an extremely gracious host and was always willing to help anyone who reached out to him. Suresh Prabhu, former Sena MP, pays tribute. Archives Sumit Rajawade
After Thackeray, a feeling of darkness
Sena Bhavan in Mumbai, the Shiv Sena headquarters, will carry an empty feeling similar to what Raigad fort must have felt after the death of Shivaji Maharaj, feels Sumit Rajawade. Archives Tarun Vijay
Balasaheb, the roar of the Lion King
'It is difficult to imagine such a phenomenon anywhere else. From being a cartoonist to becoming an agenda personified, outshining everyone else, is the unique distinction that Balasaheb created.' Tarun Vijay explains why Bal Thackeray was a unique leader. Archives Shreekant Sambrani
The Man Who Rode The Tiger
'Thackeray could organise, but lacked a vision and wisdom to take it further. The man who boasted that if he were prime minister for a day, he would solve the Kashmir problem permanently, could not halt Mumbai's slide into an urban nightmare despite his wielding supreme authority over the city government for decades,' says Shreekant Sambrani. Archives Prakash Bal Joshi
Thackeray, first to use language as political weapon
Bal Thackeray never considered caste while giving tickets or appointing ministers when the Shiv Sena came to power, notes political commentator Prakash Bal Joshi. 'He had the guts to take decisions against popular sentiment on the basis of his convictions.' Archives Dilip D'Souza
India Real is the most fascinating country in the world
I know something about such stories. They thrill me, they give me goose pimples, and then they fill me with despair. Because they are also a commentary, says Dilip D'Souza about one such India story. Archives Vivek Gumaste
Why Girish Karnad is wrong
Karnad's invective is not a fact based logical rebuttal of Naipaul's ideological variance. It lacks the grace or elements of an intellectual discourse, says Vivek Gumaste. Archives Mahesh Vijapurkar
What we can learn from the US elections
There are some interesting, and even educative, takeaways from the US elections, says Mahesh Vijapurkar. Archives T V R Shenoy
Governments have no business running temples
'Governments have no business running temples. Governments certainly have no business deciding who is a Hindu and who is not a Hindu.' Archives Sherna Gandhy
What Modi displayed was chauvinism of the worst kind
'Calling the very much married Sunanda Pushkar a "Rs 50 crore girlfriend", though, is not just crude but is meant to demean her. Women may come for a price in Modi's world but that's hardly the mindset we want to see in a modern day leader.' Archives Shivam Vij
Sibal's Law: 'Grossly offensive' and of 'menacing character'
'Kapil Sibal has passed a law that anyone posting anything "offensive" on Twitter can be jailed for three years. That's section 66A of the IT Act amended by United Progressive Alliance II in 2008. It's a cognisable offence so you have to be arrested and apply for bail. As though you had committed murder!' Archives Abhay K
How diplomacy and poetry are linked
It is widely accepted that the greatest literature is born when cultures, civilizations or worldviews come together. This often happens in case of diplomat-poets who often find themselves in exotic milieus, novel circumstances and in company of people with diverse viewpoints, says Abhay K. Archives T V R Shenoy
The controversy around Messrs Gadkari and Vadra
We should not judge the Congress or the BJP by a Robert Vadra or a Nitin Gadkari. We must measure them by the standards set -- or claimed -- by the top leadership, namely the RSS and Sonia Gandhi. If one claims to be a moral exemplar, the other is the chief political leader in this country. Archives Maya Mirchandani
What was missing in both Obama and Romney was humility
'What came through from both candidates instead, was America's exaggerated sense in seeing itself as arbiter of justice, democracy and safety in the world. And a worrisome dismissal of one major truth -- anti Americanism as a result of its sometimes ill strategised interventions in the affairs of another country which is perhaps as grave a threat to America today as international terrorism.' Archives Kishan S Rana
Scarred by war, Nehru destroyed message from Zhou
'He struck a match, and held the paper to the flames... He said it would take more than a quarter of a century to return to any substantive negotiation, provided the Chinese refrained from another attack on India.' Archives B S Prakash
'They all asked about Pele and said they loved Brazil...'
'Fiqui tranquilo' is the Brazilian mantra that I have learnt living here: 'Keep cool' is its colloquial translation to do justice to the spirit of Brazil.' India's ambassador bids goodbye to Brazil. Archives Colonel Anil Athale (retd)
Exclusive: What provoked the India-China war?
The official historian of India's 1962 war with China pin-points the reasons for the clash between the Asian giants 50 years ago and the series of blunders that led to India's military humiliation. Archives T P Sreenivasan
The Nobel: A compliment and a warning to European Union
'Like it gave the prize to Barack Obama to make him fulfill the promise of change, the Nobel Committee has given it to the EU to remind it of its huge responsibility to maintain unity within the organisation.' Archives T V R Shenoy
The risks of sticking by Robert Vadra
Various people have admitted -- off the record -- that the BJP had the same 'Vadra File'. Why did the BJP not speak out, asks T V R Shenoy. Archives Air Marshal Satish Inamdar (retd)
What India's defence ministry urgently needs to do!
'The central concern in the Services HQ over the last 40 years or so has been a frustrating lack of appropriate and timely government response to many crucial military issues, often till these turn into a full blown crisis.' Archives Rajeev Srinivasan
Varsha Bhosle was a fearless warrior, and I shall miss her fierce, large heart
'We were optimistic that if only that single missing, magic ingredient were to be found -- leadership -- India would once again rise from the ruins. We looked forward to the day that India became a leading economy and power in the world.' Rajeev Srinivasan's personal tribute to his late friend Varsha Bhosle. Archives Dilip D'Souza
Dear Varsha, I'm So Damned Sad
'Even while I was bothered, I knew she was doing what any fierce opponent should and must: Forcing me to be clear in my thinking, to spell out my own arguments and reasoning to the best of my abilities. I know I was doing the same to her (how I know, also later). That she pushed me to be at my best is something I am grateful for to this day.' Archives Colonel John Taylor (retd)
Indiscipline in armed forces: Where lies the blame?
'Over-stretched middle rung officers, high stress levels and the fragile officer-jawan relationship are increasingly taking a toll on discipline, the cornerstone upon which the tradition name, fame, and valour of the armed forces is built.' Archives Mahesh Vijapurkar
Why Ajit Pawar's resignation gives rise to cynicism
Instead of simply accepting the resignation of Ajit Pawar and appointing a new man in his place, Maharashtra Chief Minster Prithviraj Chavan's dilly dallying has left room for political posturing, says Mahesh Vijapurkar. Archives B S Prakash
Is Silicon Valley reinventing itself?
The challenge is to go out and do something different; not one more 'application' to download, not one more 'Angry Birds', a YouTube sensation. Something is changing yet again in the innovation hub that is still the Silicon Valley. Archives Colonel Anil A Athale
The Kasab case and why India needs judicial reforms
'Ajmal Kasab's trial was no triumph of justice, but a shameful demonstration of our inferiority complex.' Archives Bibhu Prasad Routray
Are the Maoists 'political prisoners'?
'The bigger issue is the distinction the judgments establish between Maoism and other forms of extremism. It elevates Maoist activities to a higher level.

It makes the Maoist violence an acceptable form of dissent articulation. And it attaches a stamp of legality behind ideology inspired use of carnage for political objectives.' Archives

T V R Shenoy
A direction-less government, flailing out against anyone
'Why is the UPA seemingly bent on pumping the oxygen of publicity to its critics? If you judge the result of an action by the results you must admit that the UPA has scored some spectacular own goals.' Archives Alok Bansal
What to expect from Krishna's visit to Pakistan
There is no doubt that if peace prevails between India and Pakistan there is no dearth of benefits to be derived, but even one terrorist attack could derail the whole process, says Alok Bansal. Archives Nitin Gokhale
Why is officer-men relationship declining in the Army?
Is the Indian Army feeling the heat of being in perpetual operations? Are our soldiers' stress levels peaking dangerously? Making them prone to acts of indiscriminate violence? Archives Shivam Vij
Kasab, Bajrangi and the case against the death penalty
We should put Ajmal Kasab in jail until he dies a natural death, just like Babu Bajrangi. Rotting in jail knowing you are never going to be a free man again is worse than the finality of death. The punishment for crimes against humanity should be in this world and not the next, says Shivam Vij. Archives Rajeev Srinvasan
How Modi got the media to acknowledge his hangout
'Who can motivate and appeal to the young and idealistic who are willing to work hard to create an India that matches their ambitions? Who is their role model? Someone like Modi who has worked his way up from the lower middle class, and has shown steely leadership and produced results? Or some child of privilege? You be the judge,' Archives T V R Shenoy
Illegal immigration is a volcano waiting to explode
'Is it time to grant more powers to individual Indian states to detect, obstruct, and capture illegal immigrants?' Archives Smita Prakash
No takeaways for India from the NAM summit
There were hardly any positive outcomes at the summit -- what we had instead were rants. We had despots, dictators, autocrats and leaders of banana republics rubbing shoulders with each other, talking of providing a new management for a global order, says Smita Prakash from Tehran. Archives Seema Mustafa
Is Mulayam positioning to lead a third front in 2014?
Mulayam Singh's bid to get a third front on his side is to get into a position where he can barter for the prime minister's job with the support of either the BJP or the Congress, says Seema Mustafa. Archives Chitra Jeyakumar
Respecting differences in a globalised world
Incidents such as the violent clashes in Assam only tell us that we need to sensitise the youth about our country -- especially the borders states -- of which they have very vague notions, says educator Chitra Jeyakumar. Archives Arvind Gupta
The new media is a friend and not a foe
The government used the opportunity to block politically inconvenient content, criticism it was receiving for its mishandling of a sensitive situation. Many in our political class are threatened by this new participatory medium where incriminatory information can spread rather quickly and cannot be suppressed, says Arvind Gupta. Archives B S Prakash
A kilo of contentment
'My Indian guests were to get a slice of the authentic Brazilian experience, the cuisine being only one part of it.' Archives TVR Shenoy
What will Anna Hazare's legacy be?
The feeling is gathering strength in the Congress that it can see off Anna Hazare if it comes to a fight in the political arena, and that there is nobody else of his stature left to call it to account, says TVR Shenoy. Archives Arun Jaitley
Not interested in a one-day debate in Parl: Jaitley
Debate and accountability must co-exist, says leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley. Archives Harsh V Pant
The real threat from nuclear Pakistan
'India needs to be aware of the potentially catastrophic implications of the collapse of governing authority in Pakistan. A boost to fundamentalist forces in India's neighbourhood will have some serious consequences for the utility of nuclear deterrence in the subcontinent.' Archives Sherna Gandhy
Raj T's rally, not biggest exodus ever, gets more press!
'Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced in Assam. But it is Raj Thackeray's fire and brimstone speeches that make it to the front pages of the newspapers.' Archives Seema Mustafa
Pakistan opts for nuanced approach to India
Those in Pakistan who always preceded the possibility of talks with a 'Kashmir being the core issue' argument are now insisting that dialogue is the only way to peace, and both countries should work together to ensure all around stability and peace, says Seema Mustafa. Archives T V R Shenoy
Where is Rahul Gandhi going?
'Rahul Gandhi is one of the few in the UPA with the political clout to carry out those much-needed reforms in the railway and power ministries, even if it means bruising a lot of egos in the short-term. Becoming a minister without portfolio is undoubtedly the safer option, but if there is no pitfall neither is there the opportunity of solid achievement.' Archives Seema Mustafa
Pakistan opts for nuanced approach to India
Those in Pakistan who always preceded the possibility of talks with a 'Kashmir being the core issue' argument are now insisting that dialogue is the only way to peace, and both countries should work together to ensure all around stability and peace, says Seema Mustafa. Archives Pramod Kumar Buravalli
India hurtling towards chaos and uncertainty
Only a strong and sustained leadership can only bring it back from the brink, says Pramod Kumar Buravalli. Archives T P Sreenivasan
A Canadian visa in New York is no cakewalk
'I decided to record the experience because the country concerned was Canada, a country that prides itself as a champion of human rights around the globe.... It appeared to me that the Canadian consulate in New York was trampling upon the human rights of nearly two hundred men and women, mostly Indians and Chinese.' Archives Colonel Anil A Athale (retd)
What really happened in August 1947
Why did Mountbatten suddenly declare that the Partition of India would take place with inexplicable haste on August 15, 1947, almost a year ahead of schedule? Archives B S Prakash
So what, if they are VIPs?
'In India traffic comes to a virtual standstill whenever there is 'VVIP movement'. At the Rio+20 Conference there were hundreds of world leaders, but no security agency seemed to hassle the locals.' Archives B Raman
Why it is tough to trust the ISI
There have been three interactions between R&AW and the ISI before reveals B Raman, warning of the perils of dealing with the treacherous Pakistani spooks. Archives Mohammad Sajjad
What is causing Muslim radicalism?
'Muslim youth are neither meant for being indoctrinated and hired by any destructive foreign agency like the ISI, nor are they meant for being fired at by their own security agencies.' Archives Mohammad Sayeed Malik
The day Kashmir changed forever
'The chain of events set off by August 9, 1953 has swept away many illusions, demolished quite a few landmarks and woven an altogether new tapestry of the Centre-state relationship.' Archives Sherna Gandhy
India and the Great Olympic Tamasha
'Even those of us who shudder at the thought of walking to the neighbourhood store, or who have never dipped a foot in a swimming pool or kicked a football in our lives, will watch avidly as great athletic feats are performed by humans of all shapes, sizes, colours and dress codes -- from the head-scarved Saudi ladies to the show-it-all bikini-clad beach volleyball beauties, the beefy weightlifters and immaculately coated and cravat-ed equestrians.' Archives Seema Mustafa
What the CPI-M needs to do to rejuvenate politically
The CPI-M's decision to support Pranab Mukherjee came at great cost, and given Mamata's... Archives B Raman
Minority prejudice: We don't need to learn from the West
The disturbing phenomenon that we have been seeing for some years is alienation of our minorities due to accumulation of unaddressed grievances. Unless these are addressed sincerely and effectively, this could degenerate into radicalisation, warns B Raman. Archives Neerja Chowdhury
Sonia Gandhi makes a power statement at lunch for allies
After many months the UPA leadership seemed to exude a sense of confidence that they could get the better of an adverse situation in which they have found themselves for the last two years, writes Neerja Chowdhury Archives T V R Shenoy
Pranabda and the burden of two past Presidents
Unlike Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and Giani Zail Singh, one hopes Pranab Mukherjee will do a better job when asked to 'preserve, protect and defend the Constitution' Archives Rajeev Srinivasan
The Higgs Boson: Is it the end of physics?
'Without demeaning Einstein, I believe the most astounding achievement of a single human mind in all of history was that of Panini, 2,500 years ago. He achieved a Grand Unified Theory of Language: An even more daunting task... Computer scientists in the 1950s rediscovered the Paninian rules for formal languages; for instance, the C language is defined by 100 or so rules in the Panini-Backus form.' Archives T V R Shenoy
Legal battle likely after Pranab becomes President
'The Opposition says Pranab Mukherjee, who was the chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute Council, did not quit that office before filing the papers for his Presidential run. Mukherjee knows exactly how tricky these details can be, and how they can trip up even the most seasoned politician.' Archives Colonel (retd) R Hariharan
Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu: Trampling each other's toes
If the two Dravidian parties up the rhetoric it increases the risk of Tamil Nadu becoming a safe haven for Tamil extremism with serious implications for national security. As these developments affect Sri Lanka's internal security, it would kindle legitimate concerns in Colombo, says Colonel (retd) R Hariharan. Archives Anirban Ganguly
Notes from past: President as holder of other offices
Our current presidential candidates can perhaps take a cue from history and subject themselves to greater self-examination and scrutiny; it will surely augur well for the dignity of the exalted office that they so eagerly aspire for, says Anirban Ganguly. Archives B Raman
How to handle collateral deaths in anti-Maoist operations
If the government does not take the precaution of verifying the facts and circumstances of operations resulting in large fatalities and if these prove to be wrong, the resulting embarrassment will damage the future effectiveness of counter-insurgency operations, writes B Raman against the backdrop of the June 29 anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh. Archives Shahid Javed Burki
The last stand in the Muslim world
The political change in the Muslim world is the recognition that the street has emerged as a source of considerable political power, writes Shahid Javed Burki. Archives Bibhu Prasad Routray
Anti-Naxal operations: A monumental blunder in Chhattisgarh
It is beyond doubt that the Indian State has gravely erred in its latest counter-insurgency operation in Chhattisgarh and has indeed ended up killing non-combatants, says Bibhu Prasad Routray. Archives B Raman
Abu Jundal arrest: Saudi's changed attitude towards LeT
Action against Abu Jundal does not mean a dilution of Pakistan's geo-strategic importance for Saudi Arabia. Pakistan continues to be as important to Saudi Arabia as before, says B Raman. Archives T V R Shenoy
Mamata Banerjee is nobody's fool
T V R Shenoy explains the likely reasons behind the West Bengal chief minister's seemingly bizarre political behaviour. Archives B S Prakash
Return to Rio
Over a hundred world leaders including the Indian prime minister will be at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio. It is likely to be one of the biggest conferences of its kind. Archives Neerja Chowdhury
Mulayam emerges as the pivot in presidential poll
Mulayam is a street fighter of old, and not new to the art of bargaining and pressure politics. He obviously used Mamata's antipathy towards Pranab to go along with her and moot three names, different from the ones suggested by Sonia Gandhi. The idea was obviously to send his own message to an otherwise unheeding Congress party, that they had to take his concerns on board, says Neerja Chowdhury. Archives Anirban Ganguly
Political uncertainty over prez polls is a Cong trait
It has always been in the nature of the Congress to ensure that the entire process of electing the President be mired in uncertainty, one-upmanship, official confusion and rumour-mongering. Anirban Ganguly recalls an instance from the early days of the republic. Archives T V R Shenoy
Murder and mayhem: What's going on in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala?
It is hard to say who is pursuing the more stupid course -- the CPI-M in Kerala or the Congress in Andhra Pradesh, says T V R Shenoy. Archives Mahesh Vijapurkar
When political ideology stops public good
Mahesh Vijapurkar on phoney ideology excuses and the spurning of brand ambassadors. Archives Praful Bidwai
Why Modi must be stopped in his tracks
'With Narendra Modi set to take over as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, a combination of big capital and Hindutva could prove the undoing of the rule of law and Indian democracy.' Archives T V R Shenoy
Is the CPI-M writing its obituary in Kerala?
'The CPI-M faces multiple investigations, with the CBI, the SIT and the Kerala police pursuing different cases. It is said as many as 70 to 90 CPI-M leaders are under the scanner, and that as many as 30 of these leaders are under imminent danger of being arrested. Archives Harsh V Pant
Why India must not withdraw from the South China Sea
If China can operate in India's backyard and systematically expand its influence, then there is no reason why India should feel diffident about operating in areas that China considers its own sphere of influence, argues Harsh V Pant as the Asia Security Summit convenes in Singapore. Archives Rohit Pradhan
If people don't hold Parliament accountable, who will?
Parliament is essential to the success of Indian democracy and the citizenry should be in the forefront of demanding reforms which help improve and strengthen Parliamentary democracy, says Rohit Pradhan Archives Atishay Abbhi
China has lost the 'Jade kingdom', India must not
'As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh walks the red carpet at Ela airport in Myanmar, he would be seen by many there as arriving a little too late. Is New Delhi really prepared to take China's lost ground.' Archives B Raman
Tough task ahead for the new COAS
General V K Singh, who will be retiring as the chief of the army staff on May 31,2012, will go down in history as a highly competent General, who did not deserve to be the head of the proud Indian Army despite his excellent record in the battle-field against our adversaries, writes B Raman Archives S K Chatterjee
PM's visit to Myanmar opens great opportunities
'The Chinese influence on Myanmar needs to be contested. They have invested heavily in Myanmar's economy. India needs to ensure greater integration of the Myanmarese economy to relieve it of the stresses that it would otherwise feel should the Chinese put pressure on them.' Archives B Raman
India should supply energy to power-starved Myanmar
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to Myanmar should offer to help its government on an emergency basis to increase the power supply in the country. Archives Rajeev Srinivasan
Rescuing the rupee: What can be done
'Well, what can be done now, when the economy is tanking? 'Austerity', the officials cry. That would be fine, but austerity by whom? Normally, the answer is: Belt-tightening by the common man (Indians already pay some of the highest prices in the world for petroleum products, and a lot of that is punitive taxes), but ostentatious spending and extravagance by the political classes and their cronies.' Archives Rajiv Bhatia
How important is Dr Singh's visit to Myanmar?
Leaders of only a few Asian countries have visited Myanmar in the new era. Notably, China is not among them. Dr Manmohan Singh's visit, the first by a prime minister since 1987, is imbued with larger regional significance. Archives Rajeev Srinivasan
The saga of the rupee and why it is falling
The proximate cause is the Budget, with its Black-Swan event of a 50-year rollback and retroactive taxation of deals. This strengthens the notion that India is still a Banana Republic. Archives Rahul Mishra
Why India is wary of Myanmar-NSCN-K agreement
The ceasefire agreement between the Naga faction and Myanmar was signed without India being informed. It is likely to have long-term implications not only for the ethnic politics of the Naga-inhabited regions, but also for India's northeast and Myanmar. Archives Shivam Vij
North Indian Muslims will keep Modi's ambitions at bay
'The BJP's succession battle will resolve itself only when it is in a position to form a government. For that it will need to woo regional satraps, many of whom have prime ministerial ambitions of their own.'

'Even if the numbers are on the BJP's side, many regional leaders can't afford to support a Modi-led government for fear of losing their Muslim vote blocs.' Archives

T V R Shenoy
Let us not pretend that our system is flawless
'Years ago, as finance minister, Manmohan Singh popularised the term 'systemic failure.' Today he appears to believe that it is a case of individuals being at fault rather than the system. I believe he was wrong then and is wrong now.' Archives Suresh Prabhu
The glue that keeps this country together
No one can deny that but for Parliament our unity as a country could never have been what it is today, says the former Union minister who has been elected to the Lok Sabha four times. Archives Sherna Gandhy
Cartoon row: Why our MPs don't get the joke
'Since governance in this country is increasingly tyrannical, ruled by bans and censorships, and intolerant of any criticism, the parliamentary committee on textbooks is almost certain to pander to politicians.' Archives Rajeev Srinivasan
Is the future of education leaving India in the dust?
The digital revolution in education is coming at a most opportune time for India. Leadership in this is something India could seize, if only it had the vision. Archives B S Prakash
Are we surrendering our minds?
'Are we submerging our individual abilities, memories and consciousness to a larger anonymous cloud over which we have no control?'
'Is this a surrender of our mind to an omniscient, omnipotent Viswa Chaitanya, a Universal Consciousness that the great scientists or rishis dreamed of?' Archives Colonel Anil A Athale (retd)
Why are some army officers becoming Dabangg?
Is the Nyoma incident, where a group of army officers allegedly thrashed a jawan for alleged misbehaviour and then defied their commanding officer, an aberration?

Or is the matter more serious than what the army is making it out to be? Archives

Rajeev Srinivasan
Parliament: Is it even worse than it looks?
'India's parliamentary democracy is ridden with flaws... Parliament has become a monarchy, with seats captured by a strongman, and then inherited by his wife or children.' Archives Shashi Shekhar
Nothing diminishes the fact that we are a Great Nation
'The history of our nation may not always have charted a linear trajectory to greatness. But that must not distract us from recognising that we as a nation we continue to find new and innovative ways to reconcile contradictions, transcend fault-lines thus avoiding the pitfalls of so many of our neighbours.' Archives Arvind Kejriwal
MPs are reduced to bonded labour of their parties
'There is no mechanism for the people to intervene in the affairs of Parliament, to direct it to enact laws on particular subjects, to prevent it from passing certain other kind of laws.
The People are supreme, not Parliament. But unfortunately, in India, the People do not have any control, whatsoever, on the functioning of Parliament,' says the Magsaysay Award winner. Exclusive to Rediff.com Archives Shobha Warrier
Why did we forget Alex Menon's dead bodyguards?
Life may have returned to normal for the Sukma collector, but will the lives of the families of his two bodyguards who died during his abduction be the same again? Archives Subhash Kashyap
People feel that for our MPs the nation comes last
'People feel the new breed of politicians in all parties are selfish, power hungry, greedy, dishonest hypocrites and power merchants for whom the nation comes last,' says the former secretary general, Lok Sabha. Archives Sherna Gandhy
Systemic change needs sustained effort, not just Aamir Khan
'The appeal of a courageous superstar with a conscience on a Sunday morning television show may help resolve some of the issues that affect us. But to for us to change as a people needs much more effort and awareness.' Archives Rajeev Srinivasan
Rethinking education in India
'Indian education has, after Independence, produced nothing whatsoever -- yes, absolutely nothing -- of global calibre. Not one earth-shaking discovery or invention, not one outstanding theoretical insight!' Archives T V R Shenoy
Is India serious about investigating Tatragate?
'Did an Indian agency place a 'mole' within the Tatra subsidiary in Britain? Did powerful forces in India snuff out a life before anything emerged?' Archives Aakar Patel
Parliament's role in making India a great nation is over
Give this fact that the middle class is not responsible in India and cannot be trusted to lead, it is remarkable that our legislature, even given all of its vulgar traits, has performed as superbly as it has.
The first column in a series as India celebrates the 60th anniversary of the first sitting of the Joint House of Parliament on May 13. Archives Wilson John
The looming Haqqani Network threat to India
The Haqqani terror Network, is likely to step in as a 'service provider' to groups re-launching terrorist activities in Kashmir. This 'confluence' of anti-India terror will coincide with the US drawdown as well as the political transitions in most of the South Asian countries, including India. Archives Shashi Shekhar
Why India needs a Sardar Patel today
'From NCTC to GST and from economic reforms to targeted subsidies/entitlements, the political need of the present times is leadership in Sardar Patel's mold that can engage, negotiate, build trust and confidence where possible, awe and overwhelm when necessary.' Archives Claude Arpi
Bye Sarko: What France's new president means for India
'A solid political relation with France could balance India's foreign relations, which have often tilted towards the United States or Russia.' Archives T V R Shenoy
Why the Congress and BJP are having sleepless nights
'The squabbles we are seeing today over the election of the next President will be nothing compared to the all-out war ignited by a fragmented verdict after the 2014 general election.' Archives Sherna Gandhy
Do we need Sachin and Rekha in the Rajya Sabha?
Shouldn't the government's nominees for the Rajya Sabha have shown some interest in public affairs, some evidence that they have an understanding of national issues? Archives Hamid Mir
How Obama fulfilled Osama's dreams
A year after Osama bin Laden's death, Al Qaeda is determined to make stay alive, feels Hamid Mir, the last journalist to interview bin Laden. Archives Sonali Ranade
Machiavelli explains our politicians best
As politicians dismantle the levers of power, whether it is subsidies, allotment of land or spectrum, etc, they fear the prospect of losing the power of patronage much more than the power to extract rents therefrom, says Sonali Ranade. Archives Shivam Vij
India's skewed internet censorship debate
The current mechanisms of internet censorship in India are draconian and unconstitutional. They need to be replaced with a new set of rules that are fair, transparent and accessible for public scrutiny, says Shivam Vij. Archives Mahesh Vijapurkar
Citizen's dilemmas: Deficits of all kinds
I wonder if I can find anyone I could trust as a citizen, asks Mahesh Vijapurkar. Archives Harsh V Pant
Wanted! VIP treatment for ordinary Indians
'When the government has been so vociferous in demanding an apology from the US for Shah Rukh Khan, may I ask for an apology from my own government for not even bothering to inform me and other 'ordinary' citizens that our passports have been revoked.' Archives B S Prakash
The India that is not Bharat...
'A battle for a glass of red wine ends happily when an Air India traveller magnanimously accepts whiskey instead...' Archives T V R Shenoy
Is Rahul Gandhi's vision for India based on caste?
His remark 'I am a Brahmin, and I am general secretary of the party' would have been dismissed as a stray thoughtless remark if it were not for the fact that it shows a trend in his thinking. Archives Sushant Sareen
Agni 5 -- going ballistic over a missile
If India's nuclear and missile capability before Agni-5 was not enough to deter China, then it is unlikely that Agni-5 will, argues Sushant Sareen. Archives Brigadier S K Chatterji (retd)
Will the jihadi tiger devour Pakistan?
Pakistan has no alternative but to surgically eliminate its bonds with jihadi groups, cleanse its security establishments of jihadi patrons and focus on rebuilding the State on democratic lines. Archives Shashi Shekhar
Prime Minister Modi? The idea is inevitable
'With the Special Investigation Team's closure report finding no case to be made against Modi on Zakia Jafri's complaint, the public debate has once again returned to The Narendra Modi Question' Archives Devesh Kapur
Has India become less violent?
India is less violent, privately and publicly, than ever before, says Devesh Kapur Archives Tarun Vijay
Mr Zardari, will you protect Hindus in Pakistan?
'Is the ease available to a Pakistani Muslim to visit his places of faith in India also available to an Indian Hindu to visit his places of worship in Pakistan?' Archives Bibhu Prasad Routray
Odisha's 'real' hostage crisis!
'Abduction for the release of jailed Maoists is becoming a trend in Odisha. Considering the almost habitual surrender of various state governments to their demands, the extremists will use this tactic regularly.' Archives T V R Shenoy
Revealed: The real story behind CBI's Tatra probe
'A K Antony's office receives something like ten letters a week, all alleging corruption. That works out to better than an allegation a day on average, holidays included.' Archives Sunil Dasgupta
Why civil-military conflict is GOOD for India
'The ongoing dispute between General V K Singh and the government is an important -- albeit costly -- test of policy and institutional efficacy in an area of governance that is normally hidden from public view.' Archives Shashi Shekhar
It's time to reform the Rajya Sabha
Chief ministers who have been championing federalism must take the lead in reforming the Rajya Sabha so that it truly represents the interests of their states rather than the permanent political interests of unelected party apparatchiks in Delhi, says Shashi Shekhar. Archives B S Prakash
No issues! Why you don't need to learn a foreign language
'As a vegetarian in this mainly carnivorous nation, how does he manage food; how does he commute in a complicated city; what does he do for news and entertainment since virtually everything is only in Portuguese in Brazil, etc. "No issues," he kept saying.' Archives T V R Shenoy
Who is responsible for the embarrassments facing the government?
'India faces a very peculiar situation where the two most honest men in the Union Cabinet are suddenly facing the charge that massive scams took place in their own departments. Is that just coincidence?' Archives T V R Shenoy
Is 2012 witnessing the birth of the Fourth Front?
'Make no mistake, that nightmare is inching closer to reality. What should concern the BJP, CPI-M, and Congress is the manner in which they are losing -- often coming third -- and the states in which they are losing.' Archives Rohit Pradhan
Modi: Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't
Narendra Modi's opponents must respect the legal system; otherwise they risk damaging the very cause they protect, says Rohit Pradhan. Archives T V R Shenoy
Congress, BJP don't understand big changes in politics
'The Nehru clan seems more comfortable with somebody like Vijay Bahuguna -- a scion of a political dynasty -- than with a man like Harish Rawat who carved his own path. That attitude drove out Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal and Sharad Pawar in Maharashtra.' Archives Mahesh Vijapurkar
New civic bodies in Maharashtra, but cities will not gain
The city can wait, indefinitely. Of course, its citizens don't count. Those who thought they did and went to vote for a change have fooled themselves, says Mahesh Vijapurkar. Archives Himanshu Thakkar
Why inter-linking of rivers is not possible
Can we laugh away the Supreme Court order on implementation of inter-linking of rivers as a comedy or tragedy, asks Himanshu Thakkar. Archives T V R Shenoy
Is the Congress ready to look away from the politics of dynasty?
'If there is one lesson that should be heard by every political party it is that both candidates and campaigners need something more than a famous surname to push them over the winning line.' Archives Shashi Shekhar
Is the BJP becoming a caricature of the Congress?
For far too long, the BJP has postponed an uncomfortable debate on the need for radical change. The outcome in Uttar Pradesh presents the perfect opportunity to force that debate, says Shashi Shekhar. Archives Rajeev Srinivasan
Why Narendra Modi scares the usual suspects
Rajeev Srinivasan on why Narendra Modi is a threat to the establishment because he overturns many of the convenient myths they propagate Archives Shashi Shekhar
Can the Congress afford a high-handed approach anymore?
The tenth anniversary of the Gujarat 2002 riots comes at politically importune moment unfortunately for the process of justice inside the courts and for the process of reconciliation outside the courts, feels Shashi Shekhar. Archives T V R Shenoy
Can the Congress afford a high-handed approach anymore?
'The Congress has been reduced to dust in Tamil Nadu by its allies. The Trinamool Congress is set to do the same in West Bengal. And the NCP is gaining at the Congress's expense in Maharashtra.' Archives B S Prakash
What a monster Steve Jobs could be!
'Are the great always good? Few of his associates would use the adjective 'good' for Steve Jobs. The circuitry and the code that runs an individual is more complex than that which runs a computer. The world would be a duller place if it were not so.' Archives T P Sreenivasan
Kerala fishermen's killings: A crisis beyond diplomacy
'If only the Italians had accepted that it was a wrong judgement on the part of the crew of the ship, apologised and offered adequate compensation, the matter could have been resolved. But their whole approach has been defiant.' Archives Tarun Vijay
Can't the government help an Indian mother in distress?
'In Norway, an Indian mother and father are struggling for the custody of their children taken away by a Norwegian child care agency. Nine months passed and India has been able to do nothing.' Archives Rohit Pradhan
Rahul is too busy now to worry about India's future
'Rahul Gandhi can force the Congress to get rid of its old Socialist baggage and become a truly secular and forward looking political formation. Instead, he has confused minority communalism with secularism and entitlements with development. This 'youth icon' is too busy fighting 20th century wars to worry about India's future.' Archives Nitin Pai
After the Dalai Lama
Future of millions of Tibetans around the world will depend on who takes his place as the spiritual leader, says Nitin Pai. Archives Nitin Pai
No reasons for India to raise tensions with Italy
'In the absence of hostile or malafide intents (politically speaking), it is best to agree to pursue the matter soberly in courts of law. Fattening lawyers is far more conducive to international peace than agitating politicians.' Archives Harsh V Pant
Iran or Israel: India must make the choice
Tehran continues to be hyper-critical of the Indian government on Kashmir, even forcing New Delhi to issue a demarche last year as a protest against Iranian interference in Indian domestic issues. Iranian interference in Indian domestic politics has been going on for a long time with sections of the Indian government suggesting that Iran 'has been buying off journalists, clerics and editors in Shia-populated areas of UP and Kashmir, doling out large sums to stoke anti-Americanism.' Archives T V R Shenoy
Why aren't Chidambaram and Madhavan Nair treated equally?
'G Madhavan Nair is punished by being barred from all government jobs. P Chidambaram continues to hold one of the most powerful offices in the government. Is that equal treatment?' Archives T P Sreenivasan
How India missed the opportunity in the Maldives
'India's decision to fall back on an Islamic and authoritarian government to protect and promote its interests is a sad commentary on its neighbourhood policy.' Archives Rajeev Srinivasan
Why is Indian culture so anti-female?
'There is the hangover from colonial practices, which should disappear with greater educational freedom for women, and also, ironically, because of the looming woman shortage due to selective foeticide.' Archives Shashi Shekhar
The Congress and its desperation for the Muslim vote
It is clear that the Congress party is now in a last ditch attempt to raise the Narendra Modi bogey with an eye on the Muslim vote in Uttar Pradesh. Archives T V R Shenoy
Is corruption truly an issue in India?
Kanimozhi and Kalmadi were welcomed as if they were freedom fighters emerging from jail. Getting bail does not mean that the cases against them have come to an end, or that they have been found innocent by the trial courts. Archives Mohammad Sajjad
UP's Muslim parties don't talk of social justice
'The urge of democratisation among the Muslim communities remains unaddressed by these emerging Muslim outfits. Do they wish to pursue the emotive identity politics of religious exclusivism which may degenerate into the politics of religious reaction.' Archives T P Sreenivasan
The foreign service has lost its Bhishma pitamaha
Ambassador A K Damodaran was the last link between the freedom struggle and Indian diplomacy, the last of those, who walked from a British prison to take on national responsibilities. Archives Harsh V Pant
India's MMRCA decision continues to create ripples
Major defence purchases should be a means of helping a nation achieve its strategic objectives. It's not readily evident what strategic objectives of India are being served by choosing Rafale over Typhoon, says Harsh V Pant. Archives Seema Mustafa
Does General V K Singh know what he's up against?
'General Singh does not have the reputation of a greedy, grasping, man. Far from it, and his word along with the records should have carried weight with the government. Unfortunately, the pettiness of the ruling class has pushed the senior officer to a corner where not wanting to, he has had to approach the civilian courts as a last resort.' Archives T V R Shenoy
How Indian women can head the household
If the Food Security Bill is enacted as per the draft, then women shall be considered the 'head of the household' and the potential implications are staggering. Archives Satish Chandra
Why Krishna's visit to Lanka can't be termed 'successful'
S M Krishna's praise for the Sri Lankan government-appointed Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission will diminish our credibility as an honest broker in the eyes of the Sri Lankan Tamils who are becoming increasingly bitter towards India Archives Rohit Pradhan
Rushdie issue: Only in India can one get away with such farces!
'Ashok Gehlot may very well pat himself for winning over a few Muslim votes, but he has simply provided the template for the next offended group: The past is often the prologue to the future.' Archives Justice A K Ganguly
'Every case of helplessness is a result of a corrupt act'
'In our society... a corrupt man is not a social outcast. He is most of the time a hero, a leader.' Archives Shashi Shekhar
Rushdie brouhaha is another strike against Free Speech
'When Truth dies along with it dies the 'Fabric of Trust' that holds nations and societies together. From raising dishonest questions over the Batla House encounter to raising false bogeys over the Rushdie visit, the Congress stands guilty of causing irreversible damage to that fabric of trust.' Archives Vipin Vijayan
I for once hope the PM says 'to hell with the allies'
'I am sick of hearing the prime minister parrot the 'compulsions of coalition government' line. I for once hope he says 'This is what I will do. You have a problem, go hang!' Archives Faisal Kidwai
Mayawati, Mulayam's caste-iron strategy
'Uttar Pradesh, unlike almost any other Indian state, is ruled and run on caste. In some ways, caste is a bigger player in the state than either religion or national issues' Archives The new international caste system
'But where were the majority of my cousins from South Asia, the multitudes from Pakistan and Bangladesh and my own compatriots. They were the service class: Cleaning, pouring, clearing, wiping, sweeping and getting rid of the rubbish.' How India can eternalise its predominance in the Indian Ocean
The Maldives will be the nucleus of future security order in the Indian Ocean. Patently the Maldivians will have to migrate before the portended watery grave. Given what could happen by 2100, it is imperative for India to act in good faith, and also with an eye on our national interest. India should offer Maldives statehood within our Union. Shashi Shekhar
Why India needs a leader like Narendra Modi
'Let us start the debate in 2012 in favour of a directly elected executive with a civil society-based Electoral College as a check for a directly elected strong leader in the mould of a Narendra Modi with civil society as a check which serves the national interest far more than an indirectly selected, weak but acceptable prime minister vulnerable to pressure from regional parties and outside groups that may have propped him or her up.' Archives An Old Soldier
Army chief age row: Government must show sagacity, grace
'Befitting the government of a great nation, it must act suo moto to correct (NOT change) the chief's date of birth, thus setting right an anomaly, which an honourable soldier strongly feels impinges on his 'izzat.' Archives Anvar Alikhan
Is this what my country has come to?
'We have proved right Winston Churchill , when he warned in 1947 that 'Power will go to rascals, rogues, freebooters... leaders will be of low calibre and men of straw... They will fight amongst themselves for power and will be lost in political squabbles.' Archives T V R Shenoy
Mulayam better option than Mamata for the Congress?
'The bottomline is that Rahul Gandhi's dream of ruling Uttar Pradesh has been buried. The talk is no longer of 'strengthening' the party, but of 'extending' the life of the Congress ministry in Delhi -- at almost any cost.' Archives Brigadier S K Chatterji (retd)
Army chief's age issue: Government loses face either way
'For the men and women in armed forces, for whom their chiefs have been the sole leader, the age controversy has only eroded their confidence in our State. It's time for the defence minister and the army chief to decide the issue based on legally tenable evidence.' Archives Rajeev Srinivasan
India in 2012: Another 2011 coming up
'I would not be surprised if there is a spectacular act of Pakistani terrorism in India in 2012 intended to celebrate the triumph over the hyperpower. Of course, the home minister of India will once again mouth the terrifying formula: 'If there is another terrorist attack, we will...' Archives C Uday Bhaskar
India in 2012: Strategic and security challenges beckon
'The greatest challenge to India is that its political class seems oblivious to the contours and challenges of the big picture and national security does not receive the objective and constructive attention it warrants in Parliament.' Archives