Articles
Feb 22 2009
OPINION
#
Parastatals and task forces - the new decision-makers
In the name of good governance, decision-making powers in Karnataka are being given to parastatal organizations and non-elected task forces. Kathyayini Chamaraj asks for a re-look at outsourcing government.
3
Feb 20 2009
GEO-POLITICS AND TRADE
The world, according to Tom Friedman
GEO-POLITICS AND TRADE : The world, according to Tom Friedman
"Power to the people" will not be ushered in by the microchip or hydrogen battery, but by a redistribution of wealth. Darryl D'Monte fears the celebrated New York Times columnist may be misplacing his faith.
3
Feb 17 2009
FILM REVIEW
King of India
FILM REVIEW : King of India
Arvind Sinha's new film travels into streets and bylanes of a Kolkata we do not generally get to see, thus throwing up a collage of the city from a perspective many are not familiar with. Shoma Chatterji reviews the film.
Feb 15 2009
ECONOMIC MELTDOWN
#
Whose crisis is it, anyway?
Through January the US has seen the loss of 17,000 jobs every day since the meltdown began in September. Here in India, too, things are slipping but the lessons remain unlearnt, writes P Sainath.
8
Feb 10 2009
PUBLIC FINANCE
#
Reckless borrowing, unholy redemption
With support from the Gujarat legislature, the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited's has moved to redeem its deeply discounted bonds prematurely, despite indictments from the audit watchdog and objections by SEBI. The matter is now at the Supreme Court. Himanshu Upadhyaya has more.
10
Feb 04 2009
DEMOCRACY
#
Towards positive change
The the machinery and conduct of elections, is robust and intact. But the 'software' of democracy, the processes by which we are governed in-between elections, is corrupt and corroded, writes Ramachandra Guha.
6
Feb 02 2009
ECONOMIC STRATEGY
#
World Bank's CAS: The forward march of failure
The newly announced country assistance strategy for India is the continuation of what the World Bank has been pushing in this country and elsewhere in the last 15 years or so years, with nothing to show for it, writes Shripad Dharmadhikary.
1
Jan 31 2009
ECONOMY
#
Corporates look for rural gold
Business honchos are descending on the rural markets, expecting to make a killing from whatever is left in the pockets of India's poor, led by an NCAER forecast of robust sales growth here, writes Devinder Sharma.
3
Jan 31 2009
SKYSCRAPERS IN MUMBAI
High-rise fantasies
SKYSCRAPERS IN MUMBAI : High-rise fantasies
The deserted areas of Wadala lie cheek by jowl with a Mumbai Port Trust goods terminal. It lacks public transport and other amenities, but the MMRDA is hell-bent on spending Rs.4128 crores to erect a skyscraper here. Darryl D'Monte reports.
3
Jan 29 2009
WOMEN'S HEALTH
#
Mothers and motherhood
It is indeed ironic that in a society where motherhood is virtually deified, we pay so little attention to making sure that women don't die in the process of becoming mothers, writes Kalpana Sharma.
1
Jan 27 2009
FILM REVIEW: SALT STORIES
Still can't make salt
FILM REVIEW: SALT STORIES : Still can't make salt
Lalit Vachani's latest film places the Mahatma's historic Dandi March in perspective, juxtaposing it against the reality of the depriveations faced by the poor. Shoma Chatterji reviews the film.
Jan 27 2009
SILK INDUSTRY
Sericulture gets a boost
SILK INDUSTRY : Sericulture gets a boost
A cluster plantation scheme promoted by the state government in Assam is providing new opportunities in silk production for thousands of families. Ratna Bharali Talukdar reports on the effort and the challenges it faces.
1
Jan 22 2009
HEALTH DRINK/CONSUMERS
From snow ball to coconut lassi
HEALTH DRINK/CONSUMERS : From snow ball to coconut lassi
This Kochi's couple's one-year-old enterprise is perhaps the only serious attempt to market snow ball tender coconut so far. And in their response to irregularity of supply, they introduced the coconut lassi. Shree Padre has more.
5
Jan 21 2009
OPINION
#
2009: A preview of security issues
India begins 2009 from a position of strength. But how it approaches security issues in the internaland external security planes will determine how it ends the year, writes Firdaus Ahmed.
Jan 18 2009
KERALA
The unique water tunnel of Sheni
KERALA : The unique water tunnel of Sheni
This 250 metre-long suranga, situated by the side of a school in Kasargod, Kerala resembles the famed Iranian water system - the qanat - more than its other counterparts in the district. Shree Padre reports on its passing out from regular use.
4
Jan 16 2009
COMMUNITIES AND POACHING
Leopards face sustained threat
COMMUNITIES AND POACHING : Leopards face sustained threat
A recent clubbing to death of a leopard was a reminder of the creature's vulnerability and frailty of its habitat. According to one estimate, India has lost atleast 3189 leopards during 1994 to 2008. Malini Shankar has more.
1
Jan 15 2009
FAILED ECONOMIC POLICY
#
SEZs: engine derailed?
The lack of economic activity in most SEZs leads to the suspicion that many were incapable of attracting economic production units in the first place. The rush to 'denotify' them only reinforces this, writes Kannan Kasturi.
4
Jan 12 2009
DOMESTIC WORKERS
#
Making visible the invisible
It is relatively easy to legislate laws regarding domestic workers, as Maharashtra has just done with its recent bill on their welfare. But it's not that easy to change attitudes, writes Kalpana Sharma.
3
Jan 12 2009
INTERVIEW
Keep up the pressure, says former IB operator
INTERVIEW : Keep up the pressure, says former IB operator
Maloy Krishna Dhar is the author of Open Secrets, a book about the Intelligence Bureau and his 30-year career in it. He spoke with Susheela Menon on terrorism, changes needed in the IB, and the power of the people in bringing about changes.
Jan 08 2009
CONDUCT OF THE MEDIA
Terror coverage raises lots of questions
CONDUCT OF THE MEDIA : Terror coverage raises lots of questions

The terror attacks have raised numerous questions of media ethics, values and news-gathering methods. While the government and politicians faced the wrath of the public, the media too was under the lens. Ramesh Menon reports.

4