ECONOMIC POLICY
Third generation of reforms needed

Adequate attention has not been given to strengthening the government in performing key functions, directly or through public authorities. Reforms to address this are now needed.

#Economy #Government
REFORMS
An 'institutions' model is needed

States have followed varied paths to development, proclaiming models of their own. But these have been limited, and not presented a new imagination of governance itself. 

#Government
SELF-GOVERNANCE
Reversing the gaze on democracy

Can people themselves decide how governments should respond to their needs? Janta ka Faisla asks us to consider how the practice of democracy would look if it began from the most vulnerable citizens. 

#Livelihoods #Urban Poor #Government #Poverty #CHHATISGARH
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
ESG: A lot more S needed
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY : ESG: A lot more S needed

The social responsibility of companies is a lot more than a CSR program. It is also more than a mere Human Resources tool for employers to improve relations with employees.

#Labour Issues #Economy #Society
OPINION
The dichotomy in India’s rule of law

The rule of law guides our legislative, executive and judiciary and all other institutions yet our country is in chaos. Harish Narasappa analyses the role of reason in making the rule of law stronger and effective to bring order in the country.

#Law and Order #Laws #Society
NUCLEAR POWER
What nuclear weapons have done to us

Pokhran-II  happened on May 1998, Firdaus Ahmed writes if nuclear weapons have made us more secure in these last twenty years.

#National Security #Subcontinental Musings
ARMY POLITICS
Dissension in the top brass?

Firdaus Ahmed reflects on the possibility that there is a budding pushback from the army commanders to their Chief’s increasing proximity with the ruling party at the Center.

#National Security #Subcontinental Musings
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Are India’s nuclear weapons in safe hands?

Firdaus Ahmed ponders if India’s nuclear weapons are in safer hands or not.

#National Security #Subcontinental Musings
OBITUARY
A guardian of rivers

Himanshu Upadhayay pays a personal tribute to the inspiring and dedicated river activist Latha Anantha, who passed away on 16th of November.

#Water
HIGH SPEED TRAIN
Will biting the Bullet Train leave us with no teeth?

Darryl D'Monte analyses why the proposed Bullet Train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is not the need of the hour, nor worth the cost.

#Transport #Environment
NUCLEAR AGE WAR
The myth of a nuclear peace
NUCLEAR AGE WAR : The myth of a nuclear peace

The  two-front war remark made by the Indian Army Chief recently makes Firdaus Ahmed question the usage of nuclear weapons in case of such a war.

#National Security #Subcontinental Musings
MUMBAI FLOODS
Mumbai after the 2005 deluge

July 26, 2017 marked the 12th anniversary of Mumbai’s mega flood in 2005. Darryl D’Monte looks into the causes and effects of the deluge.

#Cities #Environment
EPW CHAOS
Why shoot the messenger?

If the members of the board were concerned about protecting the academic research character of the journal they chose the wrong person to serve as the editor. Anup Kumar explains

#Media
NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY
Mapping India’s doctrinal movement
NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY : Mapping India’s doctrinal movement

The recently released joint doctrine shows a movement in India's strategic, nuclear, conventional and sub-conventional doctrines. Firdaus Ahmed claims that this necessarily will not make India any safer.

#National Security #Subcontinental Musings
NDA GOVERNMENT
Popularity vs Performance
NDA GOVERNMENT : Popularity vs Performance

Pradeep Baisakh analyses a recently released report by human rights activists and civil society organizations to see how the present government has performed in the three years it has been in power.

#Government #Human Rights
JUDICIAL CAPACITY
Speedy disposal of court cases
JUDICIAL CAPACITY : Speedy disposal of court cases

High Courts and subordinate courts have been directed by the Supreme Court to expedite the disposing of criminal cases, yet cases languish for years in these courts. Harish Narasappa explains why it is so and how it can be fixed.

#Laws
NUCLEAR THREAT
The hovering nuclear clouds
NUCLEAR THREAT : The hovering nuclear clouds

Is India shifting its nuclear strategy in a new direction? Firdaus Ahmed analyses what that would mean.

#National Security #Subcontinental Musings
INDO-PAK RELATIONS
The Parrikar thesis
INDO-PAK RELATIONS : The Parrikar thesis

Firdaus Ahmed analyses the recent comments made by the Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's in case of India being provoked by Pakistan.

#National Security #Subcontinental Musings
CONFLICT IN NUCLEAR AGE
World War II redux in the nuclear age
CONFLICT IN NUCLEAR AGE : World War II redux in the nuclear age

A mega Indian Army exercise aimed at sharpening Army's deep strike capabilities in enemy territory concluded last month in Rajasthan. Firdaus Ahmed analyses why having the strike capabilities in this nuclear age might be a mixed blessing.

#National Security #Subcontinental Musings
BLOG: RESISTANCE AND RECONSTRUCTION
Hope in Bihar
BLOG: RESISTANCE AND RECONSTRUCTION : Hope in Bihar

Recently, Ashish Kothari visited some areas in Bihar where interesting things are happening. Under progressive governance and grassroots action by its citizens when these are implemented state-wise, Bihar would be well on the path of progress.

#BIHAR
SYRIAN CEASEFIRE
Can India provide a new lens to the ISIS challenge in Syria?

Is military combat the only way to deal with the Islamic state and its likes? Firdaus Ahmed ponders about the role India can play in making the ongoing temporary ceasefire in the five-year old Syrian civil war a more permanent one.

#Firdaus Ahmed #Subcontinental Musings
BLOG: RESISTANCE AND RECONSTRUCTION
Towards radical democracy in India
BLOG: RESISTANCE AND RECONSTRUCTION : Towards radical democracy in India

A multitude of grassroots movements are emerging across the country in resistance to the mainstream economy and polity. These initiatives are exploring sustainable, equitable and  just paths to human well-being. Ashish Kothari and Pallav Das offer an insight into the need for such movements.

#Ashish Kothari
DOCTRINAL DISCONNECT
Modi worsens India’s doctrinal muddle

In light of events in Pathankot, Firdaus Ahmed analyses Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech, given to the military brass last month at the Combined Commanders’ conference aboard the INS Vikramaditya, on the way forward with Pakistan.

#Firdaus Ahmed #National Security #Peace #Subcontinental Musings