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The Cockroach Janta Party: Can it Live up to Expectations?

Whether or not the CJP would eventually give rise to a new political party is impossible to say. But if it does, it should be genuinely different, not just one more among a large menagerie of parties, but the expression of a political culture that is, in the truest sense, remedially different.

Bangladesh Needs Justice Beyond the Politics of Power

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his government should support impartial investigations, act against demonstrably fabricated prosecutions and review provisions that can prevent judicial determination of responsibility for alleged unlawful killings. 

The Mock Parliament That Gave a New Twist to India's Political Churn

Critics dismissed it as  juvenile  and a mockery of democracy,  but  a purely theatrical exercise does not sustain that length, that number of listed speeches, or that degree of procedural discipline. It remained, however, an innovative symbolic exercise with no government or Election Commission presence and no legal power to remove anyone.

Why Society Needs to Shape its Politics - and not Politics Society

Economists, scientists, journalists, authors, professionals and other knowledgeable individuals can contribute to society by explaining complex issues, questioning assumptions and encouraging evidence-based discussion.Their role need not be confined to supporting or opposing political parties. 

More on Governance, Public Policy, Politics and Law

Agnipath: An ill-conceived scheme that will impact civil-military relations and neighbourhood bonds

The recruitment of Nepali Gorkhas into the Indian Army being stopped after 77 years post-Independence is not only going to be a major loss to the Indian Army but also a serious and avoidable blow to cordial India-Nepal relations.

Is green hydrogen really the panacea for global warming?

While there are uncertainties with regard to the  possibilities and prospects of generating green hydrogen in a cost-effective manner it is surprising that green hydrogen is being hailed as the ultimate solution to overcome the emission issue and prevent climate disaster.

Social media's war on civility and compassion: Feeds on the psychological vulnerability of individuals

Many of us spend hours on social media doom scrolling, which then ceases to be just a source of recreation; it becomes an alternative world where algorithms and trends decode and shape individuals.

Can IMF’s good-governance conditionalities bring Pakistan economic stability?

Peace and progress go hand in hand. To stabilize the economy, Pakistan needs a conducive political environment to focus on investment, education and health care. Whatever the economic challenges, the solutions would have to come from within. External funds, loans, debts are only temporary solutions

Twin nations that chose different trajectories: A Pakistani perspective

The very idea of Pakistan was based on the Two-Nation Theory which emphasized Muslims’ different way of life from that of the Hindus in the subcontinent. However, the mere religious identity of a nation without reconciling Pakistan’s diverse ethnic, linguistic, and cultural groups was not enough to hold it together. 

To rebuild Bangladesh interim government needs to reconcile rival ideological camps

Bangladesh is home to people of different religions and cultures, both in the hills and plains. The extreme polarization of thought and ideology between opposing ideological groups is impacting Bangladesh's social fabric. 

Policy reversals and lessons for the Modi government

The BJP is not really taking on the immense political challenge of explaining and then persuading the people to go with the right-wing turns in policies it seeks to implement; it is sneaking it in, and in that it is being met with defeat after defeat.

How the world failed Afghanistan: Three years since the Taliban's return to power

When the world descended on Afghanistan in 2001, Afghans believed it was about them, about a better life for them. It never was. It never is, writes senior reporter Kathy Gannon, who has covered Afghanistan since the 1980s. Looking back at the second Taliban takeover in 2021 she looks at why the ironically named ‘Operation Enduring Freedom’ of 2001 failed and how the aspirations of Afghans have been ignored.

Is Sri Lanka’s state sector inefficient? Facts point to the contrary

Sri Lanka’s current HDI score stands at 0.78 and is the highest in South Asia.

India's healthcare institutions need more women at the helm

A message from the Kolkata case is to rebuild our healthcare workplaces with the intent of making them safe and gender inclusive.
 

India's discredited coaching centres: Can they redeem themselves in the eyes of students and aspirants?

The exams for IITs, IIMs, Civil Services, in particular, are strong pointers on how traditional pedagogy and mindset of our educational institutions towards learning is found severely inadequate and deficient, and call for a paradigm shift towards critical thinking and building wider perspectives.

Hasina destroyed Bangladesh’s economy; caretaker government needs to handle it well to restore people's confidence

Many of the oligarchic business syndicates that formed around the deposed Sheikh Hasina are now on the run. But their vast industrial establishments remain. It is essential to sustain these industries. Millions of people are working in these establishments that are playing a critical role in the production sector of the country. These industries cannot be shut down because of the crimes of their leaders. 

Threat of sexual violence will deter Indian women’s participation in workforce

After the Nirbhaya case in India, the laws were tightened against sexual violence. We also have stringent laws against child abuse. Yet the laws have not stopped reported sexual crimes from growing as the NCRB data shows.

Changes in visa rules will impact Indian student flow to Western countries

Indian students comprise a significant percentage of the global international student community in not just Canada, but the US, UK and Australia. Some of the changes introduced by Western governments will create challenges in the short run, but they may be good in the long term.

Indian Armed Forces' stellar role in Wayanad disaster relief: Serving the nation in crises

What became a reason for special attention was that the Madras Sappers were led by a woman officer, Major Sita Ashok Shelke. This single-woman officer in a 150-strong team worked hands-on with the locals during the construction,  planning the move of stores, approving the design and ensuring a safe, speedy launch. If the men kept awake for two nights, her responsibility required an even longer spell without sleep.

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