We all have read the news of a collapsed bridge or a crumbled flyover. It is not rocket science to understand the reasons behind such accidents. More often than not, it is because of the low quality of construction. Sometimes, it may also be due to the overload of traffic. Somewhere, some rules have been …
The month of Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic new year. Its historical and religious significance is defined by the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Hussain who was killed in a battle at Karbala, in modern-day Iraq. This morning was the anniversary of the day when he and his 72 companions acquired martyrdom. The …
Sixteen years have passed since the demise of Ustad Vilayat Khan in the spring of 2004. Yet, his music continues to reverberate. So do stories of him living life in regal splendor. On his 92nd birth anniversary on August 28, here is a note on the interests of the man beyond his music. Fast cars …
With the world on pause with coronavirus, Sweden’s unique approach has drawn intense global scrutiny, not all of it complimentary. It refused to impose tough lockdown, kept primary schools and core economic activities functioning, issued clear guidelines and relied on voluntary social distancing plus personal hygiene practices to manage the crisis. Chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell …
This week marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution that gave women the right to vote. For all the countless advances towards equality that American women have made since then, it continues to raise eyebrows around the world that they have yet to become president or even vice-president. But because …
The GST Council meeting on Thursday ended on a mixed note. It met to solve the problem of compensating states for a shortfall in tax collection, an issue that’s driven a wedge between the Centre and some states. On the positive side, a solution emerged. But it left many states dissatisfied. The compensation issue has …
This isn’t a column on how Congress can revive itself. The joke will be on me for having any such hopes, especially after the recent inconsequential Congress Working Committee meeting. However, Congress offers excellent lessons on what not to do as a leader. Here are 10 practical lessons for current and aspiring leaders, whether in …
Tensions continue to ramp up in the South China Sea with the American and Chinese militaries engaging in shadow boxing to assert their respective dominance. On Wednesday, China launched a couple of missiles, including one dubbed as an aircraft-carrier killer, into the South China Sea in apparent response to US aerial activities in the region. …
As part of my work and passion, I often ponder over the future of banking. That leads me to the enabling role of digitalization in reshaping the face of banking. Collectively, the industry believed this was going to be one slow, yet steady process to transform the industry. What no one expected was a pandemic …
Till the Corona virus was exported deliberately to the entire world, China went from being an economic giant to the most distrusted country worldwide. Even its very few allies are considered failed states or countries that are exporting terror—North Korea, Pakistan, Iran. China’s other allies are small countries that are in a debt trap with …