governance, political economy, institutional development and economic regulation
Success attracts its own supporters. Narendra bhai epitomizes the success of merit and dedication. It is not surprising therefore, that supporters, including erstwhile critics, both national and international, are thronging his doorstep for a darshan. There are visible signs that the public adulation has not gone to his head. He has shot down an attempt […]
Read More PM Modi’s second governance testGood intentions do not a good government make. As many as 8 out of 44 Modi ministers have serious criminal charges against them (Association for Democratic Reform report, May 27, 2014). The existing laws do not bar such citizens from either becoming MPs, or ministers thereafter. However, the test of a government committed to good […]
Read More PM Modi fails first governance testHindus, across caste lines, believe that the Modi Sarkar will usher in better times. But there is disquiet amongst the Muslims, in particular, but also amongst Christians. Both religions are of foreign origin and linked to religious regimes located elsewhere. They fear the whip-lash of a possible “India for Hindus” sentiment akin to the “Africa […]
Read More The new Modi fan clubThe Modi led “near national” government has been voted in on the basis of its perceived capacity for good governance. Good governance is an amorphous concept. But one essential component is access to timely justice. Punishing people for the crimes they commit, at the earliest, through due process, becomes a key measure to make […]
Read More Modi governance milestone 1: No “tainted” MP to be a MinisterThe saffron deluge has taken everyone by surprise, like an early monsoon. The Modi storm carried away with it, anyone who rode with him and demolished all others, barring regional stalwarts like Amma, Naveen Patnaik and Didi. Is this the end of caste as a political weapon? With Bhenji (Dalit supremo), Netaji (Ahir supremo-UP), Lallu […]
Read More Saffron IndiaModi can’t stop thinking. It was whilst wandering in the Himalayas, as a young adult, that he decided to make the RSS his karm bhoomi, developed his vision of what he wanted to do and how. Should he revisit those grassy slopes and rugged peaks again to refresh his mind? Kedarnath is waiting. But […]
Read More What is Mr. Modi thinking?What was Kejriwal thinking on his flight back from Varanasi yesterday? Did he reflect on how difficult it is in a competitive environment to get a second chance? Where would he have been, had he not frittered away his government in Delhi for a notional presence pan-India? Maybe he was caught up in the colorful, […]
Read More What now Mr. Kejriwal?The Modi government is being formed on the back of a mandate for honest and effective governance. Fortunately, it inherits a raft of incomplete social and economic equity initiatives from the UPA II. These need to be continued, deepened and tweaked to deliver more bang for the buck. But every government craves the opportunity to […]
Read More Modi.govHate is a powerful emotion. A sense of rejection, powerlessness, consistent negative discrimination or perceived persecution; any of these can invoke it. In India it is a common, albeit not a publicly expressed sentiment. But it lurks very close to the surface. Who hates whom, is an easily answered question. But why the poor do […]
Read More Hate and its adherents
Opinion India 