Views

The India we live in, the India it is

We proudly describe our nation as a land of Unity in Diversity. We have long celebrated our civilization based on plurality, where differences have been seen, not as threats but as expressions of a greater unity. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, we rejoice our innumerable languages, castes, creeds, and cultures. What unites us, we believe, is the feeling of belonging to this land we call o

Checkmate on carbon: Chess strategies for India’s climate economy

The climate crisis is no longer a peripheral debate but a central determinant of economic resilience, particularly for emerging economies like India. Much like a grandmaster sitting before a 64-square battlefield, policymakers and market actors are compelled to strategize in advance, balancing short-term sacrifices with long-term positioning. Climate economics, at its core, mirrors the complexi

Safe harbour under siege after AI content rules

On October 22, 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)  notified the Draft Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2025 (“Draft Rules, 2025”). At first glance, it seemed a routine regulatory update, another addition to India’s expanding digital framework. Yet, beneath its unassuming title

`Justice, liberty, equality and fraternity are the soul of our Constitution`

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, addressed Members of both Houses of Parliament in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan on Wednesday, as the nation celebrated the 11th Samvidhan Divas with great fervour and enthusiasm. Vice-President of India and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, C. P. Radhakrishnan also addressed on the occasion. The event was graced by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi; Lok Sabha Spea

Rethinking policy framework to address animal-human conflict and animal welfare

Animal welfare requires as much a structured policy approach as do other sectors in India. Conflict that exists today is due to lack of an integrated policy approach which in turn exacerbates the conflict and instigates public health crises. The Indian Constitution already recognises the importance of animal welfare. Article 48A mandates the state to protect and improve the environment and safe

Mobile phones in classroom: redirect, not eliminate

In this era of AI and classrooms filled with students glued to their cellphones, there is a need to focus on redirecting, but not eliminating, the distraction. While there is no doubt that we need to go back to the older ways of teaching such as taking oral viva exams, practicing ‘sthithprajana’ (steady wisdom) etc, there is also a dire need to make alliance with technology.

Governance as ‘cyborg’: Rethinking AI rules through philosophical lens

In the world of science fiction, the cyborg, a hybrid of human and machine, often evokes fascination and fear. However, American scholar Donna Haraway conceptualises cyborg as more than a futuristic body; it is a philosophical lens, a way of thinking about identity, agency, and responsibility in a world where boundaries are increasingly porous. [See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Cyborg_Manife

The process, not the verdict, is often the real punishment

When we talk about criminal justice in India, most people think about the final verdict — whether someone is found guilty or innocent. But for many ordinary Indians, punishment is not in the verdict, but in the process itself. The waiting, the uncertainty, the endless hearings, and the years spent behind bars before a case even reaches a conclusion. The real punishment often begins long b

Pollution control isn`t charity; it`s strategic economic investment

Every winter, as air pollution shrouds Indian cities from Delhi to Kolkata, public debate converges on the costs: the crores spent on air purifiers, water sprinklers and stubble management, the outlay for waste treatment plants and new green technology. Environmental clean-up is framed as a fiscal burden, an expense the government endures under pressure, with marginal credit for averted health

When women lead the vote

The Vedas speak of “Nari tu Narayani” which means woman is divine power incarnate. Bihar’s mandate reflected that wisdom with quiet intensity. Once again, women have proven that they are the real kingmakers of this state. Their overwhelming presence at Nitish Kumar’s rallies, and the even stronger reflection of this in the assembly election results, reaffirm a s

India’s hidden workplace health crisis

On November 14, the world observes World Diabetes Day, established by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness of the growing diabetes burden. The IDF’s 2025 theme, “Diabetes and Well-being” and the WHO’s focus, “Diabetes across life stages,” together call for sustained access to care and supportiv

Why India’s SDG growth must be grounded in equity

India’s development narrative today is a combined effort of ambition, acceleration and achievement. We are on track in many areas, such as access to drinking water, school connectivity and electricity coverage, which have reached record highs. Yet, according to the government’s Sustainable Development Goals – National Indicator Framework (NIF) Progress Report 2025, there is a

How Bangladesh’s bonhomie with ISI, China poses threat to India

Although New Delhi has not officially commented on the growing footprint of Pakistan’s Inter-services Intelligence (ISI) in Bangladesh, India`s strategic and security community appears to be highly concerned over last week’s development in Dhaka.  During Pakistan’s Joint Chief of Staff Committee Chairperson General Sahir Shamshad Mirza’s visit, Dhaka

CSR in India: Stop counting rupees, start measuring impact

When India became the first country in the world to legislate corporate social responsibility (CSR) in 2013, it marked a bold experiment in blending profit with purpose. By law, companies with a net worth of ₹500 crore or more, or a turnover of ₹1,000 crore or more, or net profit of ₹5 crore or more are required to spend 2% of their average net profits on social development. In a country

Waste to Wings: Unlocking the power of black soldier fly for a greener future

The global agri-food system faces critical sustainability challenges linked with land degradation, deforestation, water depletion, climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity. Agriculture contributes to one-third of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, largely driven by food waste, deforestation, changes in land practices and enteric fermentation. Food waste alone contributes 10% o

“Game” of cricket: Governance lessons from India’s favourite sport

India’s cricket journey is more than a record of sporting triumphs; it is a live case study in strategy, incentives, and equilibrium: the very foundations of Game Theory. As India prepares for its eight-match white-ball series against Australia, the world’s most-watched rivalry will again unfold. Yet beyond the athletic spectacle; every delivery, field placement, and captain’s

This Diwali, as we clean our homes, let`s clean our digital lives too

Every year, as Diwali approaches, I begin my annual ritual of cleaning – opening drawers, cupboards, and those mysterious “boxes of everything” we all seem to have. It starts as an act of tidying up, but it always turns into a little journey of rediscovery. Among the old receipts and forgotten keys, I always find a jumble of forgotten gadgets – tangled chargers, obsolete

Sea leave rise: Multi-level adaptive governance needed to meet the challenge

By the end of this century, global sea levels may rise by more than 1 metre, and the mean sea level rise is expected to increase by 180 mm. Climate change is one of the gravest issues before us and one of the most pressing issues linked to the climate change is the sea level rise. The coastal communities are at a high risk of coastal hazards, with the sea level rising due to rising temperatures

Rethinking the funder-practitioner relationship in capacity development

The Human Capacity Development landscape in the social development context has evolved significantly over the years. From the more simplistic term “training,” it has now developed into a much more nuanced concept, “Competency-Based Capacity Building” (CBCB). Yet, one question persists: Why do so many well-intended capacity building efforts end with impressive reports but

The economics of smart cities

Imagine a city where trash isn’t trash, energy isn’t wasted, and economic prosperity isn’t achieved at the cost of human wellbeing. A city where every rupee invested in infrastructure yields returns not just in roads and buildings, but in health, jobs, equality, and dignity. Smart city projects promise exactly that. But all too often, their economic potential remains half-real

Visionary Talk: Amitabh Gupta, Pune Police Commissioner with Kailashnath Adhikari, MD, Governance Now





Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter