Knowing how little I know about the science of architecture, I was intrigued when I was invited to talk about grassroots innovations to a very interesting, intriguing and inspiring meeting of some of the world’s most famous architects. Rauzia Ally, half Kashmiri, half Keralite and Guyanese in some measure, the architect of this meeting, tried to create chemistry of Sufi traditions,
My lord, I bring this debate in your court for two reasons. First, which other judge in this country judges as a force of habit? Your honour, our judge emeritus, does. Second, you were the first to jump to former Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi’s support after that jinxed weekend when the viewers missed watching The Dirty Picture, the screening of which was stalled even after 59-
SAS India, the India arm of the largest privately held software company with focus on business analytics and business intelligence, considers dealing with the government as the biggest challenge in the analytics business. Ironically, the government is its biggest customer. Sudipta K Sen, CEO & MD, SAS India, in an interview with Shubham Batra discusses recent projects and future plans of th
More than a billion people around the world could face starvation if a nuclear war breaks out between India and Pakistan, according to a new report which said the "nuclear famine" will be an ``unprecedented`` disaster that would bring an end to modern civilisation. The report released by International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) said a nuclear "co
Writing about morality and public life (or public figure or public anything) is a challenge. You need a reliable proof-reader, to begin with. One letter missing and the debate becomes more interesting than intended. Still. Singhvi’s seedy episode calls for a comment. People have survived in politics despite far more incriminating evidence against them than what is on record
UN countries have failed to meet a target for reducing the death toll from measles, mainly due to poor vaccine coverage in India and outbreaks in southern Africa, The Lancet reported. In 2008, all members of the UN`s World Health Organisation (WHO) endorsed a target of reducing measles mortality by 90 per cent by 2010 compared to levels in 2000. In 2010, global deaths were 139,3
If you thought the phrases like “the weakest prime minister ever”, “policy paralysis” and “United Paralysis Alliance” are the language of the political adversaries, think again. Even those closest to the prime minister, Manmohan Singh, and his government have come to the same conclusion. The language may be different but the message is equally, or even more,
India’s successful test launch of Agni V intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) has catapulted it into an elite club of nations that have the capability to field such missiles. According to defence sources quoted in the Times of India, Agni V soared from the Odisha coast and hit its designated target in the Indian Ocean. “This launch has given a message to
Where to petition for a pension With an allotment of some concern? We held grievance redress camps People came with faith, and without; In Takiyan KaleKhan: Fire burnt homes on wakf land For political fear, them no one will hear With no roof they wait for some rebate. In Savitri Nagar: People get less ration
The prime minister on Tuesday delivered a most disappointing speech at the 3rd National Ganga River Basin Authority meeting. It promises nothing, says the most discredited IIT Roorkee report (that even the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ Expert Appraisal Committee on River Valley Projects criticized and does not follow) and the report of the Wildlife Institute of India (th
Ayesha Siddiqa was the first Pakistani woman to work as director of naval research with Pakistan Navy. After serving 11 years as a civil servant, she worked for 11 years before making headway into academics where her expertise in military technology, defence decision-making, nuclear deterrence, arms procurement/production and civil-military relations in South Asia is now most sought after.
The exoneration of all the accused in the Bathani Tola massacre of Bhojpur district in Bihar is a telling commentary on India’s criminal justice system. The hapless victims, a group of dalits and Muslims, were murdered in broad daylight in 1996. Unlike other cases of mass killings where the culprits were mostly unknown bands of criminals, in Batahni Tola all the assailants, belonging to u
If Monday’s annual conference of chief ministers turned into a political battlefield instead of being a meaningful dialogue between the union and the states on critical internal security issues, which it was meant to be, it is because the union government has lost its political and moral authority. The prime minister has always been seen as politically weak with UPA chairpe
“Buy land, they are not making it anymore,” Mark Twain said once. Land sharks seem to have realised it and are making all kinds of efforts to get their hands on some defence land, albeit at throwaway prices. Sadly, they are not alone in this endeavour. The president of the country, the supreme commander of the armed forces, too wants a piece of the pie. According inf
“Buy land, they are not making it anymore,” Mark Twain said once. Land sharks seem to have realised it and are making all kinds of efforts to get their hands on some defence land, albeit at throwaway prices. Sadly, they are not alone in this endeavour. The president of the country, the supreme commander of the armed forces, too wants a piece of the pie. According inf
When The Hindu published a report on March 23, titled “Schools to parents: pay donation, get admission”, few found anything new in it. Parenting in India means starting to save up for the child’s school admission well before the child is born, as in most cases finding a place for a child in a decent school in the neighbourhood comes at a significant premium. The
When Kapil Sibal became HRD minister, his aim was nothing less than a thorough revamp of the entire education system. Within no time, he came up with a blueprint for reforms at all levels. He backed it up by drafting a slew of bills. But almost after three years and eight parliamentary sessions (not counting the ongoing one), the bills remain bills. No wonder he is now requesting, "
Transparency in governance and reigning in graft is at the core of the Public procurement Bill 2012 (“Procurement Bill”) cleared by the Cabinet on 12th April 2012. The Procurement Bill seeks to bring in high degree of transparency, competition and efficiency in the public procurement process alongside ensuring fair and equitable treatment to bidders. Does the Procurem
Asian giants like India and China might be growing at more than seven percent in the last few years, but the fast growth has not been equal, said Asian Development Bank (ADB) in its latest outlook. “…While the region flourishes, the depressing reality is the march to prosperity has also seen a startling rise in inequality,” said the ADB in its latest outlook 2012. The
The gross enrolment ratio (GER), designates a nation’s total student enrolment at a specific level of education, regardless of age, expressed as a percentage of population in the official age group corresponding to this level. The GER in India’s higher education is merely 15%. Infrastructural facilities, competence of teachers and research activities are some other factors
