February 4, 2026

Election Commission’s SIR Push: Accuracy—or Authoritarianism?

The Election Commission of India (ECI)—the independent constitutional body tasked with organizing India’s elections—is entrusted with upholding electoral integrity, universal suffrage, and a level playing field for all voters and parties. The Commission compiles voter rolls, schedules elections, enforces the Model Code of Conduct, and oversees polling logistics with a …

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Defunded and Dismantled: How CPB’s End Disrupts Democracy

Since Congress enacted the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has anchored the U.S. public media landscape. An independent, nonprofit entity paid through annual congressional appropriations, CPB channels taxpayer support—roughly $535 million per year in FY 2025—to public radio and television. Through a carefully defined “firewall,” it …

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India’s Stampede Saga: Causes, Consequences and a Call for Change

A Growing Crisis In India, mass gatherings – from temple festivals to political rallies and sports celebrations – are woven into daily life. Yet with sheer numbers comes deadly risk. In recent years, the country has seen a disturbing rise in fatal crowd crushes. Experts note that “more than two …

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When Screens Replace Speech: Understanding How We Gave up Active Communication for Virtual Speed

Technology promised instant connection—but at what cost? With smartphones, messaging apps, and video calls now the norm, many of us opt for typing instead of speaking. The result: active communication—the nuance-rich, empathy-building, embodied practice of in-person dialogue—is fading. What drove this shift, and what are its consequences? The Issue: Why …

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From Earth to Insight: NISAR’s Promise for India and the Planet

India’s newly launched NISAR satellite—short for NASA‑ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar—is more than just a technological milestone. It represents a paradigm shift in how India can understand, protect, and manage its environment, disasters, agriculture, and climate infrastructure. Co‑developed with NASA and worth roughly USD 1.5 billion, NISAR scans the entire land and ice …

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From Fear to Fairness: Reinventing Indian Policing Beyond Cinema Tropes

In many cinematic and political narratives, Indian policing is imagined through a “Dirty Harry” lens—a lone, ruthless enforcer meting out justice through force. But real-world policing grounded in constitutional values must reject this myth. India needs a system rooted in the rule of law, respect for rights, and community trust—not …

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Checkmating Gender Gap: Indian Women in Chess Close In

In recent years, Indian women are bridging the gap with their male counterparts in the world of chess. Once overshadowed by societal stereotypes and resource constraints, female players today are achieving global success. Their rise signals not just individual triumphs—but a broader cultural shift in India’s chess ecosystem. The Issue …

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The Digital Panopticon: Navigating Privacy, Spectacle, and Sharing in the Age of Surveillance Capitalism

In the digital age, the boundaries between private and public spheres have blurred, giving rise to a society where personal data is both a commodity and a tool for surveillance. The omnipresence of social media platforms, coupled with the insatiable appetite for sharing, has transformed individuals into both the observers …

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Beyond Umbrella Schemes: Why Indian Agriculture Needs Substantial Public Investment

Crisis Beneath the Canopy Indian agriculture, the lifeline for over 50% of the population, remains in a state of chronic distress. Despite being central to food security, rural employment, and ecological sustainability, the sector continues to suffer from underinvestment, fragmented policy, and volatile market conditions. The government’s approach of clustering …

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The Mirage of Equality: Why the World Bank’s View of Indian Inequality Falls Short

Introduction: A Surprising Picture The World Bank’s recent data has triggered debate by ranking India as the “fourth most equal” country globally — based on a Gini coefficient of just 0.255 in 2022–23. The Bank also claimed extreme poverty in India had dropped from 16.2% in 2011 to just 2.3% …

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A More Receptive Industry: Can Women Finally Thrive in STEM?

In an era of technological disruption and innovation, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) professions are shaping the global economy. Yet, even in the 21st century, the underrepresentation of women in STEM careers remains a critical concern—not just of gender equity, but of talent utilization, innovation potential, and inclusive growth. …

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Why India and Europe Must Walk in Step in a Divided World

As the global order becomes increasingly multipolar, the convergence between India and the European Union (EU) has gained both strategic and economic urgency. With common values of democracy, multilateralism, and rule-based order, this partnership is poised to shape 21st-century geopolitics. From green energy to digital governance and Indo-Pacific security, India …

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Urban Naxals or Civil Dissent? The Debate Over Maharashtra’s Security Law

In July 2025, the Maharashtra legislature passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, designed to tackle left-wing extremism—especially the emergence of “urban Naxals.” The state government claims it fills legal gaps left by existing laws like UAPA. Critics, however, warn that the bill’s vague definitions and sweeping powers may …

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Breaking the Chains: The Urgency of Antitrust in a Digital Age

In the 21st-century digital and global economy, market power is being concentrated like never before. From Big Tech giants that dominate online ecosystems to monopolies in essential services like telecom, pharmaceuticals, and energy—unchecked corporate control can distort markets, hurt innovation, and exploit consumers. This is where antitrust regulations step in: …

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