‘Orwell’ Review: A Fresh Biography of Truth’s Champion

To transform himself from imperial policeman to writer, Eric Blair set aside both his name and the trappings of respectability his family cherished. Orwell: The New Life; By D. J. Taylor Reviewed by Dominic Green George Orwell, the inventor of the Ministry of Love and Room 101 in “Nineteen Eighty-Four,” was married for the second… Read More ‘Orwell’ Review: A Fresh Biography of Truth’s Champion

Message from Karnataka: Mallikarjun Kharge must take centre stage

He invites respect, not rivalry. He is seasoned in politics and experienced in governance  Rajmohan Gandhi As has been said a million times, a year is an eternity in politics. Any one of a hundred different things can upend the calculations of the smartest visualiser of the 2024 election scene. All, however, will agree that Karnataka has… Read More Message from Karnataka: Mallikarjun Kharge must take centre stage

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez torches Big Pharma’s ‘out-of-control’ and ‘predatory’ profiteering

United States Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) decried the massive profits of the pharmaceutical industry during a House hearing on Tuesday, arguing that the public should be given the option to buy into government programs like Medicare. “I believe that the profit-seeking motive in the pharmaceutical industry is out of control, and I think that… Read More Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez torches Big Pharma’s ‘out-of-control’ and ‘predatory’ profiteering

Centre-left politics has been dealt a crushing blow in Greece. What can we learn from it?

Marina Prentoulis New Democracy’s victory was not unexpected, but the eye-watering share of the vote the party received is a different matter. The conservative government often points to its record of growth and investment, backed by European Commission forecasts, but the proceeds of this have not been felt evenly: a growing number of Greece’s population over… Read More Centre-left politics has been dealt a crushing blow in Greece. What can we learn from it?

A scandal in Kathmandu rocks the Prachanda govt and threatens the system

Bharat Bhushan Indians, obsessed with Pakistan going down the tube, seem unable to smell the rot that has set in Nepal’s polity and administration. Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, aka Prachanda, is facing one of the worst corruption scandals to have hit the country since it became a democracy. If he acts against the… Read More A scandal in Kathmandu rocks the Prachanda govt and threatens the system

Alternatives to the nationalism of the conspicuously ignorant: Markha Valenta

First posted July 14, 2012 The word ‘nationalism’ itself dates from the early nineteenth century and marked the increasing use of national identity in order to make political claims. So to argue that national identity is pre-political is itself a political statement.  It is becoming chic among some of Europe’s young elites to call for… Read More Alternatives to the nationalism of the conspicuously ignorant: Markha Valenta

Modi Gov’t Ignores Internal Warning On Health Risk, Forces Fortified Rice On Poor

The Modi government is experimenting with the food being served to 800 million Indians. The poor are the guinea pigs. The Reporters’ Collective It has begun serving rice fortified with micronutrients to the poor, saying the food will bring down anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies rampant in India. But documents reviewed by The Reporters Collective… Read More Modi Gov’t Ignores Internal Warning On Health Risk, Forces Fortified Rice On Poor

Pratap Bhanu Mehta: Brazen and ominous, Centre’s Delhi ordinance defies the SC, bodes ill for democracy

By negating the court’s ruling to take over services, the government has intentionally created a full-blown constitutional crisis. The Supreme Court will be damned if it does (react) and damned if it does not. The Government of India’s ordinance to take over control of “services” in Delhi is an act of breathtaking brazenness. It bodes ill for the… Read More Pratap Bhanu Mehta: Brazen and ominous, Centre’s Delhi ordinance defies the SC, bodes ill for democracy

Microfinance Institutions in West Bengal: A Death Trap?

Madhu Sudan Chatterjee The word ’Sir’ in some areas of West Bengal represents officers of microfinance institutions (MFIs) who come to collect money from low-income families. If these families cannot pay, they are allegedly met with continued threats. In some ways, this was depicted in a 2017 movie by Nila Madhab Panda called ’Kadvi Hawa’.… Read More Microfinance Institutions in West Bengal: A Death Trap?