Author: priti

Foreign policy experts anticipate minimal disruption to the robust US-India strategic partnership, citing strong bipartisan support and shared geopolitical interests in countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Strategic Continuity and Defense Cooperation Trump’s previous tenure (2017-2021) marked several milestone achievements in US-India defense collaboration. The administration oversaw critical agreements including the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018 and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) in 2020, significantly enhancing military interoperability between the two nations. India’s elevation to Strategic Trade Authorization-1 (STA-1) status facilitated access to advanced defense technologies, leading to major acquisitions including Apache helicopters and…

India’s premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shocked the cricketing world on December 18th, 2024, announcing his retirement from Test cricket during India’s tour of Australia. The 38-year-old bowling maestro leaves behind a legacy defined by statistical brilliance, innovative bowling techniques, and match-winning performances that shaped Indian cricket’s golden era. A Career That Rewrote Record Books Ashwin’s retirement comes with staggering numbers that cement his position among cricket’s all-time greats. With 537 Test wickets, he stands as India’s second-highest wicket-taker, trailing only behind the legendary Anil Kumble. His journey to these heights was marked by unprecedented speed – becoming the second-fastest bowler…

In a fiery speech at the Rajya Sabha during the discussion on the 75th year of the Indian Constitution, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, challenging its commitment to secular principles and accusing it of practicing appeasement politics. UCC and Secular Principles: A Direct Challenge to Congress’s Legacy Shah directly questioned the Congress party’s stance on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), criticizing the party for not implementing a common law across religions. He highlighted that the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, introduced Muslim Personal Law instead of a unified civil code, which Shah…

Chrystia Freeland’s Departure Exposes Deep Divisions in Liberal Leadership Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces mounting pressure after a tumultuous day in Ottawa, marked by the unexpected resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and growing calls for his resignation from within his own party. A Sudden and Strategic Exit Freeland’s resignation letter, released Monday, revealed deep-seated disagreements with Trudeau over how to handle the looming economic threat from President-elect Donald Trump. Her primary concern centers on Trump’s threatened 25% tariffs on Canadian goods and the potential devastating impact on Canada’s economy. In her scathing letter, Freeland accused Trudeau of prioritizing…

BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP share cabinet posts; ministers will undergo mid-term performance review In a major political development, the much-anticipated Cabinet expansion of Maharashtra’s BJP-led government took place on December 15, 2024, with 39 ministers taking their oath of office in Nagpur. The event, overseen by Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, saw the induction of key leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), forming a strong coalition government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. However, a notable aspect of this expansion was the unique clause that ministers’ tenures will be evaluated after two-and-a-half years,…

Economic Paradox: Corporate Gains vs. Worker Compensation In a stark revelation that has caught the attention of policymakers and economists, India’s corporate sector is experiencing a remarkable dichotomy. While corporate profits have surged to a 15-year high, employee wages have remained frustratingly flat, raising critical questions about economic equity and sustainable growth. A Tale of Uneven Growth: Sector-Wise Wage Trends The FICCI-Quess report, referenced by Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran, unveils a troubling wage growth landscape across different sectors. From 2019 to 2023, wage growth rates varied dramatically: Inflation: Adding Insult to Injury The wage stagnation becomes even more…

Allahabad High Court Judge Sparks National Controversy with Divisive Remarks New Delhi, India (December 12, 2024): A profound constitutional crisis has erupted following a highly inflammatory speech delivered by Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav at a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) event on December 8th. The speech, characterized by divisive and communal rhetoric, has triggered a nationwide debate about judicial accountability, constitutional values, and the fundamental principles of judicial independence. Calls for Accountability Mount In the aftermath of the speech, various legal and civil rights groups have mobilized to demand comprehensive accountability. Key developments include: Supreme Court Takes Note:…

Female Employment Dynamics Transforming Rural and Urban Landscapes The female labor force participation rate (LFPR) has witnessed a significant surge across India between 2017 and 2023, revealing complex patterns of economic engagement and regional variations. A comprehensive working paper by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) unveils compelling insights into women’s workforce transformation, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges. Dramatic Rural and Urban LFPR Growth: A Statistical Breakthrough Rural areas have experienced a remarkable leap in female labor force participation, with rates climbing from 24.6% to 41.5% – representing an impressive 69% growth. Urban areas also demonstrated…

The Rise of a Quiet Achiever In the bustling corridors of Indian bureaucracy, Sanjay Malhotra isn’t the type to grab headlines or make dramatic statements. Yet, on a crisp December morning, he’s about to step into one of the most powerful financial roles in the country. At 56, this soft-spoken IAS officer from Rajasthan is set to become the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, taking the reins from Shaktikanta Das on December 11. From Engineering Dreams to Public Service Malhotra’s journey is anything but ordinary. Picture a young engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur in 1989, armed with…

High-Stakes Showdown: The Psychological Battle of Game 11 For one full are on Sunday nothing happened on the chess board the miniature battlefield separating ring world champion league Ding Liren and his teenage Indian challenger D Gukesh had gone silent after 10 moves as nothing moved. The Pressure on both players was so crippling that Gukesh had burnt 70 minutes on his clock just to make 11 moves, and Ding over 60 minutes on first five. The minds of both players were calculating under great duress. It was, after all, the 11thgame of the best of 14 world championship. Gukesh’s…