Instead of a thrust on key areas such as women and children’s health, the government has chosen to expand tertiary healthcare. India’s Budget 2026–27 was presented on February 1 with much celebration and described as a transformative step toward inclusive growth. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring access to resources and opportunities for every family and community. Health sector allocations were highlighted as a sign of social development. Yet, a closer reading reveals a troubling gap: primary healthcare—the foundation of any public health system—remains neglected. The…
Posts published in “Opinion”
Wielding a golden gavel and a playlist featuring the Beach Boys, Donald Trump ushered in a new era of international humiliation at the inaugural meeting of the U.S.-led Board of Peace. The new body, while established by Trump, has been tasked by a UN Security Council resolution to administer Gaza’s reconstruction efforts. But Trump has also suggested his ambitions for the board go far beyond Gaza, saying it would “almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly.” Trump has demanded that world leaders pony up…
Japanese companies will finance investments valued at $36 billion in energy and minerals projects in Ohio, Texas and Georgia as part of a trade agreement that will cut U.S. tariffs on Japanese imports to 15%, according to the Trump administration. The announcement is part of Japan’s 2025 agreement to invest $550 billion over the next four years at the direction of the U.S., with the funds aimed at rebuilding and expanding core American industries. In October, the Trump administration provided details on Japanese investments of up to $332 billion to…
India’s economy grew steadily in 2025, with real GDP expanding close to 7 per cent despite global trade tensions. Growth has been broad-based, driven by rural consumption, government expenditure, resilient exports and modernisation across services and infrastructure. Looking ahead, sustainability will depend on continued progress in infrastructure modernisation, while carefully managing debt, the energy transition, trade diversification and poverty reduction. With these challenges effectively addressed, India is well positioned to maintain its strong growth momentum. India’s economy grew at a steady pace in 2025 despite a global climate of sluggish…
The search for rare earths for energy transition is often regarded as a form of neo-colonialism, and today it is the area in which this phenomenon manifests itself most clearly, especially due to its geopolitical and economic effects. However, there are other neo-colonial practices that are less visible but with equally negative consequences at the local level. One of these is the export of waste to Africa and Asia by Western countries, particularly the export of plastic, clothing, and electronic waste. The export of waste to the Global South is…
India and the European Union signed a trade agreement on January 27 that’s been projected as a major breakthrough “in a tumultuous time for global trade and supply-chain realignment,” as Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal described it. The free trade agreement aims to boost trade and investment between India and the European Union by reducing tariffs and trade barriers. The two major economies together account for about 25% of global GDP and nearly one-third of global trade. Both sides have presented the agreement as a win. India said in a…
Citizen science can help document Northeast’s rich biodiversity and ecological knowledge, while also ensuring community participation in environmental policymaking. “What does the colour of this butterfly’s wings tell you about its life?” My question travelled through the group of students. Curiosity is a skill, and I’d kept this in mind when I decided to initiate the first science walk in Dharmanagar, my home town, with a few of my students in 2024. The goal was straightforward—to engage the youth in understanding nature through curiosity. Each year in September, which is…