We could ban ritual acts that harm, or criminalise quackery that endangers lives. But as long as it does not harm anyone, we cannot allow the state to snatch from us the right to believe in irrational things

The fiscal deficit could be controlled not by curbing entitlement schemes for the poor like MGNREGA, but by targeting subsidies aimed at farmers, the corporate sector

Since its UN Security Council term ended, the Indian voice is muted. India should have been proactive to ensure the determination of who used the chemical weapons and under whose authority it was done dispassionately and without rising war rhetoric.

The Army, being part of the same social milieu, cannot remain unaffected. Cracks have developed in its image. These must be addressed vigorously and suitable corrective action must be taken. Some of this has to be done by the Army itself, and the rest by the government.