Governance

Transparency of Rights Act: Good Governance and Civil Society

The quest for transparent governance is all but a novelty in India. In its seven decades of independence, it is safe to conclude that the web of bureaucratic entanglement has morphed into a Gordian knot for the ‘Common Man’…

The Farmer’s Yoke: Financing India’s Peasantry

Despite the hue and cry made every election, the financial condition of the underprivileged remains deplorable. From attempts at rooting the middle men out to doubling farm incomes, Aashish Kalra outlines the daunting challenges the country faces…

#ThrowbackThursday: Principles of Swatantra Party (1959)

S V Raju passed away earlier this week. His death comes as a great loss to the cause of liberty in India. He was closely associated with the Swatantra Party as its executive secretary — a party that stood for a market-based economy…

India’s new taxes on gold & other precious metals

In response to concern over the impact of imports of gold (up from $42B in 2010–11 to $58B in 2011–12 or about 967 tonnes), the Government of India put up the tax on gold bars & coins & platinum to 4%, up from 2% set in January.

Nineteen brands of toothpaste

Somebody recently told me how could I ever use mint toothpaste?

That reminded me of Nehru’s question — why do we need nineteen brands of toothpaste. Of course I did not bore my friend with another rant against Nehru. But I thought I would burden you…

One India One people Interview

I recently gave an interview to One India One People magazine. Here is an excerpt on what I think are the three main reforms that need to be taken up on a urgent basis to bring about a positive impact on society: