Indian democracy goes the way of the Lincoln principle of "of the people, by the people, and for the people."  But do you think this is how you see or experience democracy? We may be the people who do not know the value of democracy, or we may be the people who choose to live discreetly under power, or are we the people who are claiming our rights? Democracy does not happen so easily. People's interaction and involvement are necessary to maintain it. We often hear people complain that our democracy is diminishing, but the reality is that democracies have always had their flaws. Either we are ineligible for it, or we are underestimating it, and there is no democracy left in the world that is perfect or free of a need for improvement. There is a time for all kinds of systems of gov...

Pakistan has begun to experience what persisted over many years owing to its political miscalculations and economic mismanagement. Recently it crossed all thresholds. Recently the world witnessed the Sri Lankan economic crisis. Pakistan is facing a significant rise in inflation amidst the tumbling foreign reserve and moving to the brink of debt default.  Pakistan has restricted industrial production and consumption. It has also, over the years, not worked on developing means to substitute its imports while it was expanding economically. Its reliance on imports made it vulnerable to shocks, which it could not absorb. With a population of 220 million, it is struggling with its massive external debts, making it nurse a tottering economy. Pakistan's outlook is grim. Its currency is fall...

A few days ago, I was reading an article in The Times of India about H.S. Pabla, the former principal chief conservator of forests (and wildlife) in Madhya Pradesh. When I started reading the article, I presumed there would be some interesting news about saving the earth and our living ecosystem. But, when I completed the article, the stuff produced by someone with an authority over the subject only dismayed me.  Although we can understand that Pabla must not have done much to protect wildlife despite having the authority to do so. He suggests that, like African countries, India should also legalize “hunting”. He says hunting as a game can generate financial benefits. His suggestion is shocking and shows a complete disregard for wildlife and the country’s natural resourc...

A few days ago, I was reading an article in The Times of India about H.S. Pabla, the former principal chief conservator of forests (and wildlife) in Madhya Pradesh. When I started reading the article, I presumed there would be some interesting news about saving the earth and our living ecosystem. But, when I completed the article, the stuff produced by someone with an authority over the subject only dismayed me.  Although we can understand that Pabla must not have done much to protect wildlife despite having the authority to do so. He suggests that, like African countries, India should also legalize “hunting”. He says hunting as a game can generate financial benefits. His suggestion is shocking and shows a complete disregard for wildlife and the country’s natural resourc...

Dear Sir  What prompted me to write this letter to you was your interview with the Federal News last week. I was shocked to read your comment: “India, however, is the only country which has this irrational system of putting a blanket ban on hunting forever” You advocated for the hunting of wild animals by saying that they should be harvested in a controlled manner. Hunting the marauders may be a defensible act to protect the right to private defence of body and property under Sections 100 and 103 of the Indian Penal Code as you pointed out. But what makes the wild animals encroach into farmers' property may not be because of their over-population within the wildlife sanctuaries or national parks, but human encroachment into their territories.   I had immense respect f...

Contradictions within I fear, one day, the globe will have a concrete cover leaving no space for anything else. I have been a highway traveller, by hobby, for some time now.  Yet, I haven't travelled by road to such places as Mumbai to Ahmedabad, Pune to Satara, Bangalore, etc. I have not seen heavy traffic rush in many north Indian stretches. I have been wondering why we need so many highways everywhere. The government says it is for future requirements, travellers' comfort and for fuelling employment generation through increased industrial activities. On the other hand, many small but highly travelled roads look shabby with too many potholes making commuting a chaotic experience. But no government is giving much importance to those things; instead, they are busy making mor...