Opinion

Best of BS Opinion: Cybersecurity, ageing and women's financial freedom

Today's opinions examine cybersecurity in connected vehicles, India's ageing challenge, Karnataka's regional inequalities, women's entrepreneurship and the hidden world of trees

Connected vehicles demand stronger cybersecurity and common standards

The ban on three Chinese-origin EV apps has exposed cybersecurity risks in connected vehicles, underscoring the need for robust standards like AIS189 and stronger digital safeguards

Expanding women's access to credit key to inclusive economic growth

Optimism implicit in the ASUSE data should not suggest a dynamic change in women's participation rate in the workforce swot

Listening to communities: The first step towards lasting development

Listening is the first act of dignity restoration. It communicates to the community that their experience is valid, their knowledge is respected

Karnataka's next challenge will be to make growth inclusive statewide

Beneath its spectacular growth over the past three decades lies a stark historical imbalance that needs policy intervention

Kerala plans for a structural shift amid India's ageing challenge

Kerala's elderly welfare reforms highlight the economic impact of population ageing and offer a roadmap for states preparing for India's shrinking demographic dividend

Best of BS Opinion: India's ethanol blending plans need better design

Today's opinions examine India's ethanol-blending policy, urban employment trends, MGNREGA reforms, energy security after the Strait of Hormuz disruptions, and Project Cheetah

India's energy stress test: How agile policy kept the economy moving

That was no small achievement. India imports nearly 90 per cent of its crude oil and around 60 per cent of its LPG, much of it normally arriving from the Gulf

Engines of employment: Large cities create more opportunities

The first PLFS report on million-plus cities highlights stronger urban employment and wages but reveals wide disparities in female participation and manufacturing pay

Respecting consumer choice: Ethanol blending programme needed better design

India's E20 rollout should balance energy security with consumer choice, smoother vehicle transition and a shift towards more sustainable ethanol feedstocks

VB-G RAM-G weakens rural employment guarantees, shifts power to Centre

The revamped rural jobs programme weakens the safety net and shifts power from states to the Centre

Strengthening India's energy security beyond the Strait of Hormuz crisis

We can hope for peace opening the Strait of Hormuz, but must prepare for war closing it

Best of BS Opinion: When context changes, playbooks must change too

A film campaign could once move from trailer to teaser to release and hope for the best. A brand could once follow global formulas and expect Indian consumers to adapt

India and the pitfalls of geoeconomics: A clear security doctrine is needed

A clear security doctrine is needed to ensure economic tools do not harm both the user and the target

How Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga busted filmdom's marketing rulebook

Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga turned a weak opening into a hit, proving that authentic audience engagement can outperform conventional film marketing

Names without numbers: India must set the terms for WhatsApp usernames

For 17 years, your Wha­t­s­App identity was your phone number. from this week, your identity can be a handle - issued and controlled by Meta

Looking beyond generics: Wockhardt is showing the way in antibiotics

Wockhardt's FDA-approved Zaynich marks a breakthrough in India's pharmaceutical innovation, offering a new weapon against antimicrobial resistance

Enhance monitoring: Social media needs stronger safeguards to protect kids

MeitY's action against Meta over CSAM ads highlights the need for stronger AI oversight, platform accountability and stricter safeguards for online child safety

Best of BS Opinion: Credibility comes at a price

It is a willingness to pay the price of transparency, enforcement and long-term responsibility

Syama Prasad Mookerjee: A life devoted to India's unity and progress

'While destiny placed before Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee a path of privilege, his conscience led him towards one of sacrifice and national service'