Opinion

Is the use of old Hindi songs lazy advertising or a masterstroke?

Brands are reviving old Hindi songs to spark nostalgia and trust, but can retro appeal truly build lasting brand equity in the age of AI-driven advertising?

Puducherry's search for political identity as new parties split votes

If new parties nibble away even 4-5 per cent of the vote, the outcome in Union Territoy could be unpredictable

Beyond G2: Why middle powers must build a new order independently

The G2 benefit from their ability to craft rules to suit themselves. They cannot be trusted to reform anything

The sound of (AI) music: Innovation or a path to artist poverty?

The fear is that AI will eventually consume all art forms created throughout history and churn out an infinite number of garbage products, replacing human-created arts and pushing artists into poverty

Best of BS Opinion: Governance reforms advance but execution gaps persist

Here are the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

Healing the system: Public-health gaps demand stronger governance

India's public spending on health remains around 1.8 per cent of gross domestic product, which is significantly lower than the National Health Policy target of 2.5 per cent

Enabling environment: Proposed amendments to laws will facilitate business

One of the amendments proposes that the auditor or audit firms of a prescribed class of companies will not provide any non-audit services to the company or its holding or subsidiary companies

Energy crisis: Let prices adjust for a sustainable long-term solution

The cost of the Indian basket, however, has increased more sharply to over $156 per barrel due to disruptions in supplies from West Asia

Tamil Nadu: Moving on from good to great with growth push, $1 trillion goal

The turnaround is the result of TN's faster growth following the 1991 reforms, with its per capita GDP growing at 5.8 per cent per annum, compared to 4.7 per cent for India as a whole (1994-2023)

Collateral-free lending may widen risks for banks before helping MSMEs

Mandating such a shift may not solve the problem. Ignoring information gaps and banning collateral risks weakening the financial system and could reduce, not expand, credit supply

More graduates but fewer jobs: India's youth faces a harsh reality

Between 2004 and 2023, 5 million graduates were added annually, but only 2.8 million found jobs; just 7% of unemployed graduates secure permanent salaried roles within a year

Best of BS Opinion: Job crisis and oil shocks converge on India's economy

Here are the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

Optimism for Gulf oil is premature: India must boost domestic output now

Weaponising trade chokepoints has fragmented global markets like crude oil, leading to sharp regional price variations

In an interconnected world, war's costs spiral far beyond just borders

Interestingly, while the ongoing conflict has serious implications for the smaller oil-importing Asean economies, China may stand to benefit for several reasons

Is fuel efficiency back on the radar as crude prices surge again?

If fuel prices once again start hitting the headlines, chances are car and two-wheeler buyers will look at fuel efficiency as a key criteria for their next purchase

Best of BS Opinion: West Asia war, trade rifts, and India's pharma moment

Here are the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

An opportunity in a crisis: Oil import dependence needs urgent policy fix

The ongoing oil crisis risks becoming a lost opportunity unless the government outlines a clear plan to reform exploration policies and boost India's domestic crude oil output

Low hopes, sharp divides: WTO conference points to continuity outcome

Expectations this time are low for an institution that governs 98 per cent of global trade, worth over $35 trillion, due to a deep divide over its direction

Fallout of West Asia war: India must prepare to minimise the damage

The war is in its fourth week and has already affected several countries, including India. The impact is being felt through different channels, though macro indicators may not capture everything

Effective oversight: Safety crucial for success of weight-loss drugs

According to the National Family Health Survey 2019-21, 24 per cent of Indian women and 23 per cent of Indian men are overweight