Page 162 - Opinion

Himachal's fiscal condition is a lesson for states in what not to do

Rising competitive populism among states could seriously undermine India's long-term potential

Genes vs merit debate: What drives success - genetic destiny or hard work?

Just as the atom and the byte needed careful societal control to prevent damage to society, perhaps, so does the gene, particularly in debates like 'genes vs merit'

Why stock prices don't always rise when the US Fed cuts interest rates

Of the many forces shaping stock prices, economic growth, corporate profits, and valuation are paramount. These deserve more attention than interest-rate movements alone

India needs to bridge the digital divide in villages for development

Access to banking, investment, credit and commerce has to be simplified in villages. A network of technology and local trust will help financial inclusion

Usher in competition between EPF and NPS to boost formal job creation

The government needs to introduce competition between EPFO and NPS, and between ESIC and health insurance companies, while making contributions voluntary for low-paid workers

25 years of the Indian insurance industry: Here are the hits and misses

De-tariffing and portability are two milestones ahead of the Insurance Act amendment that made health insurance an independent line of business and raised FDI limits to 49%. The first of 2 part column

Best of BS Opinion: A trial for free speech, India's Olympic-sized ambition

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

Trial for free speech: Wikipedia, Telegram, X controversies reshape debate

Since they are ongoing in large democracies, they will be taken more seriously by everyone than blanket bans in autocracies

We, the prickly people: Why has Kangana's 'Emergency' run into trouble?

You can still put words in Indira Gandhi's mouth and get away with it. But if you garnish your pretence of fact with so much fiction, you might end up messing with Bhindranwale

Is India ready to host a big-ticket sporting event like the Olympics?

The income-expenditure mismatch notwithstanding, India should make a bold push for hosting the Games

Friendless in neighbourhood: Repairing ties with B'desh must be a priority

With the possible exception of Bhutan, India is relatively friendless in South Asia at the moment. Does that matter? Perhaps not, given our sheer size

What a Donald Trump election victory would mean for the US economy

Mr Trump's long track record of refusing to pay vendors and contractors speaks to his character: He is a bully who will use whatever power he has to rob whoever he can

Best of BS Opinion: The right framework, private sector's space lift-off

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

Root of C-D mismatch: Major banks aren't competing for savings deposits

The savings bank deposit interest rate was the last one to be deregulated by the RBI after all other interest rates were deregulated

Private space startups gain from Isro's support, but face significant risks

While Isro is deservedly lauded for its cost-effectiveness, there is excessive focus on achievements such as developing moon launch vehicle for $70 mn, when nations like US spend a billion on project

12 industrial smart cities - A vital cog in India's development journey

The strategic initiative envisages investments upwards of Rs 28,600 crore to develop greenfield smart cities of global standards and create a network of industrial nodes across the country

Safety first: Ensuring women's security is as critical as stringent laws

The bigger danger implicit in the extremist approach in the Aparajita Bill, as with similar Bills passed by other states, is a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of the crime of sexual assault

Inflation debate must consider downsides of alternative frameworks

To be fair, the RBI or the MPC on its own cannot change the target or stop taking into account one part of the consumer basket without appropriate amendment to the RBI Act

Air India merger: Why there's optimism Vistara experience will not fade

A board meeting of Tata Sons is learnt to have reviewed the Air India business and how the Vistara experience would continue, as SIA would have a considerable stake in the merged entity

Best of BS Opinion: Rediscover integration, Agricultural growth and more

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