Page 8 - Opinion
Building buffers: Forex inflows should be used to build up reserves
Falling crude prices and US-Iran talks have eased pressure on the rupee, but RBI may continue building forex buffers amid global and domestic uncertainties
 "Building buffers: Forex inflows should be used to build up reserves")
El Niño & markets: The signal and the noise for investors amid uncertainty
The strongest El Niño signal appears in the rural economy; market outcomes are often shaped by more powerful forces
 "El Niño & markets: The signal and the noise for investors amid uncertainty")
The 'maize revolution' could be India's next productivity-led farm success
Maize has emerged as India's fastest-growing field crop, boosting productivity, sustainability and farmer incomes while offering an alternative to surplus rice cultivation
 "The 'maize revolution' could be India's next productivity-led farm success")
Kolkata's revival depends on urban reform and revival, not industry alone
A revitalised Kolkata can once again become both the heart of the state and the growth engine of eastern India
 "Kolkata's revival depends on urban reform and revival, not industry alone")
Best of BS Opinion: Doors matter, but design matters more
Access can create opportunity, but lasting progress depends on the rules, incentives and capabilities that determine how those opportunities unfold
 "Best of BS Opinion: Doors matter, but design matters more")
For sophisticated financial inclusion: Looking beyond distribution, access
The rising proportion of citizens interacting across the financial landscape also bears witness to growing financial inclusion
 "For sophisticated financial inclusion: Looking beyond distribution, access")
Alternatives to intervention: The case for freer markets, fewer distortions
Stepping in may address immediate pressures, but fewer distortions and freer markets could deliver more durable outcomes
US, Iran want a deal but uncertainty persists over Israeli intentions
Early progress in US-Iran talks offers hope for a deal, but tensions involving Israel, Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz could still derail negotiations
 "US, Iran want a deal but uncertainty persists over Israeli intentions")
Terms of trade: Negotiations with US must adapt to new realities
India should secure a trade deal with the US that preserves its export competitiveness amid uncertainty over Washington's evolving tariff regime
 "Terms of trade: Negotiations with US must adapt to new realities")
Best of BS Opinion: Beyond headlines and between the lines
From IPOs and exports to AI, nutrition and politics, the deeper story lies not in headline numbers but in the strength of underlying structures
 "Best of BS Opinion: Beyond headlines and between the lines")
China's tech drive puts it at the forefront of global innovation, AI race
China's strong focus on self-reliance comes as concerns about tech sovereignty spread globally
 "China's tech drive puts it at the forefront of global innovation, AI race")
A quiet exodus: Why young bankers are walking out of public sector banks
Young officers are quietly leaving public sector banks as career bottlenecks, transfers and shrinking growth opportunities erode the appeal of banking careers
 "A quiet exodus: Why young bankers are walking out of public sector banks")
EXIM matters: Fragile US-Iran ceasefire brings relief, likely to last
A pause in West Asia hostilities offers relief on energy, freight and trade costs, but India must stay alert as the US-Iran understanding remains fragile
 "EXIM matters: Fragile US-Iran ceasefire brings relief, likely to last")
The retirement risk most plans miss: Losing the ability to enjoy your money
A retirement plan should do more than preserve wealth-it should give retirees permission to spend meaningfully while health, mobility and opportunity remain
 "The retirement risk most plans miss: Losing the ability to enjoy your money")
Shifting composition: Dependence on services exports is increasing
Services exports are driving India's trade growth and resilience, but stronger manufacturing output remains essential for broad-based job creation and sustainable growth
 "Shifting composition: Dependence on services exports is increasing")
Primary drivers: Mega IPOs could boost interest in Indian markets
Jio Platforms and NSE are set to launch record-breaking IPOs, offering investors exposure to two vastly different but dominant growth stories
 "Primary drivers: Mega IPOs could boost interest in Indian markets")
Mission SEHAT aims to align agriculture and health for nutritional security
This initiative, notably, has come amid the growing apprehension that modern high-yielding crop varieties are, in general, less nourishing than their older versions
 "Mission SEHAT aims to align agriculture and health for nutritional security")
Govt's AI strategy problem: Why sovereign models may not be the answer
India should focus on AI talent, innovation and global integration rather than spending public funds on building a sovereign large language model, argue the authors
Ideology, not power: The glue that keeps political parties from splintering
The BJP has had some significant departures that need mention. The first was Balraj Madhok, the swayamsevak from Jammu who, as party chief, led the BJS to his highest ever tally of 35 in the 1967 elec
 "Ideology, not power: The glue that keeps political parties from splintering")
Best of BS Opinion: Should 'risk capital' be taxed like labour is?
From risk capital taxation and Uttar Pradesh's caste churn to political defections and fractured consumer markets, today's BS Opinion page maps power, money and strategy
 "Best of BS Opinion: Should 'risk capital' be taxed like labour is?")