Page 7 - Bs Opinion
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")
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
FMCG firms recalibrate approach as consumer market rewards speed over scale
5 years ago, Aashirvaad &Surf Excel could run one national television commercial and win. Today, the Zepto shopper in Bengaluru and the kirana buyer in Gidderbaha, Punjab, live in different economies
 "FMCG firms recalibrate approach as consumer market rewards speed over scale")
Brahmin unease could reshape Uttar Pradesh's political landscape
The tension between the Brahmins and Kshatriyas in UP since Yogi Adityanath, a Kshatriya by birth, became chief minister has been the BJP's worst-kept secret
 "Brahmin unease could reshape Uttar Pradesh's political landscape")
Capital gains don't deserve a special tax privilege if labour doesn't
There are also social risks that accompany huge bets on labour-saving technologies like AI and robotics
 "Capital gains don't deserve a special tax privilege if labour doesn't")
India must be institutionally ready for private infra investment to return
After independence, the story unfolded across eight stages of private capital waning and waxing through India's infrastructure journey
 "India must be institutionally ready for private infra investment to return")
Karnataka must move away from subsidies to growth-enabling reforms
The multicultural life of the young in Bengaluru today represents India's greatest cosmopolitan and sophisticated culture, surpassing that seen in even Mumbai in some respects
 "Karnataka must move away from subsidies to growth-enabling reforms")
A new US Fed: Central bank aims to reform functioning as Marsh takes charge
Aside from the shifts, one of the biggest takeaways from the Fed statement and Mr Warsh's first press conference as its chairman was the firm commitment to price stability and the 2% inflation target
 "A new US Fed: Central bank aims to reform functioning as Marsh takes charge")
Bridges over Evian waters: G7 meet saw more convergence than controversy
By all accounts, Mr Modi led the discussions at the working session, endorsing the G7's call for partnerships rather than aid but also underlining support for developing countries
 "Bridges over Evian waters: G7 meet saw more convergence than controversy")
Delay in releasing AI-171 crash report risks prolonging grief, speculation
Just before the preliminary report was posted on the official website last July, a report in The Wall Street Journal said the probe was shifting the focus to the senior pilot in the cockpit, prompting
 "Delay in releasing AI-171 crash report risks prolonging grief, speculation")